Scotch Whisky Auctions 26th Auction is now live, details can be viewed via the link below;

THE LINK

The 26th Auction runs until Sunday 2nd of June

St Magdalene 1975 / Rare Old Gordon & MacPhail

70cl / 43% Vol

A 1975 vintage from the closed distillery, St Magdalene (Linlithgow). Aged in refill sherry hogsheads, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% vol, as part of the Rare Old Series.

£330.00  (£275.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy St Magdalene 1975 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail

St Magdalene 1979 / 1998 The Rare Malt Selection

70cl / 63.80% Vol

Distilled in 1979 at the now silent St Magdalene distillery and aged for 19 years before being bottled in 1998 as part of The Rare Malts Selection. Sadly, St Magdalene single malt whisky is very rarely found, the distillery was closed by its owners, United Distillers, in the mid 1980’s.

£475.00 (£395.83 ex vat)

Click here to buy St Magdalene The Rare Malts Selection

Port Ellen 1979 / Rare Old Gordon & MacPhail

70cl / 46% Vol

A 1979 vintage from the cult Islay distillery, Port Ellen. Aged in refill sherry butts, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 46% vol, as part of the Rare Old Series. Many of the Single Malt Whiskies in Gordon & MacPhail’s Rare Old range will never be seen again. They are whiskies from another era – some are from distilleries no longer in operation, others from distilleries that no longer exist.

£550.00 (£458.33 ex vat)

Click here to buy Port Ellen 1979 / Rare Old / Gordon & MacPhail

Caperdonich 17 Year Old / 1995 The Rare Casks

70cl / 57.8% Vol / 96 Bottles Only

The 1st release in ‘The Rare Casks’ series by Abbey Whisky is this magnificent Caperdonich 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. This limited edition release was distilled in 1995 and left to rest for 17 years before being bottled in 2012 with only 96 bottles filled. The Distillery is now sadly demolished.

£59.50 (£49.58 ex vat)

Click here to buy Caperdonich 17 Year Old / The Rare Casks

Brora 20 Year Old / 1982 The Rare Malts Selection

70cl / 58.1% Vol

With Brora distillery closing in 1983, this bottle is one of the true gems released within the Rare Malts Selection series. The Rare Malts Selection is a collection of remarkable cask-strength single malt Scotch whiskies drawn from among the rarest, most precious whisky stocks to survive in Scotland.

£540.00 (£450.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy Brora 20 Year Old / The Rare Malts Selection

Abbey Whisky

www.abbeywhisky.com

Tel: 0800 051 7737

Exclusive online bottles just added
Our cup runneth over…we’ve just added a wide range of bottlings to our online shop.  Find the last few bottles from familiar friends and discover some never-before-released in the UK casks. 60+ wonderful whiskies await….

NEW UK Online Exclusives…

2.83 Intense explosion of taste
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £80.50
The nose really grabbed our interest – so much in it – summer fruits, cherry Bakewell, apple and berry tea; maple syrup, toffee and Fry’s Turkish Delight; mulled wine, tobacco and old books. More

3.166 Salt-water spray on a yacht deck
11yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £48.30
Primarily sweet (candy floss, toffee apples, toasted marshmallows, lemon Edinburgh rock, sweet summer meadows and black wine gums).we also found outdoor swimming pools, grilled langoustines and Germolene. More

4.163 Soaring sweetness and ocean spray
11yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £48.30
Various bass notes grounded the nose (tobacco, creosote, burnt sticks, white pepper, chipotle chilli, balsamic reduction) but soaring on a breeze of clean, minty smoke and ocean spray, was a kite made of toffee, puff candy and chocolate melted over ice-cream More

27.101 Sweet and savoury, clean and earthy
16yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £68.00
Smoky, oily and meaty – the nose evoked a restaurant kitchen’s back door – soft leather and wood suggested upholstery shops – we also found dark chocolate, heather flowers, clove and citric notes intensifying over time. More

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

Ardbog Day!!

Join us at the Dundee Dell Thursday, May 30 from 6 − 9.  We will have a live band playing and will have frequent Ardbeg tastings through out the night.  We are very excited to see all of the Ardbeg society people and maybe we’ll have someone special visiting us??  We made some very special drinks with Ardbeg and every drink you order, you’ll receive  Mary’s amazing Ardbeg Truffels and a ticket for our hourly drawing (7, 8 and 9 pm. / must be present to win).  There will be some great prizes including a bottle of Ardbeg at the 9 pm drawing!  We will also have a fun Ardbog scavenger hunt through out the Dell.  The Dell crew will have so much fun hiding gift cards, glassware, t-shirts, fun Ardbeg stuff,keychains and ect..  Hope to see you there!!

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION CORONATION BOTTLING

The Macallan is celebrating the 60^thanniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation with the release of a stunning limited edition commemorative bottling.  The limited release comprises a beautifully designed box featuring two 350ml bottles of single malt whisky.   This latest offering is expected to become a rare collectors’ item with only 1953 bottles being released for sale in the UK.

The pack was designed by the acclaimed Art Director, David Holmes, who worked on the first ever advertising campaign for the brand and completes The Macallan’s trio of commemorative Royal bottlings.  The two bottles each feature a different image of The Queen, one taken in 1953 by Cecil Beaton, the celebrated photographer, who is perhaps best known for his images of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the other featuring an image taken in 2004 by Julian Calder, one of the world’s most renowned portrait photographers.

In keeping with the distinct and stylish design of The Macallan, the labels have been created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s reign, with the first conveying the Queen as she was in 1953, aged just 26, and the second honouring the treasured monarch she has become today.

Commenting on the special commemorative Coronation edition David Holmes said:  “I just felt that the box design should reflect the coronation itself.  Bright and celebratory, with Gold, Windsor Red and Blue as used on the Queen’s Coat of arms.  The idea of the confident red box with gold florettes underlines the respectful presentation.  A sort of, must have, rare Royal treasure case.”

The representations of the earlier and later years of Her Majesty’s reign are depicted not only by the chosen images, but also through the two whiskies chosen by our Whisky Maker.  A lively expression, symbolic of the young Queen at the start of the new Elizabethan era, is complemented by a more complex malt to represent her monumental achievements of the past 60 years.

The first whisky, matured in American oak sherry seasoned casks, is a vibrant gold spirit offering a lemon and orange citrus nose.  Ginger and summer berries flit in the background showing the exuberance of youth while hinting at a founding level of maturity.  Matured in Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks, the second whisky is a splendid mahogany sprit and presents a richly mature, elegant and refined nose.  Nutmeg, ginger, rich fruits and resin soften to give a full mouth feel.  There is great maturity on the palate, yet no sign of age.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at Edrington, commented:  “The Macallan is honoured to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the 60^th anniversary of her Coronation.  This exclusive release brings together the creative talent of David Holmes, two stunning images of the Queen which further underpin our photography credentials and it has allowed us to marry these moments from the Queen’s remarkable reign with two very special whiskies.  We are proud of the whiskies we have created for this special bottling.  They both portray the character and nobility of the Queen at two very different stages of her life and we hope that people will enjoy the story they have to tell.”

The 1953 bottles are available from The Macallan Distillery Visitor Centre for collection only and online for UK customers at www.themacallan.com at a price of £350.

Tasting Notes:

Cecil Beaton Bottle (58.1% abv):

• Colour:  Gold
• Nose:  Vibrant. Lemon and orange strike a chord.  The enveloping warmth of vanilla, banana and cinnamon temper then develop to show grace.  Ginger and summer berries flit in the background showing the exuberance of youth, yet hint at maturity as the same time.  Soft oak underpins late on, talking only when required.
• Palate:  Ginger, cinnamon and wood spice drives the palate, opening up to show rich fruits and boiled sweets.  The subtlety of the oak softens all but does not distract.
• Finish:  Full and long finish. 

Julian Caulder Bottle (55.7% abv):

• Colour:  Mahogany
• Nose:  Rich in maturity, elegant and refined.  Abundant in dried fruits, raisins, sultanas, dates and figs.  This is a world traveller.  Burnished oak has grown in stature developing depth and complexity.
• Palate:  Rich fruits, ginger, nutmeg and resin soften to give a full mouth feel.  Viscous and fruity, there is a great maturity on the palate yet no sign of age.
• Finish:  Never ending.

TEELING WHISKEY

Small Batch Bottling 

Since 1782 the Teeling family have been crafting Irish Whiskey. The Teeling’s are renowned for their vision in doing things differently and their Whiskeys embody this entrepreneurial spirit. This small batch bottling consists of hand selected casks which are given further maturation in ex-Flor de Cana Rum barrels imparting an extra sweet and smooth flavour unique to Irish Whiskey. By bottling at 46% with no chill filtration completes an Irish Whiskey of true character. Teeling Whiskey – Dare to be Different.

 Nose:

An inviting nose where vanilla and spice dances with bright sweet notes of Rum.

Taste:

While being very approachable the influence of the rum cask and higher percentage alcohol creates a unique smooth, sweet, slightly woody marriage that sparkles on the tongue.

Finish:

Slightly moorish, sweet spice finish complimented by woody undertones.

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks Bruichladdich BBR 1991 21yo Cask 2998 

Bruichladdich BBR 1991 21yo

51.6%abv

£78.00 inc vat £65.00 ex vat

Best regards,

Loch Fyne Whiskies

david@lfw.co.uk

Tasting Notes: Paul John Brilliance and Edited

Around the time of The Whisky Show last year we were rather pleased to have scored some whisky from a brand new distiller on the single malt scene – Goa’s John Distilleries, makers of Paul John Single Malt Whisky . … Continue reading >>

www.ralfy.com concludes a seven-part Vlog series with ice-wine and general whisky chat with Whisky Review 362 (7/7) – Canadian whisky & stuff

Ballantine’s Renews Sponsorship of Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open

Ballantine’s, the No.1 whisky in Europe and the No.2 ultra-premium and prestige Scotch whisky range in Asia-Pacific, has reinforced its association with golf by renewing its sponsorship of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for a further two years.

Recognised as of one Scotland’s most iconic golfing events, this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will take place from 11-14 July 2013 at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness – close to Ballantine’s spiritual home, the Glenburgie Distillery – for the third year in a row.

The news of the brand’s extended golf sponsorship follows the hugely successful 2013 Ballantine’s Championship, which took place in South Korea last month and was won in style by Australian Brett Rumford after an exciting three-way playoff. Rumford went on to win the Volvo China Open the following week, becoming the first Australian in 41 years to win back-to-back European Tour titles.

The global reach of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open was a significant factor in Ballantine’s decision to renew its sponsorship, with the key objective of building brand awareness in key markets worldwide while also strengthening the brand’s golfing association. Ballantine’s presence at this year’s tournament will include branded bars for spectators, prominent on-course signage and player awards, including a bottle of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old for an eagle on the 12th hole and a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old for the lowest daily round.

Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, Peter Moore, comments; “Ballantine’s and golf share a strong historical and geographical heritage that continues to leave a lasting impression on the world, so we’re delighted to be extending our support of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for another two years. This prestigious tournament highlights to the world the connection between Scotland and golf and, with our sponsorship, we aim to celebrate the core values that Ballantine’s shares with this great sport; integrity, originality, inner strength and tradition.”

Last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open winner, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, clinched the title in a closely-fought final round against Italy’s Francesco Molinari. He was rewarded for his outstanding performance with a coveted bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old in the tournament’s landmark 30th year. The 2013 tournament is expected to attract a world-class field once again, following the participation of golf stars such as Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson and José María Olazábal in the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Ballantine’s association with golf started in 1960 when the first Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth Club. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, one of Asia’s leading golf tournaments and part of the prestigious European Tour, and has been an official sponsor of the Scottish Open since 2007.

Notes:

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia, No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008
• Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the BMW Masters, Barclay’s Scottish Open & The Mission Hills Golf World Cup
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

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 Scotch.

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 www.chivasbrothers.com