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TAKE A BOTTLE OF GLENGOYNE, AND MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Every bottle of Glengoyne single malt is special, but imagine how extra-special it would be if it featured your own unique message on the label.
Whether you want to surprise someone special, commemorate a significant occasion or impress your friends, make it personal with a bottle of Glengoyne 10 Year Old or 12 Year Old.
Longrow.
Not more needs to be said, does it?
With as little as 100 casks a year being filled, peated for 48 hours at a rate of 50/55PPM, it is a whisky in the mold of coastal classics…but does its own, very unique thing. What that thing is, well, I doubt we’ll ever really find out.
NAS whiskies, in all honesty, they’ve never bothered me. The fact they bother so many is quite baffling. If it’s quality liquid then why does it matter? Ardbeg Uigeadail or most of their range, any Jameson’s product, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, most bourbon products, and of course, this bottle of Longrow. Nobody seems to bat an eyelid about NAS when it’s on a brand that is universally loved…the fickle side of whisky.
Anyway. Longrow Gold. It’s brilliant. Enjoy
BLUE RUN SPIRITS 13.5-YEAR-OLD SINGLE BARREL CASK STRENGTH BOURBON
– WINNER OF TOP CATEGORY PRIZE AT THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION –
NOW AVAILABLE
Extremely Limited Double Gold Medal Bourbon, Approved by Whiskey Legend Jim Rutledge, is from Ten Exceptional Barrels
GEORGETOWN, KY (MAY 11, 2021) – A Bourbon treasure hunt is about to commence as Blue Run Spirits unveils its Spring release, which recently won Best in Class and a Double Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon launches today as ten separate limited-edition bottlings from ten different barrels, each hand numbered to denote the proof, barrel number and bottling date, enticing whiskey sleuths to find the entire collection and whiskey enthusiasts around the country to discover their favorite flavor profile. Each bottle comes in a custom, handmade black lacquered wooden box, adding to the collectability.
The unveiling of Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon comes on the heels of Blue Run’s inaugural release in October of 2020. Blue Run 13-Year-Old Bourbon received exceptional reviews and sold out quickly. With Jim Rutledge as the company’s Liquid Advisor, this new batch of Blue Run will delight Bourbon drinkers around the country. Rutledge is a 50+ year whiskey industry veteran and a managing partner of J.W. Rutledge Distillery.
Each of the ten barrels comes from the same mash bill, same yeast, same still and same warehouse, but how the liquid reacted to the wood and its position in the warehouse can delicately change the characteristics of the whiskey.
Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon has the brand’s characteristic smooth and mellow flavor; a long, sweet and dry finish; little to no burn on the back end – even at cask strength – and a long tail.
Between 104 to 150 bottles will be available from each barrel, with the proofs varying from 124 to 132. The secret to which barrel the Bourbon came from can be found on the hand-numbered label, which gives a hint at that whiskey’s particular characteristics and flavor profile:
Barrel #1: Mellow sweet corn and brown sugar apple butter that develops into mellow oak tannins Barrel #2: Deep chocolate and honey-drenched s’more Barrel #3: Gorgeous crème brûlée with a burst of dark brown sugar and streaks of ginger Barrel #4: Creamy toffee with bites of cocoa and black pepper Barrel #5: Sultry black cherry and oak with clove honey Barrel #6: Decadent dark chocolate with a marshmallow frame and clove cascade Barrel #7: Layers of char smoke and rich vanilla wood sugar Barrel #8: Roasted pecan and nutty campfire smoke Barrel #9: Spice forward with bold black pepper and baking spices and an herbaceous wrap Barrel #10: Oak tannin and dark raisin combination with a whip of smoke on the finish
Though each barrel has its own subtle flavor differences, consumers can expect the liquid in each bottle to have a deep glow, streaked with bronze highlights; an alluring aroma of molasses and brown sugar with a toasted, nutty frame that reveals itself around baking spices and cocoa; and a long, sweet and dry finish wrapped in dark cherry highlights.
“This limited-edition, high-proof release offers a uniquely customized experience based upon each whiskey fan’s palate, pairings and passions,” said Mike Montgomery, CEO of Blue Run Spirits. “While a bottle of Blue Run Bourbon will definitely stand out on your bar, it’s the flavor we are most proud of and glad to see experts like the judges at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition agree.”
Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon will be found in May initially in Kentucky, California, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington, DC, as well as online. But here’s the twist: No state will receive bottles from all ten barrels. Each will get up to nine, encouraging collectors to reach out to friends to help amass the entire collection. The product will also be available through Seelbachs.com, with bottles from a different barrel made available every few weeks (but again, with only nine available). Seelbach’s will also offer a very limited number of ten-bottle complete sets.
Blue Run’s latest release will stand out on store shelves due to the modern design by Devon McKinney, the creative mind behind some of the world’s most-sought-after sneakers. The brand’s signature butterfly medallion, a nod to the Commonwealth of Kentucky butterfly the Viceroy, will be matte black on the Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon bottle. This new offering will come housed in a striking, handmade black lacquered display box made of sustainable birch and imprinted with gold leaf.
Blue Run Bourbon will be available at $229.99 SRP. The company’s next release, a 14-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon that also won Best in Class and a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, will be launched this summer, followed by a Gold Medal-winning Rye Whiskey in late summer.
Blue Run Spirits’ distribution partners include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) in Kentucky; Breakthru Beverage Group in Illinois and Colorado; Savannah Distributing Company in Georgia; Advintage Distributing in South Carolina and Tennessee; Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co. in Washington D.C., Maryland and Delaware; American Spirits Exchange in California; and Evergreen Beverage Canada in Canada.
Find Blue Run Spirits online at www.bluerunspirits.com, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS
Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique luxury proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating it through a modern design and marketing lens to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. The company’s founders include a Nike designer, the first director-level employee at Facebook, a hospitality executive, a political advisor, and a philanthropist – all huge whiskey fans and individuals who acutely understand how to build demand and buzz for a contemporary consumer product. They are backed by a team of advisors including Nike marketing experts; the Campari communications veteran behind the US launch of Espolòn Tequila and the Aperol Spritz; a former vice president of innovation from Brown-Forman; a former spirits distributor; and others with deep industry experience. The Blue Run name is a nod to one of our founder’s upbringing in Georgetown, KY, where Bourbon began in the Bluegrass State.
TREASURE TROVE OF FÈIS İLE ISLAY MALTS GO TO AUCTION
When it comes to whisky, few celebrations are as eagerly anticipated as Islay’s festival of music and malt – Fèis Ìle. Established almost 30 years ago, the festival draws visitors from across the globe to the thriving shores of the island each year to experience its community, culture, and its world-renowned whisky.
Now, the most extensive and complete collection of whiskies produced by the island’s legendary distilleries to commemorate the festival are being sold by secondary market leaders, Whisky Auctioneer with a proportion of the proceeds from the sale being donated to Islay-based charities and projects to support the local community.
From Friday (14 May) until Monday 24 May, over 240 limited-edition Fèis Ìle expressions from distilleries including Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg will go under the hammer. The sale will celebrate the history of this iconic whisky region, the world famous festival and the incredible bottlings it has inspired over the years.
The treasure trove of bottles are part of Pat’s Whisky Collection – the largest private collection of whisky ever to come to auction. Known only to the world mysteriously as ‘Pat’, he decided to part with his 9,000 bottle library last year through a series of auctions with a mission to share his passion for whisky with the world by passing his bottles on to new owners.
Whiskies in the Islay Festival Auction include:
Joe Wilson, Head of Auction Content at Whisky Auctioneer, commented: “Fèis Ìle is an iconic celebration of whisky and Islay culture that draws people back to the island year after year. From Port Ellen to Bowmore and Bruichladdich to Ardbeg, this collection of Fèis Ìle bottlings is without a doubt the largest and most complete that we have ever encountered. The auction presents the rare opportunity for collectors and whisky drinkers to acquire some incredibly scarce malts that have been produced to celebrate the history of this iconic whisky region.”
Examples from each of Islay’s eight single-malt producing distilleries will feature in the sale, including complete collections of every single limited edition festival bottling from legendary distilleries such as Bowmore, Laphroaig and Lagavulin. A percentage of the proceeds raised during the auction will be donated to Islay-based charities and projects that support the Island community.
The sale will also feature bottles that have been donated to the Fèis Ìle Committee by distilleries in order to raise charitable funds for the island through their Islay Wave Project, which will focus on ways to support culture, artists and youth. Included in the charity lots will be the oldest and rarest release direct from the iconic Islay distillery, Port Ellen. The Port Ellen 40 Year Old ‘9 Rogue Casks’ is the second release in the ‘Untold Stories’ series, which explores the intriguing history of the Islay distillery ahead of its reopening after closure almost three decades ago.
Florence Grey, Chairperson at the Fèis Ìle Committee added: “Fèis Ìle was delighted to be given the bottles in this charity auction from Diageo, plus a signed bottle from the legendary Islay whisky maker Jim McEwan. All the proceeds raised from these bottles will benefit our island community as the funds will kickstart our Islay Wave Project – an ongoing project that will begin after this year’s virtual festival. Focusing on ways to support our island’s culture, artists and youth, The Islay Wave Project concentrates on everything we celebrate throughout Fèis Ìle. We are very grateful to Whisky Auctioneer for their support in bringing these bottles to auction.”
To register for the auction, visit www.whiskyauctioneer.com
NOTES
Whisky Auctioneer will produce an exclusive ‘Ultimate Guide’ for collectors and enthusiasts about the Fèis Ìle bottlings, and host a live event with faces from the whisky industry. Inspired by the traditional format of the Fèis Ìle festival, each distillery will have a dedicated day during the auction across Whisky Auctioneer’s social media accounts and newsletter features.
About Fèis Ìle
The Fèis Ìle festival is a week-long celebration of music, malt and culture on Islay held annually. The festival originally evolved from the want to revive the Gaelic language and culture on the island.
In 2000, the island distilleries became more involved and introduced their Open Days with each distillery taking its turn in the spotlight. Ultimately they offered a calendar of exclusive events and introduced their special Fèis Ìle bottlings.
Usually only available for visitors to the island during the festival, enthusiasts are regularly seen camping out in legendary distillery queues to get their hands on these special limited-run single malts.
This year’s virtual Fèis Ìle festival will run from Thursday 27 May to Sunday 6 June with an interactive programme of events.
For more information on Fèis Ìle and the 2021 virtual festival, visit www.feisile.co.uk
About Whisky Auctioneer
Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform, to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.
Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share in their passion and actively support their customers in their aims, whether that be consuming, collecting or investing.
In February 2021, the Perth-based online auction house made history during the iconic sale of The Perfect Collection when a bottle of The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old sold for a hammer price of £1m, the first time a single bottle of whisky has sold at an online only auction for one million pounds.
Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020, showcasing the move that whisky collectors, investors and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.
The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany last year.
The business’ Founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.
To mark World Whisky Day today, we have decided to auction a bottle of whisky drawn from the first cask we ever filled at the Cotswolds Distillery and donate the winning proceeds to The Drinks Trust. This bottle is the first and only bottle filled from Cask #01, which is owned by our founder, Dan Szor.
Since 1886, The Drinks Trust has provided care and support to the people who form the drinks industry workforce, both past and present. Today it provides vocational, practical, emotional and financial support to those who are currently working, or have worked, in the UK drinks industry.
On the 22nd September 2014, we filled cask #01, a first-fill American oak ex-bourbon cask. Dan says it’s the most expensive cask ever filled because back in September 2014, his wife decided to buy him the barrel for his birthday (even though he already owned the whole distillery!). With now over 1,000 shareholders, he’s very happy with his wife’s well-planned initiative, as he’s still the owner of Cask #01!
During the 6 ½ years it’s had to mature in cask, this whisky has taken on the typical vanilla and honey notes one would expect from the American oak, its maturation having been accelerated by the relatively warmer climate of the Cotswolds and the larger temperature variations due to its storage here at the distillery over its whole life.
Dan hasn’t mentioned this sale to his wife yet, and once she finds out about it this may end up being the only bottle from our first cask ever sold publicly – so be aggressive in your bidding to own this piece of Cotswolds Distillery history. Good luck!
Remarkable Values in Sherry Finished Scotch Exclusives
Limited Edition Expressions from Dailuaine, Blair Athol, and Mortlach
Our first Scotch container of 2021 is on its way and contains a trio of stunning sherry-aged malts that are ready to be added to your collection. First up is a 10 year old from Dailuaine, a property that has a loyal following among our customers, which also means this single malt has a limited window of availability. With body and character that stands up to the sherry influence, no wonder our customers are always clamoring for more. Next up is the “take no prisoners” 2009 Blair Athol 12 year old. With balance and weight in one sublime bottling, this is a Scotch that should make one sit up and take note. The last of our trio is known as the beast of Dufftown—Mortlach’s 12 year old is rich, meaty, and hearty, making it the perfect foil to a sherry finish. It’s a pronounced spirit that you just can’t ignore. Any or all of these malts will be prized by the Scotch lovers among us, and we recommend scooping them up before they inevitably sell out.
Sherried Dailuaine has been a fan favorite at K&L for years, and we’ve sold 16 different bottlings over the last decade. Given the long-standing relationship many of our customers have with these bottlings, we don’t foresee this being around long. A classic Diageo distillery, Dailuaine has a sizable capacity upwards of 5 million liters a year yet is rarely seen as an official release. Stylistically, it sits somewhere between Clynelish and Blair Athol—it shows both a waxy character associated with the former and an inherent sherry-ness associated with the later. This makes it a perfect candidate to stand up to a big ol’ sherry butt in just a matter of 10 years. The price-to-quality ratio makes it one of the best deals of the year.
We have bottled many casks of very old Blair Athol over the years as it is a staple in the independent bottling market and the spiritual heart of the famous Bell’s Blend. The whiskies in the 20+ year range are generally very, very good. It’s hard to mess up Blair Athol after decades in cask. We are, however, extremely picky when it comes to young whisky from this famous Pitlochry distillery. The young whiskies can easily overpower their barrels and leave a bit of a funky note that certainly isn’t for everyone. However, when appropriately casked in an active sherry barrel, 12 years is just about right to create pure magic. That funky weight of the spirit is balanced beautifully with the citrus zest, dark cocoa, and roasted nuts of the sherry butt. We don’t get too many shots at full-term sherry with extremely sharp pricing, but when we do, we rarely miss. At 59% ABV and taking no prisoners, this is a serious malt for sherry fans to stock up on.
The beast of Dufftown returns. Part of our trio of young sherry cask whiskies and very famous for how well it takes to sherry, the rich and meaty Mortlach has long been appreciated by single malt aficionados for its unusually hearty character. The distillery is well known for its different approach to distillation, as well – a 2.81 times distilled regimen that sets it apart from the typical double distillation found all over Scotland. Loaded with tobacco, dark chocolate, espresso, black cherry, and honeyed raisins. Big, intense, and every bit Mortlach.
16 month sherry fresh sherry butt finish. Cask #6 bottled April 2021 at 57.8%.
Mortlach 11 Year Old 2010 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill sherry butt #16 bottled April 2021 by Signatory Vintage for the Cask Strength Collection. 697 numbered bottles.
Mortlach Distillery was established in 1823 on the banks of the River Dullan in the Speyside whisky region. Mortlach is equipped with wooden worm tubs, six stills of assorted shapes and sizes and three spirit safes in order to run a unique two and a half times or partial triple distillation process. Official bottling of Mortlach single malt are few, however, independent bottlers recognise the great quality of Mortlach whisky particularly following long maturation in sherry casks. Gordon & MacPahil released a stunning bottling of 70 year old Mortlach single cask malt whisky distilled in 1938 and matured in a single sherry hogshead until bottling in 2009.
THE LIMITED EDITION 21-YEAR-OLD POLO ESTANCIA EDITION IS THE FIRST BLEND IN THE ROYAL SALUTE PORTFOLIO TO BE FULLY FINISHED IN ARGENTINIAN MALBEC WINE CASKS
Royal Salute, continues to honour the ‘Sport of Kings’ with the release of an all-new limited-edition blend; the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Polo Estancia Edition. Kick-starting a new line of inspiration for the Royal Salute Polo Collection that celebrates iconic polo destinations around the world, the new expression pays tribute to Argentina as the emblematic home of modern polo through its unique cask finish. Appealing to both wine and whisky lovers, this Malbec-finished Scotch blends exceptional whiskies and uses the finest Malbec wine casks from Argentina.
Inspired by warming sunsets and the lifestyle of Argentinian Polo Estancias – South American properties where horsemanship is learnt and polo is played – this unique expression is the first Scotch whisky from the Royal Salute portfolio to be fully finished in Malbec wine casks. This exceptional whisky has been expertly crafted by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and endorsed by long-standing World Polo Ambassador and celebrated polo player Malcolm Borwick.
With unparalleled expertise in the art of blending, Royal Salute, known for its exceptional portfolio of rare and precious whiskies, has skilfully married its signature house style with a contemporary finish to further enhance the precious liquid of the Polo Estancia Edition. The resulting blend delivers a full-bodied, velvety and luxuriously fruity blend, offering rich hints of raspberry and blackberry compote, notes of gently spiced cinnamon, followed by plum jam and indulgent dark chocolate ginger sweets.
Speaking of the new blend, Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop said: “For this unique expression we were able to perfectly integrate the robust and highly recognisable flavours of Malbec wine casks with our rich whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 21 years – a task that requires constant care and attention. The Polo Estancia Edition is an exceptional blend resulting from this bold marriage where only the finest Malbec wine casks from Argentina were used for final maturation. Incorporating a Malbec wine finish has not only allowed us to give the blend a new dimension, it also helps to tell the story of Argentina’s polo lifestyle in a multi-faceted way.”
Royal Salute has a long-standing affinity with the world of polo, which is based on the shared values of honour, skill, integrity and respect, and continues to thrive today with an annual programme of polo events and tournaments around the world.
Commenting on the new expression, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick said: “Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to have spent numerous seasons playing in the vast pampas of Argentina, home to some of the most spectacular Estancias. Polo truly resonates with Argentine culture, and it is absolutely fitting for Royal Salute to recognise this so eloquently with the tantalising blend that is the Polo Estancia Edition. Argentina has such a rich equestrian history and is home to some of the world’s most esteemed polo players and championships, so this new expression serves as the perfect tribute.”
The new whisky comes in Royal Salute’s signature hand-crafted porcelain flagon, coloured in a deep terracotta glaze with gold details inspired by the warm hues cast by Argentinian sunsets, and presented in a stunning gift box with a contemporary illustration depicting the side-lines of a polo match and the Argentinian Polo lifestyle.
For more information, visit www.royalsalute.com or follow @royalsalute online.
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES LIMITED ANNUAL RELEASE OF WELLER FULL PROOF AND C.Y.P.B.
Award-Winning Weller Bourbons Recognized as Global Medalists
FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 12, 2021) Fans of W.L. Weller Bourbon Whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery can anticipate a springtime treat, as the Distillery announces the annual release of Weller Full Proof and “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” (C.Y.P.B.). Both the Weller Full Proof Bourbon and C.Y.P.B. are big hits with Weller fans, and they can expect the same tasting notes for each in this year’s annual release.
The Weller Full Proof Bourbon was first introduced in 2019. Buffalo Trace Distillery fills its wheated bourbon barrels at 114 proof, hence the name Full Proof. This bourbon forgoes chill filtration to preserve all the naturally occurring residual oils and flavors. Suggested retail pricing is $49.99.
C.Y.P.B. is the result of an interactive activity called Craft Your Perfect Bourbon, where bourbon drinkers were asked to choose their ideal bourbon―the result being a wheated recipe bourbon aged for eight years and bottled at 95 proof. Suggested retail pricing is $49.99.
The Weller Full Proof and C.Y.P.B. will be available later this month but quantities are limited. Not only did C.Y.P.B. recently win Best Bourbon in the World from the Icons of Whisky, but both spirits have recently been globally recognized as top-quality medalists in the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with other W.L. Weller bourbons.
Double Gold Medals went to:
Gold Medals went to:
Silver Medals went to:
Each entry was subject to rounds of blind tastings and individual evaluation on both taste and design by judges. For more information, visit San Francisco World Spirits Competition (sfspiritscomp.com).
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2nd and 3rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com
