REGISTER YOUR CASKS NOW FOR THE WORLD’S ONLY LIVE, ONLINE WHISKY AUCTION DEDICATED TO CASKS

Auctionyourcask.com is now inviting people to register their casks for auction by 31^st July 2020.

The auction, hosted by Cask Trade via its online auction website auctionyourcask.com, will go live on 14^thAugust and run until 23^rd August 2020.

Following the successful first auction in January, the world’s second live, online auction dedicated to casks of whisky is expected to attract even more sellers and bidders from around the globe.

Those looking to register casks are urged not to delay as they need to be re-gauged, undergo a full health check, document check and a sample sent for entry.

Auctionyourcask.com allows private owners and investors to sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world.

Forgotten fortunes

Do you own a cask? Did you or a member of your family purchase a cask 20 years ago? Perhaps you have an heirloom asset. In the first auction, a 1995 Springbank sherry hogshead which was originally bought for £800 in 1995 sold for £45,000.

Trading assets and releasing equity

In these uncertain economic times some people might be looking to trade up their casks, release some equity from their assets, others might have inherited casks and are not sure how to sell them. Sellers have the peace of mind that the process will be handled smoothly and efficiently with a personal point of contact along the way. Sellers also benefit from a 0% seller commission rate on all lots being sold.

Owner of Cask Trade, Simon Aron, says many people are looking to release maturing cask assets. “More and more people are waking up to whisky as a safe haven for investment amid global market chaos,” he says adding: “I am very excited for our second auction following the success of the first when 300 whisky lovers registered and we sent out more than 100 samples around the world.”

Those looking to register their cask for sale should complete an online form to request a valuation. https://www.auctionyourcask.com/request-a-valuation

To sign up to bid in the live auction, register here: https://www.auctionyourcask.com/members/login

The auction, which will go live on 14^th August will run until 23^rd August (ending 8pm GMT), will feature a wide selection of casks at different price points.

All casks will need to have had a recent re-gauge ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity, wherever possible, to try the whisky before they buy. Auction your cask validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee Cask Trade can offer bidders the actual hammer price. Their low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

Hosted four times a year the next auction will take place in November 2020.

NOTES:

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.
• HMRC-issued AWRS Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme: Licenced to wholesale, bottle and retail.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties      (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: auctionyourcask.com.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

Whisky Price Growth

Results of the recent Knight Frank Wealth Report’s new unique luxury investment index revealed whisky was one of the most coveted objects of desire in 2019.

The report out in February 2020, says Rare Whisky has grown in value the most over the last 10 years at +564% and increased by +5% in the past 12 months; and states casks remained in huge demand. By comparison cars have seen an increase of 194%, art by 141% and wine by 120%.

https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

Data collected by Rare Whisky 101 suggests the four-year growth from December 2014 in rare whisky has increased over 160%, compared to just 2.47% for the FTSE 100. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/indices

The same report by Rare Whisky 101 claimed via the BBC that they had performed a controlled test of 55 rare bottles, of which over a third were fakes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-4656670

Photo Credit Steve McCurry

STEVE MCCURRY CAPTURES THE MACALLAN’S EXTRAORDINARY WOOD JOURNEY

Spanning two continents and thousands of miles, the incredible wood journey undertaken to create The Macallan’s hand-crafted, sherry seasoned oak casks has been chronicled in extraordinary new detail by iconic Magnum photographer Steve McCurry.

His exclusive photographic journal, which is revealed in full for the first time, showcases the people, places and processes involved in the production of The Macallan’s exceptional oaks casks.

Crafted to unique specifications, The Macallan’s oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan’s peerless single malts.

The images also provide a compelling new insight into the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been renowned since 1824.

Steve McCurry said: “The thing I admire about The Macallan is their passion for craftsmanship, their excellence and their integrity for their processes.

“Sometimes you have to choose a different path – the one less taken – to go beyond hardship, to reach excellence.”

Firstly, the photographer, recognised as one of today’s finest image makers and synonymous with evocative colour photography, made the trip to the vast green forests of Northern Spain, the source of European oak for The Macallan casks. Then he journeyed to Jerez, Southern Spain where The Macallan’s casks are hand-crafted and seasoned with sherry – one of The Macallan’s defining strengths.

McCurry also travelled to Pennsylvania to discover the influence of American oak.  Grown in the lush forests in the North East of the US, it is key to the unique flavour of The Macallan’s highly successful Double Cask range that balances both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks. After leaving America, these casks are also shipped to Jerez to be crafted into casks and filled with sherry, using the same traditional processes applied to the European oak.

When fully seasoned, each cask is transported to The Macallan Estate home to the award-winning Distillery on Speyside. It is then filled with the finest quality, new make spirit ready to be matured under the watchful eye of The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team.

As well as evoking the sights, sounds and even the smells of the forests where the oak trees that form The Macallan’s casks are grown, McCurry also reveals the mastery and commitment of those who craft The Macallan’s casks, including the coopers – professional cask makers – who spend many years learning and perfecting their art.

Stuart MacPherson, Master of Wood, The Macallan, said: “Steve McCurry is one of the world’s greatest documentary photographers and we are privileged that he has expertly captured The Macallan’s wood story through his incredible lens.

“Our people and their craftsmanship have defined The Macallan for almost 200 years and Steve’s outstanding images provide a unique insight into the intensive process of sourcing, crafting and seasoning our exceptional oak casks.

“With up to 80% of The Macallan’s final flavour and character determined by cask quality, Steve has recorded the painstaking commitment and attention to detail that we uphold to deliver the uncompromised excellence that lies at the heart of our brand.”

Steve McCurry’s interpretation of The Macallan’s wood journey is his latest partnership with The Macallan. It follows his previous work with the brand to document the build of The Macallan Distillery, alongside fellow Magnum photographers, in 2018.

For further information visit www.themacallan.com

Notes

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. 

About Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than 30 years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world to his name.

Born in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; McCurry studied film at Pennsylvania State University, before going on to work for a local newspaper. After several years of freelance work, McCurry made his first of what would become many trips to India.

Travelling with little more than a bag of clothes and another of film, he made his way across the subcontinent, exploring the country with his camera. McCurry brought the world the first images of the conflict in Afghanistan, putting a human face to the issue on every masthead. His work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike – yet always retains the human element that made his celebrated image of the Afghan Girl so powerful.

He has been a member of Magnum Photos since 1986. McCurry has been recognised with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, National Press Photographers Award, and an unprecedented four first prize awards from the World Press Photo contest, to name but a few.

https://www.stevemccurry.com/

Glen Moray Launches Virtual Whisky Series to Encourage Flavour Exploration

Glen Moray has announced a new series of online whisky events in a bid to take UK drinkers on a virtual journey of discovery, one delicious dram at a time.

Glen Moray’s monthly ‘Whisky Surgeries’ will be hosted on Zoom by the company’s very own doctor and Head of Whisky Creation, Dr Kirstie McCallum, gathering curious drinkers who are missing out on their usual distillery visits and festivals this year.

The first ‘after hours’ surgery will take place at 8pm on Tuesday 7^th July and will put the world of unusual cask maturation under the microscope. Participants can enjoy a virtual tasting and discover the hidden gems found in Glen Moray Distillery’s ‘Warehouse 1’, where unusual casks and maturation experiments are housed.

Throughout the event Dr Kirstie will share her decades of knowledge and experience as one of Scotch whisky’s leading creators, answering questions and revealing the secrets behind Glen Moray’s adventurous approach to flavour
Glen Moray’s first Whisky Surgery is now available to book on Eventbrite. To book a place visit here  

50 spaces are available for this free event, and the first 20 people who sign up will each receive a complimentary Glen Moray tasting kit, which contains the new Madeira Cask Project and Rhum Agricole Cask Finish Project expressions to enjoy during the event. Further session will be announced over the coming months.

Dr Kirstie McCallum commented: ‘I’m really looking forward to presenting our first Whisky Surgery session as there is nothing I enjoy more than sharing a dram with enthusiasts and chatting about one of my favourite subjects – whisky exploration.

‘Glen Moray has a unique history of cask experimentation and I have a good few anecdotes to share on the discoveries that have been made in our distillery. Bringing people who are interested in whisky together to share knowledge is another passion of mine so this new series provides a great platform to do this.’

Crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, Glen Moray distillers have been curious about flavour throughout their history. Surviving handwritten ledgers show that a wide variety of casks were used to mature new make spirit back in those early days, which was an unusual practice for the time. A deep knowledge and expertise of wood has developed at Glen Moray through generations of distillers, resulting in today’s exceptional range of whiskies with a style to suit everyone.

www.glenmoray.com

www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery

www.instagram.com/glen_moray_whisky

www.twitter.com/glenmoraydist

ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

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

Irish Distillers announces the appointment of Kevin O’Gorman as Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery 

Midleton, Wednesday, 10th of June 2020 – Irish Distillers, producer of some of the world’s best loved Irish whiskeys, today announced the appointment of Kevin O’Gorman as the new Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery. Kevin takes on the role from Brian Nation, who has served as Master Distiller since 2013. Brian is set to take on the role of Master Distiller at a startup distillery in the US.

Kevin will take on one of the most coveted positions in world whiskey. As part of his new role he will be responsible for protecting the rich heritage of the world’s most famous Irish whiskeys, ensuring the quality of all new pot and grain distillates produced at Midleton while supporting future innovation.

A Cork native, Kevin is a Technology graduate from The University of Limerick and holds a Diploma in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. He is a master craftsman having started his career in Midleton in 1998, working as a distiller under the tutelage of Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett. From there he moved to Maturation where he honed his skills under then Master of Maturation Brendan Monks before assuming the role of Master of Maturation on Brendan’s retirement in 2007.

Kevin successfully continued the ongoing innovation in maturation that has made Midleton famous, while working with the team in facilitating spirit options for new brands like Method and Madness and brand extensions in the Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Midleton Very Rare and Spot range. In his previous role, Kevin spent much of his time travelling the globe to source only the highest quality casks from world renowned cooperages, while overseeing the full maturation process across the portfolio.

Commenting on the appointment, Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said: “I am delighted to announce Kevin O’Gorman as the new Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery. Kevin’s exceptional leadership and talent as Master of Maturation has impressed the whiskey world ever since he took on the role in 2007. We know that he will continue to impress as Master Distiller, an evolved role which will see him lead both distillation and maturation at Irish Distillers. I am looking forward to working closely with Kevin as he drives the constant pursuit of excellence and innovation that has been exemplified by the entire team in Midleton for centuries.

“We are immensely grateful for everything Brian has done for Irish Distillers, and the entire Irish whiskey category, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavors as he passes the baton to Kevin”.

Kevin O’Gorman added: “Since starting my career in Irish Distillers in 1998, I have been lucky to learn from masters like Barry Crockett and Brendan Monks about the intricacies of the whiskey production, from grain to glass. Of course, Brian Nation and I have also worked very closely together on distillation and maturation for the past 10 years and he will be missed by all his friends at Midleton Distillery. I am excited to use my experience to drive the sector forward by producing innovative new whiskeys that will delight whiskey fans over the coming years.”

Commenting on the succession, Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, said: “As I step down from the position of Master Distiller, I am struck by what an incredible honour it has been to hold this role. I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team at Midleton for the past 23 years and have experienced enormous change, development, and innovation, from the recent expansion of our distillery to the development of new distillate styles in the Micro Distillery. I am delighted to see Kevin take on the role of Master Distiller. I know that, under his leadership, the quality and reputation of Irish Distillers’ portfolio will continue to flourish long into the future.”

Notes:

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

LAST-MINUTE FATHER’S DAY WHISKY FOR THE DISCERNING DAD

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has the ideal bottle of whisky and membership offer for Father’s Day

If your dad or the special father figure in your life deserves a truly unique gift that lasts all year round, then The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has the perfect present for him this Father’s Day (Sunday 21^st June). The whisky club is offering membership plus an exclusive bottle of SMWS whisky for only £100: www.smws.com/daddaygift

The SMWS bottle Cask No. 68.41: Hill-Walking Happiness is from the Society’s Spicy & Sweet flavour profile and is one of only 295 from an ex-bourbon hogshead. The 11-year-old Highland whisky’s tasting notes describe it as having “a clean fresh nose of cereal then sugared almonds, donuts and chocolate raisins to balance”.

Now is the perfect time for your dad to sign up to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Although the Members’ Rooms remain closed, the SMWS is open for business as normal online, with exceptional single cask whisky ready to be delivered straight to your dad’s door.

In times of uncertainty, the Society is encouraging members to grab some drams and share them at home. Membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society brings whisky adventurers from all over the world together to share colourful experiences and the finest single cask single malt whisky. It’s a never-ending flavour journey to explore and share with 27,000 fellow members around the globe.

As an SMWS member, your dad will enjoy memorable whisky experiences. Every month, as well as offering an impressive collection of whisky, the SMWS hosts virtual gatherings and tastings, keeping members educated, entertained and able to share drams together.

w: https://www.smws.com/

f: https://www.facebook.com/thesmwsuk

i: https://www.instagram.com/smws_uk/

t: https://twitter.com/SMWSUK

yt: https://www.youtube.com/user/SMWSsilverscreen/videos

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 27,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 140 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2HHiNyC
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

Douglas Laing Unveils The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition

Independent Scotch Whisky firm, Douglas Laing & Co today unveils The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Limited Edition of only 600 bottles.

Honouring Scotland’s Capital, the unique “recipe” for the special bottling is the result of a creative collaboration between Douglas Laing & Co and some of Edinburgh’s finest bartenders and spirit experts. A one-off event was held at leading bar “Nauticus” in Edinburgh, during which the VIP attendees masterfully married together various samples of Single Cask Single Malt Whiskies from the Lowlands with the aim of creating a perfectly balanced end product with depth and character. Each unique blend of Single Malts was then judged with the winning recipe becoming this limited edition release of just 600 bottles. A blind tasting by Douglas Laing’s Chairman, Fred Laing, saw Lindsay Blair of 56 North crowned the winner.

The resulting Whisky is said to burst with lively green fruits, sweet barley and tangy citrus with just a touch of spice. Bottled at 53.3% alcohol strength and offered without colouring or chill-filtration, its high strength is said to ensure the natural robust character of the capital city spirit shines through – even when mixed.

Cara Laing, Director of Whisky, comments on the new release:

“The Epicurean’s Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition celebrates our Capital City and its impressive array of bars and spirit experts. With summer just around the corner, this is perfect timing to release this fresh and zesty Lowland Malt. We’d recommend enjoying it straight-up or long with ginger ale or apple juice to further enhance those tangy, slightly spicy sweet flavours.”

The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition is available from June 2020, from specialist Whisky retailers with an expected retail price of £49.99. 

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING:

www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/douglaslaingwhisky

Instagram: @remarkable_malts

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and Xtra Old Particular, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Whisky for Father’s Day gift guides – GlenDronach, BenRiach & Glenglassaugh single malts

The GlenDronach

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 oak Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Year Old

Crowned ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the internationally acclaimed 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Years took home the top prize for all whisky, making an ideal gift for the world’s best Dad. This expression offers sumptuous notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with an enveloping, memorable finish. The GlenDronach is a richly-sherried and characterful Single Malt, produced in the Highland region of Scotland.

UK RRP: £73.00

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8

Matured for ten years in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, and bottled at natural cask strength, this expression is the perfect gift for connoisseurs seeking a deeper insight into the distillery’s richly-sherried Highland Single Malt. Like sipping velvet, with mocha, caramel macchiato and cherry chocolate cake, layered with dates, plum skin and sultana.

UK RRP: £66.00

BenRiach

Founded in 1898, the BenRiach Distillery has long been the home of artistry and expertise across whisky distilling and cask maturation. The multi-layered flavour of this Speyside single malt is a result of the eclecticism of casks used during maturation. BenRiach distills three types of spirit – classic, peated and triple distilled, and is one of two remaining distilleries in Speyside to use barley from its traditional on-site floor maltings – a time-honoured craft that is celebrated for one month each year.

BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years

With flavours of cocoa, sweet macaroons, floral oak and dried berries, BenRiach Aged 12 Years is a whisky with a tremendous depth of flavour, making it an ideal whisky for Dads to sip and savour this Father’s Day.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £43.00

BenRiach Temporis Aged 21 Years – Peated

If you’re looking for a slightly alternative whisky gift for your Dad, this is it. This intense, unique expression from BenRiach, packing a full-bodied flavour profile, provides the rare opportunity to try a peated Speyside whisky of this age – a unique treat for Dads who like to try something new. With notes of rum-soaked dried fruit, orange peel, new leather and oak-y smoke, the Temporis makes the perfect dram for exploring flavour.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £ 144.00

BenRiach Aged 21 Years

BenRiach has long been a distillery to keep an eye on when it comes to whiskies with inventive maturation styles. This BenRiach Aged 21 Years has been drawn from a mixture of four casks – bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenéz Sherry casks and red wine casks. With spiced fruit and milk chocolate at its core, this indulgent whisky is a delicious gift for any whisky loving Dad.

Gold winner at International Wine and Spirits Competition 2019.

UK RRP: £130.00

Glenglassaugh

On the crescent beach of Sandend Bay stands Glenglassaugh Distillery, producing a luscious single malt with rolling waves of flavour. A complete distillation of its natural surroundings, Glenglassaugh is shaped from the visible and invisible influences of land, sea, air and spring water. The classic and peated Octaves expressions in Batch 2 are matured in hand-selected Octaves casks, made to size from a range of Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, Amontillado Sherry and Port wood. The smaller size of these casks allows for greater interaction between the wood and the spirit, strengthening the whisky’s depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

Matured in the seaside warehouses of this coastal Highland distillery, Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 a rare gift for an exceptional father. Sip smooth velvet waves of salted chocolate caramel, savouring the intriguingly long finish of citrus spiced coffee, aniseed and peanut brittle.

Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £60.00.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2

Shaped by land and sea, The Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 Peated embraces the traditional addition of peat smoke in the craft of making this delicious whisky, which has been matured in bourbon, port and sherry casks.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £65.00

Market Pricing may vary accordingly.

Craft Whisky Club Partners with Edinburgh Whisky Academy

This June, the online whisky initiative Craft Whisky Club has partnered with highly respected pioneers of certified whisky education, Edinburgh Whisky Academy to create the ultimate online course and subscription service, for those who not only want to discover a new world of craft, artisan and innovative whisky-making but get a chance to try them too.

From casks to pairings, locally-produced to the exotic, learning and exploring the world of whisky is a fundamental part of the whisky experience. By teaming up with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, Craft Whisky Club provides its members with the chance to explore the history, science, artistry and making processes which makes their favourite spirit so special. The collaboration offers members a wealth of opportunities to learn more about a wide range of whiskies from industry experts, and in these more confined times, courses can be taken from the comfort of your own home.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, all members who sign up before Father’s Day (June 21st) will receive complimentary access to their ‘Focus on Flavor’ module. Existing Craft Whisky Club members will also enjoy a 10% discount on all their other courses, access to a monthly Q&A with an EWA expert, and much more! Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s Focus of Flavour is the perfect module to help members take their Craft Whisky Club membership to another level, helping them discover the new classics and experience the range of flavours being a member of Craft Whisky Club offers.

“We are very excited to enter into this partnership with Craft Whisky Club. Everybody at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy is passionate about first-class whisky education. Working together means we will be able to ensure more whisky enthusiasts can access our online courses and in-person Diplomas. Not only will members learn more about the industry and what makes whisky such a complex and fascinating product, but they can also be assured of an enhanced whisky drinking experience as they enjoy some of Craft Whisky Club’s incredible bottlings. Slainte!” — Edinburgh Whisky Association

For further information on how the membership works and pricing please see here.

Isle of Lewis whisky shop raises spirits with delivery service thanks to Business Gateway support

A whisky shop based on the Isle of Lewis has successfully adapted to lockdown with the launch of a new delivery service and the introduction of enhanced online services for customers, with help from Business Gateway.

Founded by Iain Faller, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop offers customers a selection of high-quality Scotch malt whiskies, Scottish artisan gins and other fine spirits. While initially due to move into new premises in April 2020, Iain adapted his business in response to COVID-19 with the launch of a delivery service available across the Outer Hebrides and mainland Scotland.

This has been accompanied by a series of virtual tasting sessions, in collaboration with Larkfire who provide Hebridean wild water for whisky. Using connections with local organisations met through Business Gateway, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop sourced and delivered a variety of spirits to create a successful virtual tasting experience for 30 customers.

Prior to the pandemic, Iain attended a number of Business Gateway and DigitalBoost workshops, which equipped him with the skills he needed to use social media as a marketing tool to raise awareness of his business and its service.

Iain also accessed a variety of business start-up services over the last two years which have been instrumental in keeping the business stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included one-to-one business support, advice on his business plan and a successful grant application to the Outer Hebrides Young Entrepreneurs Start Up Scheme (Plus) (OHYESS+). The OHYESS+ scheme provides support to new businesses and is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and delivered by Business Gateway Outer Hebrides.

Iain Faller, owner and founder of The Island Spirit Whisky Shop, said, “I had always dreamt of turning my hobby of collecting whiskies into a business, and after attending twenty Business Gateway workshops, I finally took the plunge.

“While I was not anticipating the current situation, the skills I gained from attending Business Gateway workshops equipped me with the confidence to diversify and utilise social media to advertise and market our business, without having the presence of our high street shop. I have been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement I have received from the local community and other local businesses.”

“The business support grant we applied for has helped keep the business on track with our original plan and prevented us from spending money allocated for stock purposes. Meanwhile, the valuable networking opportunities have led to collaborations with other local businesses, we have adapted our operations over the last few weeks to offer our customers a virtual tasting experience in their own homes. I can’t thank Business Gateway enough.”

Derek Maclean, Business Adviser, Business Gateway said, “Over the past two years Iain has been able to take advantage of a wide variety of services which we offer and it is always rewarding to see someone take the leap and start their own business.

“While the ongoing circumstances are not what anyone could have predicted, it has been brilliant to see how Iain has adapted, with the successful launch of his new service and I look forward to when Iain can open his shop so that customers can enjoy the experience he offers.”

For support and advice on critical business issues during the pandemic visit our dedicated Coronavirus Hub which is updated with new information daily: https://www.bgateway.com/coronavirus-business-support-across-scotland.

About Business Gateway

1. Business Gateway offers a range of professional resources, support and tools to help businesses and those in business learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop sustainable strategies for growth.
2. Business Gateway is delivered by local authorities throughout Scotland.
3. Business Gateway works in collaboration with a wide variety of organisations, including Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to help deliver the best advice and support to Scottish businesses.

THOUSANDS JOIN BIRDHOUSE BALLOT TO PURCHASE LIMITED EDITION REDBREAST DREAM CASK RUBY PORT EDITION

Pictured: Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition

Thousands of whiskey fans entered an online ballot to purchase the new limited-edition Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition, produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Cork. With just 912 bottles produced, a staggering 7,400 people signed up for a chance to purchase this year’s Dream Cask, launched through Redbreast’s Birdhouse online members’ club to mark World Whiskey Day 2020. Bottle number one will be auctioned the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin, with all proceeds going to Marys Meals Ireland https://www.marysmeals.ie/.

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Irish Distillers, commented: “This is the first year we have launched Redbreast Dream Cask through a ballot system to make it as fair as possible for whiskey lovers to try our dream creation. The response has been phenomenal, with winners from a diverse range of countries; from Ireland, the UK, Germany and across Europe to Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan and many more.  While we wish every entrant could have the opportunity to taste this year’s Redbreast Dream Cask, we’re delighted that many successful Birdhouse members will soon be enjoying this exceptional whiskey.”

The Birdhouse gives Irish whiskey fans exclusive access to limited edition releases, information on the Redbreast family, interviews from the Midleton Masters and bespoke Redbreast gifts. Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition is the third release in a series of limited-edition Redbreast Irish whiskeys sold exclusively through The Birdhouse.

Click here to visit The Redbreast Birdhouse. 

Notes 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.