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ralfy review 1106 Extras – The history of ‘Golden Promise’ barley.

L-R: Fraser Souness, Gordon & MacPhail, David Shawah, iGroup, Tristan Barter, iGroup, Dora Petherbridge, Curator (US and Commonwealth Collections), National Library of Scotland, Alison Stevenson, Director of Collections, Access and Research, National Library of Scotland

Rare Book Celebrated with Rare Drams in Donation to National Library of Scotland to Mark 100th Anniversary

Edinburgh, November 12th 2025 — In a celebration of natural heritage and enduring legacy, Gordon & MacPhail, one of Scotland’s most prestigious independent Scotch whisky companies, together with Mr. Pote Narittakurn Lee, Chairman of iGroup (and owner of Gordon & MacPhail’s distribution partner in Thailand), have collaborated to donate a rare 21st century edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America to the National Library of Scotland.

This meaningful act of philanthropy marks a double milestone: the 100th anniversary of the National Library of Scotland and the 130th anniversary of Gordon & MacPhail. The donation reflects a shared commitment to preserving knowledge, nature, and culture for generations to come.

Established in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail blends deep heritage, family stewardship, and rare whisky curation. Over more than a century, the company has shaped global appreciation for single malt whisky—crafting and maturing some of the world’s most sought-after expressions. This legacy of patience and precision finds a kindred spirit in J.J Audubon’s painstakingly detailed tribute to avian life.

“This donation honours our shared appreciation for Scotland’s natural world, its literary and artistic traditions, and the importance of preserving cultural treasures,” said Mr. Lee, whose company iGroup have pioneered digital publishing in the Education space for over 40 years. “We are proud to support the National Library of Scotland’s vital role in safeguarding the nation’s heritage.”

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, added: “Just as our whiskies capture the essence of place and time, Audubon’s Birds of America captures the delicate beauty of the natural world. It’s a privilege to mark our 130th year with a gesture that celebrates both legacy and landscape.”

The National Library of Scotland will house the edition within its special collections, providing public access to a timeless fusion of science, art, and storytelling.

This donation not only commemorates landmark anniversaries but also symbolises a deeper connection between nature, craft, and the Scottish spirit—a shared legacy of excellence in both words and whisky.

A special event, with invited guests will, celebrate the donation with a tasting of some of the world’s rarest and most exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail.

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned Scotch whisky specialist. Based in Elgin and operating on an international level, Gordon & MacPhail is owned by the third and fourth generation of the Urquhart family. Bringing together over 130 years of expertise in Scotch whisky production with a passion for building a business that will continue for generations to come, Gordon & MacPhail owns both Benromach Distillery in Forres and The Cairn Distillery in Grantown-on-Spey, as well as maturing and bottling some of the world’s rarest Single Malt Scotch Whiskies under its Gordon & MacPhail brand.

About iGroup

iGroup connects people and organisations with the knowledge and tools they need to learn and discover. iGroup began in the book business and grew into the leading provider of digital content and technology-led solutions for libraries across the Asia–Pacific region. For over 40 years, we’ve supported libraries, universities and research communities. With local teams in 20+ countries and a global partner network, we combine on-the-ground insight with global reach to facilitate knowledge exchange, accelerate research, and empower teaching, learning and discovery.

About John James Audubon’s Birds of America

John James Audubon’s Birds of America (1827–1838) is widely regarded as one of the most significant achievements in natural history publishing, featuring 435 life-size, hand-coloured plates that combine meticulous scientific observation with exceptional artistry. The first ten copper plates in the volume were engraved, printed and watercolour-finished by an Edinburgh company headed by William Home Lizars. Produced in the monumental “double elephant folio” format, with each print measuring 99cm by 66cm, the work has inspired generations of ornithologists, artists, and nature enthusiasts.

This 21st-century edition faithfully captures the beauty and detail of Audubon’s original, making it accessible to new audiences for research, learning, and enjoyment.

Welcome, willkommen and bienvenue one and all to our now live 174th auction!  We have a tremendous array of drams available this month, a bevy of beauties if you will, including a rather excellent ‘buy-it-now’ option.  With so much to choose from we thought we’d give you a leg up and highlight a few interesting bottles to get your watchlist moving.

Our first highlight is something you really won’t want to miss, particularly for collectors of Japanese whisky, this is the Hakushu ‘First Class’ for Moegi no Mura.  This vanishingly rare Hakushu was bottled in 2024 in collaboration with the nearby Moegi Village (Moegi no Mura) tourist complex, and is one of only 4 bottles made available for public sale!  Bottled at 51% this incredibly exclusive dram is a marriage of five Hakushu vintages from 1977, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 2006.  We are unlikely to see to see this up for sale again anytime soon so if this one catches your eye you might need to act fast.

Next up we have not one but two incredible bottles from a Speyside behemoth, the Glenfiddich 1958 Private Vintage Single Cask #8642 and Glenfiddich 1959 Private Vintage Single Cask #3934.  This really was the distillery that started the whole single malt boom and these two drams distilled at the tail end of the 1950’s are a terrific example of why this distillery is so revered. Both bottled in 2006 these are whiskies of the absolute highest quality with an understated elegance of design rarely matched in the whisky world.

Every month in our highlights there has to be the obligatory ‘bucket list drinker’, and this month that honour goes to this Springbank 1967 28 Year Old 75cl.  Pungent, oily and marvellously delicious older Springbanks have attained near mythical status among many serious whisky aficionados over the years.  Distilled in 1967 this rich-looking liquid then spent the best part of three decades ageing before being wrapped up in this classy and elegant little bottle you see before you.

And finally, we have a bottle of something special available as a ‘Buy-It-Now’ option this month, this is the Highland Park 20003 22 Year Old Integrity Malts.

Integrity Malts is an independent whisky bottler founded in 2024 by two whisky enthusiasts united by a shared obsession with authenticity, flavour, and honesty in whisky making.  They only release whisky that is non-chill filtered, bottled at natural cask strength, and without artificial colouring, just as nature intended!

This is a finely balanced dram, starts with a rich heavy punch of stone fruit which develops into a sweet caramel finish with just a slight hint of peat smoke.  We have 116 bottles available, so fill your boots.As always we have an enormous selection of drams to suit every budget on offer this month, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.

Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

Big Peat Chinese New Year

Year of the Horse – 2026 Limited Edition

Big Peat returns early to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 – Year of the Horse!

Globally only 888 bottles exist of this natural cask strength Islay Whisky (48.8% ABV). Brimming with smoky warmth, maritime character and a hearty dose of peat, this celebratory bottling is the perfect way to toast new beginnings, good fortune and unforgettable moments with family and friends.

Secure your bottle now and toast the new year in true Islay style.

SHOP NOW

HAZELBURN 10YO

After not being bottled for the last two years, our classic Hazelburn 10yo will be hitting the shelves once again. We trust this is welcome news for fans of our unpeated, triple distilled expression.

UK RRP £55 – £57

ralfy review 1106 – Ardnamurchan Heritage (golden promise) @ 58.2%vol:

Chivas Regal Honours The Driving Force Behind Scuderia Ferrari Hp In New Film: ‘A Tribute To The Scuderia Ferrari Hp Pit Crew’

Drivers usually take the centre stage – but every lap is a team effort, both on and off the track. Now, luxury Scotch whisky Chivas Regal is putting some of the unsung heroes of Scuderia Ferrari HP in the spotlight with the launch of, ‘A Tribute to the Scuderia Ferrari HP Pit Crew.’

Unveiled at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the powerful new film honours the tenacious crew who build together behind the scenes and reflects Chivas Regal’s belief that success is built on teamwork.

This launch marks the latest chapter in Chivas Regal’s ongoing partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP – a collaboration that reflects shared values of passion, determination and ambition and celebrates a collective pursuit of excellence. It offers fans a glimpse into the high-stakes precision of a Scuderia Ferrari HP pit stop – a world where milliseconds define outcomes, and persistence is everything.

Fans can watch a choreographed routine inspired by the pit crews meticulous performance – a feat of human and mechanical precision – mirroring the dedication poured into every bottle of Chivas Regal.

Scuderia Ferrari HP Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, came together with Chivas Regal to pay tribute to the pit crew.

“Formula 1 is a team sport in every sense, and our results come from the dedication of everyone at Scuderia Ferrari HP. It’s great to have a partner like Chivas Regal, who highlights this collective spirit and recognises the incredible work done away from the spotlight” said Vasseur.

Acclaimed spoken word artist, George the Poet transformed the crew’s physical feat into a poetic spectacle, celebrating the perseverance it takes to show up on the track.

“You make it look natural… that unnatural level of precision. There’s a gold standard of execution that you bring to every competition…”

“I’m always drawn to the voices we don’t usually hear, so it is an honour to tell the stories of these unsung heroes,” said George the Poet. “Whether it’s a poem or a pit stop, craftsmanship takes tenacity. That’s exactly what Chivas Regal captured in this tribute.”

“True greatness is driven by the hands of many. This campaign embodies our I Rise We Rise ethos and focuses on the people who build together and set the team up for greatness behind the scenes.” said Nick Blacknell, Global Marketing Director, Chivas Regal. “The Scuderia Ferrari HP team shares our tenacious mindset and belief that success is built on teamwork – and that’s what makes our partnership so powerful.”

The film premiered at the iconic Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where Chivas Regal brought the campaign to life on the ground with curated experiences and recognition of the unsung heroes at the heart of the action.

Chivas Regal invites you to raise a glass to the unsung heroes of Scuderia Ferrari HP and watch the film here.

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE AND IS PUBLISHED HERE AS A MATTER OF INTEREST.

Mannochmore 2016 Christmas PX Octave

We’ve bottled an extremely limited octave for Christmas, full of rich and spiced flavour and perfect for these longer nights. A very special release for Christmas 2025. This Mannochmore was matured in a hogshead for just under 8 years, then finished in an ex-Pedro Ximénez Octave for 14 months for layers of dried fruit and sweetness.

Tasting Notes; Black cherry, Battenburg cake and walnut.

DISTILLED 19th July 2016 AND BOTTLED 21st November 2025

The cask yielded only 54 bottles and it was bottled at natural cask strength of 55.9%

Available from our web shop for only £60

SAZERAC COMPANY 2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

For the whiskey connoisseur who’s tasted it all – or thinks they have:

Paul John Christmas Edition 2025 

Crafted on the tropical shores of Goa, the 8^th annual Paul John Christmas Edition 2025 is a celebration of Indian artistry and seasonal indulgence. This unpeated single malt whisky is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in cream liqueur casks, revealing layers of honeyed oak, warm spice and a subtle hint of Christmas cake. This exceptional limited-edition expression embodies the spirit of Christmas in every sip, offering connoisseurs and collectors a luxurious taste of the season. SRP: $85 (local taxes and fees will vary).

For the literary soul who believes whiskey is art:

Garavogue 20 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey 

Named for the river that winds through W.B. Yeats’ beloved County Sligo, Garavogue 20 Year Old Irish Whiskey is a poetic expression of place and craft. Aged across multiple casks to achieve remarkable depth and nuance, it unfolds with notes of orchard fruit, vanilla, and gentle spice. Elegant, balanced and distinctly Irish, it’s a gift for those that savor both heritage and artistry. SRP: $199 (local taxes and fees will vary).

For the sports fan who lives for the roar of the crowd and the hum of the highway: 

Traveller Whiskey 

From the baseball diamond to the racetrack, Traveller Whiskey is the perfect companion for fans who know that good whiskey – like a great season – only gets better with time. Created in partnership by Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Harlen Wheatley, it’s the ultimate pour for America’s favorite pastimes. SRP: $39.99 (local taxes and fees will vary).

Raise a Dram to St Andrew’s Day with the New Look Jura 12 Year Old

St Andrew’s Day is a time to celebrate Scotland – the faces, the places, and of course, the whiskies that bring us together. And this year, Jura 12 Year Old has a new look fitting for the occasion.

Since 1810, Jura’s beachside distillery has been creating a truly unique single malt. This Scottish island whisky is a testament to Jura’s fruity and balanced house style.

New to whisky and not sure where to start? Jura 12 Year Old makes it easy to find your perfect match. The bottle features a first-of-its-kind taste scale – so whether you’re buying for your nearest and dearest, or simply treating yourself, the scale takes the guesswork out of gifting by showcasing the strength of the whisky’s three key flavours (rated from 0–6): peach (4), bright citrus (3), and lightly toasted walnut (3). It’s a whisky designed to help you discover what you love – before you’ve even cracked open the bottle.

Pick up Jura 12 Year Old from ASDA, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco and specialist retailers including Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, RRP £41.