WHISKY INDUSTRY JOINS FORCES WITH DODDIE’S FOUNDATION  

SCOTLAND’S whisky industry is set to toast Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir in celebration of the third anniversary of his charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was set up to raise funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neuron Disease and investigate potential cures.

The Whisky Shop Auctions has kindly offered to host Doddie’s Whisky Auction online from Wednesday 11th November to Sunday 22nd November, with people invited to register for the event which is supported by the biggest and best-known names in whisky.

A wonderful collection of unique and highly sought-after bottles will come under the hammer to raise funds for Doddie’s charity, which since its inception in 2017 – following his diagnosis with MND – has raised over £7m for research and drug development.

Whisky lovers will be able to register when the auction site goes live on October 22, where the catalogue of bottles will be continuously updated on www.whiskyshop.com/auctions/doddies-charity-auction.

The auction includes a ‘Keepers of Quaich’ rare private single cask bottling of Strathisla, Talisker, Highland Park and Glenfiddich that is likely to attract whisky connoisseurs, collectors and investors alike, while the Worshipful  Company of Liverymen have offered up two bottles of their Master’s Cask single malt, of which only 200 bottles were produced.

An equally rare 38-year-old Royal Salute ‘Stone of Destiny’ will attract interest from both home and abroad, as will a bottle from one of Speyside’s iconic distilleries – Balvenie Signature Batch No.1 from 2007- alongside some exceptionally rare Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenrothes and Glen Moray. Highly sought-after single malts from Scotland’s island distilleries are well represented, with rare bottles from Tobermory, Arran, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Jura and Kilchoman.

All major parties in the distilling trade, including Diageo, William Grant & Sons, Chivas Bros, Whyte & Mackay, Edrington, Glenmorangie, Ben Nevis Distilling, Distell and Loch Lomond, along with several independent brands, have also generously contributed.

Scott Dickson, Marketing Director of The Loch Lomond Group who hatched the concept of ‘Doddie’s Whisky Auction’ said; “I watched Doddie last year on the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards and I made a commitment to myself to raise some awareness and more importantly funds for Doddie’s Foundation. I felt there was no better way than mobilising the scotch whisky industry into helping and with the help of Scott Hastings and Finlay Calder we brought this auction to life. Since starting this project it’s been amazing to see the generosity of the industry coming together to support the auction and proud that we have been able to do our bit and give something back.”

MN5DF founder, Doddie Weir OBE, expressed his enthusiasm and delight at this venture finally coming together.

“I do love a dram myself and for a while, I’ve had this idea of doing something with the various distilleries and brands, in thanking them for the support they continue to give the Foundation, but also to celebrate everything they have done for Scotland over the years,” said Doddie, who celebrated his 50th birthday in July.

“While many have staged individual challenges and events in recent months, the whole Covid-pandemic has greatly curtailed our more public and mass participation fund-raising activities.

“Doddie’s Whisky Auction will hopefully give a great many, from far and wide, a chance to support our work across all aspects of MND, and like the return of International rugby this autumn, show everyone we are back to tackle MND head-on.”

Valuer and broker David Robertson of Rare Whisky 101 added; “Doddie’s cause is one that has captured the attention of many throughout the country, particularly those of us within the whisky industry, whether as distillers, brand owners, retailers or auctioneers.

“Doddie, as a player and a champion of the fight against MND, has mirrored so many of the values we have in the whisky industry, in terms of tenacity, strength, global recognition and, of course, being proudly and fiercely Scottish, and we are all delighted to be joining forces with one of our own in such a great cause.”

The Macallan Debuts the Largest Assembly of Vintage-Dated Single Malt Whiskies in the World with its Fine & Rare Collection and New Release: The 1993 Edition

The Spirit of the Twentieth Century, Captured by one of the 

World’s Leading Fashion Photographers, Tim Walker 

New York, October 21, 2020 — With fifty-seven vintages, The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection marks its largest array since the inception of the collection twenty years ago. Today, The Macallan unveils the latest expression of this iconic collection: The 1993 Edition. The newest expression joins its storied predecessors, each completely individual but unmistakably The Macallan. Spanning eight decades from 1926 to 1993, each with a timeless story to share, the Fine & Rare Collection is the spirit of the Twentieth Century.

The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection stretches back to 1926 and continues to its newest 1993 release. As a collection, these bottlings provide a glimpse into the decades that marks their labels. Over the years, the Fine & Rare Collection has underpinned The Macallan as the one of the world’s most valuable and collectible single malt whiskies, sweeping auctions around the world. Available in very limited quantities, the Collection’s vintages come predominantly from single casks.

To capture the essence of the Fine & Rare Collection and the history of each decade from which they derive, one of the world’s leading fashion photographers, Tim Walker, whose work has graced the pages of renowned publications for years, journeyed to The Macallan Estate on the banks of Scotland’s River Spey.

For the 1993 Edition, Walker posed the bottle with a bird’s nest, weathered twine, the handpiece of a clock, and flowers, among other details, against a backdrop of shadowed sky blue. The portrait is a love letter to the 1990s, which witnessed the coming of the Internet and the advent of the environmental movement, as well as to Speyside and the Highlands, and hints at the passage of time. Each vintage and according decade is uniquely represented through Walker’s artistic lens.

“With fifty-seven vintages released over eight decades, the iconic Fine & Rare Collection is a culmination of the work by many men and women dating back to the early Twentieth Century“ said David Cox, Former Director, The Macallan Fine & Rare. “We felt now was the time to look back to the introduction of this collection of old and rare whiskies, the likes of which had never been seen before, and to remind ourselves of what this historic collection represents, both now and for the future.”

As architect and the Former Director of The Macallan Fine & Rare, David Cox provides a poetic look into the history and heritage of this unprecedented range of single malts in a film available on  themacallan.com. Shot at The Macallan Estate, the film journeys through time, to the soul of The Macallan, encompassing the spirit of the Fine & Rare Collection.

The Fine & Rare Collection is a true symbol of time honored craft and The Edition 1993 is no exception.

Matured in a single sherry seasoned American oak hogshead cask for 27 years, this exquisite single malt was distilled at a time in which concern for the planet was on the rise, but on The Macallan Estate this was nothing new. For nearly 200 years The Macallan has been intrinsically connected to nature and in 1993, as now, this single malt revelled in its natural home, beside the River Spey, in a peaceful, rural setting. With only 256 bottles available, the 1993 Edition joins a truly exquisite collection of single malts.

The Macallan 1993 Edition will be available globally starting October 21, 2020 for an SRP of $18,000. For purchasing inquiries, please email: Inquiries.us@themacallan.com. For further information or to view our digital Fine & Rare Guide, visit www.themacallan.com.

Whisky Maker’s Notes: 

ABV: 50.2%

Color: Warm mahogany

Aroma: Vanilla fudge, citrus merge with bright fruits of red cherry, plum and peach. A rich fig and spiced combination of cinnamon and ginger. Hints of salted popcorn combined with peach, figs and cherries. Rich antique oak leather and cigar box.

Palate: Sweet oak, combined with rich dark chocolate. Caramelized grapefruit blends into vanilla. Moving into wood spices of ginger, hints of citrus and a light liquorice, antique oak, mint, forest fruits and dark chocolate.

Finish: Long with a rich ginger and chocolatey intensity.

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.

Glasgow Whisky adds to their luxury Munros Single Cask collection with a stunning Glencain Crystal decanter filled with a delightful Macallan 30 Year Old 

Glasgow Whisky has added to its Munros collection of fine cask strength single malt whiskies with an ultra-premium addition. The new Macallan 30 Year Old heralds a step change for The Munros collection, not only with the introduction of a new premium range, but also in partnering with Glencairn Crystal to house the whisky in a stunning bespoke decanter.

The Munros collection, from Glasgow Whisky, pays homage to the Scottish mountains standing over 3000ft tall with each single malt whisky in the series being as unique in character as each Munro mountain. The collection is available exclusively to the South East Asia market.

The new limited edition Macallan 30 Year Old single malt is the first in a new premium range to be added to The Munros collection. Distilled at the Macallan Distillery and matured in a sherry wood cask, it has an enveloping heady mix of spiciness and warm aromatics.

It is contained in a stylish contemporary decanter handcrafted by the Scottish family owned, award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio. Produced from the highest quality lead free crystal, it features a beautiful double-sided engraving, on the back is a stunning Scottish mountain range, which is magnified through the whisky to the front of the decanter. The intricate engravings are infilled with white and copper and the Munros mountain theme is continued on the copper stopper.

Rory Taylor, Glasgow Whisky Sales Manager commented: “We are passionate about single malts and are excited to be adding a new premium level to our much-loved Munros single cask collection, starting with this superb Macallan 30 Year Old. We intend to release a new Munros super premium single malt each year going forwards.

We’re also excited about our new partnership with the team at Glencairn Crystal Studio who have created an eye-catching contemporary decanter for the premium range showcasing the high quality whisky inside. The team has been extremely professional and easy to work with making the whole process very simple.”

Kenny Tweeddale, Glencairn’s New Product Development Manager, commented:

“We are delighted to partner with Glasgow Whisky to honour our Scottish heritage by bringing the Munro mountains to life with this very special decanter. Our task was to create an elegant decanter that allowed the whisky to do the talking, whilst celebrating the Munros, so we made this exceptional Macallan integral to the overall design with the mountain range emerging through the liquid. We look forward to working on more Munro themed decanters to come”.

The Munros premium range Macallan 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is exclusive to South East Asia, priced over £5,000 per decanter. 133 decanters have been produced and sold.

For further information about Glasgow Whisky visit www.glasgowwhisky.com and for Glencairn Crystal visit www.glencairn.co.uk

Notes:

About Glasgow Whisky and The Munro’s Macallan 30 Year Old:

• Glasgow Whisky was established in 2007.  The team’s expertise blends the old with the new to create the perfect range of scotch whisky.
• The Macallan 30 Year Old was distilled at the Macallan Distillery and filled into cask on 26th January 1989. It is a glorious example of the Macallan and has been bottled from the cask at its natural strength which is now 49.1% volume. There has been no water or colour added and the spirit has received minimal filtration in order to retain the maximum fullness of character, aroma and flavour. The darkness of colour is solely from the influence of the sherry wood cask in which this Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been matured.
• The original artwork for The Munro’s new premium range was by Cameron Designs and this was adapted by Glencairn Crystal  Studio for the decanter design. The decanter box is by Abercorn.

About Glencairn Crystal:

• Glencairn Crystal has been commissioned by hundreds of different brands to create hand-crafted bespoke packaging, sometimes for some of the oldest and most luxurious spirits ever released.
• The Glencairn Glass, created in 2000, is endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association as the official glass for whisky. Glencairn make over 3 million per year, across hundreds of brands, distributed to over 140 countries worldwide.
• Glencairn’s clients include leading drinks companies, brands and other outlets, including: Brown-Forman, Cunard, Diageo, Houses of Parliament, Scottish Parliament BP, Muller, Google, and the majority of the Scottish Whisky manufacturers, in addition to many of the international whisky and spirit producers.

THE CASKS CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT OF THE GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY WITH LATEST BATCH OF SPECIAL RELEASES 

Batch 4 of its 10-year-old Cask Strength and a third instalment of single casks follow hot on the heels of Virgin Oak series released earlier in October

Hot on the heels of its recent Virgin Oak Series, The GlenAllachie Distillery is launching Batch 4 of its cask strength 10-year-old single malt, and releasing a third instalment of single cask bottlings, including a 31-year-old whisky (£530 RRP) matured in an Oloroso hogshead, exclusively for the UK.

The GlenAllachie 10 Years Old Cask Strength, Batch 4, follows in the footsteps of its predecessor Batch 3, which was awarded Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2020.

Batch 4 (£58.99 RRP), which is a limited release of 2,600 cases worldwide, is a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons along with a small quantity of virgin oak casks. Bottled at 56.1%, natural colour and non-chill filtered, it delivers a perfect balance of fruit, dark chocolate and spice with underlying classic GlenAllachie sweet honey notes.

The third instalment of single casks consists of six cask strength single malts, all specially selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker from among the 50,000 casks in the distillery’s warehouses in Aberlour.

The batch of single casks consists of a 31-year-old Oloroso hogshead (£530 RRP), a 15-year-old Virgin Oak (£106 RRP), a 13-year-old First Fill Bourbon Barrel (£96 RRP), a 12-year-old Ruby Port Pipe (£90 RRP), a 12-year-old Rioja Barrel (£90 RRP), and an 11-year-old Sauternes Barrel (£86 RRP). All the bottles are hand-numbered, and offered at cask strength, natural colour and are non-chill filtered.

Each single cask expression showcases Walker’s renowned expertise in wood management, steering the unique interaction of wood, spirit and subsequent flavour development, which has been gained during his extensive career in the whisky industry.

Commenting on the new releases, Walker said: “There’s something magical about bottling whisky straight from the cask – without any water or colouring being added, this is whisky in its purest form. Batch 3 of our cask strength 10-year-old has set the bar high, but we’re excited to share this new bottling which has a perfect balance of fruit, dark chocolate and spice with the underlying classic sweet honey notes of the GlenAllachie.

“With our new instalment of single casks, we’re demonstrating the unique interaction of our spirit with different types of wood and how that creates incredible flavours. For example, the 31-year-old has intense flavours of dark chocolate, orange zest, grapefruit and ginger thanks to the greater interaction between spirit and wood provided by the slightly smaller Oloroso hogshead.”

This passion for exploring different barrels and types of wood was also reflected in the recent GlenAllachie Virgin Oak Series, a new limited edition range of Speyside single malt whiskies which have undergone secondary maturation in specially selected casks of different oak species from specific regions around the world.

Released in early October, on the back of winning a 50^th award in three years, The GlenAllachie Virgin Oak Series consists of three limited edition 12-year-old single malt whiskies; the 12-year-old French Virgin Oak Finish, the 12-year-old Spanish Virgin Oak Finish, and the 12-year-old Chinquapin Virgin Oak Finish.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie

Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie

Instagram – @theglenallachie_

TASTING NOTES

GlenAllachie 10 year old Cask Strength Batch 4 – 56.1%

• Colour: Rich Mahogany.
• Nose: Dark chocolate, vanilla pods and treacle, with rich notes of orange peel and cinnamon.
• Taste: Lashings of raisins, treacle, dark chocolate, layers of heather honey, cinnamon and orange peel.

GlenAllachie 31yo Oloroso Hogshead cask # 6118 – 51.1% – 339 bottles

• Colour: Rich Mahogany.
• Nose: Heather honey, mocha, nutmeg, pineapple and eucalyptus.
• Taste: Waves of dark chocolate, mocha and almonds, followed by orange zest, grapefruit and ginger.

GlenAllachie 15yo Virgin Oak cask # 5182 – 57.6% – 281 bottles

• Colour: Sunset Bronze.
• Nose: Lashings of heather honey, vanilla pods and plantains, with notes of orange zest and ginger.
• Taste: Layers of heather honey, butterscotch and almonds with dark chocolate, orange zest and ginger.

GlenAllachie 13yo First Fill Bourbon Barrel # 111860 – 58.6% – 253 bottles

• Colour: Sunrise Gold.
• Nose: Orchard fruit, peaches, butterscotch and ginger.
• Taste: Brimming with heather honey, butterscotch and figs, with notes of ginger and grapefruit.

GlenAllachie 12yo Ruby Port Pipe # 1867 – 52.3% – 700 bottles

• Colour: Rich Ruby.
• Nose: Lashings of honey, treacle and grape must, with sweet spice and hints of dark chocolate.
• Taste: Waves of heather honey, vanilla and treacle, fused with cinnamon, rosehips and mocha.

GlenAllachie 12yo Rioja Barrel # 3966 – 56.6% – 313 bottles

• Colour: Golden Bronze.
• Nose: Waves of red berries, grape must, almonds and orange zest.
• Taste: Rich heather honey, sultanas and apricots, with barley sugar, orange zest, grapefruit and a hint of aniseed.

GlenAllachie 11yo Sauternes Barrel # 3728 – 59.0% – 299 bottles

• Colour: Straw Gold.
• Nose: Heather honey, peaches, apricots and notes of ginger.
• Taste: Brimming with heather honey, peaches and apricots, fused with hazelnuts and grapefruit.

RETURN OF A TWO-TIME WORLD-RECORD SETTER

BONHAMS PRESENTS HANYU ICHIRO’S FULL CARD SERIES WHISKY FROM THE CLUB QING COLLECTION

– Full set to be offered in 54 individual bottles –

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series whisky from Club Qing (four of the 54 bottles)

Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26249/

The renowned Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series whisky – currently the world’s most expensive set of Japanese whisky ever sold at auction – will once again go under the hammer at Bonhams Hong Kong sale of ‘Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky’ on 20 November.

On offer this time is the reputable collection from Club Qing, a world-acclaimed whisky bar in Hong Kong specialising in Japanese whisky and rare old Scotch whisky, founded by Mr. Aaron Chan in 2015. Over the past five years, this collection has been admired as a centerpiece in the bar and a destination piece by thousands of whisky aficionados from around the globe.

Mr. Aaron Chan formed his collection over a decade prior to the bar’s opening, sourcing each of the 54 bottles globally before they became available in the auction market. Among his collection on offer is the market debut of ultra-rare first-edition bottles, including:

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-King of Diamonds, 1 of 124 bottles (est: HK$ 300,000 – 500,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Jack of Clubs, 1 of 124 bottles (est: HK$ 250,000 – 350,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Queen of Hearts, 1 of 125 bottles (est: HK$ 250,000 – 350,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Ace of Spades, 1 of 122 bottles (est: HK$ 300,000 – 500,000)

Founded in 1941 by Isouji Akuto, a 19^th generation descendant of a long line of sake brewers to produce Scotch-style malt whisky, the Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000. But not before Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Isouji, stepped in to secure the 400 premium whisky casks left from the distillery. An avid whisky lover like his grandfather, Ichiro personally selected the prized amber liquid to be bottled for each ‘card’ released between 2005 and 2014, ensuring that the Hanyu legend lives on.

In 2012, Bonhams was the first-ever auction house to present individual bottles from the Series. In August 2015, a complete Hanyu Full Card Series appeared to the market for the first time at Bonhams’ Hong Kong sale, setting the world auction record for the most valuable Japanese whisky collection. Four years later, in 2019, the record was smashed by another Full Card Series, which sold again at Bonhams Hong Kong for a staggering price of HK$7,192,00.

Unlike the two previous offers as one single lot, this collection from Club Qing will be presented as 54 individual lots / bottles.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, commented: “For years, this collection has been the most visible Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series in the world, and its provenance from the esteemed Club Qing whisky bar is unmatched in the market. The collection will be offered in individual lots/ bottles, meaning a perfect opportunity for collectors to acquire specific editions to complete their own Card Series.” 

Aaron Chan, founder of Club Qing, commented: “Behind each bottle is a unique story. I am delighted to offer my 54 ‘cards’ in individual bottles, so that more whisky collectors are able to participate, appreciate, and perhaps even form their own collection of the Card Series.”

A video interview with Mr. Aaron Chan can be viewed HERE .

Other whisky highlights from the sale include:

·         Dalmore Selene-1951-58 year old (est: HK$ 600,000 – 80,000)

·         Macallan Lalique Six Pillars-50 to 65 year old, six decanters (est: HK$ 4,500,000 – 5,500,000)

·         Glenrothes-50 year old (est: HK$ 230,000 – 300,000)

Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky Sale will take place over two days from 20 to 21 November. Other highlights of the two-day sale include The Collection of A-1 Fine Wines – one of the most encyclopaedic wine collections in Asia­. Please see separate press release – available via the image links below – for full details.

Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky

Auction date: 20 – 21 November

The Club Qing Collection of Hanyu Full Card Series will be offered on 20 November

The Collection of A-1 Fine Wines will be offered on 21 November

Auction venue: Bonhams Hong Kong Saleroom, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong

About Bonhams  

Bonhams currently holds three world auction records in the whisky category, namely:

·         World auction record for a Japanese whisky collection

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series (in 54 bottles)

Sold for of HK$7,192,000 (US$ 922,000)

August 2019

·         World auction record for a whisky cask

Refill European Sherry Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery

Sold for HK$4,464,000 (US$572,000)

November 2019

·         World auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky

Yamazaki-55 Year

Sold for HK$6,200,000 (US$795,000)

August 2020

NOTES 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

SPECIALITY BRANDS BOLSTERS WORLD WHISKY OFFERING
WITH DRUMSHANBO SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

Premium spirits agency Speciality Brands has signed an exclusive deal with The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney to distribute its first global whiskey release: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, in the UK.
The new addition is joining Speciality Brands’ extensive, premium world whiskies portfolio which already includes Nikka from Japan, Michter’s from Kentucky, Kavalan from Taiwan and Irish Single Malt Waterford.

For the last decade, the Irish whiskey category has enjoyed exponential growth gathering consumer interest worldwide. Global Irish whiskey sales grew by +10.9% in 2019 and the UK remains one of its leading export markets accounting for over 4.2 million litres in volume (1).

The Shed Distillery, also home to Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Ireland’s leading gin export brand, has created an authentic, Irish single pot still whiskey with great provenance to appeal to enthusiasts globally. Every drop of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is slow-distilled by hand at The Shed Distillery, with Head Distiller Brian Taft tasting and hand-selecting every single cask, guaranteeing absolute consistency in each bottle.

(1) Source: Irish Spirits Market Report 2019, Drinks Ireland

The Shed Distillery opened in December 2014 in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, in the heart of rural Ireland, making history as the first distillery in the Northwestern province of Connacht in over 100 years.

Head Distiller, Brian Taft says: “Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a well-balanced whiskey, which dances effortlessly between sweet and spice, possessing a full, well-rounded creamy mouthfeel that lingers lightly on the tongue.”

“We’re delighted to add Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey to our world whisky portfolio as we’ve been looking to add a traditional Irish pot still whiskey to our range for some time. Provenance is really important to us and the fact that Drumshanbo is 100% hand-distilled and aged at the Shed Distillery is setting it apart from many other brands coming out of Ireland that simply don’t have this level of control or traceability.” Says Chris Seale, Managing Director, Speciality Brands.

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (70cl, 43% ABV) launches this month and will be available at selected retailers – RRP £50.

Notes:

Tasting Notes:

Toasted nuts, vanilla, honeysuckle and toffee notes open on the nose, followed by winter spice, redcurrant, almonds and dark chocolate. The whiskey showcases a creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel with unexpected depth.

About Speciality Brands:

Speciality Brands is a premium drinks agency representing some of the world’s finest spirits, including Nikka, Kavalan, Michter’s, Diplomático, Cocchi, Beluga, Black Tot rum and Tapatio. A dedicated team of well-respected drinks industry personalities including award-winning mixologists, top brand ambassadors, experienced account managers and marketing experts is led by Managing Director Chris Seale. The agency’s passion is delivering first class products, in-depth educational trainings and impeccable service levels to the premium on-trade and retail sectors.

About The Shed Distillery:

The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney is the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years & the home of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka & other ambitious super-premium ‘Curious’ The Shed Distillery brands. A new €3 million Shed Distillery Visitor Experience has also just opened (September 2020) at the Leitrim distillery, inviting visitors from across the globe into the inner sanctum of the authentic whiskey distillery and on an adventure following in footsteps of PJ Rigney’s Curious Botanical Trail to the Far East, which inspired his now world-famous Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is the flagship whiskey release from The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim. Every bottle is slow-distilled by hand, sealed and labelled by the proud team at the distillery.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin launched in summer 2016 – it is now in over 60 countries across the world, including every US state, Australia, Hong Kong, Russia, South Africa and the majority of European countries. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and other The Shed Distillery brands are slow-distilled by hand, hand-bottled, sealed and labelled by the proud team at The Shed Distillery.

SMOKEHEAD

SKULL GIFT TIN LAUNCHES  

The brand-new Smokehead gift tin contains 3 x 5cl bottles of the Smokehead original, High Voltage and our latest release Rum Rebel 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky reveals a brand-new addition to their line-up with 3 x 5cl bottles from the Smokehead range packed into one stylish gift tin. Available from www.smokehead.com and many UK and International specialist and online retailers priced at £22.99 RRP.

Each tin features 3 x 5cl bottles of Smokehead original, High Voltage and the brand-new expression Rum Rebel. 5cl bottles are the ideal measure to sample and enjoy Smokehead neat or mix it up in one of the brand’s bold cocktail suggestions.

RUM REBEL

In typical Smokehead style, the brand disrupted International Rum Day on 16^th August 2020 with the launch of Rum Rebel. The rich, smoky, salty Islay whisky rebel is finished in spicy, sweet Caribbean rum casks creating culture colliding carnage and a melding of mouth-watering tastes.

The Smokito is a brand-new cocktail crafted as a toast to International Rum Day. The warm dried spices and fruity sweetness come thundering through with Smokehead’s signature extremes of peat and punch.

Ingredients

o   50ml Smokehead Rum Rebel

o   25ml lime juice mixed with 25ml water

o   2 teaspoons sugar

o   Fresh mint

o   Few flakes smoked Maldon sea salt  

Method

Add mint and sugar to the glass and stir for 2 minutes. Add the lime and water and stir for a further minute until all the sugar has dissolved. Add ice and pour the Smokehead into your highball glass. Sprinkle with a few flakes of smoked Maldon sea salt and enjoy!

SMOKEHEAD & HIGH VOLTAGE

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the original expression, an intensely rich yet subtly sweet dram. With immense smoke and notes of sea salt and spice, this is a vigorous whisky that stands out from the crowd.

If Smokehead is an assault on your senses, then High Voltage is an all-out attack. The breath-taking intensity of the peat and smoke is a red light for the faint of heart.

Cocktail recipes for these bold expressions such as ‘Smoked Fashioned’ and ‘Smoked Ginger’ can be found here: https://www.smokehead.com/

Commenting on the new gift tin, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “We have seen such excitement generated through our range of Smokehead whiskies, that it made sense to offer our range in one accessible tin.

The new Smokehead gift tin is the ultimate way for whisky-fans to enjoy our bold and smoky expressions, and become part of our Smokehead tribe.

Whether buying for a personal gift, or eyeing-up that faultless Christmas present for a peat-loving pal, we’re encouraging everyone to take the leap to see if you are in fact a Smokehead. Our whiskies are not for everyone, but they might well be for you!

Enjoy Smokehead neat or in a cocktail. Whatever works for you. After all, it’s your whisky.”   

www.smokehead.com

f: www.facebook.com/smokeheadwhisky

i: www.instagram.com/smokeheadwhisky

#smokehead 

NOTES:

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky and is not for everyone.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and smoky taste. 

About Ian Macleod Distillers:

• Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers.
• Ian Macleod Distillers is the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky company, producing and selling over 15 million bottles of spirits every year.
• Ian Macleod Distillers has built up an enviable portfolio of premium quality spirits and is proud brand proprietor of Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Smokehead Scotch whiskies and Edinburgh Gin to name but a few.

BLADNOCH MASTER DISTILLER, DR NICK SAVAGE, ANNOUNCES
INNOVATIVE ‘WATERFALL COLLECTION’ IN A DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE

Bladnoch Distillery has announced the first installment in its five-part annual Waterfall Collection, which explores the importance of cask selection in the maturation process of whisky making.

Since joining Bladnoch Distillery in 2019, Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage has developed an impressive range of new products for Bladnoch’s award-winning range. Now, he is embracing the Waterfall Collection as his most creative project, highlighting the intricate journey of maturity that Bladnoch whisky takes in developing its distinct flavours and character.

“The Waterfall Collection gives us the opportunity to develop a whisky in a very fluid way that highlights the maturation journey a single whisky can take in five years. Each year we will decide the cask types for the next stage of the waterfall maturation, but only when we fully understand how our whisky has evolved and matured in the previous year. This approach enables us to present the journey of this finite and ever reducing liquid, and showcase how the quality of whisky is assured at Bladnoch, in a way like never before,” said Dr Savage of the project.

Each release in the Waterfall Collection demonstrates a different way the same aged Bladnoch Single Malt can be matured in oaked casks, resulting in a completely unique taste. To cover the five years of releases,
sufficient aged Bladnoch Single Malt has been set aside from a combination of sweet ex Bourbon casks and intense Oloroso Sherry casks that are maturing in the archives.

In this first year, Dr Savage will sample the whisky at the beginning of its maturation journey and in each ensuing year, the remaining liquid will be decanted into a new type of cask for a fresh layer of finishing where the character will develop further.

After assessing how the whisky has matured and only deciding what the next cask type will be at the end of each year, Dr Savage’s approach to the Waterfall Collection means the final whisky is yet to be defined.

Dr Savage will unveil only 1,000 bottles for each annual release, with Batch 1 of the Waterfall Collection in limited stock and available exclusively through www.bladnoch.com. The remaining bottles will go on sale at the Bladnoch Distillery Visitor Centre.

To celebrate the release, Bladnoch have announced a special Waterfall Tour at their state-of-the-art Visitor Centre. Tours will include a more in-depth walkthrough of the production site followed by an extended
Waterfall tasting beside the casks maturing for the remaining releases.

Bookings are essential and can be made in advance through www.bladnoch.com/visit-bladnoch/

Tasting Notes

Cask: Ex Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry
ABV: 48.8%
Nose: Raisins and lemons with subtle orange peel
Palate: Dried apricots with lemon cake
Finish: Medium, with sweet freshness and a slight warming

BLADNOCH WATERFALL COLLECTION

About Bladnoch

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s southernmost distillery, and one of a handful that remain independently owned. Since being purchased in 2015 by Australian entrepreneur David Prior, Bladnoch has enjoyed a renaissance. Their rangee of award-winning Bladnoch Single Malt Whiskies and Pure Scot, their contemporary Blended Scotch Whisky, has been launched in over 30 countries. In 2017, Bladnoch Distillery celebrated its 200 year anniversary making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. In June 2019, Bladnoch Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitors centre was opened, welcoming guests to the distillery once again after significant renovations. Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage joined the Bladnoch team in July 2019. Visit www.bladnoch.com or @bladnochwhisky for more information.

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL RELEASE SOUTH AFRICAN WHISKY FOR UK, EU & NORDICS LAUNCHED

In a first for the UK and Europe, Three Ships Whisky has launched a special release 12-year-old single malt in limited quantities.

Crafted at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, a small town about an hour’s drive from Cape Town’s City Centre, South Africa, the Three Ships Whisky 12-Year-Old is the first release in the Master Distiller’s Private Collection.

The single malt is natural in colour, un-chillfiltered, bottled at a strength of 46.3%, and presented in its most natural form.

Internationally awarded Three Ships Whisky Master Distiller, Andy Watts, distilled malted barley in copper potstills in 2007 and matured the spirit for a minimum of 12 years in a special selection of older and younger American oak casks.

Although the warmer South African climate results in a much higher angel’s share, the accelerated interaction between the spirit, cask and atmosphere, gave rise to a spectacular single malt with depth of flavour, balance and extraordinary smoothness.

Watts, who holds the titles, amongst other, of the 2018 Global Icon Whisky Master Distiller/Master Blender and the 2020 Global Icon World Whisky Ambassador Award, says he is overjoyed to be sharing this South African whisky with consumers abroad.

“Crafting a single malt is definitely the pinnacle for every Master Distiller and it’s an honour to be able to launch this special release for the overseas market. The whisky represents our innovative approach to crafting whisky that excites and expands the World Whisky category.”

It’s been just over four decades since the first Three Ships Whisky was launched and the years since have been filled with many milestones and achievements for the brand, including World’s Best Blended Whisky award at the 2012 World Whisky Awards as well as gold and double gold at all the major international whisky competitions.

“Making whisky is not something that happens overnight. It takes immense planning and a lot of patience!” says Watts. “It’s incredibly rewarding for me to see just how far we have come since those first days of producing whisky in South Africa.”

Watts says that over the years they have established their own unique style of whisky-making, harnessed the warm climate to great advantage, invested in modern technology and refined their selection of barrels for maturation.

“Our successes certainly didn’t come easily or without challenges. But we never compromised on our vision for making whisky in a country that in the traditional sense, was never destined to make whisky.”

The Master Distiller’s Private Collection Three Ships Whisky 12-Year-Old Single Malt is light golden in colour with layers of shortbread, dried fruit, soft leather, cherries, roasted nuts and notes of floral and mocha on the nose. The evident smoky, peaty influence is complemented by pepper, dried peaches, citrus, hints of Christmas Pudding and an earthiness that reminds of a pine forest. The finish is warm, creamy and savoury, the finish is long with delicate liquorice that lingers in the mouth.

The only commercial whisky distillery in Africa, The James Sedgwick Distillery has been at the forefront of innovation with state-of-the-art equipment and ingenious sustainability projects, and was recently awarded as the Sustainable Distillery of the Year 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards held annually by Whisky Magazine in London and recognised with the prestigious Green Company of the Year award hosted by the BIG (Business Intelligence Group) Awards for Business towards the end of 2019.

The Master Distiller’s Private Collection Three Ships Whisky 12-Year-Old Single Malt will be available exclusively to the UK and European market at a retail selling price of £40-50.

For listing enquiries, please direct communication to Ann Gardner on ukorders@distellinternational.com