Diageo policy on plastic straws

In December 2017 we confirmed a new policy in relation to the use and promotion of plastic straws and plastic drink stirrers by our business and brands.

Commenting on the policy, David Croft, Global Sustainable Development Director said:

“Diageo is committed to minimising our environmental impact and we are, like many of our consumers, increasingly concerned about the negative environmental impact associated with the irresponsible disposal of plastic straws. We are therefore committed to phasing out the use of all plastic straws and stirrers from all our offices, events, promotions, advertising and marketing globally – and will advocate the same to our partners and customers. When the use of straws is important to the enjoyment of our brands we will only use reusable, compostable or biodegradable alternatives.”

We have a comprehensive approach to managing the environmental impact of our packaging – an integral part of our Diageo Sustainability & Responsibility 2020 Targets. Specifically we have committed to reduce the overall weight of our packaging, increase the level of recycled materials we use in our packaging, and ensuring all our packaging is recyclable as set out in our Diageo Supplementary Guideline on Plastics and our Sustainable Packaging Commitments.

The Whisky Exchange Blog Review of 2017

It was a busy year, 2017. Lots of new things to drink, lots of tastings to attend and lots of new posts on the blog. So, before we properly commit to 2018 (it’s only a day old, and we’re not sure of it yet) here’s what happened last year:

Jim Murray…in January?

It’s no secret that our annual posting of Jim Murray’s picks for the whiskies of the year is one of our most popular posts. But last year we got a triple dose of Jim, with an exclusive two-part interview popping up in January. It gave us an insight into Mr Murray’s take on the whisky world as well as what the front cover of the Whisky Bible 2017 was all about – yellow eyes and Jim as Luke Skywalker? Part 1 and part 2.

Despite claims to the contrary, Jim’s eyes do not glow in real life

And then, of course, there were the 2018 picks themselves themselves – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018 winners. In usual fashion, the World Whisky of the Year is one that’s not easy to find here in the UK, but with the next two spots going to Redbreast 21yo and Glen Grant 18yo we have a chance of seeing whether we agree with Jim – when they’re back in stock…

People

We met lots of interesting drinks people this year. While we managed to have a chat with a few of them – Buffalo Trace’s Drew Mayville, Benriach and Glendronach’s Stewart Buchanan, Cotswolds’ Dan Szor, Old Pulteney’s Malcolm Waring, and Ardbeg and Glenmorangie’s Brendan McCarron – we also convinced some others to write us guest posts: Sexy Fish’s Jerome Allaguillemette and his love of Japanese whisky and Compass Box’s John Glaser’s on the importance of blended whisky,  We even managed to convince TWE boss Sukhinder Singh to write about whisky investment and his love of Irish whiskey. Hopefully we’ll see more from him in the new year…

The cornerstones of the year

There are a few events that pop up each year that we really like. First was Feis Ile: the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. While we generally see it as a whisky festival, there’s loads going on during the week, and The Whisky Exchange was up on Islay running a pop-up old and rare whisky bar. We’re still working out if we can make it again this year, but in the meantime you can live vicariously through my pictures of the trip.

Port Ellen in the sun. Can you spot the excitable Whisky Exchange events manager?

Next was my favourite launch of the year, the Diageo Special Releases. Ten great whiskies, including the now-obligatory ‘annoy the whisky geeks’ entry: Collectivum XVIII – a blended malt made up of whisky from all 28 of Diageo’s working malt distilleries. I liked it… You can find the remaining bottles from this year’s line-up on our Diageo Special Releases 2017 page.

And not forgetting our Whisky of the Year, as chosen by our customers: Bowmore 15 Year Old. They may have taken the word ‘Darkest’ off the label in the latest rebranding, but it’s still the same great combination of sherry, fruit and gentle smoke that we know and love. A worthy winner.

2018…

We’ve got The Whisky Show: Old & Rare in February and the 10th anniversary edition of The Whisky Show in October already in the calendar. Along with that, we are lining up loads of great tastings in central London – sign up here to be the first to hear about them. We’ve got a load of great new Whisky Exchange exclusives on their way and the ‘save the date’ emails have already started arriving from the producers for new releases, so we certainly won’t be lacking for tasty things to drink.

Happy New Year!

Burns Night in Soho

On Thursday 25th January 2018, Blade Hairclub in Soho will be raising a glass to the famous bard, Rabbie Burns. Celebrating with whisky tastings and cocktails, the evening is sure to attract both Scots and Londoners with a penchant for whisky alike.

Priding itself as stocking some of the best whisky selections in town, Blade’s owner Stroo has stocked his subterranean bar with a fine hand-picked selection of whiskies from across the world. Personal favourites include the Bunnahabhain 26, Springbank 15 and Kilkerran 12.

This Burns Night, Blade is inviting every guest through the door to indulge in whisky tastings coupled with delicious whisky cocktails.

Blade Hairclub is an innovative bar and hair concept, combining great cuts and treatments from a bright young team of talented stylists, with an invitation to indulge in a meticulously curated drinks menu, created in-house and served from a cosy bar.

HOW TO HOST

YOUR OWN BURNS SUPPER

This month we’re giving thanks for the extraordinary life and work of Robert Burns, the ploughman poet whose life and work is remembered on or around 25 January, the anniversary of his birth in 1759.

The Burns Supper is a worldwide event and has grown to include certain key elements. But as a maverick himself, we’re confident Burns would have approved of any form of celebration – as long as it includes a few drams.

If you can’t make it to one of the Society’s official events, why not organise a Burns Supper of your own?

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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

Kentucky Owl 11 Year Old Rye Whiskey (750ml) $139.99 View

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L7233K1007 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View

Ask The Experts! – Whisky Clubs 

Join Pat Dunlop of thewhiskymafia.com as he explores the ins and outs of starting a managing a private whisky club. Consulting leading figures in the Toronto Whisky Society, Wee Rock Whisky Club, Smoke and Dirt and Whisky Club Ypenburg, The Whisky Mafia has curated some truly expert advice and insight. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about whisky clubs but were afraid to ask! Click here.

Blair Athol 22 Year Old 1995

Blair Athol 22 Year Old 1995 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry cask #14456 bottled 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the First Editions series. 210 bottles. A nose of oranges, seasoned wood, and cooking herbs. The palate has notes of caramel, fresh malt and pepper. The finish is long with toffee and spice. Blair Athol Distillery was established in 1798 in Pitlochry and with footprints in four centuries it is one of oldest working malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. Purchased by Arthur Bell & Sons in1933 it is the spiritual ‘home’ of Arthur Bell’s range of blended scotch whisky complete with distillery visitor centre and Blair Athol Distillery tours. Although a large proportion of Blair Athol’s malt whisky cascades into blends, Bell’s to be precise, independent bottlings of Blair Athol single malts feature in the popular Connoisseurs Choice and Signatory Vintage ranges. ABV:55.6% Age:22 Year Old Vintage: 1995 Cask Type: Refill Sherry Cask #: #14456 Bottler: Hunter Laing & Co. Region: Highland

Buy – £103.00

DALMORE LEGENDARY RELEASE FEATURES AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

Dalmore Eos-59 year old, estimated at HK$220,000 – $280,000

Bonhams upcoming Whisky sale leads with two exceptional bottles from the Dalmore Legendary Release, a limited edition showcasing the depth and quality of the celebrated distillery’s aged stock and supervised under the skills of its Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, one of the most influential characters in the industry.

The sale takes place in Hong Kong on Friday 2 February at 6pm with a total of 358 lots and also features a selection of Silver Seal Decanters and a Macallan Millennium Decanter. 

From the Dalmore Legendary collection, the sale brings the Dalmore Eos-59 year old, estimated at HK$220,000 – $280,000. With only 20 bottles ever released, it was named after the Titan goddess of the dawn, Eos, and is a highly prized expression crafted from two outstanding sherry casks. The casks were left to mature from 1951 before both were combined to create this truly brilliant whisky. Equally distinguished, the Dalmore Selene-58 year old is estimated at HK$200,000 – $260,000. Only 30 bottles were ever released and this vintage was so magnificent it required a name of equal magnitude. The name Selene was chosen after the Titan goddess of the moon. The Dalmore Selene brings together two extraordinary sherry casks, number 1781 and 1782, both had been left to mature since 1951. Over half a century passed before the Master Distiller deemed it the time right to combine them and create this phenomenal whisky.

Other Dalmore whiskies in the February auction include two bottles from the Constellation Collection including Dalmore Ceti-30 year old (estimated at HK$12,000-16,000) and Dalmore Astrum-40 year old (estimated at $33,000-43,000).

Bonhams Head of Fine Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong, Daniel Lam, said, “Richard Paterson, also known as “The Nose”, has over 50 years’ experience in creating master piece whiskies like no other and this collection of Legendary Release is a testament to that unflinching commitment. The limited production, premium quality, and prestigious craftsmanship are all factors that attribute to the success of Dalmore and make it highly sought after by private collectors.” 

Silver Seal Decanters:

The sale boasts an extensive selection of Sestante’s Silver Seal decanters including a bottle of Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 Bohemian Moser Decanter, estimated at HK$65,000 – 85,000. Started in 1979, Silver Seal is regarded as the successor of the highly acclaimed Italian whisky bottler Sestante, which ceased to operate around 1990. The original Sestante bottlings are rare gems treasured by collectors.

Other Silver Seal decanters include Macallan-1964 Decanter (estimated at HK$40,000 – 50,000), Macallan-Glenlivet-1954 Decanter (estimated at HK$45,000 – 60,000) and Macallan-1979-25 year old Decanter (estimated at HK$35,000-$45,000)

Macallan Millennium Decanter:

The sale also includes a bottle of Macallan Millennium, estimated at HK$200,000 – 260,000. Limited to 900 bottles, this whisky was distilled in 1949 and aged for 50 years in Spanish oak Sherry casks, and bottled in 1999. With a taste described as “Christmas cake-style fruit”, The Macallan Millennium is thought to be the greatest aged Macallan whisky.

Other highlights include Brora-1982-35 year old (estimated at HK$45,000-$60,000; only 217 bottles released); Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Ace of Spades (estimated at HK$70,000-$90,000; only 300 bottles released); and Yamazaki-1984 (estimated at HK$38,000 – 48,000; only 2500 bottles released).

Preview dates: Hong Kong at Bonhams, Suite 2001, One Pacific Place, Admiralty Tuesday 30 January–Thursday 1 February; 10am–6pm Friday 2 February; 10am–5pm

Fine Wine and Whisky Sale

Bonhams, Suite 2001, One Pacific Place, AdmiraltyFriday 2 February, 2018 at 6.00 p.m.Specialist: Daniel Lam Head of Fine Wine and Whisky

Contact

For further information and images call Louise Oram on +852 6892 1171 (Hong Kong), or email louiseorampr@gmail.com or press@bonhams.com.

About Bonhams 

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

Michel Couvreur Whisky

France’s passion and thirst for whisky is well known and especially for Scotch. It’s unusual that until recently that as a country France has not distilled their own whisky. Finally, we’re seeing new French whiskies arriving at market, but the label of Michel Couvreur is an entirely different proposition.

View all Michel Couvreur Whisky

Bardstown Bourbon Company “Collabor&tion – Mistelle Barrel Finish” Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($124.99)

The Collaboration series is the first release of whiskey from Kentucky’s soon-to-be star Bardstown Bourbon Company, a project done in “collaboration” with Louisville brandy specialists Copper & Kings. Using 10 year old stocks of Bourbon distilled at MGP in Indiana, BBCo finished each of the whiskies for an additional 18 months in two different types of casks: American brandy and Muscat Mistelle. Made from 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, the Collabor&tion expression aged in Mistelle barrels has an incredible viscosity and chewiness to its texture from the time spent in the used casks. Mistelle is unfermented grape juice (in this case Muscat) fortified with un-aged brandy (Muscat eau-de-vie) and then aged in bourbon barrels for 18 months. The empty barrels are deeply and highly caramelized with the grape sugars and fruit essences and the Collabor&tion whiskey aged in these barrels is pure joy. It’s a completely novel sensory experience; deeply concentrated, rich whiskey that has a supple, fruity, and absolutely delicious finish. It’s both an incredibly unique and divine tasting experience. Bottled at 47% cask strength ABV. NOTE: Due to the shape of the Collabor&ation bottle it cannot be consolidated with other bottles shipping and must ship in its own individual package.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 05, 2017

This is a wonderful addition to the bourbon selection. It is both elegant and tasty with elegant and inviting aromas. In the mouth it is both interesting and tasty. This is not a heavy bourbon and there is a very nice spice element. There is a nice complex finish.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 29, 2017

If you’ve ever walked into the store and asked the objectively silly question, “What rare bourbons do you have in stock at a good price?” This is your chance! These are extremely limited, ultra rare bourbons that taste absolutely delicious, unique, and are down right affordable when you consider the other criteria. Mistelle, if you’re unfamiliar, is just fortified grape juice (and super tasty). Due to the mistelle cask finish, this bourbon screams out with sensational fruit, you can tell there is a sweetness and intensity to it from the nose, much like a PX-aged Scotch, but with more floral and stone fruit tones, less rancio. The texture is powerful, round and unctuous. And the bourbon itself…10 year old+ goodness bottled at 47%. That in itself is worth a fortune these days, add the most interesting and tasty cask finish I’ve seen this year and you’ve got a winner for those bold enough to actually ask, “what’s rare and in stock?”

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 29, 2017

I LOVE the Mistelle finish on this and it’s funny because I thought my co-workers and customers would prefer the classic profile of the American brandy expression, but I was wrong. The sweetness and the texture provided by the liqueur finish is simply sensational here and the orange peel notes from the Mistelle really blend well into the baking spices of the bourbon. It’s done with a balanced hand all the way through and the flavor of the whiskey never gets lost in the mix. Don’t miss out on this one.