GLEN ORD DISTILLERY GETS ITS NEW STILLS

BRITISH PAIR WINS THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROWING RACE, THE TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

A BONNIE BURNS NIGHT WITH A TWIST 

For one week only, 20^th – 26^th January 2014, Michelin-starred restaurant, Seven Park Place located at luxury boutique hotel, St James’s Hotel and Club in Mayfair will be hosting an exclusive six-course tasting menu from the four corners of Caledonia, which includes a dram of Highland Park single malt whisky. 

In collaboration with the Slow Food UK Chef Alliance and their partner Highland Park Whisky, Executive Chef William Drabble, member of the Chef Alliance will be offering diners world-class seasonal Scottish classics with a modern twist. 

Burns Menu

20^th – 26^th January 2013 

Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whisky

 * * *

Seared hand-dived Scottish scallops with garlic purée and parsley oil

* * *

Poached Scottish langoustine with braised cabbage, foie gras sauce and truffle

* * *   

Ravioli of haggis with confit of turnip, whisky and thyme jus

* * *

Saddle of Scottish highland venison with beetroot

* * *

Soufflé of Scottish raspberries with dark chocolate sauce 

Available for lunch and dinner throughout the week, this magnificent six-course menu is priced at £72 per person or £126 with paired wines, including a glass of Highland Park 18 Year Old single malt whisky at the end of the meal. 

This January, keep the memory of Burns alive at Seven Park Place, guaranteed to get your patriotic senses racing for a night to remember! 

Seven Park Place by William Drabble

St James’s Hotel & Club

7 – 8 Park Place

London

SW1A 1LS

T: 020 7316 1615

E: restaurant@stjameshotelandclub.com 

Notes

–          A complimentary glass of Highland Park single malt whisky will be served at the end of the meal.

–          Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whisky is dependent on availability of haddock.

–          The Burns Menu will replace the degustation menu at lunch and dinner. 

–          12.5% discretionary service charge will be added to the bill.

 About Highland Park:  

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009. 

Five keystones contribute to making it the Best Spirit in the World:

•       Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. 

http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/  

We are very proud to represent two of the Distilleries who recently won  

Whisky Advocate’s Single Malt of the Year Awards! 

Kilchoman Distillery    

Islay Single Malt of the Year – Kilchoman 2007 46% 

Click here to read the Whisky Advocate article. 

The 2007 Vintage is a vatting of six year old fresh bourbon barrels and is the oldest single malt Kilchoman has released to date. 

Nose: smoky vanilla and caramel notes with cooked fruits, lemon and citrus
Palate: butterscotch and soft citrus fruit with a lasting sweetness
Finish: peaty and fruity with a long lingering sweetness  

CSPC #760683 

Kilkerran Distillery 

Lowlands/Campbeltown

Single Malt of the Year – Kilkerran Work In Progress 5 Sherry Wood 46%

 Click here to read the Whisky Advocate article.  

 Released in 2013. Only 9000 bottles available worldwide.

 Nose: Who’s chocolate orange is this? Dark chocolate, marzipan, honey covered dates and strawberries build up to a very rich and sweet ginger preserve. A very complex nose that doesn’t stop developing in the glass.

Palate: The honey covered dates return on the palate mixed with sultanas and black treacle fudge. This dram is as wholesome and tasty as a warm, toasted cinnamon and raisin bagel with real butter melting on top.

Finish: Medium, well balanced and round finish, presence of dark chocolate but surprisingly no evidence of peat.

   CSPC #758244

 www.goldmedalmarketinginc.ca

The Best Canadian Whisky In The World

VICTORIA, Jan. 17, 2014 – A whisky that was first distilled seven generations ago is the best Canadian whisky in the world. That’s the verdict of nine independent whisky experts who named Corby’s Lot No. 40 the Canadian Whisky of the Year at the fourth annual Canadian Whisky Awards. Results of the annual blind tasting competition were announced Thursday evening at the Victoria Whisky Festival in Victoria, B.C.

Today, Lot No. 40 is distilled at Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario from a 100% rye-grain recipe developed in the 19^th century by Canadian pioneer distiller, Joshua Booth. In announcing the awards, Chairman of the Judges, Davin de Kergommeaux, called Lot No. 40 “The very essence of what rye whisky is all about.”

Other top winners include Alberta Premium Dark Horse, Forty Creek Heart of Gold, Masterson’s Straight Rye Whiskey, Wiser’s Red Letter, and Crown Royal Black.

“Interest in Canadian whisky is growing tremendously,” said de Kergommeaux as he introduced the winners. “Export sales of Canadian whisky world-wide were up by nearly 25% in 2013, and the upward trend continues. Canadian whisky producers are stepping up to the plate with new high-end releases. More small batch and top-end deluxe whiskies are available now than ever before.” 

Demographics are shifting too. Women now make up 29% of Canadian whisky drinkers and the under thirty-five millennial generation consumes over 45% of the Canadian whisky sold. And while 54% of Canadian whisky is used for cocktails, 46% is sipped just as it comes from the bottle. 

As well, sales of flavoured whisky doubled in 2013 with Forty Creek, Wiser’s, Sortilège, and Spice Box seeing exceptional growth.

A complete list of the winners is available at http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards

The Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. To qualify, whiskies must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky writers, bloggers, and journalists selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

For further information:

Davin de Kergommeaux (613) 563-0254 
davindek@gmail.com

The Macallan to Auction six litre “Imperiale” decanter of Macallan ‘M’ in Hong Kong 

The Macallan is to auction an impressive 6 litre “Imperiale” version of the highly sought after Macallan M – the world’s most sophisticated single malt whisky, contained within a beautifully designed and meticulously crafted crystal decanter. 

M represents a masterpiece created from the collaboration between three masters of their crafts; Fabien Baron, Founder and Creative Director of Baron & Baron, Silvio Denz, President and CEO of Lalique and Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker at The Macallan. 

To celebrate the conception of M and its global launch in Hong Kong, four 6-litre Imperiale decanters were specially crafted by Lalique for The Macallan. These are the largest decanters ever made by Lalique. 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.  This highly collectable creation will be offered at auction of Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on Saturday, 18 January 2014. 

David Cox of The Macallan commented : “The six litre Imperiale “M” is the largest decanter ever produced by Lalique, and the largest decanter ever filled with the Macallan since the distillery was founded in 1824.  This auction offers the successful bidder an opportunity to acquire something very special, drawing on the combined talents of one of the world’s great designers, the finest of crystal makers and makers of one the world’s great spirits, The Macallan. Hopefully the auction will realise an outstanding bid, worthy of this great piece, with the net proceeds going to a number of worthy charities in Hong Kong”. 

The Macallan is one of the world’s most sought after and collectable whiskies, sitting at the top of the auction index for whiskies and holding the current Guinness World Record™ for the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction, The Macallan 64 years old in LALIQUE Cire Perdue went for US$460,000. 

All net sale proceeds will be donated to a host of local charities in Hong Kong.   

Notes: 

Guide for Prospective Buyers

The weight of the decanter is 11.3kg with a height of 700mm. With six litres of Macallan at 5.5kg, the total weight of the decanter with whisky would be 16.8kg. 

Buyer’s Premium: The standard 22.5% buyer’s premium will be applied to the hammer price, a portion of which Sotheby’s will donate to the Hong Kong charities benefitting from the sale of this lot. 

This Property will be offered for sale without reserve. Pre-sale estimates: HK$2,000,000 – HK$4,000,000. 

About Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744.  Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973) and France (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in 9 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby’s BIDnow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids from anywhere in the world. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art department, and two retail businesses, Sotheby’s Diamonds and Sotheby’s Wine. Sotheby’s has a global network of 90 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID). 

THE WHISKY SHOP’S GUIDE TO BURNS’ NIGHT 2014 

Whisky is the perfect drink to enjoy on Burns’ Night and luxury drinks retailer The Whisky Shop presents the finest whiskies to enjoy with the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties to celebrate ‘the bard’ – poet Robert Burns -on Saturday 25^th January 2014. 

Talisker Storm – £48.49 – www.whiskyshop.com

Talisker has always been a favoured match for haggis and the new Storm is sure to impress.  At first sweetly mellow and rich in the mouth, then quickly very spicy and increasingly stormy as the Talisker heat comes through. 

It’s as if the pure, tongue-coating sweetness joins hands with a deep nutty smokiness to embrace those spicier notes.

 The flavour is elegantly drawn out with a good balance between sweetness, smoke and salt, which is all the more evident when a little water is added. 

Isle of Jura 16 year old – Diurachs’ Own Islands – £51.49 – www.whiskyshop.com  

This sweet and spice island whisky offers an excellent dram for a Burns’ Night toast.

 Aptly named the Diurachs’ Own Islands, Diurachs is the Gaelic word for the people of Jura. Although less than 200 strong they are united by their love of the island and its world-renowned whisky.

The Isle of Jura 16 year old is sumptuous yet gently spiced.  Soft peaches and honey with a hint of citrus and marzipan.  Bottled at 40% volume. 

Dalmore Cigar Malt – £65.99 – www.whiskyshop.com

The Dalmore Cigar Malt is a sweet and spice highland whisky which can be enjoyed with haggis or a cigar.

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve is taken from a selection of aged stocks from 10 to 15 years, matured in both American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and Matusalem oloroso sherry casks from Gonzalez Byass before a final finesse in Premier Cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques.  Bottled at 44% volume.

On the palate creamy vanilla, toffee and sweet pineapples open, followed by rich mango, crushed pear and kiwi fruits. An aftertaste of unsurpassed elegance. Matured 70% Oloroso Sherry Wood; 30% Bourbon American White Oak. 

Kilchoman Machir Bay – £43.99 – www.whiskyshop.com

Kilchoman is one of the smallest and newest distilleries in Scotland – built in 2005 – and the first distillery to be established on Islay in over 124 years.  Kilchoman is one of only six distilleries to carry out traditional floor maltings, using barley grown on the distillery farm. 

Kilchoman Machir Bay is the first general release from the distillery and its core expression – first launched in 2012.  The smoky malt is the perfect partner for haggis.  It is a vatting of 3, 4 and 5 year old, matured in fresh bourbon barrels and finished in oloroso sherry butts for 8 weeks.  Machir Bay has a well-balanced combination of rich tropical fruit, peat smoke, light vanilla and intense sweetness. Bottled at 46% ABV. 

Andrew Torrance, Managing Director of The Whisky Shop, said: “Burns’ Night is a traditional Scottish celebration and it is important to have the right whisky to complement the distinctive flavour of the spicy haggis.”

The Whisky Shop is the UK’s largest whisky only specialist retailer with a full range available online at www.whiskyshop.com and at 22 stores nationwide, including premium flagships in London’s Piccadilly and on Manchester’s Exchange Street. 

For further information please visit www.whiskyshop.com

New owners at the Harbour Inn, Islay 

Morrison Bowmore Distiller’s are pleased to announce that they have taken ownership of The Harbour Inn on the beautiful whisky island of Islay. The award-winning hotel and restaurant boasts seven en suite bedrooms and is a popular destination for both visitors and island residents alike. 

Recently refurbished, this old whitewashed inn by the harbour has been brought up-to-date with stylish bedrooms and a conservatory with spectacular views across Loch Indaal towards Jura. The award winning restaurant features local quality produce, showcasing the rich ‘Taste of Islay ‘. 

The Harbour Inn becomes a welcome addition to the Bowmore family, joining the Bowmore Visitor Centre and Distillery as well as luxury self catering cottages on the island. 

Visitor Centre Operations and Development Manager Anne Kinnes said “In growing the Bowmore business to include the Harbour Inn, this is a very exciting time for us. We are looking forward to the opportunity of welcoming guests to experience our world class service on Islay.”  

For further information please visit http://www.morrisonbowmore.co.uk/  or http://www.harbour-inn.com/. 

NOTES: 

The Harbour Inn and Bowmore Distillery Cottages Situated adjacent to Bowmore harbour, The Harbour Inn offers superb accommodation, high quality award winning food and excellent service. As a base for touring Islay – described by the Lord of the Isles as “ The Jewel of the Hebrides “ – the hotel’s location is unique with many areas of natural beauty within an easy drive.  

Located within or beside the distillery complex, the Bowmore Distillery Cottages encapsulate Islay at its beautiful, peaceful and traditional best – all beautifully renovated to luxury Visit Scotland standard. 

Bowmore 

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt. 

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln. 

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

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours. 

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. 

The Bowmore domestic product range: 

• Bowmore Small Batch

• Bowmore 12 Years Old

• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’

• Bowmore 18 Years Old

• Bowmore 25 Years Old 

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it is home to no fewer than eight working distilleries.

Suntory Group Alcoholic Beverages Business Strategy for 2014

In 2013, the Suntory Group’s alcoholic beverages business was up on the previous year due to factors such as the creation of new demand by breaking ground in the RTS*category, in addition to the strengthening of its core brands such as The Premium Malt’s, Kin-Mugi, All-Free, Kakubin, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and -196°C. The group will continue to roll out proactive initiatives in an effort toward further growth in 2014.

In 2014, Suntory Liquors Limited will make “premium” in the sense of high added value our key focus and work to build demand by offering value. In addition, we will take on the challenge of innovation in every area from product development to the creation of new categories, all oriented toward creating new value.

Suntory will roll out proactive marketing initiatives for core brands such as The Premium Malt’s, Kakubin, and -196°C, RTS beverages, and more.On top of that, outside of Japan we will seek to develop a portfolio of brands that engage the unique circumstances of each region in order to establish solid bases for business.

Spirit Business

Suntory’s spirits business in 2013, due to the breaking of new ground in the RTS category and other achievements in addition to the favorable growth of core brands including Kakubin, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and -196°C, 3% growth was achieved compared to the previous year. In 2014, we will aim for 1% growth compared to the previous year by continuing to cultivate and strengthen our brands further in growing categories including highballs, premium whiskies, RTDs, and RTSs.

Whisky

Review of 2013

The whisky market is estimated to perform better than the previous year due to expanding demand for highballs and premium category beverages. With that, there were effects due to some changes in the brands of imported whiskies purveyed, but the core brands performed favorably.

Kakubin showed growth of 3% compared to the previous year as a result of efforts to more actively promote its compatibility with food with the aim of further market expansion and the establishment of highballs. Additionally, Premium Kakubin, which went on sale in May, has received high praise.

As for domestic premium whiskies, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki 12 Years Old (in a 500 mL size) made favorable movement, up 16% compared to the previous year. Suntory’s whiskies have taken prizes in worldwide liquor competitions, with Hibiki 21 Years Old winning a “Trophy,” the highest prize in its category, “Worldwide Whiskies,” and Suntory Liquors Limited being named Distiller of the Year for the third time at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

Further, Jim Beam, the world’s top*6 bourbon, which Suntory began handling in January, has made great contributions in terms of acquiring new consumers and activating the import whisky market.

*6 2012 sales numbers (Source: IMPACT NEWSLETTER February Volumes 1 & 15, 2013)

Strategy for 2014

Suntory will work to activate the whisky market through such efforts as bolstering marketing activities for Kakubin, strengthening premium whisky value promotion activities, strengthening marketing activities for Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, all with the aim of 1% growth over the previous year.

Strengthening Kakubin marketing activities

Suntory will strengthen its marketing activities related to Kakubin using good flavor and compatibility with food as themes. The relevant television commercials will be re-launched in February, and in conjunction with those commercials Suntory will make appeals to shops involving how to create delicious kaku highballs and the allure of the same as drinks to go with food. Suntory will work with drinking establishments to expand kaku highball fandom by further bolstering activities related to quality at the point of consumption.
 
Strengthening premium whisky value promotion

In order to help consumers experience the luxurious frame of mine inherent to whisky, Suntory will continue to strengthen its marketing activities related to premium whiskies with a central focus on the Hibiki brand and appeal to the high quality that comes with the group’s various malts and superior blending techniques. Additionally, by strengthening marketing activities for smaller size units of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki 21 Years Old, the group is working to expand the arena of premium whisky drinking. The Hakushu brand has garnered high praise from the younger generation for Hakushu highballs with mint, and Suntory will work to make active proposals for television commercials and more to promote the brand and acquire new consumers.
 
Strengthening marketing activities for Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark

Suntory will be investing in new television commercials starting in mid-January for Jim Beam, the world’s top bourbon, keeping “cool bourbon” as its key message with the aim of further improving brand recognition and desirability. As for Maker’s Mark, the group will make appeals based on the high quality carefully distilled into each and every bottle through seminars and other events.

Overseas Alcoholic Beverage Business

Review of 2013In terms of whisky, our active promotion of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki in Europe and America and Kakubin in Asia enjoyed favorable reception, and we expanded our whisky sales abroad. The Premium Malt’s showed favorable growth in Asia. With Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited we have expanded sales with a focus on Bowmore and Auchentoshan single malt whiskies.Strategy for 2014We will strengthen marketing campaigns in accordance with the unique circumstances of each region throughout the world. In Europe and America, we will develop the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki lines of premium whisky, as well as the liqueur MIDORI, while in Asia we will develop Kakubin and The Premium Malt’s. Similarly, we will continue our active efforts to strengthen Bowmore and Auchentoshan single malt whiskies as global brands.

*RTS (Ready to Serve): Alcoholic beverages finished with a balanced taste optimized for drinking on ice, with an alcohol content between roughly 10% and 20%.

So it’s a new year and our second auction is coming together nicely. For those of you who have yet to register don’t forget that registration is FREE until January 31st 2014. It’s also not to late for any sellers to take advantage of our 0% commission offer, we require bottles to be with us by the 17th January for our next auction. The offer is open until January 31st 2014. World wide shipping is available.

Iain McClune
WhiskyAuctioneer.com