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Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be looking at a selection of bottlings that retail for under £50. Are they good value for money?
Following on from the news that President Biden has decided to suspend the 25% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Scotch whisky, there is definitely a lot of optimism in the whisky market. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, the tariff attributed to a fall in exports to the US of 35%, amounting to over half a billion pounds in lost exports. Elite Wine & Whisky therefore expects that the lifting of this tariff will enhance Scottish trade with the US and demonstrate dramatic economic impacts. Although Elite Wine & Whisky does not expect a shift back to a consumption of Scotch whisky in the US to happen overnight, the removal of the tariff is expected to gradually enhance exports of the commodity once again, increasing the demand for Scotch whisky.
As discussed by the British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, “the benefits will be felt across our nation, especially in Scotland, where Scotch whisky distillers will be able to sell at lower prices in the United States, their most valuable market. The easier it is for Americans to buy a bottle of Macallan, Talisker or Glenfiddich, the more money those producers will have to invest in their businesses, their staff and futures.”
But how will this temporary removal of the 25% tariff impact the global markets? In recent years the global landscape of investments has changed dramatically, with Elite Wine & Whisky noticing an increase in the willingness of the general public to take trading into their own hands and invest and trade in a range of commodities through online platforms and investment advisors. This year has demonstrated the global volatility of the stock markets and poor returns on extremely low interest rates, driving investors to discover ways to diversify their asset portfolios.
One such way to diversify is taking this opportunity to invest in a luxury commodity with great potential in the coming months following the aforementioned tariff reduction. Elite Wine & Whisky is currently trying to make the whisky market far more accessible to a range of investors, even those with no prior knowledge of whisky. But why should one invest in whisky over other luxury commodities? With exceptional returns in recent years (between 12-20%), a better question might be ‘why not whisky?’
As with any investment, it is extremely important to make sure you’re in the best hands. Elite Wine and Whisky is one of only a handful of companies globally that has been accepted into the prestigious London International Vintners Exchange, which is considered a great accolade in the industry.
Currently, Elite Wine & Whisky has around £20 million under its jurisdiction and they continue to work closely with the world’s finest wineries and distilleries. Their mission is to build and maintain a solid foothold in the marketplace that is sufficiently robust as to ensure their clients have autonomy when they wish to grow their portfolio.
It’s not very often that you get the opportunity to educate yourself in an investment. However, Elite Wine and Whisky believes in allowing their investors to embrace the sweet taste of success by inviting them to join one of their virtual whisky tastings. If lockdown has taught us anything, it is establishing the importance of expanding our knowledge, so there has no better time to develop your whisky knowledge by tasting a selection of whiskies from fantastic family run distilleries. Or if you’re merely just interested in making an investment, their portfolio specialists have got this covered too.
Why use Scotch Galore?
What is the alternative?
Quite simply Auction Sites where you will have to pay £6 to join and give personal details, £6 for each and every bottle you want to sell and if you want to protect your investment by putting a reserve on it that can cost you as much as another £12 per month and if your bottle does sell from point of putting it in to getting cash in your hand can take as long as 6 to 8 weeks.
So the question should be? Why not use Scotch Galore?
What’s in it for you?
Quite simply we give you an alternative to auctions.
Somewhere you can buy and sell Whisky 24/7 and get paid instantly for any Whisky you sell.
Question: Who else doesn’t charge a fee to join?
Question: Who else doesn’t charge a fee for putting bottles on their site?
Question: Who else arranges free UPS collection from your door?
We have customers who have discovered the benefit of Scotch Galore that we pay thousands of £££’s each month for the Whisky they have sold on our site.
We give YOU the opportunity to sell Whisky on our site like your running your own business, on our free to use online platform with the ability to set your own price for your Whisky and the freedom to change that price at any time.
But don’t take my word for it, have a look at our reviews. http://www.scotchgalore.com
As they say if you always do what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve always got. Scotch Galore Whiskies – Shaking things up!
Stephen Pyne
Scotch Galore.
Highland Auction is now LIVE at The Whisky Shop Auctions!
TWSA is back with its first theme of 2021: whiskies from the Highlands! From Thursday 11th – Sunday 21st March, treasures from Dalmore, GlenDronach, Brora and many more, will be going under the hammer.
https://www.whiskyshop.com/auctions/lots
See our highlights below.
BRORA 1978 40 YEAR OLD 200TH ANNIVERSARY
This impressive and heavily peated expression from the now-closed Brora Distillery in the Highlands was distilled in 1978 and matured for four decades in American oak hogsheads. This special release celebrates the distillery’s 200th Anniversary, with just 1,819 bottles released – 1819 being the year the distillery opened! This spectacular whisky comes at 49.2% abv.
Take a look at this beauty! This rare 35 Year Old expression from The Dalmore is derived from a special three wood assemblage using a Bourbon barrel, a Matusalem 30 year old Oloroso Sherry butt and a rare vintage 1970 Port Colheita Pipe. This stunning bottle is presented in a bespoke crystal decanter crafted by Baccarat, the prestigious French crystal house, and features The Dalmore’s iconic ’12-point Royal Stag’ created by leading Scottish silversmiths, Hamilton & Inches. Just 130 bottles have been produced, making this an incredibly hard-to-find treasure.
GLENMORANGIE 1975 COTES DE NUITS WOOD FINISH
A truly unique treasure from the world-renowned Glenmorangie Distillery, this Highland single malt was distilled in 1975 and matured for over two decades initially in bourbon casks, before spending a period of time in second fill Cote de Nuits Burgundy Grand Cru casks. Each bottle has been individually numbered by hand.
A spectacular 46-year-old Fettercairn that this expression has matured for over four decades initially in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, before being treated to a finish in tawny port pipes. Only 55 individually numbered bottles of this single malt were produced at a strength of 42.5% abv.
GLENDRONACH 1989 29 YEAR OLD KINGSMAN EDITION
This limited edition expression from The GlenDronach has been crafted in collaboration with Matthew Vaughn, director of the Kingsman film franchise, to mark the release of the latest film in the series, The King’s Man. This 29-year-old release was distilled in 1989 and matured in oloroso sherry casks before being finished in Pedro Ximenez casks. The result is a masterful expression of complexity and depth, truly befitting a Kingsman. Bottled at a strength of 50.1% abv and presented in a luxurious case adorned with the bespoke Kingsman insignia, this expression is limited to just 3,052 bottles worldwide.
Want to sell with us in our next auction?
E: auctions@whiskyshop.com
T: +44(0)141 427 2950
Why sell with us?
We currently offer 0% Sellers Commission
Our auctions are rolling – NO bottle deadlines!
Fastest payout in the industry
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2012
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2012 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled using 100% Islay barley, matured in first fill American oak and French wine casks.
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2010 Cask #2784
Bruichladdich 10 Year Old 2009 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single French Jurancon white wine cask #5015 bottled January 2020 for the United Kingdom market. 276 bottles. MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER
Bruichladdich 10 Year Old 2009 Cask #5015
Bruichladdich 10 Year Old 2009 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single French Jurancon white wine cask #5015 bottled January 2020 for the United Kingdom market. 276 bottles. MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER.
Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey family of distillers based in Glasgow. Situated on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close and close to the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whisky was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Also producing very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malt and single cask releases. Bruichladdich distillery participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Whisky Festival.
WORLD’S LARGEST WHISKY FESTIVAL UNVEILS DRAM-PACKED VIRTUAL PROGRAMME
Tickets for what’s set to be one of the world’s biggest online celebrations of whisky are going on sale today (Thursday 18th March) at 10am (GMT). The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which is enjoyed by whisky novices, budding master blenders and everyone in between is back this April with an extra special online programme of over 60 events using a world-leading, interactive platform.
Now in its 21st year, the festival provides the ultimate opportunity for people around the world to taste and learn about whiskies from the world-famous Speyside region. This year, for the first time, people are invited to take part from the comfort of their own homes. Festival goers will be able to speed network with other whisky lovers, get up close and personal with their favourite brands in the exhibition centre and catch up with friends old and new in the social lounge on the virtual platform.
Whether it’s having exclusive behind the scenes access to distilleries not usually open to the public, taking part in tastings with some of the best known whisky brands in the region, or getting the opportunity to chat all things Scotch with some of the biggest names in the industry, attendees will have plenty of online events to choose from during the four-day virtual festival (29 April – 2 May 2021).
Programme highlights include:
James Campbell, Chairman at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said:
“We were determined to capture the spirit of the world’s largest whisky festival and I think we have done just that. With over 60 events in conjunction with distilleries across the Speyside region, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s virtual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
“Although we can’t get together to celebrate in person this April, we’ve come up with as many opportunities as possible for people to get together to celebrate the fine spirits of Speyside using a new interactive online platform. There will be speed networking, an exhibition centre, social lounge and much more as we host the world’s largest online whisky festival.”
More information, including the full programme of events, can be viewed on the Spirit of Speyside website.
Tickets are on sale from 10am (GMT) on 18th March 2021 on the Spirit of Speyside website.
Notes:
About the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. The Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Over the past 20 years, festival events have taken place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness. This year is the first year that the festival has adopted an online format.
Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.
The company is limited by guarantee, it runs the festival with a voluntary board of directors drawn from key areas of the whisky industry along with other local businesses and tourism organisations.
About the Virtual Festival
This event will be hosted on the Airmeet, an interactive virtual events platform that will bring the festival to life whilst everyone is at home.
The festival will have live events, recorded tours, a social lounge for meeting new friends and whisky lovers, speed networking, an exhibition centre and much more – making it the most interactive virtual whisky festival ever.
For further information please visit:
Website: www.spiritofspeyside.com
Facebook: WhiskyFestival
Instagram: spirit_speyside
Twitter: spirit_speyside
Ben to Distil the Spirit of Glendale
Northumbrian distillery Ad Gefrin reveals Head Distiller
Ad Gefrin, the multi-million-pound visionary visitor experience and distillery in Glendale, today announces the appointment of Ben Murphy as Head Distiller. The news comes hard on the heels of last week’s commencement of work on the site in Wooler, which will provide opportunity, employment and a new unique taste of the Cheviots and the Borders.
Ben has been appointed to guide Ad Gefrin towards producing the first Northumbrian English Single Malt Whisky. In announcing this appointment, Eileen Ferguson, of Ad Gefrin said: “Ben has the perfect blend of youth, passion, spirit of exploration and dedication to his craft. What is more he has an obsession for indigenous whiskies, and certainly knows his way around a range of spirits!”
Ben Murphy, Ad Gefrin Head Distiiler
A graduate of Heriot-Watt University’s Brewing and Distilling School in Edinburgh, he gained an MSc with distinction in Brewing and Distilling. Aged 35 and originally from the Wirral, Ben’s whisky journey to Northumberland has taken him to volunteering at Rock Town Distillery in Arkansas, USA, where he cemented his want and drive to make whisky, and to Berentsens Brygghus in Egersund, Norway, where he was Head Distiller. His experience also includes stints as Head Distiller and Senior Brewer at Liverpool Craft Beer Company Ltd and The Ginsmiths of Liverpool.
Most recently, Ben was Head Distiller at Poetic License Distillery in Sunderland, where he was brought in specifically to develop new products and improve and refine operations. This culminated last year in the winning of a 3-star ‘Great Taste’ award – the highest accolade available in these awards – for their Poetic License Northern Dry Gin. This was one of only two gins in the UK to receive this award.
With construction work now under way, Ad Gefrin aims to be able to begin distilling their first spirit in late spring 2022. The very first single malt Ad Gefrin whisky will be ready exactly three years and a day after the distilling has commenced.
In joining Ad Gefrin, Ben said: “North Northumberland and Glendale in particular were already very special to my wife and I, and we love to visit. The people have a great warmth and the landscape is stunning. Ad Gefrin’s sense of community, mixed with an absolute commitment to provenance – with barley literally on our doorstep, Cheviot water drawn from under our feet – makes this an incredible opportunity for any distiller.”
He added: “In taking up this role, I am especially excited and keen to explore the use of modern yeasts and heritage barleys, such as those that might have been around in the Anglo-Saxon times that inspired the vision for the Ad Gefrin; but, I am totally respectful of the traditional craft of creating great whisky, which is exactly what I aim to do. The ‘terroir’ couldn’t be better, and at the end of the day, it is all about the place.”
In their vision for this new high quality visitor experience and distillery in Wooler, Ad Gefrin are committed to the local community and celebrating all that the area has to offer. This appointment is one of the first of many new jobs which are to be created. Commenting further on this unique appointment Eileen Ferguson said:
“We couldn’t be more delighted that Ben has agreed to join our team, as he has literally all the ingredients and sense of adventure that we were looking for. He is very humble but his knowledge and understanding of process, passion for quality, attention to detail and obsession for whisky fill us with enormous confidence that he will give us the world class single malt we aspire to. Importantly, Ben totally understands our values, that is, everything we create, everything we do, is about bringing people together.”
Located in Wooler on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, this exciting and innovative multi-million-pound regeneration project plans to deliver economic growth to the local and wider communities of Glendale. The recent successful funding bids are indicative of the support that the project has both locally and nationally, with the promise of a resurgence to Northumberland tourism, an exporter trade boost, and excellent environmental credentials integrating the site into the surrounding landscape.
NOTES:
LinkedIn: @ad-gefrin-distillery
Facebook: @AdGefrin
Instagram: @adgefrin
Kentucky Distillers’ Association Scratches Kentucky
Bourbon Affair In 2021
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that it has canceled its annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ fantasy camp in 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we are encouraged with vaccinations and declining cases, it would be difficult to hold such intimate, elegant events that attract people from all over the world,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “It would not be fair to all involved – from our loyal KBA fans to our distillery employees.”
Gregory said several factors weighed in the difficult decision, including travel issues, limits on attendance, CDC and social distancing guidelines, uncertainty about variants and conditions in the fall and caution around distillery workers and resources that are currently off-limits.
“This is the second year we have had to cancel this event, but it is the right and responsible decision to make,” Gregory said. “We are getting closer every day to beating the pandemic. This simply isn’t the time to let our guard down or take any chances with people’s health and safety.
“It takes time to craft our great Kentucky Bourbon. We can afford to wait one more year.”
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ each year welcomes thousands of Bourbon aficionados, enthusiasts and visitors to the Commonwealth for an exclusive week of behind-the-scenes experiences, rare tastings and unique culinary events at the world’s most famous distilleries.
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair was scheduled to coincide with DWP’s Bourbon & Beyond music festival in September, which has been canceled for 2021, as well.
Gregory said the KDA consulted with officials in Louisville – which has been the KBA official host city since its inception in 2014. “No one was surprised at the decision, but we are all disappointed,” he said.
Karen Williams, President and CEO of Louisville Tourism, said the KDA has been a great partner in helping put Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Experience on the map by hosting its most prestigious event in Bourbon City since 2014.
“We support this difficult decision for this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Affair and commit to working with the distilleries to host an even larger event in 2022, including some exciting additions that we hope to share in the near future,” Williams said.
Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com
The Irish Whiskey App
Available from March 17th
Dublin, Ireland
Launching on St. Patrick’s Day for iPhone, this is the first ever mobile app dedicated entirely to the world of Irish Whiskey. In the coming weeks the app will also be available for Android phones.
Once the most popular spirit in the world, Irish whiskey is experiencing a revival fueled by innovation, expertise and heritage. A new breed of distillers, bonders and blenders is emerging. Fabled and once thought to be lost brands and recipes are reappearing. The Irish Whiskey App was created to spread the incredible experiences and stories of Irish whiskey, old and new with audiences all around the world.
The Discover feature of the app is reminiscent of the App Store itself, with trending whiskeys, brand of the week and more. With curated content that is refreshed daily, even the most passionate Irish whiskey fans are sure to find interesting bottlings, brands and distilleries.
The app launches with a catalog numbering hundreds of whiskeys with more being added each day. The level of information available is unparalleled for Irish whiskey, with everything from the types of wooden casks used in the whiskey’s production, the flavours you can expect and educational content about how whiskey is made. Users can rate whiskeys, add their own tasting notes and even keep track of their own collections and wishlists through the app. One of the slickest features is the bottle scanner which gives users the ability to point their phone at a bottle and get immediate information and ratings about it.
With a level of depth that seems endless, the Irish Whiskey App delivers digital experiences for some of what makes Irish whiskey the greatest spirit in the world!
Having shared the journey of the app’s development openly on social media for the last number of months, the developers Barrel Proof Limited, have been thrilled with the response and excitement from the Irish whiskey community. Over 300 people signed up to participate in a limited beta trial of the app in January and February, with the feedback overwhelmingly positive.
Developed by a small group of whiskey enthusiasts from Dublin, amongst them the founders of Redwind Software, one of Ireland’s original mobile app success stories, everything about this app feels high end and premium. From the Vivino-esque bottle scanner, to the in depth tasting notes, the Irish Whiskey App will appeal to Irish whiskey aficionados as well as newcomers to the category or those with just a passing curiosity.
“We felt that Irish whiskey deserved it’s own dedicated app. There is so much to learn and love about the category, it’s history and it’s future. We are excited and honoured to get to work with so many amazing distillers and brands and be a part of sharing their stories with the world. ” said Conor Winders from Barrel Proof Limited.
Co-founder David McMahon added, “with Irish whiskey going through a renaissance at the moment, we wanted to bring the joy of whiskey tasting and appreciation to an even wider audience, making it more accessible for beginners while also catering to the experts.”
For more information or material, including advance access to the Irish Whiskey app, contact us at contact@irishwhiskeyapp.com or through our website http://irishwhiskeyapp.com
Download the Irish Whiskey App for free from the Apple App Store from March 17th: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/irish-whiskey-app/id1543626955
