The Antiquary Deluxe Blended Whisky

The Antiquary Scotch Whisky Blend 12 year old 40%. Deluxe Blend


Blending The Antiquary
The Antiquary has a particularly high percentage of malt to grain whiskies (55% - 45%).

The finest available malts and grains have been selected from the Highlands , lowlands , and islands of Scotland.

The heart of the blend consists of some of the finest Scotch Whiskies from the Speyside area home of complex , rich fruity and delicately balanced Malts such as Cragganmore, Linkwood, Benrinnes, Mortloch and Glenrothes.

Distilleries in the Highlands such as Tomatin, Royal Lochnagar and Clynelish contribute a complexity of malt and full flavoured aromas to the blend.

Soft and fruity lowlands such as Glenkinchie tone down the robustness of the heavier Highlands and Islay Malt Bowmore gives just a hint of peatiness to the overall flavour profile.

The use of Grain whiskies  - Camaronbridge and Port Dundas – ensure that the blend retains a high level of freshness and liveliness. In all around 30 different malts and grains are used in the blend , all matured in American white oak casks for a minimum of 12 years.


Nose: Faintly peaty, herbal. Chinese tea, Jasmine.
Palate: Smooth, dry maltiness, lapsang souchong. Then sweeter flavours develop. Darjeeling? Eventually honey sweetness.
Finish: Flowery. Crisp Clean.


This whisky recieved a further coment on our website

ANTIQUARY LOVE AFFAIR
"I first tasted this whisky in the 1960's in Teneriffe. It was a love affair at once that has lasted right up until the present time.A light delicate colour and a unique delicious taste that has always reminded me of a cross between peat and lemon sherbets.No matter how much you drink it never leaves a hangover. It was introduced to me by an old surgeon and he always took it neat accompanied by a King Edward Cigar. Politically incorrect but a marriage in heaven"
Sep 14 2012, 23:19 PM

by PhilHill

Find this whisky on our whisky website CLICK HERE

How Much Is My Dimple Whisky Worth

Because of the appealing shape of the dimple bottle a lot of people bought them and gave them as gifts which remained unopened so there are a lot of bottles out there.

The bottle shape has been in use since the 1893 for the first 30 years was called Haig & Haig 5 Stars Scots Whisky apart for a short period during the first world war when it was only available in a standard bottle descibed in adverts of the time as the "Substitute War bottle"

The first time the Dimple name appeared in the "pinched bottle" as the brand was 1923 

After the repeal of prohibition the export bottles where marketed under the "Pinch" brand for the US market It is still marketed as such.

The bottle shape was finnally patened in 1958 and during late 1950s the gilded mesh imported from France was added to bottle.

The Dimple is still being produced Present day bottling retails at £35

Hence the value for a modern (last 20 years) metric %ABV standard bottle with the Queen Elizabeth warrant is low.

Other bottling with the king warrants on them have a higher value because of the age and also there are some limited editions that have higher collectors values.

Dimple - Royal Sovereign 21 year old pewter decanter at £350

Dimple Mexico Games 1986 12 year old £200

Dimple  1986 Commonwealth £150

Dimple Year of Horse/snake £135

Dimple 1890 commemorative £100

The 1950s 12 year old, spring cap wire mesh 70- proof imperial size With Dimple in white on the bottle Boxed about £250

The 1960s 12 year old, spring cap wire mesh 70- proof imperial size With Dimple in white on the bottle about £150

The 1970s With Dimple in white on the bottle about £80

The 1980s 12 year old, Plastic Cap at about £50

As I stated in my opening statement there are a lot of bottles out there and I recieve daily requests about Dimple so a chance of actually selling I think is low.

I have no access to batch numbers and cannot find references for the subtle changes in the white names printed directly onto the bottle  used ie (Haig's, Haig & Haig, Dimple, Pinch) all used on the bottles over the 1950-70 time frame. This could because the names where used for a particular supply contract or market.

Also there has been a lot of takeovers and mergers and this information has been lost into the huge corporate that is now Diageo

Prices depend on clean tidy labels, the seal being intact and a high level in the neck.

Like all whisky when sealed in a bottle does not go off and is perfectly drinkable.

The name pinch is for the American market the whisky in the UK is called dimple both names refer to the shape of the bottle.


For More Information about the Haig Dynasty CLICK HERE

Follow me on: Twitter, Whiskys.co.uk 

Great King Street The "Artist's" Blend Scotch Whisky

Compass Box is a specialist Scotch whisky company that are devoted to making some of Scotland's premier whiskies through the art of blending.

Working like fine wine negociants they choose individual casks of whiskies from different distilleries that offer complementary sets of flavours, and then carefully blend these casks in small batches to make their proprietary whiskies.

They bottle a range of types of Scotch whisky: malt whiskies, grain whisky, malt & grain blends. But at the core of everything is a desire to bring out a purity of flavour, richness and drinking experience that will call you back to the glass. To me, this latter point is the true measure of a whisky's quality.

Their whiskies have unusual names like THE PEAT MONSTER and HEDONISM, and the labels are contemporary in style. It's all part of their vision: taking a contemporary approach to a traditional product. 

What if Compass Box was to apply its  whiskymaking principles to a line of Blended Scotches? That is exactly what they are doing with Great King Street. The first release is called 'Artist's Blend'.Five key things set apart their approach to making 'Artist's Blend' from any other Blended Scotch Whisky brand.

1. Great Grain. First, start with the very highest quality single grain Scotch whiskies. Grain whiskies are the foundation of good Blended Scotch. The grain whisky is from a renowned Lowland distillery and all of it is aged in 'first fill' American oak barrels, which makes the grain whisky much richer and sweeter on the palate than those aged in larger, refill casks.

2. More Malt. Secondly,  a higher proportion of malt whisky than most other Blends. 'Artist's Blend' consists of almost 50% malt whisky, far more than the 30 or 40% most blends use. This provides more character and complexity.

3. Better Oak. At Compass Box they are known for their  fanaticism about quality oak casks. Every cask of whisky used to make 'Artist's Blend' is of a much higher quality than is typical in Scotch whisky: first-fill American oak casks, first-fill European oak ex-Sherry butts and, something no other Blended Scotch uses, new oak. In this case, new, heavily-toasted French oak.

4. Bottled Naturally. Unlike any other Blended Scotch whisky known of, 'Artist's Blend' is bottled at its natural colour (no E150 colouring agent added at all!) and without the chill filtration prior to bottling that most Scotch whiskies go through. This leaves the whisky full of its natural complexity and mouthfeel.

5. Traditional Strength. the 'Artist's Blend' is botteled at 43% alcohol by volume, a strength traditionally used in Scotland many years ago. We bottle at this strength so 'Artist's Blend' has more presence and character when mixed with soda as a Highball, or in cocktails.

Click Here for Great King Street Blend Tasting Notes

Dimple (Pinch) Deluxe Blended Scotch Whisky Valuations on going project

Because of the appealing shape of the dimple bottle a lot of people bought them and gave them as gifts which remained unopened so there are a lot of bottles out there.

The bottle shape has been in use since the 1890s and the Dimple is still being produced.

Hence the value for a modern (last 20 years) metric %ABV standard bottle with the Queen Elizabeth warrant is low. 

Other bottling with the king warrants on them have a higher value because of the age and also there are some limited editions that have higher collectors values

Dimple - Royal Sovereign 21 year old pewter decanter at £299

Dimple Mexico Games 1986 12 year old £200

Dimple 13th 1986 Commonwealth £150

Dimple Year of Horse/snake £150

Dimple 1890 commemorative £100

The 1960s 12 year old, spring cap wire mesh 70- proof imperial size With Dimple in white on the bottle about £125

The 1950s 12 year old, spring cap wire mesh 70- proof imperial size With Dimple in white on the bottle Boxed about £250

The 1980s 12 year old, Plastic Cap at about £50

Present day bottling is £35

These are retail prices for first class condition not auction prices which will be lower.

This also does depend on clean tidy labels, the seal being intact and a high level in the neck.

To identify your bottle try the results page at www.whiskyauction.com

Bottom Left Corner – Results Database-then - Vatt & Blend-then Select Dimple from the dropdown

Click the image for a larger version

The winning bid price is in euros  - Like all whisky when sealed in a bottle does not go off and is perfectly drinkable.

The name pinch is for the American market the whisky in the UK is called dimple both names refer to the shape of the bottle.

Blending The Antiquary

First blended in 1888.‘The Antiquary’ is named after a novel by the famous Scottish author sir Walter Scott

Like many a first edition it’s popularity has never been dampened by its rarity. With each new chapter this superb twelve year old whisky with its full , smooth , and yet subtle flavour has grown to become a true classic.


The Antiquary has a particularly high percentage of malt to grain whiskies (55% - 45%).

The finest available malts and grains have been selected from the Highlands , lowlands , and islands of Scotland.

The heart of the blend consists of some of the finest Scotch Whiskies from the Speyside area home of complex , rich fruity and delicately balanced Malts such as Cragganmore, Linkwood, Benrinnes, Mortloch and Glenrothes.

Distilleries in the Highlands such as Tomatin, Royal Lochnagar and Clynelish contribute a complexity of malt and full flavoured aromas to the blend.

Soft and fruity lowlands such as Glenkinchie tone down the robustness of the heavier Highlands and Islay Malt Bowmore gives just a hint of peatiness to the overall flavour profile.

The use of Grain whiskies  - Camaronbridge and Port Dundas – ensure that the blend retains a high level of freshness and liveliness. In all around 30 different malts and grains are used in the blend , all matured in American white oak casks for a minimum of 12 years.

More Information about The Antiquary Scotch Whisky Click Here

To buy a Bottle of The Antiquary 12 year old Scotch Whisky Click Here

Chivas Regal 18 Year old by Vivienne Westwood Unveiled at London Fashion Week

One of the world’s most acclaimed fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood’s creation for Chivas Regal clearly illustrates Westwood’s unparalleled reputation for design excellence and pattern cutting know how.

With the current design of the Union Flag dating back to 1801 and Chivas Brothers roots also being traced back to this iconic year, the distinctive bottle quite audaciously and proudly appears cloaked in Vivienne Westwood’s Union Jack print, as first seen in a Gold Label collection in Paris.

Westwood uses her expertise in tailoring and cutting, re-imagining the bottle as a figure to be adorned to create a luxurious and unique three-piece coat in true Vivienne Westwood style.

Dame Vivienne Westwood said: “I am English, so it is impossible for me to ignore British culture in my designs. It is really very satisfying to interpret some of my designs into other mediums beyond fashion.”

The collaboration marks an important step for Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, following previous work with leading fashion brands Alexander McQueen and Christian Lacroix.

James Slack, International Brand Director for Chivas Regal said: “Strong British heritage and luxury craftsmanship serve as the foundation to both Chivas Regal 18 Year Old and Vivienne Westwood. The work that our Master Blender, Colin Scott, puts into crafting Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is in many ways the same to that of a fashion designer – there is a true art to what they do. As the world’s No 1 ultra premium Scotch whisky, we are delighted to work with what many would consider Britain’s most iconic fashion house.”

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood will be released as a limited edition with only 2,500 bottles available internationally and priced from US$495.00 duty free. The release coincides with Vivienne Westwood’s Autumn/Winter 2011 Red Label show in London.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is a luxurious blend of whiskies, hand-picked for their exceptional richness, including more than 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malts aged for a minimum of 18 years.


More Information about Chivas Regal  Click Here

Whyte & Mackay 30 Years Old Scotch Whisky

The origins of the Whyte & Mackay's 'Double Lion' blend lies in the Glasgow firm of Allan & Poynter, founded in November 1843 by John Poynter, and William Allan.

The firm’s initial business was in warehousing goods for the grocery trade. In due course the business changed hands and the new owner, William Scott recruited, James Whyte and Charles Mackay as bonded warehousemen.


Whyte & Mackay 30 Years Old Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes

Colour:  Bright, golden mahogany.

Nose: Deep and mellow. The sherry wood exposes itself immediately. Hearty and grand. The weight of the Speyside Malts linger in graceful harmony.

Taste: A classic refined flavour brought about by its many years in wood. A blend of this age must be drunk with respect - slow, not hurried. Each flavour must be given time to reveal its many fine qualities - rich and mellow, elegant and distinguished. All these excellent attributes are captured on the tongue leaving the palate rewarded and satisfied.
It takes 30 long years to create this masterpiece but only seconds to recognise its outstanding quality.

For More Information about  Whyte & Mackay Click here

Updated Whyte and Mackay Page on www.whiskymerchants.co.uk

Whyte and Mackay page updated on my www.whiskymerchants.co.uk website.

New Whisky images and tasting notes added. Bottling details checked. navigation retuned.



The origins of the Whyte & Mackay's 'Double Lion' blend lies in the Glasgow firm of Allan & Poynter, founded in November 1843 by John Poynter, and William Allan.

The firm’s initial business was in warehousing goods for the grocery trade. In due course the business changed hands and the new owner, William Scott recruited, James Whyte and Charles Mackay as bonded warehousemen. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

For full details about Whyte and Mackay Blended Scotch Whisky Click Here

Chivas Royal Salute Page added to Whiskmerchants website

In 1953, in honour of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Chivas Brothers created Royal Salute. The first flagons were specially produced on the 2nd June 1953, the day of her coronation.  A blend of the finest aged whiskies, named after the Royal Navy’s 21-gun salute to pay tribute to dignitaries.

This premier deluxe whisky was blended from some of the rarest whiskies in the world, laid down in the 1920s and 1930s. Each drop of whisky in the blend was at least 21 years old.

For More Details and information about Royal Salute Click Here

Hankey Bannister Scotch Whisky 40%.

Messrs Hankey & Bannister formed the Hankey Bannister partnership in 1757. Hankey & Bannister became established as one of the finest suppliers of wines and spirits in the UK with a customer base, which boasted royalty such as Prince Regent, William IV and the Dukes of Norfolk & Queensberry.

They began marketing their own blended whisky in the 1890’s

Blended Scotch Whisky found in British Embassy's and Officer's Mess through out the world.

Tasting Note -

Colour: Creamy toffee with a golden hue.

Nose: A light aroma with a spiciness, which gives extra depth.

Taste: A light, subtle blend, clean, sweet and spicy with honeyed tones and a pleasant lasting finish.

Our Best selling Blend at www.whiskys.co.uk

Pinwinnie Royale Blended Scotch Whisky

Steeped in centuries of history and legend, Pinwinnie Royale Scotch Whisky can
lay claim to both regal and ecclesiastic legacies.

Packaged in a splendid and unmistakeable proprietary bottle, Pinwinnie is a

mature whisky with a rich, distinguished character blended from only the finest
malt and grain whiskies.

Pinwinnie Royale Blended Scotch Whisky Alc/Vol. 40%
Tasting Notes:
Nose Smooth, mellow with sweet, fragrant notes.
Colour Pale gold, straw like appearance.
Taste Aromatic, well rounded with a smooth dry finish.
 

Pinwinnie Blended Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old Alc/Vol. 43%
Tasting Notes:
Nose:A sensuous light aroma with a clean Speyside fruitiness and a hint of earthier and oakier tones.
Colour: Deep bronze with amber highlights and a slight honey dew.
Taste: Dry and medium bodied to start augmented by a gradual release of richer oilier notes; a smooth, sweet finish.

Inverhouse Distillers produce a range of Blends please click here for more information

You can Buy Pinwhinne at www.whiskys.co.uk

Black Bottle Scotch Whisky 40%

James Graham a shoemaker from the crofters village of Torphins close to North east port of Aberdeen had thee sons Charles David and Gordon. On their coming of age they left the family home to find employment in Aberdeen.

At the time Aberdeen was a thriving with imports from around the world especially with from teas from Ceylon and chin. The brothers quickly established themselves as Tea importers and blenders and opened the First graham offices in Union street at the heart of Aberdeen’s commercial quarter.

During this period the brothers became locally known for their blending of whisky and in 1879 they decided to launch the Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky.


Black Bottle Scotch Whisky Tasting notes
Colour: - Rich and golden.
Nose: - Fresh and fruity with hints of peat.
Palate: - Full with slight sweetness followed by a delightful smoky flavour
Finish: - Long and warming with an interesting, smoky , Islay character.

More information about the Black Bottle Scotch Whisky Click here

You can buy Black Bottle Scotch Whisky at www.whiskys.co.uk

Pigs Nose Scotch Whisky Aged 5 Years 40%

Blended Scotch Whisky.
Pigs Nose Blended Scotch Whisky Tasting Note:

Tasting Note:

Colour: Golden sandy highlights. Clear and bright.

Nose: Firm and rich luscious creamy, round tones. The long marrying period has brought these many individual characters into one lasting union. Great harmony—soft and full with no ragged edges, smooth and mellow. Plenty of finesse and breeding.

Taste: A positive grip, almost a spicy richness as these great flavors attack the palate—leaving it beautifully rewarded as they drift over. Elegant and distinguished. The Speyside Malts—the heart of the whisky—have played a major part in bringing this quality blend together.
A truly classic long finish.

Serving suggestions:
taken with a splash of spring water.
“A big, sweet, chunky, gawky, grain—lashed and hugely enjoyable blend”

Sheep Dip and Pig’s Nose was originally produced in Scotland for
M J Dowdeswell, a landlord of a public house in the village of Oldbury in Gloucestershire, by George Morton Ltd.

Sheep Dip Scotch Whisky was first introduced in 1974
and Pigs Nose Scotch Whisky in 1977.

More information about Pigs Nose Blended Scotch Whisky Click here

You can buy Pigs Nose Blended Scotch Whisky here at www.whiskys.co.uk