February 11th, 2010

Malt Advocate Whisky Awards “Lifetime Achievement Awards”: John Ramsay and Robert Hicks

John Hansell

This year, we honor two master blenders who have greatly impacted the Scotch whisky industry.

John Ramsay

John Ramsay retired in 2009 after 43 years in the whisky industry. He started as a chemist in 1966, and over the years he’s had the combined roles of both master blender and chemist (the last eighteen years being with Edrington).

By the time he retired, he was responsible for both the laboratory and sample rooms (sensory analysis), overseeing employees responsible for the sensory examination of casks, new distillate, and mature whiskies. He’s been on the judging panel for various spirits competitions, and is also a “Keeper of the Quaich.”

John was the master blender for well-known blends like Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse, and was also one of the “malt masters” of Highland Park and The Macallan. But perhaps his most significant achievement was the selection and creation of The Glenrothes since its release as a single malt in 1994. His signature is proudly stamped on every bottle of it since 2004, when he was involved in the creation of their “vintage” concept, which continues today.

Well done, John.

Robert Hicks

Robert Hicks started his career in whisky back in 1964. Before retiring from Allied Distillers in 2005 as master blender, he was responsible for the quality and flavor of many well-known whisky brands, including Ballantine’s, Teacher’s Highland Cream, and Laphroaig.

Since 2005, he has been a consultant master blender for Beam Global Spirits and Wines, working on Teacher’s Highland Cream, Laphroaig, and Ardmore whiskies.

His expertise covers all parts of the whisky industry, from distilling and maturation to blending, bottling, and marketing. Because of his efforts he has received numerous awards, and so have his whiskies. His most recent effort, and the one he’s most proud of, is the development of Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

As the scotch brand director for Beam Global put it: “To produce this exciting and unique Laphroaig variant is a tribute to the skills of Robert Hicks, who has overseen every step of this unrivaled process.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Category: Awards, Malt Advocate Mag Tags: , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

January 26th, 2010

Yet another misleading Scotch (and American) whisky article by a major publication

John Hansell

This time it’s Forbes. You can read the full story here.

As I was reading through the article, I kept saying “That’s misleading. That’s not really true. That’s not fair.”

Read the article. Do you see anything misleading? If so, which statement is it? I’m in meetings most of the day, but will chime in later.

Category: Bourbon, Media, Scotch whisky Tags: , , , 41 Comments

January 25th, 2010

The next two days in New York: cool stuff. And when I return, more cool stuff.

John Hansell

There are things I like in my job, and there are things I don’t. The next two days are the former.

During the next two days, I’m having lunch with the distillery manager of Glen Grant, which is finally being imported to the U.S. I’ve already tasted their new whiskies, but it will be nice to meet with him. I am also meeting with the people in charge of Glenrothes, Glen Grant, Suntory Yamazaki, Cutty Sark, Tullamore Dew, Wild Turkey, and more here in the U.S.

I’m also meeting with Dr. Bill Lumsden, the genius behind Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. And I’ll be having lunch with the brand managers for The Macallan and Highland Park.

And in between all that, I am planning on enjoying a cigar with a very well known cigar enthusiast.

Then, on Wednesday, I a plan on tasting more “not yet released, and previously released” Maker’s Mark bourbons with Kevin Smith, Maker’s Mark’s Distillery Manager.

Stay tuned…

Category: Special events Tags: , , , , , , , 16 Comments

November 18th, 2009

Whisky Auctions: First Christie’s, now Bonhams

John Hansell

Christie’s just auctioned off some rare whiskies this past Saturday, which I wrote about here. Now it’s Bonhams’ turn. The headliner, as you will see by the press release below, was the Dalmore Oculus. But there were other interesting whiskies too. Have a look:

ALL EYES ON THE DALMORE OCULUS AT RECORD-BREAKING BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

The exceptional one-of-a–kind Dalmore Oculus sells for a staggering £27,600 at Bonhams best whisky sale in history

The Dalmore Oculus low resWhisky enthusiasts worldwide raised their glasses to an outstanding result at today’s whisky sale at Bonhams Edinburgh. With over 90% of lots sold, the sale raised an impressive total of £211,518, the best on record in terms of value.

 One of the highlights of the sale was the rare and unique Dalmore Oculus, assembled from some of the most exceptional whiskies of the past 140 years. This extraordinary whisky sold for a phenomenal £27,600, against a pre-sale estimate of £15,000 – 20,000, as cheers rung around the sale room. This is the highest price ever paid for a Dalmore whisky, far exceeding any previous expectation.

 Other distinguished whiskies on offer included a Black Bowmore-1964 first edition, bottled 1993, beautifully presented in a wooden case, which sold for a sensational £2,100 (estimated £1,500-1,700), whilst the Black Bowmore-1964, final edition, bottled 1995 also reached £2,100 (estimated £1,500-2,000) and the Black Bowmore-1964 first edition, bottled 1993, selling for an equally impressive £2,040 (estimated £1,500-1,700).

 Elsewhere, The Macallan-56 year old-1946, officially bottled by hand at The Macallan Distillery exceeded its pre-sale estimate of £1,500-2,000, selling for £1,980.

 From the first section of the 3,000-strong Willard S Folsom Collection of Old and Rare Single Malt Whiskies, The Dalmore-50 year old-1926 presented in a splendid ceramic decanter sold for an sizeable £1,920 (estimated £1,500-1,700). Also from this collection, a Macallan Speymalt-1938 toppled pre-sale estimates of £800-1,000, reaching £1,920, whilst a Bowmore Oloroso Wood-38 year old-1964 single malt fetched £1,680 (estimated £1,200-1,400).

 Martin Green, Bonhams Whisky Specialist comments: “We are delighted by the results of today’s sale. The atmosphere in the room was electric with much excitement and frenzied bidding for the 583 first-class whiskies of offer. The Dalmore Oculus reached a fantastic sale price, especially in view of the current economic climate.”

 For Bonhams enquiries please call +44 131 225 2266

 For more information please contact Charlotte Hastings or Rosie Kempson at The Communication Group on 0207 630 1411 or email chastings@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk/ rkempson@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk

Category: Auctions, Scotch whisky Tags: , , 8 Comments

July 21st, 2009

Macallan formally introduces 1824 Collection

John Hansell

I reviewed this new line of Travel Retail whiskies here back in February. This morning I received the official press release announcing them. Here’s the guts of the press release. Very nice whiskies, by the way.

All our experience, distilled into one collection

The Macallan 1824 Collection is a new family of single malts from The Macallan. Developed exclusively for the brand’s third largest market – Global Travel Retail -where it has been the fastest growing major Single Malt in the last five years and is currently ranked number two by volume.

The Collection is available in all key Travel Retail outlets in the Americas and Europe and has just been launched in Asia at Singapore airport. The Select Oak expression has secured listings onboard a number of airlines including Air Canada, Delta, American Airlines and Continental. 

The 1824 Collection of four expressions – Select Oak, Whisky Maker’s Edition, Estate Reserve and 1824 Limited Release – offers the ultimate flavour journey for whisky lovers. Recommended retail prices range from 46 to 1,450 euros.

The 1824 Collection has been created by John Ramsay, Master Whisky Maker for parent company The Edrington Group, and Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Whisky Maker; who between them have over 50 years of experience of making whisky. They have been inspired by the distillery’s long history and rich traditions to create a very special range of Single Malts, selecting the best casks at the peak of their maturity in order to achieve the fullest and most complex whisky.

Each expression illustrates a particular story about The Macallan’s long and distinguished history and showcases the spectrum of flavours and aromas associated with The Macallan, the world’s most iconic whisky.

William Ovens, The Edrington Group’s Area Director, Global Travel Retail, comments: “The Macallan has enjoyed the most dynamic growth of any Single Malt in Travel Retail in recent years. In this period we have experienced significant success with some very innovative new products.  The 1824 Collection opens a new chapter in the illustrious history of The Macallan and we are confident that consumers will react positively to this exclusive and eye catching new range. 

“The four expressions in the Collection have been positively embraced by whisky experts and connoisseurs. In fact the Collection is the highest scoring new product range ever released by The Macallan. Whisky Expert and author of The Whisky Bible, Jim Murray has given Select Oak a score of 94.5% and the 1824 Limited Release Decanter a score of 97.5%, describing it as ‘a lifetime great whisky’.”

The range is on shelf now with the 1824 Limited Release decanter on sale from October 2009.

Category: New Releases, Scotch whisky, Travel Retail Tags: 1 Comment

June 29th, 2009

Do you like The Macallan “Fine Oak” bottlings?

John Hansell

A whisky enthusiast recently told me that the only people who like the Macallan Fine Oak bottlings are the whisky writers. Okay, I am a whisky writer, but like them. Particularly the 15 and 17 year old expressions, which I rated in the 90s.

I have not tasted them since they first came out, so I can’t comment on recent releases. I assume (and hope) they are the same.

What are your thoughts on the Fine Oak series?

(For those of you who are unfamiliar with the history here, all Macallan bottlings were aged exclusively in sherry casks until a few years back when they came out with a new “Fine Oak” line which includes Macallan whisky aged in boubon casks. It produces a lighter whisky, with less sherry influence.)

Category: Opinions, Scotch whisky Tags: 28 Comments

Malt Advocate magazine is the number one source for whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.

Find out more