Whatever your whisky love story is, we’re curious: how do you choose your drink? Are you team tested-and-trusted, or, are you open to trying new brands?  If you’re in the latter category, how do you decide what new brand to try out? Do you just glance through the label and follow your gut? Or are you drawn more by what your eyes can see?

While there may be no right or wrong way to make a decision, Sotheby’s has a guide that can give you an idea of what a bottle of whisky would taste like even before it hits your tongue. And even if you belong to the tried-and-trusted gang, it does not hurt to know that, should you decide to be more adventurous in the future, there is a foolproof guide to making the best decision quickly.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s what to know

Whisky or whiskey? The spelling matters!

Not in a pedantic sort of way. However, there is a difference that is beyond the spelling. If it’s American or Irish, it’ll be ‘whiskey’. If it’s from Scotland, Canada or Japan, that will be ‘whisky.’

But the difference doesn’t end there. American and Scottish whiskeys are distilled twice while their Irish cousins go through distillation three times. That’s why they are also so smooth and buttery-soft.

Location too!

Of course, where a drink comes from determines how it tastes. The originating region influences the style, flavour and colour of every whisky. There are three classic regions in this regard: Scotland, Ireland, and America. All scotch comes from Scotland (of course) and must have been aged for at least three years. Irish whiskey is made from malted or unmalted barley and is typically triple-distilled, resulting in a characteristically smooth taste.

Whiskey from America’s South – which by the way is referred to as Bourbon –  is notable for its slight sweetness and richness and is made from a mash containing at least 51% corn, aged in charred wooden barrels (cypress or oak) and bottled at no less than 80% proof.

Japan is another notable player in the world of whiskies, although it does not have a long provenance like the other regions. The Asian country produces scotch-inspired whiskies that tend to be lighter (both in flavour and colour) with a slightly fruity taste.

Casks are important …

Casks are a crucial part of whisky production, as they are used in its storage and maturation. The type of wood used, and how said wood is treated imparts a distinct flavour on this deliciously golden liquid.

Casks are traditionally made from oak sourced from Europe and America, and in the United States, they are charred to remove traces of previous use and imbue the fluid with a rich flavour. Once the whisky is distilled (in a large device called a potstill), it’s poured into these wooden vessels for maturation. The length of time spent in the cask is noted on bottles as the whisky’s age.

Also, whisky distillers may state whether the casks are ‘first-fill’ or ‘refill’. A ‘first-fill’ cask is one that has never been used and will therefore transfer the most flavour from wood to spirit. A refill is just what it sounds like – a previously used cask. Refills are often used to balance and adjust mellowness in whiskeys initially seasoned in first-fills.

Sherry-seasoned casks are also commonplace, the wood imbuing a mild flavouring of the sweet wine to the whisky.

… As are the ABV and age of the particular bottle you’re looking to purchase

ABV, alcohol by volume, tells you what percentage of alcohol each whisky contains, while age indicates the amount of time the whisky spent maturing in the cask.

The average ABV for whiskies is 40-50 per cent. Scotch, by law, must have a minimum ABV of 40 per cent, while special ‘expressions’ ( whisky-speak for limited variations, or special editions) often boast of higher percentages. Special expressions are typically stronger, more complex in taste and, in some cases, bottled directly from the cask with no added water.

Some whiskies spend their entire lives in a single cask, with distillers regularly tasting to achieve the right flavours. However, the usual method is to move them from cask to cask during the maturation cycle to balance or shift their flavours. Age corresponds to a whiskey’s richness: the longer the maturing process, the longer the flavours have to develop. This doesn’t mean that younger vintages aren’t flavourful, but typically, they will likely be less complex.

And finally, mash, peat and smoke

You’re more likely to hear the word ‘mash’ from distillers than you are to see it on a bottle of whisky. Mash is the mixture of grains used to create the whiskey, with malted barley being the most typical grain used. There’s also corn and rye, and, depending on the region and variation, wheat.

Peat is primarily used in Scotch whiskey from the Northern Isles. It typically refers to a distinct, earthy, smoky flavour that is achieved when peat is used to dry malted barley as part of the whisky’s production. The length and intensity of exposure to the peat smoke will determine just how smoky the final product will be.

And there you have it. So, the next time you want to try a new bottle of whisky, maybe instead of trusting your gut, thoroughly read the label to make the right decision for you.

Source: Sotheby’s

The post What to Look Out For on The Label Before Purchasing a Bottle of Whisky first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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The annual release has become highly-anticipated due to the unusual nature of the whiskies included. The series is curated by Diageo’s master blender, Dr. Craig Wilson, who searches through Diageo’s huge portfolio to find uncommon age points and experimental flavour profiles.

This year’s collection marks the continued trend of atypical cask finishes, such as the 8-Year-Old Talisker, Diageo’s first-ever rum cask finished single malt. These experimental finishes have become quite common, particularly with Glenfiddich, after a relaxation in Scotch regulation paved the way. The Talisker combines the tropical nature of a rum finished with the intense smokiness that it is known for. The result is an unusual flavour profile that defies its comparatively young age.

On the other side of Scotland, the 21-Year-Old Mortlach is likely to prove popular, combining one of Speyside’s biggest names with a Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso Sherry seasoned cask finish. A more intense version of this whisky was included last year and this one delivers on its promise to dial down the sherry influences. It shows distilleries are still finding their way to the sweet spot with some cask finishes.

Other more notable inclusions are the 30-Year-Old Dalwhinnie, which is matured in refill hogshead and combines a deep oakiness alongside the typical fruity aromas. The 30-Year-Old Pittyvaich marks the only whisky taken from a closed distillery, making it particularly interesting for the collector.

Dr. Wilson said: “I’ve created this year’s Special Releases Collection from some of my favourite distilleries across Scotland with whisky enthusiasts in mind. For those who enjoy spicy flavours, my recommendation would be to try our Cardhu, and for those who favour rich, intense and smooth flavours my choice would be Mortlach 21 year old. If you are curious about discovering something very rare, the Pittyvaich – the single ghost distillery in our Special Releases Collection this year – is an unforgettable dram.”

Visit malts.com to view the full collection which will be available for a limited time only.

Source: Elite Traveler

The post Diageo Reveals its 2020 Special Releases Whisky Collection first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Diageo Global Scotch Director, John Williams, said: “We wanted to mark our 200-year journey with the launch of these four exclusive limited editions – they’re a celebration of where we’ve come from but, more than that, they are each expressions of what’s possible today and into tomorrow, and that’s exciting.  John’s spark, vision and entrepreneurial fire were the impetus to growing the John Walker name… This year we’re celebrating the steps he first took – steps that have inspired generations of our whisky makers and are at the heart of everything we do today and will do tomorrow.”

Browse through the unique designs of the anniversary limited editions below

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL 200TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION DESIGN

This new limited edition design features stunning illustrations that bring to life the 200-year journey of John Walker & Sons as well as Johnnie Walker, paying homage to some of the great cities and countries that have been part of this inspiring story since 1820.

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL LEGENDARY EIGHT

This exclusive release celebrates 200 years of craft. It is a smooth, mellow Scotch crafted using whisky hand-selected from only eight legendary distilleries that all existed in 1820, including some very rare expressions from long-closed “ghost”.

JOHN WALKER & SONS CELEBRATORY BLEND

This limited edition release is inspired by a breakthrough moment in John Walker & Sons’ history – the launch of Old Highland Whisky in the 1860s. This rich and complex Scotch is inspired by the flavours found in the Walker family’s grocery store during that period and is crafted with whiskies from distilleries operating at the time.

JOHN WALKER & SONS BICENTENARY BLEND

This exceptional whisky is a sensorial journey down the fragrant aisles of John Walker’s original grocery store in Scotland with rich layers that re-imagine the exotic flavours that shaped John Walker’s imagination. It is crafted with rare and exceptional whiskies, all aged for at least 28 years, including whiskies from long-closed “ghost” distilleries such as Pittyvaich, Cambus and soon to be re-opened Port Ellen.

All four exclusive releases will launch from October onwards, subject to market distribution and availability, for a limited period only.

Source: PR Newswire

The post Johnnie Walker Toasts to 200 Years with 4 Exclusive Whiskies first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Kenya’s high-net-worth individuals though relatively reserved being in a country where the poverty rate stands at 36 per cent, they are investing in exotic homes and joining a small breed of wealthy people across the globe who spend fortunes in the rarest and most grandeur objects of desire like whiskies, limited edition coins, classic cars, art, stamps and vintage wine.

Despite choosing a largely private life, Kenya’s dollar millionaires opt for foreign basic and university education for their children and a big number also engage in philanthropic activities.

According to the recently released The Wealth Report’s Attitudes Survey, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Kenya and across the globe are pushing the levels of opulence to new heights.

Last year, for instance, David Hockney’s Portrait of an Artist became the most expensive work by a living artist, and was sold for $90 million, while a 60-year-old bottle of The Macallan 1926 became the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold at a price of $1.5 million.

To the three and a half billion people across the globe who are struggling to meet basic needs, living on less than $5.50 per day according to the World Bank, it is nothing short of mind boggling that someone would pay $1.5 million for a bottle of whisky.

Yet, over the past decade, rare whisky has outperformed all other investments of passion, with classic cars, coins, stamps and art making the top five best performers.

“The records set in 2018 show that wealthy collectors are still prepared to pay top prices for the rarest and most desirable objects of desire, and whisky is no exception,” said Andrew Shirley, The Wealth Report editor.

He added that rare whisky collectors are not only tracking down individual bottles but also seeking their own casks and are prepared to pay six- or seven-figure sums to get them.

In East Africa, East African Breweries Ltd is wooing the growing class of collectors after launching a mini-mentorship programme for its reserve brands.

In Kenya, the number of HNWIs — those with a net worth of over $1 million excluding their primary residence — is on the rise.

Last year the number of dollar millionaires in the country grew to 9,482 from 9,176 the previous year, a 3.3 per cent increase.

The number is projected to increase by 22 per cent to 11,584 individuals over the next five years, a much faster growth compared with the 13 per cent increase recorded since 2013.

Out of the 9,482 HNWIs, 125 were ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with a net worth of over $30 million excluding their primary residences.

Only four individuals crossed into this wealth bracket last year, with the number expected to jump to 155 UHNWIs by 2023.

Kenyans joining the super-rich bracket are not shying away from flouting their wealth, mainly in luxury homes including exotic beach houses.

Some 18 per cent of Kenya’s HNWIs bought new homes in the country last year, with eight per cent purchasing houses abroad.

In the next year, 22 per cent of Kenya’s wealthy plan to buy new homes even when first and second homes make up 45 per cent of total wealth for the super-rich who own an average of 2.7 homes.

On average, Kenya’s super-rich allocated 25 per cent of their investment portfolios in equities, 22 per cent in properties, 22 per cent in cash or cash equivalents, 20 per cent in bonds, three per cent in private equity, three per cent in luxury investments (art, wine, classic cars), one per cent in gold with the remaining four per cent going into other asset classes.

Source: The East African

The post Art, Whisky Tops Big Spending Passion in Kenya first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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