NEW WHISKY RELEASES for Holiday Tables, Cocktails + Gifting

BOURBON

Hardin’s Creek, crafted at the James B. Beam Distilling Co is a new brand that charts the ongoing story of the Beam family legacy, one that is more than 227 years in the making, through these highly limited and rare releases. Hardin’s Creek is the next generation of boundary-pushing, premium American Whiskey inspired by the expertise of seven generations of Beam Master Distillers.

• Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Well Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (SRP: $149.99), is a thoughtful blend of two ultra-aged expressions: one 16-year-old-traditional bourbon and one 15-year-old high-rye bourbon blended to achieve a depth of flavor unlike any other in Beam history. Freddie Noe distilled it using precious barrels laid down years ago by other hands, which he then intuitively hand-selected, blending together centuries of expertise with a vision for the future.

• Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (SRP: $79.99), is an homage to Colonel James B. Beam aka Jim Beam, who got the Clermont distillery up and running in just 120 days post-prohibition. In honor of that legacy, Colonel James B. Beam was crafted taking a page out of his signature style. The limited-edition, two-year-old whiskey achieves a depth of flavor usually reserved for more mature bourbons by taking it off the still at a lower distillation proof, imparting more flavor from the fermentation process and letting the barrel’s characteristics shine through at a younger age.

JAPANESE WHISKY

For more than three generations, the master blenders at the House of Suntory, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky, have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship to produce the legendary Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki whiskies.

• Just launched in October, Hibiki Blossom Harmony Limited Edition (SRP: $160.00) blended whisky features whiskies finished in Sakura casks. Sakura Blossom season in early spring has always been an occasion for celebration in Japan, with many gathering around the beautiful flowering Sakura trees that inspire the Japanese to appreciate life as it blooms. Hibiki Blossom Harmony blends a rare selection of whiskies finished in Sakura wood casks with diverse matured malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries.

• Hibiki 30 Year Old (SRP: $5,000.00) was first released in 1997 as a rare, limited edition. It is the paragon of the Hibiki brand and the art of Japanese craftsmanship. For the first time, this exquisite bottle will be available in the U.S. as of October. Hibiki 30 features a select blend of Yamazaki® malt whiskies that are 30 years and older from Suntory’s treasured historic collection, with mild grain whiskies that have also matured at least 30 years. With a mere few thousand bottles produced each year, each is bottled by hand. This luxurious liquor has received accolades and awards from whisky connoisseurs around the world and it represents the pinnacle of whisky making at Suntory. 

• With the launch of the 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, the House of Suntory unveils a fundamental piece of its unrivaled craftsmanship and introduces the foundational pillars of Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky – Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara. The collection honors Tsukuriwake, which means “artisanship through a diversity of making” and is embraced by the Founding House of Japanese Whisky.

• • The Puncheon is considered as the “heart” of what makes Yamazaki Single Malt, Yamazaki. The Yamazaki Puncheon Single Malt Whisky (SRP: $450.00) is comprised of meticulously selected malts aged exclusively in puncheons crafted by Suntory artisans from hand selected American oak.

• • The Peated Malt is considered the “hidden accent” giving Yamazaki its complexity and lingering finish. The Yamazaki Peated Malt (SRP: $450.00) is comprised of meticulously selected heavily peated malted barley that is masterfully blended to create the quintessential Yamazaki Peated Malt that is gentle and refined.

• • The Spanish Oak is considered as the depth-enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential multi-layered full flavor with mature fruity notes. The Yamazaki Spanish Oak (SRP: $450.00) is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies matured in the highest quality oak casks originating from Northern Spain.

• • Mizunara is a species of oak native to Japan and is considered the signature enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential Japanese character and elegance. Whiskies which undergo a long maturation in Mizunara casks take on a distinctive Japanese spiciness and incense-like flavor of sandalwood and agarwood. The Yamazaki Mizunara Single Malt Whisky (SRP: $620.00) is comprised of meticulously selected long-matured malt whiskies showcasing the rare, distinctive beauty of the hand crafted Mizunara casks.

SCOTCH

Made at the first distillery on Islay since 1779, Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is known as one of the most balanced Islay whiskies, which are often thought to be the smokiest Scotch whiskies in the world.

• Released earlier this year, Bowmore Masters’ Selection (SRP: $400.00) is a collaboration between Bowmore and Aston Martin, imagined and defined by two Masters, Bowmore Master Whisky Blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. This whisky marks the first time Bowmore has adopted the “Golden Ratio” principle – the mathematical ratio found in nature that creates aesthetically pleasing compositions – which sits at the heart of the design of every Aston Martin. Taking inspiration from an engineered approach, Masters’ Selection incorporates the divine proportion of 61.8% formed from a base of 21 year old Bowmore matured in first fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. The remaining parts are made up of exact ratios of each other, in line with the Golden Ratio theory, and include exceptionally aged Bowmore matured for over 35 years.

• Bowmore ARC-52 (SRP: $75,000.00), the most recent release in the storied partnership between Bowmore and Aston Martin, is sold in a cutting edge, strikingly futuristic and inspiring decanter – an appropriate homage to the oldest and rarest release to date from the two luxury brands. Just 100 decanters of Bowmore ARC-52 exist in the world, representing a highly exclusive, limited release and the height of achievement in collaborative bottle design. At its heart, ARC-52 is a celebration of how Bowmore and Aston Martin champion constant evolution and ingenuity to provoke, inspire and excite appreciators of true luxury. Available in select markets.

LOVE WHISKY? JOIN THE CLUB! LONDON IS GETTING A NEW WHISKY CLUB

Bill Shearer, brand ambassador for Bruichladdich

Whisky lovers are celebrating with the launch of southwest London’s first whisky club.

From Thursday night 10 November, whisky fans can meet monthly at The Greyhound pub on beautiful Kew Green to sample some top drops and trade tasting notes, and meet the makers.

The club kicks off with special guest, Bill Shearer, brand ambassador from the innovative Islay distillery, Bruichladdich.

Bill Shearer, brand ambassador for Bruichladdich

London whisky influencer Don Howarth (AKA The Whisky Don) says the club is a ‘fun way to explore the world of whisky’ with tasting treats planned from the big name brands and indie distilleries alongside new wave whiskies to watch from Scotland and beyond. ‘Plus a couple of distillers might bring a bottle of something really special to try only at the club, he said.

Mr Howarth said that whether you’re a dram dabbler or a collector, everyone who likes to drink the water of life is welcome, ‘No smoking jacket required!’ he said.

He set up the club following the huge number of requests he was getting for private events in people’s homes. ‘I’ve been absolutely blown away by the number of people I’ve met who said they loved drinking whisky and they wanted to learn more about it.’

‘But it’s not all about the casks and water. How much you enjoy your whisky can be all about who you’re sharing it with,’ Mr Howarth said.

He said the groups had got ‘too big for the living room’ so it was time to move the meetings to the pub ‘where we can continue to grow.’

‘There are already clubs in north and east London but it’s time for the dram fans from southwest London to share the whisky love,’ he said.  https://www.thewhiskydon.com/

Our October auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 30^th October.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Bowmore – ‘Black Bowmore’ (1964) Aston Martin DB5

Ardbeg – Double Barrel (Single Cask #3160 + #3528)

Macallan – 31 Year Old (1989) Mizunara

Mortlach – 63 Year Old (1951)

Karuizawa – 50 Year Old (1965)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk

Co-founders Bill Dobbie and Alasdair Day first met in 2013 and formed R&B Distillers with the common goal of building Scotland’s leading artisanal distiller. Focusing on local production, provenance, quality and doing things differently.

By 2015, they had identified the Isle of Raasay as providing the ingredients for the perfect dram, and planning permission to begin work revitalizing the Isle of Raasay’s nineteenth century Borodale House into a state-of-the-art distillery, visitor center, and luxury accommodation was granted in 2016.

Starting with a blank sheet of paper, they set about designing a distillery to create exceptional whisky that develops elegance, complexity, and depth early on in the maturation process and a handcrafted Hebridean gin that encapsulates Raasay’s style, character and impressive geological variety.

On the 31st of October we will be taking you through a journey of Single Cask Sample from the Raasay Distillery and the line-up will be the below:

Unpeated Ex-Rye Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength
Unpeated Chinkapin Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength
Unpeated Ex-Bordeaux Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength
Peated Ex-Rye Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength
Peated Chinkapin Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength
Peated Ex-Bordeaux Single Cask Sample – Cask Strength

Buy Now

Last chance to shop October Malts of The Month!

Specially curated by our team, showcasing autumnal flavours. Perfect for sipping slowly, cosied up by the fire.

Use code MOMOCT at the checkout to get £5/€5 off your order. Offer ends Monday 31st of October at midnight. Applies to online orders only.

Use the links below to access the shop relevant to you.

UK OCTOBER MALT OF THE MONTH: CHERRY BAKEWELL TART

This is the Cherry Bakewell Tart, which is a 22 year old Glen Keith single malt matured in sherry butt. Expect a malt with a tart like fruitiness, a mild peppery spice and soft vanilla notes. Sweet red berry with ripe cherry and raspberry cordial. Fluffy sponge cake and brioche. The palate is spicy with a mild pepperiness.

SHOP UK MALT OF THE MONTH

EU MALT OF THE MONTH: PATCHOULI & SANDALWOOD

This 31 year old Glenrothes matured in sherry butt has developed the complex and deep flavours of cherry, currants and ginger cake. Earthy and antique aromas develop over several minutes in the glass like a patchouli and sandalwood oil.

There are layers of complex flavours that shift, develop and evolve with every new taste. Orange oil, stewed red berry fruits, sweetened rye bread, caraway, heather and rich wood influences.

SHOP EU MALT OF THE MONTH

Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 Cask 7776 Batch 18

Aged since 1997 in a single rum barrel, this latest bottle from Benriach’s 2022 Cask Edition Collection is full to the brim of tropical notes like waxy pineapple, coconut cream and golden spicy rum.

£350.00
BUY NOW

Ben Nevis 1991 Platinum Old and Rare
62.1% abv Scotch Whisky Single Malt Highland

£1,200.00

From Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare series of single casks comes this Ben Nevis. Distilled in 1991 and aged for 31 years in an Oloroso sherry butt, this rare dram is limited to 540 bottles at a cask strength of 62.1% abv, free from chill filtration.

ralfy review 950 Extras – Buying gifts for New Year

YAMAZAKI’S ONE-OFF SPECIAL BLEND JUNSHIN DEBUTS AT AUCTION IN BONHAMS NOVEMBER SALE

Yamazaki Junshin

Estimate: HK$250,000-300,000

One of the only 200 bottles of Yamazaki Junshin privately released this year will lead Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky sale in Hong Kong on 18 November 2022. The Junshin, which means “pure” and “true” in Japanese, is marketed as Yamazaki’s special one-off blend and presented as a gift to pay tribute to globally-renowned master blender Richard Paterson, for his long years of dedication to Japanese whisky. It was only available to Suntory’s VIP clients but is now going to the rostrum with an estimate of HK$250,000-300,000.

Formulated by Fukuyo Shinj1, Suntory’s Chief Blender, the Junshin takes its tasters down the memory lane of the distillery’s 100 years of whisky making. This whisky blends Mizunara malt, Spanish oak malt, and smoky malt aged for more than 20 years with super-long aged malt matured for more than 50 years in Japanese Mizunara casks:

• Yamazaki Single Malt oldest Mizunara 1960/62 year-old, 1961/61 year-old and 1964/58 year-old.
• Yamazaki Single Malt Mizunara 1999/23 year-old
• Yamazaki Single Malt Spanish Oak 2001/21 year-old
• Yamazaki Single Malt American Oak Puncheon Peated 2000/22 year-old

The label, made with the traditional Echizen washi paper, features the word Junshin by famous calligrapher Takeda Souun. This also marks the very first time calligraphy has appeared on the label of a Yamazaki bottle. The terms “pure” and “true” were chosen to describe the whisky-makers’ pure intent for their craft.

Diego Lanza, Bonhams Senior Whisky Specialist, commented: “Presented as a splendid gift not meant for the secondary market, the Yamazaki Junshin comprises the rarest and oldest – up to 62 years old – vintages ever produced by the Yamazaki distillery, which is something usually only found in their best products, such as the Yamazaki 50-year-old and 55-year-old. It is fair to say that the Yamazaki Junshin is as rare as these trophy bottles. We therefore expect a lot of interest from global collectors, not only because this will be the very first time it is offered to the public, but also ahead of Yamazaki’s 100th anniversary next year.”

Other whisky highlights include:

• An incredible selection of more than 140 bottles of Karuizawa whisky led by: a complete 10 bottle-set of Karuizawa “Samurai” series (estimate: HK$850,000-1,000,000, imaged left); a single-owner whisky collection featuring a complete 36-bottle set of Karuizawa “36 Views of Mount Fuji” (estimate: HK$1,300,000-1,700,000); five rare bottles of Karuizawa 1965-over-50-year-old “Streams of Time” (estimate: HK$420,000-750,000); and a Karuizawa 1968 50-year-old “Aqua of Life” (estimate: HK$380,000-480,000).

• The Scotch whisky section is highlighted by The Macallan 55-Year-Old in Lalique (estimate: HK$700,000-800,000, imaged right), The Macallan 1951-Cask #1541/1542 (estimate: HK$250,000-300,000), and a Bowmore 1965 52 year old (estimate: HK$240,000-300,000).

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Fine and Rare Whisky 18 November 2022 Bonhams Hong Kong, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty

Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils Rare 54 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Limited to just 55 bottles globally and inspired by the hills and stills of Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a rare 54 Year Old single malt whisky, inspired by the surrounding landscape and the distillery’s unique straight neck pot stills. 

One of the rarest Loch Lomond Whiskies single malts to be released, just 55 bottles of this limited edition have been produced.

Inspired by the iconic national park where the distillery is located, Loch Lomond 54 Year Old is presented in a striking hand-made Glencairn Crystal 30% lead crystal decanter, a unique and premium version of the distiller’s recently refreshed bottle design.

The decanter, which features a heavy plinth style base, is hand engraved with satin gold infill and features a gold satin aged effect metal coin bearing the Loch Lomond Whiskies stag logo.

Loch Lomond 54 Year Old is housed in a multi-layered oak box, hand-crafted to represent the contours of the area around the single malt’s namesake loch.

The tactility of place is highlighted through the exterior packaging design, providing context and a sense of scale to this diverse geological area.

Distilled in 1967, just one year after the distillery’s iconic straight neck stills began production in 1966, Loch Lomond 54 Year Old has been expertly crafted from unpeated malted barley and collected at high strength.

As the only distillery in Scotland to use straight-neck pot stills, Loch Lomond Whiskies is truly unique in its craftsmanship, using innovative techniques to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

These stills are important as they provide Loch Lomond Whiskies with the creative freedom to explore flavour, allowing the character of the whisky to be carefully shaped at the point of distillation, creating a lighter spirit with a distinctive fruit flavour.

The oldest single malt to have been released by the distillery to date, Loch Lomond 54 Year Old was originally matured in a refill American Oak hogshead before being recasked into a refill European oak sherry hogshead in 1994.

The gentle maturation over 54 years has created a whisky of refined richness and exceptional character that embodies the elegance and quality of the Loch Lomond Whiskies distillation process.

Notes of crème caramel, fresh vanilla pods, melted brown sugar and toasted oak, orange peel and marmalade on the nose, give way to vibrant fruit, tart pineapple and lemon citrus with a honey and dried fruit sweetness on the palate, creating a smooth, silk-like mouthfeel. The finish is sublime and complements the flavour, with long, mouth-watering green fruit and floral notes, kiwi and elderflower followed by waves of warming oak spice, aniseed and cinnamon.

Non chill-filtered and natural in colour just as nature intended, Loch Lomond 54 Year Old has been nurtured by each Master Blender over the decades and passed into the careful custodianship of Michael Henry.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said:

“We are honoured to take our name from the most famous of all Scotland’s lochs. Loch Lomond is a very special part of the world, spectacularly marking the boundary between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland.

“From the wild peaks of the magnificent Ben Lomond to the rocky coastline and sprawling glens close to the distillery, the location epitomises everything that Scotland stands for and has inspired many poets, writers, musicians, and artists for generations. Today, its beauty has been the guiding influence of our whisky and is reflected on the beautiful presentation box in which it is housed.

“It is a real privilege to work with a whisky so rare. Our 54 Year Old single malt whisky had been maturing for more than 40 years before I joined as Master Blender in 2007.

“It takes a very special cask of whisky to make it to 54 years old, and the expectations are high when working with liquid as special and scarce as this. It was a huge undertaking and came with great responsibility. Selecting and perfecting this single malt was a true honour, and we’re proud to announce its release – ready to be enjoyed as a rare piece of distilling history.

“Although steeped in tradition, innovation sits at the very heart of our approach to whisky making. We believe this is the best way to create great whisky of unwavering quality.”

Loch Lomond 54 Year Old is bottled at 41.1% ABV and has a RRSP of £24,000 and is available globally. Production has been limited to 55 bottles, making it one of the rarest high age statement whiskies to be released by Loch Lomond Whiskies.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.

Tasting notes 

Nose: Elegant and sublime. Crème caramel, fresh vanilla pods, melted brown sugar and toasted oak, orange peel and marmalade.

Palate: Silk-like mouthfeel. Vibrant fruit, tart pineapple and lemon citrus with a honey sweetness, dried fruits, sultanas and raisins.

Finish: Long with mouth-watering green fruit and floral notes, kiwi and elderflower, then waves of warming oak spice, aniseed and cinnamon. 

About Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond Distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• For further details, please visit: lochlomondgroup.com.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill Distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.
• In 1814, the original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbet, towards the north-west end of Loch Lomond; an area which has been at the heart of the whisky industry for centuries. With at least nine distilleries around the loch lost over the years, Loch Lomond Distillers has maintained a proud local tradition into the 21^st
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond Whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards.
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:

• PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
• GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old

About Glencairn Crystal 

The award winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades.

Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family run Scottish company has hand crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

The team of experienced craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal, some of whom have over 30 years’ experience in working with crystal, are world experts in pioneering glassware design techniques and unrivalled in their decoration craftsmanship.

The company also produces The Glencairn Glass, the world’s favourite whisky glass, with over 5 million glasses being sold every year in every corner of the globe.