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Hello NYC Drammers!
Well, we’re getting spoiled rotten here in NYC. Last fall we jointly hosted an event with Dr Bill Lumsden, and we recently held an epic online event. Happily, Dr. Bill had a great experience, and so we’ve been offered the opportunity to keep the party going with a small intimate event with Dr. Bill in NYC on Mar. 9th and a lunch event in Los Angeles on Saturday, Mar. 14th from 12 to 2:30pm. These events will be different — capped at 12 spots plus me, Dr. Bill and someone from the LVMH team. And the bottles are going to be astoundingly big. Our NYC event will take place at the LVMH private offices down in Tribeca (the exact address will be circulated to those who sign up) starting at 7pm. Check out this lineup:
Glenmorangie - 1981 Distillery Manager’s Choice. In a recent podcast, Dr. Bill was asked “If you could only have one more glass, what woyld 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”. 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). Crafted in celebration of the Year of the Snake 2025, Glenmorangie Year of the Snake 23 Year Old is a masterpiece of Highland single malt Scotch whisky artistry. Distilled in 2001—another Year of the Snake—this exclusive release is limited to just 888 bottles, reflecting the zodiac's association with wisdom, charm, and adaptability. The whisky's creation merges two distinct cask journeys: maturation in bourbon casks for an elegant backbone and finishing in Amontillado sherry casks for added depth and complexity. With a presence as graceful as its namesake, this expression boasts an ABV of 46%. MSRP: 1,925/bottle
Glenmorangie - Azuma Makota x Dr. Bill Collaboration 23yo. This 23yo bottling was created as a collaboration between Dr Bill Lumsden and Japanese botanical artist, Azuma Makoto. Dr Bill first took a classic Glenmorangie, long aged in ex-bourbon casks, heady with aromas of lemon balsam and orchids. He then united that single malt with the first whisky from Glenmorangie to be finished in casks which once held Chardonnay white wine from the Meursault appellation in Burgundy. Inspired by that whisky’s complex notes of flowers, rain-soaked moss and earthy notes, Azuma Makoto created a botanical masterpiece, which now is pictured on the bottle. This expression was awarded two Double Gold medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2024 and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 (MSRP: $1,349.99)
Glenmorangie 25yo Altus. This brand new release significantly ups their age statement game in the core range. Matured in Glenmorangie’s bespoke designer bourbon casks before being lifted even further by a sprinkling of whisky finished in Malmsey Madeira wine casks – a nod to the distillery’s groundbreaking 1995 Madeira Wood Finish. MSRP: $700.
Ardbeg 25yo. A monster of a dram in every respect, and for Ardbeg fans, a very rare treat, not just because these bottles clock in at normally over $1,000/bottle, but also because this liquid was distilled back in the distillery’s darkest days, back when they were barely staying afloat as a distillery and making hardly any whisky at all. Needless to say, it is the oldest whisky in their core range. So which of these 25yo gems will our members like better? We’ll see!
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. 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, Mike, Jared and Drammers Club