Hello Braw Spirit readers, here’s what we’ve been looking at this week.
2013 – Week 50
Jim Murray stirs things up. The whisky critic takes a swipe at the industry saying that Scotch whisky is no longer the best in the world. As expected responses have been numerous, ranging from the considered to the tabloid and the hilarious.
English whisky is on the rise with Adnams Brewery in Suffolk releasing their debut outturn. The Single Malt No. 1 and Triple Grain No. 2 were released this week, the packaging looks amazing, but you’d better be quick if you want one! In other news, the London Distillery Company started making whisky this week; the first to be distilled in London in over a century.
How expensive can Scotch whisky get? As the £987,500 Dalmore Paterson collection hits Harrods, the Macallan / Lalique collaboration release their fifth decanter at £16,000 and Bunnahabhain plans their oldest release, is it conceivable that a single bottle could reach £900,000 in the near future?
Supersize me. The world’s largest bottle of Scotch whisky, filled with 14 year-old Tomintoul was auctioned this week and was expected to sell for between £100,000 and £150,000. Unfortunately it failed to meet the reserve and has been returned to the owner.
Anchorman 2 is here! To celebrate, a Ron Burgundy Whiskey has been launched and it’s not terrible!
Crowdsourced whisky from Glenmorangie – the name and casks have already been chosen, but voting is open for the packaging design.
Whisky with a feelgood factor as Douglas Laing & Co release a Braeval 12 year old to support the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
More ‘foreign’ whisky coming to the UK as Tasmanian brand Overeem secure a UK distributer and Diageo rolls out the 45% Bulleit and Bulleit Rye whiskies which are already available in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Chinese whisky demand slows, though it seems to be a slowdown in growth rather than a decline. They’re also becoming more knowledgeable about premium whisky
Want some fruit with that? Chivas rolls out Ballantines’s Brasil, a combination of Scotch whisky with lime. Expect to see it in an airport near you from February.
Getting into the distilling business can be expensive, but a Minnesota micro-distillery has just raised it’s seed finding via Kickstarter.
Need a personalised whisky bottle for Christmas? The Famous Grouse and Glengoyne can help you out.
Finally, tired of whisky? (say it’s not so!) Pop into the COLD bar at the City of London Gin Distillery where they have over 220 gins on the shelves for you to try.
Best wishes for the week ahead. If you have any news, comments or suggestions, please get in touch!
Braw Spirit 