MORE AUCTIONS FOR RARE WHISKIES

 

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Whisky auctions are facsinating as you can see so much dynamism and enthusiasm, with growing demand for the US and Asia.

Any question as to whether the recent increases in the rare whisky market would begin to plateau can be dismissed.

The Spirits Business reports:

"...Collectors bought 21,617 bottles of Scotch malt whisky at UK auctions in April, May and June this year, compared to 12,638 in the same period in 2016 – an increase of 71%...

...In total, $8.10m was spent on rare whisky at auction compared to $3.67m in the same period in 2016 – an increase of 121%.

...The growing popularity of online auctions, combined with recent moves by traditional rare whisky retailers to set up their own auction sites, continues to drive demand. By joining the secondary market sector, these ‘bricks n mortar’ retailers have finally realised that they can’t afford to lose rare whisky customers to the auction market..."

Source: The Spirits Business

COGNAC HENNESSY IS LAUNCHING IN KENYA

 

Cognac Hennessy in Kenya

After pushing hard in Nigeria, Hennessy is now starting to distribute its cognac in Kenya to take the opportunity of Africa’s second-largest luxury-goods market, with a market growth expected to be double digit.

In 2017, Kenya has 9,400 dollar millionaires, fourth-highest in Africa, and 17000 millionaires are expected in 2027.

Kenya was Africa’s second-largest market for luxury goods in 2016, with revenue of about $500 million, up 25 percent from a year earlier, according to a report by New World Wealth, a Johannesburg-based research group. The country ranked behind South Africa’s $2.3 billion market and ahead of Nigeria, it said. Brands like Hennessy are expanding their reach on the continent to tap into growing numbers of middle-class and rich people.

Source: Bloomberg

WHY DO PEOPLE CLING GLASSES?

 

Clinging Glasses

When celebrating people cling glasses. Have you ever wondered why?

The original reason has been lost in history but there are 2 main theories.

===>Theory One:
When drinking all the senses are activated beside hearing. Hence, clinging allows people to taste and hear, not so much the beverages but at least the glasses.

===>Theory Two:
A long time ago a common manner of assassination was poisoning people. Hence, people prevented from this by clinging glasses against each other to spill across glasses and reduce the risks of poisoning intents.

===>Theory Three:
Originally people only used one glass and shared it among the guests. When people introduced more glasses they used the physical contacts between the glasses instead of the physical gesture of passing the one glass around.

RADICO KHAITAN IS SELLING MILLION OF CASES OF MORPHEUS BRANDY IN INDIA

 

Brandy Morpheus, Produced and sold in India

There are many brands of brandy we do not know, and in particular brands made in countries like India which brands we may not be familiar with, but still sells in millions of bottle. The most sold brown spirits are whisky, followed by brandy and then rum. India has a large production of whiskies and brandies.

Morpheus Brandy is a 1 million case brand sold and produced in India. It is owned by Indian drinks group Radico Khaitan.

It is described as "A brandy that is blended in the land of maharajas and nawabs. Containing the texture of warm soils and fragrant scents and all the richness of tropical weather, this brandy is bottled liquid gold. With its opulent copper tone and lush aroma." Commercial description.

I am curious to where exactly do they get the wines to distill this brandy from?

India has a huge consumption of brandy, but brandy only made in India at this time.

COGNAC CAMUS COLLABORATION WITH NEW IRISH WHISKEY IN LAMBAY ISLAND

 

Lambay Irish Whiskey

Cognac Camus has partnered with Alexander Baring, 7^th Baron of Revelstoke to create Lambay Irish whiskey, a new brand of Irish whiskey aged on Lambay Island off the east coast of Ireland. The private island is a wildlife sanctuary owned by the Baring since 1904.

Whiskeys will be aged on the Island in a dedicated cellar using ex-Cognac barrels.

Interesting!

Source: Moodie Report

WASHINGTON STATE LARGEST DISTILLERY OF AMERICAN WHISKEY BOUGHT BY CONGLOMERATE MOET HENNESSY

 

Woodinville Whiskey

Woodinville Whiskey Co., another craft distillery has been bought out but this time by a huge Cognac & Champagne conglomerate, ie, Moët Hennessy.
This is the first time Moët Hennessy are making a move into the craft spirit movement. We know of their ownership of scotch whisky Glenmorangie and Ardberg, but they did not own any small craft spirits.

This follows a trend, last year Pernod bought West Virginia's Smooth Ambler Spirits Co., while Remy Cointreau acquired Westland Distillery also located in the State of Washington.

The sale is a strategic move by the founders Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen to help Washington State's largest distillery to grow and expand since establishement in 2010.
Originally, the whiskeys were only available in the State of Washington but one can imagine this will change now.

Source: Woodinville Whiskey Co.

NEW AMERICAN WHISKEY BRAND BY RAPPER DRAKE

 

Drake Virginia Black Whiskey

After George Clooney Tequila Casamigos, which he sold to Diageo for 1 billion dollars singer Drake is getting some ideas.

Diageo is set to pay $700 million initially, with the potential of another $300 million based on the tequila's performance over 10 years, according to CNBC.

Drake the Canadian rapper whose chart-topping hits have won him many Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards among other prizes launched in June 2016 Virginia Black Whiskey with ex-banker Brent Hocking and beverage marketing firm Promixo Spirits.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXwCKKHgG6k&w=560&h=315]

Virginia Black is now available in Burundi, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, and Zanzibar, as well as the UK and Canada, where it first launched.

Source: Virginia Black Whiskey