The Macallan 55 Year Old Leads Bonhams Edinburgh Whisky Sale

A bottle of The Macallan-55 year old in a Lalique Crystal Decanter leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 26 February. It is estimated at between £12,000-15,000.

The Macallan 55 year old is regularly included in the world’s top 10 most desirable whiskies. Aged in Spanish Oak, it is said to have mace, ground ginger and nutty notes and was bottled in a Lalique decanted modelled on perfume bottle design dating from 1910. The bottle for sale is numbered 220 out of 420.

Another highly desirable from the sale distillery, The Macallan 1951, is one of 632 bottles and is estimated at £9,000-11,000.

Three exceptional bottles of Bowmore are presented in one lot estimated at £12,000-15,000. They are Black Bowmore-42 year old-1964, number 557 out of an edition of 827 bottles; White Bowmore-43 year, number 183 of 732 and Gold Bowmore, number 83 from an edition of 701.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “The Macallan 55 year old is one of the great whiskies and fully deserves its iconic status. The link with Lalique adds further lustre and we are very pleased to be able to offer it as the leading bottle in a strong and varied sale.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

High Demand for Tasmanian Whisky Leads to Shortage

Sullivans Cove, Tasmania’s biggest selling whisky, is forced to limit sales of its popular French Oak variety in order to ensure continued availability for the next five years. Domestic demand for the French Oak, which was named as Australia’s best single malt by Whisky Magazine, has increased beyond supply levels and the distillery has been forced to limit exports of French Oak to provide for local demand.

The distillery’s French Oak variety is Australia’s highest awarded whisky, having scored 96.5/100 in whisky writer Jim Murray’s 2013 Whisky Bible and was also named Spirits Business magazine’s World Whisky Grand Master. Its winning run continues with this week’s announcement of the 2014 Wizards of Whisky results where it was named Australasian Single Malt Whisky of the Year and Australasian Whisky of the Year.

Australians are the biggest consumers of Sullivans Cove, accounting for more than 90% of all sales. This is a large turnaround from four years ago when the local market only made up around 40% of sales. The Tasmanian whisky industry is experiencing strong growth and this has been boosted by a $110,000 grant from the state government for the development of whisky trail.

Chief distiller Patrick Maguire said: “The industry has come a very long way over the past few years and this is exactly the situation that we hoped we would be in one day, we just didn’t expect it to happen this soon. It is a great problem to have and we are making all efforts to ensure that sufficient stock remains available for our Australian customers.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Ballantine’s Announces Launch of New Spirit Drink Named Brasil

Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has today announced the launch of Ballantine’s Brasil; a brand new spirit drink made with Scotch whisky selectively cask steeped with Brazilian lime peel.

The new spirit drink is the latest addition to the Ballantine’s portfolio, and represents an innovative fusion of the traditions of Scotland with the passion of Brazil. Featuring a delicate combination of stimulating citrus complemented perfectly with a smooth touch of vanilla, the taste is both smooth and consistent, with the sweet and creamy flavours of Scotch perfectly balancing the refreshing lime. Ballantine’s has developed a delicious signature serve for Ballantine’s Brasil, the ‘Highland Samba’, which mixes Ballantine’s Brasil and lemonade, served over ice and topped with two freshly cut slices of lime.

Four more enticing serves have also been created; the ‘Glen Rio’, which fuses Ballantine’s Brasil with a generous helping of apple juice, the ‘Flower O’Brasil’, which mixes the spirit drink with freshly squeezed lime and elderflower, the ‘Caledinho’, which combines Ballantine’s Brasil with freshly squeezed lime mixed with crushed sugar, and the ‘Glen Coco’, which builds on the Caledinho by adding a touch of coconut.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, said: “There is a huge opportunity for spirit drinks that are made with whisky, as it’s an exceptionally dynamic new category that is already demonstrating a strong rate of growth. Ballantine’s Brasil is a venture into new territory for us, but we’re excited to have a product that can take advantage of this opportunity and one that can truly inspire those who have not yet found their perfect way to enjoy a Scotch whisky drink. We hope that Ballantine’s Brasil will excite a new generation of consumers with the combination of Scottish authenticity and Brazilian passion!”

Ballantine’s Brasil will be rolling out in key markets around the world throughout 2014, including Brazil and France, with an RRP of approximately €14.00 (currency dependent). More information can be found at www.mixitwithbrasil.com, where customers can also view a series of tutorials on how they can ‘Mix it with Brasil’ to create their own favourite Ballantine’s Brasil cocktails.

Tasting Notes

Nose – A balance of rich vanilla and sweet, authentic Brazilian lime; a complex fusion of Scotch whisky, lime and natural vanilla.

Taste – Soft and sweet, with a perfect balance of refreshing lime and smooth vanilla. Complementing this perfectly are the delicate sweet and creamy signature flavours of Scotch.

Finish – Refreshing lime tang with a soft dry finish.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whisky Birmingham 2014 Set for Saturday March 1st

Whisky Birmingham 2014 – the city’s only large-scale whisky festival – returns on March 1st bringing major whisky brands and local collaborations to canal-side venue The Bond in Digbeth.

Some of the biggest names in the whisky industry, including Morrison Bowmore, Gordon & MacPhail, BenRiach and Glendronach are the latest to sign-up for this special one-day celebration of whisky. The Midlands’ nearest distiller, Penderyn, has also confirmed.

Hosted by The Birmingham Whisky Club, Whisky Birmingham will also continue its tradition of collaborating with the cream of the city’s vibrant food and drink scene. Soul Food Project returns with their signature mouth-watering Deep South inspired cuisine, alongside Pop-Up Dosa, who will be serving up authentic Keralan street food. Local whisky bar The Victoria will again be hosting an onsite ‘Afterhours Speakeasy’ at the venue, ending the festival with live music and whisky cocktails.

Masterclasses on offer will see whisky paired with artisan produce including cheese, chocolate and cigars. Birmingham-based cheesemongers Curds & Whey and Kneals Chocolates join the festival line-up for the first time for special whisky-themed tasting sessions, while global cigar importers Hunters & Frankau return for a Cuban cigar and whisky masterclass. Local bloggers Living Room Whisky will be reprising their popular ‘bloggers’ choice’ stand.

Over 250 people attended last year’s festival at unique exhibition space The Bond. Festival-goers in 2014 can expect a much bigger event expert tasting advice from some of the whisky world’s most celebrated distillers, brand owners and bottlers. Retail will be provided by Birmingham’s arm of The Whisky Shop as well as Hard to Find Whisky.

Amy Seton, festival organiser and founder of The Birmingham Whisky Club, commented: “We were truly bowled over by the success of last year’s festival. It’s clear that Birmingham residents know and love their whisky, which is why we are growing the 2014 event to include more exciting and also more unusual brands and distillers.”

She added: ““As always, we welcome anyone at our events who has an interest in whisky – whether you’re an expert or a novice – there will be something for you. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about this historic drink in a fun, informal and sociable environment.”

Tickets for Whisky Birmingham 2014 are on sale now and cost £25 for entry into the main festival room and all whisky. Masterclasses, Speakeasy and food require an additional ticket/cost. For further information and to book, please see Twitter @TheWhiskyMiss or TheBirminghamWhiskyClub.co.uk.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Combine a Love of Travel and Scotch with Scottish Whisky Cruises

Introducing Scottish Whisky Cruises. We offer our guests a unique journey. Approaching these iconic distilleries and their surrounding nature from the oak decks of an ex-wooden warship provides an unforgettable experience that few visitors will ever get to enjoy.

Our chef prepares all meals onboard with the emphasis being on fresh Scottish food and using whisky in a variety of ways.

Onboard whisky tastings are hosted in the oak paneled Officer’s Mess with the addition of food pairings to local produce adding a different dimension to your whisky experience. Our unique approach to whisky cruising ensures a magical journey for all of our guests.



Our boat, the Gåssten, is one of the last wooden warships ever built and she provides the perfect platform to experience this inspirational coastline and spiritual home of Single Malt.



For more information:

Web ScottishWhiskyCruises.com

Email info@scottishwhiskycruises.com

Phone +46 722 06 94 88

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Macallan Six Litre Decanter of M Scotch Achieves a New World Record Price

Today saw the sale of a stunning rare 6 litre “Imperiale” version of the highly sought after Macallan M – the world’s most sophisticated single malt whisky, contained within a beautifully designed and meticulously crafted crystal decanter, for US$628,000 / GBP£381,620 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.

M represents a masterpiece created from the collaboration between three masters of their crafts; Fabien Baron, Founder and Creative Director of Baron & Baron, Silvio Denz, President and CEO of LALIQUE and Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker at The Macallan.

To celebrate the conception of M and its global launch in Hong Kong, four 6-litre Imperiale decanters were specially crafted by LALIQUE for The Macallan. These are the largest decanters ever made by LALIQUE. Each decanter required the work of 17 craftsmen, including two with the prestigious title, “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, with each taking over 50 hours to complete.

Of the four, two will be archived by The Macallan and one has been committed to a private collector in Asia. The fourth, Constantine (named, as are the other three, after Roman emperors), uniquely features the engraved autographs of the three principal creators – LALIQUE/Silvio Denz, Fabien Baron and Bob Dalgarno. This highly collectable creation was made available as part of the Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan auction by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on Saturday, 18 January 2014.

David Cox of The Macallan commented : We are absolutely delighted at the generosity of the successful bidder of the “M” 6L decanter Constantine in securing such a wonderful contribution to a number of Hong Kong charities and at the same time setting a new world record for The Macallan. It is testimony to the craft, quality and passion underpinning the creation of this great decanter. It is a very proud moment for us”.

The Macallan is one of the world’s most sought after and collectable whiskies, sitting at the top of the auction index for whiskies and holding the current Guinness World Record™ for the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction, in 2010 in New York, The Macallan 64 years old in LALIQUE Cire Perdue at US$460,000 / GBP£288,000.

Silvio Denz of LALIQUE said, “This new world record at US$628,000 / GBP£381,620 highlights the uniqueness of the decanter and the remarkable quality of The Macallan single malt. Its creation is a tremendous achievement due to the unprecedented size, weight and completely new shape. After the Guinness World Record achieved by The Macallan in LALIQUE Cire Perdue in 2010 at Sotheby’s New York, this exceptional figure underscores the interest and value of such extraordinary decanters”.

Robert Sleigh of Sotheby’s Hong Kong, “The Macallan M decanter 6 litre Imperiale brought global interest from bidders who were attracted by the combination of the unique opportunity and exceptional quality bringing a new world record for single malt whisky as well as benefiting Hong Kong charities.

All net sale proceeds will be donated to a host of local charities in Hong Kong.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Inverness Whisky Festival Returns for its Fourth Year on April 4th and 5th

The Inverness Whisky Festival returns for its fourth year this April and is proud to be part of the Scotland Homecoming 2014 celebrations!

Since its inauguration in 2011 the festival has continued to attract global interest and this year is expected to be no different. Over the course of the two days guests will have the chance to experience a dram-fuelled tour of Inverness, tasting sessions, and a traditional ceilidh.

The festival commences on Friday 4th April with a tour around some of Inverness’ best-known and oldest pubs, where guests will get to experience more than just a tasting session. The tour will encourage guests to submerse themselves in the history of our nations drink, the music and the local craic! Bruce MacGregor, founder of Blazin Fiddles (Folk Band of the Year, 2013), will lead the troops as they enjoy a selection of fine drams and some impassioned story telling which will bring history to life. The evening culminates in the award-winning Hootanannys where guests will enjoy a traditional Scottish knee’s up courtesy of Bruce and friends.

On Saturday 5th April the event kicks off at noon and will see a whole host of distilleries descend upon Bogbain Farm for the day. Along with the exhibitions, guests will also have the chance to attend master-classes, taste some of the finest local food, and enjoy some fantastic music and entertainment in the barn. The festival will close with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in the barn, with music courtesy of the Bruce MacGregor Ceilidh Band. It truly is a fantastic Scottish experience, it’s not every day you get to sample some of the finest malts, accompanied by some great Scottish music, in a 19th century farm!

Tickets for the Friday tour are £30, which includes a tasting glass and dram in every pub. The Saturday tickets are priced at £25, which includes a tasting glass, all your drams, and a ceilidh (masterclass tickets will be sold separately). A weekend ticket, which gives access to all three events, can be bought for £50.

Tickets are on sale and are available here.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Macallan Masters of Photography Features Japanese Artist Daido Moriyama

To celebrate Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama and acknowledge his contribution to the art of photography, The Macallan will launch The Macallan Masters of Photography: Capsule Edition: Daido Moriyama – Remix, Remixed.

This limited edition offering of only 500 bottles, exclusive to Asia Travel Retail, features a remix of Daido Moriyama work from his renowned book of the same name “Remix” along with some other specially selected material. Each specially bound book, which includes a series of inspired French fold pages, has been hand signed by the photographer himself. The aim was to showcase his impactful style by bringing it to a wider audience, pairing it with a one-off cask strength single malt Scotch whisky from The Macallan.

The whisky chosen by The Macallan’s Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno brings alive the subtleties of the photographers work. Matured in a first fill sherry seasoned oak cask (cask no. 15,245), the whisky is indulgent and sumptuous, and showcases the dark character of The Macallan (58.9% ABV). Measuring 75 on The Macallan colour scale this is one of the darkest single casks ever released and is priced at $1,750 (USD).

Ken Grier, Director of Malts at Edrington, commented: “We took our inspiration for this capsule edition of The Macallan Masters of Photography following an exclusive event by Daido Moriyama, supported by The Macallan at The Tate Modern, entitled ‘Menu’. 350 guests gathered and selected their personal menu of Daido Moriyama’s photographs which were then bound into a silk screened book cover and signed by Daido.

“This made such an impression that we were moved to further celebrate his work by creating a very distinctive limited edition. We felt passionately about capturing Moriyama’s challenging perspective and style. His influence over the photographic world in both Japan and the rest of the world has been profound and we’re relishing marking his life and work with this latest release.”

Tasting Notes: Daido Moriyama – Remix, Remixed (58.9% ABV)

Colour: Darkest cherry

Nose: Opulent and intense. The cask shows its darker side. Raisin, fig, date and clove are the heavyweights of the group supported by ripe apple, black cherry, chocolate, ginger and resinous wood.

Palate: Viscous, orange peel, citrus oil. Ginger, wood spices and clove. Treacle shows later with a depth of sweetness then bitter chocolate

Finish: Long and warming

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.