Sotheby’s to Hold its Largest Online Spirits Sale

Over 250 Lots, with Whiskies from Scotland, Japan and India

First Offering at Auction of Set #1 of the First Release of

The Prima & Ultima Collection

The New Series of Single Vintage Malt Scotch Whiskies

*Proceeds from the Sale To be Donated to Diageo’s Charity Partner WaterAid*

 Open for Bidding from 26 August to 1 September

The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection

“We are thrilled to present our second spirits auction of the month and our largest online auction, with over 250 lots. The quality and variety of bottles offered in this sale are a testament both to the strength of the current whisky market and of our success in developing our online auction format throughout 2020.”

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist

LONDON, 25 August 2020 – From The Macallan’s most sought after releases to an array of rare Italian import Scotch, including the highly acclaimed Samaroli Laphroaig 1970, and the first full set of the new Prima & Ultima Collection, Sotheby’s online Distilled sale features some of the very rarest whiskies to be offered at auction. Comprising 267 lots with a combined pre-sale estimate in excess of £850,000, the auction will open for bidding at 2pm BST on 26 August and run until 1 September. 

MACALLAN 

“At Sotheby’s we have enjoyed a great relationship with The Macallan Fine & Rare series, setting the record for the highest value ever achieved for a bottle of whisky at auction with the Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.”

Jonny Fowle 

The sale includes 94 Macallan lots, with a combined pre-sale estimate of £619,460 – 840,450, led by The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection featuring the most iconic whiskies from The Macallan distillery. The collection includes vintages spanning 1940 to 1976, with estimates ranging from £10,000-14,000 to £35,000-48,000 per bottle. In addition, a selection of the 5cl press release samples from the original launch of the Fine & Rare Collection, which were sent out to journalists together with the press release, are estimated at £800-1,200 each.

The Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 51.5% 1945, est. £35,000-48,000

This Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old is the second oldest age statement in the Fine & Rare Collection after the record-breaking 60 year old 1926. Macallan was one of the only distilleries to operate during World War II. It was forced to use local peat in their production, due to the rationing of commercial coal use. As a result, this distillate represents a very different character to modern Macallan, and with only 152 bottles of this whisky known to exist, this sale presents an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire such a highly prized bottle.

PRIMA & ULTIMA

As well as the Macallan Fine & Rare set, this Distilled sale also marks a momentous occasion in the world of collectable whisky, by featuring Set #1 of the first release of The Prima & Ultima Collection, following the inaugural launch of a new series of single vintage malt whiskies that has only just been announced by distillery owner Diageo. With purchase only  through appointed agents, and with pre-order registrations looking to far outstrip the available 238 sets, Sotheby’s sale of set #1 – signed by Dr Jim Beveridge OBE, one of the world’s most respected whisky makers – is the first opportunity to acquire this collection at auction (est. £16,000-28,000). The winning bidder will also secure an exclusive whisky tasting experience with Dr Jim  Beveridge.

The sale marks Sotheby’s first ever collaboration with Diageo for charity, and proceeds will be donated to Diageo’s charity partner WaterAid.

Each rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the collection is “the first and the last” of its kind, drawn from a small number of casks from celebrated distilleries including Port Ellen, Cragganmore, Mortlach, Singleton of Dufftown, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Talisker and Clynelish. These eight bottles are the first in an on-going series of single vintage malts, with further editions of Prima & Ultima to be made available in the coming years.

INDEPENDENT BOTTLES

The sale is distinguished by a number of independent bottlings, including three bottles of Laphroaig Samaroli 16 Year Old 1970 (est. £9,000-13,000). The whisky was scored 95 points by Serge Valentin, a well-known name on the whisky scene, one of the highest ratings he has ever given.

Emmanuel Dron, Sotheby’s Whisky Consultant, owner of The Auld Alliance whisky bar and author of Collecting Scotch Whisky, commented: “Silvano Samaroli’s bottles are among the most legendary ever produced and this 1970 Laphroaig is undoubtedly my number 1 whisky of all time. It is so rare to see three bottles of this whisky in a single auction”.

Two exquisite releases from Gordon & MacPhail comprise Glen Grant Gordon & MacPhail 62 Year Old Mr. George Centenary Edition 1956 (est. £5,500-7,500, illustrated far left), one of the oldest Glen Grant whiskies ever released, and Longmorn Gordon & MacPhail 53 Year Old Private Collection 1966 (est. £4,300-5,500, illustrated left).

BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE WHISKIES

The sale features an exceptional selection of Japanese whiskies, not least 28 Karuizawa lots with a combined pre-sale estimate of £79,300 – 104,100, made up of Single Cask bottlings and vattings from Japan’s most popular closed distillery. Earlier this year in London, Sotheby’s set the record for the most valuable Japanese Whisky ever sold when a bottle of Karuizawa 1960 achieved £363,000.

Stand-out highlights include Karuizawa Sapphire Geisha 36 Year Old Cask #5077 (est. £11,000-15,000, illustrated left) and The Yamazaki LMDW Private Cask #3T70070 (est. £7,000-9,000, illustrated right).

FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Eleven Port Ellen lots, with a combined pre-sale estimate of £28,950 – 39,250, led by Port Ellen 1979 40 Year Old Casks Of Distinction #1883 (est. £20,000-26,000, illustrated far left).

The Original Balvenie “Tun 1401” – The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #1 (est. £4,000-6,000, illustrated left).

SMWS 26 Malts Collection (est. £4,500-6,000)

Notes 

Auction World Record Prices for Spirits 

After launching our Spirits business last year this segment of the market saw the fastest growth with three new auction world record prices.

AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR A BOTTLE OF JAPANESE WHISKY

London, March 2020

Karuizawa 52 Year Old Zodiac Rat Cask #5627 1960, $435,273

AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR ANY BOTTLE OF THE DALMORE

London, May 2020

Two bottles of The Dalmore 62 Year Old, $324,445 (per bottle)

AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR A BOTTLE OF COGNAC

London, May 2020

The Gautier Cognac 1762, $144,525

Sotheby’s holds producer records for: Bowmore, Springbank, Brora, Samaroli and Glenfiddich.

SOTHEBY’S ALSO HOLDS THE AUCTION RECORD FOR THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE OR SPIRIT

London, October 2019

The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926, $1.9 million

CASK ISLAY – CASK STRENGTH

1st FILL BOURBON EDITION
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

This limited edition of our Cask Islay is fully matured in 1st-fill Kentucky bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength, to preserve the rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and intense, rounded flavours.

TASTING NOTES

Colour: Dusky lemon.
Nose: Salted peanut, crab skewer, torched meringue and a bracing Islay breeze.
Palate: Smoked almond brittle, pink grapefruit and sweet maple.
Finish: Seared prawn and subtle balsamic cut effortlessly through the smoke.

Non-chill filtered & Natural Colour. Available in 700ml. Cask strength 58.6% Alc./Vol.

BUY NOW

FIND A STOCKISTVIEW THE FULL RANGE

Isle of Arran Sherry Cask

Bottled at a deliciously high 55.8% abv this takes Arran spirit and combines perfectly with the influence of Jerez sherry casks. Arran Distillery was commissioned by the Isle of Arran Distillers in 1995 and lies amid stunning scenery just to the south of Lochranza on the northern tip of the Isle of Arran. This distillery has four stills, dunnage warehouses, a visitor centre offering distillery tours and a distillery café. Arran distills both un-peated and peated malt spirit and matures its whisky in sherry, bourbon, port and wine casks in order to produce an ever-evolving and expanding range of whiskies including Arran single malts such as Arran Machrie Moor and The Illicit Stills, and Arran blended scotch.

Nose: Toffee, sweet spice and fruit.

Palate: Ripe fig and cherries.

Finish: Dark chocolate, Mandarins, Ripe figs.

Shop >> Arran Sherry Cask – The Bodega

https://youtu.be/NJmrsDXLv98

Waterford Bannow Island 1.1

A different cask structure:
– 35% 1st fill American Oak
– 20% Virgin Oak
– 25% Premium French Oak
– 20% Deux Natural (Oloroso)

When I first opened this, it didn’t hit me as quickly as Ballykilcavan. This was more subtle, not as directly sweet and that seemed to throw me off. However, after being open for a while, it almost has a style of flavour that reaches out of whisky and almost into Champagne territory.

The terroir debate still rages amongst drinkers, reviewers and creators – I’m still torn. Seeing the distillery will no doubt sway me towards the idea, distilleries are always a magical way to fall in love with a companies processes. However, may basic knowledge of distillation makes me believe that those subtle and very delicate barley styles will be ultimately lost in the very intense environment of whisky distillation.

I may be torn, how about all of you?

Irish Whiskey Distillery LAUNCHES €1.5m crowdfund
for next phase of growth

Award winning Sliabh Liag Distillers to build new distillery as sales grow 50% YoY

Product range expanding, including new whiskeys

Donegal’s place on the fast-growing Irish whiskey market to emulate Islay’s in Scotland

DONEGAL, 18/08/20: Sliabh Liag Distillers, (pronounced Sleeve League, meaning ‘mountain of flagstones’) today announces it is seeking €1.5m in investment via crowdfunding to fuel the next phase of its expansion. The Crowdcube campaign will launch on Wednesday 26^th August and run for four weeks, pre-registration is now open at www.sliabhliagdistillers.com/crowdfunding.

This fundraising round will allow Sliabh Liag Distillers’s growing band of followers to join a select group including a drinks industry multinational (Asahi), sophisticated investors and Donegal locals as investors in a sector that has doubled in size over the last decade. The investment will be eligible for EIS tax relief in the UK (EIIS tax relief in Ireland) and will come with a range of rewards from having your name etched on a copper still for all time to receiving a bespoke Donegal ‘Silkie’ fishing fly. The opportunity is set to attract many sophisticated investors from amongst the Irish diaspora, drinks enthusiasts and others looking for interesting long-term investments.

Sliabh Liag Distillers was founded by two Irish ‘scatterlings’ (returnees) with a simple aim: to reclaim the distilling heritage of Donegal and recreate the rich authentic spirits of the area from a time before the industrial revolution. Its husband and wife founders, James and Moira Doherty, want to make the Sliabh Liag peninsula to Irish whiskey what Islay is to Scotch.

Since inception, Sliabh Liag Distillers has grown from strength-to-strength, meeting demands from the international premium drinks sector for a better selection of authentic Irish whiskeys. The sector has been dominated by a handful of mainstream brands for a century, but in the last decade, a renaissance of unique, small-batch spirits, has seen it double in size.

Sliabh Liag Distillers is creating a new area of growth with its distinctive tasting products that are gaining cachet among Ireland’s most renowned food critics, chefs and restaurateurs, alongside a sizable social media following and international press coverage.

It is this hard-earned prestige and following that will, by Autumn 2021, see Sliabh Liag Distillers commence its phased move to Ardara, its new headquarters and future home of its current five exciting brands, and many new ones to come. Work on the site is already underway, and will increase the Company’s production capacity to 500,000 litres of alcohol per annum with room for expansion, as it anticipates growing international demand.

Accompanying the renaissance of Irish whiskey has been a resurgence of whiskey tourism. In time, the site at Ardara will feature tiered levels of tours that will take visitors through the distillery, the distilling process, the history of whiskey and local poitín-making, alongside the heritage of the area.

James Doherty, Managing Director of Sliabh Liag, said: “We are reclaiming the distilling heritage of Donegal and in doing so we have founded the first legal whiskey distillery in the county for over 175 years. Both my grandfathers were illicit poitín men. This is in my DNA.  It is my legacy and one that I think my grandfathers would be proud of.

“I want to share this legacy – this opportunity to cement artisan Irish whiskey as the world’s best – with those who want to come along with us on this exciting journey through Ireland’s long, almost lost distilling heritage. Join us, or as we say in Irish, ‘Bigi Linn’.”

Moira Doherty, Director of Sliabh Liag, said: “It’s been an interesting year to say the least. On one hand we pivoted into making hand sanitiser for the community here in Donegal, while on the other we laid down the first barrel of smoky single malt Irish whiskey in the county since 1841.  

“The Ardara Distillery is the natural next step in our journey to revive the Irish whiskey tradition; to bring it back to the communities while taking the name of Donegal to the furthest reaches we can. After a century where a few big players have dominated, this is a real chance for you to get involved in bringing it back home where it belongs – it will be a part of your story and legacy as much as it is our own.”

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Shares are priced at £75.00.  Total valuation of Sliabh Liag Distillers is £14,988,300.

The share class offered to investors on Crowdcube are A Ordinary Shares with pre-emption and voting rights. The shares will be issued to Crowdcube Nominees Limited to hold the shares on behalf of investors. Five share classes exist:

Founder Ordinary, two votes per share, pre-emption rights over all classes of shares

A Ordinary, one vote per share, pre-emption rights within own class

B Ordinary, no votes, pre-emption rights within own class, put call agreement

C Ordinary, no votes, pre-emption rights within own class

5% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares

Specific advice should be sought prior to making any investment in Sliabh Liag Distillers DAC, based on the particular circumstances of a prospective investor.  This is not a regulated investment and investment is only appropriate for investors who have a high attitude to risk.  For investors in Ireland this is not an offering for the purposes of Section 68 of the Companies Act 2014.

Notes

• Sliabh Liag Distillers (pronounced ‘sleeve league’) is independently owned.
• SLD is committed to reclaiming the distilling heritage of Donegal. In addition to An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin and An Dúlamán Santa Ana Armada Strength Gin, the company also produces the blended Silkie Irish Whiskey, Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey and Assaranca Vodka.
• SLD has begun construction of its new distillery at Ardara, co Donegal. The state-of-the-art facility will combine the latest distilling technology and a unique “all grains in” process with ancient Donegal distilling knowhow to create a whiskey unlike that found in the rest of Ireland.
• On Wednesday 26^th August, the company launches its €1.5m fundraising campaign on Crowdcube.com. (NB: it will only be live on the Crowdcube website to non-registered users on 28^th August).
• Silkie, Dark Silkie, An Dúlamán and Assaranca are all distributed by Vine Distribution Services in the UK. Established in 2000, Vine Distribution Services (VDS UK Limited) are importers and distributors of premium drinks and other FMCG brands in the UK. Founded by Steve Brown and Paul Macgregor, VDS is a sales, marketing and distribution company that specialises in the development of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands.

**NEWSFLASH** NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A BOTTLE OF JAPANESE WHISKY SET AT BONHAMS HONG KONG

The Oldest Japanese Whisky – Yamazaki-55 Year

Sells for HK$6,200,000 (US$795,000) 

More Than Ten Times the Pre-sale Estimate &
Far Exceeding Previous Records

Hong Kong – At Bonhams Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky Sale in Hong Kong today, Yamazaki-55 Year, the oldest Japanese whisky in history, commanded the price of HK$6,200,000 (US$795,000), establishing a new world auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky. It had a pre-sale estimate of HK$580,000 – 780,000.

The single-malt blockbuster was freshly released in June this year by Suntory, via a customer lottery system applicable only to residents from within Japan. Yamazaki-55 Years was distilled in the 1960s and produced in an exceedingly-limited edition of 100 bottles.

Daniel Lam, Director of Wine and Whisky, Asia, commented: “The stunning price sets a new milestone for the market of Japanese whisky, testament to collectors’ desire and determination to acquire the very best the market has to offer. We are pleased to see a keen demand for Scotch whisky in today’s sale as well.”

This new record far exceeds the previous records, set respectively in March 2020 for GBP363,000 (US$475,000) and in May 2019 for NT$13,512,500 (US$459,000).

The Yamazaki-55 Year Old was matured in both Japanese Mizunara oak cask from 1960 and white oak cask from 1964, the year of the previous Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Distilled to 46% ABV, it has a deep reddish amber colour with a complex agarwood and sandalwood nose, rich in fruity scents with a sweet aftertaste. The gold-dusted bottle is housed in a black Mizunara oak box with Suruga lacquer. The bottle mouth is wrapped in handmade Echizen Washi and tied with a traditional Kyoto braided cord.

Bonhams currently holds three world auction records in the whisky category, namely:

World auction record for a Japanese whisky collection

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series (in 54 bottles)

Sold for of HK$7,192,000 (US$ 922,000)

August 2019

World auction record for a whisky cask

Refill European Sherry Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery

Sold for HK$4,464,000 (US$572,000)

November 2019

World auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky

Yamazaki-55 Year

Sold for HK$6,200,000 (US$795,000)

August 2020

Sale: Fine and Rare Wine & WhiskyDate: 21 August (Friday)

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

Gentleman Jack Celebrates National Whiskey Sour Day with Release of Whiskey Sour Cocktail Mixer

National Whiskey Sour Day Is Celebrated August 25

Lynchburg, Tenn. (August 25, 2020) – Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey, in partnership with Whiskey Barrel Foods, introduces its newest product, Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Cocktail Mixer. The new product is available beginning today, August 25, “National Whiskey Sour Day.”

This Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Cocktail Mix has been crafted with just the right balance of sweet and sour to perfectly complement Gentleman Jack’s extra smooth Tennessee Whiskey.

“The classic Whiskey Sour popularity has continued to grow and is the #3 selling cocktail in the world in bars and restaurants,” said Mary Beth O’Mara, Gentleman Jack Senior Brand Manager. “We’re excited to celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day with the launch of this new cocktail mixer perfectly crafted to work with the flavors of our ultra-premium Gentleman Jack. It’s the perfect whiskey for the perfect whiskey cocktail.”

Gentleman Jack’s Whiskey Sour Mixer is sold online at WhiskeyBarrelFoods.com and JackDaniels.com for a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a 16oz bottle.

About Gentleman Jack 

Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey is charcoal mellowed twice – once before it goes into the barrel and again after it fully matures. The result is an exceptionally smooth whiskey with a rich, rewarding taste. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GentlemanJack.

JACK DANIEL’S GENTLEMAN JACK DOUBLE MELLOWED TENNESSEE WHISKEY is a registered trademark of JACK DANIEL PROPERTIES INC. ©2020. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, 40% ALC./VOL.(80 proof). Distilled and Bottled by JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, TENNESSEE, U.S.A.

Smokehead Rum Rebel

Peated Islay single malt finished in Caribbean rum casks. Limited edition  with immense peat smoke, burnt marshmallows and caramelised fruit. Boom! MYSTERY MALT SINGLE MALT WHISKY. Mystery single malt that don’t want to reveal their true identity. Rummage around and with a bit of investigation you are sure to find a rare unspecified bottling from independent bottler.

The first impression…… A jolt of immense smoke and fiery peat, followed by soothing citrus, tropical fruits and brought out by the Caribbean rum casks. Is that marshmallow andbacon in there…..?

The full-on flavour….. Face down a fearlessly rich and peaty punch, thick oils and bracing sea spray, tempered with dried spices, banana and dark wood

The finale….. The safety of dry land is in sight. Notes of caramel and cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, add a delicate contrast to the lingering smokiness

BUY NOW – Smokeheard Rum Rebel >>

Spotlight on: Springbank 21 Year Old

Springbank 1997 21 Year Old
Authors Series – Oscar Wilde
Was: £625.00
Now: £424.99

A single cask release from the highly collectable authors series range, this Campbeltown single malt was distilled at Springbank in 1997 and matured in a single sherry cask for 21 years. Bottled at 52.9% abv, this edition has been paired with legendary author Oscar Wilde. This dram goes perfectly with curling up on the sofa with a good book!

Buy now ›

This weeks episode of the show is all about whisky and art. I’ll be tasting the inaugural releases from the Distillers Art Ltd in their Spirit of Art range.

https://youtu.be/ibL5l6kOHKU