Scotch Whisky 23
SINGLE MALTS FROM GORDON AND MACPHAIL
Gordon & MacPhail Unveils New Ultra-rare Single Malts From Its Private Collection Range
The latest releases include the oldest Caol Ila whisky ever bottled
Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has released two stunning new additions to its ‘Private Collection’ range: a 64-Years-Old single malt from Glenlivet Distillery and a landmark 50-Years-Old from Caol Ila Distillery – the oldest Caol Ila single malt ever released.
The newly redesigned ‘Private Collection’ range encompasses rare and exclusive single malt whiskies from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries, all of which have been specially selected for bottling by a member of the Urquhart family that owns Gordon & MacPhail.
Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery was matured in a refill Sherry hogshead and bottled at a cask strength of 52.5% ABV. Warming spice leads on the palate, followed by fruity flavours with a gentle Sherry influence, before a lingering finish of bonfire embers entwined with lemon zest. Available at a UK RRP of £7,500*, only 199 decanters of this extremely rare single malt are available worldwide.
The dark gold Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery carefully balances the sweetness of golden syrup, stewed fruit, and dark chocolate with spicy black peppercorn and mature oak. Matured in Cask 1412, a carefully selected refill Sherry butt, the 64-year-old malt was bottled at a cask strength of 41.0% ABV. Only 222 bottles are available globally, at a UK RRP of £9,950*.
These ultra-rare single malts were selected for bottling by Stuart Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail’s Associate Director of Whisky Supply and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family. Beautifully presented in hand-blown crystal decanters, each whisky is encased within a handmade wooden veneer box.
Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige and fourth generation member of the Urquhart family, said: “Our ’Private Collection’ range allows discerning whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy some of the oldest and rarest single malts in the world. These latest releases epitomise the expertise and commitment that has gone into pairing spirit and cask over 123 years and four generations of the Urquhart family. Thanks to the foresight of my forefathers, we have one of the most extensive single malt whisky libraries in the world, with expressions from over 100 Scottish distilleries.”
The latest ‘Private Collection’ releases will be available to purchase from specialist whisky retailers.
For more information on Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Private Collection’ visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.
LIMITED EDITION BOWMORE SINGLE CASK RELEASE
BEAM SUNTORY AND WORLD DUTY FREE PARTNER FOR LIMITED EDITION BOWMORE® 1997 SINGLE CASK RELEASE
ONLY 198 BOTTLES OF THE SINGLE-CASK, 20-YEAR-OLD EXPRESSION
WILL BE AVAILABLE AT WORLD DUTY FREE IN HEATHROW AIRPORT, FROM DECEMBER
ABV 51.2% | 700ml | £295
FROM THE NO.1 VAULTS
This unique liquid from the home of the legendary No.1 Vaults, the oldest maturation warehouse in the world, has spent 20 years maturing in a single sherry cask, developing deep layers of flavour. Bowmore ® 1997 offers a rich nose with notes of malty biscuit, dried flowers and a hint of white pepper alongside buttery toffee, freshly roasted coffee and vanilla sponge cake.
On the palate, flavours develop into sweet peat with burnt wood and light barbecue ash notes alongside lemon zest. Gentle vanilla and dried wood complement the peated malt character, with a sweet and smoky finish and lingering herbal and floral notes. Just 198 numbered bottles of Bowmore 1997 will be available to global travellers exclusively from Heathrow T2, T3, T4 & T5 in World Duty Free’s “World of Whiskies” stores, at an RRP of £295.
The expression will be launched on 7 December, when Bowmore® Distillery Manager, David Turner, will be in the World of Whiskies stores in Heathrow T2 and T5 to sign bottles of this limited release. Along with overseeing the day-to-day running of the distillery, David acts as guardian of the precious whiskies that lay maturing in the legendary No.1 Vaults. Using a portfolio of skills developed over his 25-year career at Bowmore®, David carefully hand-selects casks for maturation, keeping a watchful eye on the ageing spirits to determine exactly the right time to bottle the liquid gold inside.
Speaking about the expression, Ed Stening, Global Marketing Director of Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail, says: “Bowmore is a Single Malt with an incredibly rich history rooted in our legendary No.1 Vaults, which has shaped the distinctive character of whiskies made here for over 200 years.
As a brand, Bowmore is growing fast in Travel Retail and is very popular with travellers looking to take home a slice of this history and character. We are very excited to be working with Dufry, a long-term supporter of Bowmore, to offer this unique and brilliant single cask expression to their discerning,passionate customers.”
Matthew Scott-Fairweather, Liquor Product and Promotions Manager UK and Central Europe of Dufry adds: “We’re thrilled to be working with Beam Suntory to offer this exceptional whisky from Bowmore exclusively to our customers. We are confident that this will become an instant collector’s edition.”
For more information, please contact LDR CREATIVE
BeamSuntoryGTR@ldrlondon.com
THE MACALLAN IN LALIQUE
LEGACY COLLECTION ACHIEVES EXCEPTIONAL AUCTION PRICE OF US$993,000 AT SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG
Sunday 2 April saw the sale of the extraordinary The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection – a set of six stunning crystal decanters containing the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged from 50 to 65 years old – for US$993,000 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.
Following more than a decade of collaboration, the highly coveted collection marks the grand finale in the prestigious Six Pillars odyssey – an exclusive series of limited edition decanters by The Macallan and master French crystal maker, Lalique, inspired by the foundation stones upon which The Macallan creates its exceptional whiskies.
As the world’s only complete collection, official and direct from The Macallan, The Legacy Collection was listed in the Sotheby’s ‘Finest & Rarest Wines and The Macallan’ auction in Hong Kong on Sunday 2 April 2017, with all net proceeds to be donated to Hong Kong based and other Asian charities.
Housed in a one and only, bespoke natural ebony cabinet created by Lalique Maison, The Legacy Collection also holds six Macallan Fine and Rare miniatures; two from each of the 1937, 1938 and 1939 vintages (signifying the zenith of Lalique’s contribution in the French Art Deco period), and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses, each serial numbered to commemorate the unique partnership. Autographs of the masters behind the collection are included inside the cabinet, which also allows space for the buyer to have their own name engraved within it as well.
Ken Grier, Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “This remarkable conclusion to The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series is a symbol of the strength behind our long-standing partnership and our unwavering commitment to going beyond the ordinary. To achieve this outstanding price at auction is testament to the quality, detail and absolute skill and mastery of the Lalique craftsmen and our expert whisky makers, and we are proud that this work of art has secured a wonderful contribution to Asian charities.”
Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “The unprecedented price achieved for The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection reflects the exceptional nature of the piece – a complete one off and highly collectable work of art which marries the two houses. Masters in their respective fields, Lalique and The Macallan are joined by mutual respect and an unwavering commitment to craft, artistry and beauty. Since our partnership first began in 2005, it has achieved a number of world record prices at auction and we are delighted to provide both The Macallan and Lalique connoisseurs the opportunity to own something truly remarkable whilst contributing to Asian charities.”
Robert Sleigh, Senior Director at Sotheby’s Asia, said, “It has been an honour for Sotheby’s to work with The Macallan and Lalique once again in offering this unique Macallan Collection that combines the exemplary artisanal skills of both Macallan and Lalique, to produce this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire such a rare collectable item. The enthusiasm of over ten bidders in the room, online and over the phone demonstrates the importance with which global collectors regard The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection and the significance of its direct from the distillery provenance. It is fitting that it achieved a new world record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.”
The six exceptional whiskies contained in the cabinet are:
The Macallan in Lalique – Exceptional Oak Cask, 50 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Natural Colour, 55 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Finest Cut, 57 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Curiously Small Stills, 60 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Spiritual Home, 62 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Peerless Spirit, 65 Years Old
Since its inception in 2005, The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series has captured the imagination of collectors around the world. In 2014, The Macallan accounted for the top ten priced bottles sold at auction; eight out of ten sales being decanters from The Macallan in Lalique series (Whisky Magazine). In 2015, The Macallan was the most valuable whisky brand at auction, accounting for over 25% of the total value traded at auction (Rare Whisky 101).
The Macallan has a strong relationship with Sotheby’s, having previously worked together on both its world record auctions including, The Macallan 64 Years old in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter in November 2010, selling at auction in New York for US$460,000, and the Imperial M Decanter in January 2014, selling at auction in Hong Kong for US$628,000.
The charities set to receive funding from the proceeds of the auction include those which benefit disadvantaged people in Hong Kong and throughout Asia by supporting them with food needs, skills to help them back into employment, and medical requirements.
For further information about The Macallan visit www.themacallan.com
Legal Breakthrough for Scotch in Taiwan
Scotch Whisky Registered As a Trade Mark
In a major legal breakthrough, Scotch Whisky has been registered as a certification trade mark in Taiwan, giving consumers and the industry better protection against fakes.
Taiwan is the fourth biggest market for Scotch by value with exports worth £75 million in the first six months of the year. Consumers are knowledgeable about Scotch and willing to try out new brands. It is the third biggest overseas market for Single Malt with exports worth £41m in the first half 2016.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which applied for the trade mark, says the existence of the UK Customs’ Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme, which was introduced in 2014, was an important factor in meeting the requirements necessary to secure protection. The scheme ensures every part of the Scotch Whisky supply chain is mapped by the industry, registered with the UK Government and inspected to check it complies with all the rules on the production of Scotch. The SWA said the scheme gave the authorities in Taiwan even greater confidence in the robust procedures around Scotch.
The trade mark recognises that Scotch must be made in Scotland from water, cereals and yeast and matured for at least three years. It is of great commercial value to the Scotch Whisky industry and gives consumers confidence in the quality and provenance of what they are buying. A second trade mark has been awarded in Taiwan to protect the Chinese characters that spell out ‘Scotch Whisky’.
The SWA says that while it already works well with the authorities in Taiwan, which is an ordered and well-regulated market, the trade marks make it more straightforward to take legal action against anyone trying to produce or sell fake Scotch in the future.
Lindesay Low, Scotch Whisky Association senior legal counsel, said: “Taiwan has for many years been a major market for Scotch Whisky, in particular Single Malts. The trade marks for Scotch Whisky mean that consumers can have even greater confidence in the quality of what they are buying. It will also give a further boost to Scotch Whisky producers exporting to Taiwan.
“We would like to thank the authorities in Taiwan who were of great assistance in working with us on the successful outcome of our trade mark application, as were the UK Government.”
27 September 2016
Scotch Whisky in Chinese characters: 蘇格蘭威士忌
With media queries please contact Rosemary Gallagher, Scotch Whisky Association head of communications, 0131 131 222 9230 or 07432 605385, email rgallagher@swa.org.uk or David Williamson, SWA public affairs and communications director, 0131 222 9226 or 07432 605385
@ScotchWhiskySWA
LAPHROAIG® CELEBRATES
THE GOOD, BAD AND UNUSUAL OPINIONS OF WHISKY DRINKERS ACROSS THE WORLD WITH A LIVE TWITTER PROJECTION ONTO DISTILLERY WALL
FOR ONE WEEK ONLY, BIG OPINIONS WILL PROUDLY DISPLAY TWEETS DIRECTLY ONTO THE ICONIC WHITE DISTILLERY WALL ON THE SHORES OF ISLAY AS PART OF LAPHROAIG’S AWARD-WINNING #OPINIONSWELCOME™ CAMPAIGN
1 September 2016: Whether it’s “heavenly golden drops collected in one smokin’ bottle” or
“as if a merman washed his codpiece in antiseptic and dried it by the fire”, Laphroaig® is
celebrating the wild and wonderful descriptions of its award-winning liquid by asking the
public to share their opinions of the single malt Scotch whisky – in 140 characters or less.
Big Opinions will be live for one week only, 11 – 15 October 2016. Showcasing the divided opinions of
whisky fans from all corners of the globe, a real-time Twitter feed of the most outrageous and insightful
opinions will be projected onto the over 200 year old iconic white wall of the Laphroaig® distillery, Warehouse
No.1. Every opinion will be selected for display by Distillery Manager, John Campbell and will be presented
alongside the author’s Twitter handle, capturing their individual impression of Laphroaig’s distinctive and
widely divisive flavour profile.
BIG OPINIONS
The latest activation from the award-winning #OpinionsWelcome™ campaign, Big Opinions, asks whisky
lovers – and haters – to put their impression of Laphroaig® into words using the hashtag #OpinionsWelcome;
no easy feat. The Big Opinions campaign showcases the vivid descriptions of the International whisky
community and brings Laphroaig’s valued customers across the world closer to the distillery, in true
#OpinionsWelcome™ style.
The spectacle can be watched live at www.laphroaig.com/opinions, which will capture every imaginative post
throughout the 5-day event. Those selected to feature in the Big Opinions projection will receive photography
and a video of their own opinion up in lights on the distillery wall for the world to see, to share with their
fellow whisky drinkers.
THE DIVISIVE SINGLE MALT
Of all the Islay peated malts, it is Laphroaig® that gets the most extreme reactions. It’s a complex beast, and as
such has always divided opinion. You love it or you hate it – you are rarely indifferent. With its pungent,
earthy aroma of peat smoke, the sweet nuttiness of the barley and the heathery perfume of the Kilbride stream,
GLOBAL TRADE PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2016
2
Laphroaig® is an unapologetically bold, rich and heavily peated single malt. It’s this complex flavour profile that
has garnered an impressively loyal and passionate following of whisky enthusiasts from around the world.
The iconic white wall of Warehouse No.1 with the bold Laphroaig® logo painted along its side is an instantly
recognisable symbol of the Scotch whisky’s long and illustrious heritage on Islay, whether you’re arriving at the
port from boat, plane or by foot.
#OpinionsWelcome™ is an open-armed invitation for all to express their feelings on this divisive whisky. Big
Opinions gives the public the chance to voice their opinions to the world. Be candid. Be real. Let creativity run
riot.
Remaining true to its word, your opinion of Laphroaig® truly is welcome.
Find out more about sharing your opinion at www.laphroaig.com/opinions
Laphroaig® press information:
For more information or images contact the Laphroaig® press office:
Laphroaig@ldrlondon.com | +44 207 851 6629
