Ralfy hits the jackpot with Ralfy Review 675 – Glen Scotia single malt 15yo @ 46%vol

The Art of Distilling:

Speyside Distillery launches luxury limited edition whiskies featuring stunning wildlife images 

A Scottish distillery with one of the most impressive heritages in the industry has released, for the first time, a limited edition, single malt whisky collection which will significantly enhance its global reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after exclusive brands.

Speyside Distillery, set in the foothills of the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains, has launched the luxurious PSTA/SPEY Speyside Wildlife Collection in support of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts (PSTA).

The rare whisky bottles in the new collection feature stunning portraits of the wildlife found in the vicinity of the distillery and complement the original art which features in the company’s new office, Gallery & Lounge, in Glasgow’s Art District.

The artwork has been created by Joanna McDonough, PSTA graduate and Speyside Distillery’s Artist in Residence.

The range also features, amongst others, an exquisite SPEY Byron Crystal Cabinet, decanter and eight crystal glasses which Speyside Distillery invited designated craftsmen to the Royal family, Titchmarsh & Goodwin, to create. It was designed by Joanna and John McDonough.

The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts is a charity founded by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2004 with which Speyside Distillery has a longstanding connection.

Officially launching the collection to selected guests last week Speyside Distillery CEO Mr McDonough said: “We are delighted to extend our support of the PSTA with the release of our limited edition Speyside Wildlife Collection.

“The new collection emphasises the strong connection we have with the school and the wonderful and beautiful, natural environment in which we create our single malt whisky.”

Artist in Residence at Speyside Distillery, Joanna McDonough said: “My inspiration for the artwork in the gallery, and which appears on each bottle, has drawn on the natural beauty and wildlife of Speyside.”

The distillery, operated by Speyside Distillers, has been committed to extending the ‘Art of Distilling’ into actual sponsorship of art charities through its support of the PSTA. Joanna will take up an artist in residency at Dumfries House, near Auchinleck, Ayrshire, later this year.

Speyside Distillery Managing Director Patricia Dillon said: “The launch of these rare whiskies featuring our Artist in Residence’s work and the opening of our new SPEY Gallery & Lounge is in support of the PSTA, Scotch whisky and Traditional Arts and we are delighted to be in the Glasgow Art District.”

Speyside Distillery near Kingussie has been in production since 1990 and is operated by Speyside Distillers Ltd. It is home to the SPEY from Speyside Distillery range of International award winning single malt Scotch whiskies.

Prices and more detail on the range are available on application.

Notes 

SPEY is one of the biggest selling brands in Taiwan, accounting for 70% of its total sales. It also sells in a further 34 markets around the world. The brand has recently won 5 medals at the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Awards) for expressions in the SPEY portfolio including SPEY Tenne, Fumare, Trutina, 18yo and Chairman’s Choice.

Murray McDavid would like to invite you to their ‘Malt on the Mountain’ Day to celebrate our 2017 new release of 21 inspired whiskies. This special event looks set to be one of their most fun and interesting to date. 

Ben Rinnes Mountain towers majestically over the Benrinnes Distillery and the spirit that flows from its stills is equally as impressive. In the morning, you will tour Benrinnes Distillery which is not open to the public. However, the Murray McDavid team are excited to be able to offer you a rare opportunity to step inside its doors. Then, in the local village hall, there will be traditional Scottish entertainment whilst we serve tea, coffee and refreshments. 

At 12 noon, you’ll be invited to join members of the Murray McDavid Team and others, who will set off up Ben Rinnes Mountain; a three-hour trip to the top and back. If you seek a more leisurely day, there’ll be a buffet lunch, an afternoon whisky tasting and a demonstration of barrel making by our very own cooper, who will share the secrets of his craft. 

At 3pm, there’ll be a gentle walk to Braeside, a beautiful private location with stunning views of Ben Rinnes. Here, all guests will assemble for the grand opening of a barrel of Benrinnes single malt whisky which will be enjoyed direct from the cask – a possible first in the history of Speyside! 

In the evening (7.30pm), it’s party time! There’ll be dinner, a quiz with great prizes, music and entertainment including the famous Whisky Bard, Robin Laing. But, most importantly, it’ll be an evening for enjoying lots of fine whisky with friends. 

There is a very limited number of tickets available for this exclusive whisky event. If you would like to join the Murray McDavid family for the day and buy one of the 60 available tickets, please contact Dean.Jode@Murray-McDavid.com, as soon as possible. (We are selling tickets on a first come, first served basis). There will be minibuses running to and from the village hall to local towns and hotels, so you can truly relax and enjoy the day. 

For more Information, please follow the link HERE 

Nikka

From Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries comes a range of Single Malts and Blends that continue to astound us. Extremely limited stock of Taketsuru 17 has arrived…

This week, the Milroys Curated Whisky List has chosen to showcase the excellent products they make.

BUY NOW

Nikka from the Barrel: a fantastic blend married in a sherry barrel and bottled at 51.4% to enhance the wonderful richness of the spirit. £39.95

Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt: A delicate yet complex whisky, the Miyagikyo is emboldened with floral notes and a light sweetness £76.95

Nikka Yoichi Single Malt: Characterised by it’s peaty and salty flavour, this firm shop favourite demonstrates soft harmony of flavour followed by a wisp of peat reek. £76.95

Taketsuru Pure Malt: Named after the father of Japanese whisky, this whisky demonstrates the meticulous and methodical nature of Japanese whisky through the balance of flavours between both distilleries. One of our favourite blended malts in the shop! £59.95

Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Year Old: See above, but all the spirit is a minimum of 17 Years Old. A truly outstanding whisky that is rarely available. Get it whilst you can! £225

We have also updated our tastings so please have a look and see if there is anything you would like to try!

 THE WHISKY EXCHANGE 
 QUIZ OF THE YEAR 2017 

MONDAY 21 AUGUST
7.30PM-9PM

Tickets on sale now

 THE WHISKY EXCHANGE QUIZ OF THE YEAR! 

It’s time to show off your whisky knowledge in our very first quiz.

Our team of experts have toiled to bring you an array of testing questions for the geeks, along with classic pub-quiz picture and music rounds and more. We’ll also be tasting six whiskies along the way.

There are only a couple of tables left, so don’t delay – book your spot now.

Six rounds, six whiskies:
Are you up to the challenge?

 MONDAY 21 AUGUST
7.30PM-9PM

 £25 PER TICKET   

Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

 BOOK »

VENUE

THE WHISKY EXCHANGE SHOP
@ COVENT GARDEN
2 BEDFORD STREET
LONDON WC2E 9HH

30 September – 1 October 2017, 11.30AM‑6.30PMOld Billingsgate, London

Buffalo Trace masterclass tickets on sale

THE ART OF WHISKEY

Few distilleries create such a varied range of whiskey as Buffalo Trace. Join master blender Drew Mayville for a masterclass guiding you through the history of this great distillery, tasting a host of great whiskeys including past releases from the yearly Antique Collection.

Tickets on sale Monday 14 August at 2pm LEARN MORE

Impeccably crafted flavours of Scotland: Diageo introduces the 2017 Special Releases Collection

Ten impeccable limited edition Scotch Whiskies will be released in limited quantities this autumn, as part of Diageo’s annual Special Releases collection. Highly anticipated by enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, the limited edition natural cask strength bottlings are rigorously selected each year, to form a rare and sought after collection.

For the first time ever, a limited edition Blended Malt Scotch Whisky containing whiskies from all twenty-eight active Diageo distilleries has been released. The COLLECTIVUM XXVIII is the tenth bottle to make up the Special Releases collection and the fourth NAS Malt Whisky in this series to date. Clear amber in appearance, the liquid is described as ‘enjoying real depth’ with a palate ‘all the way from dry and nutty to rich and chocolatey, with zestiness and sweetness.’

Meticulously crafted and beautifully packaged, the collection comprises some of the rarest and oldest liquids from both classic and unknown, closed distilleries. Each whisky within the range offers complex flavours of the highest quality, delivering truly memorable taste experiences for those lucky enough to drink them.

The 2017 Special Releases collection offers an extra special and rare gift alternative for this Christmas, with the whiskies in the range retailing from £90 for the LAGAVULIN 12 year old, to £2,625 for the PORT ELLEN 37 year old.

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Head of Whisky Outreach said: “The Special Releases range is always a highlight in our calendar year, it reflects the truly extraordinary range of stocks our blenders have available to them. The variety and quality of whiskies in the collection is simply impeccable. We’re looking forward to sharing this year’s collection with the world and in particular keen to see the response to the new COLLECTIVUM XXVIII.”

The PORT DUNDAS 52 year old is the oldest whisky ever released in the series, as well as the oldest bottle to ever be released by the Port Dundas distillery. The second release from the original distiller’s stocks, this is the fourth time a Single Grain Scotch Whisky has been included in an annual release. The liquid is described as ‘an excellent example of a very old grain… astonishingly rich and complex’. The GLEN ELGIN 18 year old has also made a welcome return to the range this year, a third release in this series, crafted from ex- Bodega European oak butts.

Each whisky in the 2017 Special Releases range is a limited edition, rare bottling, with four originating from closed distilleries. These whiskies have been crafted to deliver memorable taste experiences unlike any other, to be cherished and enjoyed responsibly.

Distribution/Availability

Autumn 2017, from specialist retailers in Northern Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and selected Asian markets.

List of 2017 Special Releases

BLAIR ATHOL 24 year old

Distilled 1993 ABV 58.4%

Region: Highlands

Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts

Max. 5,514 available worldwide

BRORA 34 year old

Distilled: 1982 ABV 51.9%

Region: Coastal Highlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 3,000 available worldwide

CAOL ILA 18 year old

ABV 59.8%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Limited quantities available worldwide

COLLECTIVUM XXVIII

Distilled: NAS ABV: 57.3%

Region: Speyside, Islay, Island, Lowland, Highland

Cask: Blend of Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex-Bodega European Oak and First Fill Bourbon Casks

Limited quantities available worldwide

CONVALMORE 32 year old

Distilled: 1984 ABV 48.2%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 3,972 available worldwide

GLEN ELGIN 18 year old

Distilled: 1998 ABV 54.8%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts

Max. 5,352 available worldwide

LAGAVULIN 12 year old

ABV 56.5%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Limited quantities available worldwide

PORT DUNDAS 52 year old

Distilled: 1964 ABV 44.6%

Region: Lowlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 752 available worldwide

PORT ELLEN 37 year old

Distilled: 1979 ABV 51%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill

American Oak Butts

Max. 2,988 available worldwide

TEANINICH 17 year old

Distilled: 1999 ABV: 55.9%

Region: Coastal Highlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels

Limited quantities available worldwide

About the Special Releases

During the late 1980s, the benchmark expressions of single malt whiskies from six single malt distilleries became well known under the CLASSIC MALTS name. Interest in older and rarer malt whiskies in general also grew during this period. One product of this was the RARE MALTS, a series of rarer releases begun in 1995, and which ended in 2005. There remained a demand for unusual, distinctive, often older, unrepeatable cask strength bottlings, usually of the CLASSIC MALTS. Such bottlings allowed collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to enjoy and experience remaining older stocks, and/or unusual expressions of a distillery’s character – a treasure trove of priceless malts.

To satisfy this demand, the Special Releases series was born in 2001, and the annual collection – with familiar names and some surprises – has been eagerly awaited by enthusiasts ever since.

Blair Athol, Brora, Caol Ila, Collectivum XXVIII, Convalmore, Glen Elgin, Lagavulin, Port Dundas, Port Ellen, Teaninich

About Diageo

DIAGEO

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

August Outturn brings an orchestra of fresh flavour with 6 new single casks to explore – an enthralling mix of wonderful whiskies.

CASK NO. 7.165  DANCE OF THE BUMBLEBEE

13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.7%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Rosewater, peach, mango, dried papaya and white chocolate with little pirouettes of hazelnuts, bakewell tarts and strawberry jam before revolving into marmalade, orange blossom honey, raw chocolate and sticky figs before spiced red apple chutney, salted caramel, candied fennel seeds and long lasting spice.

CASK NO. 41.85  ADD A LITTLE SPICE!

11 years old; virgin oak hogshead, heavy toast/medium char; 57.6%; Spicy & dry

Honey, orange and thyme glazed duck breast and to drink we had a Whisky Mac and a glass of dry Sercial Madeira. Diluted; an almond apricot cake and a spiced Masala chai tea. This whisky previously inhabited an ex-bourbon hogshead.

CASK NO. G4.10  COFFEE TOFFEE

34 years old; refill hogshead; 52.8%; Spicy & sweet

Old church, polished pews, wax candles and we opened a new cedar trinket filled with honey roasted mixed nuts. On the palate; rich, creamy and silky-smooth with a hint of wood spice. Diluted; a mocha java coffee with chocolate covered toffee.

CASK NO. 35.181  TO INFINITY…AND BEYOND!

21 years old; 1st fill toasted oak hogshead; 54.1%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Jamaican ginger cake, walnut brownies, banana bread, apricot tart, baked orange, dark chocolate covered gingerbread men, old oak, lavender, Cognac, wax polish, rich marmalade, Christmas spices, linseed, cinder toffee, syrup sponge and brown sugar. Then my pen ran out of

CASK NO. 66.93  SMOKED PORRIDGE

11 years old; refill hogshead; 59.9%; Lightly peated

Sea salt, scorched leather and caramelized wood with porridge. Then creamy and spicy with salted toffee, apricot and nectarine. Black pepper to finish.

CASK NO. 10.104  WILD AND UNTAMED

8 years old; refill hogshead; 60.3%; Heavily peated

We started a beach barbecue using firelighters and a few slabs of peat to grill tuna steaks. Wow, with the marinade we got an intense sweet and smoky experience neat. Diluted, we disinfected a wound before finishing with a very smoky Margarita.

SMWS Canada

AUGUST AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 27^th August)

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

MACALLAN 50 YEAR OLD (1949) GOES UNDER THE HAMMER…

Your chance to bid on one of the world’s rarest whisky!

Released by Macallan to commemorate the new millennium, this whisky is among the most sought after bottles in the world – distilled way back in 1949 (14th January) and released at 50 years old the whisky is presented in a stunning decanter designed by Caithness Glass.

The bottle is also accompanied with a stopper whereby the copper used both on the stopper and around the neck of the bottle was retrieved from the No. 9 spirit still at the Macallan distillery.

A truly exceptional and luxurious bottle presenting the unique opportunity to own one of only 900 bottles ever released.

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

Saturday, August 19th 12-3PM

Bourbon Tasting: Four Roses

Handcrafted since 1888, Four Roses Bourbon survived Prohibition, The Great Depression, Two World Wars, and 40 years of exile from the US, only to be named American Whisky Distiller of the Year for 2011, 2012 and 2013 – three years in a row – by Whisky Magazine.

Click Here to RSVP