CURIOSITY…
THE INVITATION TO ADVENTURE 

This year we’re marking Father’s Day by raising a toast to kinship. Celebrating fathers and families, sisters and brothers, friends and colleagues. And another love of ours, beer and Scotch whisky.

Join Compass Box founder John Glaser on June 27th as we delve into the roots of this age-old partnership, and discover a whole new world of flavour in the process.

A GIFT FOR THE OCCASION

As part of our event, we will be exploring beer pairings for three award-winning Compass Box whiskies: The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree, and The Story of the Spaniard.

Available in a black gift pack accented with gold trim (or for our friends in the US, a new design inspired by our much-beloved label art), The Malt Whisky Collection is a perfect present for a loved one with an inquisitive spirit.

In preparation, we’ve been sampling a range of different styles of beer to accompany our whisky, from toasty stouts, to nutty brown ales and puckering sours. So, if you know someone who isn’t afraid to experiment, and would be curious to see how these three distinct whiskies taste alongside different beers, be sure to pick up a Malt Whisky Collection gift pack and sign them up for
the event.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Put the date in your diary: Sunday June 27th at 8pm BST (3pm EDT / 12pm PDT) and reserve your seat below. Join us with your whisky samples and stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share the beer pairings we’ll be tasting on the day to help you get prepared. You can follow our lead, or experiment with your own pairings. The choice is yours! If you have a favourite, please send it our way. We’d love to hear how you drink creatively.

We look forward to seeing you there…
The Compass Box Team

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 389: Glenrothes 24 Year Old 1996 The Barrel Barron

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, enjoys a stunning Glenrothes. The new Dutch independent bottler The Barrel Baron has just released his second bottling. ‘I’m proud to say that I was asked to taste it before the cask selection was made and like to think my appraisal had something to do with it’ Mark boasts. The label is also a nice sequel to the previous release’s, which I also enjoyed a lot. This was is equally good! It’s a single cask – a sherry butt – on which the spirit of Glenrothes has slept for just over a quarter century.

https://youtu.be/PNkfZRrykKQ

DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION 

The Ardbeg Distillery invites its noble fandom to join them for an online extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition.

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, which this year will take place entirely online. The Distillery invites smoky malt whisky lovers and fantasy buffs everywhere to join them on Ardbeg.com and social media, as fans come together to uncover the myth and the malt behind their new limited edition, Ardbeg Scorch.

Islay folk have long told tales of the island’s dragon, bravely slain by a heroic warrior many moons ago. And on 5 June 2021, Ardbeggians around the world will celebrate Ardbeg Day with a new whisky created in homage to this ‘true myth’. It is said this fiercely delicious dram is the mouthwatering product of Ardbeg’s own flavour-breathing beast, who dwells in Dunnage Warehouse No. 3, scorching staves and burning barrels…

Ardbeg Scorch has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks – heavily charred by the fiery exhale of Warehouse 3’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up dragon*. Intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait, while grilled fare and black liquorice mingle with bold notes of medicinal lozenge. This truly is a dram of fantastical proportions.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first Ardbeg Day ever: a baptism of fire! It’s a shame we Ardbeggians can’t enjoy it together in person, but the online event is shaping up to be tremendous fun. With a whole virtual world to explore, including fantasy inns, campfire tales, medieval feasts and live tastings, there’s plenty for people to be excited about this year.”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg Scorch is our tribute to the legendary dragon of Islay. By using our most heavily charred casks, we’ve created a fire-breathing beast of a dram!”  

Ardbeg Scorch will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 25^th May. For more news on this event and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

ARDBEG DAY LINE UP:

All events will be virtual and hosted on Ardbeg.com and social media – Twitter: @Ardbeg and Instagram: @ardbeg

 ARDBEG SCORCH TASTING NOTES:

 Colour Bright brushed gold

Nose On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briar wood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore.

Taste Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.

Finish A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry aftertaste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after.

ABV: 46%

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.   

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at Ardbeg.com. 

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2010, and 2013. At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Evan Williams Bourbon Announces Major Redesign of

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

Bourbon returns to original proof with new, premium packaging

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Evan Williams Bourbon, the second largest selling Bourbon in the world, today announced a major redesign of Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch. Named after the year Evan Williams first opened his distillery on the banks of the Ohio River, the Bourbon’s new, premium package celebrates Kentucky Bourbon’s first licensed endeavor. Returning to the original 90 proof, as denoted on the new bottom face label, the small batch Bourbon is the second highest proof in the Evan Williams Bourbon family.

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch will be relaunched in a new proprietary glass bottle with the Evan Williams signature blown in across the top. ‘1783’ is prominently displayed in gold foil accent across the top label, as well as ‘small batch’ to signify the Bourbon inside is a mingling of 300 barrels or less. The bottle is crowned by an upgraded capsule finish featuring the same Evan Williams signature repeated in the background. Crafted with Heaven Hill Distillery’s traditional Bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, Evan Williams 1783 also retains an extra-aged quality as it is a marriage of barrels aged six to eight years, providing a smooth, rich, and bold flavor.

“Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch pays homage to some of the earliest years of licensed distilling in Kentucky, and an important year for Bourbon and the Commonwealth’s signature industry,” said Julie Cole, Evan Williams Senior Brand Manager. “With a return to the original 90 proof, the award-winning mashbill of Evan Williams 1783 is full-flavored and works both as a cocktail base and stand-alone sipper. We are excited to bring more focus to what is known as the ‘best kept secret’ in the Evan Williams Bourbon family.”

Evan Williams, who also served as an early Trustee of the City of Louisville, served as wharfmaster, and built the first county clerk’s office and city jail, set up his early distillery in 1783. As the first licensed commercial distiller in Kentucky, Evan Williams laid the initial groundwork of entrepreneurial success for the Kentucky Bourbon industry. The award-winning Evan Williams Bourbon Experience invites hundreds of thousands of visitors to Downtown Louisville each year to walk through the same hand-crafted process Evan Williams began in 1783.

The Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch relaunch will feature a new commercial called “Our Kind of People,” premiering this fall on national broadcast TV and connected TV. New point-of-sale will also feature the tagline, “When you do Bourbon right, people notice,” highlighting recent awards, including the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Consumers’ Choice SIP Award, winning Gold the first year and Double Gold the two consecutive. The brand will also be prominently featured in digital, social media and in-game advertising for the brands Major League Baseball post-season partnership. The new Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch ships nationwide in May with an SRP of $19.99.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment as the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. Evan Williams is a proud sponsor of Major League Baseball and the World Series, first forming a partnership with the national pastime in 2016. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams has recognized true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery on special edition American-Made Hero labels for the past seven years, now supported by the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

New indie bottlings

WATT WHISKY

New in form but not in spirit, Watt Whisky is the brainchild of whisky industry power couple Mark and Kate Watt – previously of Glenfarclas, Cadenhead’s, Springbank, Duncan Taylor and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, among others. With a focus on quality over flamboyance, this carefully-curated selection of whiskies showcases some delicious and lesser-known drams.

  SHOP NOW  

James Eadie Whisky

James Eadie was born into a family of brewers and blenders. So when the famed whisky critic Alfred Barnard visited him in 1889, it was no surprise that they bonded over a dram.

The whisky in question was James Eadie’s family blend. Passed down by his father, it was known as James Eadie’s Trade Mark X from 1877, when it was registered as one of the world’s first brands.

 Last bottled in the 1940s, the components of the blend were unknown until Rupert Patrick, James Eadie’s great-great-grandson, made the chance discovery of his 19th-century ledgers.

These records laid bare the spirits that were used to make his family’s celebrated Scotch. Pieced together, they revealed a forgotten blend from a distant era, in which the diverse flavours of every whisky-producing region of Scotland were expertly combined.

Two centuries on, using only whiskies from distilleries which James Eadie himself had purchased from, Norman Mathison, one of Scotland’s finest Master Blenders, was entrusted to revive this ancient Scotch. And so, after a lengthy slumber, James Eadie’s name was brought back to life with a great range of single cask and small batch whiskies.

Have a look at our great range from the latest Independent Bottling company to grace the shelves of the Inverurie Whisky Shop.

Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

James Eadie Whisky

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week I’ll be taking a look at the Cardrona distillery from New Zealand as it has now launched in the UK.

https://youtu.be/0cHeTAttWFM

Douglas Laing Unveils Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” Series 

Leading independent bottler, Douglas Laing & Co, today reveals their Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” mini-series; comprising of a Jura 12 Years Old Single Malt, Port Dundas 16 Years Old Single Grain, Linkwood 12 Years Old Single Malt and a Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; each from just one Single Cask.

The family firm says its Cheers to Better Days Series has been bottled in “celebration of a brighter future ahead.” All four of the limited edition bottlings are noted to be “bursting with summer time character”. The bottles are visually-led by a “striking” orange label that features a bespoke, hand-drawn illustration which is intended to signify “joy, warmth, health and success.” The set is described as having “distinct, different and divine” flavour profiles; the Jura release with notes of “sea-salt, rich toffee and charred oak”, the Port Dundas revealing a palate of “freshly baked pancakes, toasted nuts and juiced pineapples”, the Linkwood with hints of “tangy green fruits, thick cream and buttery oat biscuits”, and the Bunnahabhain balancing a “melody of zesty citrus juices and sweet spices.”

Bottled at a punchy alcohol strength of 48.4% and proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration, the collection is said to represent Scotch Whisky “as natural as it gets”.

Cara Laing, Douglas Laing’s Director of Whisky, commented: “The light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all so desperately craving, has been truly and beautifully represented by this mini-series. The vivid orange label design is intended to stand on consumer’s shelves at home as a promising reminder that brighter days are just around the corner. The unique flavours that are encapsulated inside each and every one of these bottlings represent warmth, comfort and vibrancy – a taste of what’s to come.”

All four of these limited editions will be packaged in a premium gift tube. The Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” Jura 12 Years Old Single Malt and Port Dundas 16 Years Old Single Grain releases are expected to retail at £65/€75.50 and £85/€99 respectively, from good specialist retailers. The Linkwood 12 Years Old Single Malt bottling will retail at £75/€87.50 exclusively on douglaslaing.com and the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Single Malt edition is expected to retail at £70/CN¥640 exclusively in Asia.

About Douglas Laing:

www.douglaslaing.com
Facebook: @douglaslaingwhisky
Instagram: @dlaingwhisky

Twitter: @DLaingWhisky

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distiller, 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 Islands (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and Xtra Old Particular, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Karuizawa 52 Year Old Strong Eagle Cask #5627 1960, est. £240,000-450,000 &

Exceptional Selection of Japanese Whiskies,

Including the Oldest Whisky to be Released by the Karuizawa Distillery

Lead Sotheby’s Sale of Extraordinary Spirits from Asia & Scotland

OPEN FOR BIDDING: 2 – 18 JUNE 2021

LONDON, 2 June 2021 – Bidding opens today on Sotheby’s sale of Rare Whisky & Moutai | Extraordinary Spirits from Asia & Scotland, featuring some of the rarest whiskies ever to come to auction.

An exceptional selection of Japanese whiskies from Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hanyu and Saburomaru are led by a collection of 32 bottles of Karuizawa, all from a single collection known as The Unbeatable Collection of Karuizawa. Most notable is the Karuizawa Cask #5267 1960, formerly the world’s most valuable Japanese whisky when a bottle sold at Sotheby’s in March 2020 for £363,000 ($435,273). This is the first time a bottle from this cask has been seen at auction since that record was set (est. £240,000-450,000).

The Scotch Whisky in the sale is headlined by two outstanding bottles distilled at Bowmore Distillery on Islay. Both were distilled in the 1960s, a key era in the history of production at Bowmore, and one which is revered amongst whisky enthusiasts and collectors.

Bowmore Samaroli Bouquet 1966 is considered to be one of the greatest whiskies of all time. Distilled in 1966 at Bowmore and bottled around 18 years later in 1984 by the late Silvano Samaroli, this bottle has gone on to become a cult classic (est. £35,000-48,000). Sotheby’s currently holds the record for this bottle, setting a price of £72,600 in October 2019.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the Bowmore 50 Year Old Number 1 Vaults 1966 is a long-aged expression from the same vintage (est. £26,000-35,000). Bottled in 2017, only 74 bottles were produced, making it one of the rarest expressions of Bowmore ever released.

Elsewhere in Scotland, the sale offers a number of long-aged expressions from the Speyside region. Highlights include a bottle of Glenlivet Gordon & MacPhail Generations 70 Year Old 1940 (est. £3,000-4,000), the oldest whisky ever upon its release in 2010, as well as 40 year old expressions from The Balvenie and Glenfarclas, and a bottle of Mortlach Gordon & MacPhail 58 Year Old 1954 (est. £1,000-1,300).

Also in Speyside, The Macallan is strongly represented with three expressions aged over 50 years. The Macallan Fine & Rare 53 Year Old 1949 was bottled in 2002 at 53 years old, making it one of the longest aged of all the Fine & Rare series (est. £24,000-35,000). Bottled from cask 136, only 160 bottles of this exceptionally rare whisky were produced.

The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask 2018/ASB-1683/13 1950 was aged in an American Oak Sherry Butt for almost 68 years and was bottled at a remarkable 53.4% abv (est. £30,000-40,000). Released as part of the Exceptional Single Cask series, the packaging is relatively modest in Macallan terms, with a real focus on the quality of the exceptional liquid.

The Macallan The Red Collection 78 Year Old is not only the oldest bottle released from The Macallan, but the oldest age statement whisky ever released (est. £60,000-90,000).

Bidding on the 75-lot sale runs until 18 June. Full catalogue available to browse here.

About Sotheby’s Wine

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits totaled an outstanding $92 million in 2020, with over 15,000 lots sold across 41 sales – a nearly 50% increase in the number of auctions held in 2019. Over $60 million of wine and spirits were sold to online bidders in 2020 versus $28 million in 2019, with 85% of all lots offered finding online buyers. Demonstrating continued strength in Asia, Sotheby’s led the market in the region for the third consecutive year, with over 70% of the total bid amount in all Wine and Spirits sales attributed to collectors in Asia.

Sotheby’s Wine’s has had the privilege of auctioning numerous record-breaking wines and spirits in recent years, with 2020 alone witnessing new world auction records for any bottle of Japanese whisky, any bottle of whisky produced by the Dalmore Distillery, as well as any bottle of Cognac. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most expensive bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.

In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.