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Hong Kong investment group Rare Whisky Holdings is considering setting up an auction hub in Asia to help owners resell their collections. The hub, which could be based in Hong Kong, Singapore, China or Taiwan, would reportedly provide the impetus for more businesses to trade online and “promote opportunities for consumers in Asia to get access to whisky investment” said Rare Whisky co-founder Rickesh Kishnani via South China Morning Post.(November 29, 2021 - Jessica Mason - The Drinks Business)

Having witnessed it in its full and resplendent entirety, there were times when I never thought I would one day be saying that our journey with Pat’s Whisk(e)y had come to an end. The largest private collection ever to come to auction, the 9,000+ bottles were sold over fourteen months and spotlighted within twenty-three auctions, nine of which were curated exclusively from it. (November 26, 2021 - Joe Wilson - Whisky Magazine)

Trade body the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has welcomed a 50% import tax cut for the category in Maharashtra, India. The Maharashtra government has slashed excise duty on Scotch whisky imported to the Indian state from 300% to 150% of the production cost. (November 25, 2021 - Melita Kiely - The Spirits Business)

Auction house Bonhams Hong Kong concluded its sales of whisky and wine in 2021 with a record of HK$100 million. The ‘Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky Sale’ held on 19 November in the Hong Kong office marked the finale for the wine and spirits sector of Bonhams. The total sell-through rate is 87%, which realised HK$36.2 million in total.t. (November 24, 2021 - Alice Liang - The Drinks Business)

Delightful drams from Scotland, England, Ireland, France, the US and more. (November 19, 2021 - Joe Evans, Mike Starling - The Week)

Diageo highlighted that the success of its Epitome Reserve rare grain whisky was a “surprise” and yet bolsters plans for further innovations in India. Speaking to db, Michael Ward, head of global innovation at Diageo said: “It was a passion project from our India innovation team and it was very limited – just 2,000 bottles, but because of how it did, we may be looking at rerunning this or something similar. The response we had made us all a little stunned. Especially by how quickly it went.”(November 19, 2021 - Jessica Mason - The Drinks Business)

Explore the new Sichuan-based malt whisky distillery now with Pernod Ricard's virtual tour. Pernod Ricard has become the first international spirits group to open a fully operational malt whisky distillery in China. The opening of 叠川 The Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery, located in Emeishan, was facilitated by an investmented of US$150 million over the past decade and is designed to put Pernod Ricard at the forefront of whisky making in China. (November 17, 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo is aiming to grow its market value share of the total beverage alcohol category to 6% by 2030. Ahead of its biennial Capital Markets Day in London today (16 November), Diageo revealed its ambition to grow its market value share of the total beverage alcohol (TBA) market by 6% in 2030. This is compared to the group’s 4% market share in 2020. (November 16, 2021 - Nicola Carruthers - The Spirits Business)

Japanese whisky brand Nikka Whisky has unveiled the first set of releases from the “Nikka Discovery” series in the U.S.: Single Malt Yoichi Non-Peated and Single Malt Miyagikyo Peated. The Nikka Discovery will launch limited editions over the next three years in anticipation of Nikka Whisky’s 90th anniversary in 2024.  (November 11, 2021 - Kyle  Swartz - Beverage Dynamics)

Christie’s is presenting the legendary Springbank 1919, 50 year old whisky  – one of only 24 bottles – as the highlight of its upcoming Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits sale next month. (November 10, 2021 - Arabella Mileham - The Drinks Business)

Whether you’re looking for a warming dram or a refreshing canned cocktail, our pick of the best new-to-market drinks has you covered. (November 9, 2021 - Kate  Malczewski  -The Spirits Business)

International trade fair Prowein has revealed the layout of its 2022 show, which is expected to welcome around 5,500 exhibitors. The annual wine and spirits event, held in Düsseldorf, Germany, was cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. (November 9, 2021 - Kate  Malczewski  -The Spirits Business)

The Macallan has introduced a new single malt whisky into its Fine & Rare Collection, with the launch of The 1990 Edition. Matured in a single sherry-seasoned American oak butt cask for 30 years, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1990 marks the latest addition into this assembly of vintage-dated, single malt whiskies. Filled on June 7, 1990, and bottled in 2021, this single cask whisky comes at cask strength. (November 8, 2021 - Kyle Swartz  - Beverage Dynamics)

The growing trend for new and rare bottlings of one-off whiskies has seen a boom in recent years, with some modern bottles surging stratospherically and outstripping the value of older, rarer vintage whiskies. Is this sustainable, or will the bubble burst? (November 3, 2021 - Arabella Mileham - The Drinks Business)

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo has revealed plans to build a US$75 million malt whisky distillery in China. The Diageo Eryuan Malt Whisky Distillery will be located in Eryuan County in Yunnan Province, and will produce the spirits giant’s first single malt whisky of Chinese origin. The 66,000-square-metre distillery will also be home to an interactive visitor centre to boost tourism. (November 2, 2021 - Kate Malczewski - The Spirits Business)

Cask strength scotch whisky is simply that: whisky that is bottled directly from the cask that it matures in. Generally, that will mean that the whisky will be at least 50%-mid 60% ABV give or take. However, if a Scotch whisky is of considerable age, that will often drop in the mid to low 40s due to the environment in which it matured. The opposite tends to happen in climates such as Kentucky. (January 22, 2021 - Stephanie Moreno - Distiller.com)

The spirits industry has welcomed a new trade agreement between the US and the European Union (EU) that marks the end of the damaging tariff on American whiskey. (November 1, 2021 - Alice Brooker - The Spirits Business)

After careful consideration, the shortlisted entries for The Spirits Business Awards 2021 have been confirmed. Launched in 2019, The Spirits Business Awards aims to reward those driving excellence across the industry, from retailers and distributors to marketers, brands, distillers and blenders. (November 1, 2021 - The Spirits Business)

Lochlea Distillery, located on the site of the farm once worked by Robert Burns, is launching its first-ever whisky in November: Lochlea Single Malt First Release.Inspired by the distillery’s own working farm, the bespoke bottle features embossed tyre tracks like those which can be seen around Lochlea’s South Ayrshire site. The clear glass showcases the liquid’s non-chill-filtered, natural colour.(October 30, 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

After its success at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge, triple-distilled Irish whiskey Jameson Black Barrel is being re-launched at 50% ABV, or 100-proof, in a limited ‘Black Barrel Proof’ edition. (October 27, 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is the first limited edition whisky in a new series of single malts that will see the Macallan brand progress its journey towards sustainable packaging. (October 21, 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

Diageo has unveiled Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Pittyvaich, the fourth release in the limited edition series.(October 12, 2021 - Alice Brooker - The Spirits Business)

Diageo has announced the appointment of Johnnie Walker's first-ever female master blender, as whisky-making icon Dr Jim Beveridge prepares for retirement.(October 10, 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

The Fall 2021issue of Whisky Advocate features over 130 whisky reviews covering a range of styles. Since the issue focuses on bourbon, the Buying Guide is chock-full of reviews that cover cask-finishing, non-Kentucky producers, Texas’s growing craft scene, and more, but there is plenty else to enjoy, including single malts from Scotland, the U.S., Germany, Ireland, India, and Taiwan.(October 18, 2021 - Whisky Advocate)

ttended by industry representatives and specialist retailers, the awards ceremony took place at the Station Hotel in Rothes, hosted by event sponsor Forsyths.
Alongside announcing the winners, the judges also took part in a blind tasting to select the finalists for the Spirit of Speyside Awards 2022. The presentation was streamed via Facebook to allow whisky lovers from around the world to join in.(October 17 2021 - Whisky Magazine)

A single malt whisky that tastes like winter and Christmas baking? Glenmorangie has now announced it. With "A Tale of Winter", the Highland distillery wants to reflect the mood of a winter day when you sit by the fireplace and enjoy snug, magical moments. Ideally, you hold a Glenmorangie dram in your hand, neat or in a hot mixed drink. (October 10, 2021 - Petra Milde - Whisky.com)

Whyte & Mackay has released The Dalmore 30 Year Old 2021 Edition, the first bottling in a new annual series. The new series celebrates the longstanding partnership between The Dalmore and Douro-based Port producer Graham’s, with the Highland distillery’s whisky makers receiving access to rare Graham’s casks. (October 5, 2021 - Alice Brooker - The Spirits Business)