Spirits in the spotlight
The SirDavis brand is named after Knowles-Carter’s great-grandfather who used to distil moonshine in the American South during Prohibition. It is an American whiskey with a mash bill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley. It has been created in conjunction with Moët Hennessy’s most senior whisky maker, Dr. Bill Lumsden – the Director of Whisky Creation for the Ardbeg and Glenmorangie distilleries. Initial maturation is in new American oak barrels before a finishing period in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.
While there are many tequilas and gins owned by celebrity figures, whisky has been a little slow off the mark. The overall trend shows no signs of slowing, but maybe the Beyoncé /Moët Hennessy partnership can kickstart the whisky category in this area. Who are the other celebrities to have got involved so far?
Blackened | Metallica
The legendary heavy metal band Metallica launched this American whiskey in 2018. Blackened was created in consultation with the late-Dave Pickerell, one of bourbon’s most iconic figures. He was Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark for 14 years before helping to kickstart the craft distilling movement in the US.
The whiskey is a marriage of bourbon, rye and other American whiskeys selected and blended by Pickerell. This is then filled in black brandy barrels and exposed to a low frequency recording of Blackened from Metallica’s 1988 album …And Justice For All. This is said to increase molecular activity in the whiskey and enhance its interaction with the oak.
Haig Club | David Beckham
This Scotch single grain whisky was one of the earliest celebrity spirit brands to appear back in 2014. Haig Club took its name from the classic Haig blend of yesteryear and became an instant hit. It was one of the most talked about whisky releases for years.
Part-owned by footballer and fashion icon David Beckham, Simon Fuller (former manager of The Spice Girls) and Diageo (Scotland’s largest whisky producer), Haig Club introduced a new crowd to drinking whisky with a big emphasis on mixing and cocktails. Beckham has now departed, but the brand has grown to three bottlings – Haig Club, Clubman and Mediterranean Orange.
Heaven’s Door | Bob Dylan
Another American whiskey from another music legend – Bob Dylan. The brand was launched in 2018 and has spawned several different bottlings. These include whiskeys from Kentucky and its neighbouring state of Tennessee. The brand also has a distillery that was established in 2017 in Pleasureville, Kentucky. It is also planning to open a visitor experience on the iconic Whiskey Row in Louisville.
The multi award-winning collection features several bourbons, plus a rye whiskey and occasional limited editions inspired by Dylan’s music. It is named after his legendary song Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. One to watch as its popularity and status grow.
Proper No. Twelve | Conor McGregor
This Irish whiskey first appeared in 2018 and was the brainchild of well-known mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Hailing from the Dublin suburb of Crumlin, McGregor burst onto the world stage following his UFC (Ultimate Fighting Challenge) debut in 2013. Proper No. Twelve had a similar impact, selling a staggering one-million bottles in its first year.
The name itself refers to McGregor’s roots in Crumlin, which carries the postal area code Dublin 12, and the whiskey is a blend Irish single grain and single malt sourced from ‘Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery’. Much like McGregor, it packs a punch, but for a decent budget.
If these celebrity offerings have piqued your interest, find out more about how to invest in your own Scotch whisky. Get in touch with one of our experts or take a look at the distilleries we work with across the region.
**Disclaimer**
Whisky cask investments are unregulated in the UK. The value of investments is variable and can go down as well as up. You have 14 days to change your mind and request a full refund under our cooling-off period. The volume of spirit will decrease over time (known as “the Angels’ share”). “New Make” spirit has to be matured for 3 years, during which time its alcoholic strength could be reduced. However, for the product to be classed as “whisky”, it must retain a minimum strength of 40%. Fees apply, see terms and conditions for details and terms around exiting your investment.
An investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The capital invested can fluctuate and the price of casks can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. The investments and services offered by us may not be suitable for all investors. If you have any doubts as to the merits of an investment, you should seek advice from an independent financial advisor. The Whisky 1901 Ltd sale price includes a discretionary markup to cover the cost of services provided, including but not limited to, storage, movement and maintenance of casks, insurance, front and back-office software.
