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.

Thousands Vote and Select Exotic Taste Next for The Glenlivet Single Malt

Thousands of votes across 37 countries have been cast by whisky lovers to select a new limited edition from The Glenlivet, with its Exotic expression revealed today as the winner, with 39% of the vote.

The announcement follows a global campaign by The Glenlivet, during which the brand reached out to whisky fans around the world giving them the chance to select the next The Glenlivet expression for the first time ever. The winning expression will be named “The Guardians’ Chapter” in recognition of the significant part the distillery’s fan club – The Guardians of The Glenlivet – has made to the voting. The new whisky – which is non-chill filtered, 48.7% proof and described as a rich, indulgent single malt – will be bottled in limited quantities and distributed around the world from March 2014, priced at $85 (or equivalent).

The winning ‘Exotic’ single malt was created using a subtle mixture of casks including Hogsheads and American oak barrels with the addition of a proportion of whisky from Spanish ex-sherry butts to provide a rich, exotic twist. The resulting whisky displays the signature fruitiness of The Glenlivet with the addition of rich, warm spicy notes. Rich and indulgent on the nose, it offers aromas of moist and sweet, candied apples balanced with a hint of orange marmalade. The taste combines juicy raisins with an undertone of dark chocolate orange zestiness, well balanced with a subtle warmth of spice, complementing a long and slightly dry finish.

The campaign began in September 2013, with Master Distiller Alan Winchester revealing the three expressions he had hand-picked for fans to choose from. The three expressions – which were selected to spark debate over single malt style preferences – were named according to their taste profile, with the options being Classic, Exotic and Revival. Fans of the brand were invited to tasting events held across the globe where they sampled and voted for their favourites.

In addition to the tasting events, a series of special evenings entitled the ‘Expression Sessions’ were held in London, New York and Mumbai. Designed to bring the styles of the three expressions to life through aligned cultural interests, the events included a range of speakers, including artists, academics, musicians and explorers. The London event saw design expert, Stephen Bayley, talking about ‘classic’ car design whilst explorer Benedict Allen described what encountering the ‘exotic’ meant to him. Videos and findings from the events, alongside the percentage breakdown of the final results, can be found on the brand’s website, TheGlenlivet.com.

Alan Winchester comments: “The story of The Guardians’ Chapter doesn’t end here. This is an opportunity to savour a unique, limited edition, single malt that’s already been admired and desired by thousands of whisky lovers. Our Guardians have written a new chapter in the distillery’s distinguished history; this will be their legacy and I’m really pleased with the enthusiastic response we received and the selection the Guardians have made.”

Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet, adds: “Deciding on a new Scotch whisky expression is normally a privilege reserved for a very select handful of experts, revered for their knowledge and experience. With The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter, we wanted to recognise the passion and expertise of our Guardians in an original and inspiring way by inviting them to write the next chapter in The Glenlivet’s history. We’ve had an excellent response from fans across the world, particularly in the USA, the world’s no. 1 single malt market, and we are sure that our founder, George Smith, would be proud of the smooth and complex whisky that will bear his and The Glenlivet’s name when it goes on sale next year.”

To become a member of The Guardians of The Glenlivet community, please visit: TheGlenlivet.com/guardians

Tasting Notes

The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter ‘Exotic’ – 48.7% ABV – Non Chill-Filtered

Nose: Rich and indulgent with hints of moist fruitcake and sweet, candied apple, balanced with a tang of orange marmalade.

Taste: Plump, juicy raisins with an undertone of dark chocolate orange zestiness. Well balanced with the subtle warmth of spice permeating through.

Finish: Long and slightly dry

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

Loki Challenges Thor to Lay Down His Mighty Hammer

Loki, one of the most treacherous and mischievous characters in Norse mythology has turned on his adopted and earnest brother Thor for taking all the glory in last year’s whisky launch stakes by trying his hand at creating his very own Highland Park expression.

Highland Park Loki, a 15 year old limited edition single malt bottled at 48.7% abv, comes housed in the same unique and award winning wooden frame as Thor, echoing the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.

Loki is the second in The Valhalla Collection of four unique whiskies from Highland Park, taking inspiration from the legendary Nordic gods of old and continues the ground‐breaking achievement of creating Thor – a 16 year old malt actually designed around the personality traits of an individual. The Orkney whisky maker has now created a unique flavour profile for its follow up. While unquestionably Highland Park, this time it mirrors the unpredictable, shape‐shifting LOKI character and as with the trickster god of fire himself, all is not as it seems.

There are classic traces of sweetness and spice, but it has been matured in both traditional Spanish sherry casks and also some heavily peated casks, giving it a smoky punch, while retaining a light colour. The finish is intriguing and complex. It is a whisky constantly changing, chameleon‐like, from appearance to finish and the few lucky and expert palates who have savoured it describe it as “enigmatic” and “truly another whisky of the Gods.”

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, says,

“Thor was the first of its kind, a true quality malt built around an individual’s personality. This proved massively successful and it sold out globally. LOKI will continue to take Highland Park and The Valhalla Collection into new territory.

While everyone will recognise the definite ‘Highland Park‐ness’ of this 15 year old single malt, it will be the unexpected and surprisingly smoky dynamics that will really get palates excited and mouths talking. This is unlike any expression that has come before and will beguile and fascinate with its complexity and trickery. Remember, all is not as it seems.”

Loki will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and HighlandPark.co.uk at a RRP of £130.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A spirited lift of dried bitter orange which quickly turns into lemon peels. Cardamom notes trick then tease the nose, before an enticing hit of gingerbread develops. With water, liquorice and aromatic smoke are both unleashed.

Palate: The true shape‐shifting ability of Loki springs to life on the palate: its waxy texture is amplified by an intense smoke that doesn't appear on the nose, shattering the light citrusy illusion of the aroma. All is not what it seems. The smoke fades as liquorice and rich spiced apple flavours come out to play. Lemon and grapefruit are consistent throughout this elusive, yet intriguing character. With a touch of water, lingering notes of melted dark chocolate over spent embers leave a soft smoky impression.

Finish: As Loki departs, he leaves behind toasted cloves, hickory smoke and soft vanilla. It is constantly changing, from appearance to finish. Loki is an enigma and truly another whisky of the gods.

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

Auchentoshan Whisky Introduces Auchentoshan Virgin Oak Limited Release

Auchentoshan Single Malt Lowland Scotch Whisky, the only single malt in Scotland to triple distill every single drop, introduces Auchentoshan Virgin Oak Limited Release. This complex, non-chill filtered expression is Auchentoshan’s first ever whisky to be exclusively matured in virgin North American oak casks, wood which has previously been untouched by any other spirit. This aging technique is quite unusual in Scotland, where the majority of the whisky is matured in ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks. Approximately 2,100 bottles of Auchentoshan Virgin Oak (46% ABV) will arrive in the US in late November/early December and will retail for a suggested $129.99.

Intuition and industry knowledge led the team at Auchentoshan to believe they could challenge the firmly entrenched belief that Scotch whisky must be matured in casks that once held bourbon or sherry. Since the millennium, Auchentoshan has placed small batches of its unique, triple distilled spirit in virgin North American oak casks whose charred surfaces have held neither bourbon nor sherry. Time and patience revealed that the lightness of the triple-distilled spirit made it perfectly suitable to absorbing the unique qualities of the charred virgin oak casks. The result is Auchentoshan Virgin Oak, a Lowland whisky that is subtle with layer upon layer of complex flavors like spiced apple and candied notes.

Auchentoshan is the only distillery in Scotland dedicated to triple distillation, offering consumers an accessible single malt that’s smooth and easy to drink. This inventive approach to whisky production has led the brand to embrace innovative ideas and processes such as maturing whisky in virgin oak. Its fusion of Lowland heritage and modern sensibility makes this versatile whisky approachable to younger emerging whisky drinkers, who enjoy it straight up and in cocktails, as well as whisky aficionados looking for an unpeated (read: not smoky), softer style.

TASTING NOTES: Virgin Oak Limited Release 46%ABV
To the eye – Sienna orange
To the nose – Cinnamon and nutmeg, toasted vanilla and candied orange
To the tongue – Spiced apple, chocolate caramel, maple candy and velvety mouthfeel
The finish – Warm with spiced orange and brown sugar

The Auchentoshan Distillery Auchentoshan, pronounced “ock-un-tosh-un,” heralds from a unique distillery founded in 1823 and situated between the Kilpatrick Hills, Loch Lomond and the modern cosmopolitan city of Glasgow. It is known for its pure and smooth taste with delicate character and flavor due in part to its triple distillation, a practice more common to Irish whiskey than single malt whisky.

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

Dalmore Whisky Releases The Dalmore Selected By Daniel Boulud Single Malt Scotch

Chef Daniel Boulud and The Dalmore announced today that The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud, the world’s first single malt scotch whisky created in collaboration with a Michelin-star chef, is now available for purchase both in-store and online in top fine wine and spirits retailers across the US. With an RRP of $200, this limited release of only 1,000 bottles has been recognized by the International Wine & Spirit Competition with a Gold Medal. A full list of retail locations can be found at thedalmore.com/boulud [1].

“I have always appreciated the craft of a fine whisky while growing up in Lyon, France,” says Chef Boulud. “In recent years, I started seeing an increase in the popularity of brown spirits, both in my restaurants and among food enthusiasts. I wanted to connect this appreciation of Scotch whisky and elevate the spirit to become an integral part of the fine dining experience, bringing a new, high-quality and very personal product to my customers.”

The process of creating The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud occurred over six months and three different visits to New York City by The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson. Paterson first selected 10 whisky samples from The Dalmore distillery, chosen specifically to align with Chef Boulud’s flavor preferences and unique cuisine. Each sample had matured in a range of oak casks, previously filled with different wines and spirits ranging from Bordeaux wine barriques to 30 year oldMatusalem Oloroso Sherry casks.

With collaboration from his sommeliers across his many NYC restaurants, Chef Boulud selected his three favorite samples that spoke most strongly to his palate— specifically whiskies aged in Muscatel, Madeira and Port wine casks. The final assemblage of these three casks was then created by both Chef Boulud and Paterson, with these whiskies being left to marry and harmonize in upstanding sherry casks until now.

“The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud is a co-creation, a true collaborative project between me and Chef Boulud,” says Paterson. “It’s very easy for anyone to simply put their name on a label, but Chef Boulud went above and beyond that, giving input that truly affected the outcome of this whisky. His selection of Muscatel, Madeira and Port wine casks, for example, was a combination of woods that I have never used before when creating whiskies for The Dalmore. This creation is something totally new and different in the Scotch whisky category, an assemblage based not on my own traditional experience, but rather on the well-seasoned palate and preferences of a fine chef.”

Bottled at 44% alcohol by volume and aged up to 23 years, the body, structure and flavor profile of The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud perfectly complements Chef Boulud’s cuisine and palate. The expression is generous and full-bodied, with aromas of tarte tatin, oranges, pralines and crushed almonds at the nose, and hints of creamy fudge, Turkish delight and black maraschino cherries at the finish.

“It is my belief that Scotch whisky does not have to be an afterthought at the end of a meal— rather, it can be enjoyed with fine foods that complement its intricate flavors because it has a similar complexity to wine,” says Chef Boulud. “When we launched this expression in my New York restaurants this year, we created a special whisky tasting menu at each location that not only paired the whisky with each dish, but actually infused whisky into each course. This authentic and unique blend will always have a place at my restaurants, and we will feature it on special occasions, as we did recently during the 20th anniversary tasting menu event at DANIEL.”

The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud has already earned seals of approval from star chefs, food writers and key players in the restaurant and beverage trade, and is also available for $50/glass at all six of Chef Boulud’s New York City restaurant properties, including DANIEL, Cafe Boulud, BouludSud, db Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud and DBGBKitchen & Bar.

The Dalmore distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and has some of the oldest and rarest stocks of any Highland distillery. Crafted using a process which has been perfected over the last 150 years, The Dalmore is home of the record-breaking Constellation Collection and Paterson Collection, valued at $250,000 and $1,460,000 respectively.

About The Dalmore

Located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, deep in the spectacular Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and houses some of Scotland’s most precious and rare whisky stocks. A bottle of The Dalmore 62 Sinclair sold last year in Changi Airport, Singapore, for $194,000, making it the most expensive bottle ever sold in retail. The first whisky to break the six figure barrier, The Dalmore Trinitas, was launched in 2010 with only three bottles made available. Two were sold for $156,000 and the final bottle was acquired by Harrods of London and subsequently sold for $187,000 within six months of launch. www.thedalmore.com

About Daniel Boulud

Daniel Boulud is chef-owner of db Bistro Moderne, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Bar Boulud, Cafe Boulud, Boulud Sud, Epicerie Boulud, and New York’s renowned, three- star Michelin Restaurant DANIEL. You’ll also find his ingredient-driven seasonal French-American cooking outside of New York in Miami and Palm Beach, and internationally in Beijing, London, Montreal,Singapore and Toronto. Boulud is recipient of three James Beard Foundation awards and is a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, author of seven cookbooks and serves on the board of Citymeals-on-Wheels and the Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation. www.danielboulud.com

[1] Major cities include New York, Chicago, LA, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston and Austin.

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