RARE WHISKIES AT BONHAMS ANNUAL SCOTTISH SALE IN EDINBURGH

Bonhams Annual Scottish sale on 20 August boasts some rare and unusual whiskies this year. 

One of only 379 bottles, The Macallan 1961 comes in a wooden presentation case and is estimated at £6,000-8,000; the Macallan Royal Marriage bottled in 1981 to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales carries an estimate of £1,200-1,800 and The Macallan Private Eye, bottled to mark the 35^th anniversary of the famous satirical magazine has an estimate of £1,000-1,200.

Elsewhere, a rare 30 year old Dalmore 1959 in crystal, bottled to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Dalmore Distillery, is expected to sell for between £3,000-5,000 and a 40 year old 1958 bottle of Highland Park numbered 368 of 665 in a wooden presentation case fitted for the bottle is estimated at £1,400-1,600.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “The Scottish sale always offers a good selection of collectible whisky to suit all tastes and pockets and this year is no exception.  As well as the star items we have several bottles with more modest estimates from some of Scotland’s best known distilleries including several fascinating lots bottled by The Scottish Malt Whisky Society.”

For further information please contact Andrew Currie on 0207 468 5871 or andrew.currie@bonhams.com

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/.

NEW LIMITED EDITION FOR CHIVAS 12 AS ART OF HOSTING SERIES CONTINUES

Following the successful launch of its ‘Art of Hosting’ series in 2012, Chivas, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has launched a new limited edition for its best-selling Chivas 12 expression, exclusively for the off-trade.

This new release sees Chivas continuing to support its customers’ efforts to meet the demand for imaginative home entertaining products with an eye-catching new design and an exclusive gift of six leather coasters included in each pack.

Targeted at Chivas 12’s core audience of ‘Modern Gentlemen’, the new limited edition features a striking black and red look, which aims to increase stand-out on shelf. The pack design also incorporates words used in social occasions in many different languages, giving a sense of interaction and conversation while further expressing Chivas’ credentials as a brand that brings friends together.

The release of this limited edition will be supported with a range of marketing initiatives including a new advertising campaign, featuring the strapline ‘Found at the World’s Best Parties’ and an exclusive free app available from iTunes, Chivas MASHTUN, which has been created featuring a series of interactive games that consumers can play as a group during a party.

The new Art of Hosting limited edition gift pack and Chivas MASHTUN app are available now around the world. http://www.chivas.com/ 

Notes: 

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #57

After restoring the Lars Homestead from Star Wars in Tunisia, Mark Dermul and his crew were invited to tell the fans all about it during a panel at the Star Wars Celebration, the biggest convention of is kind for fans of that galaxy far, far away. Little did his colleagues know that he would afterwards present them with a private bottling of Save Lars Whisky, a Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 1992, only 6 bottles strong (one for each crewmember). The Force is strong with this Laddie!

http://youtu.be/erGfbLrjbHE

(Please revisit Whisky Intelligence this Sundayto see some more about this bottling – WI)

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES

THE RELEASE OF STAGG JR. BOURBON 

Uncut, Unfiltered Bourbon is a younger version of the legendary George T. Stagg Bourbon 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July, 2013) At long last, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases Stagg Jr. Bourbon, an uncut and unfiltered bourbon whiskey with a renowned family name.

The first batch of Stagg Jr. is comprised of barrels aged for eight and nine years. The proof weighs in at a whopping 134.4 proof (67.2% ABV). Future releases will undoubtedly be different proofs, as each batch is unique and no water is added. Just like George T. Stagg Bourbon, this new whiskey is not filtered and offers all the rich and complex flavors of bourbon right from the barrel.  Bottles of Stagg Jr. will be limited, but several batches each year are planned.  This new Stagg Jr. offering will not affect the stock of barrels already set aside for future George T. Stagg releases.

Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley describes that taste as, “rich, sweet, chocolate and brown sugar flavors mingled in perfect balance with a bold, rye spiciness. The boundless finish lingers with hints of cherries, cloves and smokiness.”

“We’ve been aging these barrels for years in anticipation of this Stagg Jr. offering,” said Kris Comstock, bourbon marketing director. “George T. Stagg has won countless awards, but we’re delighted to introduce Stagg Jr., which should be a bit more accessible.”

George T. Stagg is one of the legendary craftsmen of Buffalo Trace Distillery, and is responsible for building the most dominant American distillery of the 19^th century on the banks of the Kentucky River, now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery.  In 2002, Buffalo Trace introduced George T. Stagg Bourbon Whiskey, an uncut, unfiltered bourbon that has won numerous awards including World’s Best North American Whiskey, Number One Spirit in the World, and World Whiskey of the Year. Now the Distillery is offering a line extension through Stagg Jr. that still maintains the integrity of the brand – a big, bold whiskey bottled at barrel proof but at a more affordable price.  Stagg Jr. will be available starting in August. Suggested retail price is $49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

The Bowmore 1989 23 year old limited release is now available to order at The Whisky Shop – whilst stocks last!

A delicious feast of smoke-infused blood orange, winter spices, black truffles and walnut oil. A whisky to warm the coldest Islay night, this limited edition Bowmore Single Malt has been matured exclusively in port casks for 23 years, giving it a deliciously dark colour and remarkably rich flavour.

Nose: Big sweet and fruity notes. Think of  marmalade or apricot jam. Only a soft hint of smoke at this point.

Palate: And we’re off –  there goes the smoke and lightly peated greatness that we all love Bowmore for! Some ground spices in the background combined with candy floss and other sweet delights.

Finish: Delicate truffles that melt in your mouth combined with some of the richest overtones every tasted in a Bowmore.

Bottled at a natural cask strength of 50.8% volume. One not to be missed…

Click Here To Buy – Only £380

Rare Releases from Balcones, Whisky Magazines 2012 Craft Whiskey Distillery of the Year, Available Now at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)

Balcones Distilling of Waco, Texas is firmly established as one of America’s top whisky producers with over 40 national and international awards from the world’s top judges and critics. We are proud to offer the following unique and original spirits hand-crafted using only the finest ingredients. Follow the links for more information on each selection.

Balcones Single Malt Texas, 106 Proof  – $68.99

5 bottles in stock!

Balcones True Blue 100 Texas Corn Whisky, 100 Proof – $65.99

4 bottles in stock!

Balcones Brimstone Texas Scrub Oak Smoked Corn Whisky, 106 Proof – $54.99

6 bottles in stock!

Balcones Distillery Rumble Cask Reserve Barrel Proof, 117 Proof -$79.99

1 bottle in stock!

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

www.moraswines.com

631-941-4458   sev.clemens@moraswines.com

Our friends at Gold Medal Marketing have a new logo. They represent Benromach, W.M. Cadenhead, Kilkerran, Gordon & MacPhail, Kilchoman, Praba Na Linne, Springbank, Spencerfield Spirits, Tullibardine, The Last Drop and the Teeling Whisky Company in Alberta & British Columbia (although not all are represented in both provinces).

www.ralfy.com takes the bull by the horns (groan!) with Whisky Review 381 – Black Bull 12yo scotch

LAGAVULIN™ WILL SPONSOR ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER

August Previews: Compare and Contrast  
You may have good reason to think that two Society drams will be similar, but this is the beauty of single cask whisky: despite matching regions, casks, ages or even distilleries, no two are alike. We’ve created an exceptional new Islay    pairing and picked two distinctive Speyside previews from the August Outturn to illustrate the point…

36.66  Springtime in a glass
10yo First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Speyside Spey, £44.10
The nose was light, even elusive, but we eventually discovered the fresh heart of it – grassy meadows, pear, crisp white wine, light candy, pine, strawberry tart, spring flowers, elderflower cordial, apples, heather and gorse – springtime in a glass; bright, floral and refreshing… Buy

76.107  A Moroccan tagine
24yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Speyside Spey, £79.00
A rich and meaty/fruity example of the famously rich make from Dufftown’s oldest distillery. The mellow first nose is of macerated dried fruits (dark cherries, raisins,  figs), edging towards fruit flan; behind this light wax (furniture polish), with cinnamon and nutmeg. The texture is big and mouth-coating; the taste both sweet and savoury… Buy
    
NEW!  Two Faces of Islay Pair – only £125 
So similar on paper, yet so diferent to experience.
Buy

53.169  Invitation to a beach barbecue
18yo Refill ex-sherry butt
The nose invited us to a beach barbecue – bonfire smoke, pork ribs in BBQ sauce, over-toasted burger buns, brown sauce…  More

29.123  Hang-gliding over Islay
20yo Refill ex-sherry butt
On the nose, we found toffee, caramel, butterscotch, coconut, vanilla, snowdrops and even silverware cleaner – but no smoke…   More  

Last chance to snap up our July offers!

Doubles Game PAIR: 9.72 & 76.103 for £125
48 available… Buy

Grand Slam TRIO: 76.103, 64.47 & 29.138 for £179
40 available…  Buy

July CASE Offer: 4.177, 48.37, G1.11, 3.204 
9.72 & 76.103 for £329
2 available…  Buy 
    
Browse July Outturn
*76.103 is exclusive to our July offers
*64.47 is exclusive to our July Trio

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.