Is a $2000 Scotch better with Coca-Cola than Jack Daniels!?

My guilt is immeasurable.

THE VIDEO

The details we await…

ROYAL SALUTE DROPS NEW EXPRESSION IN ITS FASHION COLLECTION, CO-CREATED WITH ICONIC BRITISH DESIGNER, RICHARD QUINN

Royal Salute, the master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, has expanded its Fashion Collection, partnering for the second year with celebrated star of British fashion and long-standing brand collaborator, Richard Quinn. The all-new limited edition, Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II, perfectly marries cutting-edge creativity in fashion and expert luxury Scotch whisky blending, making it a true collectable.

The latest Fashion Collection expression catapults the collaboration to new creative heights with Royal Salute Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, and Richard Quinn co-crafting the exquisite new blend together in Strathisla Distillery, in Speyside, Scotland, where the most precious Royal Salute whiskies are safeguarded. Through meticulous testing and creative development, the pair has created an exceptional new Scotch with a twist, that brings out depth and maturity, and reflects the growing relationship between Royal Salute and the acclaimed British designer.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II marries the finest hand-selected Scotch whiskies, including some from Braeval, Strathisla and Caperdonich, and all matured for a minimum of 21 years, resulting in a bespoke blend with rich fruity notes, elevated with hints of spice and gentle smoky characteristics, making it wonderfully balanced and opulent.

The exclusive blend is housed in Royal Salute’s signature flagon, which has been adorned with three striking designs by Richard Quinn, each showcasing his characteristic bold style and love of colliding patterns. While one depicts a print reflective of some of his most famous work with rose petals and white polka dots against a black backdrop, another features a striking white daisy against a forest green background. Completing the trio and available exclusively in Global Travel Retail, the final floral pattern uses vibrant purple, yellow and green shades against a pristine white background.

Speaking of his ongoing collaboration with Royal Salute, Richard Quinn said:

“I get inspired and motivated by someone who has something new to say, who brings a new perspective, or pushes boundaries to create something new and Sandy Hyslop does this in incredible fashion when it comes to crafting outstanding Scotch. Spending time with him at Strathisla Distillery was a stand-out highlight for me and the creative journey we’ve been on together has been incredible. We both brought a really clear vision to the table, and seeing these collide, merge and build into the finished edition was a thrill to be a part of. Extending the collaboration with Royal Salute was a no-brainer for me, and I love the idea that our collaborative effort will find its way into the hands of appreciators of craft across the world.”

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II will be released on 2^nd October 2023, and will be available at select luxury retailers worldwide, including at www.thewhiskyexchange.com at an RRP of $222 USD.

For more information, visit www.royalsalute.com and follow @royalsalute online.

This article appears here well after the original publication date and as a matter of interest.

Welcome one and all to our now live 154th auction!  Spring has sprung, the nights are brighter and what better way to celebrate than by snaffling a bottle of something special from the fantastic selection we’ve got for you this month.  We have bottles of every style and profile, and from every known whisky-making region on the planet, so if you can’t find something you like in here then you just haven’t scrolled far enough yet.  To help you out we’ve plucked a few great bottles from the throng to get you started.

Springbank 20 Year Old Celebrating 1000 Reviews at Ralfy.com

First up we have a bottle from a long-time friend of Scotch Whisky Auctions, the irrepressible Ralfy of ralfy.com fame.  The bottle in question is a mighty fine 20 year old Springbank and is one of only 2 bottles created to celebrate Ralfy’s 1000th review.  One is going behind the bar at The Bon Accord in Glasgow (a regular haunt of ours here at SWA), which makes this bottle the only one on the planet available to buy in its entirety!  If that doesn’t qualify it as a bona fide rarity of the highest order then I don’t know what does.  Even better all the proceeds are going to charity so you can feel good about yourself at the same time as securing a one-off bottling the likes of which may never be seen again.

For a fuller description here is the man himself telling the story of the bottle.

Macallan 1946 52 Year Old Select Reserve with Certificate and Keys 75cl

This Macallan 1946 52 Year Old Select Reserve really looks the part, presented in a simple and understated locking wooden box, which could come in handy for keeping this beauty away from prying eyes.  The whisky itself has been waiting patiently in a sherry cask for 52 years prior to being bottled. No fancy packaging or bling, this is one classy act. We would say that it’s a must have for Macallan collectors but that’s too obvious. This is a bottle for connoisseurs of whisky.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt King of Diamonds 2nd Edition

Next up we have a great bottle all the way from the land of the rising sun, this is the Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card King of Diamonds 2nd Edition.  This series was a marketing masterstroke and featured a different playing card on the label of each release, allowing people to easily remember their favourites and encouraging collectors to complete the full deck. There were only 17 years of production at Hanyu so stocks are limited and scarce.  While not quite as coveted as the 1st edition this is still one of only 555 bottles released making it rather rare indeed.

Springbank 1996 27 Year Old JJ Adams ‘Mouse Fight’ Series 1 with Prints 50cl

Finally we have a particularly nifty little bottling, the Springbank 1996 27 Year Old JJ Adams ‘Mouse Fight’ Series 1 with Prints 50cl.  Bottled by Rare Whisky in collaboration with celebrated British pop artist JJ Adams this a well-aged Springbank that comes with a rather nice print which aims to settle the age-old question of who would win in a transatlantic square go between Mickey Mouse and Danger Mouse.  I mean, Danger Mouse, obviously.  One of only 290 bottles released this is a great wee collaboration between one of Scotland’s best distilleries and one of the UK’s coolest artists.As always, we have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites for your watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

Unique Springbank auction at ScotchWhiskyAuctions.com

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery as Newest Craft Member

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Franklin County is the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

According to founder Jeff Mattingly, the distillery continues the traditions first set out by his sixth-generation uncle, John Graves Mattingly, who was involved in at least nine different Kentucky distilleries beginning in 1845.

Jeff Mattingly first opened his distillery, Bourbon 30, in Georgetown, Ky., in 2010, before moving to Frankfort last year. The new distillery is part of a $5 million investment by Mattingly and his new partners, Gold Corn Investors, LLC.

The 25,000-square-foot facility at 20 Reilly Road in Frankfort features a 50-gallon pot still and offers a tasting bar, gift shop and a custom blending experience. Expansion plans are underway for a column still at the Frankfort site and barrel warehouses in Shelby County.

The distillery produces a variety of spirits, including a 90- and 100-proof Bourbon, single barrels expressions of rye, Bourbon, a wheat Bourbon and a light whiskey, and a new brandy to be released soon.

Cameron Mattingly, Jeff Mattingly’s son, is now Vice President of Production. “Our goal as a family-owned craft distillery is to distill, craft and bring the barrel pick and blending experience to every Bourbon fan from all walks of life,” he said.

“Since 1845, my family has been distilling Bourbon and making history in Kentucky. We’re so proud to now join the established community that protects our industry and our historic culture,” Cameron Mattingly said.

Learn more at https://jmattingly1845.com.

J.Mattingly 1845 Distillery joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 10,000 barrels per year. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KDA President Eric Gregory said, “On behalf of the KDA and our esteemed members, we are honored to welcome Jeff, Cameron and their team at J. Mattingly to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers. We look forward to working with them as we secure the integrity and legacy of America’s only native spirit.”

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association

We’re sharing the story behind the beautiful bottle of HE 00009 24, also known as Batch No.9 of The Hearach single malt. We have less than 350 bottles left in our online store if you’d like to get hold of one of your own to enjoy, share, or gift to a good friend.

Captured in stunning glass wrapped with organic lines and curves, every bottle is presented in a specially design bespoke box which unfolds to reveal a myriad of hidden details.

Batch No.9 is priced at £65.00 and UK orders placed with us online will be delivered to your door free of charge in around 3 working days.

Read on to learn more about this special start to our second release!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

In the spirit of being open, straight, and true we also want to share as much information about the making of our whisky batches as we can.

Whether your a whisky geek or just interested in diving a little deeper into your dram, you’ll find a wealth of wonderful little details and data on your batch sheets.

Norman Ian Mackay from Luskentrye is our Head Distiller and is responsible for providing many of the figures we include, with a little help from Billy and Stevie elsewhere in the production team.

Here are just a few of the facts you can find for Batch 9…

Batch Run
12,385 Bottles

Bottling Dates:
15.01.24 – 30.01.24

Casks Used
Heaven Hill Bourbon (21%) + Buffalo Trace Bourbon (64%) + Oloroso Sherry (11%) + Fino Sherry (4%)

Fermentation Times
40% Short (70 hours) + 60% Long (120 Hours)

Marrying Time
16 Weeks + 3 Days

Barley & Yeast
Concerto Barley
Lallelmand + Distilamax MW yeasts

Peating Level
12.9 PPM (Averaged)

If that’s not enough for you, please click below to read more!

READ THE BATCH 9 SHEET

VISIT THE HEARACH SHOP

Tobermory 28 Years Old

This single malt from Tobermory Distillery was distilled on the 8th November 1995 and aged for 28 Years in a refill hogshead before being bottled on the 2nd February 2024. Bottled at natural cask strength of 46.1% ABV. Only 196 Bottles were produced.

NOSE: Clear apple juice, cloudy honey, wham bars, Haribo strawberries, fruit salad sweets, malt, Iron Bro, bubblegum and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

PALATE: Carrot cake, salt and pepper, pineapple, banana bread, cherry lips and orange jellies.

FINISH: Delicate waxiness, orange zest, sherbet, black tea and gummy bears.

£212.00

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New in

JACK DANIEL’S BONDED RYE

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye is the third release in its range of bottles that adhere to the stipulations of the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act. It is made with a mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley, creating a sweet and spicy whisky with notes of maple syrup and black pepper complemented by a sweet and spicy notes on the palate.

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Murray McDavid
The Art of Maturation
Whisky Tasting Event
25th May 2024 7pm

Masters of the cask finish, their releases are both innovative and tasty. Spearheaded by their Master of Creation, Dean Jode, the warehouses at Coleburn are chock-full of fantastic liquid from just about every distillery in the country. We are delighted to welcome Kevin, Brand Ambassador for Murray McDavid to the Inverurie Whisky Shop to guide us through some wonderful expressions from their range.

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