THE WORLD’S OLDEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

COMES TO AUCTION:

Sotheby’s to Offer One-of-a-kind Special Edition of

The Macallan The Reach 81 Years Old

Proceeds to Benefit The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund

LONDON, 26 September 2022 – Today at Sotheby’s in London, bidding opened on a one-of-a-kind special edition of The Macallan The Reach 81 Years Old single malt, the oldest whisky ever to come to auction. Estimated at £110,000-200,000, the decanter is being presented in a special single-lot sale, which will close to prospective bidders on 5 October. Proceeds will raise funds for The Macallan’s recently established Artisan Collective forum, to benefit The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund, enabling recipient businesses to attract and recruit new apprentices, as well as providing existing artisan apprentices with the opportunity to take part in specialist training and development programmes.

Crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask, The Macallan The Reach is encased in a decanter created from mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands representing characters in The Macallan’s history. Unveiled in February 2022, this release from the distillery reflects an extraordinary moment in time, the liquid laid down during a period of increasing hardship during the Second World War, just before The Macallan was compelled to close its doors for the first time in its history.

The cabinet housing the decanter has been crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940, the year the spirit was distilled. The decanter itself is encased in a display cabinet lined in red leather – reflecting the red thread that has run through The Macallan’s branding since it was founded almost 200 years ago – rather than the traditional cream leather which features on the original whisky release.

Synonymous with age in the whisky world is rarity, since not many barrels in bonded warehouses in Scotland make it to the age of 50 due to the rate of alcohol evaporation. The Macallan The Reach represents the age and quality that the world’s leading spirits collectors look for in ultra-rare whiskies. The auction record for a bottle of the world’s oldest whisky was established at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in October 2021, when Decanter #1 of the Gordon & Macphail Generations 80-Years-Old, sold for HK$1,500,000 / US$193,000 / £142,000.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, North America and EMEA, said: “Age, rarity and provenance combine to spectacular effect in this one of one version of the oldest single malt whisky ever to be released by The Macallan. This is Sotheby’s third auction partnership with The Macallan in three years, and it is always a special event when we collaborate to launch a unique and exclusive bottle. It is particularly special when that bottle happens to contain the oldest whisky in the world.”

Elizabeth McMillan, Head of Insight & Sustainability at The Macallan, said: “Through The Macallan Artisan Collective, our aim is to support and celebrate artisans. Future-proofing generational skills is of great importance, and The Macallan holds a deep affinity with artisans and master makers. As contemporary creators, designers, and craftspeople, what unites us all is the value that we place on provenance and our infinite passion for finding innovative ways to keep traditional crafts and generational skills alive. Through our work, we are fortunate to collaborate with an incredible network of artisans who support us each year in realising our vision of creating beautifully distinctive products and experiences and compelling, creative storytelling. The Reach is testament to the incomparable craftsmanship and creativity that has driven The Macallan since it was founded in 1824, and that is why it’s so fitting that this extraordinary whisky will fund today’s generation of artisans.”

The winning bidder will also enjoy an exceptional distillery experience at The Macallan Estate, including a tasting of this extraordinarily rare 81-year-old single malt whisky.

The Macallan | The Reach 81 Years Old: The World’s Oldest Whisky

Whisky Maker’s Notes – The Macallan The Reach

Colour: Deep auburn

ABV: 41.6%

Nose: Dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit, redcurrant jelly and a rich resinous note.

Palate: Treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice, crystalised ginger, nutmeg, charred pineapple, pecans, woodsmoke.

Finish: Intensely rich, sweet and smoky.

The Macallan Artisan Collective is a creative forum for likeminded master makers to network, exchange ideas, innovate and collaborate via live gatherings and digital events. Established in 2021, it champions and celebrates the artisans, their philosophies, knowledge, skills and their critical role in our local and global economies.

In the same year, The Macallan created The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund in recognition of the need to preserve and safeguard legacy crafts, trades, skills and values to support employment for generations to come.

Douglas Laing Reveals Seasonal Limited Editions: Big Peat Christmas and Scallywag Winter

Leading distiller, blender and bottler Douglas Laing & Co today unveils two new seasonal bottlings within their Islay and Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky brands: Big Peat Christmas Edition and Scallywag Winter Edition. These exclusive releases round off what has been a successful year for the two leading brands in Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range, both of which were awarded gold at The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2022.

In line with Douglas Laing’s ethos, these special bottlings are proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration and are both bottled at a Natural Cask Strength, with Big Peat Christmas at 54.2% and Scallywag Winter at 54% alcohol.

A marriage of Single Cask Single Malts exclusively from Islay, Big Peat’s limited edition is said to be “bursting with burnt caramel, wafts of Hebridean sea air and rich earthy notes, balanced by a toasted marshmallow sweetness”. Big Peat Christmas Edition is packaged in a luxurious gift tube with gloss-varnished details and carries a bespoke illustration depicting the iconic bearded fisherman with his head stuck in a Christmas wreath. The candy-striped red and white bottle capsule that has become synonymous with the festive release completes the premium gifting offering.

Strictly limited to 5,400 bottles, Scallywag’s 100% Sherry Cask Matured bottling is the third annual Winter expression. Presented with a mini, green and red striped woolen scarf round the bottle neck for seasonal appeal. This limited release has been matured exclusively in a combination of Speyside Oloroso and Pedro Ximinéz Sherry butts. Each Single Cask Single Malt was hand-selected by the Douglas Laing family for its “rich and full-bodied flavours that complement the season”, resulting in a spirit that is described as “spectacularly spicy with hints of cinnamon and ginger, alongside sweet, indulgent dark chocolate”.

Commenting on the seasonal expressions, Brand Manager, Rebecca Fennell said:

“We’re delighted to unveil this year’s festive releases for two of our biggest brands, Big Peat and Scallywag. As a company, we are incredibly proud to see these editions become highly anticipated within the Whisky world and they have become something we look forward to every year. Both offered at a Natural Cask Strength and bursting with flavour, these drams are the ultimate warmers for the inevitable dark and crisp winter nights ahead.”

Big Peat Christmas and Scallywag Winter Editions will be available from September 2022. These limited editions can be purchased from good specialist retailers in key markets globally, including Europe, America and Asia. Both expressions are expected to retail at £57.50 / €68.50.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill-filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

September 2022 Auction 

30 September – 10 October

Now Live: September Auction

A warm welcome to our September Auction. Featuring over 9,500 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

Many of the world’s oldest and rarest whiskies feature in this month’s auction; including the Glenlivet 80 Year Old Generations, The Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis, Yamazaki 55 Year Old 2021 release, and the incredibly rare inaugural Highland Park 50 Year Old – accompanied by the original hand sketch used in the design process – signed by Maeve Gillies.

Some exceptional independent bottlings from Samaroli, Moon Import, Signatory Vintage, & Kingsbury are available. Alongside the opportunity to purchase a First Fill Oloroso Quarter Cask filled with spirit distilled at Strathmill distillery in 2009.

The Whisky Ventures Ride Charity Auction: Whisky Auctioneer is delighted to partner with Robert Richardson and his recently completed project, The Whisky Ventures Ride, to raise money for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and the Scottish regions of Cash for Kids. Discover more below.

Browse some of our curated highlights below and add to your collection.

Yamazaki 55 Year Old 2021 Release

Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt Highlights

Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 Release & Original Design Sketch

Spotlight Charity Auction // Exclusively at Whisky Auctioneer

The Whisky Ventures Ride Charity Auction

Whisky Auctioneer is delighted to host a spotlight charity auction in collaboration with The Whisky Ventures Ride (Please read more about this whisky-themed cycling challenge in our recent article).

After visiting every operating single malt whisky distillery in Scotland (by bike alone!) Robert Richardson gathered over 80 bottles of whisky which were kindly donated by distilleries along the way.

Please bid generously on these bottles in our September auction. 100% of the proceeds, including Whisky Auctioneer’s buyer’s commission, will be donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and the Scottish regions of Cash for Kids.

Bid generously now in our live auction.

Icons of Islay

Rosebank Classics from Signatory Vintage

Glenlivet 1940 Gordon and MacPhail 80 Year Old Generations

Bid Now on over 9,500 lots in our Live Auction.

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

Dalgety is here! 

‘Dalgety’ is the new brand from Hannah Whisky Merchants ltd which produces the award winning Lady of the Glen and St Bridget’s Kirk small batch blend.

The new brand pays tribute to Dalgety Bay which is the home of Hannah Whisky Merchants and where all of the brands are hand bottled by a small 4 person team. In a unique twist is the Dalgety labels glow in the dark in a reference to the local beach.

Director Gregor Hannah and ambassador Paul McKendrick carefully hand select casks from their portfolio to create unique small batches of Single Malt Whisky for each Dalgety release..

All releases were bottled at our site in Dalgety Bay by hand.

If the bottle you want is sold out don’t worry as we have sent orders to various independent shops and traders across the UK!

The Inaugural releases are available now!

An 11 year old Tormore
Made of a Refill ex-sherry casks and bottled at 50.5% ABV. The batch size was 550 bottles. Tasting notes, orange blossom, fudge, brioche and pecan.
£66.00 per bottle

A 13 year old Tamnavulin
Made of a barrel and virgin oak finished barrel. Bottled at 51.9 %ABV. The batch size was 554 bottles. Tasting notes, fresh ginger, honeydew melon, cloves, marmalade and toasted oak
£70.00 per bottle

A 12 year old Islay
Made of Ex-refill Sherry casks and bottled at 51.8% ABV. The batch size was 722 bottles. Tasting notes, Green apple, pine resin, Cinnamon roll and smoke popcorn.
£70.00 per bottle.

A 12 year old Craigellachie
Made of first firll Sherry casks and bottled at 49.9%ABV. The batch size was 600 bottles. Tasting notes, Demerara sugar, mixed peel, cloves and red cherry.
£70.00 per bottle

Peterson-Dumesnil House and Bourbons Bistro

Host Bourbon Tasting Oct. 19th

Louisville, KY (September 27, 2022) – The Peterson-Dumesnil House and Bourbons Bistro are once again partnering to host a special Bourbon Tasting on Wednesday, October 19th from 5:30pm-7:00pm. The event will be held outside on the front porch and grounds of the Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Avenue.

Attendees will enjoy a warm welcome cocktail, 4 bourbon tastings, and four appetizers provided by Bourbons Bistro. Jason Brauner, Bourbons Bistro co-owner and Founder of Buzzards Roost bourbon, will lead the group through a selection of bourbon flights with food pairings. Jason has been featured in multiple podcasts, documentaries, and publications for his bourbon expertise, including The New York Times, Garden and Gun, Southern Living and Wine Spectator. Bourbons Bistro was just named 2022 Bar of the Year by Whisky Magazine.

Tickets are $75 and must be purchased online in advance. The event will also include music and several giveaways. All proceeds benefit the Peterson-Dumesnil House Foundation and its mission to preserve and maintain the 153+ year old historic landmark. Capacity is limited!

About the Peterson-Dumesnil House

Located in Crescent Hill, the Peterson-Dumesnil House is a beloved Louisville landmark that provides the community with a sense of historic identity and serves as a gathering place for various functions and events. The Foundation’s Board of Directors works to maintain and preserve the House and grounds for future generations to enjoy. For more information, visit petersondumesnil.org.

For those already writing lists, Christmas has come early to the Society with the launch of our NEW Advent Calendar plus seasonal specials on wonderful whiskies, pairs and trio offers. And don’t miss our winter essentials – including the welcome return of our hip flasks, cosy hats, jackets and more.

Get ahead early and enjoy a stress-free festive season, keep on scrolling for ideas for your whisky wish list or click on over to our website to view the start of our Christmas Collection.

OUR MEMBERS’ Rooms: Feast your eyes on our venue Christmas menus and get your table booked for a well overdue Christmas catch up. You’ll find these in each of our four Members’ Room section on our website.

FIND THE PERFECT GIFTS

VIEW CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

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

The Cheshire First Release Description

OLD PULTENEY ANNOUNCES NEW LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION INSPIRED BY COASTS AROUND THE WORLD

Old Pulteney is launching ‘The Coastal Series’, a collection which comprises four exciting new whiskies that have been matured in seaside casks

The first in the series is an expression created with Pineau des Charentes casks, from the Charente-Maritime region in France

The expression brings together the coastal flavours of an iconic French aperitif and the Maritime Malt

The Coastal Series is made up of four expressions, which will be released annually from 2022. 

Old Pulteney, The Maritime Malt, has today announced the introduction of a new collection of whiskies: The Coastal Series.

The Coastal Series brings drinkers on a worldwide voyage of exploration with Old Pulteney, with four limited edition expressions. To create the series, Old Pulteney has partnered with spirits makers from coastal locations around the world, further maturing its much-loved whisky in a specialist selection of casks and creating four beautifully unique, limited edition expressions that bring wonderful new coastal flavours to the ‘Maritime Malt’.

The Coastal Series launches with Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes, bringing flavours of the French coastline to The Maritime Malt. In new territory for the brand, Old Pulteney’s whisky is further matured in ex-Pineau des Charentes wine casks, carrying echoes of the iconic, sweet aperitif native to the Charente-Maritime region on the southwest coast of France, and intertwining them beautifully with the flavours of the North that Old Pulteney is known for.

Old Pulteney hails from one of the most northerly shores of the Caithness Coast, in rural Scotland. Matured by the sea, Old Pulteney casks breathe in the North Sea air year after year, leaving a distinctively briny taste that captures the essence of its

home. Matured in Wick, the whisky is influenced by coastal notes from the North Sea.

Taking on the same careful craftsmanship and process that goes into every expression, Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes is the most innovative cask maturation yet, offering a lighter, sweeter taste layered on the classic Old Pulteney base.

The whisky is first matured in traditional American oak casks, before further maturation in hand-selected ex-Pineau des Charente casks, created with French oak and carefully selected by Stuart Harvey, Master Blender. The whisky then slowly absorbs the delicious sweetness of the aperitif, resulting in a beautiful sweetness that perfectly complements Old Pulteney’s signature salty flavour saltiness, delivering a wonderful dram.

With sweet and light notes of candied oranges, warm spices and creamy vanilla, the expression replicates the warmth of sunny days at the coast. A lingering finish showcases notes of caramelised hazelnuts and ground spices, broadening in sweetness, and then drying ever so slowly towards a savoury finale of coastal minerality.

Presented in a stunning gold gift box that replicates the colour of golden sands with an intricate illustration of the French coastline, the expression will retail at £75 and will be available to purchase from 3rd October in the UK, France and Germany from The Whisky Exchange, Old Pulteney Visitor Centre and other specialist whisky retailers.

Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney, said: “We’re very pleased to introduce Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes, the first in a new, exciting series by the brand. Old Pulteney’s past, present and taste is influenced by its home by the sea on the Caithness Coast,​ and The Coastal Series beautifully explores cask maturations that highlight wonderful expressions influenced by their global coastal homes.

“Our Pineau des Charentes expression is a beautifully light, fruity single malt that showcases both the flavours of our wonderfully matured spirit, but balanced with the rich sweetness of the Pineau des Charentes, resulting in a truly exquisite expression.”

For more information on Old Pulteney, and the Coastal Series, please visit OLD PULTENEY

About Old Pulteney:

Old Pulteney’s story, distillery, and whisky is shaped by the sea itself. The unique combination of brisk sea air and meticulous cask selection makes its flavour unlike other single malt Scotch whiskies.

The Coastal Series is a collection of whiskies that have been matured in seaside casks. The series is made up of four expressions, which will be released annually from 2022. The first expression to be launched is Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes.

MONDAY 3rd October 2022 – 6:30pm – Soho

There are many distilleries in Scotland which started life as mills, but none of them had quite the scale of Deanston. This huge plant was constructed on the banks of the fast-flowing River Teith in 1785 by Richard Arkwright who used it as one of the sites for the development of the Spinning Jenny. It also had what was claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe. It can claim to be one of the greenest distilleries in Scotland. All of its power is generated by a turbine house which processes 20 million litres of water an hour. Brendan McCarron will be coming down in this particular evening taking us through the line-up below:

Deanston Virgin Oak
Deanston 12 Years Old
Deanston 2000 Vintage organic
Deanston 2007 Calvados
He will also bring a special cask sample to share with all of you!

Buy Now

MONDAY 10th October 2022 – 6:30pm – Soho

Masataka Taketsuru was born in 1894 into a sake distilling family that resided in Hiroshima. In 1918, the young Taketsuru embarked on a trip to Scotland to learn about the process of making Scotch whisky. He was fascinated by whisky and was excited to learn more. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow, taking chemistry classes. He also apprenticed at multiple distilleries. These distilleries include Longmorn, Hazelburn, and James Calder.

Taketsuru met and married a Scottish woman named Rita, and in late 1920 the couple returned to Japan. In 1923 he signed a 10-year contract with Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory). This position saw him direct in the construction of Yamazaki, the first whisky distillery in Japan, and subsequently, become involved in the production of Yamazaki whisky.

Taketsuru left Kotobukiya in March 1934, and later in the year established his own company: Dai Nippon Kaju Co,. Limited (later Nikka). The company was based in Yoichi in Hokkaido. Yoichi Distillery started distillation in 1936. In 1940 the first Nikka Whisky was launched.

In this particular evening Nathan Shearer will be taking you through the history of Nikka and the different expressions that characterises the distillery.

Nikka Super
Nikka Coffey grain
Nikka Miyagikio
Nikka Yoichi
Nikka Taketsuru
Nikka Tailored

Buy Now

MONDAY 17th October 2022 – 6:30pm – Soho

The Glen Grant distillery is nestled in Scotland’s bucolic Speyside region. Rivers brim with cool, fresh water fed by hundreds of natural springs, and the fields boast the ideal conditions for growing barley. That is why Speyside is the undisputed champion of producing premium single malt Scotch whisky. The Glen Grant’s Scotch Whisky distillery is located in the northern end of the village of Rothes in Speyside. In this particular evening there will be Chris Dennis the BA for Glen Grant distillery, which will take us through the drams that characterise the distillery, the line-up is going to be:

Glen Grant 10years Old
Glen grant 12Years Old
Glen Grant 15years Old
Glen Grant 18Years old
Glen Grant 12years old non-chill-filter
Mystery dram from the distillery!

Glen Grant and their team has also organised an incredible ruffle for the evening, where the lucky person will be taking home a nice and special gift from the Distillery!

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MONDAY 24th October 2022 – 6:30pm – Soho

The original distillery held a set of pot stills with rectifying plates in their necks (also known as Lomond stills), allowing different flavour streams to be produced. Expansion in 1990 saw a second pair of the same design being installed, before the distillery installed two continuous stills three years later in which to make its own grain whisky. Two ‘traditional’ swan neck pot stills were added in 1998, before an additional continuous still, set up to produce grain whisky from a 100% malted barley mash, was installed in 2007. With the recent addition of two more Lomond stills, Loch Lomond has the capability to produce 11 different distillates for its whisky brands (not including the spirit coming from Glen Scotia). Wine yeasts have also been used to help create different flavours. In many ways it is more akin to a Japanese approach to distilling than a Scottish one.

In this particular evening Gary mills will talk us through their expressions with a real breadth of flavours!

Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain 
Loch Lomond 12 Years Old
Loch Lomond 12 Years Old Inchmurrin
Loch Lomond 12 Years Old
Loch Lomond 14 Years Old
Loch Lomond 18 Years Old
And a special dram to finish of the evening direct from the distillery!

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MONDAY 31st October 2022 – 6:30pm – Soho

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 revitalising the Isle of Raasay’s nineteenth century Borodale House into a state-of-the-art distillery, visitor centre, 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 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