“Why do we argue? Life’s so fragile, a successful virus clinging to a speck of mud, suspended in endless nothing.” - Alan Moore
Turn on the news. Read the paper. Open any social media platform these days, and for the younger generation, watch TikTok for as long as you can stomach it;
What a time to be alive! But get over yourself,, it’s NOT worse than it’s ever been. Hard to believe, but things have never been better! We (the human race) have spent a millennia fearing for our lives, living with uncertainty, nonetheless persevering under endless existential threat.
Predicting the end of the world is as human a tradition as murdering one another. Even our best and brightest have made a habit of forecasting our own demise, and been wrong EVERY TIME.
“Life is very short, and there’s no time for fussing and fighting, my friend.” - Lennon/McCartney
We spend our days hearing about whisky industry challenges, soaring bottle and cask prices, investment scams, and that little voice in our heads asking, “when is the bubble going to burst?”
At Boutique-y we resist that impulse. We choose to believe in a glorious and prosperous future because the alternative is just so damn miserable!
That Boutique-y Whisky Company was founded in the ominous year of 2012, the very year ancient Mayans believed it all would end. Born in an age of unprecedented prosperity, low interest rates and blind optimism, today we at Boutique-y find ourselves increasingly bombarded with unprecedented cynicism, rising nihilism, a tireless barrage of bad news and endemic causal fatalism. But we consciously choose joy, every blimmin’ time.
“Does anybody remember laughter?”- Robert Plant
Does anybody remember the Millenium bug? The thought of waking up after our New Year celebrations, with the world's computers failing to recognise the date change and going into a terminal room spin…! We laugh now, but we took it so very seriously back then!
So, this limited edition of End of the World themed whiskies is an attempt to paint our cultural malaise, face our demons as a means of defeating them. A cave painting of our age brought to life by three brilliant artists (Ayla Toye, Chris Gunter & Hannah Stevens) along with our long-time collaborator Emily Chappell, their work hopefully playing some modest part in making the overwhelming dread lift, even if temporarily, to relish in the wonders of good company and great whisky… if it’s the last thing we do.
“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” - T.S. Eliot.
Scotch Whiskies
You’ll be aware that every themed release is accompanied by some Scotch whiskies and despite most of our headliners hailing from Scotland, there’s an additional six malts from Speyside and the Highlands with a slightly darker element to our usual labels.
Boutique-y Rum
That Boutique-y Rum Company has pulled out all of the stops with a lineup of seven cracking rums. Boutique-y Pete will be very excited to tell you all about them over on the TBRC website.
headliners
Our ‘End of the World’ selection consists of fifteen headline whiskies; Three ‘golden vintages from the Isle of Arran, Ben Nevis, and Glen Grant. Four ‘Batch 1s’ from distilleries we’ve never bottle before; Imperial, Dalmunach, Strathisla, and a new secret Speyside. There are three ‘finished’ whiskies from Braeval,Campbeltown, and Highland Park, There are four non-Scotch whiskies from Canada, Wales and England, and to bring these all together there’s an End of the World Whisky Blend, of course…
THIS IS not the end of the world
EOTW Whisky Blend Batch 1, (4 Year Old) Blended World Whisky
Bottled at 44.4% abv 282 bottles rrp £99.95
We’ve made a World Whisky Blend, we’ve made an ‘Out of this World Whisky Blend’, an ‘It’s a Small World Whisky Blend’, so why not have an ‘End of the World Whisky Blend’, which is what we have right here… oh, and in 70cl/700ml!!!
With the grain coming from Scotland, Ireland and Canada, Scottish malts coming from Islay, and Speyside. Like all Boutique-y, no e150/spirit caramel here… just feast your eyes on that colour! All natural, so you can be sure there is a good deal of age, wine and sherry cask influence in this, from distillate styles all over planet Earth.
For our End of the World Whisky Blend label we’ve pulled out all of the stops and asked Emily to create a full canvas. A three panel triptych, in a biblical, apocalyptic style.
We drew inspiration (despair) from Hieronymus Bosch/John Martin/Benjamin West but in full Emily Chappell style, inspired by her recent visit to a Grayson Perry exhibition in Edinburgh. It’s the “Renaissance-meets-Sgt. Pepper-in-Glasgow” sort of effect…
the golden vintages
Arran Batch 11, 27 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 47.8% abv 735 bottles rrp £199.95
From their first full year of production, expect a sophisticated and complex Arran here. The combination of the distillery character, extended maturation, and sherry cask influence has resulted in a whisky with a harmonious balance of rich fruitiness, sweet indulgence, and oak-driven complexity.
Ben Nevis Batch 17, 26 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 47.8% abv 553 bottles rrp £379.95
This 1996 Ben Nevis 26-Year-Old single malt has been matured in a refill sherry cask. It’s a complex and really interesting whisky. And it’s really not what I expected when I first opened the sample. 1996 is one of those ‘fabled years’ for Ben Nevis, but this cask is showing a very different character - a waxiness that came across as Clynelish initially, and not the dirty Nevis I was expecting.
Glen Grant Batch 2, 31 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 44.4% abv 264 bottles rrp £379.95
Here’s a refined and elegant treat! A 31 Year Old Glen Grant matured in an ex-bourbon. The long ageing period brings a harmonious integration of flavours, showcasing the influence of both the distillery's character and the ex-bourbon cask. A sophisticated malt with a complex interplay of sweet, fruity, and oak-driven notes, making it a delightful sipping experience for those who appreciate well-matured whiskies.
the batch nO.1S
Dalmunach Batch 1, 7 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 48.5% abv 453 bottles rrp £49.95
Dalmunach Distillery is a relatively new distillery in Scotland, located in the Speyside region. It was built on the site of the former Imperial Distillery and began production in 2015.It’s one of Scotland’s ‘workhorse’ distilleries, its malt destined for the Chivas blended Scotch whiskies.Their malt whiskies are still relatively young, but they have gained attention with their promising quality.
Imperial Batch 1, 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 46.5% abv 2858 bottles rrp £399.95
An elegant and well-balanced Imperial from the last year of their production, 1998. Twenty-five years in the barrel has imparted a rich complexity, with a harmonious interplay of citrus, vanilla, and oak-driven characteristics. Each sip reveals new layers of flavour, making it a memorable and very enjoyable single malt.
Speyside #8 Batch 1, 9 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 50% abv 568 bottles rrp £59.95
Whisky from this Speyside distillery is known for its traditional regional character, often featuring a balance of maltiness, fruitiness, and a touch of peat. The refill hogshead cask has allowed maturation without overpowering the core character; malt sweetness, fruitiness, and a subtle layer of peat smoke.
Strathisla Batch 1, 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 51.5% abv 486 bottles rrp £89.95
This 10 Year Old Strathisla matured in an ex-Bourbon cask is a well-balanced and very approachable single malt. The influence of the bourbon cask imparts sweetness, vanilla, and a creamy texture to the whisky, while the character of the spirit brings fruity and floral notes. The result is a rather splendid ‘distillery character’ led whisky, with just enough ex-Bourbon cask to bring that creamy texture.
the finishes
Braeval Batch 5, 9 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 57.7% abv 508 bottles rrp £49.95
This rich and decadent 7 Year Old Braeval finished in a PX cask has a strong emphasis on sweet and fruity flavours. The PX finish adds depth and complexity, and the relatively young age ensures a vibrant and lively character.
Campbeltown Blended (teaspooned) Malt Batch 4, 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 52.3% abv 454 bottles rrp £48.95
A true ‘teaspooned’ blended malt from Campbeltown.i.e. both the spooned and spooning malt chrome form the same region. Anyway, we re-racked this into a first-fill bourbon barrel to give a little more depth than the original ‘filling’.
Highland Park Batch 11, 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 55.5% abv 480 bottles rrp £89.95
Respectfully finishing a 17 Year Old Highland Park in a PX cask has resulted in a beautiful, complex, whisky, balancing the distillery's characteristic Orkney peat with the sweet and fruity influence of the sherry cask. This is no clumsy PX coverup. Bravo! The interplay of flavours and the complexity developed over 17 years of maturation, and thoughtful finishing make it a sophisticated and exceedingly enjoyable dram for those who appreciate classic Highland Park.
the non-scotch whiskies
Canadian Corn Whisky Batch 2, 8 Year Old
Bottled at 51.9% abv 278 bottles rrp £39.95
While Canadian whisky is typically known for its blending tradition and often includes a significant portion of rye, the concept of a Canadian corn whisky finished in sherry casks is intriguing. Marrying the sweetness of corn with the rich and fruity influence of sherry casks.
Circumstance Batch 2 , 3 Year Old Single Grain English Whisky
Bottled at 51.1% abv 237 bottles rrp £51.95
Master of Malt have described The Circumstance distillery as a "Britain's most innovative distillery” and I too am a fan of what they have been doing. The team at Circumstance are all about flavour, and are not limiting themselves to the whisky rules everyone else follows. This uses a mixed mashbill of malted and unmalted barley, and maturation is in new, charred European oak.
Penderyn Batch 3, 12 Year Old Single Malt Welsh Whisky
Bottled at 48.9% abv 540 bottles rrp £126.95
A well-balanced and sophisticated whisky with a delightful interplay between the inherent Penderyn character, the influence of the port cask, and the complexities developed during maturation. The marriage of sweet fruits, oak, and spice creates a memorable sipping experience, making it a treat for those who appreciate nuanced and flavorful whiskies.
The Oxford Artisan Distillery Batch 2, 3 Year Old English Rye Whisky
Bottled at 57.4% abv 410 bottles rrp £81.95
The Oxford Artisan Distillery approach is characterised by a commitment to sustainability, organic farming, and traditional artisanal methods. This rye whisky has been matured in a vintage port cask, offering a unique and complex profile, combining the spiciness of rye with the fruity and tannic characteristics imparted by the port cask. I was excited, and then blown away when tasting this. It’s AWESOME!
the scotch whiskies
With every series release, there’s always a selection of Scotch whiskies to accompany the headliners, even though most of our ‘End of the World’ series are Scotch whiskies. We have six single malts, from the Highlands, and Speyside regions, each featuring our usual labels that have turned a little darker for this release
HIGHLANDS
Blair Athol Batch 15, 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 57.5% abv 335 bottles rrp £39.95
A youthful, yet very approachable whisky. Sweet maltiness and light, fruity notes, with subtle vanilla character. While it may lack the complexity of older expressions, this is a very tasty fresh and vibrant malt.
Macduff Batch 13, 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 50.2% abv 156 bottles rrp £129.95
This 21 Year Old Macduff has been lightly finished in PX cask. Please don’t expect a full on sherry monster here. The mature malt has been treated with respect, so this marriage of the distillery's character with a tasteful influence of Pedro Ximenez Sherry has created a complex and well-balanced malt. It’s a delightful interplay of malt and dark chocolate, alongside some hedgerow fruits and just a whisper of wood smoke. Perfect for an autumnal walk in the woods.
Speyside
Craigellachie Batch 15, 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 49.1% abv 414 bottles rrp £64.95
A rich and complex flavour profile, combining the sweetness of PX with the nuttiness and depth of Oloroso. Robust and indulgent whisky, the dual Sherry influence introduces a symphony of dried fruits, nuttiness, and sweetness, creating a layered and complex dram. The interplay between the rich, sweet PX and the nuttier, more nuanced Oloroso contributes to a well-balanced and sophisticated profile.
Glenrothes Batch 13, 14 Year Old, Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 59.6% abv 370 bottles rrp £64.95
While a little spicy at bottled strength, add some water for a well-balanced, and sophisticated 14 Year Old Glenrothes, finished in Oloroso casks. The influence of the Sherry cask imparts a deep complexity, with a harmonious interplay of dark fruits, sweet chocolate, and warming spices.
Glenrothes Batch 14, 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 53.8% abv 395 bottles rrp £249.95
This is a lively 25 Year Old Glenrothes. This single hogshead was obviously well used before this distillate was filled into the cask, perhaps originally destined for the Cutty Sark blend that this distillery has been so well known for. However I’m glad it didn’t get blended away as this is just lovely.
Speyside #2 Batch 3, 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled at 51.6% abv 164 bottles rrp £149.95
I really don’t know where this 25 Year Old single malt comes from, but it has a comforting familiarity to it. Is it the honeyed sweetness, an intrinsic character of this malt, that shines through the lighter wood influence of the refill cask maturations? Honeyed sweetness, fruitiness, and malt complexity taking centre stage, refill barrels imparting elegance and subtlety. This is really rather tasty.
WRAP UP
It’s not the end of the world, although it sometimes may feel like it with all of the bad news bombarding us from every angle these days! Time to go ‘old school’. Pour yourself a large glass of whisky, pop some music on, and take back control of your thoughts without any outside interruptions!
Cheers! Boutique-y Dave x
These latest releases will be available from all the finest retailers now!
Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor; Maverick Drinks./Master of Malt Trade