Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.
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We’ve just added some delightful new single casks from multi-award winning Indie bottler, Lady of the Glen. Lots of exciting and experimental casks used and as with all Lady of the Glen drams, each one has been bottled in its most natural form.
Check out these new arrivals along with some current customer favourites listed below.
As ever, if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.
Slàinte
Pioneering “House of Vintages” BHAKTA Spirits Enters Craft Whiskey
Spirits Tycoon Raj Peter Bhakta Returns To Category That Made Him A Legend
POULTNEY, VT — BHAKTA Spirits, the world’s preeminent House of Vintages, today announces the launch of its inaugural whiskey vintage — marking a milestone in the portfolio’s boundary-breaking evolution into vintage spirits, a burgeoning category widely seen by experts, collectors, and consumers as the next frontier of craft spirits.
This landmark single-year whiskey curated from the global cellars of Whistlepig Whiskey Founder Raj Peter Bhakta signals the beginning of BHAKTA Spirits’ ‘Drink Vintage’ campaign; his first-ever bourbon, this singular vintage release symbolizes the tycoon’s return to his infamous métier — whiskey — which vaulted him to prominence as an iconic progenitor of the American craft spirits movement.
BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon (SRP $149) is a 99% corn bourbon hailing from the 2013 vintage. Given a secondary cask finish in French Oak barrels which previously held ancient Armagnac vintages dating back to and including the ultra-rare BHAKTA Vintage Armagnac 1868, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon is distinguished by a finish like no other bourbon on the market today. BHAKTA’s entry into vintage whiskey — and its founder’s return to the category after his successful exit from WhistlePig in 2019 — marks a new chapter in the story of one of whiskey’s most iconoclastic innovators.
“Isn’t it time we provided consumers with more information than afforded by mere ‘Age Statements’? Spirits lovers deserve to know — and I mean, really know — what they’re drinking,” says Founder Raj Peter Bhakta. “Single Vintage Spirits are the absolute pinnacle of drinks: today, tomorrow, and yesterday. There is no more precise indicator of quality and provenance than vintage, and only BHAKTA owns the oldest, largest, and rarest collection of vintage spirits on Earth. Enthusiasts no longer need to settle for superficial ‘Age Statements.’ With BHAKTA, they can finally Drink Vintage and discover The Spirit of Time.”
Considered a “legendary figure in the liquor world” and the pioneer who “spearheaded the rye revival of the last decade and inspired countless imitators,” Bhakta’s inaugural bourbon will be followed by further vintage releases across all major categories — whiskey, rum, tequila and more — which will dramatically expand the BHAKTA portfolio and complement its crown jewel, BHAKTA Armagnac (SRP $199–$22,000), whose range of rare vintages and blends encompasses nearly every year back to 1868.
After exiting WhistlePig, Bhakta unearthed a historic cache of Armagnac vintages in a storybook French château while on a global sabbatical in search of craft spirit’s next big breakthrough. Acquiring the ancient cellar and property, Bhakta continued adding to the company’s stocks by aggressively seeking out the world’s finest vintage spirits of all ages, expressions, and categories. These miraculous finds have positioned BHAKTA as the world’s preeminent House of Vintages.
“The Status Spirits category is red-hot, and explosive demand for high-end bourbon is driving a significant share of growth,” says CEO Sean O’Rourke. “We’re seeing bourbon connoisseurs naturally evolve into the brandy category because it offers all the attributes they love — and with even more complexity, rarity, and age. The whiskey lover’s journey of discovery begins with BHAKTA 27-07, progresses into BHAKTA 50, and culminates with BHAKTA Single Vintage Armagnac. BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon builds a powerful bridge between where whiskey enthusiasts are now, and where their tastes are inevitably evolving.”
This initial limited release of BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon — consisting of only 2,000 cases — is now available in twelve states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Vermont, and Tennessee, to be followed by launch in Michigan in April. BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon is also now available for purchase through partners linked at bhaktaspirits.com and ships to 41 states.
About BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon
Bold American Bourbon Meets Ancient Armagnac Brandy—France’s Crown Jewel. An exceptional coupling of our French and American Cellars, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon unites two spirits in celebration of a shared legacy. After harvest and distillation in the American heartland, this complex 99% corn bourbon underwent a secondary cask finish in French Oak barrels selected from Château BHAKTA’s finest stock—chosen for their pedigree, these casks have each held BHAKTA 50’s ancient blend of Armagnac Vintages dating back to 1868. Released at cask strength and just shy of 10 Years age, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon symbolizes America’s iconic bond with its oldest ally.
Tasting Notes
About BHAKTA Spirits
BHAKTA Spirits is the world’s preeminent House of Vintages. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta — also the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey — BHAKTA offers a luxury craft spirits portfolio of limited release Single Vintage whiskeys, brandies, rums, and more, anchored by its ancient and awe-inspiring Armagnac holdings dating back to 1868. An innovator in the experiential hospitality space on a quest to help guests “Find Their Spirit,” BHAKTA’s destinations include historic properties in France, Vermont, and Florida. BHAKTA Spirits is headquartered on its BHAKTA-Griswold Campus in Poultney, VT, the former site of Green Mountain College.
About OVERTON & ASSOCIATES
OVERTON & ASSOCIATES is a strategic communications and mythbuilding agency based in Manhattan. Advocating on behalf of established brands and ambitious startups across beverage, media, publishing, and politics — and animated by a mission to “Move the Window” of perception in an increasingly surreal media landscape — OVERTON champions concepts whose time has come.
Our March 2023 Auction ENDS TODAY!
Only 8.5% buyer’s commission.
Auction ends Wednesday 15th February.
Click here to register as a user.
Looking to sell in our next auction? 0% Sellers commission & FREE* UK doorstep collections.
We offer FREE valuations to give you an idea of what your whisky may sell for at auction.
Contact us to arrange a valuation or collection.
www.highlandwhiskyauctions.com
Tastings at The Whisky Shop
Weekly In-store Tastings featuring Single Malt Whiskies
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
at The Whisky Shop!
THURSDAY, MARCH 16th 2 – 4 PM
West Cork Irish Whiskey
Join us for an Irish whiskey tasting featuring single malt expressions from West Cork Distillers! We’ll have a variety of expressions to try, poured just for you by our whisky & spirit expert presenters. West Cork Irish whiskey is distilled, matured and bottled on-site and sells in over 70 countries worldwide. Each bottle is triple distilled, non-chill filtered and carefully crafted using the finest of local ingredients.
(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 12 – 4 PM:
Redbreast Irish Whiskey
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with us at our expert-presented Redbreast Irish Whiskey tasting! For more than a century Redbreast has stayed true to the Irish Pot Still whiskey making tradition. Today it is considered to be the definitive expression of this quintessential style of Irish whiskey making – a living legacy, with numerous award-winning bottlings under their belt.
Single Pot Still Whiskey has been safeguarded and nurtured under the watchful eye of the Midleton Distillery for almost two hundred years. And Redbreast is proudly considered the definitive expression of this Single Pot Still art. In this online tasting experience, our expert presenters will take you through the traditions, art and secrets, that go into making the iconic and signature tastes of Redbreast.
(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)
Register Your Interest:
The Glenrothes 42 Year Old
In May of 1980, The Glenrothes filled four refill casks with their vibrant new make spirit. This special liquid would then slumber for over four decades, finishing up in a single sherry-seasoned cask to become this exceptional release, limited to just 1134 bottles. Register your interest in this special dram below to be notified when we open the ballot upon its release later this week.
The nose is vibrant with notes of sun-ripened apricots, sugared almonds and coriander seed, moving to a richly sweet and oaky palate of honeycomb, creamy vanilla and fragrant orange oil.
£6,750.00
Register Your Interest
Coachbuilt
Blended Scotch Whisky | 70cl | 46% ABV
The connection between the art of engineering a premium, balanced blended whisky and the timeless craft of coachbuilding (the building of vehicle bodies) is typified by the partnership of Coachbuilt’s founders and CEO George Koutsakis and brand ambassador Jenson Button.
Jenson Button, a bona-fide master of Formula 1 racing and motorsport in general, naturally fulfilled the role of representing the brand that championed engineering expertise at the most premium level. Alongside Whisky Expert George Koutsakis’s exceptional knowledge and years of industry experience, together they formed a partnership that is geared up to race out of the blocks to bring Coachbuilt to life.
£41.65
Tasting Notes
Notes of smoke, spice and oak on the nose continue onto the palate with the addition of sweeter notes. These include caramel, honey and chocolate raisins. The finish is fruity with some toffee and a hint of smoke.
A Single Malt from Tormore Distillery. Distilled on the 15th September 1994 and aged for 26 years in First Fill Sherry Butt before bottling on the 15th January 2021. Bottled at natural cask strength of 57.7%, at natural colour and without chill filtration.
NOSE Stewed fruit and baked apple aromas give way to subtle treacle notes. Brown sugar comes to the fore alongside orange peel and fragrant vanilla.
PALATE Rich dark chocolate and aniseed lead to an undertone of hazelnut. Flavours of cinnamon spice combines with a trace of black pepper and charred oak.
FINISH A full, spicy and slightly drying finish with lingering mixed nuts.
Only 576 bottles produced.
£210.00
Power’s 100% Irish Rye
A 100% Irish Rye whiskey, matured in virgin oak, first fill American oak, and refil American oak. It is non-chill filtered at 43.2% ABV, triple distilled, and has a rather interesting history to it.
Carol Quinn has delved into the history books of Irish distilling and found records of irish rye distillation throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Midleton are a distillery of massive ability, if you can think of it, they’ve probably done it. However, when they do release interesting and unusual whiskies, the price point isn’t typically accessible to everyone…but this is £30 a bottle. I’m in.
RARE DALMORE-50 YEAR OLD-1926 TOPS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE
RARE DALMORE-50 YEAR OLD-1926 TOPS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE
Dalmore-50 year old-1926. Sold for £15,860
Edinburgh – A bottle of the rare Dalmore-50 year old-1926 in a ceramic decanter and its original wooden presentation case sold for £15,860 at Bonhams online-only Fine Whisky & Spirits Sale which ran from 20 February – 1 March 2023. It had been estimated at £13,000-18,000.
Other highlights of the sale included:
Georgia Porteous, Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, said, “In a strong and varied sale, the Dalmore-50-year old-1926 stood out for its rarity and desirability and not surprisingly emerged as the top lot. There were also impressive performances from a good selection of Macallans with the Macallan Fine & Rare-30 year old-1973 providing the pick of the crop.”
Sale: Fine Whisky & SpiritsLocation: online-only at Bonhams.comDate: Monday 20 February – Wednesday 1 March 2023
NOTES
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr and The Market by Bonhams.
There are 14 salerooms around the globe: UK: New Bond Street, London; Knightsbridge, London; Edinburgh. US: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Marlborough. Hong Kong: Admiralty. France: Avenue Hoche, Paris; Rue de la Paix, Paris. Belgium: Brussels; Denmark: Copenhagen. Sweden: Stockholm and Australia: Sydney.
With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60+ specialist areas.
In 2022, Bonhams held a number of important auctions and offered landmark single-owner collections, including the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Sir Terence Conran: The Contents of Barton Court, Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included Style and Substance: The Collection of George and Charlotte Shultz and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).
More information and highlights can be found HERE
For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
The Bonhams Network
Bukowskis
Established in 1870, Bukowskis offers fine art and collectables from its saleroom in Stockholm as well as online. In 2021, it sold 11 of the 15 most valuable artworks in the Swedish market – achieving the highest price for a Swedish artwork ever sold at auction – while their innovative digital presence attracts more than one million users every month.
Bruun Rasmussen
From its Copenhagen saleroom and online, Bruun Rasmussen sells more than 75,000 lots each year across categories from furniture, paintings and modern design to silver, wine and collector’s items such as books, arms and armour, stamps and coins.
Bonhams Skinner
Renowned New England auction house Bonhams Skinner holds some 80 auctions a year in 20 collecting categories – including Americana, fine art, collectables and wine, and ranging from fine violins to contemporary paintings – at its salerooms in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as on its highly effective digital platform for online sales.
Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr
Established in 1973, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is famous throughout the auction world for its high-profile single-owner sales. With salerooms in Paris and Brussels, it holds auctions in more than a dozen categories, including fine art, haute couture, Asian art, collectable cars, jewellery, watches and more.
The Market by Bonhams
The Market by Bonhams is the record-setting and fastest-growing online marketplace for classic and collectable cars auctions in the UK, Europe and the United States. Combining traditional auction practices with an innovative, exciting digital platform, they offer a five-star service, no buyer’s fees and the lowest seller’s commission in the industry.
