https://youtu.be/Gdd6c5qMaLU

Where to begin…

I knew I would open this on a big occasion, and it hasn’t disappointed on any level whatsoever.

I had the joy of trying this a few years ago and, even at that time, I said to myself – ‘I’m buying this and opening it when I turn 30.’ I like being a man of my word and I stuck to it.

Wading through emails making sure it was the right bottle code and batch, and now it’s in the glass and smelling like every wonderful, exotic fruit imaginable with lashings of creme caramel, vanilla custard, malty biscuits and clensing note of menthol and blackberry.

This is a very special whisky to me and I hope that you all have a product like this, something that just makes you remember how incredible some whiskies just are. How they seem to change in aroma and flavour, minute by minute.

Whisky is a hot topic and there’s so much to choose form, but when it comes to bottles like this. Save them for those big days, because if you already know how good they are, it makes the situation even better than you could imagine.

ICONIC JAMESON 18 YEARS REVEALS LIQUID AND PACKAGING EVOLUTION 

Jameson, the world’s favourite and most awarded Irish whiskey[1], has unveiled a new liquid and packaging evolution for its iconic Jameson 18 Years.

Jameson 18 Years’ exceptionally balanced blend of distillates, matured in hand selected American and European oak barrels for a minimum of 18 years, is one of Jameson’s most awarded whiskeys. The much loved whiskey has undergone an important evolution including a sustainable packaging revamp and a higher ABV liquid.

Putting sustainability at the forefront, Jameson 18 Years will now be presented in new, lightweight packaging with the original box redesigned as fully recyclable cardboard complete with foiled accents.

The packaging redesign aligns to Irish Distillers’ and Pernod Ricard’s broader sustainability commitments by focusing on minimising waste at every step by fostering and applying a circular mindset across the business.

Alongside the new and lighter weight packaging update, Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman and his team have introduced a significant change to the celebrated Jameson 18 Years whiskey.

Kevin O’Gorman explains: “Made from a selection of some of our oldest and most precious distillates, which are then married and finished in first fill American bourbon barrels for a minimum of 6 months, Jameson 18 Years is already an exceptional whiskey in terms of quality.

“And to truly allow the complexity of this whiskey to shine, we have increased the ABV from 40% to 46% and removed the need for chill filtration. This modification helps to concentrate the signature flavours found in Jameson 18 Years balancing Jameson’s characteristic smoothness with the depth of the whiskey in its natural state.”

In addition, the new packaging will feature a scannable QR code which will direct Jameson fans to a virtual guided tasting hosted by the Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman.

Brendan Buckley, Global Marketing Director at Irish Distillers commented: “At Irish Distillers we are committed to reducing our environmental impact. We understand that our packaging plays an important role in the protection and in the delivery of the overall experience of our whiskey, but it is also one of the most carbon-intensive activities in the value chain when you take into consideration the manufacturing process, transportation, and its lifecycle.

“Over the past number of years, we as a business have been successful in devising and implementing new ways of reducing the environmental impact of our packaging through redesign and experimentation with new materials all of which is reflected in the updated Jameson 18 Years packaging. We will continue to innovate to minimise our environmental impact and preserve our natural resources by reusing, reimagining, recycling and reducing, adopting a truly circular mindset.”

The new look Jameson 18 Years will be rolled out globally in high-end, specialist off-trade and leading on-trade outlets over the coming months for an RRP of €200 (70cl).

Tasting Notes  

Nose: Aromatic oils with a touch of wood and spicy toffee.

Taste: Wonderfully mellow and smooth, with rich and complex flavours of toffee, spice and hints of wood and leather along with a gentle sherry nuttiness and vanilla.

Finish: A long lingering finish carries the theme of the wood, spice and toffee right through to the end.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index

[1] Jameson is the world’s bestselling (IWSR 2020) and most awarded Irish whiskey based on the tasting results of the six most influential tasting competitions over the past ten years (2011-2021), including The Irish Whiskey Masters, IWSC, ISC, Beverage Testing Institute, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Whisky Hunter — New Features!

We have some news to tell you about. As usual, we continue to add new features for our users that make their hard journey as whisky collectors or investors easier.

Tracking ROI for each bottle separately

Our paid subscribers now have the ability to track changes in ROI and costs for each bottle in the collection separately. Simply go into the collection and click on the ROI button to see a graph with the data for a particular bottle.

View lots completed today

In the previous, if lots ended, they would immediately disappear from Live and Targets and there would be no way to look at them. Now it is possible to see them.

To do this, click on the “Show finished” check box.

Auction end time in your local time

Whatever time zone the auction is held in, you can now see the end time of the auction in your local time zone. Which we get from your device’s time zone settings.

The time zone is displayed on the Live auction page at the bottom of the table.

We will be pleased to welcome you as a Whisky Hunter user – join us and you’ll be satisfied with our service.

Our 133rd auction is now up and running with over 7000 bottles of fantastic drams to choose from.  To ease your scrolling burden we’ve taken the liberty of picking out a few highlights from this month’s offerings.

Macallan 1950 Tales of the Macallan Volume 1 Lalique Decanter

Distilled way back in the fifties the Macallan 1950 Tales of the Macallan Volume 1 is a special release indeed.  The whisky is contained in a resplendent Lalique decanter, which is itself housed in an impressive 800-page almanac.  The first release in the Tales of Macallan Series, expect this one to become even more valuable as new editions are released.

Yamazaki 1984 25th Anniversary

This tremendous Yamazaki 1984 25th Anniversary edition is a bottle as rare as it is prized.  Winner of the coveted gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2009, this is a special whisky with real pedigree.  Rarely seen at auction this is your chance to purchase something with real growth potential.

Springbank 50 Year Old Millennium Collection 75cl

The Springbank 50 Year Old Millennium Collection 75cl, part of the famed Millennium Collection from Springbank, is amongst the oldest whiskies ever bottled by the esteemed Campbeltown distillery.  Another one we don’t see too often; this is a US import version meaning you get an extra 5cl of goodness for your money!

We think you’ll agree these are some pretty special bottles, but as always with an auction so large there is a bottle to suit every palate and pocket so we’re certain you’ll find your own hidden gems in this month’s auction.  Happy bidding and best of luck!

TWB Apollo Whisky

Shop the series so far

Since 2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, we have been celebrating each of the manned Apollo missions (7-17) with a hand-picked cask of Scotch whisky.

Becoming a sought after series of bottles, with many selling out quickly at release, now is your chance to fill any gaps in your collection or catch up on series with labels capturing moments from each mission.

We have released a small parcel of each* release from the series so far. From the incredible Apollo 13 Highland Park 13yo, the Caol Ila ‘Oh Man, That’s Great‘ and ‘The Eagle Has Landed‘ and the epic 48yo blend  ‘We’re On Our Way, Houston‘ for Apollo 17.

(*Deanston 10yo ‘One Giant Leap is not available)

> SHOP – TWB Apollo Whisky Series <<

K&L Exclusive Cask: A Coveted Islay Malt Makes a Triumphant Return
Kilchoman “K&L Exclusive” Ex-Bourbon Barrel Aged STR Finished Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(750ml) ($149.99)
“This ex-Bourbon, STR-finished cask delivers so much value for the Islay lover.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

As Kilchoman’s star has risen dramatically over the past five years, we’ve been hard-pressed to source any single casks from this incredible Islay distillery. But we’re thrilled to say, this exceptional new arrival has more than made up for the extended hiatus. Produced by one of the most exciting and innovative distilleries in Islay, this cask is nothing short of heavenly. Aged in a first-fill Bourbon barrel and finished in a shaved, toasted, and recharred Portuguese red wine cask, this is big and bold yet remarkably polished and refined for the level of outright intensity that it conveys on both the nose and the palate. Luxurious fruits and spices give way to an incredibly assertive smoky character, culminating in a “long and mesmerizing” finish. K&L spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley notes, “This whisky is the complete whole, with no hard edges to be found.” Like all of our hand-selected single casks, this one is highly limited. Factor in the pent-up demand for something we haven’t seen in years, and you can be sure that avid collectors will act quickly and decisively to secure their bottles before it disappears.

Kilchoman “K&L Exclusive” Ex-Bourbon Barrel Aged STR Finished Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 14, 2022

It’s been so long since we’ve had a Kilchoman cask to call our own. This ex-Bourbon, STR-finished cask delivers so much value for the Islay lover. It’s an incredible mix of caramelized fruits, mostly of the apple and pear varieties, mixed with intense applewood-smoked bacon, freshly cracked barley, dark roasted cocoa and coffee, tangy molasses BBQ sauce, sweet spices, and a faint suggestion of floral nectar. The palate is jammed with baking spices ranging from nutmeg, cinnamon, and mace to vanilla, allspice, and raw brown sugar. There isn’t a hard edge to be found here. It’s sweet and sultry, pinging back and forth between meaty, sweet, and a touch of savory. There is a prickly but sweet spice, like a Habanada pepper (the mutant Habanero with no heat, just all fruitiness), and yet something piquant about it. The smoke washes over you in waves. It moves from a raging bonfire to a wafting pizza oven in a flash. The whisky shows off a ton of vanilla and a touch of tropical coconut. The finish is long and mesmerizing. The whisky is a complete whole, with no hard edges to be found. With the addition of water, it doesn’t lose an ounce of intensity, but it does lose that piquant edge, giving way to a soft and supple texture that fans of smooth whisky will die for.

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

JULY OUTTURN ALERT

Get ready to ride a wave of flavour. July First Friday is the week, bringing with it 20 new Society cask bottlings perfect for summer sipping. With a wide variety of feel-good flavours, there’s something for all tastes and occasions. But if you’re looking for inspiration, our spirits manager Euan gives some recommendations and suggestions.

READ THE 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

Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Receives Highest Score at Ultimate Spirits Challenge

The award is one of many the distillery has recently received from national and international competitions 

Lovingston, Va. (June 21, 2022) – Virginia Distillery Company whiskies have recently been recognized by a number of different national awards programs. One whisky in particular brought home top honors just this week from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, an international competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits for producers, importers and marketers.

Virginia Distillery Company’s Cuvée Single Cask received the highest score awarded this year for all spirits with a 98-point rating and was ranked #12 in the Top 100. The whisky was the highest awarded American Single Malt Whisky in the competition and was one of only a select few American products. More than 1,400 spirits were entered into this year’s competition for judging.

“We are honored to be recognized by the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge and these other notable industry competitions,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore said. “Cuvée Single Cask Whisky was one of only two whiskies from craft independent producers that scored a 98 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and the quality of whisky we are producing here in Virginia.”

In addition to the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, the distillery and its whiskies have been recognized recently with awards and positive ratings from the International Whisky Competition, the New York International Spirits Competition, American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards, Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and Tasting Panel Magazine.

The International Whisky Competition is one of the most competitive whisky competitions to date, offering only three medals per category, designed to be like ‘The Olympics of whisky competitions.’ Virginia Distillery Co. won several medals, including ‘Best American Single Malt Whiskey’, ‘Best Micro Distillery Whiskey’, and ‘Best Virginia Whiskey’:

Best American Single Malt Whiskey

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts
• 2nd Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts

Best Micro Distillery Whiskey (Under 150,000 bottles)

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts

Best Virginia Whiskey

• 1st Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.7 Pts
• 2nd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts
• 3rd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Single Cask – 89.6 Pts

The NY International Spirits Competition is a New York-based competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits from a trade-only, blind judging panel. At the awards, Virginia Distillery Company was recognized as the Virginia Distillery of the Year. The four whiskies in the Courage & Conviction product line were also awarded:

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction – Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask – Bronze Winner

The ASCOT Awards was created by author and veteran tasing judge Fred Minnick and aims to honor the best in spirits. All entries were tasted blind by a panel of judges made up of spirits industry and evaluated on appearance, aroma, taste and finish. Virginia Distillery Company’s whiskies earned the following:

• VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky – Double Platinum

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Platinum

Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask received a best of class gold medal and a 94-point rating at the LA International Spirits Competition, an awards competition bestowing medals to the best wines, spirits, olive oils and dairy products from around the globe.

Virginia Distillery Company’s inaugural Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask Strength whisky earned a 96-point rating in Tasting Panel Magazine’s May issue.

Virginia Distillery Company recently reopened the doors to its Visitors Center to the public.  While visiting the distillery in Lovingston, Va., patrons can tour the distillery, taste the full Courage & Conviction product line and Single Cask offerings and enjoy a new Whisky Snack bar. The Visitors Center is open to guests Thursdays-Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations are encouraged and can be booked online.

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company or American Single Malt whisky, visit the distillery’s website and complete guide to American Single Malt whisky. More information on awards recognition for the distillery can be viewed here.

About Virginia Distillery Company
Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland. In 2020, Virginia Distillery Company was named among the top 10 winners of the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery category in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, and in 2021, Courage & Conviction was awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast.

Our ‘Spirit of America’ auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Monday 4^th July until Sunday 10^th July.

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, investor enjoy!

Old Rip Van Winkle – 23 Year Old (1986) Signed

Old Fashioned Copper – 25 Year Old (1994) Vintage

WhistlePig – 17 Year Old (The Boss Hog VIII) LapuLapu’s Pacific

Michter’s – 20 Year Old (2015)

Black Maple Hill – Limited Edition

Old Fitzgerald – 10 Year Old (1849)

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.

Happy 4th of July to our friends in the United States of America!