BUNNAHABHAIN 10 YEAR OLD 2009
(ADELPHI)
70cl | 49.3%

A single cask Bunnahabhain aged
for 10 years in a first fill Sherry cask.

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With First Friday on the horizon, click over to our website to view our next botting list release. October Outturn sees us celebrating our founder Pip Hills, with 22 new casks to taste and explore. Plan your wish list now and make sure you place your order fast to avoid disappointment. October Outturn will be released on Friday, 4 October at 9am (GMT). Get ready to order your favourite bottling.

NEW BOTTLINGS        READ OUTTURN

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 175: Mackmyra Vintersol

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the latest Mackmyra. It’s brand new, this Mackmyra Vintersol. It means Winter Sun which explains why it will only be available in Sweden – via Systembolaget – as of the 4^th of October. It’s another one of those Seasonal whiskies by Mackmyra, this time finished in port casks from Quinta Do Vallado – one of Portugal’s oldest port producers in the Douro Valley, founded in 1716. The finish lasted 16 months!

https://youtu.be/eXY5HsWOW48

If you like some Whisky distilled before you were born (well some of you), you might like the Glen Grant 1953 bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in their Private Collection range (Lot 99); a particularly fine looking bottle of Glenrothes 28 Year Old distilled in 1947 (Lot 19); a similarly aged Bunnahabhain 28 Year Old also from 1947 (Lot 85); or a Signatory bottling of Cambus 1964 (Lot 21).  We also have a fine selection of younger and more accessible whiskies including entries from Springbank; Dallas Dhu; Convalmore; Glenlochy; Talisker and many others.

All in all there is a bit of something for everyone so click onto our website www.mulberrybankauctions.com to view the catalogue in its entirety or through one of the online bidding portals www.easyliveauction.com or www.the-saleroom.com .

Future proofing cereals for climate change drought conditions

Research uncovers gene that improves drought resistance in cereals 

Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have identified a gene responsible for drought resistance in barley which, it is believed, could help future-proof the cereals industry to increasingly dry conditions as climate change gathers pace.

Publishing the results of nearly five years of work in the Journal of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, the team demonstrated that gene HvMYB1 controls stress tolerance in cereals such as barley. This is the first time HvMYB1 has been associated with drought resistance.

Dr Peter Morris from the Institute of Earth and Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University conceived the research idea. He successfully secured funding and led the project team (Dr Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson and Dr Ross Alexander).

Dr Morris said: “This is a significant finding that will allow more drought resistance crops to be bred in the future. Drought is already impacting yields with the European cereals harvest hit particularly hard in 2018. A prolonged, dry and hot summer significantly impacted yields and quality.

“As climate change gathers pace and we experience more extreme seasons, it is essential we can maintain continuity of supply. This is significant for key industries like Scotch whisky, one of the UK’s leading export items. Our project focused specifically on barley; one of the three ingredients used in the production of Scotch whisky.

“Barley has over 39,000 genes, almost double the number for humans, so characterising one particular gene which promotes drought resistance has been a considerable challenge. By increasing the expression of this particular gene in test plants and simulating drought conditions, we’ve been able to prove that plants in which HvMYB1 is more prominently expressed are able to survive prolonged periods of drought.

“Genetic variation is essential in plant breeding for resilience so we expect this research will now be used by plant breeders as a marker for drought resistance. It will help focus attention on different barley varieties in which this gene is naturally expressed more prominently. This may lead to greater variation in the gene pool of crop plants and more drought resistant crops in future years.

“This also has important implications for the wider cereals industry including the production of wheat, maize and rice.”

Dagmar Droogsma, Director of Industry at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The Scotch Whisky industry relies on a sustainable and secure supply of good quality raw materials, now and in the future. Quality barley is central to the success of the Scotch whisky industry: approximately 90% of the barley used for Scotch is sourced from Scotland, with the rest from around the UK and the EU when necessary. The SWA works closely with specialists at Heriot-Watt University, and others in the sector, to ensure that the industry is equipped to adapt to any changes that may arise from a changing climate. We therefore welcome this research which helps to provide resilience against the effects of climate change and to sustain the diversity of barley varieties used for Scotch whisky.

“Agriculture in Scotland supplies some of the best grain anywhere in the world, and these recent findings contribute to an industry-wide programme of research and development which helps to maintain Scotch whisky’s competitive edge as an iconic Scottish product. The Scotch whisky industry supports 10,000 jobs across Scotland, and we are proud to have funded this research into a fundamental element of its supply chain.”

The value of cereals to the UK economy is significant. In 2018, the value of wheat rose by £95 million to £2,084 million while the overall value of barley rose by £85 million to £957 million as a result of higher prices (up 10%).[1] The whisky industry is worth £5 billion to the Scottish economy.²

The research was funded by the Scotch Whisky Association, which aims to secure the sustainability of the Scotch whisky industry, and Interface, which matches businesses with Scotland’s world-leading academic expertise.

Notes: For more information or images, please contact Annie Pugh on a.pugh@hw.ac.uk or 07939 153 649.

[1] Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs: Total Income from Farming in the United Kingdom

First estimate for 2018, released 10^th May 2019

² SWA economic impact report 2018

Research aims to innovate Scotch whisky flavour

Impact of yeast on Scotch whisky flavour in lab to bottle research programme

Heriot-Watt University and the Port of Leith Distillery are undertaking a comprehensive examination of the impact of yeast on the flavours found in Scotch whisky.

Funded by Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) will test more than 20 strains of yeast, one of just three ingredients authorised in the production of Scotch whisky. As the KTP celebrates its first-year anniversary, its participants say it has already revealed some surprising results.

The project has already identified brewing strains of yeast more commonly used for beer that possess promising characteristics for whisky production, with an ability to maintain the balance between alcohol yields and flavour.

Victoria Muir-Taylor is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate Distiller at Port of Leith Distillery. A graduate from Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, she is leading the research. She said: “The objective of the research is to determine how the choice of yeast contributes to the complexity of flavours found in Scotch whisky.

“A huge amount of attention has been given to the type of cask used for maturation, but we want to focus on the early phases of the production process. We want to see what new characteristics we can bring out in a whisky from changing the yeast alone. We believe this is a key area for innovation.”

Until the mid-20^th Century, many whisky distilleries shared yeast with the local brewery or used a combination of a distiller’s yeast for alcohol and a brewer’s yeast for flavour and mouthfeel.

Since the 1950s, the most prevalent strain of yeast used in Scotland has been M strains of S.cerevisiae. A new super-strain, called MX, has recently been introduced due to its quicker and more efficient impact on fermentation. Mauri, originally from a baker’s yeast, is also still used.

Ian Stirling, co-founder of the Port of Leith Distillery, continues: “There are hundreds of commercially available yeasts and, while not all are suitable for whisky distillation, many can create unique and distinctive flavours in the new make spirit.

“Until recently, efficiency has tended to dominate the conversation about yeast. However, we’ve already seen a few companies conducting experiments with some wonderful results reaching the market. However, Scotland still lags behind the US in terms of innovation in this area.

“We have now reached the halfway point in our two-year research and development programme, in which we are experimenting with a wide range of yeasts and fermentations, drawing ideas from different sectors of the drinks industry. We want to find new flavours and styles that we can draw through to our distillate. There are a huge number of variables to consider such as how long you ferment for and at what temperature, but we firmly believe that this research will be beneficial for the industry as a whole.”

Victoria Muir-Taylor concludes: “We will be sharing the results of this project with the industry at large to benefit innovation and the continued growth and development of the Scotch whisky industry. As one of Scotland’s key exports, it is essential that we continue to push boundaries.”

The KTP will be completed in September 2020 with the findings made public.Notes 

Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling

The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) is a unique teaching and research facility at Heriot-Watt University. The Centre is based on a partnership between industry and academics and is the only institution in the UK to offer both Honours and Masters degrees in Brewing and Distilling.

With a global reputation, many of the world’s leading brewers and distillers are graduates of ICBD’s MSc course including Ross O’Hara of Green King, who was the world’s youngest Master Brewer; Martin Dickie, co-founder at BrewDog; Dr Michaela Appelbee-Miedl, global director of Product Technology for Anheuser-Busch; Kirsty Black, head distiller at Arbikie and David Wilkinson, head distiller, Edinburgh Gin.

Victoria Muir-Taylor

Victoria Muir-Taylor is another award-winning graduate of Heriot-Watt’s international Centre for Brewing and Distilling. She previously studied the potential for non-conventional yeast species in low alcohol beer, trained as a brewer with Edinburgh’s Stewart Brewing, and was a distiller at the Glasgow Distillery.

Port of Leith Distillery

The Port of Leith Distillery is a major new whisky distillery and tourism landmark planned for a site adjacent to the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. Founded by two friends from Edinburgh, the 40m tall structure is intended become a modern face for Scotch whisky and bring a distinctive approach to spirit production. With its unique, vertical design, the building will be unlike anything seen before in the Scotch whisky industry and provide visitors with an inimitable experience as they follow the production process down through the building’s gravity-led system.

Seven years after the idea was first conceived, construction is finally about to begin in September. A satellite distillery (The Tower Street Stillhouse) is now operational nearby in Leith from where the company produces Lind & Lime Gin and distributes an oloroso sherry.

Scotch whisky is made using malted barley, yeast and water.

Heriot-Watt University is The Times & The Sunday Times International University of the Year 2018

Founded in 1821, Heriot-Watt is a leader in ideas and solutions. With campuses and students across the entire globe we span the world, delivering innovation and educational excellence in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences. This email is generated from the Heriot-Watt University Group, which includes:

1. Heriot-Watt University, a Scottish charity registered under number SC000278
2. Heriot- Watt Services Limited (Oriam), Scotland’s national performance centre for sport. Heriot-Watt Services Limited is a private limited company registered is Scotland with registered number SC271030 and registered office at Research & Enterprise Services Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS.

THE MACALLAN UNVEILS NEW MASTER WHISKY MAKER

Kirsteen Campbell to lead strengthened team 

The Macallan has appointed Kirsteen Campbell, renowned throughout the industry for her expertise and knowledge, as Master Whisky Maker for its Single Malt Whisky.

She will lead a newly strengthened Whisky Mastery Team, enhanced to continue delivering the outstanding quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan.

The team now also incorporates the role of Master of Wood to reflect the complete whisky making process and the vital influence of wood on the character of The Macallan whisky. It seamlessly combines innovation with craftsmanship and heritage to continue The Macallan’s commitment to exceptional quality since 1824.

The six-strong Whisky Mastery Team includes: Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker; Stuart MacPherson, Master of Wood; Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker; Polly Logan, Whisky Maker; Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker; and Russell Greig, Sample Room Assistant.

Its formation will formally see maturation and whisky making working hand in hand from the very beginning of the journey to bring out the best of spirit and wood. It will additionally secure the legacy of almost two centuries of  whisky making heritage, by bringing together the next generation of whisky makers with The Macallan’s most experienced and skilled craftsmen and women. As part of the new approach, apprentices with natural sensory talent will learn the art of whisky making from the depth and breadth of experience within the Whisky Mastery Team.

Originally from Thurso in the Highlands, Kirsteen is the first woman to become The Macallan Master Whisky Maker in its long-standing history spanning almost 200 years. She will transition to the position from her current role within the brand’s parent company Edrington.

Embarking on her journey into the industry in 2001 with a degree in Food Science, Kirsteen worked in a new make spirits laboratory, where she discovered her passion for Scotch whisky and her extraordinary sense of smell.

Kirsteen joined Edrington in 2007 as a Whisky Quality Technologist and progressed her career to her most recent roles within for Cutty Sark, Naked Grouse, The Famous Grouse and The Glenrothes. She holds a Diploma in Distilling and has also worked at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute.

Kirsteen’s appointment and The Macallan’s enhanced focus on the art and science of whisky making and mastery of the team marks the next chapter in the history of the world-renowned single malt whisky. It follows a landmark year in 2018, which saw the opening of The Macallan Distillery Experience on Speyside, designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, and paves the way for the brand’s 200^th anniversary in 2024.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “I feel a real sense of honour and pride to be entrusted as the custodian of The Macallan, charged with leading the Whisky Mastery Team in the creation of The Macallan’s remarkable single malt whiskies. Having been a part of the wider Edrington whisky making team for over a decade, I’m really looking forward to working more closely with the team at The Macallan.

“The Macallan is at the pinnacle of whisky making across the globe and the Whisky Mastery Team will combine the whisky makers’ depth and breadth of skills and experience to drive forward The Macallan legacy for the future.”

Igor Boyadjian, Managing Director, The Macallan, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Kirsteen Campbell to the position of Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan. Kirsteen will join the Whisky Mastery Team and together they will use their skills and craft to continue to create and enhance our exceptional portfolio of whiskies.

“The appointment of Kirsteen and investment in the future legacy of The Macallan, with the strengthening of the Whisky Mastery Team, comes at an incredibly exciting time as The Macallan continues to cement its position as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. In the wake of the first anniversary of the new distillery, The Macallan is experiencing continued global growth and success, enjoying growing demand in new markets.”

For further information, visit www.themacallan.com

NOTES

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the worlds’ most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.

A Can’t-Miss Single Malt from the Speyside Legend Macallan

2007 Unnamed Speyside (Macallan) 12 Year Old “Signatory Unchillfiltered Collection” 2nd Fill Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)
“To get an idea of how absolutely unusual it is for us to find a cask of Macallan in sherry to sell as an exclusive: this is literally the first time in a decade of selecting single casks that we’ve ever offered Macallan aged in sherry.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

This is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity. From our good friends at Signatory, we’ve secured a cask of 12-year-old, sherry-aged single malt from an unnamed distillery. The truth is it’s not unnamed at all, as with a modest degree of sleuthing, we’ve determined it comes from the famed Speyside distillery: Macallan. We couldn’t believe our good fortune when we happened upon this very special cask while touring Signatory’s warehouse. Transcendent, ethereal, and sublime don’t even come close to capturing the unbridled beauty of this single malt. From the first sip, one is immediately taken by all the majesty that is Macallan. As one might expect, it is a potent expression that’s perfectly accented by its time in a second fill sherry butt. Because it is not officially labeled as Macallan, we are able to sell this singular expression for a tiny fraction of what the market demands for such a bottling. Only 604 bottles were produced, and we expect them to disappear in short order once word gets around. If you are a fan of Macallan, or simply Scotch in general, the decision is clear—you must own this bottle.

2007 Unnamed Speyside (Macallan) 12 Year Old “Signatory Unchillfiltered Collection” 2nd Fill Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)

As you might have noticed the market for Macallan has gone absolutely bonkers. We can’t get old Macallan on the shelf for under $2000 and young Macallan is completely unavailable. In fact, over the years we’ve only bottled one other young Macallan and it was likewise not named. But this is the first and only sherried Macallan we’ve ever had the honor to put our mark on. I have no clue why the distillery is divesting stocks, especially those aged in ex-sherry (even refill). We hear rumblings that the distillery needs cash flow for the extremely expensive new distillery that they’ve built. Seems unlikely. Perhaps there are cracks in the crown, but there’s no question the worldwide clamoring for the great malts from this Speyside master continues. And of course, the distillery name cannot be used on the labels, but when we saw this beautiful second fill sherry butt in the Signatory warehouse, they didn’t need to say a word. We knew immediately where it came from. Further confirmed after one tiny whiff from the barrel. Now this is a big boy, a high proof, powerful malt that does need some water to coax it out of its shell. One of the most astounding examples of this special distillery’s supremacy. The sherry is there, but the malt stands tall. Unctuous, inviting, complex, and unabashed. Truly one of the world’s great spirits, on full display like we’ve never been able to offer before.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019

To get an idea of how absolutely unusual it is for us to find a cask of Macallan in sherry to sell as an exclusive: this is literally the first time in a decade of selecting single casks that we’ve ever offered Macallan aged in sherry. Our teaspooned cask of William Hepburn three years ago was of course aged in ex-bourbon hoggies, as were the very expensive and older ones we’ve occasionally acquired as a thank-you from our best suppliers. Usually if it’s available it’s so outrageously priced we can’t even conceive of a world where our customers would consider paying a premium at, or above, the ridiculous premium the distillery already charges. So we were extremely excited to taste this gorgeous butt when our guide brought us into the warehouse. This will most closely resemble the highly sought-after Classic Cut offering that’s now popular in terms of its style, but of course we’ve got an older, single cask, and higher proof. The nose initially is punchy and full of dark malt, fudge, praline, hints of flint, and stone fruit. With air, more of the sherry character comes out, with a little bit of nutty oloroso aromatic framing the bold malt nicely. On the palate, sweet biscuits; very textured and rich, almost chocolatey finish. But this whisky at full strength is simply hidden, packed with quality, but slightly monotone. Now add water, not just a drop, but enough to see a little bit of cloudiness develop as the oils coalesce. Now we’re truly in rarefied air. The nose is now this absolutely pristine expression of exotic fruits: kiwi, passion fruit, jujubes, quince, candied lemon peel, and nougat. On the palate, the dark malt is gone and replaced with candied nuts, creamy custard, hints of lemon oil and anise. It somehow gains weight and texture with water. So if you’re one of those people that refuses to water down your whisky for whatever reason, than you should skip this. If you love to add water and experience a whisky in its many chimeric forms, then you’ll fall in love just like I did.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019

This converted me from a Macallan naysayer into a stalwart fan, and it’s a perfect example of why the distillery is a household name nigh synonymous with Scotch whisky as a whole. Powerful and dense, it does not lack one single iota of flavor. Sipped raw, it assaults the senses with crunchy, nutty malt–at once sweet and savory like hearty, homemade biscuits. With time, however, it reveals a gorgeous, seamless amalgam of flavors, and a healthy dose of water brings more of those to the forefront. Cocoa and baking spice, swathes of flowers, even hints of mango and barbecue pork reveal themselves with a cheeky confidence befitting the distillery’s reputation. And my god, that MALT–it just keeps coming, so rich and hedonistic it’s almost addictive. This bottle is dangerous and exciting, and I’m so happy it’s here.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2019

Unnamed, but not unwanted. The nose starts with soft orange and peach notes as well-worn leather emerges. Then, unexpectedly (for a Macall… um, I mean, *whatever* this is…) the nose gets earthier rather than richer. Cardamom and a little caraway show up with Earl Grey Tea. The palate combines the tea and spice with salted caramel and even more leather. Some dry fruits come out to play, but this Scotch stays away from the ultra Sherry-forward tones that *Unnamed Distillery* is often known for that I sometimes find cloying. With water, more spiced/candied orange appears and the texture gets extra heavy and oily, which is quite nice.

Cameron Hoppas | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2019

This is a pure pleasure to drink. This Unnamed Speyside has sweet cereal, a dense center of dried fruit and the perfect salted peanut brittle — medium caramel, toasted nuts and salt. What’s best is that this reminds me of the best parts of Macallan, but this unwatered-down single cask has the high proof to really make this whiskey sing.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2019

One of the many advantages of selecting casks in Scotland instead of from shipped samples is that you sometimes get a behind the scenes peak at things. This unnamed Speyside had the remnants of the distillery’s paperwork left stuck on the side of the cask. The scrap of paper just read “llan.” More than enough supporting evidence for the rich, unctuous nose – especially when paired with classic sherry notes. Big, rich, and oily, this baby truly sings with the addition of a little water. Take it a notch back from the 63.4% cask strength ABV and release gobs of burnt orange peel, candied stone fruit, and the underlying malt base for the drinking experience you always wish you could have with the standard Macallan 12.

Friday, October 11th 5-7PM: 

 Indian Whiskey: Paul John 

Take a sip of the soul of India! The Great Indian single malt whisky Paul John will be featured at this expert presented tasting. Distilled in the valley of Goa, India, Paul John whiskey is traditionally made in copper-pot sills without artificial colors, flavours, or chill-filtration. Paul John’s whiskies have received multiple international awards, including Gold from both World Whisky and Wizards of Whisky.

Click Here to 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

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