Last night in Glasgow, LFW.co.uk’s overstressed CelebWatch department went along to the UK Premier of the Cannes Award winning, whisky themed film “The Angels’ Share”, by director-provocateur Ken Loach. 

A dram studded audience revelled in scenes of fermentation, malt whisky sampling and bottle-spotting in this gritty yet ultimately heart-warming tale of Glasgow’s finest Neds mouthing-off and slashing at all about them until saved by the amber nectar and some enthusiastic tasting (and more spitting).

Highly recommended to all LFW.co.uk regulars though subtitles may be worth having on when you watch this at home, after the kids have gone out mugging.

I remember selling my last Connoisseurs Choice bottle of Kinclaith, it was 1996 and it sold for under £40. I tried ordering more but was advised ‘that’s it – no more’, now you can expect to pay £800.

A bit of a shock then and a disappointment even now. With almost all closed distilleries no longer available for a price comparable with active brands it’s getting harder to source distilleries that were closed in the 80′s and 90′s. Our allocation of CC Banff for example, for the next six months is one bottle.

The whisky market is changing and I told you so; I wrote in 1996 that then was the time to buy Scotch, “buy now while stocks last” I wrote. They lasted well, but now it’s time to close some more distilleries, or re-address our expectations. Hey-ho.

So why the ramble Richard? Weeeel I’ll tell you. Last night we opened a bottle of Linlithgow that took me back to all the other great Linlithgows that I have enjoyed in the past. Closed in 1983 this is just sublime and reminiscent of the £120k, yes – one-hundred-and-twenty-thousand-pound, John Walker I was supping in March (that story to come). This Linlithgow got me thinking again about the changes ahead, this MacKillop’s bottling is a treat and not too dear considering everything.

Also in stock and tasted are a delightful 19yo Scapa and a unique sherry matured 19yo Bruichladdich that’s very rich.

We’re not taking part (shop’s too busy anyway) but the Food Fair organised by Loch Fyne Oysters is this weekend (19 & 20th) at their shop and smokery in Cairndow at the head of the loch.

Pop in for platters of seafood, venison burgers and then shuffle along to Inveraray (another 8 miles) and come and see us.

Lagavulin 12yo 57.5% Bottled 2011

£59.90 inc vat (£49.92 ex vat)

Balblair 2001 46%

£33.90 inc vat (£28.25 ex vat)

A new Facebook page for the Loch Fyne Liqueur is now available with lots of recipe and cocktail ideas – plus prizes for the best cocktails submitted:

http://www.facebook.com/LochFyneLiqueur

More developments soon…

Bruichladdich Black Art 3 1989 22yo
48.7% abv
£91.50 inc vat
£76.25 ex vat

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Bell’s Decanter – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
40% abv
£79.90 inc vat
£66.58 ex vat

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