Scotch Whisky Auctions 70th Auction Now Live – Whisky News
Hi folks. We’re live with the 70th auction. Enjoy and #dontloseyourbottle
Kind regards from Glasgow
The SWA Team
Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.
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Hi folks. We’re live with the 70th auction. Enjoy and #dontloseyourbottle
Kind regards from Glasgow
The SWA Team
Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak.
This is the modern interpretation of the Macallan style for which the distillery is so well known – refined, rich, and rounded with plenty of sherry cask influence. Very definitely a dram to be enjoyed with friends. Fresh fruit salad and charming cloves on the nose. The palate has dark fruits, Christmas cake and rich almonds before stewed apples and the sweetest prunes on the finish.
Highland Park Dark Origins
Celebrates Magnus Eunson, the founder of the distillery, this expression uses double the amount of first fill sherry casks normally found in Highland Park bottlings. Bitter chocolate on the nose with pears, over-ripe banana and a touch of cinnamon. The palate is rich with spices on a faintly peaty base, honey and red berries before chocolate-dipped dark fruits behind sweet smoke in the finish.
SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY RESTAURANT SCOOPS AA AWARD
Innovative dishes and use of local seasonal produce sees The Dining Room earn two AA rosettes
The team at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Dining Room restaurant is celebrating after being awarded two AA rosettes.
The Dining Room restaurant, on the first floor of the Society’s 28 Queen Street venue in Edinburgh, was recognised for its culinary excellence and the work of head chef James Freeman and his team.
Freeman’s inventive menu combines traditional fine dining with seasonal local ingredients and beautiful yet unfussy presentation. His dishes include lobster cannelloni with fennel puree, orange and tarragon cream, and roast wood pigeon with elderberry, onion and red cabbage.
The restaurant was recently relaunched with a new stylish contemporary look and expanded capacity as part of a makeover of the Society’s Georgian townhouse at 28 Queen Street venue, which now includes Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar & Shop on the ground floor.
UK Operations Manager, Jan Willem-Damen, credited the achievement to the hard work of head chef, James Freeman, who has worked with the Society for over 15 years.
Jan said: “It’s fantastic to have been awarded two AA Rosettes. In James, we have an extremely talented chef in the kitchen who creates innovative dishes using quality, local produce. Together with manager Francois Guillemet, The Dining Room team is an incredible asset to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and are key to the success behind the restaurant.”
The Dining Room will feature in the 2018 edition of AA Restaurant Guide.
http://www.thediningroomedinburgh.co.uk/
Notes:
About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
For more details, visit https://www.smws.com/society-membership
Glenturret 16 Year Old – Fly’s 16 Master Edition
We’ve managed to secure further stock of this wonderful Glenturret, a limited edition bottling, aged for 16 years and released to celebrate a unique and historic tail. An award winning malt, rated 96 points by Jim Murray, receiving a ‘Liquid Gold Award’ in the 2017 whisky bible.
Limited stock available for only £89.98.
(RRP £95.00)
“It is, as is fitting to old Fly, the dog’s bollocks…”
Jim Murray – The Whisky Bible 2017
The inspiration for this bottling came from a photo which was unearthed at the distillery, which dated back to 1905. It pictured 16 stillman and a collie dog called Fly, which was believed to be the distillery managers dog.
The Milroys Insider.
Patricks Picks. Vol. 1
~Weekly insight into the best of the best~
STAGG JUNIOR RETURNS TO MILROYS.
Looking for a bottle of Stagg Junior? Can’t find it anywhere else? Not to worry, we have stock!
Order direct from our website or call the shop on 0207 734 2277.
Stagg Jr shares many characteristics with its older brother George T Stagg. It’s big, it’s bold and it’s high strength! The first batch has been aged for between 8 and 9 years with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavours. Bold, brave and burley. The younger brother of the Stagg senior, this bittersweet dram is something to be witnessed and drunk with caution at 66.05%, it’s a bourbon fans dream without breaking your wallet.
Ralfy sails into the Atlantic off the coast of Africa with Whisky Review 620 – Glenfiddich 19yo Madeira cask finish.

Premium American Whiskey Portfolio Launches New Bottle and Label Design –
Redemption Rye, Bourbon, and High Rye Bourbon
NEW YORK, NY, January 20, 2016 – With the acquisition of Redemption Whiskey one year ago, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits entered the most dynamic segment of the spirits business: Premium American whiskey. To further the brand’s mission to reclaim rye and cement Redemption Whiskey’s status as a leading rye brand distinctive for its high rye content, high proof, quality aging and blending techniques, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits announces a new bottle and label design, debuting November 2016.
The brand refresh is the first major evolution for Redemption Whiskey which was founded in 2010 when a cache of rye whiskey barrels, believed to be the perfect expression of the spirit were discovered just as the rye category was beginning to re-emerge. The whiskey, made with a combination of high-rye content and high proof, is sourced in Indiana at the Old Seagram’s Distillery (now owned by MGP Ingredients). While the law states that a whiskey must be 51% rye to be classified as a rye, Redemption Rye’s mash bill contains 95% rye, aged in charred new oak barrels. The brand’s award-winning portfolio also includes two bourbons: Redemption Bourbon and Redemption High Rye Bourbon, and a collection of Limited Edition Aged Barrel Proof selections released in small quantities each year.
Redemption’s new look and feel begins with a custom bottle reshape for the entire range, which has been molded with a concave back, offering a firmer grip for bartenders to handle the bottle. Upgraded features include a bold typeface, leather-like label and a cork. A rye frond is embossed onto the front of every bottle, along with a story about the pre-prohibition whiskey revival in America printed on each label:
“Rye Whiskey was once the preferred spirit in the United States. Prohibition changed that and Rye was nearly forgotten. Redemption is bringing back Rye, restoring it to its rightful place.”
“Last year we completed a most important strategic acquisition; the addition of Redemption Whiskey to the Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits portfolio,” says Tom Steffanci, President of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. “Since then we’ve spent a lot of time listening to consumers and bartenders, and armed with their input we designed new packaging that takes cues from a bygone era when rye was king in America. The brand’s new look better reflects Redemption Whiskey’s personality and showcases rye’s uniquely American personality. We intend to bring rye back to its pre-prohibition glory.”
Every Redemption bottle continues to be numbered to reflect the batch, an indication of the attention to detail put into making the final product. Redemption is available nationwide and new packaging will begin to hit shelves this month:
Redemption Rye Whiskey: 92 Proof; $29.99 SRP
A true expression of the grain, that starts with a high rye mash bill of 95% – using the highest quality European rye grain available worldwide and 5% malted barley, aged in new charred American oak barrels to an average of 2.5 years. Flavored with light floral and citrus notes. Slight mint, anise and dry baking spices (cinnamon, allspice and clove) on the finish. A blend of young and older whiskies that pushes the flavor forward and magnifies the unique profile of the grain. Proofed to 92%, Redemption Rye maintains all of its spicy complexity, while still managing to taste exceptionally smooth. Ideal for sipping or mixing in classic cocktails such as a Manhattan, Sazerac or Boulevardier.
Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% barley
Redemption Bourbon: 84 Proof; $29.99 SRP
A high amount of corn gives this American bourbon a classic sweet taste while the wood imparts notes of vanilla, butterscotch, toffee and caramel. The rye adds light spice flavors paired with a hint of citrus in the form of orange peel. Bottled at 84 proof for a lighter and smoother experience; enjoy on the rocks or in mixed drinks.
Mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley
Redemption High Rye Bourbon: 92 Proof; $29.99 SRP
mash bill, creating a rye-forward bourbon that is 92% proof. Dynamic balance of sweet and dry; enjoy neat or in classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned.
Mash bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% barley
About Redemption Whiskey
Redemption Whiskey, founded in 2010, was created when a cache of rye whiskey barrels, believed to be the perfect expression of the American spirit, were found, just as the Rye category was beginning to reemerge. Distinctive for its high rye content, high proof, quality aging and blending techniques, the whiskey is sourced in Indiana at the Old Seagram’s Distillery (now owned by MGP Ingredients). A combination of high rye content and high proof allows the whiskey to gain significant flavor in new charred oak barrels. Each bottle of Redemption whiskey is hand numbered to reflect the batch, an indication of the attention to detail put into making the final product. For more information visit: http://www.redemptionrye.com/ and follow on Instagram @RedemptionWhiskey.
About Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Initially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a Spirits Portfolio. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill’s son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry.
The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ], [ yellow tail ] The Reserve, [ yellow tail ] Bubbles; California: Eppa SupraFruta Sangria, Girard Winery, Kunde Family Estate, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars, The Calling; France: Andre Lurton, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils, Vidal- Fleury; Italy: Barone Fini, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Spain: Mar De Frades, Cruz de Alba, and Ramon Bilbao Vinos Y Vinedo; Argentina: Ruta 22, and award-winning spirits from LUKSUSOWA Vodka (Poland), VILLA MASSA® Limoncello (Italy), LICOR 43® (Spain) and REDEMPTION Whiskey (U.S.A.). www.deutschfamily.com
Classic bourbon flavor with strong notes of rye and dry baking spices, vanilla and caramel flavors. A recipe that approaches the maximum amount of rye in a bourbon
Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose Springbank.
Hello everyone!
I hope 2017 is treating you well so far. I’m sure it is. We are all back at work, some of our sales team have even been away to whisky shows already. Life in Campbeltown plows on as usual, largely unaffected by the outside world. It has not been that cold though (relatively speaking) considering it is January in Scotland. I’m sure winter will come.
And when it does we have whisky to keep us warm and on that note…
I am pleased to be writing to you all to talk about 2 Springbank releases.
Springbank 25yo
Yes, it’s finally ready. After unfortunate delays, I am pleased to say the new Springbank 25yo (46% abv) is bottled and ready to go.
Tasting notes
Nose: Lots of fruit with a mixture of grapefruit peel, dried tropical fruits, wine gums and a touch of cassis
Palette: Orange peel, honeycomb, brandy snaps, black pepper and tobacco leaf
Finish: Mineral notes combining with fennel, tea leaf and leather against a background of soft burning embers
It is available in our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop now and elsewhere in the UK from the end of this week. Releases in other countries/markets will vary throughout the weeks ahead. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting shop@wmcadenhead.com .
If you would like to buy it directly from us you can contact our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop by calling +44 (0)1586 551710 or email shop@wmcadenhead.com. I will not be taking orders for this as I am not aware of our shop’s stock or allocation. There will be approximately 900 bottles available worldwide.
Need to know:
Springbank 12yo Cask Strength
The second bottling I am happy to tell you all about is the Springbank 12yo CS, matured in 70% Sherry casks, 30% Bourbon casks and bottled at 54.2%.
Tasting notes
Nose: Forest full of pine and chestnut trees with iodine and a hint of peat
Palette: rich citrus marmalade on toast and toasted marshmallows, hint of vanilla and pepper. Meaty.
Finish: Viscous, with salty edge. Ham join marinated in a honey sauce.
It is available in our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop now and elsewhere in the UK from the end of this week. Releases in other countries/markets will vary throughout the weeks ahead. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting http://www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors/.If you would like to buy it directly from us you can contact our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop by calling +44 (0)1586 551710 or email shop@wmcadenhead.com. I will not be taking orders for this as I am not aware of our shop’s stock or allocation.
Need to know:
As you should all see below, there are some product sheets attached to this email which has tasting notes and other product information on them in a bit more detail than I included above. I am sure we shall all speak soon.
Slainte,
Nathan
For the Springbank Society
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/officialspringbankwhisky/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Springbank1828
Instagram – Search Springbank Whisky (@springbankwhisky1828)
(I hope enough of you got the Trainspotting reference at the start of the newsletter)
Please contact Nathan if you wish to join the Springbank Society