ADRIAN GRENIER JOINS THE VENTURE JUDGING PANEL

Adrian Grenier, American actor, producer and social entrepreneur, has been announced as a judge for The Venture – Chivas Regal’s global search for the most promising social entrepreneurs around the world.

Grenier will bring his experience as a social entrepreneur and angel investor to the panel of judges who are tasked with awarding a share of a $1 million fund amongst the most exciting social enterprises at The Venture Final Pitch event in San Francisco on July 24^th 2015. The star of the hit TV series and upcoming feature film, Entourage, will be joined on the panel by Morgan Clendaniel (Editor of Fast Company’s Co.Exist) and Alex Ricard (Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO).

Since launching back in October 2014, The Venture has received over 1000 applications from social enterprises across five continents. Sixteen finalists from as many countries have been selected to take part in an Accelerator Week in Silicon Valley, the epicentre of the start-up world, where they will be mentored by global businesses leaders and successful social entrepreneurs. Five finalists will then be selected to pitch in front of a live audience and the global judging panel at The Venture Final Pitch event. The finalists will be judged on the viability of their business and the scalability of their impact model.

Adrian Grenier has already successfully launched a number of social enterprises including SHFT, a lifestyle platform focused on a sustainable approach to the way we live through film, design, art and food, so has a wealth of personal expertise to bring to The Venture. He is also currently running an exciting Kickstarter campaign for the project entitled, ‘52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale’, a cinematic quest to find the “52 Hertz Whale” which scientists believe has spent its entire life in solitude, calling out at a frequency that is different from any other whale.

Adrian Grenier commented on the announcement: “I’m delighted to be part of The Venture’s prestigious panel. Business is the driving force of society; in an ever-shrinking world, we need businesses to look outside their sometimes myopic, selfish goals, and practice a large global vision. Social entrepreneurship is a huge passion of mine, and to have the opportunity to observe and judge 16 of the most exciting social start-ups from around the globe is a real privilege. Good luck to all the finalists, and I’ll be seeing you in San Francisco!”

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added: “We’re proud to be announcing Adrian as a judge for The Venture Final Pitch event in July. He has an understanding of the start-up world and a desire to use innovation to create positive change so we know he will bring invaluable insight to the panel and provide great business advice to the finalists. There are a variety of industries represented amongst the 16 finalists, and with Adrian joining Alex Ricard and Morgan Clendaniel, we feel we have just the right expert judges to evaluate each business’ potential and how we can help them grow.”

The Venture’s 16 global finalists will be announced on the May 11^th, 2015 and will go head to head in a 5 week public vote to secure a share of the $1 Million in funding before they even reach The Final Pitch.

To find out more about Adrian’s role and to vote for your favourite finalist from May 11^th, 2015, visit  http://www.theventure.com/.

Notes:

The Venture
The Venture is Chivas’ global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture will enable social entrepreneurs from around the world realise their potential and gain exposure for their business.

Win the Right Way
Win the Right Way aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others and is the latest installment of Chivas Regal’s Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008.

Live with Chivalry
Chivas’ Live with Chivalry campaign launched in 2008 and has since inspired modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way. Win the Right Way is the latest instalment of the Live with Chivalry campaign. It communicates Chivas Regal’s brand values, and aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others.

About Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

www.chivasbrothers.com

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

http://www.pernod-ricard.com/

THE MACALLAN LALIQUE-50 YEAR IS THE STAR

OF BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE

The Macallan Lalique-50 year old from the Six Pillars Collection was the star lot of Bonhams Edinburgh Whisky sale earlier today. Originally estimated at £13,000-15,000, it sold above estimate for a healthy £21,250.

One of the most sought after of whiskies at auction, it was the first of the Six Pillars Collection – a six-phase collaboration between these two premium producers which reached its fifth pillar in 2014. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd, it comes in a limited edition Lalique crystal decanter numbered 25 of 470.

Sold for £17,500, The Glenfiddich-50 year old is regarded as one of the finest single malts and is one of the ten most expensive whiskies in the world. Bottled on the 26 July 1991 by William Grant & Sons, The Glenfiddich Distillery, the bottle of The Glendiffich-50 year old (numbered 465) comes with its own wooden presentation case and a certificate of authenticity. The whisky was distilled in casks filled in 1937 and 1939.

Selling for £15,000 was the Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old 1949. Distilled in January 1949 and bottled in 1999, the decanter is made from hand blown Caithness Glass.

The sale performed well overall, selling 88% by lot and 91% by value, for a total of £219,000.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge, Oxford and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

It’s hard to believe Just Whisky are live already with their 16^th Auction. With many speculating over the future of Whisky auctions, it’s clear to see Just Whisky is now a permanent feature on the UK auction market. 

With their March Auction already in full swing and ending on Sunday 15^{th (8PM)}, there is still time to head over and bid on many bottles on offer. There are some fantastic auction lots for grabs, including a spattering of popular Japanese malts as well as the old and sought after from Scotland. 

A bottle we’ve not seen much at auction is this Masters of Photography ‘Remix Remixed’ by The Macallan and Daido Moriyama. It’ll be interesting to see how this does at auction, with it clearly being a very collectable and limited release (Just 500 bottles Worldwide we’re told).

The last year has seen a huge boom in the popularity of Japanese malts, and no Whisky auction would be complete without some notable entries from heavyweight Japanese distilleries, and this is no exception. Lots from Karuizawa, Hanyu, Hibiki, Hakushu, Kawasaki, Miyagikyo adorn the shelves of the auction this month and all are up for grabs. With prices of these Asian Whiskies heading skyward, head over to their Japanese Whisky section to find out more.

Closer to home, there is a huge selection of Scottish malts, including some rarities from the likes of North Port: “A ‘Very Rare’ bottling of 1974 Vintage Single Highland malt whisky from North Port Distillery, Brechin. Matured for 15 years in Sherry wood & bottled exclusively for Sestante Import in 1989.”

Bidding ends 8PM Sunday 15^th so head over and get bidding! http://www.just-whisky.co.uk

March 2015

whisky.auction open for business

Over the past few years, the demand for whiskies and fine spirits has increased considerably, with many people now choosing to buy and sell their bottles at auction, as an alternative to using specialist retailers. Even though there are number of online auctions, we feel that there is room for someone to create a site that will surpass all others in terms of ease of use and functionality, all designed to make life simpler for buyers and sellers. That site is whisky.auction. Behind this new site is a team of industry experts whose knowledge and expertise will bring honest guidance to sellers. What’s more, their contacts in the whisky industry will bring to auction some of the rarest bottles in the world, with the aim of achieving the highest selling prices for the rarest bottles.

Whisky Auction Ltd is a newly registered company based in London. You can deliver your bottles in person to our offices or send them in by post, and we also offer a collection service. Similarly, you can collect your winning bottles from our offices or take advantage of our delivery service with some of the best shipping rates for both UK and international customers. We also offer FREE insurance on all UK deliveries.

For more information, visit whisky.auction.

If you have whiskies or other fine spirits to sell, or even an entire collection, please get in touch. Contact Enrico Gaddoni by emailing info@whisky.auction or by calling +44 (0)20 8838 9381.

The whisky.auction team

WHISKY AUCTION LTD

Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London, NW10 7SF

Registered in England and Wales No. 9365276

Account Name: Whisky Auction Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)20 8838 9381

Email: info@whisky.auction

Web: https://whisky.auction/

FROM THE STREETS TO BARS ACROSS THE UK, BUSKERS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Busking Unbarred sees Tullamore D.E.W and The Busking Project shine the spotlight on the talent and courage of street musicians          

From Ed Sheeran to Beck, many of the world’s biggest music stars started their career as buskers – and now Tullamore D.E.W. is celebrating the talent and courageous spirit of a new generation of street musicians with the launch of ‘Busking Unbarred’.

With live music embedded in its Irish roots, Tullamore D.E.W. has joined forces with The Busking Project, an organisation which supports buskers around the world, to launch Busking Unbarred, which will help grow appreciation for artists who are brave enough to bare their souls on the streets, often in the face of increasing restrictions from authorties.

With many successful musicians busking early in their careers, and social media and digital music platforms allowing buskers to reach wider audiences, the landscape and perceptions of busking have changed dramatically. Busking Unbarred, which launches this week and runs throughout the year, will shine the spotlight on this new era of busking.

Busking Unbarred will see free downloads of tracks by 10 talented buskers from across the UK and Ireland available to consumers purchasing Tullamore D.E.W. in bars across the UK. The buskers and their music are promoted on the Busking Unbarred website at www.Tullamoredew.com/busking and the busker whose track received the most downloads will be rewarded with time in a professional recording studio to create their next album.

Tullamore D.E.W. will also be bringing buskers and their music to a wider audience by staging a series of Busking Unbarred guerilla gigs in bars in London, Leeds and Edinburgh, shining the spotlight on musicians who play their songs on the streets.

The 10 Busking Unbarred artists, who have been handpicked by Tullamore D.E.W. and The Busking Project, include Ray Scully and The Fitzafrenic, both from Dublin, Charlotte Campbell from London, Adam Kadabra from Glasgow and Jen & The Gents from Edinburgh.

Nick Broad, founder of The Busking Project, said: “Busking is the only completely non-exclusive art form, anexpression of the human spirit and an act of freedom. It’s the most common way that artists can further their careers, practice their art and do what they love – and yet more and more regulations are being introduced by authorities, which threaten their livelihood.

“There’s a strong tradition of busking in Irish culture and it’s great to be working with Tullamore D.E.W. on Busking Unbarred to showcase and support some of the UK and Ireland’s greatest busking talents.”

The Beat of The Street Report

In addition to Busking Unbarred, Tullamore D.E.W. and The Busking Project have also produced The Beat of The Street Report, the first investigation of its kind into the health of busking around the world.

From the town squares of Ancient Rome to the streets of modern Dublin, busking is one of the oldest and most resilient forms of performance. A vibrant busking scene can help revitalise city centres, whichhave been damaged by factors such as the recession and online shopping, but more cities are introducing legislation to regulate busking and control the way in which public space is used.

The Beat of TheStreet Report, commissioned by Tullamore D.E.W. and written by The Busking Project, evaluates the different busking approaches and policies of 35 cities across the world and looks at the part busking can play in today’s urban environment and how it can be protected and strengthened for the future.

The findings of the Report have been used to form an accompanying policy paper (written by the Busking Project) – A future direction for the governance of busking in public places.

More information:

Busking Unbarred: www.tullamoredew.com/busking #buskingunbarred @Tullamoredewuk

The Beat of The Street Report: A copy of the report, and its accompanying policy report, is available on request

Interviews: Interviews can be arranged with: Nick Broad of The Busking Project – and any of the Busking Unbarred busking artists

Notes to the editor

• About the Busking Unbarred promotion: Consumers who purchase any Tullamore D.E.W serve in one of the participating bars will receive a scratchcard. The scratchcard will reveal a unique code, which the consumer will enter online at www.Tullamoredew.com/busking to redeem their free track andhelp support buskers. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, consumers canalso claim a free Tullamore D.E.W trilby hat when they collect four scratchcards between friends.
• About Tullamore D.E.W: Known the world over for its smooth and gentle flavour, the combination of all three types of Irish whiskey, triple distilled creates a gentle yet complex flavour profile. Thesweet softness of grain whiskey, soft spice from the pot still and citrus from the malt – this unique triple whiskey combination marks out Tullamore D.E.W. from all other Irish whiskeys. Tullamore D.E.W.’s award-winning range includes the Tullamore D.E.W. Original, Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve and Tullamore D.E.W. 10 Year Old Single Malt.
• About The Busking Project: The Busking Project is a social enterprise backed by influential musicians that showcases the work and champions the rights of street performers around the world – http://www.thebuskingproject.com/

• About William Grant & Sons: An independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s^® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® and, Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey. Click on http://www.williamgrant.com/ and http://www.tullamoredew.com/ for more information on the company and Tullamore D.E.W.

GLENDIDDICH-50 YEAR OLD AND THE

MACALLAN LALIQUE-50 YEAR STAR IN BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE 

Two special bottles lead Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 11 March. The Macallan Lalique-50 year old from the Six Pillars Collection is estimated at £13,000-15,000 and The Glenfiddich-50 year old at £12,000-15,000.

The Macallan Lalique-50 year old is one of the most sought after of whiskies at auction.  It was the first of the Six Pillars Collection – a six phase collaboration between these two premium producers which reached its fifth pillar in 2014. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd, it comes in a limited edition Lalique crystal decanter numbered 25 of 470.

Bottled on the 26 July 1991 by William Grant & Sons, The Glenfiddich Distillery, the bottle of The Glendiffich-50 year old (numbered 465) comes with its own wooden presentation case and a certificate of authenticity. The whisky was distilled in casks filled in 1937 and 1939.

The Glenfiddich-50 year old is regarded as one of the finest single malts and is one of the ten most expensive whiskies in the world.

The sale also includes another highly sought after Macallan. The Macallan Millenniuim Decanter-50 year old 1949, – estimate £12,000-14,000 – was distilled in January 1949 and bottled in 1999. The decanter is made from hand blown Caithness Glass.

An unusual feature of the sale is a run of 16 bottles of the Macallan from 1947-1961 (with the exception of 1948). The bottles will be sold as individual lots with a combined estimate of £14,700-£18,500.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge, Oxford and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

New owners at the Harbour Inn, Islay

STYLISH RUFFIANS HANKEY BANNISTER COMES TO TOWN, COURTESY OF CONTAGIOUS 

Having created a fresh and sophisticated visual brand style for Hankey Bannister blended whisky, Edinburgh agency Contagious brought the new look vividly to life at an exclusive bloggers’ tasting evening at Ruffians, the stylish barber shop and whisky bar in Edinburgh’s West End.

International Beverage, the brand’s owner are looking to move Hankey Bannister up a couple of notches and focus on a more youthful and discerning audience. Teaming up with stimulating venues for promotional events is key to their  strategy and Ruffians was the ideal playground to reflect the brand’s positioning, SUBSTANCE WITH STYLE. Contagious created an overarching theme of vintage chic and sartorial elegance, inspired by London’s St James area, home of Savile Row and Hankey Bannister & Co’s offices from 1757 to the early 20th century.

Playing on the duality of the spirit’s founders – Hankey, a flamboyant marketer and Bannister, a restrained business man – is key to the creative strategy as Designer Director, Kay Koyama-Gore comments: “Hankey Bannister is packed with personality and idiosyncratic style so, as well as borrowing cues from the tailors of Savile Row, we took great delight in bringing to life the contrasting personalities of the founders, including designing and producing fabrics in branded patterns – flamboyant damask for Hankey and retrained herringbone for Bannister – which we used as backdrops, as swatches in a tailoring tools display and in bespoke waistcoats adorning authentic tailors’ dummies. We topped off the dummies with a bowler hat for Bannister, top hat for Hankey and some rather splendid moustaches!”

From brass handled canes, wooden dummies and original tools from picking blades and point turners to cotton reels and tailors’ chalk, Contagious sourced and commissioned an exciting range of props to style a highly tactile and inviting space in which the visiting bloggers – travelling from as far afield as Philadelphia, USA – could immerse themselves in the brand while sampling the smooth spirit.

Additional information:

www.hankeybannister.com

www.interbevgroup.com

Hankey Bannister is an exceptional blended Scotch that includes single malts from all five International Beverage whisky distilleries – hand selected and carefully blended to create a smooth, light and perfectly balanced blend. Hankey annister & Co was established in 1757, and their illustrious clientele included Prince Regent William IV, George V and Winston Churchill.

Today Hankey Bannister aims to bring an intriguing sense of style and sophistication to the crowded blended Scotch category.

www.contagious.co.uk

Contagious is a creative brand agency working with clients around the world who have amazing brands. Our team of hugely talented, extraordinarily diverse, multi-disciplinary people specialise in brand communication, digital, environments and experiential design.

CHIVAS REGAL INVITES BAR MASTERS TO TEST THEIR SKILLS

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, is once again selecting the world’s top bartenders to take part in this year’s Chivas Masters competition. Developed to celebrate innovation, camaraderie and the craftsmanship at the heart of mixology the competition will see global finalists compete to become the 2015 Chivas Master.

Following the success of the inaugural competition in 2014, Hong Kong will be the first of 12 countries to hold national finals, before the competition culminates in a two-day grand final in New York City in July which will be judged by a distinguished panel of leading bartenders and industry experts. To become the Chivas Master, competitors will need to demonstrate their knowledge of cocktail heritage, mastery of the art of presenting and making great drinks to produce their own classic serve.

As well as putting the industry’s best bartenders onto the world stage, the competition enables competitors to explore cocktail history through Chivas Regal’s rich heritage. Finalists will be challenged to create classic drinks from four of the great cocktail eras – the Classic Age (1880-1920) in which Chivas Regal was created; the Post War Boom (1945-1965) during which time Chivas 12 was introduced; the Disco Years (1975-1990) when Scotch whisky became a truly global brand, and the present modern Age of Revivalism, as Chivas continues to build its reputation as an icon of timeless luxury and exceptional quality.

A unique prize waits for the global 2015 Chivas Master, as they will have the opportunity to work in three iconic bars, in three iconic cities to create three iconic signature drinks. The Chivas Master will be taken on an extraordinary experience where they will work alongside some of the most influential bartenders around the world to collaborate on the creation of a series of signature drinks.

Max Warner, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments, “Last year’s Chivas Masters surpassed all expectations, and we were thrilled to see what was achieved by finalists when placed under competition pressure. We are very excited to again to be engaging with the top bartenders in the world and celebrating this amazing industry we are all a part of.”

Over the next few months, national heats will play out around the world as bartenders compete in countries such as China, France, Russia and the United States. Only one competitor from each market will be selected to travel to New York to take part in the grand final in July.

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport. www.chivasbrothers.com

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index. www.pernod-ricard.com

THE MACALLAN BREAKS WORLD RECORD FOR MOST EXPENSIVE WHISKY SOLD AT AUCTION 

Guinness World Records™ has awarded The Macallan the accolade of ‘most expensive whisky sold at auction’.  Now the definitive world record holder, The Macallan M Imperiale 6-litre Lalique decanter sold at auction in Hong Kong for $628,000 in January 2014, breaking the previous record of $460,000 held by The Macallan in Lalique  Cire Perdue, raising funds for a host of locally based charities.

David Cox of The Macallan commented : “To achieve this record for a second time is an outstanding achievement for The Macallan and is testament to the appetite for such exceptional and special creations with our long standing partner, Lalique.  M Imperiale is the largest decanter Lalique has ever made and the largest The Macallan has ever filled. It  truly showcases the combined talents of one of the world’s great designers (Fabien Baron), the finest of crystal makers and makers of one the world’s great spirits, The Macallan.”

Lalique created four of these stupendous decanters for The Macallan.  Each decanter required the work of 17 craftsmen, including two with the prestigious title, “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, with each taking over 50 hours to complete.

Of the four, two have been archived by The Macallan and one has been committed to a private collector in Asia.  The fourth, Constantine (named, as are the other three, after Roman emperors), is the only one to feature the engraved autographs of the three principal creators – Lalique/Silvio Denz, Fabien Baron and Bob Dalgarno.  Constantine was presented at an auction of Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan by Sotheby’s, in Hong Kong, on Saturday, 18 January 2014.

The Macallan is one of the world’s most sought after and collectable whiskies, consistently number one in value at auction among all whiskies.

All net sale proceeds have been donated to local charities in Hong Kong.

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, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars.  An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House, a Highland Manor built in 1700, at its heart. Traditionally known for maturation in Spanish oak, sherry seasoned casks, The Macallan’s range of outstanding single malts includes :Sherry Oak, matured in Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry;  Fine Oak, matured both in sherry casks of Spanish and American oak  and in American oak casks seasoned with bourbon;  the 1824 range, exclusive to Global Travel Retail. In addition, The Macallan is well known for its great range of vintage whiskies, dating back to 1926, and is considered the most sought after of all single malts among collectors and connoisseurs at auction.  Please savour responsibly. http://www.themacallan.com/

About Lalique Lalique is more than just a name. It is René Lalique’s (1860-1945) talent, a genius destined to revolutionise the world of jewellery, beginning in 1888 with his famous ″Art Nouveau″ jewellery sets, true works of art, which are now highly sought-after by museums and collectors. A brilliant master glassmaker of the Art Déco movement, René Lalique’s creations were highly eclectic. Indeed, it was René Lalique, who was responsible for the great technological and commercial revolution which even today continues to influence the way bottles of perfume are created and packaged.  René Lalique’s imagination has proved to be the source of a vast and varied collection, including bowls, vases, statuettes and perfume bottles. They were produced at the Wingen-sur Moder factory in Alsace, opened in 1921. René Lalique’s creations belong to the international artistic and cultural patrimony. His works are displayed in more than 40 Museums worldwide including the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Lalique museum in Hakone, Japan. A national Lalique museum was opened in Wingen-sur-Moder, in the Alsace region of France on 1 July 2011.  In February 2008, the Swiss company Art & Fragrance acquired Lalique SA from the Pochet Group and Silvio Denz became Lalique’s President and CEO.www.lalique.com