National Scotch Day will be on July 27 and a great way to celebrate it is with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

A popular spirit with a long history, scotch is favorite of many people. It’s been reported that scotch was originally written about was way back in the 1400’s.

Scotch was distilled by monks until the 1500’s, but today it is proudly produced in five different regions. It is still the top-selling spirit in numerous countries around the world.

Laphroaig is an Islay scotch that was first produced back in 1815. Laphroaig made the Single Malt Scotch popular and utilized using American ex-bourbon casks during the scotch aging process.

Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Scotch is definitely the top choice that other Islay malts try to achieve. The scotch is still distilled the very same way just as it was almost 200 years ago.

To celebrate the upcoming National Scotch Day, we wanted to share a cocktail recipe from Laphroaig that makes an ideal summertime drink. It combines both pineapple and cranberry juice with Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Scotch whisky.

Laphroaig Suntanned Scotsman
Ingredients:
1 1/2 parts Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
1 1/2 parts Pineapple Juice
1 1/2 parts Cranberry Juice

Method:
Build over ice in a highball glass.
Garnish with a slice of pineapple on the rim.

<Follow our luxury blog to read additional luxury articles on the latest news from the spirit and alcoholic beverage industry.

It’s that time of the year with school graduations and Father’s Day right around the corner. Looking for a great gift for that special guy in your life? Consider Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Cask Strength Whisky!

Laphroaig Single Malt peated Whisky comes from Islay, Scotland. It’s been described as the most richly flavoured scotch whisky found anywhere in the World. The Laphroaig distillery was first established by Donald and Alexander Johnston in the early 1800’s.

Bottled straight from the barrel, Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Cask Strength is a strong but great tasting peaty single malt Scotch. The benefit of the scotch being barrier-filtered is to remove any remnants of American oak barrel char.

Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Cask Strength is classic and unforgettable Scotch that’s ideal for special occassions or just to enjoy in a casual social setting. It’s also a terrific choice to begin or add to your own Scotch collection.

HRH Prince Charles paid a visit to Laphroaig back in 1994. It was a proud moment for the scotch brand as they were given his Royal Warrant.

What I like is that Laphroaig offers a way to stay connected with the company. With each bottle of Laphroaig scotch comes a unique code. Once the buyer registers, you officially become a “Friend of Laphroaig” and it allows a lifetime lease on a square foot of Islay, located adjacent to famous Laphroaig distillery. How cool is that?

So if you are looking for a wonderful tasting Scotch Whisky, the consider a bottle of Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Cask Strength. Enjoy this bold, peaty Scotch that’s bottled with the distinct flavor that Laphroaig is well known for.

Some of our clients traveling to Scotland have added a tour to the Laphroaig distillery in Islay. Contact us to help book your next vacation getaway. Follow our luxury blog to stay abreast of the latest news in the luxury industry.

April 6 is National Tartan Day. It’s a holiday that occurs each year to recognize proud Americans of Scottish descent and Scotland’s important contributions in the United States.

There will be numerous celebrations across the country leading up to National Tartan Day, such as parades, bagpipe players plus Scotch whisky tastings. Of course, great tasting Scotch Whisky is the perfect drink to help you have fun and enjoy this honored holiday.

Laphroaig® Single Malt Scotch Whisky is well recognized whisky brand and known as the most richly flavoured Scotch Whisky found anywhere. Below is a delicious cocktail recipe we hope you will enjoy on National Tartan Day.

Laphroaig® Affinity ingredients:
– 1 1⁄2 parts Laphroaig® Quarter Cask Scotch Whisky
– 1⁄2 part Sweet Vermouth
– 1⁄2 part Dry Vermouth
– 2-3 dashes Orange Bitters

Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

We have gathered some interesting, Scottish heritage facts to share with others who may be celebrating National Tartan Day.

• The U.S. Senate passed a bill resolution in 1998, naming April 6th as National Tartan Day. The reason that particular date was chosen wa because it was the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, which was signed in 1320 and asserted Scotland’s sovereignty over English claims.
• Across the U.S., there are eight towns named Edinburgh, eight that are named Aberdeen, and seven named Glasgow. IN addition, eight towns are called Scotland.
• The world’s first color photograph was of a Tartan ribbon.
• Americans of Scotch descent number over 5 million people. Several well known names include: Lucille Ball, Reese Witherspoon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Downey Jr., Johnny Cash, and surprisingly – Malcolm X.

So enjoy this special day in Scottish heritage and drink up with a glass of Laphroaig® Affinity
cocktail.

If you have always desired to visit Scotland, contact The Life of Luxury and we can help put together a wonderful luxury travel itinerary to make your trip a memorable one. Follow our luxury blog for the latest luxury news.

Laphroaig® was first founded way back in 1815 and has developed a strong reputation for their unique tasting, peat-smoke flavors. The flavor is derived by burning local Islay peat, which contains unique traces of seaweed and heather.

Laphroaig Scotch Whisky was born from the clear streams and blue peat smoke of Islay, Laphroaig. It’s definitely a Single Malt Scotch Whisky with a distinct taste and story in every bottle.

A bottle of Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky can make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift or anytime of the year for someone who loves a fine, Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Non-Age-Statement is a scotch that isn’t given an age statement on the bottle, has been increasingly popular. Laphroaig® Quarter Cask was one of the first non-age-statement scotches available and would an ideal gift for your boyfriend, husband or partner. Laphroaig Quarter Cask delivers a deep, complex taste of Quarter Cask, which is aged first in American oak casks. The scotch is then transferred into a smaller, quarter cask so that 30% more of the spirit comes into contact with the wood. Price is $54.99 per bottle.

For someone with a sophisticated palate, consider a bottle of Laphroaig 18-Year-Old. This luxury bottle of single malt scotch whisky was made in limited quantities and can only savored by a fortunate few. Pricing for a bottle of Laphroaig 18-Year-Old scotch whisky is $84.99.

For those you may not have tried Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a great way to introduce scotch to the man in your life is through Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old. Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old is a perennial favorite of both critics and scotch whisky aficionados. 10-Year-Old is distilled the same way today as the first day it was crafted ….. nearly 200 years ago. A bottle goes for $49.99.

Laphroaig® is proud to be the world’s #1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. As fall has arrived and the winter holidays will be upon us all soon enough, Laphroaig introduced its latest seasonal expression – Laphroaig Triple Wood.

Laphroaig Triple Wood is 96 proof and best enjoyed neat. This allows the powerful, yet slightly creamy consistency of the whisky to speak for itself.

The new Laphroaig Triple Wood follows a unique, triple maturation process that includes ex-bourbon barrels, 19th Century-style quarter casks, in addition to specially selected European Oak oloroso sherry casks.

The result of this process is a great tasting whisky, boasting a rich blend of creamy vanilla and hints of sweet fruit. Plus the whisky retains the distinctive smoky peat flavor that Laphroaig is well known for.

The new whisky from Laphroaig joins a complete family of Scotch whiskies, including: Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old, 10-Year-Old Cask Strength, Quarter Cask, 18-Year-Old, 25-Year-Old, QA Cask, plus Càirdeas.

John Campbell is the Master Distiller at Laphroaig and was quoted, “We are thrilled that our Friends of Laphroaig® members are just as passionate about their Scotch as we are. Triple Wood is the perfect seasonal expression for fall. Its bright gold color and bursts of peat, vanilla and fruit flavors embody the fall season and bring you back to Islay, the land that gives Laphroaig® its unique peaty notes.”

Laphroaig  is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky not only with a distinct taste, but also story in every bottle. In addition to each bottle of Laphroaig offering the world’s #1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but buyers also get a gift of friendship.

The Friends of Laphroaig is the distinguished Laphroaig loyalty group that provides a lifetime lease on a numbered, one square foot plot of land in Islay. The land is located along the the Killbride stream, which is the critical Laphroaig water source for various whisky’s.

Friends of Laphroaig currently includes over 500,000 members from greater than 150 countries all around the world.

A recipient of numerous awards, Laphroaig is also the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles.

Laphroaig Triple Wood has a suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750ml bottle.

Challenging the perception of traditional serving ritual for whisky, Ballantine’s 12 has introduced its new, limited edition Scotch Whisky – Ballance.

Ballance is the creation from the award winning, Swedish, female design trio of FRONT. Ballance is inspired by the elegant balance of the blend and proudly celebrates the craftsmanship in both whisky and design.

Ballance cleverly features a series of handcrafted objects which mysterially appear to suspend in mid-air. The reuslt creates one super-premium design collectible. Each element of Ballance has the Ballantine’s 12 by FRONT design collaboration elegantly burned, etched or stamped onto it so that they stand also alone as collectibles.

Sandy Hyslop is Ballantine’s Master Blender of scotch whisky and was quoted, “It was fascinating spending time with FRONT and exploring our shared obsessions with excellence and rooting contemporary relevance in authentic crafts. Ballance is as beautiful as it is functional – lending elegance and theatre to the serving ritual. With Ballance the ultimate aim is for whisky connoisseurs to discover their own perfect balance in enjoying Ballantine’s 12.”

Consisting of five essential items, Ballance creates the perfect serve of Ballantine’s 12. The interactive sculpture is inspired by the balance of flavours that will be discovered in the elegant whisky itself, as well as the artistry of the Master Blender.

A contemporary, elegant whisky glass balances a trio of pieces; a copper ice bowl, beautifully honed using copper in a tribute to the copper stills used to distil the precious whisky, a square shaped water jug, whose shape mirrors the silhouette of the Ballantine’s 12 bottle, and – precariously balanced at the sculpture’s summit – a copper spoon.

Ballantine’s 12 pays special homage to scotch whisky aging and mixing rituals. An example is both oak and copper are predominantly featured since these materials are key to realizing Ballantine’s 12 and the design appears to magically ‘balance’ in mid-air.

Ballance can also be deconstructed, allowing owners to delight their friends and use to serve Ballantine’s 12: each piece of the sculpture is a collectible in its own right.

There will be only 150 of the limited editions released worldwide, beginning at the end of October. The Scotch whisky product is the culmination of a collaboration between FRONT and Sandy Hyslop.

Each Ballance, Scotch whisky piece from Ballantine’s 12 will have a recommended retail selling price of £350 or equivalent (currency dependent).

To learn more about Ballance from Ballantine’s 12, please contact The Life of Luxury for further details.

The Macallan

The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. The company was founded in 1824 and has since built a stellar reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.

Luxury Scottish Whisky distiller The Macallan presents “M”, a limited edition decanter born out of the artistry of three masters of their field, Creative Director Fabien Baron, crystal leaders Lalique and The Macallan. Their ultimate goal was to create the world’s most sophisticated single malt whisky, contained in a beautifully designed and meticulously crafted crystal decanter.

The Macallan’s sublime and highly complex whisky, M is the ultimate reward for the most discerning of whisky connoisseurs.

Capturing the expressive aesthetic of Fabien Baron’s illustrious creative vision, M’s tall, slim dimensions and geometric form challenge the perceptions of traditional decanter design. Its sharp, angular facets gave inspiration to the name M itself, selected by Baron as a typographic representation of the decanter’s striking design.

Its six striking facets are Baron’s homage to The Macallan’s heritage, reflecting the six pillars at the heart of its ethos
1) The Spiritual Home – the breathtaking 390-acre Macallan Estate where every drop of M is created
2) The distillery’s Curiously Small Stills, whose unique shape gives the spirit its fruity, full-bodied character
3) The Finest Cut, the 16% of the new make spirit, the smallest figure in the industry, selected for maturation
4) Exceptional Oak Casks, acquired and cared for without thought to the cost, infusing every drop with distinctive aroma and flavour
5) Natural Colour created solely through the interaction between spirit and wood
6) Peerless Spirit, marking The Macallan’s unsurpassed place in the hearts of the world’s most discerning consumers

Just 1,750 crystal decanters of M, each engraved with its own individual number. The M Decanter is now on sale and has a retail prince of around $4,500.

Maker’s Mark

March 27 is designated as World Whisky Day and there’s no better to celebrate than with a bottle of fine Maker’s Mark bourbon.

Maker’s Mark is handcrafted at the oldest operating bourbon distillery in the world, at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky.

In recognition of World Whisky Day 2013, enjoy Maker’s Mark which is one of America’s favorite bourbons. It’s the perfect occasion to highlight and celebrate this premium spirit that forever changed the industry back in 1953.

Maker’s Mark

Here are several fun facts about both Maker’s Mark and whisky:

– Whisky sales have sky rocketed in the past year in the U.S. and abroad! In the U.S., American whiskies including bourbon and Tennessee whiskey were at the forefront of this growth, with a combined volume rising 5.2% – that’s 16.9 million cases in 2012 alone! American whiskies also accounted for 70% of the total U.S. spirits exports for 2012.

– Did you know whisky can be spelled with or without an E? The difference in the spelling depends on the style or country of origin. Whisky is generally used in Scotland, Wales, Canada and Japan, while whiskey is mostly used in Ireland and the U.S. While Maker’s Mark is distilled in Kentucky, the Samuels’ family has Scottish roots – therefore no “e.”

– Whisky comes from all over the world. Each type varies by region, distillation, aging and grain mash recipe. For instance, Irish whiskies are normally distilled three times while Scottish whiskies are distilled twice. Maker’s Mark whisky is made from mash that consists of at least 51% corn, red winter wheat and barley malt and is distilled twice.

– Bourbon is both good behind the bar and in the kitchen. Maker’s Mark has become a favorite among bartenders and chefs alike, as it offers great dimension when added to sauces for meats and in sweets like ice creams and cakes. Go ahead-take a stab at adding some whisky to your favorite recipes!

In addition, we wanted to share two classic cocktail recipes to enjoy.

Maker’s Mark Manhattan
* 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark(r) Bourbon
* 1/2 part sweet vermouth
* 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
* 1 maraschino cherry

Shake all together for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled Manhattan glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (served up, no ice).

Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned
* 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark(r) Bourbon
* 1/2 part club soda
* 2 orange slices
* 2 maraschino cherries
* 1 teaspoon sugar

Muddle 1 orange slice, 1 maraschino cherry and the sugar in an Old Fashioned glass. Fill glass 3/4 full of ice. Add Maker’s Mark(r) Bourbon and splash of club soda. Garnish with additional orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Photo: The Macallan

The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky has recently partnered with Oakley to introduce The Macallan | The Flask. Flasks go all the way back to the Middle Ages and began as hollowed out fruit or pieces of rawhide sewn together.

Today, flasks have clearly evolved and are used to pour your favorite spirits using these ingenious containers.

Made possible by the world’s most advanced structural technologies, The Flask’s striking armored body is designed to protect the investment that accompanies it: The Macallan’s first-ever, single cask All American Oak Scotch Whisky.

So now you can feel safe if your flask is dropped out of a helicopter or pulled behind a fast moving car. Your fine Single Malt Scotch held within will be safe.

Definitely one of a kind, this carefully considered and expertly executed Flask is the last word in dynamic and premium craftsmanship from the inside out.

The inner flask, laser welded and made of food grade steel is wrapped in carbon fibre composite as well as treated to an intensive passivation and electro-polishing procedure to ensure perfection. Clad in black anodized 5-axis machined aerospace grade aluminum, the sophisticated mechanics of The Flask are unparalleled.

Carefully thought out and designed, The Flask utilizes a rubberized bottom for non-skid grip as wells as a small rectangular air vent on the side of the funnel to allow for ventilation. Every potential circumstance and environment of usage has been considered.

The Flask, from The Macallan and Oakley is clearly a celebration of technical design and the merging of heritage and performance.

This limited edition The Flask from The Macallan is available in thin supplies. Only 550 will be sold accompanying the 22 Years Old liquid. SRP for the set is $1,500, making this an unrivaled, iconic collectible and the ultimate accessory for the single malt whisky aficionado.

Bunnahabhain 40 YO

The multi-award winning Bunnahabhain is the flagship malt whisky from Burn Stewart Distillers. Bunnahabhain is exported to over 30 countries around the world.

Bunnahabhain recently announced it will release a one-off rare single malt that discovered after four decades later in its Islay distillery, located on the north-east of Scotland.

The company’s distillery plans to release only 750 bottles. Each bottle will be hand signed and individually numbered.

Master Distiller, Ian MacMillan, discovered the casks of the rare whisky quietly matured were listed in the ledgers of the distillery.

The ‘Turney’ whisky casks were initially filled with the precious Bunnahabhain malt over 40 years ago by eminent Glasgow wine merchants, J G Turney.

Ian MacMillan, was quoted, “It was an exhilarating moment to stumble on such a special find. There
are very few 40 year old Islays and unlike any other, Bunnahabhain’s taste is considered unique because the distillery does not heavily peat the fine malted barley.”

Bunnahabhain 40 YO
RRP: £1,999
Unchill-filtered (41.7% ABV)

This great tasting malt whisky makes the perfect addition to any party or social gathering. Also make it a holiday gift for that special person in your life. He or she won’t be disappointed.

Johnnie Walker House Beijing

The world’s number one Blended Scotch Whisky, Johnnie Walker, is proud to announce the grand opening of Johnnie Walker Beijing located at the prestigious Ch’ien Men. It is the world’s largest luxury whisky embassy outside of Scotland.

With the success of the first Johnnie Walker House in Shanghai which opened last year, and continuing the brand’s “Keep Walking” campaign, Johnnie Walker House Beijing provides consumers an exclusive luxury whisky experience.

Johnnie Walker House Beijing

Lawrence Law, General Manager, Johnnie Walker House stated, “Johnnie Walker House Beijing is a multi-sensory experience, showcasing Scotch Whisky culture; it is a luxury boutique, selling the Master Blender’s finest work; it is a private club, providing a new cultural platform for whisky appreciation; and it is an artistic space, providing inspiration for new forms of creativity.”

Guests at Johnnie Walker Beijing can select and buy rare whisky; they will have the opportunity to participate in the art of blending, and partake in whisky and culinary food-pairings provided by chef Phoebe Cleland. Explore the four level House while learning the story behind the whisky’s journey to China, and experience the Johnnie Walker culture with expert guides educating you on the workings of the whisky distillation process.

Whisky known to be the choice of drink among men is now a growing favorite among women too. Christina Hendricks is the latest Johnnie Walker brand ambassador stating: “I enjoy it and drink it at home, it’s something my husband and I enjoy together, but it’s also something that I drink socially. I’m a Johnnie Walker on the rocks girl.”