OLDEST EVER BIG PEAT WITH A UNIQUE CASK HERITAGE UNVEILED

The oldest ever Big Peat Islay Malt Scotch Whisky bottling is unveiled today by Douglas Laing & Co.

The family firm, established over 70 years ago, announces their Big Peat 33 Years Old Limited Edition of only 1,500 bottles – a marriage of Single Malts from Islay, finished in a unique combination of French Cognac and Spanish Sherry casks.

Packaged in a premium, textured gift tube with high gloss varnish and intricate foil detailing, the burnt orange and gold colourways give a subtle nod to the Cognac region. Designed to showcase “the more mature side of Big Peat”, “his” latest Limited Edition carries spirit distilled on Islay in 1985, with “a sweet smokiness and a charred meaty, Malted character at its heart”.

In line with the Douglas Laing family philosophy, the spirit within is proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration, and at a natural Cask Strength of 47.3%.

Fred Laing, creator of Big Peat and Chairman of his family’s firm, comments:

“Having briefly experimented with the first ever Sherry finish for our Big Islay pal back in 2017 (for the Feis Ile Festival bottling) we received some phenomenal feedback and requests, nay, demands, for further such innovation. Knowing some of our Big Peat spirit (our stocks of Islay Single Cask Single Malt) was maturing nicely in a combination of former Cognac and Sherry casks, it was only a matter of time before we’d be tempted to answer those emails with this rather intriguing and timely European triangular connection!”

Big Peat 33 Years Old Cognac & Sherry Finished Limited Edition is available from specialist spirits retailers globally. Just 1,500 bottles exist, expected to retail at £250.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, detect sweet smokiness alongside ripe plums, brown sugar and juicy peaches. The palate bursts with phenols, red apples, smoky bacon and a meaty, Malted character. The finish is long, with toasted almonds, spices and orange marmalade on burnt buttered toast.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO:

 www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigpeat

Twitter: @remarkablemalts

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 (from the Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and XOP, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

BOTTLE YOUR OWN 40-YEAR-OLD WHISKY AT ABERFELDY DISTILLERY 

Hamilton, Bermuda, 18^th November 2019 – ABERFELDY has today announced the release of its most distinguished Golden Dram – ABERFELDY 40 Years Old – available only from the distillery itself as a hand-bottled exclusive.

For more than 120 years ABERFELDY has been crafting some of Scotland’s most beguiling single malt whiskies, with the single cask being its ultimate expression. ABERFELDY 40 Years Old is the distillery’s oldest whisky yet and will be released in three single cask editions.

To uncover a parcel of whisky of this age with such distinct personality and excellence is indeed, a rare find. Resting in oak since the whisky was distilled back in the late 70’s, ABERFELDY’S Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod delved in to the distillery’s reserves and uncovered three separate single casks, all with remarkable qualities. Very few casks of this age survive the maturation process with enough vivacity left in them to make a truly great whisky, often having lost over 50% of the cask’s contents to evaporation.

“To find one cask at this venerable age, is extraordinary but to find three, is exceptional” says Stephanie Macleod, Aberfeldy’s Malt Master, adding: “just think of the four decades of history these casks have slumbered through.”

Filled on 22^nd August 1978, all three casks are American Oak, ex-Bourbon Hogsheads. The first to be released is cask #5029, the second in the line-up will be cask #5030, with cask #5031 being the final in this collection, to be bottled as ABERFELDY 40 Years Old.*

Offering an ultra-premium, hands-on experience, purchasers will be given the opportunity to fill their own bottle, by hand, directly from the cask, in the distillery’s historic warehouses.

Stephanie comments: “The single cask is something that we at ABERFELDY bottle rarely – to have the honour of filling your very own bottle of our oldest and most exclusive whisky yet, is a truly special opportunity. The golden hallmarks of the distillery are evident; beautifully-balanced, elegant and well-mannered with peerless texture, perfectly expressed by these 40-year-old bottlings.”

On sale for £2,500 a bottle, ABERFELDY 40 Years Old will be exclusively available from the Aberfeldy Distillery, both on-site and via its new online shop: www.aberfeldy-40-whisky.com.

Notes: 

*Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod’s tasting notes:

1st release:

Cask #5029 50.1% ABV, 160 bottles

“Honeysuckle and freshly cut grass, ushers in the signature notes of heather honey.  On the palate, a burst of cloves, then relaxing with cereal notes.”

2nd release:

Cask #5030 47.3% ABV, 134 bottles

“Lemon curd on buttered toast, delicately balanced with notes of thyme and rosemary and a creamy caramel finish. Full bodied and endlessly smooth on the palate.” 

3rd release:

Cask #5031 46.1% ABV, 97 bottles

“Charming citrus scented crème brûlée, fresh peaches and soft oak. On a palate a smooth and complex finish awaits.”  

About ABERFELDY Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABERFELDY distillery was founded in 1898 by the dynamic Dewar brothers, John Alexander and Tommy. They built on a site just a stone’s throw from the birthplace of their father, the pioneering blender John Dewar.

Alongside the distillery, and known to contain deposits of alluvial gold, flows the Pitilie Burn; the perfect water source for the Golden Dram. While inside, time-honoured techniques like long fermentation, which conjures rare honeyed notes, safeguard the whisky’s flavour profile, renowned for its rich, sweet, smooth taste.

The brand’s core portfolio is comprised of ABERFELDY 12 Years Old, ABERFELDY 16 Years and ABERFELDY 21 Years Old.

The single malt brand of ABERFELDY is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Laphroaig® 25 Year Old Whisky Celebrates the Life of Bessie Williamson

Isle of Arran Distillers announce new Distillery Manager for Lochranza Distillery

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd has appointed David Livingstone as the new Distillery Manager at their Lochranza Distillery, with James MacTaggart moving to take on the role of Director of Production & Operations for both Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries.

Following a lengthy recruitment process, Livingstone, who is originally from Islay, will be swapping whisky islands and bringing his experience across to Arran this month.

He has previously worked at Laphroaig Distillery, working his way up to Assistant Manager at the renowned organisation, and has more recently been involved in setting up the production process systems and assisting with the design at Islay’s newest distillery, Ardnahoe, which opened earlier this year.

His involvement in the process gives him the hands-on experience required to oversee day-to-day operations at the Lochranza Distillery, which produces approximately 600,000 litres a year, as well as a full grasp of all the necessary regulations that are required in modern whisky production.

The appointment comes towards the end of a busy year for the island distillers as they opened Lagg Distillery, their second site on the island producing peated spirit, and launched a new look and packaging re-brand across their core range of Arran Single Malts.

New Distillery Manager, Livingstone, said: “It’s an especially exciting time to take on this role at such a remarkable whisky company and I’m very proud to be given the opportunity to look after the future of these great spirits.

“Our range of Arran Single Malts are loved across the world, and my main priority is to ensure that the quality is preserved going forward.

“Being from the islands myself, I recognise how important distilleries are to island communities and that’s something I’ve always been passionate about. The Isle of Arran Distillers is proud to continue to operate as an independently owned distillery that has the local people at its core.”

James MacTaggart, who has been Master Distiller at Isle of Arran Distillers since 2007, will take on a new role as Director of Production & Operations, overseeing both the Lochranza and Lagg Distillery sites.

MacTaggart said: “As the company continues to grow and develop, it’s necessary that we have the best whisky people around us. We’re delighted to have David on board for the next part of our journey and know that we can learn plenty from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to my new role as Director of Production & Operations and the opportunity to ensure the excellence of our Arran Single Malts is maintained, while introducing people to our new distillery at Lagg and eventually the whisky we’ll produce there.”

For more information about the Isle of Arran Distillers and their range of Arran Single Malts, please visit: www.arranwhisky.com

Notes: 

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:

Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007) Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Lochranza Reserve: International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018), International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

BONHAMS SETS NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A WHISKY CASK

Hong Kong – An exceedingly rare 30 year whisky sherry hogshead cask from the famed Macallan Distillery achieved HK$4,464,000/ US$572,000, setting a new world auction record for a whisky cask at Bonhams sale of Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky on 15 November. Estimated at HK$3,600,000 – 4,600,000, this is one of the oldest editions of Macallan whisky cask currently available in the market.

Distilled in May 1989 and never since been moved from the distillery, this cask with perfect provenance can be stored at Macallan for as long as the buyer wishes, or yielded into a total of 261 bottles by an independent bottler.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, explains: ‘Not only has this 30 year-old cask set the new world auction record for a whisky cask, but it is also the most expensive per bottle cask ever sold at auction, and is expected to produce 261 bottles valued at HK$17,103/ US$2,200 per bottle.’

This marks the second whisky world auction record set by Bonhams in 2019. Only three months ago, Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series established a new record for a Japanese whisky collection for HK$7,192,000 (US$917,000), selling to an Asian female collector.

About Bonhams 

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.

Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon Partners with Beehive Cheese to Launch “Pour Me A Slice”

SMOKEHEAD MOTORCYCLE READY TO BE UNLEASHED

The Smoker will launch at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch on 12^th November with craftsman Tyler Lunceford in attendance 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky has teamed up with Tyler Lunceford over the past nine months to build a one-of-a-kind, customised Ducati, inspired by vintage motorcycles. The time has come to reveal ‘The Smoker’.

The expertly crafted motorcycle will be unveiled to media, trade and bike fanatics on 12^th November in London at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch.

Hosting the evening will be bike blogger Motobob who will run a Q&A with Tyler, while custom motorcycle helmet designer Piers Dowell paints two Smokehead helmets live on the night. Bike fans will enjoy video footage of the creation of The Smoker, including the final video of the bike on the open road.

Mind-blowing cocktails made with Smokehead, Smokehead High Voltage and Smokehead Sherry Bomb will be served throughout the night, including The Smoker serve, created exclusively for the project – a robust mix of Smokehead, lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger liqueur, a pinch of activated charcoal, shaken over ice and strained into a rocks glass, garnished with crystallised ginger.

The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club is a collective who celebrate bike builders, riders and fans, and is one of the UK’s best-known venues for customised motorcycles.

US born Lunceford of North Motorcycles is a renowned global biking sensation (known as the Ducati Whisperer of the New York tri-state) with over 20 years experience customising bikes for obsessive bikers and rock stars. He owned a workshop in Brooklyn but recently relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland to raise a family, and this is where he crafted The Smoker.

Commenting on the partnership with Smokehead and the finished bike: “Smokehead’s support of unique craftsmen and women resonated with me immediately. Building a customised bike is an incredible process. And it’s a slow process. Notching, welding, grinding, every single detail needs to be accounted for. I wanted to make sure this bike was phenomenal before unleashing it.

“I wanted to make a bike for the street, something that’s comfortable, with a really vintage appeal. This isn’t a bike that’s going to be polished and put in a museum.

“Smokehead whisky is not for everyone and neither is The Smoker – it’s bold, it’s intimidating and it’s loud. It’s really loud. It attracts a certain crowd. It’s certainly not for everyone. I can’t wait for the unveiling at The Bike Shed.”

Adding his thoughts, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “We’re overwhelmed with how The Smoker has turned out. Tyler has exceeded expectations and created something incredible for Smokehead. Just like our whisky, The Smoker is bold, daring, independent and most importantly, not for everyone.”

The Smokehead Refinery
The campaign shares stories of partnerships with the boldest of craftsmen and women that Smokehead is proud to rub shoulders with. Chapter 1 of the project was unleashed in 2018, a successful partnership with Dram & Smoke creating a series of ‘Smokehead Feasts’ for media and trade across the UK. Chapter 2 celebrates the collaboration with Tyler.

In late 2018, Smokehead released Sherry Bomb, a heavily peated Islay single malt that has been boldly blasted by sherry casks; following hot on the heels of Smokehead High Voltage, along with their louder and bolder look, which was unveiled in April.

*Smokehead encourages everyone to drink responsibly. Do not drink and ride, obviously*

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.
• Originally launched in 2005, 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 heavily peated 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.

GORDON & MACPHAIL REVEALS UNIQUE SINGLE MALTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Single malt whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled a duo of special bottlings from its iconic Connoisseurs Choice range for Christmas gifting.

The Connoisseurs Choice 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is joined by a Connoisseurs Choice 2004 from Glenlivet in a celebration of the Speyside and Highland regions.

The Connoisseurs Choice range, which marked its 50^th anniversary last year, has featured more than 2,000 bottlings with releases from almost 100 distilleries from all over Scotland.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail said: “These Connoisseurs Choice releases are exceptional one-offs from some of Scotland’s most admired distilleries and are the perfect gift for whisky fans looking to explore and try unique, never-to-be-repeated expressions that are unavailable anywhere else.

“Passion for single malt Scotch whisky has been at the heart of our family business for four generations, with each sprit hand-selected from distilleries and matched with our casks before being patiently monitored throughout the maturation process, bottled only when it is ready.

“This careful process has resulted in a huge variety of vintages, finishes, flavours and strengths, creating something for every palate.”

Each whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail is the result of close relationships built over decades with distilleries, resulting in a collection of rare whiskies created by unique experience.

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery [RRP £141]

Located in the far north of the Scottish Highlands, Old Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826 in the historic Caithness fishing port of Wick. Known as a ‘maritime malt’, the liquid, distilled in close proximity to the coast, has an edge of salt to its otherwise sweet and malty style.

The Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is a warm and rich 19-year-old whisky laid down on 26 October 1999 in cask no.1457, a refill Sherry butt. Spending its whole life in the hand-selected cask, the liquid has taken on the spiced fruit aromas reminiscent of the festive season.

Just 554 bottles are available for purchase from selected specialist whisky retailers internationally.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery [RRP £101]

Glenlivet is one of the Gordon & MacPhail’s longest standing relationships, dating back to the 1930s when Glenlivet was one of only three operational distilleries in Scotland.

Only 162 bottles are available of this 14-year-old whisky from what has grown to become one of Speyside’s most sought-after distilleries. Following selection, the spirit was matched with refill bourbon barrel no.800670 and laid down on 10 November 2004.

A 14 year maturation in an ex-bourbon cask has left the whisky with fresh, wooded and sweet aromas combined with delicate floral notes from the distillation.

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

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

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery

56.5% ABV, outturn of 554 bottles, UK RRP of £141. Matured in cask no. 1457, a refill Sherry butt.

Aroma: Rich SHERRY aromas combine with HAZELNUT and creamy MILK CHOCOLATE. A FLORAL note develops alongside sweet HONEY and CINNAMON with a refreshing hint of MINT.

Flavours: Initially smooth and sweet with STEWED FRUIT flavours. A hint of zesty LEMON develops, complementing subtle ALMOND notes with an undertone of mouth-warming BLACK PEPPER.

Finish: Long and lingering with nuances of warming SPICE.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery

64.0% ABV, outturn of 162 bottles, UK RRP of £101. Matured in cask no. 800670, a refill bourbon barrel.

Aroma: Delicate notes of LAVENDER accompany creamy VANILLA and fresh HERBS.  Cracked BLACK PEPPER complements notes of BROWN SUGAR. Hints of CUSTARD develop with nuances of OAK.

Flavours: MILK CHOCOLATE compliments fragrant PEACH notes with ALMONDS developing and leading to a hint of LIME.  Undertones of BANANA and CUSTARD linger.

Finish: A long sweet and NUTTY finish with LIME and HAZELNUT.