ralfy review 1017 Extras – Some more whisky knowledge.

Auctioneer behind record-breaking £1m Macallan cask celebrates 100th whisky auction and £10,000 whisky giveaway 

– Whisky Hammer to offer a ‘suite of perks’ as a thank you to its loyal customer base –

Specialist spirits auctioneer, Whisky Hammer, is marking its landmark 100^th online auction on Friday 15 March, with a suite of perks as a ‘thank you’ to its buyers and sellers.

Since forming eight years ago, the auction site, which was founded by brothers Daniel and Craig Milne, has successfully sold over 155,000 lots worth £60 million for private sellers, attracting bids from 88 countries across the globe in its monthly auctions.

Whisky Hammer has now become a destination for buyers and sellers of rare and collectible whisky – including a record-breaking million-pound cask of Macallan whisky which lay forgotten for more than 30 years. The Macallan, which fetched $1,295,500 (including buyer’s premium) smashed the previous record at the time for a cask sold at auction of $572,000, which was held by Bonhams. Other high-profile bottles sold by Whisky Hammer include a 55 Year Old Yamazaki which sold for £380,000.

To mark its 100^th auction milestone, Whisky Hammer will be arranging a number of perks in its March auction to say ‘thank you’ to its customers.

Sellers are being urged to submit interesting, unique or rare bottles, before the 100^th auction deadline of Monday 11^th March, in return for one-off incentives. Rather than the usual 5% seller commission charge, sales in the March auction will benefit from not only 0% seller commission, but an additional 1% bonus being paid on top of the hammer proceeds for its sellers.

All successful buyers in the March auction will be entered into a prize draw to win a share of £10,000 worth of Still Spirit whisky vouchers – with 10 prizes in total and first place winning £5,000 to spend in the store. Each bottle won at auction will be the equivalent to one entry into the draw.

Whisky Hammer will also bottle a limited-edition whisky in celebration of its 100^th auction – with just 100 bottles available to bid on. The 11-Year-Old blended Scotch whisky is being bottled at 100 Proof (50% ABV) and all bottles will be individually hand numbered, with bids starting at £30 per bottle.

Daniel Milne, co-founder and managing director of Whisky Hammer and Still Spirit, said: “Whisky has been our genuine passion from day one, and we’ve been dedicated to securing rare and hard to find whiskies for our buyers to enjoy ever since.  Thanks to our global buyer and seller customer base, we’ve been lucky enough to represent some true unicorns of the whisky world in our monthly auctions, and are so proud of what we have achieved between our very first auction to us now marking our 100^th.

“Bringing together whisky lovers across the globe has been a real highlight for us and we feel the 100^th auction is a great milestone to give back a big “thank you” to our loyal buyers and sellers with the planned March auction perks.  Here’s to the next 8 years!”

Whisky Hammer was started in 2016 by brothers Daniel and Craig Milne who are originally from Macduff, near Speyside, an area renowned for the production of Scotch whisky. The business hosts monthly auctions dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, which attract buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe.

The 100^th auction will go live at 7pm (GMT) on Friday 15^th March. To register to take part in the auction, click here.

For more information on Whisky Hammer or for private sellers to submit bottles to auction, visit www.whiskyhammer.com.

About Whisky Hammer

Whisky Hammer is a family run whisky auction service founded by brothers and keen whisky enthusiasts Daniel and Craig Milne, who are supported by a team of passionate experts acting as trusted advisors to both buyers and sellers. Whisky Hammer hosts monthly auctions dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, which attract more than 200,000 buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe. It has auctioned a wide range of whiskies, both bottles and casks, recently achieving the world record for the highest value cask ever sold at auction.

The superior service offered by Whisky Hammer means it is trusted by some of the world’s most prominent whisky collectors and sellers, with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. Its sister retail business, Still Spirit, comprises a whisky shop and dram bar offering over 200 rare whiskies based in Ellon, including an e-commerce site. In summer 2023, Whisky Hammer founders also launched independent bottling company, Halcyon Spirits.

Follow Whisky Hammer @whiskyhammer on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.whiskyhammer.com

THE HARMONY COLLECTION GREEN MEADOW

We are pleased to share that The Macallan Harmony Collection Green Meadow will be available in The Macallan Global Boutiques, key airports and selected duty free locations from March 2024 with limited availability.

Created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, Green Meadow takes inspiration from natural Scottish grasslands and celebrates the lush and fertile lands of Scotland which connects all those who have stood upon them for generations.

Green Meadow is a single malt reminiscent of wild meadow, with a vibrant, primrose scented finish.

DISCOVER

THE HARMONY COLLECTION GREEN MEADOW

The Harmony Collection Green Meadow embraces the re-use of natural materials in its packaging, creating beauty from resources at the end of their natural lives.​ To mark this deep connection with the land, discarded meadow cuttings have been given new life in this presentation box and bottle labels.

TASTING NOTES

EXPLORE COLOUR, NOSE, PALATE & FINISH

COLOUR: Spring Morning
NOSE: Fresh orange and lemon, wild primrose, petrichor, honeydew melon, bluebells
PALATE: Rich lemon, barley sugars, creamy vanilla, almonds, fresh oak
FINISH: Sweet, fragrant, long and creamy
ABV 40.2%

The Macallan Distillery Experience,  The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies,  Craigellachie, 

Moray,  AB38 9RX,  Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

NEW EXCLUSIVE:
MIDLETON VERY RARE 25 YEAR OLD

A powerhouse of the whiskey world, Midleton distillery in County Cork produces some of Ireland’s most recognisable drams, including Redbreast, Powers and Jameson. For the last four decades, the jewel in its crown has been Midleton Very Rare – a series of exemplary whiskies made in small batches from the distillery’s finest casks.

This 1997 Midleton was specially selected and bottled for The Whisky Exchange from a single first-fill bourbon cask. More than two decades of aging has imparted notes of orange zest, vanilla and white chocolate, followed by black tea, charred oak and peppercorn spice on the palate. Limited to only 159 bottles, this is not to be missed by long-standing Irish whiskey enthusiasts.

£710

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The Single Cask

Glenrothes 15 Year Old

£113.89/ $120* / c$162* / €111*

2005 vintage single sherry cask bottled at 64.6% abv. Glenrothes 15 Year Old 2005 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single sherry cask GB008A bottled 2022 by The Single Cask. 267 numbered bottles. Red fruits, rancio, dark chocolate, cinnamon, allspice, malt, oak, black pepper. 267 bottles of the Speyside favourite bottled by our friends at The Single Cask.

Glenrothes Distillery was established in the narrow valley of the Rothes Burn on the west side of Rothes in the Speyside whisky region by James Stuart & Co. in 1878. This is a large malt whisky distillery owned by Berry Bros & Rudd of London, with eighteen washbacks, ten copper stills singing in their own mighty cathedral and has retained its traditional pagoda roof. Popular distillery releases include Glenrothes 1995, 1998 and Glenrothes Peated.

Our first Spring 2024 collection schedule has been finalised. Please click HERE to see the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in for the March 2024 collection service.

The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 11th March 2024.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Lots can be split over the next three auctions.

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 find the link to 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.

Submission Form & Label

ralfy review 1017 – Torabhaig Allt Gleann single malt @61.1%vol:

Lochlea gives a nod to Islay for new seasonal release:

Ploughing Edition (Second Crop)

Multi award winning, family-owned Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire is delighted to launch the fourth and final release from its Second Crop series of the distillery’s seasonal releases: Ploughing Edition (Second Crop).

The release of Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) marks winter on the farm when the fields are ploughed in preparation for spring’s sowing season in the months ahead. It is also the only Lochlea whisky with a distinctive smoky profile, achieved through it being matured exclusively in 100% ex-Islay 200 litre casks.

Inspired by this season, coupled with Production Director John Campbell’s Ileach (Islay) heritage, Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) gives John the chance to talk about his homeland and the influence it brings to Lochlea’s whisky profile, whilst also celebrating the beauty of winter on the farm itself.

John grew up on Islay and, up until he joined Lochlea in 2021, had spent his life living and working on the Inner Hebridian island – firstly as a lobster fisherman, then more famously as Laphroaig’s renowned Distillery Manager for 27 years. His move to Lochlea in 2021 marked his first time living and working off the island and on Scotland’s mainland, whilst still in the whisky industry he is so passionate about.

John said: “We are excited to share our new Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) that shows the experimental side of Lochlea that we are always looking to explore more. As Islay whiskies are so well respected and much loved, we wanted to ensure we tip our hat to this unique style of whisky carefully and done in the right way.”

“We know people love Islay whiskies – with Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) we want to play on our fruit-forward, characterful and biscuity Lochlea house style and give it a special Islay twist using casks that have spent a significant amount of time housing and maturing some of Islay’s finest single malts.”

Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) has been matured solely in 200 litre ex-Islay barrels giving it a distinctive earthy, peaty character, whilst the previous Ploughing Edition (First Crop) in 2023 was matured in both peated quarter casks and ex-Islay barrels, revealing more charcoal smoke characteristics.

Lochlea’s seasonal releases are as follows:

• Ploughing Edition: released in winter when the fields are ploughed in preparation for spring.

• Sowing Edition: inspired by spring when the seed is sown for the year’s barley crop.

• Harvest Edition: inspired by the annual harvest on the farm.

• Fallow Edition: reflects the season of autumn on the farm when the fields are left fallow to rest after a busy harvest.

As with all of Lochlea’s whiskies, Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is non-chill filtered – it has been bottled at 46% and has an RRP of £51.50. It is available from Lochlea stockists from 7^th March 2024 onwards.

In addition to the seasonal limited edition releases, Lochlea has a core whisky expression available all year round – Our Barley. This unpeated single malt has been matured in a combination of three different casks: first fill ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry casks and STR barriques, all of which add depths of flavour to the spirit. Launched in July 2022, Our Barley has received much acclaim as a superb example of a young non-age statement (NAS) Lowlands whisky, made entirely from the distillery’s own home-grown barley.

Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) – Tasting notes:

Nose: fresh green apple, signature Lochlea cereal

Palate: succulent fruit, freshly cut summer hay

Finish: sea salt, lingering peaty embers

 ABV: 46%

About Lochlea Distillery:

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.

For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

The March Outturn has landed at Legacy Liquor Store in Vancouver and Strath Liquor Merchants in Victoria – this month, join us on a journey of exploration. Get set to enjoy the fantastic taste journey in every sip. And be sure to download the pdf of this month’s Outturn from our website to read all about the SMWS Whisky Team – the beating heart of our club!

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BUBBLEGUM BUNS

CASK NO. 72.118

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  11 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Apple segments played dodgeball against chunks of toffee armed with blackcurrants. A cloud of cotton candy lingered overhead, raining down bubblegum, brioche buns and coconut.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

EFFERVESCENT SPARKLE

CASK NO. 5.96

REGION:  Lowland

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  18 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A sweet floral aroma permeated the room followed by honey-glazed brioche hot cross buns as we enjoyed a sparkling grape, pear and apple juice.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Spicy & sweet

A BREAKFAST LIKE NO OTHER

FIRST APPEARANCE FROM THIS DISTILLERY FOR SMWS CANADA

CASK NO. 79.10

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  11 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “We poured apple juice over clotted cream, lemon icing and lavender on toast, then tucked into cinnamon buns with currants, all dusted with teak wood shavings.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

A REAL TONIC

CASK NO. 85.78

REGION:  Speyside

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon hogshead

FINAL CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  14 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “The wooden fragrance of Scots pine, starting a barbecue, flapjacks and maple pecan pie. Diluted, rum and raisin fudge and fresh ginger juice.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

MASSIVE OAK EXTRACTION

LIMIT ONE PER MEMBER

Distillery 24 Rare Release

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPES:  1st fill & refill oloroso & PX butts & hogsheads

AGE:  14 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Crème brûlée, chocolate fudge sundae and peaches in syrup confronted tannic oak, burnt heather, aniseed balls, PX, espresso and charcuterie.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

POISED PEAT

CASK NO. 4.349

REGION:  Highland Island

INITIAL CASKS:  Ex-bourbon hogsheads

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  12 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A beautiful, understated and complex example of this Orkney classic. Single malt, originally from bourbon hogsheads, married in this cask.”

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

MIND THOSE CHILLI FINGERS

CASK NO. 10.246

REGION:  Islay

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon hogshead

FINAL CASK:  Refill hogshead heavy char #4+

AGE:  9 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Chock full of gutsy peaty power, but at the same time wonderfully syrupy, resinous and sweet – as we discovered tar, resins, wood extracts, teas and iodine.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

BRAND NEW OFFERS:DISTILLERY RESERVE COLLECTION

This week only we’re offering discounts on several Speyside single malts from The Distillery Reserve Collection, including £15 off a nutty Tormore and £10 off a rich and warming Glenlivet matured in a first-fill sherry butt.

This range of distillery reserves from Chivas Brothers are all single cask expressions, non chill-filtered, and bottled at natural cask strength. Usually only available to buy at the distilleries themselves, these limited Scottish single malts are rarely seen outside the realms of blends and independent bottlings.

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