Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2020

KENTUCKY TIPPLES’ TRIPLE TRIUMPH
* Sazerac sweeps the board in World Whisky of the Year awards.
* Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2020 hands US distiller unique 1-2-3.
* Rags-to-riches 1792 Full Proof Bourbon is planet’s finest.

Jim Murray has handed an unprecedented triple crown to Kentucky whiskey in the latest edition of his best-selling annual Whisky Bible.

And on unveiling the 2020 World Whisky of the Year Awards, the renowned Industry guru has created another first by giving all top three accolades for the finest new drams on earth to the same whiskey company, New Orleans-based Sazerac.

Top prize of World Whisky of the Year goes to the 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon from the Barton 1792 distillery, a whiskey Jim Murray describes as “melodious, mysterious and slightly exotic” with a nose of “near-perfect proportions” and with an “unfaltering” finish when tasted.

Only 25 years ago, Jim Murray branded Barton the worst distillery in Kentucky – but now, under Sazerac stewardship, it has become the world champion.

The runners-up – from 1,250 new drams tasted by Jim Murray this year – are both Buffalo Trace brands: bourbon William Larue Weller 125.7 proof, the latest version of last year’s victor, and Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 127.2 proof.

Jim Murray said: “There will be eyebrows raised and claims of favouritism which, of course, is never the case with the Whisky Bible: I call it exactly as I see it. Once I knew the top three were from the same company, I spent two extra days running through my top ten whiskies once more…and the results came out exactly the same!

“For the 1792 Distillery to win World Whisky of the Year is extraordinary because when I first went there some 25 years ago, the then-owners had no interest in high-end whiskey. The oldest they produced was a 6-year-old which I thought was one of the most complex on the market but still undercooked. I implored them then to bring out something much older.

“It is wonderful that my gut instinct of 25 years ago has been vindicated under the ownership of Sazerac, who have turned a potentially great distillery into something truly magnificent.

“If anyone tries to convince you the romance of whiskey is dead and gone or has all been confected then don’t you believe them. For where else could such an ugly duckling become so beautiful a swan?”

Sazerac president Mark Brown said: “To not only be named World Whisky of the Year but also to have our whiskeys named second and third finest is astonishing. We could not be happier or more motivated to continue to strive for perfection in the American whiskeys we make.”

Sectional winners include: the Taiwanese Nantou Distillery Omar Cask Strength Bourbon Cask (Single Cask of the Year); Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition (Scotch); Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare (Blended Scotch); Penderyn Single Cask no.M75-32 (European); Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (Japanese).

Notes

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2020 contains taste notes for around 5,000 drams. Available from 17/10/19 at all good bookshops, retailers and whiskybible.com, priced £14.99. Press enquiries: Vincent Flint-Hill +44 (0)117 317 9777; vincent@whiskybible.com

Our mailing address is:

Dram Good Books Ltd
Unit 2, Barnstones Business Park
Litchborough
Towcester, Northants  NN12 8JJ
United Kingdom

Knob Creek® Bourbon Introduces Limited Time Expression Knob Creek® Quarter Oak

October auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 18^th October until Sunday 27^th October at

www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Highland Park 50 Year Old 

Longmorn 1961 (Private Collection) from Gordon & MacPhail 

Macallan 30 Year Old (1989) Hogshead #2807 

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

The Society is a place for fun and light-hearted whisky chat where we leave politics at the door so forgive us while we turn serious for a moment and address the UK’s situation with regard to leaving the European Union.

Since the UK voted for Brexit in 2016, we have been following developments closely, although like everyone else we’d need a crystal ball to accurately predict what might happen after October 31.

Whatever transpires, we’re confident we have the measures in place to ensure the continued supply of our bottles to our members in Europe. However, we’re also aware that if Brexit does take place on 31 October we may face some delays in delivery.

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some multi-bottle deals, exclusively for our EU members, which we hope will keep you stocked up in case our delivery times are slightly longer than normal.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$299.99 View

SKU #1439409

Named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands, the whisky will be available in limited batches produced on an annual basis. The whisky’s recipe is set to change with each batch, creating subtle differences between future iterations. Each batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan will feature a unique code on the carton and bottle, which drinkers can enter into the distillery’s website to find out more about the story of the whisky. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks, said, “A new, permanent aged Ardbeg is a rare occurrence, and cause for celebration. We hope that, by slightly tweaking the batch recipe year-on-year, Ardbeggians can have some fun exploring the finer details of this ever-changing dram.” Matured in American oak and ex-oloroso Sherry casks before being bottled at 46.2% abv, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan’s 2019 expression is said to have “intense and rugged notes of smoked chili, chocolate, and paprika with waves of toasted oak and roasted tea leaves on the palate.”

Saturday October 19th 2-5 PM

Glen Grant with Robin Coupar 

Join us for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch presented by whisky expert and reknowned brand ambassador Robin Coupar!

Established in 1840, the centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world. Guest will be treated to rare favorites and new releases from the centuries old distillery, with whisky experts present for all your scotch questions.

More Details & RSVP

Complete your Collection

We’re having a massive sale on ‘Game of Thrones’ branded whiskies, with most 50% to 75% off their original sale price! Even if you’re not a series fan, you can get Lagavulin, Talisker, Clynelish, and more single malt scotches at a fraction of the price during this sale.

Click Here for the Game of Thrones Single Malt Sale

MACALLAN LALIQUE-50 YEAR OLD TOPS BONHAMS WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH

Macallan Lalique- 50 year old. Sold for £100,062.

Two bottles of one of the world’s most sought-after whiskies, the Macallan Lalique-50 year old, sold for £100,062 each at Bonhams Fine Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 October. They had been estimated at £67,000-93,000.  

The Macallan Lalique-50 year old is the first of The Lalique Six Pillars Collection of the distillery’s rarest single malts, released between 2006-2016. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd., Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, it is said to have the aroma of cumin, cardamom and maraschino, and a taste of dark prunes and plain chocolate.

Other highlights included A bottle of Karuizawa-50 year old-1965 which sold for £27,562 (estimate: £23,000-25,000.  The Karuizawa distillery, which is now closed, was situated on the slopes of Mount Asama an active volcano in Nagano Prefecture Japan. It was the smallest distillery in Japan and its output is among the rarest and most sought-after of all Japanese whisky.  The Karuizawa was part of a collection of Japanese whisky that sold for a total of £200,000.

Sale: Fine WhiskyLocation: 22 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2Date: Wednesday 9 October at 11 am

NOTES 

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

Join Murray McDavid’s famously hospitable team to celebrate Aceo’s 20^th year in the Scotch whisky industry. Do not miss the party in the historic whisky warehouses at Dallas Dhu Distillery.

The doors swing open from 7pm where guests will be warmly greeted with a carefully crafted cocktail, created by the three finalists of the Malt Mixers Challenge.

Throughout the four-course meal, guests will enjoy a variety of entertainment including leading luminaries from the world of whisky, whilst sipping specially selected whiskies.

Following after dinner speeches, there will be a lively blend of traditional and modern music, which is sure to get the crowd up on their feet late into the night.

To apply for one of the limited tickets, please email: Anya.Harris@aceo.co.uk or call: 01452 762 024

www.aceo.co.uk

Dress: Smart/Formal evening attire

Bar: The onsite bar will be able to take payment via cash or card

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES 2019

WITH COLIN DUNN

Wednesday 30 October 2019
7pm-8.30pm
£60

Limited spaces. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

It’s that time of year again. Days are getting shorter, Autumn leaves are falling, and Diageo – the powerhouse responsible for 29 whisky distilleries and almost a third of the world’s whisky production – has announced this year’s range of limited edition whiskies: The Diageo Special Releases 2019.

We are excited to announce that our annual tasting of the famed Special Releases is here earlier than usual, and attendees will be amongst the first to try the eight new drams.

Join us to celebrate the release of this annual whisky institution in the company of someone who knows more about the whiskies than perhaps anyone else on the planet – Diageo whisky ambassador Colin Dunn.

THE LINE-UP

Cardhu 14 Years Old
Cragganmore 12 Years Old
Dalwhinnie 30 Years Old
Lagavulin 12 Years Old
Mortlach 26 Years Old
Pittyvaich 29 Years Old
Talisker 15 Years Old
The Singleton of Glen Ord 18 Years Old

ABOUT THE HOST

Colin Dunn has worked for Diageo since 2008 and has since established himself as an influential figure within the international drinks scene. Whisky Ambassador for the company’s impressive portfolio, and also a Keeper of the Quaich, he has switched many people on to the vast and varied world of whisky.

Wednesday 30 October 2019
7pm-8.30pm
£60

Limited spaces. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

VENUE

BROWNS COVENT GARDEN
82-84 ST MARTIN’S LN,
COVENT GARDEN,
LONDON
WC2N 4AG