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Adam sits down to chat over Zoom with the father of Bearface, Andres Faustinelli about this very unique expression.
SOTHEBY’S ‘WEEKEND OF WHISKY’ IN LONDON THIS NOVEMBER
Two-Day Sales Series Features:
The Most Valuable Collection of Japanese Whisky Ever Offered at Auction,
A Bottle Containing the World’s Most Valuable Whisky: The Macallan 1926,
&
Select Bottles from the Collection of Visionary Epicurean and Aesthete, Pierre Chen
The Macallan to Host Pop-up Bar in Sotheby’s New Bond Street Galleries
AUCTIONS: Friday 17 & Saturday 18 November
1 NOVEMBER 2023 – This autumn, Sotheby’s will present ‘The Weekend of Whisky’, a two-day event taking place on 17 and 18 November in London. The sales series will feature the world’s most valuable whisky, a bottle of The Macallan 1926, featuring the Valerio Adami label; select bottles from the legendary collection of visionary epicurean and aesthete, Pierre Chen; and the most valuable Japanese whisky collection ever to come to auction. The Macallan will be hosting a pop-up bar in Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries for the occasion, by invitation only. Highlights from both sales will be on public exhibition from 14 to 18 November.
KODAWARI | The Greatest Japanese Whisky Collection, 17 November
“To oversee the sale of the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky ever offered at auction is truly a privilege as a real whisky lover. To have assembled this many magnificent and frankly iconic bottles into a single collection is staggering and tells a story not only of one collector’s passion and dedication over many years, but also of the rising popularity of the Japanese whisky category as a whole.”
James Gray, Sotheby’s Whisky Specialist
Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 1960, est. £260,000-350,000
This year, 2023, marks the centenary of Japanese whisky – a spirit that 100 years ago was forged in the footprint of Scotch whisky, but nowadays very much has a unique standing in the whisky collecting world. With a combined estimate of £1.6 – 2.1 million, KODAWARI | The Greatest Japanese Whisky Collection is the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky ever offered at auction, predominantly made up of single cask releases from the closed distillery Karuizawa, many of which rarely come to auction.
The sale has been made possible by one collector’s foresight for the potential of Japanese whisky. Not only did the collector manage to obtain some of the rarest whiskies ever produced, he is also in the unique position of having tasted almost every single one of them, including the Karuizawa 1960. His passion overwhelmed any sense of trepidation when building the collection – when he began his foray into Japanese whisky, interest in the category outside of Asia was fairly non-existent, which is surprising given the exceptional quality of much of the malt whisky being produced in Japan. Although a ‘hidden gem’ in the West at the time, Japanese whisky was still fairly accessible. By the early 2010s, the whiskies had begun to appear regularly in Europe and the collector – a true enthusiast – started to swap and trade bottles with other like-minded individuals around the world to ensure his collection was as comprehensive as possible.
The KODAWARI collector said: “When I started collecting just over two decades ago, nobody really knew much about Japanese whisky. I just liked the story and iconography, not to mention the taste! It wasn’t at all popular in the West at that time, so it was relatively easy to collect. Nowadays, rare bottles are extremely difficult to find. The bottles I’m selling at Sotheby’s are a relatively small proportion of my collection. I probably won’t be able to drink all of them within my lifetime. I want these rare bottles to be shared with and enjoyed by other collectors. This year we celebrate 100 years of Japanese whisky, so it feels like a landmark moment for these whiskies and for me in my time of collecting.”
Headlining the collection is a bottle of Karuizawa 1960 (est. £260,000-350,000) – a 52 Year Old whisky from Cask #5627 that holds a special place in the world of whisky collecting.
Further highlights include:
The World’s Most Valuable Whisky + The Epicurean’s Atlas, 18 November
The Macallan 1926 has always been recognised as the most sought-after Scotch whisky, as illustrated by the sum of £1.5m ($1.9m) achieved by Sotheby’s in 2019, for the Fine & Rare version, which set a new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit. After being aged in sherry casks for six decades, just 40 bottles of The Macallan 1926 were bottled in 1986, representing the oldest Macallan vintage ever produced. The offering of a bottle of The Macallan 1926 featuring the Valerio Adami label, estimated at £750,000-1,200,000, marks the first time one of the 40 bottles has come to auction at Sotheby’s since the current record was set.
Distinguishing this offering even further is the fact that this is the first bottle to have undergone reconditioning by The Macallan Distillery ahead of being presented at auction. This process involved replacing both the capsule and the cork, applying new glue to the corners of the bottle labels and taking a 1ml liquid sample to test against another 1926 bottle at The Macallan’s Edrington offices in Glasgow. The Macallan 1926 bottle to be offered by Sotheby’s is now the foundation for all other 1926 bottles that may undergo testing in the future. In order to recondition the capsule, a sample swatch of the old capsule was used as a material match by a producer in Austria to recreate a replica replacement matching the original. (More details here.)The Macallan 1926 will take star billing in a sale of whiskies led by bottles produced by The Macallan Distillery. The auction will also feature select bottles from the legendary cellar of visionary epicurean and aesthete Pierre Chen, as a curtain-raiser to the first of five dedicated auctions in leading locations around the world – beginning in November 2023 through to November 2024 – of 25,000 bottles of wine from Chen’s vast collection (more details here).Selection of The Macallan lots from the collection of Pierre Chen
The 16 lots on offer from Pierre Chen’s collection, carrying a combined estimated value in excess of £500,000, include:
About Sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
We’ve rolled into that time of year when curling up by the fireplace with a hearty dram is the order of the day, and our November Outturn is the perfect place to find that dram.
Imagine the tropical heat with Cask No. 36.203 “Rummy ginger honey” from a Jamaican rum cask, or sink into the lusciousness of “Viscous velvet” – a distillery 64 rare release bottled for the 2023 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Or turn up the smoke with Cask No. 149.7 “A coal scuttle of jam and treacle” from one of Scotland’s “new wave” distilleries.
And with the holiday party season about to kick into high gear, a bottle of 29-year old Cask No. A7.1 “A peasant’s delight” will make for a stunning host/hostess gift.
Read on to check out our other winter wonders to keep you cozy and warm this November:
CHILDHOOD BAKING MEMORIES
REGION: Speyside
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
AGE: 11 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Juicy, oak & vanilla
BOTTLE NOTE: “In a hothouse full of flowers, grapes dangled above mandarins and rhubarb. Fruity and waxy, like the sticky crust atop a lemon meringue pie.”
RUMMY GINGER HONEY
REGION: Speyside
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill French oak Jamaican rum barrique
AGE: 13 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & sweet
BOTTLE NOTE: “Stem ginger, clove syrup and a hint of tar before we had a Jamaican Easter bun. Diluted, rummy honey, vanilla spiced oak and a piña colada.”
VISCOUS VELVET
REGION: Speyside
CASK TYPES: 1st fill and refill Oloroso, PX and bourbon hogsheads
AGE: 15 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Old & dignified
BOTTLE NOTE: “Dark, luscious, decadent and displaying maturity beyond its years – a dazzling, fruity midnight sipper for anyone who deserves a treat.”
BAKED ORANGE ROSEMARY
REGION: Highland
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill Oloroso hogshead
AGE: 12 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Deep, rich & dried fruits
BOTTLE NOTE: “Baked oranges sat on a pillow of new leather accompanied by rosemary and soft brown sugar. Molasses and apple sauce then mingled with cherries and malt loaf.”
A COAL SCUTTLE OF JAM AND TREACLE
REGION: Highland
CASK TYPE: 1st fill Oloroso butt
AGE: 7 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Peated
BOTTLE NOTE: “Treacle and jam swirled in a dusty old coal scuttle with juicy tinned fruit, ash and bundles of dried herbs, finished with fragrant spice.”
A NEW AGER ON A HOG
REGION: Islay
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead
AGE: 14 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Old & dignified
BOTTLE NOTE: “Members of the new age movement and a biker gang met in a shisha bar to drink a ‘golden smash’ before they all rode off into the sunset.”
Collection Schedule – November 2023 – Includes Orkney
Our November 2023 collection schedule has now been finalised. Please click HERE for the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in this service. The deadline for collection requests is 12 noon on Monday 13th November 2023.
Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point.
Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis.
It is essential that a submission sheet is completed, you can do so under the selling section on your ‘My SWA’ page.
It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift with your name clearly marked on the front of the box.
A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.
Talisker 45 YO Glacial Edge – Pre Order Now
Talisker distillery’s first-ever 45-year old single malt Scotch release, this is the pinnacle of their remarkable Xpedition Oak series. These heavily charred American oak Canadian whisky casks took on a new character, as the oak grain revealed hidden cracks. Bottled at 49.8% abv. One of only 2,455 bottles. You can secure your Limited edition bottle today on a Pre-Order for £4,500.
Talisker distillery’s first-ever 45-year old single malt Scotch release, this is the pinnacle of their remarkable Xpedition Oak series. After a slumber of 40 years, the precious liquid was then finished in casks that were ice fractured in biting Arctic winds for 96 hours. Here, these heavily charred American oak Canadian whisky casks took on a new character, as the oak grain revealed hidden cracks. Bottled at 49.8% abv. One of only 2,455 bottles.
The nose boasts maritime top notes that speak of seaweed and iodine, their glacial mineral companions suggest slaked lime and salt crystals. Hints of dried fruits, creamy vanilla, and aromatic smoke lead to the rich and mouth-filling palate that is first full of toffee before notes of sea salt, black pepper and chili are revealed. The long finish brings more chili pepper, with a trace of candle wax, sea salt and smoke
Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯
Harris ~ The Hearach, 46%
Another whisky with a much anticipated release is now here, The Hearach from The Isle of Harris.
A Hearach is a native of Harris, an island that hasn’t seen a legally distilled whisky since the mid-1800s, and here we are complaining about having to wait a couple of years. Made famous by their gin, for good reason too, the new single malt release sits in as stunning a bottle with a very detailed and methodical approach to its transparency and its story of Harris and its Hearachs.
Matured in bourbon, sherry, and fino sherry casks, peated between 12-14ppm, with no added colour and non-chill filtered, it’s everything we could ever want, right Well, during that wait, there have been some rather good releases of whisky, but, and it’s important, this whisky is about more than taste, initially anyway, it’s about progress.
THE DALMORE PRESENTS THE VINTAGES COLLECTION 2023
The Dalmore announce two Limited-Editions – Vintage 2005 and Vintage 2008
The third release from the annual Limited-Edition Vintage Collection
The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled two new Limited-Editions – The Dalmore Vintage 2005 and The Dalmore Vintage 2008 – which form the third release from the distiller’s prestigious Vintage Collection.
The Dalmore Vintage Collection, created by innovative Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, offers exceptional whiskies of distinguished character. The whiskies selected to form The Dalmore Vintage Collection are ultimately dictated by the casks themselves and the way they choose to shine during the annual cask inspection week, in a tradition which dates back over fifty years.
Each November, The Dalmore whisky makers spend countless hours in their historic warehouses on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, reacquainting themselves with their rare casks that have been quietly, patiently maturing. November is the optimum time for this process to take place, with the casks at rest in the cooler temperatures after the warm summer months, and their flavours alive and true.
Only the most exceptional casks, which display the finest qualities of The Dalmore and its signature style during this time, are hand-picked to become a ‘Vintage’. For the 2023 Vintage Collection, The Dalmore’s unmistakable chocolate and orange profile is showcased. The 15 Year Old, Vintage 2008 offers milk chocolate and mandarin, while the 18 Year Old, Vintage 2005 presents dark chocolate and Seville orange.
The Dalmore Vintage 2008 provides aromas of milk chocolate, caramel, mandarin, and cracked black pepper. To taste, manuka honey, sweet cacao, poached apples, and golden sultanas. To finish, expect to enjoy vanilla cream, chocolate brioche, Navelina orange, and a light cinnamon warmth. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, with an ABV of 45.8%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.
The Dalmore Vintage 2005 offers aromas of dark chocolate, salted caramel, antique leather, and rich orange citrus. To taste, expect rich cacao, blood orange, dark fruits, marzipan, and moist ginger cake. To finish, Madagascan vanilla with Seville orange, a rich nuttiness and long, dry chocolate complexities. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Vintage 2005 Sherry casks, with an ABV of 49.3%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.
Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass comments: “The annual cask inspection which ultimately leads to the creation of each years Vintage Collection is a true highlight of working on The Dalmore. We can never know what time and nature has given to these whiskies, until we take stock each November and see what magic has unfolded in the year. Richard and I select casks which we feel contain whiskies that exemplify The Dalmore’s quality and style, with the best of the best, becoming our Limited-Edition Vintages.
“For 2023, we are pleased to present two whiskies which, at different ages, showcase nuances of The Dalmore’s signature notes – chocolate, orange, and subtle spice. Vintage 2008 reveals naturally balanced shades and interplays of sweet cacao, fresh citrus and soft spices, and is a beautiful example of refined elegance from The Dalmore, captured at a moment in time. Vintage 2005 has quintessential dark chocolate notes which intertwine with rich citrus offering a flavour experience to be remembered and savoured.”
The Dalmore 2008 Vintage ($225) and The Dalmore 2005 Vintage ($490) will be available from November at select outlets worldwide.
Facebook: @thedalmore
Instagram: @thedalmore
Twitter: @DalmoreWhisky
About The Dalmore
Founded in 1839 on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, the Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.
The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.
The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.
Diageo agrees sale of Windsor Global to PT W Co., Ltd.
27 October 2023, Seoul, South Korea – Diageo has today signed and completed the sale of Windsor Global (“WG”), a subsidiary of Diageo which owns the Windsor business and associated intellectual property, to PT W Co., Ltd., a Korean company sponsored by Pine Tree Investment & Management Co., Ltd., South Korea’s leading alternative investment firm.
The transaction includes the sale of 100% of the shares of WG from Diageo Atlantic B.V. (“DABV”) to PT W Co., Ltd.
John O’Keeffe, President, Asia Pacific, Global Travel and India for Diageo said: “This transaction reflects Diageo’s disciplined approach to capital allocation and further highlights our continued track-record of active portfolio management. We remain fully committed to Korea and our international spirits and beer business. Our position in the market remains strong as premiumisation trends persist and consumer interest in categories like international whisky continues to grow.”
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1972 Clan MacBean Apollo 12
Invergordon 50 Years 1972 ~ Pilot Alan Bean flew to the Moon on board Apollo 12. In tribute to his Scottish ancestry, the astronaut carried a swatch of Clean MacBean tartan with him on the mission. What better way to celebrate this remarkable story than by raising a vintage dram… and what a cask we have found! Distilled at Invergordon Highland distillery in December 1972, half a century later yielding just 128 bottles. Each bottle includes a specially commission Launch Pad made using ex-Scotch whisky casks.
BUY NOW – £395 / $401* / c$555* / €379*
