Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving a Scottish recipe for ‘stovies’ and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition this year.

The world’s favourite whisky glass – the Glencairn Glass – produced by Scottish glassware company Glencairn Crystal, has announced the winning author as Philip Wilson, and the runner-up author as Elisabeth Ingram Wallace, in its annual Scottish themed crime fiction competition, now in its third year.

Having supported and celebrated Scottish crime writing talent with its ongoing sponsorship of the prestigious McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing literary awards since 2020, the Glencairn Glass launched its very own crime short story competition in 2021.

The competition is run in partnership with Scottish Field Magazine and the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival. Both novice and experienced crime writers are invited to curate “a crime story set in Scotland” in no more than 2000 words.

Over 140 stories were entered into the 2023/24 competition and the winner and runner-up were selected by a panel of three judges including Callum McSorley, a Glasgow based writer whose debut novel Squeaky Clean won this year’s Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year. He was joined by Kate Foster; the Edinburgh based national newspaper journalist and author, whose debut novel The Maiden won this year’s Bloody Scotland’s Debut Prize. The third judge was Glencairn Crystal’s marketing director and experienced crime writer Gordon Brown.

The judges have revealed the winner and runner-up as follows: 

Winner: A Recipe For Stovies by Philip Wilson

The gruesome confession of a food blogger who sought revenge on her violent husband after suffering years of domestic abuse.

Philip Wilson is a writer living in Glasgow. He divides his free time between trying to wrangle his rebellious dog and writing off-kilter short fiction. Time and imagination willing, he’s planning to set to work on a full-length novel soon.

Philip said: “I’m ecstatic and really honoured to be selected as this year’s winner of the Glencairn Glass Short Story Competition. I stumbled across the competition by sheer luck but knew immediately that I wanted to submit something. No matter what I write, an element of Scotland seems to worm its way into the material somehow, so a crime story set in Scotland was the ideal opportunity to be playful with it. I just hope my story doesn’t put anyone off of stovies. It’s usually quite a benign dish, cholesterol notwithstanding”. 

Runner-up:  The Strange Sheep of Greshornish by Elisabeth Ingram Wallace 

A sinister tale of a disillusioned tourist guide on the Isle of Skye who sends badly behaved tourists to suffer the same fate as the mad sheep in Greshornish.

Elisabeth Ingram Wallace lives in a Skoda in Scotland, usually somewhere in the Highlands. Her short stories have won prizes including The Mogford Short Story Prize, ‘Writing the Future’ and a Scottish Book Trust ‘New Writers Award.’ Recent work has featured in SmokeLong Quarterly, Atticus Review, Barrelhouse, Wigleaf, and anthologies including ‘FUEL – an anthology of Prize Winning Flash Fictions’.

Elisabeth said: “Thank you so much to the judges and to all at the Glencairn Glass, I am delighted to be the runner up in such a fantastic competition. It is a great challenge to write such a short Short Story; under 2000 words is my absolute favourite length, a test to write but long enough to go a little wild and include the odd zombie sheep. I wrote this story in a Bothy near Neist Point over Christmas, while it rained and rained and rained, and it was a real escape to go and commit a few imaginary murders in the sunshine”.

Competition judge, Callum McSorley, commented: “It was a real honour to read the brilliant work submitted, and certainly made for some lively discussion during the judging process. The winner’s clever story format made excellent use of the limited space to tell a story equal parts funny and sinister which pulled all the judges in immediately. The runner-up’s scuzzy subversion of an imagined, idyllic Scottish Highlands was similarly smart, comic, and dark.”

Kate Foster said: “It was a huge pleasure to read such a brilliant variety of crime stories, and to see the talent in Scottish writing. The judging process was great fun with lots of debate, but we were unanimous in our favourites. The winning entry stood out to me as it was funny, clever, and served up with a flourish. The runner-up was brilliantly written with a really quirky twist.”

Glencairn’s marketing director Gordon Brown said: “The quality of the short stories we receive every year is amazing and as both a crime writer and the Marketing Director of Glencairn Crystal I’m delighted that a competition based around Scotland and Crime Fiction can deliver such great works”.

The first prize of £1,000 goes to Philip Wilson and runner up Elisabeth Ingram Wallace receives £500. Both writers also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses. The winning story will be published in the May issue of Scottish Field Magazine (on shelf from 5th April) and the runner up story will then be published on Scottish Field Magazine’s website; www.scottishfield.co.uk. Both stories will also be available to read on the Glencairn Glass website: www.whiskyglass.com.

Last year’s short story competition was won by Frances Crawford from Glasgow, whose captivating tale The Dummy Railway told the story of a disturbing discovery through the eyes of a young Scottish girl.  All previous winners’ stories can be viewed at www.whiskyglass.com

For further information about this year’s McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, as well as the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival taking place in Stirling, Scotland, from the 13^th to 15^th September, please visit www.bloodyscotland.com.

About Glencairn Crystal and the Glencairn Glass:

The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was officially launched in 2001. Glencairn Crystal currently sell millions of these glasses globally every year making it the world’s favourite whisky glass.

Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Casks now available

New variant is second release within Yellowstone’s Special Finishes Collection

ST. LOUIS (March 11, 2024) – As it continues to meet demand for innovative expressions of bourbon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery has announced the second release in its Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection: Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish. This is the latest inspiration from Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam, and it is set to hit retail shelves in March. Aged four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750-ml bottle.

The new release starts with Yellowstone’s traditional bourbon mash bill and then is aged for nine weeks in casks that previously held rum distilled using molasses from sugarcane grown in the rich, fertile soils and tropical Caribbean climate of Cuba. The resulting bourbon features a flavorful blend of spice and tropical sweetness; a medium body with notes of toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée and toffee toasted oak; and the finish is highlighted by tobacco, clove, cocoa seasoned oak and honey.

“Rum has the sweetest notes of all the casks we’ve used for secondary finishing, and it was an ideal choice for the next adventure in our Special Finishes Collection,” said Beam. “Rum is an exceptional compliment to bourbon, and they come together to create subtle notes of sweetness and brown sugar, which are soaked up and stored within the staves and perfectly complement the vanilla, caramel and rye flavors of Yellowstone. Our four-year bourbon is a classic Kentucky bourbon and makes for a fantastic base. This allows me to go in many directions with the finishes while remaining true to or original profile.”

The packaging for Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection features the brand’s iconic bottle and Roosevelt Arch artwork, as well as a more prominent version of the Yellowstone brand name and a Special Finishes Collection call-out. The bottle’s blue top-wrap helps to differentiate Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish from other Yellowstone variants. The Special Finishes Collection launched in October of 2023 with the release of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. Stephen is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family – Beam and Dant. In 2015, he brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family. The distillery is now home to Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Minor Case Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin. For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or https://www.instagram.com/yellowstonebourbon/.

ABERFELDY® COLLABORATES WITH ARGENTINIAN WINERY FOR ITS LATEST WINE CASK EDITION

Hamilton, Bermuda, 12th March 2024 – ABERFELDY® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced a partnership with Argentinian Winery, Finca Ambrosia for the most recent edition to its Wine Cask Collection*.

ABERFELDY 21 Year Old Malbec Cask Finish is a celebration of two crafts coming together and two like-minded master craftspeople: a Malt Master and a Winemaker. This is the first partnership of its kind for ABERFELDY.

Located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 1250m, the Finca Ambrosia estate uses organic practices and observes moon cycles for optimum harvest, to produce terroir-driven wines with flavours that express the intricacies and nuances of the district of Gualtallary, in the heart of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, considered to be the finest terroir in Argentina.

Such has been the rise of Finca Ambrosia’s reputation that, as well as producing their own signature wines, their fruit has now become some of the most sought after in the region, and the casks they use for ageing these fine wines, are equally desirable.

Distilled on 14th November 2001 and matured for over two decades in Sherry and Bourbon re-fill barrels and hogsheads, the limited edition ABERFELDY 21 YEAR OLD is finished for around 8 months in the winery’s Malbec French Oak wine casks.

The finishing casks previously held Finca Ambrosia’s, Viña Unica, a wine which represents their Winemaker, Daniel Pi’s constant search for identity and harmonious use of oak. It is a purely fruited, gently oaked red wine that delivers complexity and length, having spent 15 months in used French oak barrels. The barrels are created by a small family-owned cooperage in Burgundy, France called Mercurey, and are secured from four sustainably managed forests. They undergo a distinct toasting process to season the oak.

Combining their skills, Malt Master Stephanie Macleod and Winemaker Daniel Pi worked together to select these particular casks for finishing as they bring classic Malbec notes of blackberry, plum and black cherry. Nuanced flavours of cocoa powder, violet flowers, leather and sweet tobacco spice to the maturing whisky.

Stephanie comments: “This delicate yet complex Finca Ambrosia cask finish opens with intriguing notes of sweet, toasted cereal, herbal sage and hints of rosemary. It then begins to develop with ripe strawberries, drizzled in Aberfeldy’s signature Highland honey notes and then it’s delicately sharpened with notes of blackcurrant. Melting to floral notes of rose and violet, and a background hint of cinnamon spice. Settling on the palate the fruit sings and rejoices, soothing to a creamy vanilla and endlessly smooth finish.”

ABERFELDY 21 Year Old Malbec Cask Finish is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and has natural colour. Priced at RRP: £230 / $279.99 USD, the expression is now available direct from the distillery shop and in the following key markets:  Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, AMEA and​​ USA.

www.aberfeldy.com/shop/

About ABERFELDY Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Founded in 1898 where Perthshire’s tallest mountain, deepest loch, and longest glen meet, the Aberfeldy distillery is at the ‘Heart of Scotland’. Established by John Alexander Dewar, the distillery was built in sight of his father’s humble beginnings, strengthening the foundations of the family’s whisky legacy.

ABERFELDY is a Classic Central Highland Single Malt with signature soft, honeyed fruity notes, gentle spice and a malty backbone. Harnessing four styles of the finest quality oak casks for ageing: first-fill Sherry, first-fill Bourbon, refill and rechar, Malt Master Stephanie Macleod and the team of whisky-makers craft a RICH, ROUND and INDULGENT dram.

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

*About ABERFELDY Wine Cask Collection

ABERFELDY’S Limited Edition series is curated by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod. Being highly accomplished in the sensory analyses of whisky, this collection was born through passion for maturation and flavour development.

Inspired by her adoration of fine wine, Stephanie began the exploration of how flavours from wine casks interact with and elevate ABERFELDY’S aged malt. Painstakingly nosing each cask to monitor maturation development within ABERFELDY’S inventory, ensuring that every whisky in the series has been expertly finished, is perfectly balanced and brimming with distillery character.

FROM SPEYSIDE TO SWEDEN:

BERRY BROS. & RUDD UNVEILS 2024 SPRING RELEASE

Berry Bros. & Rudd, the leading wine and spirits merchant, continues to demonstrate its commitment to celebrating the finest spirits from around the world with the launch of its 2024 Spring Release. Building upon a rich history and tradition of excellence, the latest  spirits lineup showcases an exceptional selection of whiskies from both emerging and iconic regions, including Sweden, Speyside and the Scottish highlands.

Renowned for their elegance and complexity, single malt Scotch whiskies hailing from Speyside take centre stage with releases from Knockdhu, Craigellachie, Glenlossie sitting alongside a Benrinnes distilled in 1979 from Berry Bros. & Rudd’s  highly coveted Exceptional Cask Collection. Accompanying the Speyside single malts is a peated Madeira cask finish from highland distillery Ardmore, offering earthy aromas that merge seamlessly into notes of sweet apricot and gummy fruits.

Representing the pinnacle of Swedish whisky craftsmanship and its flourishing distilling scene is a High Coast Peated 2012, a bottling with unmistakable nordic character that delivers an exceptional sensory experience.

Felix Dear, Spirits Curator for Berry Bros. & Rudd, commented:

“Building on the success of previous releases within our seasonal portfolio, we continue to pour our expertise and passion for spirit into selecting each bottle and curating these collections, with a goal of showcasing a diversity of flavour and makers. The 2024 Spring Release is no exception.

‘It is always a pleasure to shine a light on distilleries from the iconic Speyside and Highland regions, many a stone’s throw from where I have hosted whisky tastings in the past, and representing the burgeoning Swedish distilling scene.”

The 2024 Spring Release, featuring Benrinnes 1979 Exceptional Cask, Small Batch Glenlossie 2013, Craigellachie 2013, Knockdhu 2012, High Coast Peated 2012 and Ardmore 2009 will be available from 19th March 2024 at bbrspirits.com.

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TASTING NOTES

Benrinnes 1979 #62 Exceptional Cask

The crescendo of aromas in this whisky begins with musty hessian and attics before rising into honey-soaked pineapple and peaches. Magnificent hints of leather and elderflower soon follow. The palate expands on this theme with apricot jam, stewed apple and lychee before developing into antique oak, cigar boxes and musty earth. The finish offers dried fruits and aged tea. This kind of complexity requires nearly half a decade of quiet ageing so accept no substitute.

ABV: 42.1%

RRP: £1,800.00

Small Batch Glenlossie 2013

Aromas of spiced vanilla yoghurt open the nose of this Glenlossie leading to warm orchard fruits and green boiled sweets. The palate is fresh with flavours of apples and pears with honey, caramel, and clove rock. A long finish brings waves of sweet fruit and lingering wood spice.

ABV: 46%

RRP £70.00

Craigellachie 2013 #302040
Craigellachie’s muscular spirit shows emerging aromas of fresh hay, malt and fireworks, before orchard fruits and a softer floral side of rose petals and Port. The palate is notably thick, with more barley, eau de vie, underripe vanilla and blackberries before a puff of wood smoke and digestive biscuits appear. The finish is long and one can feel the spirits oils lingering and showing a touch of peppery spice.

ABV: 55.4%

RRP: £90.00

Knockdhu 2012 #7127
This Knockdhu has a dry, nutty nose expanding with time in the glass. It shows almonds and walnuts before green fruits and banana bread notes appear. The palate is an equally complex meeting of fruits, wood spice and distillate-driven nuttiness, offering an excellent mouthfeel. A little tobacco dances across the finish, with a burst of citrus and some honeyed green fruits.

ABV: 58.8%

RRP: £75.00

High Coast Peated 2012 #4333
The nose on this whisky is unmistakably High Coast. Opening with clean, chiselled peat smoke then fresh orchard fruit and icing sugar showing with time. The palate is powerful yet sophisticated and everything we’ve come to expect from this distillery. Peat smoke, crisp green apples, wood ash and some nice minerality shine through. The two years in an ex-Islay cask bring out a little more peat reek on a long finish. This is a wonderful dram from one of Sweden’s best.

ABV: 59.8%

RRP: £110.00

Ardmore 2009 #709317

This peaty Highlander has spent years luxuriating in a sweet Madeira cask. Its earthy aromas mingle nicely with sweet apricot notes and plenty of gummy fruits. The palate is wonderfully viscous with hugely chewy notes of fruity smoke, plums, charcoal, earthy peat, peaches and oak spice. There is huge complexity here. Lingering smoke comes in waves against an oily fruitiness.

ABV: 54.2%

RRP: £96.00

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Berry Bros. & Rudd has been a trusted merchant since 1698 and this year it celebrates 325 years in business. It’s survived over the centuries because, as a family business, it has always operated with family values in mind. Recognised as the global destination for fine wine and spirits, Berry Bros. & Rudd still operates from its historic home at No. 3 St James’s Street and are committed to helping customers drink better now, and in the future. As it marks its 325th year, it continues to collaborate with our community of customers, producers, and colleagues to help create a sustainable future so it can confidently raise a toast to the next 325 years.

bbrspirits.com

Whisky Hammer celebrates landmark 100th auction – its largest to date featuring over 5,000 lots

 – …and puts £10,000 of whisky up for grabs for auction bidders –

Specialist spirits auctioneer, Whisky Hammer, is hosting its largest online whisky auction to date, with rare and unique bottles amongst the 5,000+ lots available for sale.

Marking the company’s 100^th auction, buyers have the chance to get their hands on some truly special whiskies going under the hammer, which include a 50 Year Old Macallan (Millennium Decanter) distilled in 1949, a 40 Year Old Brora (distilled in 1972) and a 1976 Single Cask Ardbeg.

Whisky Hammer has also bottled a limited-edition whisky in celebration of the milestone – with just 100 bottles available to bid on. The 11-Year-Old blended Scotch whisky is being bottled at 100 Proof (57.1% ABV) and all bottles will be individually hand numbered, with bids starting at £30 per bottle.

Now a go-to destination for buyers and sellers of rare and collectible whisky worldwide, Whisky Hammer is known for its previous high-profile sales including the record-breaking million-pound cask of Macallan whisky which lay forgotten for more than 30 years and a 55 Year Old Yamazaki which sold for £380,000.

As a thank you to customers for their support over the last eight years, successful bidders in the 100^th auction will be entered into a prize draw to win a share of £10,000 worth of Still Spirit whisky vouchers – with 10 prizes in total and first place winning £5,000 to spend in the store. Each bottle won at auction will be the equivalent to one entry into the draw.

Daniel Milne, co-founder and managing director of Whisky Hammer and Still Spirit, said: “The response from customers looking to take part in our 100^th auction has been incredible. Our entire team have been inundated with an impressive array of stand-out whiskies, some of which are rare, unique and hard to come by.

“We’re giving successful bidders the chance to win a share of £10,000 worth of whisky in our prize draw. This is just a small token of thanks to the customers who have helped build and shape the business over the last eight years, and an opportunity for anyone looking to take part in the auction for the first time to be in with a chance to win an impressive amount of whisky!”

Whisky Hammer was started in 2016 by brothers Daniel and Craig Milne who are originally from Macduff, near Speyside, an area renowned for the production of Scotch whisky. The business hosts monthly auctions dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, which attract buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe. So far, Whisky Hammer has sold over 155,000 lots valued over £60 million to 88 countries worldwide.

The 100^th auction will end at 3pm (GMT) on Sunday 24^th March. To register to take part in the auction, click here.

For more information on Whisky Hammer or for private sellers to submit bottles to auction, visit www.whiskyhammer.com.

About Whisky Hammer

Whisky Hammer is a family run whisky auction service founded by brothers and keen whisky enthusiasts Daniel and Craig Milne, who are supported by a team of passionate experts acting as trusted advisors to both buyers and sellers. Whisky Hammer hosts monthly auctions dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, which attract more than 200,000 buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe. It has auctioned a wide range of whiskies, both bottles and casks, recently achieving the world record for the highest value cask ever sold at auction.

The superior service offered by Whisky Hammer means it is trusted by some of the world’s most prominent whisky collectors and sellers, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. Its sister retail business, Still Spirit, comprises a whisky shop and dram bar offering over 200 rare whiskies based in Ellon, including an e-commerce site. In summer 2023, Whisky Hammer founders also launched independent bottling company, Halcyon Spirits.

Follow Whisky Hammer @whiskyhammer on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.whiskyhammer.com

AWAKEN YOUR SENSES AS CHIVAS BROTHERS UNLOCKS THE VAULT: THE ULTIMATE LUXURY EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER A HAND-PICKED SELECTION OF EXCEPTIONAL SCOTCH WHISKY CASKS

The Vault takes whisky lovers through a sensory tasting journey at Speyside’s iconic Strathisla Distillery, offering exclusive access to Chivas Brothers’ highly desired portfolio of whiskies.

Chivas Brothers, makers of world-class Scotch whiskies including Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet, unlocks The Vault; a bespoke tasting experience in the hallowed chambers of its Strathisla distillery, leading up to the unveiling of exceptionally rare and sought-after casks from its enviable reserve of high-aged Scotch whiskies. Fourteen precious casks have been revealed for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of Scotch heritage.

Guests stepping inside The Vault will be taken through a one-of-a-kind tasting experience which promises to elevate any Speyside visit. The journey will start with a private tour of Strathisla Distillery, the oldest working whisky distillery in the region, founded in 1786, followed by a walk-through of Chivas Brothers’ incredible history with its Archivist. The multisensory journey, guided by Chivas Brothers’ team of experts, will continue in The Vault’s impressive whisky library. A bespoke selection will be drawn from 240 exclusive samples, including distillates, high-aged whiskies and one-off rarities, to lead guests through a fully personalised tasting, before entering the chambers of The Vault itself to enjoy a final dram.

The Vault houses fourteen casks, none of which have been available for purchase before, hand-picked by Chivas Brothers makers, Blending Expert Sandy Hyslop and Cask Expert Kevin Balmforth. Together, they combine more than sixty years of experience and passion to meticulously assess the vast inventory across Chivas Brothers’ reserves. From iconic Speyside single malt, The Glenlivet, to the last remaining whiskies from the now-closed Caperdonich distillery, to the master of exceptional blended Scotch Royal Salute and the newly reintroduced Longmorn single malt, each cask has been chosen for its unparalleled character.

Under a Chivas Brothers expert’s guidance, whisky lovers looking to own an exclusive cask will be taken through a series of tastings best suited to their individual palate, before discovering their perfect cask match to purchase. The elevated experience offers whisky collectors an opportunity to not only own a piece of a Scotch whisky history but also to invest in time, as once a cask is sold it can be safeguarded within The Vault for a further four years of maturation before bottling.

Sandy Hyslop, Director of Blending and Inventory at Chivas Brothers commented:

“Every cask safeguarded inside The Vault demonstrates Chivas Brothers’ unrivalled quality, heritage, and craftsmanship. By opening the doors of The Vault, we are providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity for those visiting Speyside, bringing some of the world’s rarest and most remarkable whiskies into the spotlight for whisky connoisseurs and collectors to enjoy, savour and purchase.”

Jacques-Henri Brive, Head of Luxury Development at Chivas Brothers added:

“The Vault is a unique place where we invite whisky aficionados to discover our exceptional cask programme through a tasting experience like no other. Every journey into The Vault is entirely bespoke, paired with the potential to own one of Chivas Brothers’ most desired whiskies and maturing it in the optimal conditions for up to four more years – which makes this offering a very special one.”

The Vault by Chivas Brothers will be officially unlocked in March 2024. Whether visiting Speyside to discover the incredible world of Scotch, or looking to own a one-of-a-kind cask, The Vault has something to offer and is an experience you will want to explore. To discover more about the exclusive collection and book a personalised experience, which starts at £1,200 per guest, visit www.chivasbrothersvault.com. Guests seeking the ultimate country retreat can extend their stay at Chivas Brothers’ newly reopened private guest house, Linn House.

Follow @chivasbrothersscotch for the latest news and information.

WU-TANG DRAM: RZA AND BALLANTINE’S DROP LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE THAT SEES SCOTTISH AND U.S. CULTURES COLLIDE

Hip-hop legend and Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA and Ballantine’s, the world’s second-most popular Scotch whisky*, have joined forces to release a limited-edition bottle. Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition is the culmination of their multi-drop collaboration that celebrates going against the norm and staying true to who you are.

The first-ever bespoke iteration of Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel, the bold look of the new bottle is inspired by RZA’s poetry written during his time spent at the home of Ballantine’s in Scotland. The beauty of the surrounding green farmland, blankets of rolling clouds across Scottish Highland plains, and the whisky-making process inspired RZA to capture the experience in a poem that he then left in founder, George Ballantine’s, library.

Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition epitomises Scotch whisky meeting American attitude. The label features an intricate pattern constructed from the handwritten words of RZA’s poem, complete with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan hands.

The whisky itself is aged for seven years and finished in American oak barrels, expertly combining the depth of Scotch whisky with the sweet touch of American oak to give a true fusion of both Scottish and US cultures. Expect creamy notes complete with the classic vanilla and apple characteristics of the Ballantine’s signature style, as well as extra layers of sweet caramel coming from the American barrel.

When asked about creating the new bottle design RZA said,

“This is a true representation of my entire journey with Ballantine’s. On my first visit to Speyside I found the land and the people so inspiring, it compelled me to capture the experience in a poem. To see this come to life through the bottle design is a true coming together of our cultures.”

Paul-André Vacheron, Ballantine’s Marketing Director at Chivas Brothers adds:

“Our shared belief in doing things your own way is what this collaboration is all about and the unique bottle design adorned with RZA’s words from his time in Scotland, is the perfect poetic note to end our journey together on.”

Over the last year, the partnership between RZA and Ballantine’s has seen the pair launch a bespoke Crosley record player and speaker, a fashion collaboration with Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, and, most recently, a Ballantine’s inspired hot sauce with Flying Goose. The partnership has been a celebration of RZA’s shared DNA with Ballantine’s, which champions authenticity, showing that when you stay true to who you are there’s no wrong way to live.

The Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition will be available to purchase worldwide and from thewhiskyexhange.com for RRP £29.99 but is only available while stocks last so is a must-have for whisky lovers and hip-hop fans alike.

For more information on Ballantine’s partnership with RZA visit www.Ballantines.com/RZA or follow @Ballantines on Instagram.

RZA’s Poem

Scotland, greenery on the countryside

Enjoying the scenery on a country ride

Stone cottages adorn the road on opposite sides

It seems beauty has no place to hide

Surrounded by farmland of sheep and grain

Blankets of clouds, skies preparing to release the rain

Showering life-giving water onto the Highland plains

That will be used to infuse the malt and then it’s drained

With the best parts separated from the rest

And we all take a sip, to put the process to its test

The Perfect Fifth Releases 14-Year-Old American Whiskey

“Born and Bottled” Canongate Series Celebrates Ties between Kentucky and Scotland

NEW YORK (March 6, 2024) – The Perfect Fifth, an American independent Scotch Whisky bottler known for its rare, ultra-premium single cask Scotch Whiskies, is releasing a 14-year-old American Whiskey with roots in Kentucky under its Canongate line.  Distilled in Bardstown, Ky in 2009, this whiskey spent three years aging in Kentucky before being sent to Scotland to age another 11 years.

The unique blend of Kentucky’s tempestuous weather, combined with Scotland’s more temperate climate, has resulted in a whiskey with a complexity of mixed honey tones, multiple layers of vanilla, and hints of cocoa and light spice.

“Distillers in the United States, in particular, Kentucky, have always had a harmonious relationship with Scotland, largely due to sending used bourbon barrels to Scotland for a second life, to mature spirits distilled in Scotland.  Our Canongate expression, which is our ‘born and bottled’ line, is an ode to that symbiotic relationship,” said Karl Schoen, founder and chief executive officer, The Perfect Fifth.  “This series celebrates the long history of cask sharing between the two countries by selecting single cask whiskies distilled in the U.S., and aging and bottling them in Scotland.  Our latest release, the Canongate 14-Year-Old American Whiskey is not only well-traveled, but is a unique combination of the environments of Kentucky and Scotland.”

The 14-Year-Old Canongate joins two other Canongate releases: a Canongate 11-Year-Old American Whiskey, which was a sister barrel to this current release and released in 2020, as well as Canongate Glentauchers 24-Year-Old Scotch Whisky released in 2018.  Canongate 14-Year-Old American Whiskey is a limited edition with only 232 bottles available in the United States.  It can be found at retailers in New York, New Jersey and California or online at www.theperfectfifth.com.  The alcohol by volume (ABV) is 64.4 percent, (128.8 proof). Suggested retail pricing is $175 per 750 mL.

About The Perfect Fifth

The Perfect Fifth was created in 2019 by Karl Schoen, who was inspired by watching his family members toast milestones with Scotch Whisky as he grew up.  As Karl began his own exploration into the world of Scotch Whisky, he enjoyed finding stellar single cask bottlings and sharing them with others.  This led to the formation of The Perfect Fifth, where Karl and his brother Ben source the best quality whisky from all over Scotland.  Together they travel throughout Scotland, sampling cask after cask until they find those worthy to be selected for The Perfect Fifth. Few casks make the cut, which is why The Perfect Fifth releases are limited editions.  Like the musical interval, The Perfect Fifth releases consist of multiple layers, each one broad and deep, which when combined, make a beautiful assembly meant to be shared with family and friends.

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Douglas Laing Unveils New Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ with a twist: A Fusion of Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky and Port Cask Luxury

Douglas Laing & Co. today announces the release of their latest Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ annual bottling. As the seventh addition to the series, this expression offers up something different from the Feisty Fox Terrier.

Crafted with precision and passion, this newest expression sees Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky enjoy a full Sherry cask maturation followed by a lengthy finishing period in Port casks. This unique combination imparts a rich and indulgent flavour profile, setting it apart as a truly exceptional release. The tasting notes detail who the Whisky reveals “layers upon layers of brown sugar, juicy forest fruits, decadent dark chocolate and a comforting warmth of baking spices.”

The black bottle and bespoke paper wrap are both a first for the Scallywag brand. This deliberate look and feel was chosen to capture the key characteristics of a classic Port bottling whilst maintain Scallywags main brand attributes.

As this is part of our Chocolate Series, Douglas Laing are marking the release with an exciting Golden Ticket competition where consumers have the opportunity to win prizes if they come across a Golden Ticket or a Scallywag Golden Bone (the star prize), concealed within the pack. The competition is running throughout the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

Scott Morrison, Brand Manager commented, “Being the seventh Scallywag Chocolate Edition we wanted to bring something different to consumers, something new and exciting that’ll get the tastebuds tingling. The Port cask finish is not something we’ve explored before with our Speyside Malt but made perfect sense for this new expression with its classic characteristics. The consumer competition, inspired by the iconic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film, adds an interesting dimension to the release and keeps things fresh – something we pride ourselves on here at Douglas Laing.”

Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ bottling proudly bears no artificial colouring or chill-filtration, allowing the natural spirit to shine. Now available at select retailers, whisky specialists, and online with a suggested retail price of £60.00.

Key Details:

• Presented in a unique black, screen-printed bottle.
• Encased in a bespoke paper wrap featuring a subtle map of Portugal.
• 48% ABV.
• No colouring or chill-filtration.