THE GLENFIDDICH 50 YEAR OLD IS TOP SELLER AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH  

A bottle of The Glenfiddich 50 year old was sold for £13,750 at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh last week making it the most expensive lot of the day. 

It was bottled on 26th July 1991, carried the number 416 and came in its own wooden presentation case. 

A bottle of the Macallan Select Reserve-51 year old-1948, which had been estimated at £4,000-6,000, made £7,500 and The Macallan-1938 also exceeded its estimate of £3,000-3,500 selling for £4,375. 

There was fierce bidding on a bottle of Ardberg 15 year old (est £250-300) which eventually sold for £3,500 and also on a bottle of Bowmore 1955 which went for £3,125 against its estimate of £900-1,000. 

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, commented:” Interest in whisky auctions remains high not just in the UK but across the world. This year we’ve seen a particular increase in bidders and buyers from Europe and the Far East.”  

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to http://www.bonhams.com/.

#DAVINTT2 Canadian Whisky Twitter Tasting and Treasure Hunt 

After three Sunday of Canadian whisky Twitter tastings and talk it’s down to the wire for the Canadian whisky treasure hunt.  Those who were there know the rules.  Everyone loves prizes so if you want to join now go to #DavinTT2 on Twitter and see what we were up to.  Just to make sure everyone has the questions, here is a complete list:  All answers are found in the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert.

1. What is the primary grain distilled at each of Alberta’s three distilleries?
2. What is the oldest whisky bottled in Canada in the past decade?
3. True or false: Late 18th Century Canadian whiskies were blended.
4. In what year did Thomas Molson first distilled his whisky?
5. Where was Henry Corby born?
6. In what year did the Government of Canada introduce the practice of bottling in bond?
7. True or False: The practice of using the “sour mash” process is unique to the United States and never used in making Canadian Whisky.
8. What process essentially lead to the development of Canadian Club’s “secret recipe?”
9. According to the Montreal Gazette, what was the largest distillery in the world in the early 1860’s?
10.  True or False: Despite being known as one of Canada’s best-known distillers, Hiram Walker lived the majority of his life in the United States.
11. What three major whisky companies distil their whisky at Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor?
12. What three ingredients are used to make whisky?
13. Which fully aged Canadian whisky is as colourless as vodka?
14. Which Canadian Distiller became a Member of Parliament in 1878?
15. What distillery is built on the banks of the MacLellan’s Brook?
16. What is the largest distillery operating in Canada today?
17. On what page of Davin’s book will you find Mark Gillespie’s name listed?
18. Although J.P. Wiser’s name is on the company, who can be credited with much of Wiser’s financial success?
19. At the time that this book was written, how many distilleries were producing Canadian Whisky?
20. Which Scottish Distillery was Glenora distillery closely associated with?
21.  

CANADIANA BASKET of goodies contains:   15, YES 15! – 60ml samples of Canadian Whiskies.  You’ll find:

1. Alberta Premium 30 year old (rare)
2. Bush Pilot (very rare and discontinued)
3. Canadian Club 15 (rare and discontinued)
4. Collingwood 21 year old, 100% rye whisky (BRAND NEW)
5. Forty Creek John’s Private Cask (rare and discontinued)
6. Gibson’s 16 from the 1980’s (very rare)
7. Highwood 90 – 5 year old (BRAND NEW)
8. Highwood 90 – 20 year old (BRAND NEW)
9. Masterson’s 100% Barley (BRAND NEW)
10. Masterson’s 100% Wheat (BRAND NEW)
11. Stalk & Barrel Single Malt, Cask 5 (USA release only)
12. Wiser’s Legacy 

And a few more that the organisers are leaving as surprises at this time!  Also in the basket:  Canadiana goodies such as delicious maple syrup, a Canadian Glencairn glass, and much more!

The last five Scavenger questions can be found on the following 5 whisky sites:

WhiskyIsrael http://whiskyisrael.co.il/2013/12/15/davintt2-scavenger-hunt-question-25/

Whiskycorner http://whiskycorner.co.uk/news/davin-tt2-scavenger-hunt-q24/

Whisky Discovery http://www.whisky-discovery.blogspot.ca/

WhiskyPlus http://www.whiskyplus.ca/nouvelles/davintt2-scavenger-hunt-question-22/

Bozzy http://www.bozzy.org/

All Scavenger Hunt answers to be submitted no later than December 28th 2013 to whiskylassie@gmail.com.  Join Davin on Sunday December 29^th at 3:00pm EST on twitter where the answers will be revealed as well as the winner of the Scavenger Hunt.

Check out Davin de Kergommeaux website http://www.canadianwhisky.org/ for details on how to buy his book:  Canadian Whisky, the Portable Expert.

OH WAIT… there’s one more thing:  There’s a bonus Scavenger Hunt question for those who want to try and score an extra 5 POINTS.  It will be revealed on Saturday December 21^st by the only NON-CANADIAN ever to judge the Canadian Whisky Awards.  That’s the only information we are giving you, you’ll have to figure out where to go look for this clue.  

www.ralfy.com replaces the latest vlog with a fresh one that actually has proper sound ! (Whisky Review 417 – Macallan Directors Edition (Re-recorded)

www.ralfy.com spends an informative moment with Whisky Review 417 – Macallan Directors Edition

FREE FESTIVE TASTINGS AT NICKOLLS AND PERKS!

Friday 20th & Saturday 21st – Stan Reid – Benromach Malt Whisky & Brudar Whisky Honey Liqueur. You’re welcome to join us for an informal drop-in tasting between 4 & 7 p.m of these cheering, warming tipples as the days get colder and shorter.

DIAGEO WELCOMES GEORGIE BELL AS NEW GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR MORTLACH

WORLD’S FIRST WHISKY INSPIRED 3D ART EXHIBITION HAS LANDED IN HEATHROW TERMINAL 5 

JOHNNIE WALKER^® BLUE LABEL^TM GALLERY lights up London Heathrow Airport and provides launch platform for the Travel Exclusive London Limited Edition Bottle 

DIAGEO Global Travel & Middle East (GTME), 13 DECEMBER 2013 – You will no doubt have heard of a message in a bottle but perhaps not a 3D art exhibition on a bottle. JOHNNIE WALKER^® BLUE LABEL^TM, the world’s leading ultra-premium Scotch whisky, has launched an immersive experience for travellers with the creation of its own art galleries with a difference, one of which is now being showcased in Heathrow’s Terminal 5. 

These creative gallery spaces, which are being installed in international airports worldwide, are designed to exhibit some of the world’s most talented and upcoming artists’ unique interpretations of ‘The Rare Blend’ and pay homage to the rarity and craftsmanship synonymous with JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL.  Exhibiting the artists’ remarkable work in the airport environment reflects the true and unique travel credentials of the brand.   To date, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Galleries have launched in Singapore Changi Airport and Miami International and this latest gallery in London’s Heathrow airport has been extremely well received by passengers, who have been enjoying exploring the space and discovering more about one of the world’s rarest whiskies. 

To celebrate the opening of the travel retail exhibition and in conjunction with World Duty Free Group, JOHNNIE WALKER has created 750 limited edition JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL bottles, etched with the London skyline in a rare gold liquid imprint. These will be available exclusively for purchase in World Duty Free stores in all Heathrow Terminals between now and the end of February 2014, covering the key purchasing periods of Christmas, the increase in Russian and Chinese flights in the New Year and Valentine’s Day. 

Commenting on the arrival of the new JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Galleries, Paul Downing, Regional Director, GTME Key Accounts, Diageo said, “We are delighted to unveil this immersive art experience to Heathrow travellers.  The creation of this unique JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Gallery in Heathrow airport reinforces our true commitment to the travel retail sector and to providing our customers with unique and innovative travel experiences and products.” 

Eugenio Andrades, Chief Commercial Officer at World Duty Free Group adds, “This exciting initiative demonstrates the strength of the relationship we have with Diageo and Heathrow.  We have worked in close collaboration with the brand and the airport, to help bring this experiential event to travellers visiting Terminal 5.  This is a very customer focused activity and we are delighted to be able to offer passengers the unique opportunity to sample one of the world’s most exceptional whiskies; JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL.  In addition, we have secured exclusivity on the exceptional London Limited Edition bottle, with its artistic interpretation of the London skyline making it the perfect product to gift, or to keep as a personal memento of a trip to this inspiring city!”   

Notes 

The JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Gallery at London’s Heathrow Airport exhibits the exceptional work of Kai & Sunny and Shotopop, whose artwork is explained in more detail below: 

• Kai & Sunny

An artist duo based in London; they have exhibited internationally, collaborated with designers such as Alexander McQueen, and recently been acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum print collection. Inspired by the rare character of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL – Rich.Lingering. Intense – Kai &Sunny’s creation blends the whisky’s signature flavour with their signature line work. The result is a mesmerising animation where the simple becomes complex in an ever-changing cycle of smooth lines. A fitting tribute to a blend of the rarest whiskies.

• SHOTOPOP

A devout team of visual zealots who pride themselves on conjuring the new, the unimagined and the fantastical. In their offices, furiously snipping silver scissors give birth to a thousand paper feathers; crazy caffeine dreams turn into flashing pixel rainbows; and the most ambitious flights of fancy become their proudest moments.  Their bottle creation tells the story of the whisky making process, with the rare liquid within the cask re-imagined as a diamond. This analogy perfectly captures the rarity of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL. And with a blend of painstakingly crafted paper sculptures and graphical illustrations, this piece perfectly showcases the multifaceted and complex nature of both gemstone and whisky.

About JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL^TM

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL is one of the pinnacle offerings from JOHNNIE WALKER.

Only sublime, rare whiskies at the pinnacle of perfection are used in the blending of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, with only 1 in 10,000 casks containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. Each is hand selected by the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender himself, part of an unbroken lineage of Master Blenders stretching back over 190 years – it is the ultimate expression of whisky making today and an remarkable achievement for the modern era. 

Presented in individually numbered bottles, it is reminiscent of the 19th century style of whiskies. The Master Blender uses his decades of experience to select some of the rarest casks from the JOHNNIE WALKER reserves for their quality, character and flavour to create the powerful, complex, smooth character of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL. 

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL has a mellow, rounded nose, with a dry smokiness (a JOHNNIE WALKER signature flavour) mixing with raisin sweetness. It is best savoured with the palate cleansed and cooled by iced water. One sip reveals a velvety mouth-feel, then an explosion of flavour. At once you’ll discover hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and oranges. Subsequent sips reward you with more hidden secrets like kumquats, wispy aromatic smoke, sandalwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate. 

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills 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 and its brands, visit http://www.diageo.com/. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit http://www.drinkiq.com/. 

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL words and associated logos are trademarks © DIAGEO2013. 

ABOUT WORLD DUTY FREE GROUP

World Duty Free Group is one of the world’s leading travel retailers, operating mainly in airports and with a broad geographical reach. It has operations in 20 countries and 141 locations with over 550 stores, from its heartland in Western Europe, to the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

World Duty Free Group’s core business is tax and duty free shopping and its proposition covers the complete spectrum of airport shopping including Beauty, Wines & Spirits, Food & Confectionery, Tobacco, Sunglasses, Watches & Jewellery and Souvenirs.

World Duty Free Group operates some of the most exciting and engaging airport shops in the world, with a strong focus on the customer and innovative marketing programmes, delivered through multi channel digital and live in-store interactive promotions.

World Duty Free S.p.A., holding company of WDFG, is listed on the Italian FTSE MIB 40 since 1 October 2013 with the ticker symbol WDF:IM. For more information, please visit http://www.worlddutyfreegroup.com/

Last Order Dates for the Festive Season

We hope you have a friendly local whisky retailer who can take care of all your Compass Box needs. However, if you don’t, please visit our UK online shop and fill your basket!

UK Online shop – Order deadlines for delivery before Christmas
UK Mainland: Saturday 21st December 12pm (UK Time)
Rest of UK: Wednesday 19th December 2pm (UK Time)

For all other international destinations, the deadline for guaranteed delivery for Christmas has passed, however we will endeavour to get your Compass Box whisky to you as quickly as we can! 

The first issue of Whisky Magazine for 2014 publishes on the 21^st March.  Issue 117 promises to be an exciting edition, one of eight during the year, focusing on Ireland, Scotland, US and Canada. 

With whisky being enjoyed all over the world, we are taking a look at some of the best Irish Whiskey bars in Toronto and a guide to drinking whisky in Bardstown.  We review distilleries both in Scotland and Kentucky together with regular editorial features from Ian Wisniewski and Jonny McCormick.  With a truly global feel, this issue is one to promote your whisky if it is an international audience you are targeting.  

The second of issue of the year is full of surprises.  Published in time for the Global Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards Dinner, issue 118 will be distributed from this prestigious event on the 20^th March 2014 and then from Whisky LIVE London on the 21^st March 2014.  This issue reveals all the winners of these internationally recognised awards. 

Editorial Features  

Issue No.117

Special Features

Whisky Travel: Ireland and the US

Bourbon

Special Distribution from Whisky Live New York

Publication Date: 21^st March

Copy Deadline: 3^rd January 

Issue No.118 

Special Features

Speyside

World Whiskies Awards Results

Icons of Whisky Results

World Whiskies Design Results

Publication Date: 9^th May

Whisky Magazine

Celebrating the whiskies of the world

http://www.whiskymag.com/ 

FESTIVE MYSTERY MALTS: NEW ISLAY PAIR ADDED

Peaty malts from Islay are pretty special, single cask peaty malts even more so but, single cask peaty Society malts matched together and offered at a discount – it’s like Christmas! And remember: our last order date for guaranteed Christmas delivery is today Wed 18 Dec at 12pm

FESTIVE MYSTERY ISLAY PARCELS TO KNOCK YOUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS OFF

Mystery Peaty Pair

Festive Mystery Malt 1
Lightly Peated: Ranging in ages between 15-24, this mystery malt offers a light peated character.

Festive Mystery Malt 2
The Peaty Beast: This 20yo mystery malt has a big, peaty character, expect mocha coffee, sea-spray and medicinal elements.

BUY £119

Sweet & Peaty Mystery Trio

Festive Mystery Malt 1
The Sweet Speysider: This Old & dignified 23yo is like a ‘Warming comfort blanket’ that will leave you in a sweet ‘trance of enjoyment’.

Festive Mystery Malt 2
Lightly Peated: Ranging in ages between 15-24, this mystery malt offers a light peated character

Festive Mystery Malt 3
The Peaty Beast: This 20yo mystery malt has a big, peaty character, expect mocha coffee, sea-spray and medicinal elements

BUY £169

Santa’s Exquisite Maritime Experience

3.121

53.188 Anti-aphrodisiac

Beach scene from Local Hero
SAVE £24.15
Was £161
BUY £136.85

Browse all Islay bottlings

Browse all bottlings

PLEASE NOTE: Due to expected volume of orders, the two Mystery Parcels above are excluded from our Christmas delivery guarantee – but we will try our very best to get them to you in time!

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 http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video