LAGAVULIN CHARITY BOTTLING RAISES OVER £8,000 AT AUCTION

Diageo has announced that the first bottle of its Lagavulin 1991 single cask, which was bottled to bring its bicentennial celebrations to a close on December 31st 2016, has been sold at auction for £7,300.

The first bottling of this limited edition release, went under the hammer online at Whisky.Auction and achieved almost five times the starting price of £1,494. Diageo donated its full proceeds from the auction of this single bottle and Whisky.Auction buyer’s commission, raising a total of £8,395 for Islay Heritage.

Lagavulin charity bottling raises over £8,000 at auction

In a bespoke, leather bound notebook made to accompany the bottle, Lagavulin distillery manager Georgie Crawford wrote: “Our distillery character shines in this whisky and, as distillery manager and an Ileach, I am proud and grateful that the auction of this bottle is helping Islay Heritage to tell the story of this remarkable island we call home.”

Commenting on the auction, Isabel Graham-Yooll, Auction & Private Client Director for Whisky.Auction, said: “Lagavulin 1991 was one of the star lots in our February auction. The combination of this acclaimed single cask Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, highly collectible bottle number one, one-off tasting sample and notebook with the handwritten tasting notes of whisky luminaries drew much interest and a wonderful result for Islay Heritage.”

The auction follows the sell-out of this limited edition run of 522 bottles, which were released through a ballot run by The Whisky Exchange, sister company to Whisky.Auction, which attracted over 7,000 entries from 74 countries. Diageo is donating its proceeds from these sales of Lagavulin 1991 (over £0.5m) to seven causes on Islay to promote the island and its communities.

Posted by Steve Rush

BUSHMILLS LAUNCHES NEW BOURBON CASK MATURED EXPRESSION

Bushmills Irish Whiskey, has announced the launch of a new bourbon cask matured expression, which is being aimed at both bourbon enthusiasts and those new to Irish whiskey.

Bushmills Red Bush (40% ABV) is non age statement blend, comprising of triple distilled Irish single malt whiskey and Irish grain whiskey, which has been matured in first fill bourbon casks.

Bushmills Red Bush

Launching initially in the United States, as a testament to the exponential growth the Irish whiskey category has experienced in America in recent years, this latest release from the Co. Antrim based distillery, is said to deliver notes of toasted oak and vanilla on the nose, followed by caramel and nutty flavours on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Colum Egan, Master Distiller at The Old Bushmills Distillery, said: “While we’ve been innovating with our aged whiskeys for centuries, we’re excited to embark on a journey with the millennial drinker. Maturing the whiskey exclusively in first fill bourbon barrels creates an extremely smooth spirit that will resonate with frequent bourbon fans and first time Irish whiskey drinkers”.

Bushmills Red Bush, will launch next week in the US ahead of St Patrick’s Day, before then being rolled out across all current markets later this year. RRP $23.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION SAYS BUDGET EXCISE INCREASE IS A BLOW TO UK INDUSTRY

The Scotch Whisky Association, has said the Chancellor's decision to increase excise duty on spirits by nearly 4% or 36 pence a bottle in yesterday's Budget, was a major blow to a key UK industry, undermining competitiveness at a time when the Government should be supporting home-grown exporters.
 
As a result of the increase, the level of tax - excise duty and Vat - on an average priced bottle of Scotch whisky is now 79%, one of the highest levels in Europe, and 21% higher than in 2010. 

SWA says Budget excise increase is a blow to UK industry

The association which represents the Scotch whisky industry, said it is time for a fundamental review of the alcohol duty system, describing the move as damaging to a major industry and at odds with the Prime Minister's words during a speech in Glasgow last week, where she described Scotch whisky as 'a truly great Scottish and British industry'.
 
The increase goes against recent experience that a duty cut would boost the public finances.   Following a 2% cut in duty in 2015 and a rate freeze in 2016, revenue from spirits duty increased by 4.2%, or £132 million, to £3.25bn in 2016.
 
Commenting on the news, Julie Hesketh-Laird, Scotch Whisky Association, Acting Chief Executive, said: "A nearly 4% duty rise and a 79% tax burden on a bottle of whisky is a major blow, reversing recent progress.  Distillers will find it hard to understand why the Chancellor is penalising a strategically important British industry with this tax increase.“
 
She went on to say: "At a time when government should be supporting a key home-grown sector, we face a damaging tax rise on top of the uncertainties of Brexit.   Looking to the autumn Budget, we will be arguing strongly that it is time for a new approach to excise duty outside the constraints of EU excise law.  The system is in need of a fundamental review and reform to make it fair and competitive."

The Scotch whisky industry supports more than 40,000 jobs across the UK, many in economically fragile areas, and adds value of around £5 billion annually to the economy.

Posted by Steve Rush