Sotheby’s Annual Wine & Spirits Auction Sales

Hit Record $132 Million

– 44% Increase on 2020 –

NEW YORK, 20 December 2021 – Sotheby’s Wine’s annual auction sales of wines and spirits reached record heights in 2021, led by a 44% increase in sales to a total of $132 million.

Looking back on the historic year, Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine, said: “2021 will be remembered as a transformative year in Sotheby’s wine and spirits business, where we repeatedly broke records in all areas of our business and launched new initiatives and partnerships across all categories and geographies. Our highest ever sales total of $132 million included market leadership in Asia with $67 million, standout growth in both spirits and wine, and a slew of record prices for both wines and whiskies. We launched our sales in Continental Europe and our first sale of Tea in Hong Kong. But, perhaps the most significant development of this year was our inaugural sales and partnerships with the Hospices de Beaune and The Distillers’ Charity, where we worked together with the négociants in Burgundy and the distilleries in Scotland to raise important funds to benefit their local communities.”

Facts & Figures

• By region: Asia: $67 million; USA: $26 million; UK: $21 million; France: $18 million
• By category: Spirits $21 million
• Volume of sales increases: Sotheby’s staged 51 sales in the categories this year, 24% up on 2020
• 19 single owner sales, with an aggregate total of $75 million, 57% of the combined total
• Asia powers the market, with sales in the region accounting for 51% of global total, placing Sotheby’s in market leadership position in the region for fourth consecutive year
• Bidders from 56 countries (38% Americas, 37% Asia, 25% Europe)
• Buyers from 52 countries:
  • Buyers from Asia accounted for 57% of auction sales (58% for Wine, 52% for Spirits)
  • Buyers from the Americas accounted for 20% of auction sales (20% for Wine, 20% for Spirits)
  • Buyers from Europe accounted for 23% of auction sales (22% for Wine, 28% for Spirits)
• New buyers of wine and spirits made up 40% of the total number of buyers
• One third of bidders on wine and spirits under 40 years of age
• The number of first-time bidders of spirits saw a more than four-fold increase on 2020, with collectors from North America accounting for 45% of the total amount bid by collectors new to the category
• Over $20 million in auction sales for charity partnerships
• Lots sold: 14,150

Moving Sotheby’s centre of gravity to stage auctions and experiences beyond the traditional saleroom centres 

“These new partnerships enable us to work in a much closer way across the entire wine and spirits industries, which provides greater opportunity and benefit to everyone, from the producers and their communities to consumers all around the world. We look forward to expanding this series in 2022, starting with our innovative new partnership with the Napa Valley Vintners, as well as additional charitable organisations that will be announced early in the New Year.” – Jamie Ritchie

In 2021, Sotheby’s made a significant commitment to work together with charitable organisations, uniting collectors with special opportunities to acquire rare wines and whiskies, while benefiting the communities of each region:

• Sotheby’s partnered with the Hospices de Beaune for the first time. The 161st edition of the charity wine auction on 21 November brought $14.2 million. In addition, the legendary Charity Barrel realised a record $900,000, bringing the grand total raised for charity to $15.3 million
• Records also tumbled at the inaugural charity Scotch whisky auction – ‘The Distillers One of One’ – near Edinburgh on 3 December, with an auction totalling $4.1 million, and $2.7 million raised for charity
• Looking forward, as auction partners to Napa Valley Vintners, Sotheby’s will, for the first time, partner with a wine region to help connect wine consumers, collectors and connoisseurs to its wines. More details to follow.

Spirits

The year saw several partnerships with leading distilleries:

• Sotheby’s X The Worshipful Company of Distillers and the Scotch Whisky Industry, for the first Distillers One of One auction – records for Bowmore, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Ladyburn, and Talisker, and more ($4.1 million total, more than double the low estimate; December, Edinburgh)
• Sotheby’s X The Macallan: A one-of-a-kind original bottle of 1967 whisky from The Macallan’s Anecdotes of Ages Collection with label artwork by Sir Peter Blake, sold for $437,500 (March, New York)
• Sotheby’s X Bowmore: The Black Bowmore Archive Cabinet – the complete Black Bowmore single malt whisky collection direct from the Bowmore distillery – sold for $563,000 (April, Hong Kong)
• Sotheby’s X Gordon & MacPhail: Auction record for a bottle of the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky – designed by architect and designer Sir David Adjaye OBE, Decanter #1 of Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80-Years-Old sold for $193,000 (October, Hong Kong)
• Sotheby’s X The Dalmore: Auction record for The Dalmore – a one-of-a-kind set of six vintage single malts direct from the distillery, sold for $1.1 million, establishing the most valuable whisky lot sold by Sotheby’s in Asia (October, Hong Kong)
• Sotheby’s X Diageo: Set #1 of the second release of Prima & Ultima, Diageo’s collectable series of rare, cask-strength single vintage malts containing eight whiskies from across Scotland, was offered exclusively through Sotheby’s directly from Diageo (September, Hong Kong)

A single-owner auction, Whisky & Whiskey | The Three Continents Collection, forming Part 1 of the largest collection of spirits by bottle count ever to be offered by Sotheby’s, totalled an above estimate $2.3 million and with 80% of the lots achieving prices above their high estimates (December, New York)

Looking ahead to 2022

“As wine regions and distilleries are increasingly looking for global reach and recognition, we will see a rise in on-site auctions and events enhanced with state-of-the-art digital experiences.” – Jamie Ritchie

Sotheby’s will hold its inaugural sale of Spirits in France from 12 – 21 January

More than 10 single owner sales are already scheduled 

Top Lots in 2021 

SPIRITS

Glenfiddich The 1950s Collection, sold for $1.4 million

The Dalmore Decades No. 6 Collection, sold for $1.1 million

Talisker Cask of Distinction 1978 + Artwork by Callum Innes, sold for $831,780

Black Bowmore Archive Cabinet Direct From Bowmore, sold for $563,000

Bowmore Onyx 51 Year Old 1970, sold for $532,340

Yamazaki 55 Year Old, sold for $525,000

Karuizawa 52 Year Old Strong Eagle Cask #5627 1960, sold for $495,200

The Macallan 1967 Anecdotes of Ages Collection “A New Era Of Advertising”, with Sir Peter Blake Print and Exclusive Experience, sold for $437,500

The Balvenie 56 Year Old 1964, sold for $232,900

Glenlivet Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80 Year Old 44.9 abv 1940 + Exclusive Experience, sold for $193,000

How can you invest in whiskey?

To invest in whiskey is one of the latest options and attention gaining areas in the investment industry. There are two principles ways to invest in whiskey and today we are going to discuss them. The first one is to invest directly in bottles and the second option is to invest in whiskey. It can either be an old or new bottle and in that, the brand and distillery are extremely important. In the casks of whiskey, the distillery from which the whiskey comes is less important. A good return of around 10-15% can be made from whiskey casks from any distillery.

Let’s have a detailed view at both the options and get a better view on how to invest in whiskey –

• Investing in bottles

Investing in the bottles requires a huge amount of capital in order to even make a minimum investment. In order to invest in bottles you need to buy them from auctions and releases by using your expertise and skills. Inspite of all the skills and expertise a high amount of return is not guaranteed when investing in bottles while making an investment in whiskey.

• Investing in Whiskey Casks

Whiskey is considered a depreciating asset and thus, no amount of capital gains is payable on the sale. Casks give a different perspective to whiskey investment. These are a simple asset, held in bond and no duty is levied whilst it stays in bond. When it comes to investing in whiskey, the best way is to invest in a diverse portfolio. Casks can be bought at different stages during their process. They can be bought freshly filled to well-aged.

The casks become more expensive as they gain maturity and they are of less price on their early stage. The cask at a zero age is called a new fill cask and the liquid is called a new make spirit. It takes 3 years and a day for a new spirit to legally become whiskey. Casks can be bought at any age the buyer thinks it would be beneficial.

More of such guidance is available when you join New Hibernian Whiskey Advisory and decide to invest in whiskey. For more information, you can visit www.new-hibernian.com

About New Hiberian Whiskey

Our Model of Whiskey Cask Purchase

The Irish Whiskey cask purchase model is a way for private investors and institutions to enter into a market that was historically limited to the select few; Either those with direct links to distilleries or Ultra High Net Worth individuals with the financial prowess to buy their way into the market of their choice.

Our model allows investors to enter into the advanced purchase of casks of raw Whiskey from one of renowned partner distilleries at prices way below wholesale. This ensures future profits for the cask owners whilst also creating cash flow for the distillery. For full details on our pricing structure contact info@new-hibernian.com

EX-PAUL JOHN WHISKY’S REGIONAL MANAGER, SHILTON ALMEIDA, JOINS M&H DISTILLERY

Tel Aviv – December 2021 — Shilton Almeida, formerly of Paul John’s Whisky, joins the M&H Distillery as the Global Brand Ambassador.

Almeida will bring to the Tel Aviv-based distillery a decade of experience in retail sales, marketing, and branding, as well as a wealth of knowledge and expertise. For more than six years, Almeida worked as a Regional Manager for John Distilleries, focusing on sales, marketing, and branding for Paul John Whisky in the United Kingdom and Europe. Shilton Almeida has been named Icons of Whisky – Highly Commended World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year for 2021.

“Almeida’s experience, passion, and understanding of the industry will undoubtedly be a huge asset as we look forward to a busy year ahead,” stated Gal Kalkshtein, founder and owner of the M&H Distillery. “I’ve been in love with M&H since they released their Young Single Malt, which I first tried in Frankfurt and got me all excited about the future there.” said Almeida. It’s fascinating to see what the team is doing in those climatic conditions in Israel. It is a privilege to be a part of this fantastic team”.

M&H finalizes the year with great enthusiasm, winning top honors including “Craft Producer of the Year” in Whisky Magazine’s 2021 Icons of Whisky (Rest of World), and after successfully launching its APEX series, the distillery’s signature core line of innovative, forward-thinking bold whiskies. M&H is currently presenting worldwide its most exciting release, the APEX Dead Sea, the first single malt whisky matured in the lowest place on earth, where temperatures climbing as high as 55 ºc.

About M&H Distillery: M&H Distillery (Milk & Honey), established in 2012 by entrepreneur and investor Gal Kalkstein, is Israel’s first whisky distillery and produces high-quality distillates in Tel Aviv. All raw materials, equipment, casks and processes were selected to ensure that the final product – whether white distillates or aged whisky – meets the highest quality standards. M&H Distillery received guidance and advice from the late Dr. Jim Swan, a world-renowned master distiller. All the products of the distillery are kosher.

Multi-million-pound investment set to reignite the spirit of the Cabrach

£3.5mn secured for distillery and heritage centre

Community, culture, and sustainability at heart of plan

Boost for skills development and employment

Ambitious plans to breathe new life into one of the UK’s most rural communities – famed for its role in the birth of malt whisky – have taken a significant step forward with the announcement of multi-million-pound funding to deliver The Cabrach Distillery and Heritage Centre; a project which will showcase the craft and alchemy of making Scotland’s national drink while telling the story of the historic region.

The Cabrach, a remote, upland area in the North East of Scotland, was a once thriving community of over 1,000 residents and a legendary haunt of rebellious Jacobites, illicit distillers and smugglers. However, the devastation wrought by the Great Wars began a spiral of depopulation and decline. Today fewer than 100 people call the Cabrach home.

Moves to regenerate the area as a sustainable community have been driven by The Cabrach Trust, who today confirmed it has secured the £3.5million needed to activate this eagerly anticipated project which will be delivered in harmony with the natural environment of the Cabrach.

Grant Gordon OBE, Founder and Chairman of The Cabrach Trust, said: “Our vision is to regenerate the Cabrach as a thriving, sustainable community. Having secured funding for this project represents a critical milestone for the Trust and we look forward to embarking on this exciting next chapter in the Cabrach’s story.”

A 19th-century steading at the Trust’s Inverharroch base will be restored to its former glory through a sympathetic restoration programme while sustainability will be at the heart of the transformation, incorporating an innovative renewable energy source.

This project represents the cornerstone of the Trust’s transformational regeneration masterplan for the Cabrach, which will not only bring about much-needed skilled, permanent employment to the area, but attract thousands of visitors every year, placing the natural beauty and unparalleled history of the area centre stage.

The Ethos Foundation, a principal funder of The Cabrach Trust, has pledged its support to the project, alongside capital grants from the William Grant Foundation and the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund. Forsyths, one of the world leaders in the supply of distillation equipment and based in nearby Rothes, are also contributing considerably. Of important note, the Bently Foundation awarded a significant grant to the project in 2021.

With an award-winning design team appointed, led by Collective Architecture, funding secured, and planning approval in place, enabling works on site are expected to get underway in February 2022, with the aim of being operational by Spring 2023.

Jonathan Christie, Chief Executive of The Cabrach Trust, commented: “With the build commencing early in the New Year, we look forward to sharing progress as our one-of-a-kind social enterprise unfolds, whilst launching several other exciting projects all poised to go live in 2022.

“We are humbled by the support provided by the Ethos Foundation, Bently Foundation and our other core funders. It is a privilege to work with and alongside such an array of incredible peer, community, and funding partners. The Cabrach Distillery and Heritage Centre is central to our regeneration plans and the long-term sustainability of this important community.”

Additional Comments

Richard Lochhead MSP: “The Cabrach is a unique community with an incredibly rich heritage. The Trust’s ambitious regeneration plans promise to open a new chapter in its story. It is widely believed that the Cabrach is the birthplace of Scotch whisky and plans for a new distillery and heritage centre are not only fitting but also hugely exciting. This project will undoubtedly put the Cabrach on the map and I’m delighted this funding has been secured.”

Douglas Ross MP: “This is fantastic news for the area. As well as adding to the local economy, and hopefully attracting further investment, this project will create much needed job opportunities and support more young people to live and work in the area. The Trust’s vision to regenerate this rural community is very welcome, supporting a sustainable future for the Cabrach. I am very much looking forward to watching these plans progress and offer my support for this great project.”

Nick Addington, Chief Executive of the William Grant Foundation: “The William Grant Foundation is delighted to be supporting The Cabrach Trust’s innovative and entrepreneurial redevelopment of Inverharroch as a social enterprise Distillery and Heritage Centre. The new community-owned facility will celebrate and showcase the contribution of this special place and the people who lived there, to Speyside and Scotland’s whisky heritage, and contribute to its sustainable future.”

The Cabrach Trust

The Cabrach Trust was formed in 2011 and is a registered charity (Charity No. SCO43771). The Trust’s vision is to regenerate the Cabrach as a thriving, sustainable community with its history, heritage and place in Scottish history celebrated and shared by all. It was set up in response to the need to preserve the cultural heritage of The Cabrach and safeguard its remote community.

In 2013, through its generous donors, the Trust acquired the historic Inverharroch Farm and its 170 acres of land and through community asset transfer acquired the Old School and Hall and the Acorn Community Centre. The Trust has developed a community-led regeneration masterplan that will see the development of projects such as a Historic Distillery and a new Heritage Centre on the Trust’s land.

Following a meticulous programme of restoration, The Cabrach Distillery and Heritage Centre will be housed within the Inverharroch Farm steadings. The distillery and traditional dunnage warehouse will occupy two wings of the steading, with the additional two wings allocated for the heritage centre, community bistro, tasting room, and visitor reception. Operated as a social enterprise, our distillery will have at its roots historic methods which reflect the manufacture and production of Malt Whisky from the 1800s when “real Cabrach whisky” was widely acclaimed. Following ageing and maturation, the bottled product will eventually be available for sale, generating profits as part of the Trust’s long-term sustainability plan.

The Trust aims to provide economic and social development opportunities for the Cabrach, creating jobs and attracting new visitors to the area to celebrate and protect the cultural heritage, beautiful landscape, and history of the Cabrach.

The Trust is steered by a committed Board of Trustees working alongside a small, dedicated, and knowledgeable staff team.

Funders

The Ethos Foundation was established in 2016 (registered charity no. 1166697) and is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Foundation’s giving is informed by a multi-generational family commitment to philanthropy, centred on a mission to support local communities and UK society in general.

Founded and supported by San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneur Christopher Bently with founding Director Camille Bently, Bently Foundation strives to support organizations worldwide in the areas of the environment, the arts and animal welfare. For more information please visit: www.bentlyfoundation.org

Forsyths Ltd is the fabrication arm of the Forsyth Group based in the North East of Scotland. Their work in the alcoholic beverage industry varies from the supply of distillation equipment only to turnkey distillery design and build, plant upgrade or expansion projects.

The William Grant Foundation is a non-profit association established to support charitable causes, principally in Scotland. It has been set up by William Grant & Sons Ltd to manage and direct the company’s charitable giving. Visit their webpage at www.williamgrantfoundation.org.uk from where you can download their latest annual review.

For more information about Vattenfall Clashindaroch Wind Farm Community Fund, visit HERE:

For further information, interviews and images, please contact Alex Schweitzer-Thompson at alex@thisistailormade.com

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY RELEASES LIMITED ABRAHAM BOWMAN 15-YEAR-OLD RUM FINISHED BOURBON 

FREDERICKSBURG, KY (Dec. 15, 2021) — A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the latest release in its Abraham Bowman series of experimental whiskey, the Abraham Bowman Rum Finished Bourbon.

The bourbon in this release aged for nine years in American White Oak before finishing in rum casks for an additional six years. This release may just be the oldest rum cask finished bourbon ever produced.

This 15-year-old bourbon has an intense reddish-brown hue. Master Distiller Brian Prewitt describes it as bright and lively, noting the aroma begins with notes of well-aged bourbon. “The aroma of vanilla, caramel, and candied nuts give way to leather and coconut. Finally fading to the notes brought in from the long rum finish, aromas of molasses, brown sugar, and candied fruit. Sweet flavors of toffee and toasted sugar with vanilla. This bourbon has a viscous mouthfeel and pleasant aftertaste that lingers on the palate. The immense complexity of the spirit continues to offer new and enticing aromas and flavors with each subsequent taste.

“Our Abraham Bowman series allows us the flexibility to experiment and discover unique new expressions, permitting us to gain new insights along the way,” said Prewitt. “The age on this rum-finished release is unparalleled and resulted in one of our favorite finishes to date.”

The Abraham Bowman Rum Finished Bourbon is part of a series of limited-edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year.

Abraham Bowman Rum Finished Bourbon will be available through the A. Smith Bowman Distillery gift shop on a first come, first served basis on Saturday, December 18. This release will also be available through the Virginia ABC Board lottery. Quantities are very limited. The total age of this bourbon is 15 years and is bottled at 100 proof. These 750 ml bottles have a suggested retail price of $69.99.

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. As Virginia’s oldest and most award-winning distillery, its various brands have earned numerous prestigious awards over the years, including John J. Bowman Single Barrel, which received a double gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com

Kentucky Tornado Victims to Benefit from 

Buffalo Trace Distillery Auction of Unprecedented Whiskey Flights of Pappy Van Winkle and Antique Collection 

Online Auction Offers Full Line Up of Two of the Distillery’s Rarest and Most Valuable Whiskey Collections

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Dec. 20, 2021) Like so many people in Kentucky and around the world, the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery is devastated by the losses caused by the tornadoes that tore through the Midwest and South this past weekend.  Mercifully, the company’s 2,300 team members in the area and its ten operations are unscathed, although some of its team members experienced tragedy with their extended families, including loss of life.

To help raise funds, Buffalo Trace and the Van Winkle family are partnering with Menish Productions on two very rare and unique whiskey flights, available via online auction starting Monday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. and running through Thursday, Dec. 23^rd at 7 p.m. Up for bid are a complete flight of Pappy Van Winkle and a complete flight of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, including a 2020 George T. Stagg.  All of these whiskies are very collectible, and for the first time ever, the Distillery is donating a bottle of each expression from both of the lineups for this charitable cause.

“The toll these tornadoes and severe weather took on our fellow Kentuckians and others in the Midwest and South is shocking,” said Mark Brown, chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery.  “We hope our bourbon community, who we know can be very generous, really shows its support and we’re able to raise an unheralded amount of funds for Western Kentucky disaster relief.”

The auction, which goes live at 9 a.m. on Dec. 20^th, will feature two packages, a complete Van Winkle collection which includes Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old, Van Winkle 12 year old “Lot B,” Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old, Pappy Van Winkle 20 year and Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old.  The auction winners will have the option to have the set autographed by Julian and Preston Van Winkle.

The second whiskey package is a complete set of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, which includes William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old and a 2020 George. T. Stagg (130.4 proof). The auction winners will have the option to have the set autographed by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Buffalo Trace President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Brown.

Details on the auction and how to bid can be found HERE  All proceeds from the auction will go to disaster relief in Western  Kentucky.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

CASK WORLD MAKE HISTORY WITH LARGEST IMPORTATION OF MATURING SWEDISH WHISKY TO THE UK

A UK-based whisky brokerage has successfully shipped the largest single consignment of rare whisky casks from Sweden to Britain. New world whisky specialists Cask World recently announced the arrival of the 34 casks, holding thousands of litres of premium single malt from the renowned BOX Distillery, with the spirit – valued at approximately £1.2m – now continuing to mature in its new English home.

Whilst this shipment is significant in showing that trade with the EU can still be buoyant in the post-Brexit pandemic era, it also exemplifies growing global interest in non-Scotch whisky, with the spirit now increasingly in-bound to UK shores. Comparisons can be drawn with the new world wine revolution of recent decades, and Cask World have positioned themselves as pioneers of this movement. As a division of Rosewin Holdings PLC, this acquisition adds to their rapidly growing new world whisky portfolio, with the company proud to lay these barrels down alongside some of the incredible whiskies now being produced on all continents.

The pedigree and rarity of this shipment should not be underestimated. At the time these casks were filled, BOX was the world’s northernmost whisky distillery, sitting just inside the Arctic Circle at 63° North. A forerunner of the current Swedish whisky boom and renowned for its vision to be the first truly green whisky producer, BOX quickly gained recognition for the quality of its spirit, which uses pristine local spring water, excellent Swedish barley, and ultra-clean air. Additionally, the huge temperature fluctuations between summer and winter in the region cause unique interactions between the maturing liquid and the wood, all combining to give special depth and character to the BOX final product.

All filled between 2011-2015, the eldest barrels to have made the journey across the North Sea are just turning a decade old. These are also believed to be some of the final remaining stock filled under the BOX name (the producer changed to ‘High Coast’ following a naming dispute in 2018). When eventually bottled, they could therefore be the last in existence to bear the ‘Distilled at BOX Distillery, Sweden’ label.

Currently ranging from six to ten years old, this cask collection contains a broad array of exciting cask/spirit combinations. Cask World’s founder Daniel Monk explains:

“This is a true box of delights – we’ve got wood ranging from virgin American, German, French, and Swedish Oak through to ex-sherry, bourbon, port, Madeira, and even an ex-Laphroaig cask! And those barrels feature toasting and charring levels across the entire spectrum from light through to ‘high mocha’. 23 of the casks hold unpeated and 11 hold peated whisky. It could be said that this collection is a perfect microcosm of the wonderful variation and innovation we are now witnessing in the global whisky scene.”

BOX started producing in 2011, with their first offerings to the domestic market in 2014. The Swedes, a nation of discerning whisky lovers, reportedly snapped up the 11,500 bottles in minutes. A similar story ensued for all the distillery’s subsequent releases, with their slightly longer aged (up to six years old) and independent bottlings regularly achieving price points well in excess of £100. Indeed, High Coast have recently released their inaugural 10 year old bottling to the Swedish market (evidently using spirit distilled early in the BOX days) with an RRP. of £136 (SEK1650).

The above prices seem well justified, with the distillery winning a plethora of international awards under both the BOX and High Coast brands, such as their Best Swedish Single Malt for The Festival in 2017 and The Second Step Collection 01 in 2018 at the World Whiskies Awards. Their High Coast 63 (5 years old, £100) was awarded 91% by Whisky Saga with the comment, “Liquid magic from the wizards of the High Coast. This is how you do it!” To put this into perspective, Macallan’s Sherry Oak 18 year old (£300) scored 86%, and Highland Park’s 21 year old (£210) achieved 89%.

The BOX casks now resting in the English warehouse alongside other premium single malts are all well aged, with many ready for bottling. Cask World plan to release a quantity of them over the coming months, and interested parties can contact them to learn more via info@caskworld.com

Rosewin Holdings PLC and Cask World have spent recent years travelling the globe and building relationships with premium new world whisky producers. This collection of rare BOX casks was a calculated purchase, discovered during a trip to learn more about the thriving Swedish single malt industry. Aside from amassing a substantial portfolio of maturing world whisky both overseas and here in the UK, Cask World offer whisky enthusiasts and investors the opportunity to own maturing cask whisky from their network of partner distilleries. Check out https://www.caskworld.com/ to learn more and feel free to drop them a line as they love chatting about all things whisky!

The Fisherman’s Retreat has received two first place awards at the recent World Whisky Awards for its Editions 6.1 & 8 Scottish single malt whiskies.

CATEGORY WINNER –

SINGLE CASK 13 -20 Year old ISLAY

Edition 6.1 – Bruichladdich 14 Years Old was distilled on 23/05/2007 maturing in a Rivesaltes cask for 12.5 years before finishing in a Yalumba fortified wine cask from the Barossa valley for a further 18 months eventually being bottled on the 24/5/2021

CATEGORY WINNER –

SINGLE CASK 12 Years & Under ISLANDS (non Islay)

Edition 8 – Arran 7 Years old was distilled on the 27/08/2013 maturing in a Yalumba Viognier cask from the Barossa valley South Australia and was bottled on 09/02/2021

Hervey Magnall commented saying that he was delighted, and wished to thank the whole Fisherman’s Retreat team for all their dedication and hard work as well as thanking his good friends at Yalumba  vineyard.

Both releases are available via The Fisherman’s Retreat website

https://www.fishermansretreat.com/shop/

Bruichladdich Distillery Announces £2.65M Funding to Partner with Protium and Jericho Energy Ventures on Major Step Towards Decarbonisation Distillation

Distillery to receive funding for HyLaddie project that will pioneer sustainable green hydrogen energy technology

November 24, 2021 –Bruichladdich Distillery has today announced a significant step forward in its bold ambition to help decarbonise their distillation process by 2025, with major funding secured to pioneer industry-first technology. Innovative hydrogen combustion technology will be installed to heat the stills used to create Bruichladdich’s renowned Scotch, as well as their artisanal gin, The Botanist. The pilot project will demonstrate the ability to switch from fuel oil to sustainable hydrogen energy technology, covering part of the distilleries energy consumption in this early phase. It is a vital step towards decarbonising in the long term, where proof of concept could lead to many more adopting the technology. The green hydrogen boiler operates with zero greenhouse gas emissions, and is an example for distilleries across the globe to follow suit in reducing their carbon footprint.

The funding of £2.65m comes from the Green Distilleries Competition, funded through the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, and follows an initial feasibility study completed in the spring of 2021. It will allow Bruichladdich, and its energy partner Protium, to install an on‐site Dynamic Combustion Chamber™ (DCC™), a zero-emission hydrogen boiler patented by Jericho Energy Ventures’ (TSX-V: JEV; OTC: JROOF) wholly owned subsidiary Hydrogen Technologies LLCand licenced to Protium’s subsidiary, Deuterium, as a mechanism to meet heating requirements.

Dubbed HyLaddie, the project must navigate the installation of state-of-the-art technology within a fully operational Victorian distillery on the island of Islay, just off Scotland’s west coast. As a certified B Corp, Bruichladdich continually invests in its local community and hopes the project will demonstrate the capability of hydrogen to encourage commercialisation across Islay. A sustainable solution for the island’s remote location and infrastructure challenges, the heating technology has the potential to be integrated beyond distilling and into residential spaces, local government buildings, schools, hospitals, and beyond. In keeping with Bruichladdich’s industry-leading progressive practices, HyLaddie will also lay significant groundwork for similar-sized spirits producers across the world to up their own decarbonisation initiatives.

Douglas Taylor, CEO of Bruichladdich Distillery, comments, “Sustainability is in our DNA and is at the heart of everything we do. The funding for HyLaddie is a huge step towards our ambition of full decarbonisation and we can’t wait to bring the project to life with our partners at Protium. Many distilleries across Scotland are making serious steps forward in decarbonising their energy requirements, and we fully believe that hydrogen has a future in the Scotch industry. Our hope is that our proof of concept can extend to commercialisation across the island, and beyond, helping us hit the Scotch Whisky Association’s targets of net zero by 2040.”

This project marks the inaugural deployment of DCC™ in the UK following a feasibility assessment. The revolutionary technology is the only zero-emission, closed loop boiler that generates high temperature steam, using only oxygen and hydrogen that is reacted in a vacuum. The DCC™ does not require a smokestack or any other energy dissipating exhaust, eliminating any emissions of CO2, NOx and SOx. The only by-product of the reaction is water that can be recycled.

“We’re thrilled to work together with Bruichladdich, one of our first Scottish clients, to help decarbonise their distilling process and introduce hydrogen energy technology to the Isle of Islay,” remarked Chris Jackson, CEO of Protium. “Not only can Bruichladdich and The Botanist implement this technology to act as a beacon for sustainability in the spirits industry, but their deep community ties across Islay presents an exciting opportunity to mobilise an entire island as an example for decarbonisation across the globe.”

Commenting on the project, Brian Williamson, CEO of Jericho, said, “We are thrilled that the inaugural deployment of the DCC™ is with none-other than Bruichladdich, one of the most prestigious and progressive distilleries, who shares our vision of forging a sustainable future. We look forward to working with Bruichladdich and the Protium teams to implement the ambitious decarbonization project with our game-changing zero-emission technology.”

As the first B Corp certified distillery in the UK, Bruichladdich hasa long history of progressive sustainability practices that go beyond energy and into agriculture, community, packaging and waste. The distillery prioritises a higher purpose that benefits society and the environment, and is an industry leader in demonstrating business as a force for good.In line with HyLaddie and the sustainability initiatives from Bruichladdich Distillery, the news comes on the heels of an announcement from its parent company, Rémy Cointreau, who officially committed to the Science Based Targets by joining the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” initiative -gathering companies with the most ambitious carbon reduction objectives. The Group also announced that its contribution to large-scale climate actions would enable it to achieve carbon neutrality from 2021/2022.

About Bruichladdich

Bruichladdich Distillery is located on the remote Scottish island of Islay and was built in 1881. The distillery crafts four different spirits including, Bruichladdich, unpeated Islay single malt Scotch whisky; Port Charlotte, heavily peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky (40PPM); Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated Scotch whisky series (80+PPM); and The Botanist Gin, the first Islay dry gin.

Bruichladdich Distillery matures and bottles all their single malts on the island of Islay. They are due to install on-site maltings in the near future, which will enable them to complete a proportion of their annual production on the island. Bruichladdich Distillery is the largest private employer on the island of Islay. www.bruichladdich.com

About Protium

Protium is a UK-based green hydrogen energy services company, engaged in designing, developing, financing, owning and operating green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure assets, to help our clients to achieve net zero energy emissions.

With offices in London and Caerphilly, and a growing presence in Scotland, they are pioneers in the transition to a distributed, decarbonised, future energy system. protium.green

About Jericho Energy Ventures

Jericho Energy Ventures (JEV) is a publicly traded, deep tech venture capital and incubator platform with roots in the hydrocarbon world, investing to accelerate the clean energy transition. JEV is highly leveraged to long-term decarbonization themes with a focus on the hydrogen value chain. JEV’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies, delivers patented, zero emission boiler technology to the $30 billion Commercial & Industrial heat and steam market.www.jerichoenergyventures.com

About Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) brings together responsibilities for business, industrial strategy, science, research & innovation, energy &clean growth, and climate change. This funding has been made available from the government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which looks to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies and systems, through its Green Distilleries Competition. The Green Distilleries Competition is providing funding for developing technologies that enable the use of low carbon fuel in a distillery.

A JOURNEYMAN HISTORIC RENOVATION OF EPIC PROPORTIONS BROKE GROUND IN VALPARAISO INDIANA

Worth the Wait

THREE OAKS, MI (December 6th, 2021) — On Dec. 3, Journeyman Distillery officially broke ground on a historic restoration project in Valparaiso, transforming the formerly abandoned Anco windshield wiper factory into a 140,000-square foot destination which includes plans for a distillery, brewery, whiskey garden, American fare restaurant and steakhouse, karaoke, and event spaces in carefully restored and repurposed factory spaces.

The site, located on the 300 block of South Campbell, dates to one of the first woolen mills in Porter County, established just after the Civil War. Through the years, the location was home to a wagon and carriage company, soap company, Fontaine Brothers Pin Factory, and, most recently as the Anco windshield wiper factory. Since the mid 1980s, the property has been virtually vacant.

“Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso is an exciting next step for the Welter family,” said Journeyman Owner and Operator Bill Welter. Having first arrived in Valparaiso in the early 1900’s, the Welter family has had continuous business operations in the community since the early 1970’s. Bill Welter follows in the footsteps of father Chuck Welter and grandfather Bill Welter as he embarks on the latest adventure in Valparaiso.

“As a city, we recognized the potential of this property with its proximity to our historic downtown,” said Mayor Matt Murphy who was a member of the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission in 2017 when the commission acquired the brownfield property that included the factory. A year later, Bill Welter presented his vision of elevating the property by transforming it into a second Journeyman Distillery, similar in nature to the project in Three Oaks Michigan where Journeyman transformed the former Featherbone Corset Factory into a true destination including distillery, restaurant, and event space.

“The Valparaiso Journeyman Distillery will elevate this property to a true destination and provide further development opportunities for this excellent location adjacent to our downtown, including hundreds of jobs,” said Murphy. “Further, part of this exciting development will house the City’s Transit Center and the shared parking lot will also serve passengers of our Dash commuter bus service. We’re very excited to see this project take shape and thank all of the organizations and people who have come together to make it possible,” he said. Those organizations include the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), and the Indiana Economic Development Commission (IEDC).

Bill Welter spoke of tremendous gratitude and appreciation to the leadership in the community stating that “leap and the net will appear” indicating that the net in Valparaiso is strong and wide with the support of his Journeyman team, the community, and leadership from the city itself. Welter went on to thank Rob Thorgren and Patrick Lyp of the Redevelopment Commission, the IEDC, RDA, NPS, family and friends for the support given to the project. Welter went on to thank the loyal Journeyman fans, retailers, and restaurateurs for their support over the last decade of business. “We look forward to serving you in Valparaiso.”

“There is really nothing more exciting than talking about what could be, the possibilities of something great. The potential, the energy, is palatable here today,” said Welter. “The grit and determination that was needed to get here… if today is any indication, the sky is the limit.”

To prepare the location for development, the City of Valparaiso has invested in necessary environmental cleanup, preserved the historic water tower, and made infrastructure improvements, including aligning the street. “Today this property offers new promise to Valparaiso. Our vision for the future is being realized and we’re very pleased to welcome Journeyman,” said Murphy.

The groundbreaking celebration was attended by hundreds of supporters and included tours of the existing spaces as well as a peek at the plans. Journeyman intends to begin construction in the coming weeks, with plans to open in stages, beginning early in 2023. For more information about Journeyman Distillery, visit Journeyman.com.

Founded in 2010, Journeyman Distillery crafts, bottles, sells, and serves organic and kosher certified spirits at the historic Featherbone Factory in Three Oaks, Michigan. The distillery prides itself on using the highest quality grains sourced from Midwestern organic farmers in its award-winning spirits as well as at its Staymaker restaurant. Journeyman products are distributed in 19 states across the country and available for purchase direct from the distillery. Learn more and find your spirit at journeymandistillery.com.