LAPHROAIG COMES OUT ON TOP AT BONHAMS FIRST WHISKY AND SPIRITS SALE IN PARIS

EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE BOTTLES ON OFFER

 Bonhams : Whisky et Spiritueux d’Exception

15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967. Sold for €51,240 (Estimate: €28,000 – €38,000)

Paris – A bottle of the highly-coveted 15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967 was the top performer at Bonhams inaugural sale of exceptional Whisky and Spirits in Paris on Tuesday 10 May. It sold for €51,240 against an estimate of €28,000 – €38,000. The189-lot sale made a total of €322,275 with more than 80% of the lots sold.

Diego Lanza, Senior Whisky Specialist at Bonhams, said: “We are delighted with the result of our first whisky sale in Paris. The 15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967 which led the sale sparked a keen bidding war and performed exceptionally well. There was also a strong showing from other bottles as well, including the Springbank-12-year old-1967 which sold for €18,300, having been estimated at €15,000-20,000, and the Longmorn Glenlivet-1974 which made an impressive €6,100 against an estimate of €3,500-4,500.”

Sale: Fine Whisky and SpiritsLocation: 4 rue de la Paix, ParisDate: Tuesday 10 May

Link to catalogue: Bonhams : Whisky et Spiritueux d’Exception

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

Dead Guillemot, Fabric Plasters and Blackened Engine Grease?

Glen Moray unveils the whisky world’s wackiest tasting notes ahead of World Whisky Day and asks if it’s time for change?

We use hundreds of words to describe the taste of whisky, from the basic to the truly weird and wonderful! To tie-in with World Whisky Day this weekend (Sunday 22nd May), Glen Moray asked the experts to reveal the strangest tasting notes they’ve encountered and suggest some modern alternatives to make life easier for newcomers and accessible to all.

Leading whisky writers, including Dave Broom, Henry Jeffreys, Jim Coleman, Ian Wisniewski, Mark Gillespie, Brian Townsend and Philip Day all rose to the challenge and revealed their funniest findings, pet peeves and guilty pleasures when it comes to ‘interesting’ whisky lingo. As Henry Jeffreys confessed:

“My bete noir for tasting notes, and I’m as guilty as anyone, is being unnecessarily specific, for example saying Conference pear, rather than just pear, Manuka honey rather than just honey, wild strawberries and Columbian Coffee. I think they are used to give a false sense of exactness.

But, that’s not to say that tasting notes have to be a plain. I love silly comparisons. My favourite ever tasting though, comes from wine and it is ‘sturdier than Robert Mitchum’s trousers press’. Beat that!”

Jim Coleman revealed one tasting note that has stuck with him is ‘tastes like the left wing of a dead seagull on an Islay beach’ whilst whisky aficionado Dave Broom also has a soft spot for an avian analogy, siting Charlie MacLean’s taste of ‘dead guillemot’ as his firm favourite.

From hints of paint thinner, motor grease and Cullen Skink, to notes of rotting fish, beeswax and Germoline, Glen Moray’s findings reveal that whisky lingo is indeed an acquired taste. Below are some favourites that the experts and Glen Moray fans have flagged:

Tastes like

• Pork scratchings dusted with paprika
• Dirt
• Damp cardboard
• Spicy cigarette ash
• A touch of the tack room
• Roofing tar
• Plankton
• Driftwood campfire smoke – a tasting note that is not all together unusual, however as Whisky Cast’s Mark Gillespie points out, one he has caught holy hell for from his family over the years who always want to know “when where you ever around a driftwood campfire on a beach?” 

On the nose, with a hint of

• Sileage
• Wet Labrador
• Toilet Duck
• A wet worsted blanket
• Damp autumnal hay
• Scented candle (but which scent?)

In a word…

• Grungy
• Masculine
• Flaccid
• Inoffensive
• Gullet-warming

And the best of the rest when it comes to descriptions:

• ‘Like a young cricket bowler joining the senior squad too young: some of the delivery is wayward but the power, energy and enthusiasm is there in abundance.’
• ‘Like a liquidised Tunnock’s Caramel Log in a glass’
• ‘It’s a sit back with a cigar and show off your cufflinks kind of dram’

Dave Brooms explains: “Our sense of smell is an internalised sense and therefore the most personal. That means we all have different memories and triggers when we smell something. It depends on your background, where you live, what you eat, when you first encountered an aroma. No surprise then that you get some wild descriptors – but they are the right ones for you.

The key is to know what they mean. If I smell clean rabbit hutch/hamster cage I know I’m smelling a malty whisky …You might smell biscuits, or dusty attics … or a dead mouse…

It hinders enjoyment if you don’t allow people to relax and allow their memories to come out.”

One thing many of the experts agree on however, is that it may be time to give whisky a bit of an update by being more alive to the aromas around us and using descriptors and terms that are universally understood.

Scents of Nandos, CBD oil, candy floss, Oreo, cookie dough and peanut butter are just some of the suggestions provided in addition to considering describing mouthfeel more often, think creamy, silky, velvety, oily, juicy and delicate.

And when it comes to Scottish Whisky, Dave Broom would like to see the following used as often as possible: the Gaelic word ‘sgrìob’ which describes the itchiness of the lip when a dram is required and ‘It’s Hoorish strong/ A-hoora strong’ (used as a warning to people who are about to neck a cask-strength dram).

www.glenmoray.com

www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery

www.instagram.com/glen_moray_whisky

www.twitter.com/glenmoraydist

ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time.

A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.  www.la-martiniquaise.com

THE DALMORE ANNOUNCES A

NEW CHAPTER FOR ITS HIGHLAND HOME  

The Dalmore Distillery announces investment programme

at its historic distillery in the Scottish Highlands 

Founded in 1839, The Dalmore has gone on to become an exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky, admired for its depth and finesse. Despite experiencing phenomenal demand for its whisky, the distillery has retained a uniquely intimate scale, nestled beside North Scotland’s great waterway – The Cromarty Firth.

The capital investment programme proposes a new whisky making facility and visitor experience, whilst retaining the distinctive character of the distillery. A beautiful Pagoda, sat elegantly atop The Old Dalmore Kiln, will mark the heart of the reimagined distillery. Existing estate will be repurposed, breathing new life into historic realms, to create an iconic distillery, home to an exceptional Single Malt.

The vision is to honour the whisky making artistry that takes place at The Dalmore. The distillery is unique; known for its idiosyncratic symphony of stills, and curation of exquisite casks, it has been the birthplace of an unrivalled catalogue of rare and aged releases. The programme will retain the character of the estate, taking great care with the unique nature of the distillery and that of its famed new make spirit. The reimagined distillery will allow The Dalmore’s whisky making artistry to shine.

The investment will ensure a sustainable future for The Dalmore and its exceptional whisky making. In 2021 the parent group – Whyte and Mackay Ltd – published The Green Print; their sustainability strategy, which set the objective to become Net Zero by 2040. This investment will create a new whisky making and production facility, built to exacting sustainability standards, and transitioning the site to a green energy solution.

The announcement is made as The Dalmore continues to enjoy unrivalled demand, becoming the No.1 fastest growing Single Malt. In 2021 The Dalmore achieved a record-breaking performance at auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, whilst industry authority Rare Whisky 101 recognised the brand as one of the world’s most investible Single Malts.

Threesixty Architecture have been appointed architects, Blyth and Blyth Consulting Engineers lead designers and whisky industry authority Forsyths are consulting on the process and the whisky making aspect of the development. Formal Planning Application has been submitted.

About The Dalmore

For 180 years The Dalmore has been a masterpiece in the making. A Single Malt Whisky like no other, overseen by an unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers whose entrepreneurial spirit and restless pursuit of the perfect whisky endures today. Whisky Making is lead by pioneering Master Whisky Maker Mr Gregg Glass, alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE, who celebrated his sixth decade in 2020.

The Dalmore Distillery was born with a noble purpose, to reimagine what it is to create an exceptional Single Malt Whisky. Our unique distillery is home to an expertly composed new make spirit, produced by our idiosyncratic symphony of stills. Our whisky makers select rare casks from the world’s finest bodega and wineries in which to mature our exceptional Single Malt.

When asked what the greatest Dalmore he has ever made is; our Master Distiller, Richard Paterson responded: “We haven’t made it yet.”

The Dalmore Single Malt Whisky is available worldwide in the finest outlets, from Harrods, London, Galleries La Fayette of Paris, Beverly Wilshire of Los Angeles, and Shangri-La, Shanghai. For those that enjoy fine travel, The Dalmore is now available at 40,000 feet with Emirates First Class, and onboard Queen Mary II of Cunard.

Worldwide demand for The Dalmore by consumers and collectors alike has continued to grow. The Dalmore is now the fastest growing single malt whisky worldwide[1] and a Top Three Whisky Investment.[2]

Whyte and Mackay – Award-Winning Whisky Makers

The Dalmore is the pinnacle of an award-winning collection of Single Malt Whiskies, produced by famed whisky house Whyte and Mackay. The collection includes Jura, the UK’s Number 1 [3]Single Malt, Tamnavulin[4], the world’s (IWSR, 2021) Single Malt and Fettercairn, home to enlightened whisky making.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers recently celebrated their 175 year anniversary, and were recognised as Distiller of the Year 2021. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

[1] IWSR 2018-20, Cohort: Single Malts

[2] Citation 2: Rare Whisky 101: The 2016 and 2021 Collectors and Investors Single Enjoy responsibly, Malt Scotch Review

[3] Nielsen UK Off Trade MAT 26.03.22

[4] IWSR 2020

Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils 46 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Marking Second Release in Rare Remarkable Stills Series  

Limited to 200 bottles globally, it is one of the rarest whiskies ever released by the distillery   

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a rare 46 Year Old single malt whisky, marking the second release in its Remarkable Stills Series.

Created in homage to the distillery’s unique straight-neck stills, the collection of exceptional limited edition single malt whiskies celebrates the alchemy and engineering of Loch Lomond’s whisky-making process.

As the only distillery in Scotland to use straight-neck stills, Loch Lomond Whiskies is truly unique in its craftsmanship, using innovative techniques to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

It is able to carefully shape the character of the whisky at the point of distillation, creating a lighter spirit with a distinctive fruit flavour which is integral to the distillery’s signature style.

First distilled in 1974, Loch Lomond 46 Year Old has matured in American oak casks for 44 years, followed by two years in a combination of first fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks. The unpeated single malt whisky has been bottled at a strength of 45.3% ABV.

On the nose, there are hints of toffee and caramelised sugar with floral notes of rose, peach, mango, vanilla syrup, while the palate has juicy ripe pear, fresh orange peel and sweet melted brown sugar. There are some cinnamon and clove spice before dried fruits of raisins and sultanas. The finish on Loch Lomond 46 Year Old is long with green fruit, gooseberry and lime, a toffee sweetness and warming cinnamon and nutmeg spice.

These exceptional flavours which flow from the remarkable stills are further complemented by the impact of the casks where the whisky has been quietly maturing for 46 years. The influence of sherry adds rich, dried fruits which perfectly balances the notes of apple and pear which come from the straight-neck stills.

Natural in colour, the final product captures the story of Loch Lomond Whiskies innovative and imaginative spirit, underpinned by its unique capabilities.

Presented in a beautifully hand-crafted oak box with a copper centre inspired by the stills themselves, Loch Lomond 46 Years Old is limited to only 200 bottles around the world, making it one of the rarest whiskies ever released by the distillery.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said: “It is our unique straight-neck stills which set us apart from other distilleries in Scotland.

“Often distilleries focus on the flavours created through cask influence alone, but at Loch Lomond Whiskies we use both the distillation and maturation process to create a distinctive signature style.

“The Loch Lomond Whiskies Remarkable Stills Series has been crafted in tribute to our unique whisky-making expertise and captures the passion and curiosity of our whisky-making team who have set out to explore flavour in our own unique way.

“We set out to create new possibilities in whisky-making and as a result have created an exceptional collection of high-aged- single malt whiskies which feature some of the rarest expressions we have ever released.

“Loch Lomond 46 Year Old showcases our ability to create imaginative flavour profiles, and perfectly captures the distillery’s signature style which is characterised by extraordinary notes of fruit and honey.”

Loch Lomond 46 Years Old Single Malt has an RRSP of £4,500 and is available globally.  Each edition of the Remarkable Stills Series is limited to just 200 bottles making it one of the rarest collections of whiskies ever released by Loch Lomond Whiskies. Every bottle has been individually numbered to showcase its rarity.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.

Tasting notes

Nose: Toffee and caramelised sugar with floral notes of rose, peach, mango, vanilla syrup

Palate: Opens with juicy ripe pear, fresh orange peel and sweet melted brown sugar. There is cinnamon and clove spice before dried fruits of raisins and sultanas

Finish: Long with green fruit, gooseberry and lime, a toffee sweetness and warming cinnamon and nutmeg spice. 

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

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 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
• PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
• GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old

Butchertown Grocery Bakery

Added as a Top Level Sponsor of the 

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Tour

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hungry (and thirsty) Bourbon tourists rejoice! The Butchertown Grocery Bakery in Louisville is the newest Official Sponsor of the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

Located at 743 E Main Street, the BG Bakery is Butchertown’s first European style bakery and proudly offers freshly made breads and pastries, salads, sandwiches and more. It also features a retail wine & spirits shop with its own exclusive private barrel select bottles of Bourbon.

“The Butchertown Grocery name is storied within Bourbon circles for its culinary and cocktail prowess, and the Bakery is a great extension of that,” said Mandy Ryan, director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences.

“Bourbon Trail™ visitors are always looking for the best food, drink and shopping locales to round out their trips to Kentucky,” Ryan said. “We are proud to promote them as a warm and welcome addition to the ranks of our select KBT® sponsors.”

As an official sponsor, the BG Bakery receives prominent placement on the KBT® website and marketing materials, including recommended itineraries, signage and more. The bakery joins the Campbell House Hotel, Independent Stave Co., Marriott Louisville East, Mint Julep Experiences, Pegasus Distillery Experiences, Seelbach Hotel and VisitLex as Barrel level sponsors.

The BG Bakery has called the trendy neighborhood home since 2015 and is surrounded by fun offerings for tourists including the bustling Butchertown Market, the Lynn Family Stadium, home field for the LouFC Soccer Team, and other popular eateries, shops and watering holes.

There are eight KBT® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries in Louisville including, Angel’s Envy, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Michter’s at Fort Nelson, Old Forester. Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Kentucky Peerless, and Copper & Kings Distillery.

Louisville is an official Gateway of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and is home to the Frazier Museum at 829 West Main Street on historic Whiskey Row, which also serves as the KDA’s official Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center®.

BG Bakery Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Johnson said they are the state’s only bakery with a retail license to sell Bourbon by the bottle. “It’s our great pleasure to bring locally roasted coffee, artisanal breads and pastries, organic wines, and barrel select Kentucky Bourbons to the neighborhood we love,” she said.

“We look forward to being a place for Bourbon visitors to relax and refuel between tours while having the opportunity to show them what the team can do. We are excited to be an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.”

BG Bakery Principal owner John Moore said, “We are honored to receive the designation for the BG Bakery as an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. This will enhance our presence in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail attraction in collaboration with our local distilleries and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.”

“We are so proud of what we’ve built and we’re excited to share it with the world,” BG Bakery investor Chad Welch said. “We are proud to be an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience.”

For more information about the Butchertown Grocery Bakery, go to https://www.facebook.com/butchertowngrocery.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a thriving $9 billion economic engine that sustains more than 22,500 jobs. Bourbon-related tourism and hospitality jobs are vital to Kentucky’s economy.

Bourbon visitors took 1.5 million distillery tours in 2021 – down only 14% from the pre-pandemic record in 2019 of 1.72 million tours. Total attendance would have aset a new record in 2021 if not for distillery closure and tour limits due to Covid.

The KBT Craft Tour® set their own record in 2021 clocking in over 600,000 distillery stops – that’s a 35% increase from the previous 2019 record.

Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Edinburgh Whisky Academy Takes Flagship Single Malt Diploma to New York 

Whisky enthusiasts and industry professionals in North America are set to benefit from in-person access to one of the most extensive whisky learning experiences available when Scotland’s Edinburgh Whisky Academy takes its flagship Diploma in Single Malt Whisky to Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn this September (Saturday 10 & Sunday 11).

The Scottish Qualifications Authority-certified diploma is the only one of its kind and is the Academy’s highest award.

Previously offered only in a two-day, face-to-face teaching setting near Edinburgh, the Academy launched the online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky in 2021 to increase access for brand ambassadors, sales staff, distillery staff and whisky enthusiasts across the globe.

While the online option is still available and popular, this New York date will offer a one-of-a-kind classroom environment for modules ranging from raw materials, batch distillation, maturation and world whiskies to a session on sensory skills. Two modules are delivered online upon purchase for self-study (the history of whisky and distillation and the business of whisky).

To achieve their SQA certificate, candidates take a final assessment that includes nosing and tasting nine different whiskies. A maximum of 25 people will be allowed on the course, taught by Edinburgh Whisky Academy lecturer, Vic Cameron, an experienced industry and teaching professional.

The Edinburgh Whisky Academy was founded in 2015 by Managing Director, Kirsty McKerrow, who has worked as a brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg and whose family is steeped in whisky heritage with her forefathers starting Mackinlay’s whisky in 1815. The Academy was created to fill what she felt was a significant gap in the Scotch Whisky education market and has since provided training for some of Scotland’s top distilleries and brand owners including The Macallan, Whyte & Mackay, Brown Forman and Diageo.

Kirsty McKerrow said: “We’re thrilled to be travelling to New York this September to teach the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky. Open to all, our first in-person stateside course will host up to 25 candidates at the Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn.   

North America is a key market for us. Over the past year, more than 1,000 candidates have accessed our courses from the region, with the vast majority studying online. To be able to travel and teach our flagship course in-person really complements our hugely accessible online offer and further strengthens our position as the go-to Scotch whisky educator.   

With the travel and hospitality industries finally opening again at scale, it seemed like the perfect time to take EWA across the Atlantic where we’ll hopefully meet with candidates – past, present and future – to share a dram and talk all things Scotch whisky.” 

Booking for the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (New York, 10 & 11 September 2022), which costs £1,100, is now available.

www.edinburghwhiskyacademy.com

https://www.kingscountydistillery.com/

AUDL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH STILLHOUSE

DESIGNATED AS OFFICIAL WHISKEY OF THE AUDL   

Los Gatos, CA (May 9, 2022) – The American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) is proud to announce its new partnership with Stillhouse, America’s Finest Whiskey, made in the heartland of the USA. With its unique stainless-steel packaging, Stillhouse Whiskey chills quickly and reflects the unbreakable spirit, where good times go where glass can’t follow.

“We are very pleased to introduce our fans and followers to Stillhouse products and welcome them to the unbreakable nation” said Steven Hall, CEO and Commissioner of the AUDL. “As the Official Whiskey of the AUDL, we know that the unbreakable spirit of the Stillhouse community aligns well with the fun, inclusive and responsible values of Ultimate.”

“Stillhouse is so excited to be partnering with the AUDL,” said Ludlow Dawes, Stillhouse Senior Brand Manager. “The league’s growing fanbase will be an incredible addition to the unbreakable nation, and we can’t wait for fans to cheer on their favorite teams with our award-winning spirits.”

As a “Supporting Sponsor of the AUDL Game of the Week,” which can be viewed on FOX Sports 2 Saturday evenings this year, fans can look forward to enjoying Stillhouse products at select games throughout the season, including the 11th AUDL Championship Weekend, August 26 and 27 in Madison, WI.

About AUDL and Professional Ultimate

The American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) was founded in 2012 to introduce and showcase our talented athletes and precision play to a global audience.  The league will have 25 teams playing in the US and Canada in 2022. Each team competes in a 12-game regular season schedule, with top teams entering a playoff round and divisional winners advancing to a final four style Championship Weekend. Our audience enjoys our exciting, affordable, family-friendly events, devour our highlights and video features on social media and watch our full-length games on TV or streamed online on AUDL.tv. www.theaudl.com.

About Stillhouse 

Stillhouse® is an award-winning American-made spirits portfolio encased in one-of-a-kind, unbreakable 100% stainless steel cans that go where glass can’t. Forging a path that goes against the grain, Stillhouse® Spirits Co. was founded in 2016. From its inception, Stillhouse® has created a unique and differentiated platform in the spirits industry – from liquid to package – by defying industry norms, breaking through the monotony and all in a metal can that stands for the unbreakable spirit of America’s finest. Stillhouse® Whiskey is distilled in traditional copper stills then charcoal filtered for superior quality and taste, allowing the natural sweetness of the corn to shine throughout the mellow flavor and smooth finish that make this a truly versatile spirit. Stillhouse® whiskey is also available in Apple Crisp, Peach Tea and Spiced Cherry. All flavors are natural and gluten free. In 2018, Stillhouse® introduced Stillhouse® Black Bourbon and in 2019, the brand took the biggest spirits category head on with the debut of Stillhouse® Classic Vodka. Join the Unbreakable Nation by visiting www.Stillhouse.com.

HOUSE OF SUNTORY ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF

THE DOJO ADVOCACY PROGRAMME 

Built with the hospitality community in mind, the DOJO programme will immerse bartenders in the art of Japanese bartending through culturally immersive and educational sessions 

London, 5^th May 2022 – The House of Suntory has announced the return of its highly successful advocacy programme for the third year running, set to educate bartenders on their premium portfolio of Japanese premium sprits: Roku gin, Haku vodka and Toki and Hibiki whiskies. Kicking off in June 2022, the DOJO programme aims to deepen bartenders’ understanding of the philosophies behind the art of Japanese bartending.

The DOJO Academy and DOJO Senpai together form the full programme for DOJO this year. The DOJO Academy will provide 50 bartenders with insights from Japanese Craft Masters which can be applied to strengthen any hospitality career. Authentic Japanese Masters of Craft will host four modules over two “Monozukuri Masterclasses” in July and September, led by James Bowker, House of Suntory’s Brand Ambassador, which will immerse bartenders the craftsmanship, techniques and culture of bartending in Japan.

James and the Masters will also offer 25 bartenders a unique opportunity to take part in the DOJO Senpai program. This separate, elevated program provides bartenders with growth and development opportunities across a six-month period. A Senpai welcome lunch will be held in May 2022 to introduce the program and the House of Suntory spirits portfolio before a series of “Monozukuri Masterclasse”s which will run from June until September.

Each masterclass will take place at Japan House in London and the bespoke Japanese inspired sessions will be centred around the three pillars of House of Suntory: WA (being in harmony with Japanese nature), Monozukuri (traditional Japanese principles of craftsmanship) and Omotenashi (authentic Japanese hospitality). The “Monozukuri Masterclasses” will focus on:

Sushi and Seasoning – A masterclass on balance and seasoning, including a Haku tasting

Ikebana and Aesthetics – A masterclass spotlighting the art of Ikebana flower arranging and how to adapt it to cocktail garnishing, focused on Japanese aesthetics and beauty. The session also includes a Roku tasting

Kaiseki and Psychology – A masterclass teaching the skills and techniques behind traditional multi-course Japanese dining. The session will also include a tasting of the blending components of Toki

Chadō and Hospitality – A masterclass in Japanese hospitality, explored via the traditional Tea Ceremony, including an in-depth tasting of Hibiki

Additionally, inspired by the concept of Kaizen – “continual improvement” – participants will apply this concept via Kaizen Challenges over the duration of the summer. This will involve participants showcasing their newfound skills and applying them to a classic cocktail, selected prior to the first masterclass.

As part of this challenge, those who demonstrate the art of refinement and continuous improvement during the masterclasses will be invited to the DOJO Finale, taking place in November. The finale will bring together finalists from the DOJO Academy and DOJO Senpai programmes to take part in one last competition, hosted by James Bowker and famed Bar Master Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five in Tokyo. At the end of the Masterclass, the group will present their Kaizen Classic to Hidetsugu Ueno, James Bowker and peers, with two lucky bartenders winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan.

Throughout the year there will also be several Japanese inspired DOJO mini events held in different London locations, including Japanese tea tasting and a Kanpai sake brewery tour.

Commenting on the return of DOJO for the third year running, James Bowker, Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, said: “We’re extremely delighted to bring back DOJO for a third year, and this time, we’re back in person after two years of virtual sessions. Japanese food and drink remain the UK’s fastest growing sector in hospitality (CGA Report 2021) and following a challenging period in our industry, the programme aims to motivate bartenders through incomparable experiences and authentic Japanese bar training. 

Those taking part will develop new ways to bring creativity to the art of Japanese bartending and gain unique insights into creating better guest experiences. I am really looking forward to welcoming the future DOJO ambassadors to our close-knit, yet growing community.” 

For more information on DOJO, please visit www.suntorydojo.com

Monozukuri Masterclasses 2022 dates:

The DOJO Academy

The DOJO Senpai

The three pillars of House of Suntory include:

WA – being in harmony with Japanese nature

Omotenashi – the enjoyed experiences of Japanese Hospitality and culture

Monozukuri – elevated Japanese Craftsmanship; and this programme will educate bartenders on all of these principles 

About Suntory Whisky

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son, Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).

Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki—Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki.

GORDON & MACPHAIL UNVEILS 64-YEAR-OLD WHISKY AS SECOND EDITION IN THE ‘MR GEORGE LEGACY’ SERIES 

The latest single malt in a series of timeless classics to emerge from the Gordon & MacPhail warehouse has been revealed.

Honouring Mr George Urquhart, a member of the second generation of the company’s owning family and the man who helped bring single malt whisky to the world, the Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery is the second expression to be released as part of the whisky creator’s annual Legacy series.

It was laid down 64 years ago while ‘Mr George’, as he was known to those who knew him best, was at the helm of the business. Only 298 bottles of this single cask whisky are available, highlighting the scarcity of this rarely seen vintage from Speyside’s Glen Grant Distillery.

The Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery celebrates Mr George’s long-term approach to maturation, where he was guided by the philosophy that whiskies take as long as they need to mature into the perfect dram. Achieving great quality and flavour takes time, and patience and trust in the process is still very much at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s ethos today.

Distilled on Thursday 10^th October 1957 and spending its entire maturation in cask no. 3483, a first-fill Sherry butt, the second edition of the Legacy Series [RSP £6000*] was bottled on Tuesday 9^th November 2021 at a cask strength of 56.1% ABV.

On the nose, the rich mahogany whisky releases aromas of fruitcake, festive spices, marmalade and treacle. To taste, notes of morello cherries, tobacco and garden mint greet the palate, followed by ripe red apple, citrus peel and subtle aniseed. It finishes in an explosion of flavour, with lingering notes of spice, forest fruits and charred oak.

As the second whisky in the Legacy series, the Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery celebrates the expertise and patience required to match cask to spirit for long-term maturation.

Stuart Urquhart, grandson of Mr George and Gordon & MacPhail’s Operations Director, said: “In some industry quarters my grandfather was fondly thought of as slightly eccentric due to his relentless focus on maturation, painstakingly selecting the right cask to match with each particular spirit. He was intrigued to know how long the whisky might take to reach its peak and would have known he might not be around when that moment came. That is his legacy to our family and to whisky drinkers who love the rich complexity of the ultra-aged single malts he laid down decades ago.

“The latest release in the Legacy series comes from Glen Grant distillery, for which my grandfather had a particular affinity. Local to us in Speyside, Glen Grant was the first distillery to use a purifier in distillation which resulted in a lighter spirit. Back in the 1950s, the spirit would have been slightly smoky due to floor maltings and a small level of peat being used – which is a style rarely seen in today’s modern Speyside whiskies – giving this whisky a charred oakiness that is perfectly balanced by long-term maturation in a Sherry cask made of American oak.”

Charles Maclean, whisky expert, noted: “This is a gorgeous whisky, rich and multi-layered, still vibrant and vital in spite of its great age. A worthy tribute to the man who first drew the world’s attention to the glories of single malt – Mr George Urquhart”.

Celebrating its 125^th anniversary in 2020, Gordon & MacPhail has built up an impressive collection of whiskies from over 100 distilleries housed in its liquid library, a testament to the close relationships forged with Scotland’s distilleries over many decades.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail            

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Tasting notes: Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy Series, 1957 from Glen Grant distillery
Matured in cask 3483, a first-fill Sherry butt, and bottled at 56.1% ABV. Outturn of 298 bottles. 

COLOUR: Mahogany

AROMA: Rich FRUITCAKE aromas intertwine with FESTIVE SPICES; CINNAMON and GINGER. Notes of ORANGE MARMALADE is accompanied by DARK TREACLE and a hint of BEESWAX POLISH.

TASTE: MORELLO CHERRIES are followed by subtle dried TOBACCO and GARDEN MINT. Ripe RED APPLE undertones combine with CITRUS PEEL and soft ANISEED.

FINISH: A SPICY full-bodied finish with lasting flavours of FOREST FRUITS and CHARRED OAK.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies:

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

• ‘Discovery’ – This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces

SKENE DHU HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT WHISKY

A VICTORIAN BRAND RE-BORN IN 2022

 This month, Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd has relaunched “Skene Dhu” Highland whisky, which was last sold in Victorian times.   The ‘journey’ of this brand takes us from a tavern in London to a famous whisky bottler of times long past and finally to a wonderful Linkwood 14 year Old ex European Oloroso Oak Single Malt Whisky.   

The Cock Tavern in Fulham 

The Cock Tavern can be found at 360 North End Road, Fulham, London, England.  It is a pub with a very long and proud history.  It was first licensed in 1713, rebuilt in 1813, and rebuilt again in 1895.   For a long period in the Nineteenth century, it was run by various members of the Agar family.

Victorian drinks menu

So, what was the Cock Tavern serving to customers back when the Agar family ran it in Victorian times?    Well, amazingly, we do actually know because of an advert, placed by Charles Agar, Proprietor, in the 1893 Christmas Supplement to the West London Observer.  Amongst others, drinks on offer included:  Brandy; Champagne Brandy; Brown or Pale Ale; Rum; Gin; Sherry; Port; Claret; Bottled Beers; Stout; Vintage Champagne; Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky.   A fine selection!

Certain whiskies were even available by the case for just 42 Shillings (£2.10 in today’s money).   As can be seen from the extract from the advert below, these whiskies included one called “Skene Dhu”.   This brand name was a reference to the small twin-edged Scottish dagger historically carried in a Scotsman’s hose or long boot.    However, the “Skene Dhu” spelling used is unique, being different from the more now more common ‘sgian-dubh’ or ‘skean dhu’.

“Skene Dhu” Whisky – Bottle label patent

In 1905, just over a decade after Charles Agar’s advert, a “Skene Dhu” whisky label was patented by Alexander Ferguson & Co.    At the time, this company was a very big player in the Scotch whisky industry, shipping then famous brands all over the world.   Indeed, it was Alex Ferguson & Co who first patented the famous “Claymore” blended whisky.

A part copy of the 1905 “Skene Dhu” label patent application is below.  The ‘signature’ is in the handwriting of none other than Sir James Calder, who was then a whisky ‘A-lister’.  He was involved with both Alexander Macdonald from the Stronachie Distillery and Ainslie & Helibron.  All are lost to us now, but were huge names in past times.

The original “Skene Dhu” label patent was re-discovered recently.  Andrew Skene, who is interested in whisky history, was looking through books of old label designs in the Patent Office and was stunned to find one bearing his surname.   As luck would have it, the original “Skene Dhu” label patent had time-expired.  So, Andrew was able to take out a fresh patent in his name and now owns the original design.

 Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd 

Andrew Skene owns Skene Scotch Whisky, which is an independent whisky company.   In recent years, the firm has concentrated on buying and selling casks in bond.   However, in Autumn 2020, they once again started bottling whisky under their own labels.   It is early days, with stock currently being either wholesaled to Far Eastern distributors or retailed to UK drinkers through Skene Scotch Whisky’s own website and a select handful of whisky shops.

“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 14 Year Old retro label bottling

The most exciting project which Skene Scotch Whisky has been working on is a ‘retro-bottling’ bearing a “Skene Dhu” label based on the original 1905 design.

We set aside a Linkwood 14 year single malt whisky for this bottling, which had been matured in European ex-sherry oak.   Linkwood was chosen because Andrew Skene’s ancestors lived in “Burnside of Linkwood”, where they were coopers. 

“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 2008 14 Year Old ex Oloroso European Oak Single Malt Whisky is now available for just £65 directly from Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd via https://skenewhisky.com/product/skene-dhu-linkwood-14-year-old-single-malt/