scotland

Talk about "Scotch on ice" - with the excitement of the 2010 Winter Olympics upon us, Laphroaig single malt Scotch is kicking off a year-long celebration of Scottish heritage with its official sponsorship of the United States Curling Association (USCA). At an event to kick off the partnership, bringing together two of the greatest traditions from Scotland – Laphroaig and curling – Scotch Malt Master Simon Brook (right) engaged guests in a Laphroaig tasting while Jessica Schultz (left), 2006 Winter Olympics Curling Team Member, led a hands-on curling demonstration.

Rich, smoky Laphroaig, established in 1815 on Islay, holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales and bears his heraldic three-feather badge on its label. "There are few brands out there that have as deep a Scottish history as Laphroaig," notes USCA President Leland Rich. "We are honored to have such a respected brand sponsor the United States Curling Association. This truly brings the spirit of the winter games to new heights." Often referred to as "chess on ice" or "winter golf," curling originated in Scotland in the 16th century.

An extremely rare $11,000 bottle of over 50 year old Glenfiddich single malt Scotch headlines the uncommon offerings in Bonhams' Whisky sale set for Edinburgh, Scotland on March 3. The coveted Glenfiddich was bottled in 1991 from rare casks filled in 1937 and 1939 distilled by William Grant & Sons Ltd., and comes in a wooden presentation cabinet. Also sure to draw fierce bidding are two rare bottles of The Macallan in special decanters, a 55 year old expected to fetch up to $10,000 and a 50 year old that could go as high as $6,500. Other highly-prized Macallans on offer include a Select Reserve 52 year old ($4,000) and two bottles of the 1938 vintage ($2,500). In addition a collection of six very special Springbank single malts (above) - 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 year old - is being sold as one lot carrying an estimate of up to $6,500.

Cawdor Castle, one of Scotland's greatest estates which dates back to 1380, is the centerpiece of a beautiful new book focusing on the very best of Scottish style. Highland Living: Landscape, Style, and Traditions of Scotland (Flammarion, $39.95) by Stéphane Bern and Franck Ferrand with photographs by Guillaume de Laubier opens with a foreword by the castle's formidable mistress, Angelika, the Dowager Countess Cawdor (above). Born in Bohemia and raised in Africa, the exotic beauty was a fashion editor at Vogue and directed a marketing company in Paris before marrying the late Hugh, 6th Earl Cawdor and 24th Thane, and falling in love with the Scottish Highlands. In 30 years at Cawdor she has given new life to the legendary estate while preserving its historic heritage and way of Highland living.

At the heart of Scotland lies the legendary Cawdor Castle, best known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, the title character of which was made Thane of Cawdor. With its rich history, vibrant grounds and deep lochs, ancient, stony ruins, stewardship of revered traditions, and completely sustainable existence, the Cawdor estate, occupying over 49,000 acres, exemplifies the essence of the Highlands. Its magnificent interiors are filled with glorious antiques and handcrafted furniture, tartan accessories, hunting trophies and painted landscapes. Kilts and bagpipes, salmon and fly fishing, grouse shooting, hunting dogs, Land Rovers, shotguns and Barbour jackets, the shady realm of the Big Wood, thematic gardens, windswept moors, haggis and Scotch whisky are all part of life at the storied Castle.

The world's oldest steel superyacht, still steaming along in style nearly 110 years after she was launched, is being offered for sale for about $10.5 million. The 182.-ft. Madiz (above), built by the Ailsa Shipyard in Troon, Scotland and originally christened the Triton, served in the British Royal Navy as a Royal Patrol Yacht during World War II, and King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth II used her on several occasions. The last surviving ship to have been personally designed by G. L. Watson, the pioneering yacht designer who created some of the most successful contenders for the America's Cup, the stately craft was refitted with Maybach engines and then completely restored in 2006. Decks of Burmese teak, Cuban mahogany in the master staterooms and solid oak paneling in the reception areas speak to the luxury of a bygone era. There are stylish accommodations for 14 along with 9 crew to serve them champagne and keep the woodwork shining.

[via JamesList]

In a blind taste test organized as part of Scotland's Burn's Night festivities a Taiwanese Whisky shocked everyone by coming out as the clear winner over its Scottish and English rivals.

The contest took place in a hostelry north of Edinburgh and when the results were announced whisky connoisseur Charles MacLean exclaimed "Oh my God, is this an April Fools?" The scores tallied up with Taiwan's Kavalan receiving 27.5 points out of a possible 40, with the next place (the premium Scottish brand Langs) scoring only 22 points. The other competitors were Scotland's King Robert (20 points), England's St George (15.5 points), and Scotland's Bruchladdich X4+3 (only 4.5 points out of the possible 40).

Kavalan comes from Taiwan's first distillery, which was built by a firm from Banffshire, and uses Scottish malt in its production.

Luxist readers last heard of famed Scottish photographer Rankin when his bespoke bottle for The Macallan single malt Scotch debuted. Now the shutterbug has released a new volume of edgy erotica appropriately titled Rankin's Cheeky.

The book features a foreword by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and an introduction by Heidi Klum, who has shed her clothes for the photographer's skillful erotic studies on a number of occasions. "I'm never shy with Rankin," Klum says.

Kate Moss has also been snapped by the master in her birthday suit many times; some of the images are featured in the book. "Any time Rankin takes a picture he knows what he wants, and there is really no chance of being anyone but who you are, even if you try," she notes. "You can trust him. I trust him."

Continuing our series on the seasonal smorgasbord of over-the-top exclusives offered by that glossy chronicle of the filthy rich Robb Report, we present their $2 million single malt Scotch experience. The profligate publication's gift package includes the following: a private tour of the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, conducted by their malt master Biran Kinsman, where the recipient and a guest will learn firsthand how the famed single malt is produced before selecting a personal vintage cask of their own; a rare bottle of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old (above); two nights' accommodation at Ballindalloch Castle, home since 1546 to the Macpherson-Grant family, who will host a dinner in the recipient's honor; first-class roundtrip air travel for two from any U.S. city to Edinburgh; one night's stay and dinner at Edinburgh's renowned Prestonfield Hotel, plus a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle; private roundtrip helicopter rides from Edinburgh across the Scottish Highlands to the Glenfiddich Distillery; and a private tour of the historic Johnston's Woolen Mill and a traditional Scottish lunch with the owner.

Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, famed Scotch whisky distillery The Macallan is offering its acclaimed Sherry Oak 18 Years Old single malt in a gift box made of beautiful, solid oak, connoting the distillery's commitment and attention to the special interplay of spirit and wood.

Meanwhile, the distillery has also developed a smaller, 375ml bottle for the 18 Years Old, matured exclusively in oak sherry casks from Jerez, Spain, and a replica 1.75L bottle for The Macallan Sherry Oak 12, ensuring a range of gift options for lovers of fine spirits this season.

"The Macallan is always looking to enhance its original core collection with unique packs that appeal to consumer needs," notes Jim Brennan, Brand Director, The Macallan. "This year we're providing new sizing and packaging options at accessible price points to encourage sharing and to promote gifting."

The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old Oak Gift Box is priced at $149.99; The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old, in a stock-stuffer 375ml size is priced at $79.99; and The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old, in the 1.75L size is priced at $99.99, translating to plenty of extra spirit for sharing with friends and family and at virtually no extra cost.

Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour, has released the fourth distillation of Ballechin, The Discovery Series, a program to age its heavily peated Highland single malt Scotch solely in wine casks instead of the usual bourbon barrels. The Oloroso Sherry Cask expression has been matured solely in first fill Oloroso sherry casks and and is being released in a limited edition of 6,000 bottles.

Edradour is the last original "farm'" distillery in Perthshire and possibly the smallest legal distillery of any kind in the world. John Reid and his two assistants hand-craft Edradour without automation, using skills handed down through generations. At a weekly output of a mere 600 gallons - enough to fill twelve casks - what Edradour makes in a year, a typical Speyside distillery would produce in a week. Only the finest spirit is laid down by Reid into hand-selected oak casks for the ten year long wait before it can take the name of Edradour.

"Since acquiring Edradour distillery in 2002, I have pursued an extensive program of experimentation," notes Edradour Owner Andrew Symington. "Several heavily peated distillations have been produced initially on a very limited scale, and these are being matured in a wide range of wood types." Other Ballechin releases include a Burgundy cask matured, a Port cask matured, and a Madeira cask matured. Edradour is known for its smooth, creamy character with a touch of peat smoke.

A classic whisky distillery is being shut down in a cost-cutting measure. The Edrington Group plans to close the Tamdhu distillery and malting operations in Aberlour next year resulting in a loss of more than 30 jobs. The group has decided to concentrate its efforts on its three main brands, The Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park. Another distillery Glenturret will also remain open. The closure is a response to the economy.

Whisky is still selling well but costs have risen and The Scotsman quotes Graham Hutcheon, group operations director for Edrington, who said that the move was done to make sure that the "business is the right size and shape to support current and future activity levels." Edrington employs about 2,200 people across the globe and also owns the Famous Grouse and other brands such as Cutty Sark and Brugal rum. The Tamdhu distillery opened in the late 1890s and went through several closures over the years including a long period between 1928 and 1947.

The five star Gleneagles resort in Perthshire (above) and Rocco Forte's The Balmoral in Edinburgh are teaming up to offer an incredible "Taste of Scotland" package this season, providing guests with a true Scottish gourmet experience in two legendary, luxurious and multi award-winning locations. At the historic Balmoral in Edinburgh, travelers will be welcomed into a complimentary upgraded Executive Room, complete with a bottle of Bollinger champagne on ice, and will enjoy dinner in the Michelin-starred number one restaurant. While at Gleneagles, set on 850 acres of Perthshire countryside, guests will relax in a sprawling Estate Room before sampling a Scotch whisky tasting for two in the bar and then dining at the Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant. Gleneagles is also home to three of the top Scottish Championship golf courses, a wide range of exhilarating outdoor leisure activities and a spacious spa. The Taste of Scotland package costs £1,200, or about $1,985, for two people with two nights at each hotel.

[via JustLuxe]

On Nov. 14 Christie's will auction fine spirits in New York for only the second time since Prohibition began in 1920, headlined by the first U.S. offering of the extremely rare 1964 Bowmore Trilogy of single malts estimated at up to $24,000. Some $2 million worth of wines and spirits will cross the auction block, including over 40 lots of carefully-curated whisky, bourbon, cognac, armagnac, and rum, plus a fine crop of champagne. The Bowmore Trilogy, comprised of White, Black and Gold Bowmore, was matured below sea level for 42 - 44 years at the famed distillery on Islay in Scotland. Other lots include the Ardbeg Double Barrel, a two-bottle lot sourced from two 1974 whisky barrels in a bespoke leather shotgun case with eight solid silver cups, estimated at $15,000 - $20,000, and a 100 year old armagnac from Baron de Sigognac, est. at $2,000 - $3,000.

[via Duncan Quinn]

The latest release from Scotland's famed Speyside distillery The Balvenie is a limited edition 17 year old single malt finished in Madeira casks. Matured in traditional oak and finished in casks previously used to make fortified Madeira wine, the whisky is rich and aromatic with flavors of spice and dried fruit.

Each year The Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart uses different cask types and mature spirit to create a new expression of The Balvenie's uniquely honeyed character for limited release. The Madeira Cask 17 Year Old (right), which sells for $120 a bottle, is the latest in a series of six 17 Year Old limited editions bottled by Balvenie.

"Each bottling is its own alchemy of spirit, wood and time, but knowing how well port and Oloroso sherry cask maturation complements The Balvenie's honeyed sweetness we were sure that a Madeira cask would produce interesting results," Stewart notes."The 17 year old whisky extracted some wonderful rich spice and distinct raisin flavours from the Madeira cask, which we hope malt enthusiasts will enjoy discovering in the glass."

Here's an online timewaster that might net you a pretty interesting prize. Scotch whisky brand the Glenlivet has joined with online golf destination World Golf Tour (WGT) to host The Glenlivet Whisky Season Open. The 3D online golf experience is free to enter and available for play on any computer with an Internet connection, The Glenlivet Whisky Season Open is on the virtual version of The Old Course at St. Andrews Links.

From now until November 30, you can register and play one nine-shot challenge on St Andrews Links at wgt.com. Once the challenge has been completed, eligible players will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for two to Scotland, which includes a round of golf at the legendary St Andrews Links and a private tour of the historic The Glenlivet distillery. Thirty other winners will receive The Glenlivet-themed golf bags or a whisky tasting instructional DVD along with branded whisky glasses. Players must be 21 or older to enter and prizes are eligible for U.S. residents only (excluding California).

It's a ginger battle royale. Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton has come out in support of the campaign to stop Donald Trump from building his billion-dollar golf resort near Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Swinton lent her star power in favor of the four hold-outs who have refused to surrender their land to Trump's ambition. She compared the government attempt to push the landowners into selling their land to the notorious "Highland Clearances" of the 18th and 19th centuries when many tenants were pushed off their ancestral lands in favor of rich landowners.

As part of a statement quoted in Page Six, Trump claimed to have never heard of the actress and accused her of using the situation in order to get "some easy publicity for herself." It's a pretty silly claim given that the androgynous actress is notoriously reclusive. Trump also did some name dropping of his own saying that Sean Connery is in support of the project.