THE GLENDRONACH INTRODUCES CASK BOTTLING BATCH 18 

EIGHTEEN CASKS FROM 1990 TO 2009 WITH EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER

The GlenDronach Distillery is pleased to announce  the eighteenth batch of its acclaimed Cask Bottling collection. Eighteen casks dating from 1990 to 2009 have been personally selected by Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie, specially chosen for their exceptional character, to celebrate and share some of the finest Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Highland distillery.

Whether they have previously housed sweet and rich Pedro Ximénez, dry and nutty Oloroso, or in selected expressions fruit-laden Port from the Douro Valley; each cask presents uniquely remarkable characteristics whilst remaining distinctively of The GlenDronach.

The GlenDronach Cask Bottling Batch 18 features many expressions of note, including two rare 30 year old casks from 1990 and a European allocated Port Pipe cask from 1992, aged 27 years.

The distillery’s newly enhanced tasting bar will be the only location in the world where all eighteen bottles will be available to try by the dram.

 Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie, said:

“The GlenDronach Cask Bottling Batch 18 is a celebration of the distillery’s time-honoured mastery and a showcase of the finest of what this richly-sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has to offer.

This long standing, much loved release is a focal point to each year, demonstrating the exquisite character of our whiskies, through these exceptional casks which I have carefully hand-selected. Each cask individually explores the sophistication, powerful intricacy and rich layers of Spanish sherry cask maturation found in every expression of The GlenDronach.

From the rare vintage casks of 1990 with exquisite layers of dark chocolate and the elegant Victoria plum, date and bramble preserve notes in the 1992 Port Pipe, to the distinctive fruitcake and toasted raisin notes in the 2009 Pedro Ximénez Puncheon, each cask encapsulates The GlenDronach house style; robust, elegant and full-bodied. All eighteen casks are bottled without chill filtration for richness, at high strength and are naturally deep in colour.”

The GlenDronach Cask Bottling Batch 18 will be available to purchase from specialist retailers from November 2020 in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and for the first time since Brown Forman’s stewardship of the distillery commenced, four casks will be available in the USA from 2021. Prices range from RRP £97 to £861, depending on age and cask type. Global markets may vary.

Please see details below on cask availability by region. Depending on the expression, the ABV ranges from 48% to 61.9%. As with all The GlenDronach expressions, each is non-chill filtered and draws all its natural colour from the cask in which it rests.

European Allocated Casks:

2091, 648, 4363, 7411, 5897, 7006, 7276

Tasting Notes

2009 CASK 2091
Aged 10 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Copper Gold
Nose: Crystallised orange melds with dark fruitcake, hazelnut and raisin, topped with marzipan and ginger.
Palate: Fruitcake filled with toasted raisin, orange peel and almond develops into lingering gingerbread and ground nutmeg.
ABV: 61.9%
Bottles: 692

2008 CASK 648
Aged 11 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Polished Brass
Nose: Mocha chocolate and clotted cream with fig, date, candied grape and apricot.
Palate: Sweet and richly fruity with plum, apricot and bramble jam, and lingering hints of grape and crystallised ginger.
ABV: 61%
Bottles: 682

1994 CASK 4363
Aged 26 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO PUNCHEON
Appearance: Treacle
Nose: Walnut and aromatic musk interwoven with earthy bramble and ginger emerge through resinous oak, leather and
tobacco.
Palate: Rich dark fruits and mellow spices unfold with almond and walnut oil, finishing with mandarin and waxed yellow plum.
ABV: 52.8%

Bottles: 692

1992 CASK 7411
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO PUNCHEON
Appearance: Treacle
Nose: Sherry soaked raisin, toffee and sultana pudding, with blackberry preserve, antique leather and cedar cigar box.
Palate: Stewed plum, apricot purée and sultana cake with orange caramel brittle, treacle and clove.
ABV: 53.2%
Bottles: 658

1992 CASK 5897
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: PORT PIPE
Appearance: Deep Auburn
Nose: Elegant Victoria plum, date and bramble preserve with waxed orange, rose honey and ginger-spiced dark chocolate.
Palate: Sultana and walnut cake laced with lemon, ginger and nutmeg, interwoven with the lingering finish of dark chocolate
orange.
ABV: 48%
Bottles: 853

1993 CASK 7276
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO PUNCHEON
Appearance: Mahogany
Nose: An exquisite balance of plum, sweet date and cherry cake, with mulled wine, spiced orange and antique walnut.
Palate: Plum, maraschino cherry and prune interweave with mandarin and pomelo, finishing with dark chocolate, sultana and
spice.
ABV: 53.7%
Bottles: 699

1990 CASK 7006
Aged 30 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Tawny Brown
Nose: Exquisite layers of dark chocolate, maraschino cherry and the finest Italian leather with bramble rose.
Palate: Blackberry jam and cherry chocolate with yellow plum, spiced cocoa and a lingering mineral finesse.
ABV: 51.4%
Bottles: 402
APAC/Canada/IMEA Allocated Casks:
2039, 8558, 7465, 6049, 6735, 336, 9333

2009 CASK 2039
Aged 11 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Brass
Nose: Blackcurrant and chocolate covered gooseberry with oak resin and larchwood.
Palate: Bramble preserve with blood orange, velvety oak tannin and lingering spiced plum sweetness.
ABV: 59.3%
Bottles: 728

2008 CASK 8558
Aged 12 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Polished Copper
Nose: Golden fruit marmalade and toffee nut brittle, with chestnut and cranberry infused with aniseed, clove and date oil.
Palate: Rich malt and raisin with honeyed treacle and blackberry syrup, with the lingering finish of fennel and liquorice root.
ABV: 59.4%
Bottles: 710

1994 CASK 7465
Aged 26 Years
Cask Type: Oloroso Puncheon
Appearance: Burnished Gold
Nose: Rounded and rich treacle toffee, sherry and butterscotch, with orange peel and baked apple.
Palate: Stewed apple and candied grape with mocha, treacle and lingering baked orange.
ABV: 51.4%
Bottles: 676

1992 CASK 6049
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Burnished Ruby
Nose: Dark chocolate coated cherry and Victoria plum, with layers of toasted winter spice, angelica, walnut and mint.
Palate: A swathe of silk velvet carries cherry and plum dusted with cocoa, becoming earthy bramble vine and lingering white
truffle.
ABV: 49.2%
Bottles: 694

1993 CASK 6735
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Dark Mahogany
Nose: Plum and blackberry liqueur with chocolate and hazelnut praline, and the warmth of freshly baked gingerbread.
Palate: Spiced fruitcake with treacle and angelica crescendos to demerara sugar, star anise and lingering espresso cream.
ABV: 51.6%
Bottles: 694

1992 CASK 336
Aged 28 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO BUTT
Appearance: Dark Bronze
Nose: Stewed orange and plum with eucalyptus, leather, ripe apricot and golden fruit.
Palate: Black cherry cake, clove and raisin, with a lingering orange marmalade and a velvet toasted oak finish.
ABV: 57.1%
Bottles: 494

1990 CASK 9333
Aged 30 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ BUTT
Appearance: Mahogany
Nose: Exquisite balance of stone fruit, mandarin and roast chestnut with chocolate, red grape and rose pepper.
Palate: Toffee orange and silken red grape, with cherry, chocolate and lingering chestnut oak.
ABV: 50.5%
Bottles: 696
USA Allocated Casks (Available from 2021):
3017, 1928, 5287, 7102

2008 CASK 3017
Aged 12 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO PUNCHEON
Appearance: Warm Autumn Gold
Nose: Candied fruit, spiced vanilla and sandalwood with caramelised sultana and mixed nuts.
Palate: Honeyed mead and orange marmalade on toast with ground nutmeg, ginger and lingering dark vanilla.
ABV: 59.8%
Bottles: 628

2005 CASK 1928
Aged 14 Years
Cask Type: PEDRO XIMÉNEZ PUNCHEON
Appearance: Honeyed Gold
Nose: Sweet ginger, morello cherry and cinnamon spice with mocha, wild raspberry and mint.
Palate: Seville orange, blackberry and cherry cake, with gingerbread, sweet malt spice and dark chocolate mint.
ABV: 58%
Bottles: 612

1994 CASK 5287
Aged 26 Years
Cask Type: Port Pipe
Appearance: Chestnut Gold
Nose: Highland toffee and walnut with dark chocolate truffle and the seductive scent of an earthen floored warehouse.
Palate: Walnut and black truffle with lingering toffee, cocoa and dark bramble fruit.
ABV : 51.3%
Bottles: 638

1993 CASK 7102
Aged 27 Years
Cask Type: OLOROSO PUNCHEON
Appearance: Treacle
Nose: Spiced bramble and toasted cinnamon with dark vanilla, walnut and the subtle fragrance of Oloroso cream sherry.
Palate: Morello cherry, mixed spice and raisin with lingering treacle, date and ginger fruitcake
ABV: 51.4%
Bottles: 633

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Notes 

About The GlenDronach Distillery:

Nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, is The GlenDronach, one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. The GlenDronach is of true Highland style: a complex and full bodied spirit, perfect for slow maturation in Spanish sherry oak. At The GlenDronach Distillery, we have carried forth the tradition of our founder James Allardice since 1826, maturing our whisky in the finest Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía in Spain.

Our richly-sherried Highland Single Malts are recognised for their deep colour and complex flavour profiles, which range from the sweet fruity flavours of the Pedro Ximénez casks we select, to the dry and nutty notes of our Oloroso casks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE GLENDRONACH DISTILLERY:
Visit: www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk
Facebook: /TheGlenDronach
Twitter: @Glendronach
Instagram: @Glendronach

Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky is made for those who challenge convention—explorers of taste who refuse to be bound by tradition, willing to take risks in the pursuit of perfection. With close to 100 years of experience crafting some of the world’s most coveted cognacs, the Giraud family draws on its mastery of blending to establish a new tradition of French malt whisky—bold yet remarkably refined, a balance of nature and creativity.

Breaking from tradition, Phillippe Giraud, created this French Malt Whisky by combining his family’s cognac expertise and personal passion for whisky after working for a renowned Scotch producer. Merging techniques honed by the Giraud family of celebrated cask makers and cognac cellar masters since 1873, their unique processes for milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation and blending result in an exceptionally powerful aromatic palette. From grain-to-glass, the Giraud family is meticulous in sourcing the finest French ingredients. From the locally-farmed barley used in their own malts to seeking out the finest French single malts and casks to create their notable blends, layering the flavors of multiple French malts is the backbone of the Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky signature taste.

HERITAGE by Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky

An annual release of 23 Casks.

A generous, welcoming French malt whisky that is smooth and subtle.

HERITAGE is a blend of three non-peated French malt distillates matured in three types of casks: predominately those used to age extra-old cognacs, as well as new French Limousin and American oak casks. The blend is then matured exclusively in extra-old cognac casks until the flavor is perfectly balanced.

ABV: 45.9%

SRP: $155 for 750ml

HARMONIE by Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky

An annual release of seven casks.

An intense and complex French malt whisky, elegant with subtle hints of peat.

HARMONIE is a blend of two non-peated French malt distillates matured in three types of casks: those used to age extra-old cognacs, as well as new French Limousin and American oak casks. The double malt is then matured exclusively in extra-old cognac casks. Next, it is blended with a lightly peated French malt distillate before being returned to the same extra-old cognac casks to mature until the flavor is perfectly balanced.

ABV: 46.1%

SRP: $190 for 750ml

Three Incredible Christmas Gifts for the Ultimate Whisky Lover 

Earlier in the year Mark Littler Ltd garnered worldwide attention when they brokered the sale of a Macallan 28 Bottle Vertical for £44,000. In the runup to what is set to be a unique Christmas Mark Littler Ltd. have added three more attention grabbing products on their online shop.

Christmas Gifts for the Ultimate Whisky Lover  

The first of the three Christmas must haves is an extremely rare Balvenie 1937 50-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Distilled in the same year that former King Edward VIII married American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and J.R.R Tolkien’s famed novel The Hobbit was published, this bottling contains some of the oldest Balvenie stock left in the world.

These bottles were originally sold by Milroy’s of Soho and only 500 bottles of this expression were ever produced back when Balvenie was a little known Scotch whisky. This may well be one of just a few of these unique whiskies left in the world, and the only one available at retail in the world today is on the Mark Littler online shop for £45,000.

Next up on the ultimate gift list is a dream collection of whisky amassed by their clients over many years. It is what Mark Littler Ltd. are calling ‘The Collector’s Collection’.

The collection consists of 19 rare bottles of whisky and cognac, including expressions from cult distillery Brora, luxury distillery Macallan and a bottle of Louis XIII Black Pearl 100-year-old cognac. Also in the collection is a bottle from Japanese distillery, Karuizawa, bottles of which are currently some of the most sought-after bottles of Japanese whisky in the world, with a bottle selling at auction for £363,000 earlier this year.

The collection purchased individually would cost over £110,000 at retail. The collection is available through Mark Littler’s online store for £85,000.

Lastly, and arguably a must-have for anyone who calls themselves a whisky-lover, is a personalised whisky number plate: WH15 SKY. This is the best, legal personalised number plate on the market for anyone who loves whisky, and allows the owner to share their passion with the world.

The number plate is available for £14,750 from the Mark Littler Ltd shop with all legal documents for a UK registered vehicle.

About Mark Littler LTD

Mark Littler Ltd. are whisky and antiques brokers and to date they have sold well over £2 million worth of whisky and antiques for their clients. Their new online store aims to get the best prices for sellers and buyers in an increasingly competitive market.

By listing bottles and objects of interest for sale directly from the seller the shop offers two advantages; sellers can get more for their bottles than they would do via auction, while buyers get a reduction over buying from traditional retail sites but with the convenience and surety of a retail purchase compared to auction. 

Links

Shop: http://shop.marklittler.com/

Balvenie 50 year old: https://shop.marklittler.com/product/balvenie-1937-50-year-old/

The Collector’s Collection: https://shop.marklittler.com/product/the-collectors-collection/

WH15 SKY number plate: https://shop.marklittler.com/product/whisky-number-plate-wh15sky/

Contact:

Mark Littler

Mark@marklittler.com

01260 218 718

TOMATIN RAISE OVER £50,000 FOR MAGGIE’S HIGHLANDS & CELEBRATE WITH A LIMITED EDITION ARCHIVE BOTTLING 

Following on from Tomatin’s rare whisky auction with The Grand Whisky Auction which raised over £11,000 for Maggie’s Highlands, Tomatin Single Malt are celebrating their combined fundraising successes of 2020 with the launch of an exceptionally limited edition unique expression of Tomatin Single Malt.

Tomatin Single Malt married archived samples together to yield just 40 extremely rare bottles of Tomatin x Maggie’s Highland. The expression contains whisky matured in Bourbon, Oloroso, Moscatel, refill American and European oak casks, ranging in age from 11 to 36 years old. Whisky connoisseurs lucky enough to get their hands on a bottle, can expect an incredibly complex single malt, with flavours spanning tropical and citrus fruits to rich spices and dark chocolate.

The launch of the Tomatin x Maggie’s Highlands bottle follows Tomatin’s recent rare whisky auction with The Grand Whisky Auction, which saw the distillery raise over £11,000 for the charity, tipping the grand total of charitable donations to Maggie’s Highlands since 2018 over the £50,000 barrier! The auction allowed for a number of rare bottles and distillery experiences to be up for grabs. A full list of finalised donations for each item can be found below:

• #190697 – Tomatin – Five Virtues (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water) Limited Edition (Charity Lot) – Sold for £440.00
• #190698 – Tomatin – 32 Year Old #001 1981 Bottle #2 (Charity Lot) – Sold for £880.00
• #190700 – Tomatin – 36 Year Old 1977 Batch #1(Charity Lot) – Sold for £900.00
• #190701 – Tomatin – 30 Year Old 1976 (2007) Limited Release (Charity Lot) – Sold for £480.00
• #190703 – Tomatin – 1980 Release #994 Single Cask (Charity Lot) – Sold for £380.00
• #190704 – Tomatin – 40 Year Old 1967 Vintage (Charity Lot) – Sold for £780.00
• #193142 – Tomatin – “Money Can’t Buy” Distillery Experience (Charity Lot) 4 People – Sold for £920.00
• #190699 – Tomatin – 1970 Vintage Single Cask #12267 (Charity Lot) – Sold for £720.00
• #190706 – Tomatin – 50 Year Old 1967 5cl (Charity Lot) – Sold for £580.00
• #193091 – Tomatin – New 1^st Fill Bourbon Barrel 2020/21 #TBC – Bulk 200L 63.5% | Held In Bond (Charity Lot) – Sold for £4600.00
• #190702 – Tomatin – 30 Year Old Centenary Decanter 1897 – 1997 90cl (Charity Lot) – Sold for £680.00

The Tomatin x Maggie’s Highland limited edition bottle is available to buy via Tomatin’s online shop here for £120 or in store at their Visitor Centre from this Friday, while stocks last.

Sotheby’s to offer rare opportunity to acquire the

complete Black Bowmore whisky collection

direct from the Bowmore Distillery

 Presented in a bespoke cabinet using genuine artefacts from the distillery, designed by award-winning craftsman, John Galvin 

Landmark offering of five iterations representing the pinnacle of one of Scotland’s greatest distilleries

Auction scheduled for Spring 2021 in Hong Kong

LONDON & HONG KONG, 12 November 2020 – Twenty-seven years after its first release, Black Bowmore has become legendary within whisky circles, both as a hallmark of the distillery’s house style and as a highly desirable collector’s item.  Next year, Sotheby’s – in partnership with Bowmore – will offer a rare opportunity to acquire the complete Black Bowmore single malt whisky collection direct from the Bowmore distillery.  Five archive bottles of Black Bowmore, spanning 1993 to 2016, presented in a truly unique bespoke piece of furniture created by award-winning craftsman John Galvin, will be offered by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in the spring of 2021. Estimated in the region of HK$4,000,000 (US$500,000 / £400,000), the Black Bowmore ‘Archive Cabinet’ will form the centrepiece of an auction of Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits. The winning bidder will be invited to the Bowmore distillery for a tasting of Bowmore’s rarest and oldest single malts, with proceeds from the sale donated to an Islay charity, further details to be revealed in due course.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “Black Bowmore is one of my personal favourite whiskies and a dram I have been lucky enough to try on a number of occasions. Its value has increased exponentially over the years, which can be attributed to its undeniable quality and, now that so many bottles have been consumed, its newfound rarity. We are thrilled to partner with Bowmore for this landmark offering in the world of collectible whisky.” 

Adam Bilbey, Head of Sotheby’s Wine, Asia, said: “Since the expansion of our spirits business last year, we have seen enormous growth in the global demand for whisky, particularly in Asia. Having achieved ‘first growth’ status amongst a number of single malt producers, Bowmore has become increasingly collectible. The Black Bowmore ‘archive’ represents a pinnacle in the history of the distillery, marrying five iterations of a classic whisky with the most stunning of designs in which to house them.”

David Turner, Bowmore distillery manager, said: “Black Bowmore truly is the jewel in our crown and it takes its rightful place in the distillery’s history for firmly putting Bowmore on the map as an iconic, collectable whisky.  This full collection of five Black Bowmore bottlings is spectacular, made even more special by the cabinet within which it is beautifully housed.  Each element of the cabinet comes from our home; from the workings of the distillery preserving time gone by.  This exceptional detail not only reflects the craftsmanship inherent in Bowmore, but makes this unique masterpiece rooted in our Islay home.  This means whoever buys this not only owns some of our spirit’s history, but also actual elements of the distillery’s production history.”

THE WHISKY

Black Bowmore was distilled in 1964 and the spirit filled into oak casks previously used for maturing sweet Oloroso sherry and transferred to the No. 1 vaults at Scotland’s oldest maturation warehouse.  Hidden in a special location, this was the perfect environment for long maturation.  Generations of skilled distillery men oversaw the casks slumbering in their secret location, whilst over the course of fifty years Master distillers perfected the liquid laying within.

Black Bowmore was initially released in 1993 as a 29 year old, with further releases of a 30 year old and 31 year old over the following two years.  It appeared as part of a trilogy in 2007 (42 year old), and finally in 2016 as “the last cask” (50 year old).

Initially sold for £100, “Bowmore Black” became one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world for its tropical fruit flavour.  In 2020, its status is legendary – a whisky that defies expectation and offers an experience like no other, in its alignment of concentration of colour and fragrance, intensity and subtlety, balanced smoke and fruit.

THE BOWMORE “BLACK” ARCHIVE CABINET

The one-of-a-kind handcrafted archive cabinet showcases authentic items and materials from the Bowmore distillery, connected to the legend of “black”.  An original Bowmore Spirits safe was used in its construction, making the cabinet a completely one-off piece never to be replicated.

Placed inside on handblown glass pillars, each in varying heights corresponding to the age of the whiskies, the bottles are showcased to spectacular effect.  The front of the pillars are highly polished, to create a vertical window to the inside of each pillar that reveals bubbles running vertically.  Capturing the passage of time, the bubbles at the bottom are crystal clear to represent the newly made spirit slowly changing colour from yellow, dark red brown and finally black.

Once the exterior of the cabinet had been carved to mimic patterns in sand created by the movement of water rushing out to sea at low tide, an ancient Japanese technique was used to char its surface to resemble the inside of a cask.  Featuring Scottish oak, custom cask solid bronze, and drawers constructed from the original pine wash back staves and brass whisky safe sourced from the distillery, the cabinet has been handcrafted at every stage of its production.

This unique lot will also include a one-off book which details the journey of Black Bowmore over its five releases and the creation of the cabinet.

Notes 

A complete distillery owned collection of Black Bowmore from first release to last (1993-2016):

First edition:

• Release Date: 1993
• Age: 29 Years
• Number of bottles: 2000
• Bottle No.819 

Second Edition

• Release Date: 1994
• Age: 30 Years
• Number of bottles: 2000
• Bottle: No.18 

Third Edition

• Release Date: 1995
• Age: 31 Years
• Number of bottles: 1812
• Bottle No.7 

Fourth Edition

• Release Date: 2007
• Age: 42 Years
• Number of bottles: 827
• Bottle No.2 

Fifth Edition

• Release date: 2016
• Age: 50 Years
• Number of bottles: 159
• Bottle No.72 

About Sotheby’s Wine

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide sales in 2019 significantly exceeded $100 million for the second consecutive year, led by a 20% increase in auction sales to a total of $118 million – the highest-ever annual total in Sotheby’s history.

Sotheby’s Wine, with a store located within the auction house’s worldwide headquarters on New York’s Upper East Side, offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by Sotheby’s’ experienced specialists, the ever–evolving selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with prices beginning at just $13.95. With bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages, each wine is chosen for its expression of its region and value for money. Each bottle selected by Sotheby’s specialist team must pass the brand’s signature “three-glass” tasting guideline, meaning that the tasters must like it enough to want to drink three glasses, or the standard amount enjoyed when sharing a bottle.

The Sotheby’s Wine Store in New York City is located at 1334 York Avenue, and is open Monday through Friday from 10AM to 7PM and Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. Along with a retail location in Hong Kong Sotheby’s Wine also offers all bottles online, 24 hours, at www.sothebyswine.com.

About Bowmore

Founded in 1779, Bowmore® is the oldest distillery on Islay.  Our maturation warehouse is the oldest in the world and our handcrafted single malt whisky is defined by time and inspired by its home place.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

About Beam Suntory                 
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

© 2020 Beam Suntory, Inc., Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654

1792 BOURBONS WIN TWO DOUBLE GOLD MEDALS

AT 2020 INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Five 1792 Bourbons Receive Medals 

BARDSTOWN, Ky (Nov. 18, 2020) – Two Barton 1792 bourbons received the prestigious Double Gold medal at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge. Distillery bourbons also received two Gold medals and a Silver medal.

1792 Bottled in Bond and 1792 Aged 12 Years each received the Double Gold medals. 1792 Single Barrel and 1792 Full Proof received Gold medals. 1792 Small Batch received a Silver medal.

All spirits entered into the ISC are subjected to intense blind tastings conducted by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals. Each judge assesses the products according to age, region and variety, which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman.

Results from the 2020 International Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/2020/en/page/2020-results.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery, and is named for the year Kentucky became a state. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Full Proof, which was named the World Whiskey of the Year for 2020.  To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

Churchill’s Whisky Sells for More Than a Wee Dram

1930s Painting of a Drinks Tray by Former Prime Minister
– Featuring a Bottle of his Favoured Johnnie Walker Black Label –

Sells for £983,000 / $1,294,120 

London, 17 November – A rare 1930s painting by Sir Winston Churchill, Jugs and Bottles, combines two of the former Prime Minister’s greatest pastimes: painting and the enjoyment of alcoholic refreshment. Gifted by Churchill to Averell Harriman, and appearing at auction for the first time in 1997, it today sparked a bidding battle to sell for £983,000 – five times the pre-sale estimate of £150,000-250,000, and ranking among the top prices for a painting by Churchill at auction.

Churchill’s scotch of choice was Johnnie Walker, whose distinctive black and gold diagonal label is clearly evident on the bottle here, painted alongside a bottle of what appears to be brandy – the perfect backdrop to the translucent effect of the glasses and jugs set on a silver tray. The play of light and juxtaposition of objects clearly shoes the influence of famous still life painter, and friend of the family, Sir William Nicholson.

The choice of objects is evocative of the rhythm of life at Chartwell, Churchill’s beloved home in Kent, where he often brought associates from Westminster down for lunch, over which business, politics and current affairs would be passionately discussed. It is significant that Churchill gave this painting to Averell Harriman, by all accounts a larger-than-life personality and railroad heir who became involved in politics. Harriman served as a special envoy to Europe during the 1940s under Roosevelt when he had several meetings with Churchill and was then appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union in October 1943.

The work leads Sotheby’s online auction of Modern & Post-War British Art, which saw a luminous, miniature sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth, carved from alabaster in 1962, bring £680,500 (est. £300,000-500,000) and a painting from Sir Stanley Spencer’s The Beatitudes of Love series sell for £620,000 (est. £80,000-120,000). Elsewhere in the sale, a 1944 portrait by Frank Owen Salisbury, who painted Churchill on more occasions than any other artist during his lifetime, sold for £113,400. 

Also closing today: Sotheby’s annual sale of Scottish Art, led by Samuel John Peploe’s Pink Roses (1906), which sold for £499,000 (est. £200,000-300,000).

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Diageo recognised in Dow Jones World Sustainability Index 2020 for third consecutive year

Today Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, has once again been recognised in the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index 2020.

For the third consecutive year, Diageo has been ranked in one of the most prestigious environmental, social and governance (ESG) indices globally. This achievement ranks Diageo in the top four beverage companies worldwide on ESG performance and is based on an in-depth analysis of economic, social and environmental performance.

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index is considered the gold standard for measuring corporate sustainability and its family of indices serves as a benchmark for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios.

In the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index 2020 we scored full marks in the following criteria:

• Brand Management
• Strategy for Emerging Markets
• Environmental Reporting
• Operational Eco-Efficiency
• Water Related Risks
• Social Reporting
• Human Capital Development

Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, said: “In a year when everyone has had to come together to find new sustainable ways in which to operate in, I am delighted that Diageo has once again been recognised by such a prestigious index.  I am grateful to all our employees, partners and community projects who have helped us to retain our position. It shows that sustainability runs throughout the entire company, from the grain of barley that is harvested right through to the glass that serves the finest Scotch.” 

Diageo concluded its 2015-2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Goals earlier in 2020. It will announce its next 10-year action plan at the end of November 2020, continuing its focus on three core areas: promoting positive drinking; championing inclusion and diversity and pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability.

About the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
This global ranking is published annually by the S&P Dow Jones Indices and SAM and measures the performance of the world’s sustainability leaders. SAM invites publicly traded companies to participate. Companies are selected for the indices according to a systematic Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) performed by SAM. Only firms that lead their industries based on this assessment are included in the indices. This is determined by a comprehensive assessment of long-term economic, environmental and social criteria that take account of general as well as industry-specific sustainability trends.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

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

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of Limited-Edition Heaven Hill 85^th Anniversary Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Commemorative bottles comprised from a single 13-year-old barrel

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of Heaven Hill 85^th Anniversary 13-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This single barrel limited-edition release celebrates Heaven Hill’s 85 years of distilling tradition.

“Perseverance is a hallmark of Heaven Hill’s history, and a value resonating across the industry this year,” said President Max L. Shapira. “Our steadfast commitment to quality and an enduring legacy continues to guide Heaven Hill’s path forward. We look forward to lifting America’s spirit for the next 85 years, as we have since 1935.”

The Heaven Hill 85^th Anniversary edition is comprised of one barrel filled on Dec. 13, 2006 and dumped on Dec. 13, 2019, honoring the anniversary date Heaven Hill first filled a barrel with Kentucky Bourbon in 1935. The 13-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, another key callback to the anniversary date, was aged on the second floor of Rickhouse G on Heaven Hill’s main Bardstown campus. The anniversary bottle is cut to 107 proof, Heaven Hill’s original barrel entry proof circa 1935, and non-chill filtered.

This ultra-premium Bourbon will be released in an elegant, tall 750ml bottle placed in a custom wooden box bearing two H’s on each side signifying the Heaven Hill name. The bottle is secured in the box with magnetic closure and sits in a blue satin-lined base. The distiller’s notes label features hand-written bottle numbers, distiller tasting notes, and DSP-KY-1, denoting the Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery. The one-time release of Heaven Hill 85^th Anniversary 13-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available late 2020 in at the Bourbon Heritage center and limited Kentucky retailers for a suggested retail price of $299.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.8 million barrels aging in 61 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

WEMYSS MALTS believe that our journey through the wonderful world of whisky should be led by bold and unique flavours.

In 2020 we celebrate our 15th anniversary and this is the perfect time to focus on our original values as independent, family whisky makers that encourage the exploration into adventurous flavours through our newly re-branded core range.

The Wemyss Malts Core Range has been given a bold and colourful new look to match its vibrant taste and vivid personality. With a direct contrast to more traditional whisky packaging, the striking design and unique labels are hard to miss.

The new-look blended malt whiskies – ‘The Hive’, ‘Spice King’ and ‘Peat Chimney’ – are bottled at 46% abv and non-chill-filtered to preserve their flavourful character. The new packaging includes a bespoke decanter bottle and ornately illustrated labels and gift cartons.

With whisky becoming more and more a lifestyle drink, popular among regular consumers, cocktail aficionados and spirit experts, Wemyss Malts can match the personality of the drinker with one of their Core Range whiskies. Each bottle of premium quality, small batch, hand-crafted whisky captures the true spirit of the brand with the bespoke artistic blend of colours reflecting the exciting blend of flavour.

William Wemyss, Founder & Director of Wemyss Malts, said:

“Not all whisky tastes the same and not all whisky drinkers are the same. Scotland offers a wide spectrum of malt whisky with a vast diversity of flavours, and this wealth of variety is celebrated across our newly relaunched core range.

“We don’t overly focus on the distilleries, regions or complex terminology but prefer instead to concentrate on what’s important; the natural aromas and tastes found in each of our malt whiskies. The Wemyss Malts Core Range has been carefully crafted and blended from single malts from across Scotland to represent one of the key flavour profiles, giving each a distinct personality. And just like our consumers, our drinks are crafted to suit each personality type whether that is sweet, complexly spicy or gently smoky.”

NOT ALL SCOTCH TASTES THE SAME.
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOURS; SWEET, SPICY, OR SMOKY?

EXPLORE THE RANGE