Douglas Laing unveils exclusive Scallywag Winter Edition Finished in Orange Wine Casks

Douglas Laing & Co. are thrilled to announce the launch of an exclusive Scallywag Winter Limited Edition 2024, offering Whisky enthusiasts an unforgettable seasonal experience.

This year’s limited release transports you to a snowy mountainside retreat, where the cosy comfort of après-ski meets an explosion of flavour in every sip. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Scallywag Winter Edition has been finished in Orange Wine casks sourced from Spain, bringing together a symphony of rich complexity and zesty allure.

Bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.9% ABV, this release remains true to its origins with no colouring or chill-filtration, ensuring that the whisky retains its full depth of flavour and texture. Packaged in a premium white carton with orange foil detailing and varnish finishing, this special release exudes luxury.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Rich fruits, sweet marmalade, and fragrant spices.
• Palate: Zesty orange slices, honey, and caramelised sugar.
• Finish: Lingering warmth with cinnamon spice and vanilla creaminess.

Scott Morrison, Brand Manager commented:

“This year’s Winter Edition is a tribute to the season’s warmth and indulgence. The addition of the Orange Wine casks brings a vibrant twist to our classic Speyside Malt, making it the perfect companion for winter evenings.”

Scallywag Winter Edition 2024 will be available in select retailers and online and is expected to retail for £65.00.

Key Details:

• Presented in a white carton with orange foil detailing and varnish finishing
• 9% ABV
• No colouring or chill-filtration.

Introducing Tamdhu 43 Year Old

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today officially unveiled The Dedication Collection, introducing Tamdhu 43-Years-Old, one of the oldest, rarest and most exclusive whiskies ever crafted by the distillery.

Aged in Tamdhu’s extraordinary and famed Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks from beginning to end, the 43-Years-Old is an expression of the brand’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Exclusively made with water from Tamdhu’s own natural spring and matured for more than four decades on Speyside, it showcases a Tamdhu never seen or tasted before, with an intensified character, flavour and distinctive dark amber colour the spirit is renowned for.

Dedication Collection: Tamdhu 43-Years-Old

Tamdhu 43-Years-Old has matured in not one but three exceptional sherry oak casks, with the sherry oak breathing, and the spirit taking on its unique character with every passing year. The whisky is non-chill filtered to enhance the completely natural and rich colour of Tamdhu’s award-winning whisky.

On the nose, the single malt offers rich sherry, treacle toffee, dried coriander, berries, citrus and dried spice. The first sip reveals deep sherry, orange, blackcurrant, molasses, chocolate coconut and hints of coffee on the palate, followed by a long sherry oak finish, with hints of lemon and dried berries.

Presented in a hand-crafted, octagonal, wooden and classic brushed metal box, in a bespoke hand-blown crystal Victorian style decanter, the individually numbered bottles perfectly reflect the deep amber colour of Tamdhu whisky.

To celebrate the launch and showcase the distillery’s unwavering dedication to sherry matured whisky perfection, Tamdhu has teamed up with leading photomicrographer, Peter Woitschikowski to create striking photographs of the spirit up close, designed to showcase the purity, artistry and simple beauty of the whisky itself. Bridging the gap between science and art, Peter uses a microscope fixed to a high-resolution camera to uncover the unexpected shapes and textures hidden to the naked eye.

Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, says, “At Tamdhu, our whisky is the ultimate artistic expression. So to launch this landmark collection we didn’t want to get side-tracked by gimmicks. Or look away from our whisky. Because it’s there, in the spirit itself, you see our craft, passion and dedication.”

To capture the one-of-a-kind images, Peter crystalised the whisky with natural extracts inspired by the tasting notes of orange, coffee and lemon, using these as the canvas for the Tamdhu photographed at 43 times magnification – a microscope spin for every year the whisky has matured in the sherry oak casks.

Spending weeks experimenting to craft the perfect picture, Peter said of the collaboration: “You never know how the images will come out. And every picture is different and unique. Tamdhu was a special case because the whisky is so pure. So perfect. We had to add extracts to create the crystallization required. The results are quite beautiful, I believe.”

Tamdhu 43-Years-Old includes a personal invitation to each owner from Sandy McIntyre to an exclusive stay at the closed-to-public Tamdhu distillery and enjoy a host of amazing whiskies with him, as well as the opportunity to explore the traditional dunnage warehouses for more of the rarest and oldest casks that may well become the next additions to the Dedication Collection.

Tamdhu 43-Years-Old is extremely limited and available to purchase globally via domestic Specialist retailers. Tamdhu 43-Years-Old RSP is £13,500. There are 100 individually numbered bespoke decanters available

Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old Awarded Supreme Champion Spirit for the First Time at International Spirits Challenge 2024

 Second consecutive year for a Suntory Whisky brand to be awarded top out of all entries
 Suntory Whisky Toki and Kakubin receives their first gold
 Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo recognized as the Master Blender of the Year for the first time

Tokyo, JAPAN (September 27,2024) – Suntory Spirits is proud to announce that its Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old was awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit at the prestigious International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2024, a worldwide spirits competition held in London on Thursday, September 26^th.

The Supreme Champion Spirit is awarded to the highest scoring Trophy winner of the competition. This means that Yamazaki 12 Years Old was awarded the Trophy, the top award in the Japanese Whisky category, and was also selected as the most outstanding product out of thousands of entries among all categories. It is the first time for Yamazaki 12 Years Old to be awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit and the second consecutive year for a Suntory Whisky brand to achieve this accolade following Yamazaki 25 Years Old last year.

“Yamazaki 12 Years Old was excellent in terms of its body, fruit, and the whole combination of qualities,” said an ISC judge. “When Yamazaki came out as the one that won the Japanese Whisky category, we all thought it made perfect sense. We were very proud to declare this unanimously as a great quality whisky.”

Along with Yamazaki 12 Years Old, the company received numerous accolades at this year’s competition – Double Golds for Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Years Old and Hibiki 21 Years Old and 23 Golds including Suntory Whisky Toki, and Suntory Whisky Kakubin which was submitted to the competition for the first time this year.

Furthermore, the company’s fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was recognized as the Master Blender of the Year for the first time. Determined by expert panel of judges, this award goes to the winner voted for the craftsmanship, skill and talent of their work from the past twelve months.

“Shinji is renowned worldwide as an industry figure, and the quality of his work has been proven,” said one ISC judge. “The attention to detail is the key to his approach and philosophy of making whisky. This leads to the finesse and craftsmanship at Suntory that only comes with dedication, experience and time, ” said another.

“It is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of the company and team that have worked so hard over the years,” said Shinji. “I am proud that more people have come to understand through our products what our generations of blenders have passed on to us, and that we have been able to continuously produce Suntory Whisky that is valued around the world.”

Since joining the company in 1984, Shinji has been involved in the development of a variety of whisky products, such as Yamazaki and Hibiki. After his experience at Hakushu Distillery and Suntory subsidiary Morison Bowmore Distillers in Scotland, he was positioned as the fifth generation Chief Blender in 2009. He is also named Whisky Quality Advisor for Suntory Global Spirits to improve quality across the entire Suntory Group.

Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, and his team

In addition, Suntory Spirits was selected as the Producer of the Year in the Japanese Whisky category for the fifth consecutive year, an award bestowed upon one company in each category for producing a wide variety of high-quality products.

Suntory Spirits believes that these outstanding recognitions are a testament for the company’s excellent blending skills and the pursuit of perfection in quality for its whisky making, further cementing the reputation of Japanese Whisky.

As the pioneer and leading company of Japanese Whisky, the company welcomes the implementation of the Japanese Whisky standards by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association, and will continue to take a leadership role in protecting and increasing awareness for the category through ongoing consumer and trade education initiatives about what properly constitutes a Japanese Whisky.

About Suntory Whisky Brands

Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

The flagship single malt whisky from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery contains carefully blended components aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak creating a delicate and elegant taste that never grows tiresome. It is characterized by an aroma of ripened fruit and sweet vanilla derived from Yamazaki Distillery’s white oak cask, with hidden flavors of Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak adding a buttery deep sweetness to the palate leading to a long finish with a sense of sweet ginger and cinnamon. 

Suntory Whisky Toki

Respectful of heritage and inspired by reinvention, Suntory Whisky Toki expresses both what is authentic and what is next. It is a blend of carefully selected whiskies from the globally acclaimed Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery and Chita Distillery. Traditionally crafted by the company’s Art of Blending philosophy, the liquid features the quintessential characteristics of a Suntory blend. This well-balanced silky blend with a subtly sweet and spicy finish allows exceptional versatility — the expression can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, as a highball or mixed as a cocktail.

Suntory Whisky Kakubin

As the signature blended whisky, Kakubin embraces the uniquely Japanese flavors and aromas accentuated with key notes of whiskies from three distilleries – Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Along with the slightly fruity aroma and rich flavor, the boldness characteristic can be detected in the pleasantly dry finish, making Kakubin a highly versatile whisky for any occasion and a timeless favorite since its release in 1937.

About the International Spirits Challenge

The International Spirits Challenge is a highly authoritative spirits competition held annually in the UK, with a rigorous and independent judging process. This year, thousands of entries were submitted across all categories. In the Whisky category, medals were awarded based on the scrupulous blind assessment of over 900 whiskies from around the world by approximately 10 experienced panel of specialist judges, all of whom are blenders and distiller managers from whisky distilleries across the globe.

Awards Received at ISC 2024

Supreme Champion Spirit
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

Trophy, among the Japanese Whisky category
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

Master Blender of the Year
Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo

Producer of the Year, among the Japanese Whisky category
Suntory Spirits

Double Gold Medal
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Years Old
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old 

Gold Medal
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Blender’s Choice
Suntory Whisky Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY
Suntory Whisky Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY Master’s Select
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Suntory Whisky 100 Years Anniversary Blend
Suntory Whisky Kakubin
Suntory Whisky Old
Suntory Whisky Royal
Suntory Whisky Special Reserve
Suntory Whisky Toki
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu Peated Malt 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 12 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 25 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Golden Promise
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 25 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Limited Edition2023
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Story of the Distillery 2024

For more information on Suntory Whisky
Suntory | About Us | Our Business | Spirits

About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Sustained by the gifts of nature and water, the Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, canned ready-to-drink -196, The Premium Malt’s beer, Japanese wine Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Oasis, BOSS coffee, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, and V energy drink, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.

Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.9 billion in 2023. Its 41,511 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.

K&L Exclusive Speyside: Highly Coveted and Sensational
2005 Glenrothes 18 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive
First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt

“This exceptional find is one of the very best values K&L has ever been able to offer.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

We have some truly exceptional offerings coming from our friends at Old Particular, but none offer as much value for collectors as this 18-Year-Old from Glenrothes. This is a rare opportunity for several reasons. First, it’s uncommon to find this prestigious Speyside distiller on the independent market. Second, it’s even rarer to see a Glenrothes aged in a first-fill sherry butt of such high quality. And the price for a Glenrothes with this age statement is simply astonishing. Our spirits team is absolutely delighted with the final product. For fans of the distillery, this remarkable dram has everything you desire.

This exceptional find is one of the very best values K&L has ever been able to offer. Glenrothes is truly one of Speyside’s most prized distillers, and it’s extremely unusual for them to let go of heavily sherried stocks, let alone something that’s aged over 18 years. This one was distilled in February of 2005 and aged for 18 years in a first-fill sherry butt. The results speak for themselves, a dense powerful malt style full of powerful spice and complex sherry.

The Glenrothes Distillery was founded in the town of Rothes in 1879 by James Stuart & Co., owners of the near by Macallan Distillery. The distillery boasts its own onsite cooperage and is renowned for the use of high-quality sherry barrels in its bottlings. The few independently bottled expressions of this famed distillery are almost always VERY expensive, and very rarely aged in sherry.

This dark dense malt offers aromas of rich dried red fruit, rich mocha and deep cacao nibs. The sweet fruit is tamed perfectly by a bold European oak spice and a rich buttery texture on the palate. Expect cinnamon and clove to build on the finish with a gorgeous zesty orange peel note to balance.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 27, 2024

It’s whiskies like this that make me so proud of what we’ve built at K&L. We’ve spent years looking for great Glenrothes in sherry at a price that didn’t make me cringe, but it’s simply not been in the realm of possibilities until now. In fact, in the month before this cask became available, we’d been offered a slightly older Glenrothes in bourbon at nearly 2 times the cost of this barrel. That would have been a barrel of 200 bottles. This barrel cost half as much with three times as many bottles. No one is doing stuff like this but us. It’s just silly when you think about it.

But the great price doesn’t matter if the whisky doesn’t taste good. Let’s try it! The color is mahogany (1.6). Immediately there’s a huge oloroso note! YES! Big dense old school sherry and a tiny hint of the Glenrothers funk without going into the sulfur stuff. Just a twinge of flinty earthiness which melds perfectly into the old sherry character forest floor, dried herbs, roasted salty almonds. Behind that we have dark red fruit compote, very old cracked leather, Tahitian vanilla, mahogany, nougat and fudge brownies. Savory, salty and sweet on the palate with great texture and a surprisingly clean finish considering the deep characterful nose. The finish is all caramel candies and almond honey nougat and fluffy wafer cookies dipped into old palo cortado. A gorgeous old-school oloroso-driven sherried malt, which contrasts our clean as a whistle Dailuaine from this season perfectly. A stupendous value considering what lesser distillers are commanding for sherry of younger age and lesser quality.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Russell’s Reserve “The Last Chance” Pack

The final few bottles of the extremely delicious Russell’s 15-year release package, with the entire core line-up of world class whiskies from the Russell’s Line. The pack includes one each of the fabulous Small batch 10 year Bourbon & 6 Year Rye, Single Barrel Bourbon & Rye, K&L Exclusive Private Selection Camp Nelson E “Back Country Camping”, and of course the wonderful Russell’s 15-year. This will be the last chance to acquire a bottle of Russell’s 15 year online from K&L unless they magically find more stock for us.

(6x750ml) $650.00 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Bruichladdich Octomore 15.3

https://youtu.be/whWVVW3uPeY

The final Octomore in our October series! The 15.3 is a bottle in the classic build of this legendary series of single malts.

Matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks, before being finished in first fill ex-oloroso barrels, this is exactly what I wanted from an Octomore. Peated to a level of 307.2ppm, with a strength of 61.3% ABV – this is the second heaviliest peated Octomore for public releasw. The lead and build up is sweet and smoky, but the depth of flavour with coffee, chocolate, brioche, salt, coastal smoke, rich sherry, and a finish that just goes on and on.

Price wise, yes, you’re paying nearly £200 a bottle for this stuff, so it should be the best of the bunch. Even if I think the pricing is on the outrageous side, Bruichladdich have put together what I would call the best Octomore I’ve had to this point. The .1 release is as fun without the level if depth this has, but if you want what I would call an ‘ultimate Octomore experience’ – this is certainly one to get hold of.

SOTHEBY’S AND LEADING SCOTCH MAKER CHIVAS BROTHERS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO AUCTION COLLECTABLE, RARE, HIGHLY AGED WHISKIES

The inaugural lot is a 55 year old single malt whisky from The Glenlivet distillery, presented in a one-of-a-kind gold plated sculpture by computational architect, Michael Hansmeyer

LONDON, 9th OCTOBER 2024 – Sotheby’s today announced a long-term partnership with Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and makers of The Glenlivet and Aberlour, to bring highly aged, one-off creations to auction, exclusively for Sotheby’s collectors. Each individual lot will feature a never-before-released Scotch whisky from the Chivas Brothers portfolio. 

The inaugural lot is The Glenlivet 55 Year Old, 200th Year Anniversary Edition, One of One, a bespoke, never to be repeated bottle that honours two centuries of unparalleled whisky making heritage. The ultra-rare single malt has been aged for 55 years – the highest age statement ever released by The Glenlivet distillery – and is presented in a custom spherical decanter embellished with precious peridot gemstones using an intricate technique inspired by the creation of fine jewellery. The bottle is paired with a stunning, one-of-a-kind sculpture created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer, a pioneer in the exploring of algorithms to generate and fabricate new and unique architectural forms, and crafted using emerald quartzite and 24 carat gold.

This special lot will be available for auction from 22nd October 2024 to 5th November 2024 in Sotheby’s London sale of Finest & Rarest Whisky with all proceeds benefitting the National Trust for Scotland, which is dedicated to preserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. Since 2020, The Glenlivet has supported the Trust through Pioneering Spirit, an ambitious archaeology and research project that uncovers the stories and sites of illicit whisky production across Scotland, deepening understanding of the origins of Scotch whisky and its effect on the country’s rich cultural heritage.

This exclusive lot comes on the heels of The Glenlivet’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2024, commemorating the distillery’s heritage and craftsmanship over its two-century long legacy.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, commented: “We are thrilled to offer the first one-off special release of this partnership in The Glenlivet distillery’s oldest single malt, aged 55 years, to avid whisky collectors worldwide. Partnering with Scotch whisky producer Chivas Brothers to offer some of the world’s most exclusive whiskies, crafted exclusively for Sotheby’s, is an exceptional privilege. The debut of The Glenlivet 55 Year Old, 200th Year Anniversary Edition, One of One perfectly embodies the merging of fine spirits and design, and we look forward to bringing more extraordinary creations to collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.”

Jacques-Henri Brive, Global Head of Luxury Development at Chivas Brothers, added: “We’re fortunate to have an exquisite archive of rare, highly aged whiskies at Chivas Brothers but until now, these prized whiskies have never been available to purchase. Our partnership with Sotheby’s represents the first opportunity for collectors to add never-before-released pieces of Scotch whisky history to their collection. It’s a monumental moment for whisky connoisseurs and luxury appreciators – one not to be missed.”

The Glenlivet 55 Year Old, 200th Year Anniversary Edition, One of One, carries an estimate of £35,000-£70,000. Bottled at 42.8%, this is a superb expression evoking red apples, ripe white peach and dark chocolate fondant on the nose, with a subtle taste of lavish caramel, desiccated coconut, dark liquorice with ginger and cinnamon spice on the taste and an incredibly rich and sweet finish with enduring, warming spice, impacted by the American oak influence.

* Early interest in the auction can be registered at www.sothebys.com/theglenlivet55

THE GLENLIVET REDEFINES TRADITION WITH THE RELEASE OF ITS OLDEST SINGLE MALT

The 55 year-old expression – the highest age statement ever to be released by The Glenlivet – is unveiled as it marks a 200-year legacy. 

The Glenlivet, the iconic Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, has unveiled a masterpiece that celebrates its excellence in whisky craftsmanship and design, embodying the originality that has defined it since its inception in 1824: The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, First Edition, 55 Year Old, in collaboration with computational architect, Michael Hansmeyer.

A true rarity, The Glenlivet’s oldest and most ambitious expression to date comprises just 100 beautifully crafted bottles, while every aspect of the new release has been considered with meticulous attention to detail. Crafted from a seasoned sherry cask and carefully matured over more than five decades, this precious single malt offers a complex flavour profile and astonishingly long finish.

In partnership with pioneering artist, Michael Hansmeyer, the 55 Year Old single malt whisky sits within a strikingly beautiful sculpture that takes inspiration from the home of The Glenlivet. Mirroring the eternal essence and flow of the River Livet, which is located deep in the Spey Valley where The Glenlivet was born, Hansmeyer brought his unique expertise in computational architecture to create this highly original art piece.

With hand-sculpted jesmonite and rose-gold plating, the sculpture perfectly houses the spherical decanter of the 55 Year Old. In a stunning display of contemporary modelling through computer programming, this art piece brings subtle intricacies that are testament to the craftsmanship at the heart of every creation from The Glenlivet.

Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master who was responsible for directing the final maturation years of the 55 Year Old whisky, describes the taste experience as “a medley of autumn fruits, sun-drenched Seville oranges and sticky dates enveloped by the spiced warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, alongside the sweet, warming flavours of homemade blackcurrant jam and vanilla fudge, balanced with zesty citrus notes on the palate.”

Speaking about the inspiration behind the sculpture Michael Hansmeyer, computational architect & programmer, explained:

“My work captures the intersection of architecture and the arts. It is a laboratory for experimenting with new possibilities, and that is where I saw the harmony in collaborating with The Glenlivet. Weaving threads of intelligent technologies to create something that escapes conformity and classification to celebrate such an aged whisky has been a thrill. I created this sculpture as a tribute to the complexity of The Glenlivet’s oldest expression and the rugged beauty of the distillery’s Scottish landscape, capturing the spirit of where innovation meets tradition.”

This exceptional 55 Year Old single malt is the First Edition of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection – a new range of highly collectable precious whiskies, released annually. All future releases, each taken from a single, extraordinary cask, will be aged for one additional year and will be accompanied by an original artform crafted by a new visionary artist. Together, this will create a collection to cherish.

Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master added:

“The 55 Year Old is the highest age Scotch ever released from The Glenlivet Distillery, and combined with the incredible talent of Michael, it tells of the timelessness of The Glenlivet. Thanks to decades of collaboration from our team of cask experts, past and present, the introduction of The Eternal Collection represents a monumental moment for whisky connoisseurs and luxury appreciators to add a pivotal piece of Scotch whisky legacy to their collection. It epitomises The Glenlivet’s commitment to excellence within Scotch innovation as we continue to push to creative new heights in single malts.”

The First Edition of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, will be released in September 2024. The masterpiece was first unveiled during an exclusive 200 year anniversary celebration hosted at The Glenlivet’s iconic distillery in Speyside, Scotland. The Glenlivet Distillery is open for guests to explore the full portfolio from The Glenlivet and enjoy interactive visitor experiences.

In tandem with the launch of its oldest single malt, and to further honour its 200^th anniversary, The Glenlivet has partnered with Sotheby’s to create a unique auction lot.  A bespoke 55 Year Old single malt whisky presented with a one-of-a-kind Hansmeyer sculpture will be available exclusively at auction from 18^th October – 1^st November 2024, with all proceeds to benefit National Trust for Scotland, dedicated to conserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, First Edition: 55-Year-Old in collaboration with Michael Hansmeyer, will be available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange for RRP €50,000. For more information, visit theglenlivet.com or follow @theglenlivet. To register early interest in the one-of-one auction, visit www.sothebys.com/theglenlivet55.

Laphroaig Launches ‘Unphorgettable’ Campaign to Leave its Iconic Mark on Whisky Drinkers

Striking depictions of real drinkers’ words brought to life through a classically Laphroaig lens

Islay, United Kingdom, 7 October 2024: Iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig has launched a new global campaign, “Unphorgettable”. Designed to recruit new drinkers and reconnect with loyal fans, this campaign is rooted in the single malt whisky’s bold, distinctive taste and personality.

Once tasted, never forgotten, Laphroaig has used real drinkers’ own descriptions and created animations of ‘Taste Characters’. From an angel to a donkey, a pack of wolves to swirling waves, the four ‘Taste Characters’ have become the new, bold characterisation of Laphroaig.

Launching first in the U.K., France, Canada and Italy before rolling out to other countries in 2025, “Unphorgettable” will be supported by both Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) campaigns. The campaign will include a 20-second film to hero Unphorgettable experiences in the on-trade and during key gifting occasions. Laphroaig’s signature colour palette is instantly recognisable, with the bottle as the hero. The creative was developed by global brand design agency Design Bridge and Partners London, who recently redesigned the visual identity of the brand’s iconic whisky bottle.

Fleur Maguet, Laphroaig Global Brand Director at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “We know that every sip of Laphroaig is an unforgettable experience, so we asked over 250 members of our devoted whisky community, Friends of Laphroaig, to articulate their first sip in our ‘Opinions Welcome’ campaign. The ‘Unphorgettable’ campaign is a natural evolution and stands out within the whisky category through the authentic expression of real words from real fans describing the whisky they love in a way that is surprising, evocative and emotive. Creating a campaign as unique and unforgettable as Laphroaig itself.”

Laphroaig Unphorgettable invites drinkers to explore the intensity of its flavour profile, capture core memories and ensure every experience shared over a Laphroaig is truly lasting.

About Laphroaig® 

Laphroaig is one of the best-selling Islay single malts globally and is synonymous with this famous whisky region. Established in 1815 by the Johnston brothers, Laphroaig has stayed true to its bold flavour and distinctive character for over 200 years. Today, Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries that continues to craft whisky using traditional techniques like floor malting barley and using a “cold smoking” process to create its signature smoky flavour. Laphroaig’s commitment to bold character has earned us a dedicated following of brand fans, the Friends of Laphroaig.  Launched in 1994, the same year HM King Charles granted the brand a Royal Warrant, the programme has since grown to a truly global community of thousands of whisky lovers representing over 170 countries. www.laphroaig.com

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION

FINE & RARE 2000

The Macallan Fine & Rare vintages bridge the past and the future. Each unique and beautiful, they distil those elements that confer greatness on The Macallan and, in doing so, on those who made them.

The first Fine & Rare release distilled in the new millennia on 24th February 2000 and bottled 24 years later in celebration of the 200th anniversary of The Macallan, is presented at its natural cask strength.

Nature has conspired, transforming the robust fruity new make spirit matured for twenty-four years in cask no.27. The interaction with the sherry seasoned European oak cask has shaped its character, delivering an exquisite natural colour, rich aromas and flavours.

DISCOVER THE WHISKY

CELEBRATING THE YEAR THAT WAS

The Year 2000 held great global anticipation, reflection on what had been and what would come, what the future would hold. We were at once looking back to all that had been whilst forward facing – imagining, anticipation far beyond our moment in time to what might be.

TASTING NOTES
EXPLORE COLOUR, NOSE, PALATE & FINISH

COLOUR Autumnal Russet.

AROMA Rich, resinous nose with hints of sweet fresh vanilla, ground coffee, white chocolate, brazil nuts and a dusting of cinnamon.
PALATE Toffee brittle, chocolate coated raisins, rich oak, gentle hints of blackberry and cranberries with subtle cinnamon throughout.

FINISH Long with lingering spice, rich oak and citrus peel.
ABV 55%