Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 507: Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a special American whiskey. A limited edition from Kentucky Owl, blended by a Japanese Master Blender… That’s unique to say the least. And lo and behold, the bourbon is quite kaizen indeed… Shot on top of the Mont Saint Michel in France. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/4maEvM592Oo

The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition is back

The world’s favourite whisky glass – the Glencairn Glass – is once again delving into the dark side of crime fiction with the launch of its popular annual crime short story competition.

This year in partnership again with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and Scottish Field Magazine, the competition offers the winning writer a prize of £1,000 and their story published in Scottish Field and online.

Over the last two years the competition has attracted hundreds of entries from both experienced and novice crime writers internationally. Writers from around the world are invited to compose their stories, in less than 2000 words, on the theme: “A crime set in Scotland” – the competition closes on 31^st December 2023.

In addition to the £1,000 prize, the winner will also see their story published in Scottish Field Magazine in the spring. The runner up will receive a cash prize of £500. Both stories will be published online on the Scottish Field website, as well as on the Glencairn Glass website (whiskyglass.com).

The Glencairn Glass is no stranger to the ‘dram-atic’ world of Scottish crime fiction. The Scottish family business Glencairn Crystal has celebrated and supported the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival since 2020 with its Glencairn Glass sponsorship of the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year awards. Earlier this year a new three-year deal was agreed to secure the company’s commitment and sponsorship until the end of 2025. 

The judges

This year’s Glencairn Glass short story competition judging panel includes Callum McSorley, a Glasgow based writer whose debut novel Squeaky Clean won this year’s Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year. He is joined by Kate Foster the Edinburgh based national newspaper journalist and author, whose debut novel The Maiden won this year’s Bloody Scotland’s Debut Prize and has become a Times and Waterstones bestseller.

Glencairn Crystal’s marketing director Gordon Brown, who is also one of the founding directors of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, is the third judge. Gordon, who is also a crime writer, has had eleven crime and thriller books published to date.

Gordon commented: ‘We are delighted to set out on the search for a great Scottish set crime short story once more. The Glencairn Glass’s sponsorship of the crime writing prizes at Bloody Scotland and its success globally, makes it the perfect glass to toast all those writers that are about to sit down to pen a classic crime short story.’

Previous winners

Last year’s short story competition was won by Frances Crawford from Glasgow, whose captivating tale The Dummy Railway told the story of a disturbing discovery through the eyes of a young Scottish girl. Frances graduated last year, at the age of 60, with an MLitt (First) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University and says that winning the competition has opened many doors for her.

Frances commented: “What attracted me to the Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition was the fact that it is so inclusive and open to everyone, whether absolute beginner or published author. Since winning, I developed The Dummy Railway as a full-length novel, with very promising agent interest. It was an honour to win such a prestigious prize. I would encourage crime writers at all stages of their writing path to enter”.

The winner of the first Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition in 2021 was Brid Cummings, a fiction writer and occupational therapist in South Australia. Her story Halmeoni’s Wisdom was a dark tale of human trafficking, illegal trade and a desire for freedom. Winning the competition gave Brid the confidence and encouragement to complete her psychological suspense novel and she has recently been signed up by a UK literary agency.

How to enter

All short story entries must be submitted at www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition. The competition closes at midnight on Sunday 31st December 2023. The winner and runner up will be announced in March 2023.

Bloody Scotland’s Festival Director, Bob McDevitt, said: “Bloody Scotland has always been dedicated to supporting and discovering new writing and this short story competition provides a great opportunity for writers to flex their creative muscles and explore the broad church of crime writing.”

The winner and runner up will also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses.

For further details about the competition rules and regulations please visit:

www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition

For further information about the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com

About the Glencairn Glass:

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was created in 2000 by Glencairn Crystal, and over 6 million glasses are now sold each year across the world.

October 2023 Auction ENDS TONIGHT

 October 2023 Auction ends – 06.11.23

Featuring almost 9,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles. From a beautiful collection of old and rare Talisker, to a great selection of 1980s and 90s Van Winkles including Lot H and Lot B, and an array of beautiful 1960s Islay G&M Celtic Label releases, there is something for all.

Aurora Spirit – Bivrost ‘Alfheim’: Whisky Auctioneer is delighted to once again partner with Aurora Spirit to auction the penultimate eighth release in their collectible Bivrost series, celebrating the the nine worlds of Norse mythology. Bottles #1-20 of Alfheim are available now in our live auction, read more about the Bivrost series here.

Islay G&M Celtic Label Collection

Iconic Van Winkle

1960s Single Malt Scotch

Mortlach 1939 Gordon and MacPhail 75 Year Old Generations

Auora Spirit Bvirost Alfheim – Bottles No.1-20

Take part in the world’s most historic whisky auction.

Blair Castle c.1833 // November 24 – December 4

There is less than a month to go until Whisky Auctioneer hosts a historic auction of what is believed to be the oldest Scotch whisky in existence. Read our latest article as we explore Perthshire’s Connection to Whisky throughout history to present day.

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

Kickoff the holidays by experiencing 24 different Japanese whisky expressions from the industry’s top brands. Combine the festive tradition of an advent calendar with the beautiful taste of Japanese whisky and you’re in for quite a treat.

ralfy review 1001 Extras – What next for my bottle of malt ?

STEPHANIE MACLEOD MAKES WHISKY HISTORY WITH FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MASTER BLENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Salutations and season’s greetings (well, almost) to our now live and full to the brim 149th auction!  With more than eight and a half thousand bottles in this month this one will take a while to scroll through.  With that in mind we’ve picked out a few interesting bottles to get you started on your monthly whisky odyssey.

Karuizawa 38 Year Old Ruby Geisha Cask #7582

Another superb release from the now-silent giant of Japanese distilling, this is the Karuizawa Ruby Geisha Cask #7582.  The Geisha releases from Number One Drinks come in pairs and have proven to be extremely popular on the secondary market.  The older of the Ruby Geisha pair  ( which is the penultimate release in the Geisha series) this 38-year-old whisky was matured in a sherry butt and shows off the classic Karuizawa character of sweet and savoury notes, run through with dark oak and spice. Due to the limited number of bottles available, this expression was sold via ballot so is as rare as they come.

Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year Old 75cl

Next up is a supremely well-aged bourbon from the famed Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky, the Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year Old 75cl.  Twice the age of the standard Eagle Rare this special edition contains two crystal eagles to represent the two decades of maturation. One sits inside the bottle at the base and one comes as a stopper to be used after opening. The decanter is hand blown and there is a small switch on the base of the box that turns on white lights to illuminate the bottle and stopper.  All this AND some incredibly delicious bourbon to boot.

Bruichladdich 1990 32 Year Old Single Cask #2691 The Munros

Released by the Glasgow Whisky Company in 2022 this is the Bruichladdich 1990 32 Year Old Single Cask #2691 The Munros.  The ownership of Bruichladdich distillery on Islay has changed hands multiple times in its history and this whisky is an older iteration, being produced in 1990.  Aged for over three decades in a single sherry butt this an excellent example of an older Bruichladdich.  As well as the tremendous dram it contains this independent release has a quirky label and imposing box (with a hygrometer and humidifier included) designed by Takeru Amano.

Yamazaki 1986 for the 20th Anniversary of Korinbo Yamato 60cl

An unusual one this one, the Yamazaki 1986 for the 20th Anniversary of Korinbo Yamato 60cl.  This an exquisite 1986 vintage from one of Japan’s most celebrated and successful distilleries, Yamazaki.  It’s relatively rare to get Yamazaki’s with stated vintages and equally unusual to get one at cask strength with this beauty coming in at a whopping 50% ABV.  It comes in a rather beautiful and understated ceramic decanter with traditional calligraphy and was produced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Korinbo Yamato department store in Kanazawa.

Macallan 1950 Exceptional Cask #13 2018 Release

The undisputed jewel in the crown of the exceptional cask series, this is the Macallan 1950 Exceptional Cask #13 2018 Release.  Aged for a frankly ridiculous 67 years this is a vintage Macallan almost without peer.  For over 6 decades this fabulous liquid has slowly aged in a single 1st fill sherry butt and has taken on the deep dark tones synonymous with the best releases from the famed Speyside heavyweight.  A truly excellent expression of unparalleled quality this is one for the serious collectors amongst us.For our customers outside the UK this auction this might be your last chance to get a special bottle in time for Christmas, and as always we charge no sellers commission and only 10% buyer’s premium so now is the time to procure that perfect festive tipple.

We have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to wade in and start 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.

Christmas Updates

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ESTABLISHES A NEW ERA OF ULTRA-AGED AMERICAN WHISKEY WITH INTRODUCTION OF EAGLE RARE 25 BOURBON 

Eagle Rare 25 is the oldest expression released from the Eagle Rare portfolio and the first-ever innovation to come from the Distillery’s experimental Warehouse P

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (OCT. 26, 2023) – Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the release of Eagle Rare 25, an ultra-aged bourbon that exemplifies the Distillery’s relentless commitment to innovation and honoring tradition but embracing change. At 25 years old, Eagle Rare 25 marks the oldest expression released from the Eagle Rare portfolio. Defying existing perception of ultra-aged bourbon with its smooth, complex flavor profile, Eagle Rare 25 is a remarkable result from the World’s Most Award-winning Distillery’s multi-decade and $20-million-dollar-plus experimental program.

Driven by a belief that the world’s best whiskey has yet to be created and the idea that the category is bound only by the ideas that have yet to be considered, Buffalo Trace Distillery has conducted thousands of experiments over the years to test a variety of factors impacting the aging and maturation of whiskey, including barrel char levels, temperature, airflow, light, barrel placement, and more. Eagle Rare 25 is the first release from Warehouse P, one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s two experimental warehouses. A purpose-built, state-of-the-art warehouse, Warehouse P was constructed to test if it was possible to extend favorably both the aging and maturation processes typical for American whiskey and bourbon.

“Eagle Rare 25 defies the conventional limits of typical bourbon aging,” remarked Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “When crafting whiskey in conditions like those we experience in Kentucky, two reactions happen over time: more liquid is lost due to evaporation – also known as angel’s share – and extraction of flavors from the barrel becomes more intense, often leading older whiskeys to taste over-oaked, astringent, and dry. The unique set of aging conditions in Warehouse P has allowed us to create a 25-year-old bourbon that smooths out the extractions and highlights the desirable flavors found in ultra-aged American whiskey products.”

While time in the barrel contributes to creating an ultra-aged bourbon, it is the marriage of age and maturity, or how factors including oak type, barrel char, temperature, humidity, and barrel placement alter the whiskey over time, that creates a truly outstanding taste experience.

“We closely monitored Eagle Rare 25 throughout the aging process and discovered that the impact over time due to controlled, extended aging was optimally mature whiskey – by that, I mean whiskey that is uniquely smooth and complex with deep, mature flavors around every corner,” Wheatley added. “Eagle Rare 25 is unlike any other extra-aged bourbon on the market today. We are quite proud of this bourbon.”

Eagle Rare 25 boasts notes of intense cherry, oak, dark chocolate, and an icing drizzle beginning on the nose; the palate is a balance of vanilla, dark fruit, and butterscotch, followed by an extremely long finish with lingering notes of rickhouse floor, baking spice, and black pepper.

Eagle Rare 25 was bottled upon reaching its silver anniversary in the barrel, symbolized by the custom sterling silver wing hand-hammered to encase each hand-blown crystal decanter perfectly. Opening the custom display box reveals an eagle’s outstretched wings framing the 101-proof bourbon, which also contains an elegant glass eagle inside the bottle. This dramatic presentation is befitting the exceptional nature of this rare, first-of-its-kind bottling.

“Around the globe, an eagle’s wings symbolize freedom and the opportunity to reach higher. It’s also a reminder for us at Buffalo Trace Distillery to never settle in our pursuit of crafting the perfect bourbon,” noted Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “In service of that relentless pursuit, Eagle Rare 25 is the pinnacle of American whiskey to date from our Distillery, and our Eagle Rare brand is the perfect portfolio to showcase this barrier-breaking expression.”

Approximately 200 750ml bottles of Eagle Rare 25 will be released to select retailers, bars, and restaurants globally beginning November 2023 at a suggested retail price of $10,000 per bottle. The expression joins the Eagle Rare lineup of Eagle Rare, Double Eagle Very Rare, and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old, released each fall as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

For more information, please click HERE

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.