Are you prepared for Wrath of the Lich King? WoW Insider has you covered!
Posts with tag scotch

Black Bowmore 42-Year-Old Scotch Whisky

Posted Jun 17th 2008 2:01PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits


The Black Bowmore is one of the most expensive whiskies around. The scotch comes from Bowmore, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries on the island of Islay. The spirit was poured into oak casks that had been used for aging Oloroso sherry. This dark whisky has scents of cocoa, toffee, sherry and mature oak with a rich flavor with hints of coffee and orange.

Back in February, RIck Lyke who writes the great spirits blog Lyke to Drink tasted the 42-year-old Black Bowmore which was distilled on Nov. 5, 1964, The five casks used in this bottling yielded 827 bottles of which 80 were shipped to the U.S. earlier this year. The bottle comes in a mahogany box inlaid with maple burl and copper and sells for $4500.

Ardbeg Double Barrel

Posted Jun 16th 2008 3:02PM by Laura Malesich
Filed under: Spirits


Their most ambitious and complex Scotch yet, the Ardbeg Double Barrel from the UK company was inspired by the British shooting parties of old. Presented in a handmade leather bespoke gun case it is complete with two bottles from different single casks of 1974 Ardbeg Scotch and eight sterling silver drinking cups. Ready to travel and share with many the $23,190 package is only one of 250 made. Certainly a stunning gift or just something fun to own by someone inspired by the past or smitten with Scotch, the Ardbeg Double Barrel is certainly one of a kind.

Gallery: Ardbeg Double Barrel

Laphroaig to Unveil New Whiskies at Online Tasting

Posted Jun 12th 2008 6:02PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits


On June 18, Laphroaig Single Malt will host a live online tasting featuring the global unveiling of two yet-to-be-released whiskies. The 45-minute webcast, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, will be conducted by Distillery Manager John Campbell and Master Blender Robert Hicks from inside Warehouse 1 at the historic Laphroaig Distillery on Islay. As we reported earlier this month, longtime Laphroaig fan Prince Charles recently visited there (see above). The online tasting and educational seminar will include smoky classics Laphroaig 10 Year Old, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Laphroaig Cáirdeas, and two unreleased whiskies: Laphroaig 30 Year Old Cáirdeas and the yet-to-be-bottled Laphroaig Triple Wood. Participants of legal purchase age can download tasting notes and guides and submit their questions in advance at Laphroaig.com. For more information visit www.Laphroaig.com/live.

Gallery: Laphroaig Scotch Tasting

Classic Laphroaig 10.The distillery on Islay.Laphroaig Quarter Cask.Oak barrels at the distillery.Laphroaig Cáirdeas.

Prince Charles Visits Laphroaig, Confirms Royal Warrant

Posted Jun 5th 2008 6:00PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits, Events, Charity


Yesterday Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, paid a visit to the home of his favorite Scotch whisky, the Laphroaig distillery on Islay. Laphroaig, established in 1815, is one of the richest, smokiest single malts and one of the very best Scotches ever produced. It holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, which he confirmed while there, and bears his heraldic three-feather badge on its label. The kilt-clad Charles and Camilla - who are known as by their local title, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, while traveling in Scotland - toured the distillery, learned about (and leant a hand in) its production and nosed whiskies of different ages. The Prince also signed two barrels of maturing spirit and an ultra-rare 40-year-old bottle of Laphroaig, one of only a handful left in the world, all to be auctioned off for charity. The 40-year-old was worth about $5,000 before he applied the royal signature. The proceeds from the auctions will go to the charities of Charles' choice.

Gallery: Prince Charles & Laphroaig

Nosing the whisky.Signing bottles for charity.Laphroaig Quarter Cask.The distillery on Islay.Burning peat for smokiness.

Compass Box Whisky's New Hedonism Scotch

Posted May 30th 2008 4:02PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Spirits

Just in time for Father's Day, artisanal British spirits company Compass Box has released a new limited edition bottling of its rare old "Hedonism" Scotch grain whisky. Compass Box calls Scotch grain whisky the "forgotten" spirit. Its origins go back to the early 1800s, but these days it's not made to be drunk on its own. Made from wheat or corn and distilled in a continuous still, it's not aged like malt, but rather used to as a base for the marquee brands of blended Scotch - filler, in other words.

However, the company notes, "good Scotch grain whisky aged for a lengthy time in good quality American oak casks [is] another matter altogether." When done right these whiskies can develop richly textured flavors of vanilla and toffee. The Scotch grain whisky that goes into Hedonism is on average 20 years old, and a bottle costs about $100. The new bottling joins Compass Box's critically acclaimed range, including smoky Peat Monster, woody Oak Cross, bold Flaming Heart and more.

[via Kempt]

Gallery: Compass Box Whisky

Oak CrossFlaming HeartPeat MonsterHedonism MaximusMorpheus

The Ultimate $500,000 Scottish Sojourn

Posted May 28th 2008 4:03PM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Journeys, Spirits, Sports


The other day my colleague Deidre Woollard reported on Chivas Regal's luxurious Father's Day travel package, which costs $117,000. If you prefer single malt Scotch and you're looking for something a little more over-the-top - and you have $500,000 to spend on dear old dad - Scotland's preeminent luxury travel agency Dream Escape has partnered with Classic Malts Selection, the prestigious portfolio of single malts, to create the Ultimate Scotland Experience.

The six-day journey for five guests begins with a private jet trip to the exclusive Myres Castle in Fife, followed by a lavish dinner featuring select single malt whiskies from the Classic Malts Selection, like Talisker, Oban, Cragganmore and Dalwhinnie. Day two kicks off with golf at the famed St. Andrews. Day three includes a helicopter ride to Islay, home of our favorite smoky single malts. Day four features a trip to the Isle of Skye. Day five finds you at the magnificent Corrour Lodge nestled in the Scottish Highlands. Day six kicks off with a drive through the dramatic landscape in your choice of a Ferrari, Aston Martin or Lamborghini (as pictured above).

The festivities culminate in the ultimate food and whisky pairing dinner prepared by three of the country's best chefs. Then it's back home via private jet. Contact Dream Escape's David Tobin at ultimatescotland@dreamescape.co.uk for booking info.

Gallery: Ultimate Scotland Trip

Myres Castle in Fife.Golf at St. Andrews.The Highlands.Cruising the Loch.The castle grounds.

Highland Park Whisky Goes Missing in Flight

Posted Apr 19th 2008 9:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits


We've all become accustomed to the possibility that an airline might lose our luggage but the Beverly Hills-based spirits company Saybrex International is missing 186 bottles of a rare cask of 32-year-old Highland Park whisky that it claimed had been delivered to the U.S. by Delta Airlines. The Moodie Report says that 31 cartons are worth around $240,000 and went missing on the route between Scotland and Los Angeles. It got to the Glasgow Airport but never arrived. Various government agencies are trying to track down the missing hooch.

Glen Breton Whisky Needs a Name Change

Posted Apr 9th 2008 4:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

A Canadian whisky has to surrender its name as part of the ongoing battle to protect the name of Scotch whisky. A court has decided that Glen Breton, the only single malt whisky produced in Canada, has to drop the "glen" part of the name because it might fool people into thinking the brand is Scotch whisky. Scottish brands often have names such as with a "glen" in the title such as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet or Glenmorangie.

As you might imagine, the Scotch Whisky Association is thrilled with the ruling of the Canadian Federal Court which refused to register the "Glen Breton" trademark. They produced evidence in the form of instances of Glen Breton being described as Scotch whisky in retail outlets, menus, newspaper articles and websites. The distillers on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia will be appealing the decision. You can't really accuse the company of being deceptive, it's says Canadian right on the bottle and the large maple leaf on the label should be a clue as to origin.

The Growing Controversy Over Blended Scotch Whisky

Posted Apr 4th 2008 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits


The scotch whisky industry is up in arms about proposals prepared for the Government by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) which say that a "blended malt" category will help consumers know what they are buying (a story we first covered back in December). Distillers and producers say that this wording change will confuse the consumer and lead to a homogenized vertical in which a few large brands hold prominence.

The Scotsman has an article on the subject that quotes producers such as John Glaser, the director of specialist Scotch whisky maker Compass Box, who says that he fears the new labeling will cause consumer confusion and then lead to a lack of product sales. For whisky producers one of the biggest concerns is protecting their biggest emerging markets, Asia and India. The term "blended malt whisky" may confuse consumer or make them feel that they are getting an inferior product.

Mark Reynier, owner of Islay's Bruichladdich distillery, said that under the new proposals, a "blended single malt" of Lagavulin could be any whisky with only a dash of Lagavulin thrown in thereby keeping its association with Lagavulin. This could fool some into thinking they were getting a Lagavulin single malt, when they were getting a whisky with just a splash of Lagavulin added in.

On the other hand, the SWA hopes that the new regulations will protect the industry in the long run by setting up strict legal definitions of Scotch whisky. They say they have the support of the majority of the industry and believe that the legislation will lead to clear, consistent and accurate product information and prevent the deceptive practices that undermine consumer confidence in Scotch whisky.

The Scotch Blog features an open letter from John Glaser that includes a link to a petition to the SWA against the idea of the "blended malt" moniker.

Glenglassaugh Distllery's Plans For Revival

Posted Mar 4th 2008 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

Yesterday I mentioned the Edrington Group's investment in The Macallan but they have also divested themselves of a few smaller distilleries. One of them, the Glenglassaugh distillery, which was built in 1875 but hasn't been operational since 1986, has been sold to a Dutch investment house for £5 million. The distillery in the village of Portsoy on the Moray coast, will be brought up to full working order over the next year and could make up to one million litres of whisky once it gets going. It is expected to appeal to malt collectors around the world in search of smaller brands. Certainly the investors in this project are buying a name and a history as much as physical property similar to those who are picking up the smaller wine estates in France.

Old Scotch Distillery To Be Sold, Reopened

Posted Jan 2nd 2008 8:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

One of Scotland's oldest distilleries may be reopened after being closed for more than 20 years. The Glenglassaugh distillery at Portsoy in Banffshire is part of the Edrington Group, which includes The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Highland Park. They are reportedly selling to a consortium of buyers from Eastern Europe for as much as £3 million. The distillery, was founded in 1875 and closed since 1986. ScotchWhisky.net has pictures of the distillery including the gleaming copper stills.

Does Carbon Dating Resolve the Question of the World's Oldest Whisky

Posted Jan 1st 2008 11:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

The Islay Weblog has another update on the question of the age of the "1851 Mutter Bowmore," the whisky bottle that fetched $59,200 in September. The actual age of the bottle has been questioned with a variety of people pointing out that the bottle and the label seem to indicate that the bottle might be younger than the date given. Iain Russell, the archivist at the Scottish Brewing Archive based at Glasgow University, has pointed out anomalies that would date the bottle in the 1890s.

Now whisky consultant Martin Green responds that the carbon dating results show that the spirit was produced between 1808 and 1854, so that the auction description of the bottle as being circa 1850 was accurate. Iain Russell told the local paper that the radio carbon date must indeed be the oldest known to be in existence, but the bottle in which the whisky is held, and the label on that bottle, date from much later than 1851. This doesn't jibe with the story that the Mutter family has told saying that this bottle was given to their ancestor William Mutter in 1851. The mystery continues.

UDPATE: Iain Russell weighs in below in the comments section clarifying his words to the Ileach paper. This story just gets more interesting!

UK Ponders Scotch Protection Law

Posted Dec 29th 2007 4:03PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

In the past few years, we've seen wine producers in various countries fight to protect the integrity of their product. The UK government is figuring out how to enact a similar type of protection for Scotch whisky. The government is seeking to create a new law that will define Scotch's geographical origins and make it harder for foreign imitations to compete against Scotch in the world. Potential legislation would define the descriptions of Scotch whisky, such as single malt or blended grain, as well as the terroir such as Highland or Islay . With markets like China and India proving to be huge markets for Scotch and with the amount of whisky fraud steadily on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important for the identity of Scotch whisky to be firmly, and legally, established.

The Macallan 55 Year in Lalique

Posted Nov 11th 2007 2:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits

Last year, Macallan debuted their 50 year single malt in a Lalique decanter, this year they have upped the ante with a 55-year-old single malt and a new decanter with a stopper shaped like the Lalique Tiara perfume's bottle stopper but colored a deep amber to match the precious stuff contained within. There will be 420 decanters and each sells for $12,000.

A New Whisky Record

Posted Sep 30th 2007 2:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Spirits, Auctions

The bottle shown at right just sold for $59,200 at auction. The bottle contains Bowmore single malt that was bottled in 1850. It was sold at McTear's auction house in Scotland on Friday for what is said to be a new world record for Scotch at auction (a businessman paid over $58,000 for a bottle of the Dalmore 62 back in 2005). The bottle exceeded estimates even beating out the Bowmore brand who had bid on the lot but lost out to an anonymous telephone bidder. All this, even though as you can see in the picture, the cork is falling into the bottle. The bottle was presented to William Mutter, one of the founders of the distillery, in 1851 and had remained in the family ever since.

Next Page >

Categories
Apparel (595)
Art (185)
Auctions (439)
Big Givers (22)
Books (24)
Celebrity Shopping (609)
Charity (213)
Charity of the Day (137)
Children (26)
Cigars (200)
Cosmetics and Fragrance (166)
Decor (1778)
Dining (709)
Estates (2121)
Events (218)
Gadgets (948)
Garden (36)
Green (134)
Handbags (1142)
Holiday Guides (34)
Jewelry (855)
Journeys (1458)
Men's Style (36)
Pets (136)
Preferred (13)
Real Estate Developments (70)
Services (270)
Shoes (191)
Spas (232)
Spirits (483)
Sports (86)
The Classicist (12)
Timepieces (698)
Water (618)
Wheels (937)
Wine (861)
Wings (490)
Writing Instruments (149)

RESOURCES

RSS NEWSFEEDS

Powered by Blogsmith

Sponsored Links

Luxist bloggers (30 days)

#BloggerPostsCmts
1Deidre Woollard1592
2Rigel Gregg704
3Jared Paul Stern510
4Laura Malesich270
5Lisa Palladino170
6Star Sutherland110
7Marsha Reid10

Most Commented On (60 days)

Recent Comments

More from AOL Money & Finance

Weblogs, Inc. Network

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

DIY Life
Green Daily
ParentDish
Gadling
Aisledash
Autoblog