Whisky Infinity Bottle

Words by Colin Hampden-White

What is an Infinity Bottle?

If you are an avid whisky drinker, you may well have many bottles open at the same time and some of them will have very little left in them. A good way to make space for more bottles is to create what is commonly known as an infinity bottle. This is simply a large bottle (I use 8 and 4 litre Kilner jars), which contain a blend of all the nearly finished bottles in my house. This creates a living blend which as it is drunk and re-filled with different bottles, changes in character as new whiskies are poured into it.

How do you make a whisky infinity bottle?

There are a few tips that will help when creating an infinity bottle:

1. If using a jar with a tap at the bottom, buy extra seals in case one doesn’t last and it begins to leak.

2. Keep peated and non-peated whisky separate. A tiny amount of peat in an un-peated blend can overpower the whisky.

3. Don’t be too precious about pouring your most sought-after whiskies into it. A good whisky will help the blend, and if it is left to oxidise in its own bottle it will simply never be as good as it first tasted.

4. Don’t worry about the size. I use large Kilner jars now, but in the past, I had a simple 750ml decanter. It did the job just as well, I simply had to top it up more frequently!

5. Lastly, if it all goes very wrong and it tastes horrible, don’t be afraid to start again, it’s not worth pouring perfectly good whisky into not so good leading to the end result being unsatisfactory.

I find an infinity bottle both fun and interesting at the same time. I use my blend for long drinks like whiskey and ginger ale when it is an average blend, and occasionally it has been superb, and I’ve sipped it neat or on ice to be able to savour the good blends for longer. But I’m fully in the knowledge that whenever I pour a new whisky into the blend, it will be different. For better or for worse. And that’s what makes it exciting. The art of blending is strange, and a whisky can be far greater than the sum of its parts as new flavours are created by blending. It makes me realise how skilled our whisky blenders of today are. Whether they are blending many casks from a single distillery, or many from many distilleries to keep a brand consistent, their skill is clear, and as for me, I’m happy to keep on practicing.

Wondering which whiskies to try next? Why not have a read through The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year or The Best Japanese Whisky to Buy.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Words by Colin Hampden-White

It is hard to describe what the new Johnnie Walker experience is on Princes Street in Edinburgh. One word sums it up though, incredible, but why it is incredible takes a little longer.

In essence, it is a full whisky experience, involving, bars, tastings, shops and shows which both entertain and educate in equal measure. There is the use of light, projections, actors and educators, aromas and flavours, and architecture all coming together to create an immersive experience which I certainly won’t forget. I will be coming back with friends and family who want to learn more about Scotch and blended Scotch, but also to convert those who haven’t yet caught the bug.

With all this pizazz, the best bit of the whole experience is that the star of the show is you. From the moment you walk through the door, it is all bout you. Initially, you are asked what flavours you like in your life and the answers build up a picture of the type of whisky you might like. This is where the blending starts and continues throughout the experience. Introducing you to cocktails and highballs and if you would like to, the neat whisky.

It’s not only the whisky and cocktails which are exquisite. The food is fabulous too, with Michelin standards providing refined food to go with the drinks, without the experience being formal. All visitors would be at home in shorts as much as suits.

All the senses are catered for, taste and smell are covered by wonderful drinks and food, but the sights and sounds are wonderful too. Not only the shows along the whisky journey, but the building itself and the views. There are views from the rooftop bar reaching all the way along Princes Street, and from another cocktail bar, a large single pane window offers views across north Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and into Fife.

One of the most initiative decisions the Walkers made was to have a 20° slant to their label to allow for a larger font and logo. This angle is reflected all over the building in subtle ways. Even the stair banisters are at a 20° angle. It is the brilliant attention to detail like this that is so impressive.

This is the new way to experience whisky, it is beyond any other brand experience I have been through, and at the heart of it, it explains whisky in a way that is memorable and fun. It is said that if you tell someone many things, they will remember very few of them. Yet this experience manages to give you so much information in a way that involves the customer on so many levels, meaning one manages to take away a great deal rather than a few small nuggets of information.

Such is the level of enjoyment with this experience, one wouldn’t even have to enjoy whisky to have been happy to have been. But I might suggest you would find it hard not to once you’ve been.

For a more in-depth look at the different Johnnie Walker expressions, have a look at Colin’s article The Many Colours of Johnnie Walker.

Best Whiskies To Invest In - September Whisky Investment Index

By Colin Hampden-White

Macallan does it again.

Macallan has not only managed to stay at the top of the table, but it has also extended its lead. This could be down to a few things. Mainly, it’s because there has been a lot of Macallan at auction recently. Also there have been a few lower-level limited editions come to market over the last year or so and they are finding their way onto the secondary market. Examples of this would be the Concept series, which has had its final release recently, and the editions series. These I believe still have potential to grow even if bought on the secondary market at today’s prices. And it looks like a lot of other people feel the same as these series are doing well at auction.

High value Karuizawa bottles are still coming to auction giving this Japanese closed distillery a strong place on the table and with the recent releases of Brora, the most well known being the Tryptic, Brora continues to do well.

There is little change in the table this month, but the percentages have changed. They have become closer together. This makes it difficult to pick clear winners, but it is also a good sign that one shouldn’t do badly by choosing any of the brands or distilleries below as an investment. As long as one sticks to the rule of buying limited editions, single casks and good independent bottles.

Macallan 2%
Bowmore 1%
Karuizawa 1.0%
Springbank 1.5%
The Dalmore 2%
Brora 2%
Clynelish 2%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 1%
Ardbeg 1%
Glen Grant

With no clear winner other than Macallan, I have chosen a few different brands rather than sticking to one. As any good investment portfolio should have variation.

Bottles to Watch

Ardbeg Drum

Released a few years ago, this has already had some time in the marketplace and is still a great one to keep your eyes open for.

ABV: 46%
Size: 750ml
Find here: $279.99 

From the committee release, this can still be found in the UK.

Ardbeg Drum Committee Release

ABV: 52%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £295

From the middle of the table I’d look for Clynelish

Clynelish Game of Thrones

This is a good low-level bottle at well under £50. It is high strength, and although not very limited, it is limited and will run out. A longer prospect, but still worth it.

ABV: 51.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £40.95 // US $178.49

Clynelish 1995 25 year old

With only 340 bottles of this single cask, cask strength bottle produced, from a well known independent bottler. I think this will do well.

ABV: 51%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £313.15

And from the very top of the table.

The Macallan Edition No.6

The last in the edition series, these are already collectable. And although not as expensive as earlier editions, it will still rise in value.

ABV: 48.6%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £299.99 // US $179.99

The Macallan Rare Cask 2021 edition

When customers are only allowed to buy one, it’s a clear indication that these will sell out fast and be in high demand. An annual release, also shows it’s only going to be created in limited numbers.

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £249.95

And there we have it. A few suggestions for bottles which I think will do well in the future. As always, they are only suggestions, and I don’t profess to be the fountain of all knowledge, but these ideas might give you a helping hand in choosing bottles to invest in.

To see how this whisky investment index was created, follow this link and if you want to check out August and July’s recommended bottles then click here: August / July.

One Drink, Three Ways: The Glenturret Triple Wood

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

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The Glenturret Triple Wood Scotch whisky is the perfect continuation of Glenturret’s long whisky history, being part of the older range and then reborn into the new. It’s a delightfully subtle, golden whisky that’s light on its feet with lots of ripe, fruity notes with sweetly spiced aromas thanks to a combination of European and American Sherry oak casks with Bourbon barrels. Try it alone to sip and savour or give it a go in one of these fantastic serves.

The Three Drinkers each share their favourite ways to taste it….

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Helena’s Choice: Vanilla Highball

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Highballs are back as new generations discover whisky in an accessible way before hitting the stuff neat. The Vanilla highball is a long serve that’s incredibly simple to make at home. Here’s a refreshing version with a twist to bring out those beautiful sweet spice flavours from the wood casks: Simply pour the whisky into a highball glass topped up with ice, splash in some vanilla bitters (to taste) and top up with cream soda. Garnish with a slice of orange or a vanilla pod if you have one. 

The ‘Vanilla Highball’

Recipe

25ml The Glenturret Triple Wood 

200ml Cream soda

Ice

Orange slice or vanilla pod for garnish

Highball glass

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Aidy’s Choice: Pineapple Whisky Sour

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Whisky cocktails don’t have to be heavy, dark affairs; there are tonnes of lighter, fruity options too. Here’s a particular serve that I consider my TGIF drink (Thank God It’s Friday!) or quite frankly, any time I’m just in the mood for a little pick me up! Method: place the sugar, whisky, lemon juice, pineapple juice and egg white into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds. Strain into an old fashioned cocktail glass and serve.

Pineapple Whisky Sour

Recipe

60ml The Glenturret Triple Wood 

25ml Lemon juice 

25ml Pineapple juice 

1 egg white

2 tsp Caster sugar

Pineapple wedge to garnish (optional)

Glass tumbler

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Colin’s Choice: The Rob Roy

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Here’s one for fans of a classic Manhattan but with a Scotch whisky twist! Originally created in 1894 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel and was named after the opera Roby Roy that was premiering in New York at the time. Method: Stir all the ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice, then pour into the coup. Garnish with an orange twist or a maraschino cherry.

The Rob Roy

Recipe

50ml The Glenturret Triple Wood 

30ml Martini Rosso Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Noilly Prat Vermouth, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.

Glenfiddich to Fuel Trucks with Whisky Waste

Does driving a car powered by whisky count as drunk driving…? The jury’s still out on that one, but one thing we know for certain is that a whisky waste powered car is on the horizon!

Making whisky can be surprisingly wasteful, with nearly 85% of the leftover grains and barley from the malting stage going to waste. Wastage is a huge problem in the food and drink industry, but major whisky producer Glenfiddich seems to be on the road to combatting their waste.

Though previously sold off as high-protein cattle feed, Glenfiddich is using its spent grains to create fuel for trucks. The grains are put through ‘anaerobic digestion’, a process in which bacteria break down organic matter and produce biogas. This biogas is what can be substituted for the harmful diesel. Using biogas instead of diesel or other fossil fuels cuts CO2 emissions by over 95% and reduces other harmful particulates and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% - now that’s cool. Each truck will displace up to 250 TONNES of CO2 annually!

Glenfiddich currently have four trucks running off this biogas, but plan to convert the other sixteen of their trucks to be biogas fuelled in the near future. At the moment, these trucks are only the ones transporting the spirit to be bottled but William Grant & Sons, Glenfiddich’s parent company, are looking to use the same biogas to power trucks that transport the whisky nationally.

William Grant & Sons have always proclaimed to be at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions in the whisky industry, and they hope to hit carbon net zero targets by 2040. Judging by the way things are going now, that doesn’t seem to be such a huge hurdle anymore.

Glenfiddich distillery director Stuart Watts (pictured above) told Reuters, “The thought process behind this was, ‘what can we do that’s better for us all?’”. This mindset is certainly one that is catching on around the drinks industry as we see more and more brands either utilising waste or becoming carbon neutral (even sometimes carbon negative!).

In Finland, even goose poop has been used to make beer! Check out this article to see how other companies are making their processes a bit more eco-friendly.

Which Whiskies To Invest In - August Whisky Investment Index

The closed distilleries march on.

It seems that having been out of the running a few months ago, and now moving up the table, Karuizawa is moving up further. There have been some significant bottles at auction and quite a few of them giving the Japanese distillery a lift in recent weeks. Springbank and Bowmore have kept steady, and Brora has entered the fray.

Brora distillery could be an interesting prospect. Having been closed since 1983, the distillery has been rebuilt. Not just another distillery on the same site. The re-built distillery is almost an exact replica of the original. The original new make is no more, but Dr Jim Beverage can remember the profile and is certain he can recreate the magic of the past.

Whether this will bring old bottles out of the woodwork, or if people will hold onto them hoping the Brora brand will grow and grow, one doesn’t know. But my feeling is that if you can invest in old bottles of Brora, which already has cult status, you won’t do badly.

Macallan 1%
Bowmore 1%
Springbank 1.5%
Karuizawa 2.0%
The Dalmore 2%
Clynelish 3%
Brora 2%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 1%
Ardbeg 2%
Glen Grant

Bottles to Watch

The following bottles are from Brora. There are not many as Brora bottles are truly old and rare, and I would advise finding bottles at auction rather than at retail. As always, these are just suggestions but it will point you in the right direction to do your own research and introduce you to the possibilities of investing in whisky.

Brora 37 year old (Special releases 2015)

This bottle is from a release a few years ago and will likely improve over the coming years as well. An official bottling from Diageo, it will always be sought after.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 50.4%
Find here: US $1999.99

Brora 21 year old 1977

This 1977 is a lot less expensive than its older sibling from 1972, and therefore has a little more room to increase in value.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 56.9%
Find here: UK £1795

Brora 1982, bottled 2008 G&M Connoisseurs Choice

Independent bottles are frequently less expensive to buy, this can also be because they are also bottled at a lower ABV. However, with good ones, they can increase in value at the same rate as official bottles. This is a prime example.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £1200 

To see how this whisky investment index is created, have a look at March and to see how August compares to July click here.

The Best Japanese Whisky To Try

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Over the last decade, Japanese whisky has been growing in popularity all around the world to the extent that it would seem that it is a relatively new thing, but nothing could be further from the truth.

When was Japanese whisky first produced?

Japanese whisky distilling was started nearly one hundred years ago in 1923, by a man named Shinjiro Torri, and the whisky produced was called Yamazaki. Shinjiro had previously sent one of his employees, Masataka Taketsuru to Scotland to learn about distillation. He studied Chemistry at Glasgow University, and travelled in Scotland to distilleries, learning how to make whisky. One of these distilleries, which Helena, Aidy and I visited the former site of in episode five of The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky was Hazelburn in Campbeltown. Although Shinjiro Torri founded Yamazaki, it was Masataka’s skill that created the first Japanese whiskies.

What is the difference between Japanese and Scotch whisky?

Like Scotch, Japanese whisky has had its ups and downs, but over the years the quality of the spirit has become second to none. Although it is not Scotch, there are no differences in the basic principles in the production. There are some ambiguities over provenance though. Japanese whisky doesn’t by law have to be Japanese to be called Japanese. There has been a long history of blending whisky in Japan and one of the major components they use for blending is Scotch whisky. It is tricky therefore to know if you are buying true Japanese whisky or not. The simplest way to make sure is to buy single malt whisky from a named Japanese distillery, like Yamazaki, Yoichi or Hakushu. Here are some popular examples:

Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £68.95



Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £135 // US $199.99

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £795 // US $2,099

Yoichi Single Malt

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £64.94 // US $139.99

Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve

Size: UK 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £66.95

Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt

Size: US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: $199.99

Is Japanese whisky good?

The fact that Scotch whisky is used in some blends doesn’t mean to say the whiskies are not good whiskies, this is far from the truth, they can be very good, but you won’t be drinking Scotch. One of the most popular brands of blended Japanese whiskies is Hibiki, but this whisky only uses Japanese whisky in the blend and is of exceptional quality.

Why is Japanese whisky so expensive?

Like many Japanese whiskies, Hibiki used to be sold with an age statement, but with the huge popularity of Japanese whisky these days, they no longer have the aged stocks. For those brands that do, they have very little left which explains the prices. You will find that a traditional 12 year old Scotch can be bought for around £30 to £40 pounds, whilst a 12 year old Yamazaki is four times that. Some Japanese whiskies, although not old can command even higher prices and this can quite often be down to the oak which is used to mature the spirit in. Most whiskies are matured in ex bourbon barrels made of oak or ex Sherry barrels made of oak. In Japan, they sometimes use a rare and difficult to grow Japanese oak called Mizunara. A notable blended whisky that uses this wood is Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Hibiki uses single malt whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries and grain whisky from the Chita distillery. They use whiskies that have been matured in American oak, Sherry casks and also Mizunara oak. As the name suggests, the whisky is a harmony of many different flavours and is light and elegant with honey, oranges and a herbaceous element.

Hibiki Japnese Harmony

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £69.95 // US $99.99

I think the above whisky is the best value for money if buying true Japanese whisky. However, if you have a special birthday coming, or just simply fancy pushing the boat out then Hibiki 30 year old is one of the greatest blended whiskies I have ever tasted.

Hibiki 30 year old

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £5000

Like in Scotland there are closed distilleries in Japan and again, like in Scotland they have legendary status. None more so than Karuizawa distillery. Closed in the year 2000, bottles from this distillery will cost over £5,000 and in 2020 a bottle of 52 year old sold at auction for £363,000. If you fancy a bargain, you can find one over 30 years old here:

Karuizawa 34 Year Old Single Cask #6476

Size: 700ml
ABV: 63%
Find here: £6500

Whatever your budget, if you haven’t tried Japanese whisky before I strongly suggest you give it a go. It’s known, like the Japanese people, for its precision and elegance and is full of flavour. One of my favourite bottles is Nikka from the Barrel. A true Japanese whisky at a slightly higher than normal strength which packs in a lot of flavour. A great place to start a Japanese journey.

Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Size: UK 500ml // US 750ml
ABV: 51.4%
Find here: UK £43.95 // US $89.99

There is a lot of hype around Japanese whisky, but from my experience, the hype is completely justified, as whisky distilled in Japan is absolute heaven.

If you enjoyed this then how about checking out these Traditional Japanese Drinks You HAVE To Try or if you would prefer to read more about Scotch whisky then check out The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year.

Which Whisky Should I Invest in?

Words by Colin Hampden-White

The summer months are normally a little slower for auctions. This year has been a bit different. With few traveling on holiday and little opportunity to spend, alternative investments tend to do very well and this seems to be the case for Scotch.

This month sees the king has fallen and Macallan has taken the top place again. Macallan is always dominant in Asia and this month even more so taking it above all others. The mid table has been very steady with only minor changes. At the bottom, Ardbeg is still rising, and Glen Grant has taken the place of Bunnahabhain.

With little volatility, there doesn’t seem to be a bad bet in the top ten at the moment, although buying a bottle from the middle of the table would seem the safest thing to do.

Like last month I would still look at Springbank, and add Clynelish to your watch list. Below are a few bottles of the latter I’d be interested in.

Macallan 1%
Bowmore 1%
The Dalmore 2%
Springbank 1%
Clynelish 5%
Karuizawa 1.0%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 1%
Ardbeg 2%
Yamazaki 1%
Glen Grant

Bottles to Watch

Clynelish 1996 21 Year Old - Mission Gold Single Malt Whisky (Murry McDavid)

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: £344.94

Clynelish 1995 22 Year Old - Cask Strength Collection Single Malt Whisky

Size: 700ml
ABV: 55.4%
Find here: £344.94

Clynelish 1995 24 years old Wemyss Malts

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £260.35

Clynelish 1995 25 Year Old - Cask Strength Collection Signatory

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51%
Find here: £313.15

When buying single cask bottles which seem cheaper than others, have a look at the abv. The price might be lower because the abv is also lower and therefore hasn’t been bottled at cask strength. Cask strength bottles will be more desirable, but also more expensive. Of the above four my pick would be the last one. Decent abv, good age, and less expensive than the first two.

Clynelish is never bottled by the distillery as a single cask. Diageo release a limited amount each year within the special releases, so the best way to invest in Clynelish is by buying independent bottles. These usually sell out quickly, so if you find one at the right price, don’t delay! Happy hunting.

As with March, April , May and June’s Whisky Investment Indexes, any bottles mentioned are just suggestions, I don’t pretend to have a crystal ball, but it will point you in the right direction to do your own research and start you on your journey in whisky investment.