Just Whisky is now LIVE with our 18th auction. It’s a real privilege to handle some of the bottles in this month’s auction. We have an incredible selection of sought after bottling’s from many fabulous distilleries.

This month we attended the Whisky Lounge fair at the Aberdeen Conference Centre where we had the chance to meet some of our customers and twisted their arms to try a few drams on us. By far the most popular Whisky on offer was the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique – judging by the reaction, it is a Whisky perhaps deserving of it’s recent award from the World Whiskies Award 2015 – The World’s Best Single Malt Whisky. It’s some claim to fame – and no doubt will make this a popular bottle to bid on.

As well as award winning whiskies from Asia, of course we have a huge array of bottles from right here in Scotland. We’ve highlighted a few interesting lots below, but for the whole selection be sure to visit the website.

The auction comes to a close on Sunday 10th May at 8PM.

As always, we are accepting entries into our next auctions. Now is a great time to get your bottles in early to ensure their place in the June auction. Sell with us by filling in our short form available here.

MACALLAN PRIVATE EYE

The ultra-collectable Private Eye bottle of Macallan. Limited to only 5000 bottles, of which only a few hundred were ever produced with the gold rather than the black seal. Bottled in 1996 for the 35th anniversary of the famous satrical magazine Private Eye.

This special edition is also unique in that it features a superb screenprinted label by the legendary gonzo illustrator Ralph Steadman.

MAGDALENE 32 YEARS OLD 1982 – CADENHEAD’S

From William Cadenhead, Scotland’s oldest independent bottler a lovely 32 year old single malt from silent distillery St. Magdalene (Linlithgow). Distilled in 1982 and bottled in January 2015, from a single cask with an out turn of only 282 bottles.

• 58.1%vol
• 70cl

PAPPY VAN WINKLE SET X 5

An incredible selection of Pappy Van Winkle bottles including:

10 Year Old Rip Van Winkle

• 53.5% Vol (107° proof)
• 750ml12 Year Old Van Winkle Special Reserve – Lot “B”

• 45.2% Vol (90.4° Proof)
• 750ml15 Year Old  Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve

• 53.5% Vol (107° proof)
• 750ml20 Years Old Family Reserve – Comes with original red velvet bag with gold stich writing

• 45.2% Vol (90.4° proof)
• 750ml

23 Years Old Family Reserve – Comes in original black velvet bag with gold sitch writing

•  47.8% Vol (95.6° proof)
• 750ml
• Bottle No: F-2382

LAGAVULIN 12 YEARS OLD – SPECIALLY SELECTED

This very rare 80’s bottling of 12 year old Lagavulin by White Horse Distillers Ltd, with the iconic horse embossed on the bottle. The Islay malt is extremely well preserved considering its age, and is very scarce.

Scored a fantastic 94 points with Whisky Fun, Comes in box. Very hard to find in such nice condition.

• 43% vol
• 75cl

BEN WYVIS 31 YEARS OLD 1968 – SIGNATORY VINTAGE

A very rare bottling by Signatory Vintage, this is 1 of only 151 bottles drawn from cask No.687 on the 25th of February 2000. This 31 year old Single malt was distilled on the 5th June 1968 at Ben Wyvis distillery, Invergordon, Ross & Cromarty. The distillery operated from 1965 to 1977 when it fell silent and was dismantled. Not to be confused with the Ben Wyvis distillery at Dingwall (also known as Ferintosh), which operated until 1926. We beleive these to be some of the few remaining casks in existence.

Presented in original wooden box, complete with certificate of authenticity, glass stopper and tasting sample miniature.

• 50.6% vol
• 70cl
• Bottle No: 124 of 151
• Cask No: 687

HANYU VINTAGE 1985 – ICHIRO’S MALT ACE OF SPADES

This Single malt whisky is from the Hanyu distillery, that was located in a town bearing its name on the banks of the Tone river. The distillery was surrounded by barley and paddy fields. Hanyu was making malt whisky in the traditional Scottish way, but unfortunately stopped distilling in 2000.

The pot-stills and other whisky equipment were completely dismantled in 2004 because of a change of ownership. Fortunately the stock and facilities were saved by Ichiro, the grandson of the founders of the Hanyu distillery. His new distillery is now situated on the hill of Chichibu, where he was born. He started making whisky again in February 2008.

This is the mighty Ace of Spades from the highly collectible Cards series. Distilled in 1985 and matured for 21 years, f1st in Hogshead and then 2nd in Spanish Oak Sherry butt. Bottled in 2006 by Sasanokawa.

Imported by Number One Drinks Co. Ltd.

• 55% (55.7%) vol
• 700ml
• Bottle No: 107 of only 300
• Cask No: 9308

Bidding ends 8PM Sunday, and you can bid on all of the bottles at:http://www.just-whisky.co.uk/

Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml ($24.99)

For three long years, David Othenin-Girard and I have been trying to create an inexpensive, delicious, value-driven, yet simultaneously interesting expression of blended Scotch whisky that we could feature under our Faultline label. There were many times when we thought we were close, but either the quality of the whisky or the cost of the barrels proved prohibitive. We didn’t want to make a $25 bottle of whisky just for the sake of it. If we were going to do it, then we were going to it right. Finally, after working on and off with the Laings for a year-long blending process, we hammered out a profile we were happy with. Big smoke, Ardbeg-like peat flavors, and a kiss of sweet grain was our goal and we definitely achieved it in this bottle. Unlike most big brand blends, there are no coloring agents or sweeteners in the Faultline Scotch, just a pale straw colored liquid that bursts with character and, due to the heavy malt content, finishes with richness and weight. We wanted to make sure that, upon launch, there would be absolutely nothing on the market that could match the quality of flavor, price, beauty of design, and bang for the buck. After three long years, we think we’ve done it. For $25 you get one helluva bottle of Scotch. Smokier than Johnnie Black, more complex than Chivas, and less expensive than both of them. Plus, it’s an assertive 100 proof. Try it in a cocktail, pour it over ice, add in soda water. It’s the real deal. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 04, 2015

Perhaps our greatest triumph to date because making good whisky cheap (or should that read “cheap whisky good”) is DANG hard work. I don’t know if there is a product that we sell that I’ve spent more time or energy on getting right. We literally went through hundreds of samples of blended whisky from multiple suppliers. I worked meticulously with the artist to create the perfect label to exemplify this special blend. Ultimately, what we chose to blend wasn’t necessarily the most powerful or intense option, but instead the goddamned most drinkable thing we could find at any price. We insisted it not be colored and bottled at 100 proof because while it was tasty at 80 proof, a whole lot of this stuff was going to go into long drinks and over rocks. Nothing else on the market stands up so well in a drink -long, short, classic whatever! The added proof does wonders to improve the flavor not to mention add texture. The inclusion of the beautiful bevy of Islay, Island, and Highland single malt give it depth, but the lack of caramel coloring might be the real reason this worked so well. The color will undoubtedly scare some old school whisky drinkers–it’s really really light in color. We’ve been conditioned by the industry to think, darker is better. Producers believe (and not without reason) that consumers will taste with their eyes first and therefore the negative flavor effects of the chemical coloring are vastly outweighed by the psychological effects of the dark color – it should be noted that some believe the addition of caramel color might enhance flavor of blended whisky, I am not one of those people. It is indeed true that consumers prefer darker colored whisky even if it’s the exact same stuff. Conditioning is a powerful thing. If the light color is a problem for you, please close your eyes (figuratively) because we are indeed incredibly influenced by our visual perceptions and this whisky deserves a fair shake. Needless to say, I was personally very happy with the final product before it shipped, but we knew the true test would always be when the real whisky geeks got hold of it. You know the guys who NEVER hold their tongue, no matter how obviously important or irritating something might be to you. Love those guys. While some diehards thought it was “pretty darn good for the price,” as expected, other whisky heads just about fell out of their chairs when they tasted it. “How much of this stuff do you have? I’m gonna bunker at least 2 cases…no 3 cases. Do you have enough?” Music to my ears. For now, yes we have enough, for now…

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015

This whisky will eventually speak for itself. The reviews are in, the news has hit the internet, and the buzz is ablaze. You cannot beat the Faultline Blended Whisky for the money. The question now is: how much of it can you drink?

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2015

I usually only like blended Scotch that costs more than the single malts I drink, so this was a revelation. I don’t know if it is the hint of high quality peat, the extra concentration and kick from the higher proof, or the lovely sweet malty character of this blend that make it so satisfying. My father has often said that he “likes to drink expensive booze like it was cheap”- if you do too, this is a great scotch for you. It is not expensive- it just tastes like it is! For me it is the best value in Scotch in the store.

This week Joe Ellis aka Whisky Wednesday reviews and explores his own personal whisky shelf!

https://youtu.be/X3xwIXZzpTA

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

GlenDronach launches Cask Strength Batch 4

GlenDronach has today (April 28, 2015) launched Batch 4 of its luscious Cask Strength Highland single malt.

Bottled at 54.7% and comprising 17,806 bottles, The GlenDronach Cask Strength is a delicious, creamy sherry bomb! The whisky sensationally explodes on the palate with dark fruit, ginger and oak flavours to the fore, and with gingerbread, barley, roasted coffee beans and a hint of walnut softening to a long, satisfying finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “The whisky for this fourth edition in our renowned series has been carefully selected from a combination of the finest Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. Non chill filtered and of natural colour, the Cask Strength has been produced in the classic GlenDronach style.”

Master Blender Billy Walker’s tasting notes show how Batch 4 is destined to be a fantastic addition to this amazing series.

Colour

Dark rich amber with a glint of burnished copper.

Nose

Delicious molten toffee and wild honey poured over ripe figs and dates. Subtle hints of tangerine, coffee grounds and a dusting of cinnamon add a perfect balance to the nose.

Palate

Vibrant oak spices and warming stem ginger complement the rich sherry and dark fruit characteristics. Waves of sour plums and subtle gingerbread combine with stewed barley and roasted coffee beans, softened by a gentle hint of walnut.

Finish

A perfect harmony of the finest sherry casks and traditional Highland characteristics.

To celebrate the 105^th day of the year on the 15^th of April 2015, various international events were held as part of ‘Glenfarclas 105 day’ to promote Glenfarclas 105 cask strength whisky. Glenfarclas has become well known for this 60% A.B.V. whisky, it being the first distillery to commercially sell cask strength whisky.

The 105 promises real character, revealing a rich spiciness, combined with sherried fruit and dark toffee notes. Moreover this whisky has some interesting history behind it too. Its origins lie in a Grant family gathering in 1968 when George S. Grant, father of current chairman John Grant, bottled a cask at 105 degrees British Proof for Christmas. The whisky was presented to family and friends with its modest ‘105 proof’ label (now 60% in today’s A.B.V. measurement) and the evident appreciation of the dram meant that it was remembered long after the gathering – the 105 was born!

The 105^th day of the year was therefore the perfect way to make a toast to this great whisky. In the UK a ‘105 day’ online campaign with master of malt spirits retailer was launched. This included winning a signed bottle of Glenfarclas 105 for any purchase every 105 minutes throughout the day. As if that wasn’t enough of a giveaway, a twitter and facebook campaign followed offering an exceptional 3 Litre Glenfarclas 105 bottle to the winner with the best reasons & photos of ‘why you deserve the 105 the most’.

Meanwhile George Grant created a similar buzz on the other side of the world where a ‘105 day’ was being held in both Taiwan and China. The Glenfarclas 105 cask strength whisky was, of course, the main attraction, with not only discounted bottles available during the course of the Taiwanese celebration, but also 105 whisky cocktails, and chances to win 105 miniature bottles. The event had a wedding style banquet theme, complete with fire displays and entertainment. In China another 105 event was held at Ocho Cocktail Bar in Shanghai where attendees who bought a Glenfarclas 105 also received a free 105 seasoned cigar. This is the second time George Grant presented the 105 day in Asia and its popularity looks like its set to become an annual celebration for the years to come.

Glenfarclas Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/ Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257 Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234 Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK © Glenfarclas

MALTBARN

SCOTCH FRESH FROM DEUTSCHLAND

Shocked is how I would describe our faces as we finished our final sample. We were having a good old go on the entire range of Maltbarn whiskies that had just arrived from Germany. The thing with single cask bottlings is that because they are inherently unique they can also be highly variable, and this was the first time the entire staff were united behind the entire output of a single independent bottler. Unheard of…

Maltbarn are best summarised in their own words: “We don`t care about the latest hype, marketing tricks or fancy packaging. Instead we only sell whisky we love to drink ourselves!” You can’t say fairer than that, and that is also very much our approach. So it’s no wonder we were getting on so famously with their whiskies. Although I have to say we were more than a little smitten with their beautiful label designs which scream DRINK ME rather than “we don’t care about… fancy packaging”, but we won’t complain if you won’t! Don’t take our punch-drunk word for how great these whiskies are, their reviews speak for themselves, check out Whisky Fun one of our favourite reviewers.

Below you will find our current selection, and feel free to add ‘staff pick’ to every single one of these bad boys!

 THE SELECTION

Dailuaine 18 Year Old, 48.7%

This is one of those estery malts on the nose: kiwi, pear drops and granny smith apples. Spearmint and white pepper on the palate with a soupcon of sweetness. The long finish is minty with poached pears stealing through.
159 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£94.95

Glen Keith 22 Year Old, 49.4%

Butter icing, toffee and Victorian sweet shop aromas, leading to toasted oak and caramel on the palate. The finish takes its time with butterscotch and sweet spice notes. Genuinely stunning stuff from an often overlooked lost distillery.
179 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£129.95

Caol Ila 19 Year Old, 52.8%

This is Caol Ila at its very best; a salty driftwood bonfire burning on the beach under the setting summer sun. The palate is firm with that classic maritime peat with Kaffir lime leaf lending heady top notes. The finish lingers with notes of charcoal and roasted peach. 226 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£129.95

Inchgower, 38 Year Old, 47.3%

The aroma is reminiscent of a cobblestone path through a forest glade. This 38 year old has a distinct minerality, almost mezcal like. Then there is butterscotch, fruit compote, stewed tropical fruit, melon and a hint of aniseed. A finish who’s length complements the malt’s age!
54 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£249.95

Glen Elgin 29 Year Old, 45.6%

Delicious rancio aromas and flavours from that long time hanging around in an oak cask. Then there is a youthful hit of active oak, toffee, baked Bramley apples and a touch of a musty old bookshelf (in a good way!).
122 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£159.95

Burnside 25 Year Old, 50.9%

Teaspooned Balvenie anyone? This is Balvenie with a tiny amount (literally a teaspoon) of Glenfiddich added so Maltbarn can’t legally call this stuff Balvenie. Waxy at first with a slight hint of burning embers. This is chased by confectionary notes (jelly babies perhaps?). Then there is [Balvenie] honey, burnt raisin, cinnamon and a sprinkling of struck match stick. 167 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£125.95

Bunnahabhain 26 Year Old, 49.9%

A quiet West Coast harbour with seaweed drifting on the water. Then there is manuka honey, cloves, cardamom and Maldon sea salt. This whisky couldn’t be more Bunnahabhain if it tried!
121 bottles produced from a single ex-sherry butt.

£129.95

Ledaig 9 Year Old, 48.1%

A younger offering from Maltbarn. Earthy and peaty with a wonderful refreshing quality. The finish is surprisingly delicate considering the youthful nature of this intrepid malt.
141 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£69.95

Ben Nevis 16 Year Old, 53.2%

Leafy, minerally notes at first, chased with aromas of a spring meadow. The palate takes on mineral notes of slate, blackberry and a smattering of sea salt. The finish lingers with a herbacious catelogue of oregano and basil.
91 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£84.95

angus@milroys.co.uk

Milroy’s of Soho · 3 Greek Street · London, England W1D 4NX · United Kingdom

www.ralfy.com gets a terrible shock whilst creating a vlog with Whisky Review 534 – Isle of Arran 10yo single malt and a big fright!

BENRIACH LAUNCHES DUNDER, A STUNNING PEATED 18 YEAR OLD DARK RUM FINISH 

Global Whisky Distiller of the Year BenRiach today (30 April 2015) launches “Dunder”, an extraordinary Peated 18 Years Old Dark Rum finish from its Elgin distillery.

The BenRiach Dunder is a one-off bottling with only 1888 bottles available worldwide.

This intriguing new Speyside expression, from the same range as the BenRiach Albariza, takes its unusual name from the residue of cane juice left in a still after distilling a batch of rum.

Traditionally used as a yeast source in the fermentation process of Jamaican rum, it gives the rum a unique aroma and flavour.

Dunder, at 46% vol, is distilled from peated malted barley and is initially matured in American oak casks and then finished in dark rum barrels.

It combines the distinct and contrasting aromas and flavours associated with richly peated malt whisky and the elegant style of wood selected for final maturation.

The tasting notes show this is set to be an interesting addition to the BenRiach portfolio.

Colour

Summer harvest straw.

Nose

Crisp candied peel holds waves of soft peach and ripe banana dusted with Demerara sugar. Delicate rounded peat smoke combines with gentle sweet oak spices.

Taste

Dramatic peat smoke and barley complement crisp citrus zest, white pepper and fresh ginger. Caramelised orchard fruits and dried apricots develop to a rich grassy wood smoke finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Our limited edition Dunder is the latest addition to our new heavily peated range which has been warmly welcomed worldwide.

“Thanks to the sharpness of the campfire peat taste you might initially think this is an Islay malt but it is definitely a Speyside! As the aromatic sweetness of the peach and banana kicks in, it mellows to a distinctive and flavourful peated dram that will linger long in your memory.”

MAY OUTTURN: HAND PICKED

May’s Outturn sings of summer with 18 hand picked single casks bursting with juicy fruits and berries. There are also sweet summer re-unions as we say ‘hello’ to some long lost friends. Packed full of blackberries, brambles and dewberries, and making our mouths water, is the long awaited 128.5 As purple as Prince. And with its early summer promises taking us back to our youth, 70.10 Teenage Shenanigans makes a most welcomed return too. Fill your basket before we get picked clean…

Young & spritely

70.10 Teenage Shenanigans £44.00

Sweet, fruity & mellow

128.5 As purple as Prince! Low availability** £66.00

Spicy & sweet

77.38 Why? Why not? £48.10

64.59 Gymkhanas and gym class £45.00

73.30 Frivolously fresh, with playful spices £49.200

Spicy & dry

36.85 Vitality balanced by maturity £87.20

Deep, rich & dried fruits

42.15 Oscillations of light and shade £73.30

35.108 A Feast of Flavours £43.80

Old & dignified

G7.8 Sweet seduction in a car-wash – Grain Whisky £103.70

Light & delicate

26.110 Breakfast reverie £50.40

Juicy, oak & vanilla

46.31 Sniffing a bee’s knees £82.20

48.55 Tree-felling, box-ticking dram £43.80

Oily & coastal

4.207 Fulsome sweetness – quietly brooding peat £54.10

93.63 Unapologetic non-conformist £54.10

Lightly peated

10.83 Incredibly awesome! Low availability** £63.40

Peated

29.162 Surreal meal deal (on Islay) Low availability** £76.00

Heavily peated

127.43 Kissing a smoker Low availability** £60.80

66.64 A blacksmith at a barbeque

Exclusive to May Offers

Browse New Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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

New Website, New Whisky! We thought it only fitting, that we follow up the launch of our rather nifty, new website with a new ‘Rare Casks’ bottling. It’s long overdue (ok, we admit we’re picky) but we believe we’ve bagged ourselves a wee beauty…

A whisky so good, its identity’s a secret…

Abbey Whisky – The Rare Casks…

A mysterious dram…

Anonymous…

ANON.

ANON. BATCH 1 – THE RARE CASKS

REVEAL THE SECRET