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Hello LA Drammers!
We’ve been offered an incredible opportunity that we’re delighted to invite you to: an intimate, in-person lunch event in Los Angeles on Saturday, Mar. 14th from 12 noon to 2:30pm with the one and only Dr. Bill Lumsden, head of whisky creation for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg (we're also doing a similar event in NYC on the 9th, but that is sold out). These events will be a little different than we normally have done: much more intimate (capped at 12 spots plus me, Dr. Bill and a friend from the LVMH team), a higher price point and MUCH higher end bottles, as you’ll see below. The event will take place at a swanky venue in Glendale (the exact address will be circulated to those who sign up). The idea of the event is to open up some of the most iconic Glenmorangie and Ardbeg bottles ever released, and with that in mind we’ve gone to the secondary market to assemble arguably the biggest lineup we've ever had at Drammers. Check it out:
Glenmorangie - 1981 Distillery Manager’s Choice. In a recent interview, Dr. Bill was asked “If you could only have one more glass, what would you pick?”. He answered “I think it would have to be my 1981 Glenmorangie distillery manager’s choice, which was one single, first-fill ex-bourbon hogshead, that I discovered in the warehouse when I was distillery manager. It was just such a sublime example of Glenmorangie, so I bottled that cask by hand. We got a weights and measures approved flask, put the labels on ourselves and it was just such a wonderful project. I’ve actually still got two bottles of it left in my cellar, so that would probably be the last one I would ever drink”. So, naturally, we went and sourced a bottle for this event. Date of distillation: 14 May 1981, bottling 24 March 1998 (3 years after Dr. Bill joined as the Distillery Manager in 1995). 54.5% abv. Only a few bottles have even come up for auction in the last several years.
Ardbeg - Lord of the Isles 25yo. One of the most sought after of all the Ardbeg releases, Lord of the Isles was part of Ardbeg’s range from 2001-2007, a 25yo single malt blended from whiskies distilled in 1976 and 1977. The “Lords of the Isles” ruled the western Scottish islands from the 12th to the 15th centuries, and Somerled, the Celtic chieftain mentioned on the label, and his sons Dugall, Ranald and Angus, were the forefathers of the MacDonald and MacDougall clans. In 1825, a certain John MacDougal founded the Ardbeg distillery. 46% abv. Auction prices on this are consistently north of $1,300/bottle.
Glenmorangie - 1981 Sauternes Wood Finish. For fun, we thought it would be interesting to compare a 2nd 1981 distilled Glenmo, which ultimately served as a precursor experiment to what would become the Nectar D’Or. Bottled in 2002, following two years of finishing in casks which previously held Premier Grand Cru Sauternes. 46% abv.
Ardbeg - Connoisseur’s Choice 1978 (Gordon & MacPhail). This independent bottling was bottled at 40% abv. It shows up at auction on occasion, but pretty much never goes for less than US$500.
Kildalton (Ardbeg Distillery) 22yo Independent Bottling by Milroy’s of London. For those not familiar, “Kildalton” is the name often used by independent bottlers when they release a cask of Ardbeg but don’t have the right to put “Ardbeg” on the label. The name is a reference to the Kildalton Cross, a famous, 1,200-year-old Celtic high cross located near the Ardbeg distillery. This exceptional single cask was recently released by Milroys and bottled at 53.7% abv.
Glenmorangie - Year of the Snake (23yo). This is one of those expressions that almost never sees the light of day in the retail world, instead it was reserved as a special thank you for some of the highest-profile clients across the LVMH luxury portfolio in their private client progra. Crafted of course in celebration of the Year of the Snake 2025, it was distilled in 2001—another Year of the Snake—and this exclusive release was limited to just 888 bottles globally, reflecting the zodiac's association with wisdom, charm, and adaptability. It was matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Amontillado sherry casks. 46% abv. MSRP: $1,925/bottle
Y2K - 23yo Ardbeg. Transport yourself back to the Y2k craze in 1999, when everyone thought our computers would collapse when the close struck midnight to ring in the new century. The folks at Ardbeg decided to commemorate the madness with a distillation run that would be taking place when the clock struck midnight, and so as the rest of the distillery team were out celebrating the new year, the distillers drew straws to see who would stay behind to run the stills. When all the Y2kfears turned out to be a bit of a nothingburger, these casks were forgotten about until recently. Aged in bourbon and oloroso casks for 23 years and bottled at 46% abv. MSRP: $779/bottle.
Ardbeg - The Abyss (34yo). With an MSRP of $27,500/bottle, this is easily the rarest expression we’ll be trying at this event (albeit it in smaller quantities, but fair enough we figure as long as we get a taste). This ultra-limited bottling was bottled in 2024, only 400 bottles produced total, Aged in heavily toasted French oak casks, 46% abv.
That’s our lineup, we hope you can join us! With bottles this rare and fragile, there is always the chance that something may go astray between now and the event, but in the unlikely event that happens, we’ll let every one know asap. Our friends at LVMH are ordering in some light catering, which is included in the event. As always, we must ask that nobody attending drive themselves home. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Charlie and Drammers Club