Wonderful Whiskies for Your Father’s Day Gift Guide
The Perfect Father’s Day Gift
Forget crummy ties and rubbish socks, get Dad a gift that he’ll really appreciate this Father’s Day. Whether it’s a bottle of his favourite single malt whisky, or something he’s never tried before, we’ve put together a collection of great liquid presents for him.
THE MACALLAN EDITION 4 – £79.00
Is Dad a whisky enthusiast? A guy who appreciates the intricacies of flavour, get him a bottle of The Macallan Edition 4.
Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the worlds most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. This particular liquid has been made in collaboration with esteemed architects to reveal the structure of the whisky, drawing parallels on how brand new £140m distillery was created. It has been crafted from a combination of American & European oak casks giving it a zesty, vibrant and invigorating single malt that brings to the fore notes of rounded honey, sweet toffee and citrus fruits.
BOWMORE 15 – £50.00
Does Dad like a decorated whisky? Look no further than Bowmore 15, which was voted Whisky of the Year 2018 by The Whisky Exchange. Matured in an incredible combination of both bourbon and sherry casks, it spends its final three years in Oloroso sherry casks, which give Bowmore 15 the rich, deep colour and warming finish.
Notes of toffee, treacle and chocolate make this delicious liquid a great gift someone looking to taste the best of the legendary Islay distillery’s millennial output
Available to buy from The Whisky Exchange
LAPHROAIG 10 YEAR OLD – £36
Is Dad a traditionalist? Does he like whiskies with pedigree and heritage? Well, Laphroaig 10 Year Old is what you’re looking for. It is the only single malt Scotch whisky to be awarded the Royal Warrant by HRH The Prince Of Wales, the ultimate seal of approval
Notable for its high levels of peat, Laphroaig 10 has a very distinct and unique flavour profile, with an earthy, tangy taste detailed with elements of sweetness. Unforgettable.
Wonderful neat or with a drop of water, but it’s also perfect in The Penicillin with lemon, ginger and honey.
Available to buy from Waitrose
HIGHLAND PARK 18 YEAR OLD – £105.00
Is Dad a Viking? Does he think he is? Because Highland Park 18 Year Old may be the gift for him. Highland Park was founded by the descendants of Vikings, whose influence can be seen on the bottle’s incredible design.
The 18 Year Old is one of the most consistently excellent malt whiskies of the past 10 years. Gentle peat, soft toffee, floral notes, and honey on the nose. It is fantastic neat or over ice, but it can also be great in an Orcadian Cooler, which includes lemon, elderflower and soda water.
Available to buy from Waitrose and Master of Malt
https://www.highlandparkwhisky.com/
But if Dad isn’t a single malt fan, fear not. One of these fabulous bottles will be perfect for him…
MAKER’S MARK KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON – £30.00
Maker’s Mark is a small-batch Bourbon handmade in Loretto, Kentucky using the same principles Bill Samuels Sr., first used in 1954. Made from red winter wheat it has a sweeter taste than most traditional Bourbons giving it a distinctive taste. With notes of oak, caramel, vanilla and spice it is best served on its own, or as part of an Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule or hot Apple Cider.
Maker’s is distilled for six years before being bottled and sealed with red wax to give it a distinctive look, it is a great gift for a bourbon-loving father.
Available to buy from Tesco and Waitrose.
COURVOISIER VSOP, CONGNAC – £35.00
Founded in 1809 by Emmanuel Courvoisier, Courvoisier is the only Cognac house to still control the entire process from grape to glass. Made from a blend of several crus it has a more delicate taste than most Cognac’s giving it a distinctive taste. With notes peach, toasted almonds and jasmine it is the ideal spirit to enjoy this winter. Best served neat, or mixed with ice and water or as part of a long drink, such as the Courvoisier Espresso Martini.
Available to buy from Sainsbury’s
https://www.courvoisier.com/uk/
BRUGAL 1888 – £40.00
During the latter half of the 19th century, Andrés Brugal Montaner — a Spanish expatriate who had emigrated to Cuba — uprooted his family moved to Dominican Republic. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of Brugal’s direct descendants honour his name as personal guardians of the entire rum-making process at Brugal & Co.
Made from fresh, raw sugar cane, which is hand-cut from plantations across the Dominican Republic’s countryside, Brugal 1888 Ron Gran Reserva Familiar Rum has a dark, amber hue, along with an aroma of milk chocolate, roasted coffee and dried apricots.
It is crafted to be a sipping rum, best enjoyed at Dominican room temperature, a delicious 26 degrees which really unlocks the complexity of this incredible drink.
Available to buy from the Whisky Exchange.
WHEN WORLDS OF MASTERY UNITE
UNVEILING THE MACALLAN 72 YEARS OLD IN LALIQUE
THE GENESIS DECANTER
The Macallan has introduced The Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique – The Genesis Decanter – a remarkable new limited edition whisky to celebrate the new Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience.
An exceptionally rare Macallan 72 Years Old single malt, The Genesis Decanter is the oldest whisky ever released by the Distillery to celebrate a seminal moment in the history of The Macallan.
The Genesis Decanter is inspired by and honours a new dawn, defined by a truly magnificent architectural masterpiece. Presented in a bespoke crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique, it is a celebration of the collaboration of masters from across the fields of whisky, crystal, architecture, construction and craftsmanship and marks a new beginning in The Macallan story.
For nearly two centuries the mastery of exceptional whisky making has been at the heart of The Macallan Estate and the new Distillery and Visitor Experience, designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, embodies the care, passion and superior craftsmanship that goes into every drop of The Macallan.
Distilled back in the 1940s, The Macallan 72 Years Old is a peerless spirit which began its journey to maturation during the optimistic post Second World War period and this atmosphere of reinvention inspired the new Distillery and the whisky and design of The Genesis Decanter.
For its seventy-two years of maturation, the deceptively light colour hints that this is not an ordinary single malt. Reminiscent of a time gone by, it carries an exquisite balance of strong, sweet oak with the peaty spirit shaping its refined character. The whisky delivers surprise after surprise as aromas of fruit follow distinctive hints of peat, all the way through to the back of the mouth where it is finished off with a lingering hint of rich fruit and oak.
Nick Savage, The Macallan Master Distiller, said: “The Macallan 72 Years Old is an incredibly rare single malt defined by years of dedication and craftsmanship. As the oldest whisky we have ever bottled, this is a truly momentous occasion to commemorate our remarkable new Distillery. Although delicate throughout all aspects, it provides an intense experience which acknowledges the distinguished history of The Macallan.”
Lalique has captured the character of the new architectural wonder in crystal, incorporating the clean lines and natural curves of the new Distillery. The smooth curvature of the unique roof structure defines the decanter’s design, suggestive of the building rising and falling from the ground. Marrying together modern techniques with traditional skills, each decanter is handcrafted by master craftsmen who elevate the complex crystal making process to create a stunning art piece.
Ken Grier, Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “Our wonderful new Distillery is both a tribute to the traditions of our whisky and its natural Speyside environment, and a future-facing vision, looking forward to the next chapter of The Macallan. Lalique have a deep and true understanding of The Macallan, having been our partner for over a decade. Their interpretation of this design masterpiece in crystal is beyond exceptional. Their mastery and creativity never ceases to amaze and inspire us and our extraordinary collaboration is reflective of the highly meaningful part Lalique have played in the story of The Macallan.”
Silvio Denz, Chairman of Lalique, said: “Lalique is very honoured to be associated with such an important moment in the story of The Macallan, with the creation of this commemorative decanter. Our long-term partnership with The Macallan, which started over a decade ago, is based on shared values of excellence, craftsmanship and creativity; and the truly spectacular and never-before-seen architecture of the new Distillery & Visitor Experience has been highly inspiring for the design of the decanter.”
The Genesis Decanter is housed in a bespoke presentation case, designed by Burgess Studio and inspired by the interior of the Distillery, with a curved wooden roof over the decanter, and a footprint taken directly from the circular layout of the three new stillhouses. Handcrafted from the finest materials by The Royal Warrant holding cabinet makers, NEJ Stevenson, using only sustainably sourced timbers, the exterior is waterfall bubinga, with each bowl carved from mahogany layered with light maple. All drawer linings and fitments are hand-applied in pure suede and fabric, with latches and hinges in solid brass.
The Macallan 72 Years Old single malt will be rolled out globally from August 2018 and will be limited to 600 decanters worldwide, priced at US$60,000 per 70cl decanter.
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Whisky-Online May Whisky Auction
May Auction of Rare and Collectable Whiskies and Spirits
Whisky Online Auctions is a world leader in the valuation and sale of rare and collectable whiskies and spirits. Monthly dedicated auctions regularly feature bottles not to be found in any other auction with world record prices often being achieved. There is truly a benefit to both the buyer and seller with Whisky Online. Offering worldwide shipping, free valuations, home collections, low commissions, unrivaled knowledge and unparalleled variety, so, whether you’re looking for quirky every day drinking drams, top end rarities or to maximise your profit on a few bottles or a whole collection, why not get in touch today or take a look at their May Auction.
Bonhams Whisky Sale – Edinburgh
Bonhams Whisky Sale – 6 June 2018 Edinburgh, Scotland
Bonhams Whisky Department specialises in the sourcing and global auction sales of Vintage Single Malt and Blended Whisky and is run by Martin Green who has been the whisky specialist at Bonhams since 2008 after a career in whisky auctions stretching back over 30 years.
He is credited with devising and holding the first ever dedicated whisky sale in 1989. Today, Bonhams holds four whisky sales a year in Edinburgh and four sales in Hong Kong (two of which are combined with Fine Wine). These attract buyers from around the world and regularly achieve sale rates of over 90%
Martin is acknowledged as one of the country’s foremost authorities on whisky and has written widely on the subject.
Notable single owner collections: The Willard S. Folsom Collection, sourced from San Francisco comprising of over 3500 bottles offered in Global sales at Bonhams during 2009 and 2010, the largest whisky collection to appear on the auction market.
The Bowmore Trilogy
The Bowmore Trilogy Black Bowmore-42 year old-1964, White Bowmore-43-year old-1964, Gold Bowmore-44 year old-1964 £17,500 Sourced from a private European collector
Johnnie Walker Old Highland Whisky-Early 20th Century £7,500, sourced from within the UK licensed trade
Johnnie Walker Old Highland Whisky-Early 20th Century Ardbeg-1965 £4,375, sourced from a private Scottish collector
Ardbeg-1965
Black Bowmore-1964
Black Bowmore-1964 Lots 26 £11,875, 27 £12,500 , 28 £11,875, the three bottles sourced from a private UK collector
The highest auction results as of June 2017 for Black Bowmore at auction globally
The Dalmore Candella £16,250, sourced from a private Scottish collector
The Dalmore Candella
The Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve-1955 £46,850, offered for sale by the distillery on behalf of a Global Charity
The Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve-1955
Glenfiddich-64 year old-1937 £68,500, sourced from a private European collector
Glenfiddich-64 year old-1937 The current UK auction house record for the sale of a bottle of Single Malt Whisky and the highest price paid at auction for a bottle of Glenfiddich
The Macallan Millennium Decanter-40 year old-1949 £21,250, sourced from a private UK collector
The Macallan Millennium Decanter-40 year old-1949 Bonhams Specialist whisky auctions attract International interest and are held in March, June, October and December in Edinburgh and twice each year in Hong Kong from where the bottles are sourced
Glen Scotia Delivered Triple Treat
Campbeltown Malts Festival
Whisky lovers enjoyed a triple treat as independent distiller Glen Scotia rolled out three limited edition single malts as part of this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival.
The Campbeltown Malts Festival, which this year ran from 22-24 May, celebrates all that is unique and special about single malts from the region. In the Victorian era the town was home to more than 30 distilleries and known as ‘whisky capital of the world’.
Today Glen Scotia is one of just three surviving local distilleries and its award-winning whiskies are known for their distinctive Campbeltown character.
The Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt, launched during last year’s festival, was recently crowned a Double Gold medal winner at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018, along with the Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt, which was also a newcomer in 2017.
Making its debut as part of this year’s event was the Glen Scotia 2000 Single Cask Festival bottling. Selected by a panel which included whisky expert Charles MacLean, just 147 bottles of this beautifully balanced 18 Year Old, which combines maritime notes with a buttery vanilla sponge base, have been made available and they can only be purchased directly from the distillery, priced at £150.
Guests at the Glen Scotia Whisky Dinner, which launched the festival on Tuesday 22 May, each received their own exclusive single malt. The Glen Scotia Whisky Dinner Single Cask bottling was distilled in 2010. It combines subtle peat with a sweet spiciness before a salty and distinctly maritime finish.
The sold-out event, which paired local produce with a selection of Glen Scotia drams, was held at the Ardshiel Hotel. The hotel’s bar is renowned internationally for its extensive collection of single malts.
Finally, making its first international outing at the festival was the Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival 2018 Limited Edition Ruby Port Finish, priced at £45. Distilled in 2008 and matured in first fill bourbon barrels before being finished in Ruby Port casks for six months, the non-chill filtered liquid was then bottled at cask strength – 57.8% ABV.
Peated and smooth, this limited edition 10 Year Old Single Malt is sweetened by red fruits before delivering a long finish tinged with a dry saltiness. Only 6,000 bottles have been made available worldwide, with orders already in from markets including Germany, Switzerland and Taiwan.
Iain McAlister, Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said: “We enjoyed welcoming visitors old and new to Glen Scotia as part of this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to discover our award-winning Glen Scotia single malts and the distinctive character associated with Campbeltown, which is the smallest of Scotland’s five Scotch producing regions.
“This year’s festival was extra special as it followed our recent double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018. We’ve long championed craftsmanship at Glen Scotia, and our time honoured traditions are now being recognised as more and more people seek to engage with craft drinks and discover new brands.”
In addition to releasing new expressions, Glen Scotia distillery laid on an expanded festival events programme this year.
On Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 May the distillery hosted dunnage tastings as well as free distillery tours. Cooperage demonstrations and tastings were also available, while local stalls offered a variety of craft items and produce.
Demand for Glen Scotia’s distinctive single malts has soared following the launch of a new Global Travel Retail range and the introduction of the ‘Glen Scotia Grand Tour’, an experiential event designed to offer whisky lovers the chance to experience the essence of Campbeltown.
Held in London’s Borough Market from 15 – 17 March, the Glen Scotia Grand Tour aimed to transport whisky lovers to the Glen Scotia distillery on the Mull of Kintyre and replicate the experience of visiting the distinctive Campbeltown Whisky region. It is set to be rolled out to the US later this year.
Follow Glen Scotia on social media using the Twitter handle @GlenScotiaMalts or by visiting www.facebook.com/GlenScotiaWhisky/
