Whisky Magazine issue #190We’re excited to announce that our latest issue is out now, so make sure you don’t miss out!

This issue is our Awards Special Edition, with the cover featuring a number of whiskies which have been declared the World’s Best in the World Whiskies Awards. The global winners of the Icons of Whisky are also showcased in this issue, as well as five of the deserving Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame inductees for 2023.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY

Indulge your sweet tooth this Easter with a magical malt saving. Enjoy a 15% saving on our selection of Sweet, Fruity & Mellow and Spicy & Sweet bottlings. Expect Totally tropical tastes, Fascinating fusions and Praline dreams.

Simply apply promo code SWEETSAVING to your online basket, you discount will be applied automatically. Selected bottles only, offer ends Wednesday, 12 April. Click over to our website NOW to browse the bottlings OR keep on scrolling for some of our favourites.

BROWSE THE BOTTLES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Sotheby’s Unveils Ultra-Rare 1990s Prototypes for the World’s First Collectible Whiskey Series From Famed Closed American Distilleries

Set of Five Tells a Crucial Element of the Story of Rare American Whiskey History That Has Until Now Gone Untold

LIVE AUCTION: 14 APRIL 2023

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‘COURTESY SOTHEBY’S’

LONDON, APRIL 2023 – Today, Sotheby’s unveils The Rare American Whiskey Selection 1976-1982, an extraordinary and unique set of five prototype bottles created in the mid-1990s, representing the rarest American whiskey to ever be offered at auction. These bottles were originally produced as the prototypes for the world’s first collectable ultra-premium U.S. whiskey series to exclusively feature closed distilleries in America.

The project was the initiative of The Classic Kentucky Bourbon Company, a subsidiary of United Distillers (UD) in 1997. At the time, UD owned the Bernheim Distillery and Stitzel-Weller. On the point of The Rare American Whiskey Selection project receiving approval for launch, UD merged with another company, International Distillers & Vinters to create United Distillers & Vintners, forming the spirits division of Diageo. At this point the project was shelved, never to be revived.

The original premise of the Rare American Whiskey Selection project was to create an annual release of five very different barrel proof, high age statement whiskies. The project got as far as bottling 2 examples of each of the selected whiskeys, with prototype labels, but filled with the actual liquid to show the finished product as it would be sold. The whiskeys were tasted not just within UD, but also by respected industry critics at the time (see tasting notes by Dave Broom below from 1997).

The 2 sets of liquid were split up and, ironically, one set was sent to the Stitzel-Weller distillery for safekeeping, while the other set remained at the company HQ in the UK for the European market (hence the 70cl bottle size). It is believed that the set at the SW distillery were destroyed in the distillery fire, making this set the only one that still remains in existence.

This series of whiskeys, initially to be released in a limited run of 6,000 bottles per release, would have been a landmark in the history of premium American Whiskey. The project would have preceded the Buffalo Trance Antique Collection by a number of years, and seen the footprint of U.S. Whiskeys in whisk(e)y collector circles change dramatically. These bottles represent not only ultra-rare liquid from now closed distilleries, but a crucial element of the story of rare American Whiskey’s history that has until now gone untold.

The 5 prototype bottles which comprise the set:

1. Old Quaker Indiana Corn Whiskey 21 Year Old Limited Edition Barrel Proof 65.0 abv 1976
   Original Tasting Notes by Dave Broom in 1997
2. Stitzel-Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Limited Edition 17 Year Old Barrel Proof 53.5 abv 1980
3. Taylor-Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Limited Edition 17 Year Old Barrel Proof 56.0 abv 1980
4. George T Stagg Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Limited Edition 16 Year Old Barrel Proof 57.0 abv 1981
5. Buffalo Springs Kentucky Rye Mash Whiskey Limited Edition 15 Year Old Barrel Proof 62.5 abv 1982

“Unearthing rare whiskeys like this is what makes auctions at Sotheby’s so special. This set represents not only the rarest bottles of premium American Whiskey ever to have existed, but a piece of storytelling that has never been shared. This chapter has been missing from the history books and I’m delighted that we can bring it to life”

Jonny Fowle, Head of Sotheby’s Whiskey & Spirits

March 2023 Auction // 31.03.23 – 10.04.23

ENDS SOON: March Auction

Our March Auction ends soon!. Featuring over 8,500 rare whiskies

Highlights this month include a number of incredibly well-aged single malts from the 1920s-40s, including 50 Year Olds from Balvenie, Macallan and Dalmore. For Bourbon fans, a brilliant selection of Very Olde St. Nick is featured, from the sought-after Kentucky Bourbon Distillers era. Incredible independent bottles feature including Intertrade bottles signed by Nadi Fiori, early Gordon & MacPhail cask strength bottlings and two exceptional Hart Brothers Bowmore releases.

We are extremely excited to partner with Norwegian whisky distillery Aurora Spirit once again, as our March auction sees the release of the unique Fram whisky, commemorating Norwegian explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen. You can read more about the Fram whisky in our latest article.

Discover some of our curated highlights below and bid now.

John Jameson & Son Irish Whisky 1920s-1930s

📖 Read: The recent fortune and luck of Irish whiskey

Red Hook 23 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Rye #2 / LeNell’s

Sensationally Aged 50+ Year Old Malts

1960 & 1965 Signatory Vintage Rosebank

📖 Read: An Independent Approach: Signatory Vintage

Glen Garioch 1958 46 Year Old

Exclusive to Whisky Auctioneer: Fram Whisky Charity Auction

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

Our April collection schedule has now been finalised. This month we will be including a trip to Orkney.

Please click HERE for the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in this service. The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 10th April 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 (to collection point) 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

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Suntory AO World Whisky (700ml) $64.99 View

“Ireland. Scotland. America. Canada. Japan. The world’s most prestigious whisky regions, each with its unique history and climate, reveal their personality traits through our remarkable Ao world blended whisky. A blend that after nearly a century of challenges and triumphs, you can taste today. 

Unlike our other blends that find harmony by unifying individual whisky personalities, Suntory World Whisky Ao achieves harmony at its base while layering and highlighting a multitude of characteristics. The result offers aromas and flavors that change and evolve, depending on when and how you drink it. However you choose to enjoy Ao Whisky, we invite you to experience it today.” – Suntory

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Eggs-plore a magical collection of newly hatched bottlings this Easter Weekend. We’ve just released 18 bottles that are sure to be an indulgent treat for the senses. But be quick, once these bottlings are gone, they are gone forever. Click on over to our website to BUY NOW or keep on scrolling for some of our favourite flavours for Easter.

NEW OUTTURN

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Available from November at select whisky retailers worldwide

Ballantine’s, the world’s second largest Scotch whisky, has come together with visual artist J. Demsky to celebrate experimentation and explore new perspectives through the launch of a new limited edition bottle. J. Demsky brings his retro-futuristic style that defies dimensions to the iconic Ballantine’s Finest bottle, showing that the future is yours to shape.

J. Demsky is at the forefront of a rising generation of explorative visual artists, known for his bold and experimental style and collaborations with the likes of Heineken, Sony, Adidas and Bershka. Staying true to his style and ethos of invoking experimentation and new dimensions through his artwork, the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited edition design symbolises self-exploration and endless possibilities.

The visual artist and creative, based in Spain, has spent a majority of his career experimenting with multiple dimensions and different shapes and perspectives. From a young age, J. Demsky filled his time playing arcade games and watching Japanese mecha and sci-fi films, incorporating these different influences and experiences into the artwork for his Ballantine’s bottle design.

J.Demsky said of the collaboration

“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring my edgy vision to the Ballantine’s limited-edition bottle. I hope every person who looks at the bottle will see a different perspective and new possibilities in their hands – being inspired to shape their own future.”

Ballantine’s Marketing Director, Mathieu Deslandes, added:

“Ballantine’s has always championed those who do things their own way and stay true to themselves. J. Demsky personifies this attitude with his futuristic and bold design, and so we are delighted to release the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited edition bottle, which explores new perspectives and encapsulates the endless possibilities that are in our hands.” 

Designed in J. Demsky’s signature style, the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited-edition bottles will be available at selected markets and retailers worldwide from November 2022.

For more on the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky collaboration visit ballantines.com 

This article is published as a matter of interest and is published after it’s original release date

Whyte and Mackay’s Master Whisky Maker

Gregg Glass Crowned as

International Master Distiller of the Year

Whyte and Mackay’s talented Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass has been named Master Distiller of the Year at the global Icons of Whisky Awards 2023, in a prestigious ceremony on Thursday 30th March.

This historic win for Glass sees him become one of the youngest ever recipients of this outstanding award, which is among the worldwide whisky industry’s ultimate accolades.

Glass is renowned for his experimental and inventive approach to whisky making. Since joining Whyte and Mackay in 2016, Glass’ impact has been felt throughout the business and its portfolio of single malt distilleries: The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin.

The team Glass created, shaped, and worked alongside is credited with the rejuvenation of the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries as well as the creation of the brand’s independent innovation wing, Whisky Works, in 2017.

Glass is also the mastermind behind Whyte and Mackay’s pioneering and celebrated Scottish Oak Programme, which aims to help establish the use of native oak as a quality raw material for the wider spirits industry, starting with Scotch. In 2022, the Scottish Oak Programme won The Spirits Business Award for Innovation in Production.

Having grown up on the Black Isle, across the Cromarty Firth from The Dalmore distillery, Glass has worked in the whisky industry for 24 years. Prior to joining Whyte and Mackay, he solidified his reputation as an innovator at Compass Box. Joining the fifth largest whisky producer – Whyte and Mackay – in 2016, Glass has since led whisky making innovation across the portfolio which also includes The Woodsman and Invergordon.

Presenting the award, Whisky Magazine’s Editor-at-Large, Christopher Coates, highlighted Glass’ undeniable passion for both nature and nurture, crediting him for charting an exciting course for the industry.

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass comments:

“As a whisky maker, to be recognised by our industry, in a room of peers, at a time when Scotland is alive with brilliant whisky making, is truly humbling.

“This accolade is not mine alone, it is testament to the dedication of everyone within the Whyte and Mackay community, who give their all in the pursuit of creating the finest whiskies.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be leading whisky making at five incredible distilleries on behalf of Whyte and Mackay. I cannot wait to share with you the fantastic whiskies the team have laid down, to be released when the time is right.

“Thank you to everyone at Icons of Whisky for this award – it is a real honour.”

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller at Whyte and Mackay, himself a winner of the Icons of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award and inductee number 15 into the Whisky Hall of Fame, comments:

“What an achievement for Gregg, an incredible accolade, and, likely, the youngest winner to be recognised by the industry in this way.

“From the moment I met Gregg, I recognised not only his talent for creating exceptional whisky, but for his unmistakable passion.  That passion is everything – it is what defines the greatest blenders in our industry and this award is a tribute to his creativity as a whisky maker.”

Gregg’s win follows his success in the recent regional Icons of Whisky Awards, where he was named Scotch Whisky Master Distiller of the Year. At those same awards, Invergordon Grain Whisky also received the top award in the Grain Whisky category, while Whyte and Mackay’s Kieran Healey-Ryder was Highly Commended as Scotch Whisky Ambassador.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte and Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte and Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

*Icons of Whisky: Scotland