What's your favorite single malt?

[Drunk Monk]

Slightly OT (not a single malt) but I'm obligated to try it, right? fml

DISCOVER
OLD OAK 
IRISH WHISKEY

OUR WHISKEY
AWARD WINNING WHISKEY
Creating exceptional whiskey is an emotional journey, one that requires patience and care. The whiskey making process is a labour of love, allowing the spirit to mature and develop a unique character and flavour that is both complex and delicate. 

OUR PARTNER
JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME
We are proud to announce Jean-Claude Van Damme as founder and partner of Old Oak. As a legendary martial artist and actor, Jean-Claude embodies the strength, character, and precision that are synonymous with Old Oak.
His passion for perfection and attention to detail make him the perfect representative of our brand. Join us in raising a glass to Jean-Claude Van Damme and the legacy of Old Oak Whiskey.
"I am very proud and honoured to be founder and partner of Old Oak Whiskey" 
Motion Picture Artist Jean-Claude Van Damme

[Greg]

Look. When your founder is JCVD, doesn't your marketing campaign start with "Our Whiskey kicks ass"?

[Drunk Monk]

ironically jcvd had issues with alcoholism and drug addiction.

[Greg]

ironically jcvd had issues with alcoholism and drug addiction.

I think the word you were looking for is tragic.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

No, irony works well.

[Drunk Monk]

I had a lot of issues with jcvd back in the day. But he came around. JCVD (the movie) was great and Jean-Claude Van Johnson was hilarious. He was a great interview too. I’ll try his whiskey, unless it’s super expensive. 

Still haven’t tried Dylan’s whiskey. That was too pricey for my billfold. But Xmas is comin…

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Don't we have a specific "Shite whisky" thread?

[Drunk Monk]

We should, shouldn't we?

JCVD whiskey ain't too pricey

OLOLD OAK IRISH WHISKEY AGED 3 YEARS
$44.00
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$50.00

I wanted a pic of JCVD doing splits on the label tho...

Actually I mispoke. Dylan's whiskey isn't too pricey either...

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[Greg]

Christmas is coming. I'm sure this 200 year old whisky will be really inexpensive.

Whisky believed to be distilled almost 200 years ago and possibly sipped by a young Queen Victoria, has been found behind a hidden cellar door in a 750 year old castle in Scotland. Believed to be the oldest known Scotch whisky in existence, it will soon be offered for sale at auction. 
In late 2022, Bertie Troughton, Resident Trustee at Blair Castle in Perthshire, found a number of old bottles in an unassuming cellar room. Around 40 bottles of whisky were discovered at the back of a shelf which are believed to have been distilled in 1833 and bottled in 1841 (the whisky was then rebottled in 1932). In November 2023, 24 bottles will be sold exclusively at Whisky Auctioneer. 

A group of the world's oldest Scotch whisky bottles at Blair Castle, Perthshire
 
The bottles were initially sampled by the family and a local whisky expert before Whisky Auctioneer was contacted. Since then, authentication of the whisky by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre via carbon dating supports that this whisky could be of early 19th century origin.
Radiocarbon dating analysis indicated the whisky was distilled from grain grown before 1955 and provided a high probability that the whisky is of early 19th century origin. The Scotch Whisky Research Institute in Edinburgh then conducted further testing, including gas chromatography and an additional analysis of maturation related congeners. The conclusions were that it is quite probable that the major volatile congener profile observed is consistent with the raw materials used to produce malt Scotch whisky at that time and that it was aged in the correct method to confirm that it is Scotch whisky. Results also estimated the whisky to have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 61.3%.
 

“Offering what is potentially the world’s oldest scotch whisky at auction is truly a once in a lifetime occurrence. I’m fortunate to be well acquainted with old and rare liquid, as Whisky Auctioneer handles some of the world’s rarest whisky bottlings. This, however, is a transcendent discovery that is sure to capture not just the imagination of the whisky industry but also those well beyond. 
 
If this whisky was distilled in the 1830s, then it was made during a fascinating period when whisky production was experiencing massive change following the 1823 Excise Act, making it a particularly exciting find for those interested in the history and heritage of the Scotch whisky industry.”
 

Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer

Joe Wilson and the Blair Castle c. 1833 Scotch Whisky
 
Extensive references to the production of whisky and aqua vitae throughout history, specifically the early 19th century, were found in documents held in the Blair Castle archive.
The archives included cellar inventories known as ‘bin books’. One such bin book, dated July 23rd 1834 - one year after the whisky was initially casked - shows whisky recorded in the cellar safely in cask. It specifically references ‘Bin 65 - Store Whiskey - 72 bottles = 40 Gallons in wood’. This is one of the earliest known references to whisky maturing in wood.
While Queen Victoria may be best known for her association with Balmoral Castle, she also had strong connections to Blair Castle and a close friendship with the 6th Duchess of Atholl. In 1844, Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert visited and stayed at Blair Castle. During her three-week stay, the Blair Castle Household Book lists that Whisky was consumed during her visit. Local newspapers at the time reported Queen Victoria’s liking for Atholl Brose - a local drink of whisky with honey.  It’s therefore highly likely that this same whisky was the whisky that was shared between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during their stay.

Examples of documents found in the Blair Castle and Atholl Estates archive
 
Angus MacRaild, an expert in old and rare whiskies and co-founder of Kythe Distillery, added:  

“This is a profoundly historic whisky and a remarkable artefact of Scottish distilling that is unlikely to ever be equalled in terms of provenance and preservation. That it has been carefully re-bottled and preserved at natural strength, maintaining the freshness and power of this spirit for nearly two centuries is frankly, astonishing. 
 
To taste it myself, has been a great privilege. It is very much a distillate driven malt whisky, with minimal wood influence and one of a style which could have been produced any time in Scotland up until the 1950s. What I find most fascinating is that this profile existed already as far back as the 1830s. It possesses clear textural weight in the mouth, along with a flavour profile that strongly involves medicinal characteristics without any notable or pronounced peat smoke. 
 
Not only do I find it historically fascinating, but a pleasurable and hugely charismatic whisky that I find quite typical of older style, distillate-forward highland malt whiskies.”

 
24 individual lots will be sold through Whisky Auctioneer from 24 November to 4 December. For more information about Whisky Auctioneer and to register your interest in the auction, please visit: whiskylink.co/Blair-Castle

[Drunk Monk]

The oldest scotch I ever had was a 50 year and it was divine.

[Drunk Monk]

Not really a single malt, but this is where we put scotch, right?

The Macallan Horizon: The S$67,400 whisky made by Macallan and housed by Bentley
As the most complex and visionary whisky project undertaken by the 200-year-old whisky house, the limited edition The Macallan Horizon is a work of art thoughtfully crafted to capture Bentley’s world of luxury.


The Macallan Horizon's sculptural design – to be displayed horizontally – challenges the conventions of a traditional whisky bottle. (Photo: The Macallan)

3 min

by JAMIE NONIS
03 Apr 2024 04:47AM (Updated: 03 Apr 2024 05:01AM)

As rare as the privilege of owning a Bentley comes The Macallan Horizon, an exceptional story of time-honoured craftsmanship between two hallowed houses; one over a century in age as the other celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.

Priced at S$67,400 a bottle, the limited-edition release is housed in a vessel designed and crafted in collaboration with Bentley.

The sculpture, conceived to be displayed horizontally, challenges the conventions of traditional whisky bottling with its unique presentation featuring a 180-degree twist design detail precisely engineered to unleash the spirit.


Part of the sculpture’s frame is made from recycled copper from The Macallan’s distillery, and finished with Bentley’s Crown Cut Walnut veneer, a specification developed for its cars. (Photo: The Macallan)

Influences from Bentley’s automotive world abound in this work of art crafted with oak wood from one of the six casks used in the maturation of the single malt whisky and inspired by the aesthetics of the Bentley Drive Dynamic Control rotary dial. There is also the aluminium ribbon that envelops the bespoke glass receptacle, in homage to this key material used in the sculptural foundation and bodywork of a Bentley.

Meanwhile, the vessel itself is lined with the finest low carbon leather in a chestnut colourway to finish and protect the whisky.

Part of the sculpture’s frame is made from recycled copper from the copper stills of The Macallan’s distillery, with the objet d’art finished with Bentley’s Crown Cut Walnut veneer, a specification meticulously developed for its cars.

“The Macallan Horizon is the most complex and visionary whisky project that The Macallan has embarked upon, and has required a profound and ongoing exchange of expertise with the team at Bentley Motors. Our collaboration with Bentley and the knowledge exchange we have undertaken has inspired us to see things very differently. In the spirits world, everything is vertical, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal plane that Bentley’s grand tourers occupy, it made us consider if and how we could adapt this format for whisky, which ultimately requires to be poured and enjoyed,” said Jaume Ferras, creative director of The Macallan.

“The beautiful design we have created together for The Macallan Horizon and the unique materials that have been incorporated are testament to the incomparable craftsmanship, innovation and creativity for which The Macallan and Bentley are renowned,” he added.


The Macallan Horizon. (Photo: The Macallan)
To create this rare whisky, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell had selected six first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks from the stocks maturing in the warehouses at The Macallan Estate, which were then meticulously crafted and blended to capture the essence of Bentley.

The result is rich flavour notes of dried fruit and spice, balanced with oak and leather – aromas abundant in Bentley’s world. The whisky’s rich and long finish also mirrors the car’s timeless quality and design, evoking the senses through both taste and texture.

“We’ve spent years working with The Macallan through our partnership, taking time to craft this incredible first joint product that represents the best of both brands. Centred on innovative materials throughout that reflect our focus on the future, the end result – both the whisky and the vessel that contains it – are stunning, and represent a new benchmark for design, materials and quality in this space,” said Adrian Hallmark, chairman and CEO of Bentley.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

That is a fancy bottle, alright. Pity that Macallan is so boring.