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2009 News Archive

All of our Wine, Whisky & Spirits news stories from 2009 can be found here.

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The Editor’s Top 5 stories of 2009

There have been thousands of stories on the website this year – here I highlight my favourites

Posted: 1 January 2010
Happy Hogmanay!

Happy Silvester, Reveillon and Nochevieja for our overseas readers

Posted: 31 December 2009
The first Hong Kong wine sale of 2010

A $30k case of Château Pétrus will star, as Sotheby's pops the cork on Asia's 2010 wine market

Posted: 30 December 2009
Scotch whisky fights off the recession

'We've said all along the whisky industry is recession-resistant,' say industry analysts

Posted: 29 December 2009
Merry Christmas!

Don't forget your free gift from Paul Fraser Collectibles...

Posted: 25 December 2009
Fine wines: the best investment of the decade

The price of a Lafite Rothschild 1982 grew 876% over the last 10 years, according to Liv-Ex

Posted: 23 December 2009
Paul Fraser Collectibles: one of the 100 best things about Bristol

With Banksy and Wallace and Gromit, we've been named among the Top 100 things to love about our home city

Posted: 22 December 2009
The Top Five 'most powerful' wines of 2009

Here are the market's strongest fine wine brands in 2009, according to the industry's Live-Ex index

Posted: 21 December 2009
Balvenie and Dalmore go down well in New York

Two 50-year-old Scotch whiskies have tied for top lot at the Willard S Folsom sale

Posted: 18 December 2009
St George slays the whisky market

The English Whisky Company's first whisky has sold out within hours

Posted: 17 December 2009
$7k Dalmore 50-year-old stars in New York

A renowned collection for sale also features a 50-year-old Balvenie and limited Springbank whiskies

Posted: 16 December 2009
1982 Lafite-Rothschild brings $36k in Chicago

A 12 bottle case starred ahead of La Tache, DRC Echezeaux and Pétrus vintages in the US

Posted: 15 December 2009
'Perfect' 1961 Pétrus to sell online

You have only two days left to bid online in an unmissable Chicago sale of vintage Bordeaux wines

Posted: 11 December 2009
The English are coming!

Scottish whisky distillers face a challenge from south of the border

Posted: 10 December 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes James Bly to the Expert Panel

Antique Expert and Fund Manager

Posted: 9 December 2009
La Tour D'Argent wine sale raises over €1m

The great restaurant's auction has been one of 2009's biggest

Posted: 8 December 2009
£30k Pétrus case stars at '2009's most exciting' wine sale

Twelve bottles of Château Lafite 1934 (£5-6k) are another of the Sotheby's auction's highlights

Posted: 5 December 2009
Beckham enjoys a hand-rolled Cuban

Reports say the England and LA Galaxy star has developed a taste for collectible cigars

Posted: 3 December 2009
Habanos SA releases its new O'Reilly vitola

A special new cigar pays homage to one of the most popular Havana streets in the colonial period

Posted: 3 December 2009
Christmas begins with a £12k Chateau Lafite Rothschild

A 1982 Rothschild and other vintages will appear alongside claret, burgundy and port in London

Posted: 2 December 2009
18-year-old Sazerac Rye is the world's finest whisky

Asia gains on Scotland and the Ardbeg is relegated to 2nd place in the Whisky Bible's 2010 chart

Posted: 30 November 2009
The Collections of Malcolm Forbes

The cheerful multi-millionaire businessman, philanthropist and enthusiastic collector...

Posted: 26 November 2009
US TV star Reyne Haines joins Paul Fraser Collectibles expert panel

Here Reyne shows us that valuable collections aren't just confined to rare stamps or coins, classic cars, or wine cellars

Posted: 26 November 2009
1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild to sell for $27k in Chicago

An incredible selection of classic vintage Bordeaux and Californian wines will auction next month

Posted: 25 November 2009
1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild doubles estimate

Romanée-Conti, The Macallan 55 year old and a 1964 Bowmore trilogy also sold

Posted: 24 November 2009
Record breaking whisky sale

The Dalmore Oculus sells for £27,600 at Bonhams

Posted: 24 November 2009
€35k for the world's most expensive cocktail shaker

The House of Bols' flamboyant drinking accessory is a must for high-end cocktail drinkers

Posted: 22 November 2009
Warren Buffett v Luxury Collectibles

You'd think there could only be one winner... right?

Posted: 20 November 2009
The Story of...

Laphroaig whisky

Posted: 18 November 2009
New Zealanders drill for whisky in Antarctica

Team seeks to retrieve Ernest Shackleton's lost tipple

Posted: 16 November 2009
Whisky lovers act quick!

Get yourselves down to 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh tomorrow...

Posted: 15 November 2009
Wine auction is a ‘gratifying success’

Dozens of lots far exceed estimates following global interest

Posted: 14 November 2009
£22k Château Lafite 1982 stars at wines auction

The legendary vintage will sell alongside 58 bottles of the highly-venerated 2005 Bordeaux

Posted: 10 November 2009
$11k Lafite-Rothschild leads Geneva sale

An extraordinary selection of Rothschild vintages from 1865-1962 will star at the Christie's auction

Posted: 9 November 2009
Hong Kong and New Zealand's fresh wine partnership

NZ's government has cut a deal to raise its presence in Asia's booming fine wines market

Posted: 5 November 2009
How to start a fine wine collection

With Bordeaux growing its best grapes since 1949 and Asia's markets booming, now could be the ideal time to start

Posted: 4 November 2009
The new limited Balvenie 17-year-old

The Speyside distillery's latest has been finished in casks previously used to mature Madeira wine

Posted: 4 November 2009
$10k Mouton Rothschild 1959 leads wine sale

A Haut Brion and a Levy & McClellan will also go under the hammer in New England

Posted: 3 November 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes John Bly to the expert panel

John Bly is an antiques dealer, author, after-dinner speaker and broadcaster who is best known from the BBC Antiques Roadshow

Posted: 3 November 2009
$15k Macallan 55 year-old to star at Christie's

Rare Ardbeg, Glenfarclas, Macallan and Bowmore whiskies will also go under the hammer

Posted: 2 November 2009
The 'best Habanos SA cigar ever made'

That's what the Cuban cigar makers say of their latest release, the highly-collectible Gran Reserva

Posted: 29 October 2009
£20k for one of the world's most valuable whiskies

A one-off Dalmore Oculus will appear in the largest ever single-owner whisky collection sale

Posted: 28 October 2009
2009 Bordeaux: this century's first great vintage

Forget the global recession, this year has been truly exceptional for the French region's vineyards

Posted: 26 October 2009
First US auction for $24k Bowmore Trilogy

The rare and renowned 1964 whisky trilogy will make its landmark stateside debut at Christie's

Posted: 26 October 2009
Three top tips for tasting fine wines

What better way to start the weekend than with a quick look at fine wine tasting methods?

Posted: 23 October 2009
The story of Domaine Pierre Morey

In this video, lifelong winemaker Pierre Morey reveals how he makes some of the best vintages in Mersault

Posted: 22 October 2009
Limited Macallan 1824 is globally released

Described as "much better" than the Macallan 55 year-old, it will finally be available outside Singapore

Posted: 21 October 2009
'Holy grail' cigars go under the hammer

Discontinued smokes from the likes of Habanos CA, Cuban Davidoff and Dunhill will sell in London

Posted: 20 October 2009
Paris auction to show 18,000 wine bottles

The Tour d'Argent restaurant expects €1m from wine sale, with vintages dating back to 1875

Posted: 19 October 2009
Wine in Asia: A quest to find the Drops of God

The remarkable cartoon adventure that's bringing wine to Asia...

Posted: 16 October 2009
How to insure your fine wine collection

To protect your bottles and avoid the unthinkable, here are some tips you should bear in mind

Posted: 15 October 2009
Johnnie Walker releases limited 100th year bottle

The most popular Scotch blended whisky's Black Label celebrates its centenery

Posted: 13 October 2009
The Macallan honours Scotland's Master of Poetry

The legendary distillery releases a 250-limited sherry oak tribute to Scotland's bard, Robbie Burns

Posted: 10 October 2009
Glenrothes’ £690 bottled tribute to a legendary distiller

The John Ramsey Legacy medium golden whisky is limited to 100 bottlings

Posted: 8 October 2009
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society goes to India

They'll help you 'discover the very best single malt whisky in the universe' - and have now expanded to New Delhi

Posted: 8 October 2009
Chateau Petrus '82 sells for a record $94k in Hong Kong

The Chinese region is now rivalling London and New York as a hub for fine wines

Posted: 7 October 2009
New limited edition 18-year-old whisky from The Dalmore

'We are confident that this will become significant and much sought-after,' says the renowned distiller

Posted: 6 October 2009
Macallan's new $15k whisky

The 57 Lalique 'Finest Cut' will join the Six Pillars series and 50 year old Macallan as one of its most collectible whiskies

Posted: 30 September 2009
Collectibles investments are booming, says The Times

'High net worth individuals are increasingly turning to alternative investments,' reports the respected UK newspaper

Posted: 24 September 2009
Cigar smoker's chance to win $1m

Macanudo Cigars launch their Macanudo Millionaire promotion

Posted: 1 October 2009
One of the world's most exclusive cigar clubs 'bans' Joan Laporta

The FC Barcelona president has allegedly been excluded from the 30 members-strong smokers club for his political views

Posted: 1 October 2009
Vintage Port: The highest level of sales in 30 years

People return to port as both a drink and an inexpensive investment

Posted: 29 September 2009
Cigar lounge to open in New York

La Aurora will open the lounge with a night of food, music and Aurora 100 Años Lanceros cigars

Posted: 27 September 2009
Bowmore completes its legendary trilogy

A 44-year-old single malt completes Bowmore's latest 'trilogy' - available for £3k and set to become among the most collected whiskies in the world

Posted: 26 September 2009
A return to the way that whisky was made 200 years ago...

'Even experts won't know which country this 200 year-old Bruichladdic whisky is from,' say distillers

Posted: 25 September 2009
Billionaire's wine sale is $1.1m success

Half the lots sell to Asian buyers, and a Chateau Petrus case sells for an incredible £29k

Posted: 24 September 2009
Top tips to help you invest in Whisky

Here is some advice to help you savour this highly rewarding alternative asset...

Posted: 21 September 2009
New Zealand wine exports hit NZ$1bn

Targets reached early for one of the country's most successful industries

Posted: 17 September 2009
Cotes du Rhone targets the US

France's second largest wine producing region will stage festivals, in-store tasting, and restaurant promotions in key US cities

Posted: 16 September 2009
The US still loves the grape

America's wine consumption is on the up...

Posted: 16 September 2009
'Largest and most varied' whisky collection for sale

'This is the most exciting collection I've handled,' says auctioneer, 'many of the bottles will never be released again or repeated by the whisky industry'

Posted: 15 September 2009
Buy the ultimate Scotch whisky guide for £5k

Rare first edition 19th century book on 'everything there is to know about Scotland's national drink' for sale in Glasgow

Posted: 14 September 2009
Good news: collectibles improve your mental health

They can reduce stress, add years to your life and 'people with hobbies are healthier and happier,' says a new study

Posted: 11 September 2009
Legendary and rare wines at Bonham's auction

Bonhams unveils one of its most impressive wine auctions, to be held in London this month

Posted: 10 September 2009
Australian vintage wine sells for record price

Bottle once regarded as 'uncollectable' brings a record $6.9k price at auction

Posted: 9 September 2009
Barrels get a second life alongside the wine

Environmentally friendly cellars constructed using retired wine bottles

Posted: 8 September 2009
The secret of living to 100?

A dram a day has kept the doctor away for one OAP

Posted: 8 September 2009
Do gold medals have any meaning?

A new study paints a damning picture of wine competitions...

Posted: 6 September 2009
Hong Kong wine sales expected to bring $4-6m

Sotheby's is building on its Eastern auction success, and the web will play a big part...

Posted: 6 September 2009
World's largest whisky bottle is on display

A Scottish village takes a break from miniatures for a day

Posted: 5 September 2009
'Sideways' stops sales going downwards

The hit Hollywood film is still attracting new wine-lovers...

Posted: 4 September 2009
£10k 'most expensive whisky ever' sold by Scottish shop

2 x 1974 bottles of the 'oldest and rarest' of the Ardbeg single Islay malts sell to a Burmese buyer...

Posted: 3 September 2009
40 of Australia's most expensive wines sell for $114k

There's an 'increasingly passionate race among wine collectors for the dwindling remnants of Australian ultra-fine wine heritage,' say auctioneers

Posted: 2 September 2009
3,000 whiskies come home for sale

The great collection of an American who treasured single malts is coming up for auction.

Posted: 27 August 2009
Belgian billionaire to sell $1.6m wine collection

Chateaux Petrus, Margaux and Latour sales will go to charity at Sotheby's

Posted: 27 August 2009
Cuba clamps down on illegal cigars

A change in rules at customs should be noted by those taking cigars home

Posted: 26 August 2009
Invest in wine... but get expert advice first

A man who appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow with a ‘£1k’ bottle of wine learned this lesson the hard way

Posted: 26 August 2009
Limited edition whisky for Indian festival

A popular brand of Indian whisky tries to be in the spirit of the event

Posted: 24 August 2009
The 'dos' and 'don'ts' of cigar smoking

We take a look at the etiquette involved when savouring the finest cigars...

Posted: 23 August 2009
Runaway winner at the Spirit of Whisky Fringe 2009

A Bruichladdich has won the award for the second time in three years

Posted: 20 August 2009
Whisky expert slashed by antique knife

World-renowned whisky blender's career is stalled thanks to a 18th century Bowie knife

Posted: 20 August 2009
A $250m wine storage facility...

This Australian wine storage facility looks after 3m bottles for 8,500 clients

Posted: 11 August 2009
$2 million worth of wine to flood the market

Some of the most desirable wines in existence to be auctioned after bankruptcy

Posted: 10 August 2009
Why Asia is the future for fine wine collectors

Chinese fine wine markets will increase by 41.4% before 2011, according to new findings

Posted: 10 August 2009
Rare whisky dominates Glasgow auction

80 year old whisky becomes one of the most expensive ever to be sold

Posted: 7 August 2009
Antiques that carried a great whisky

Finely designed iron whisky cask barrows up for auction

Posted: 6 August 2009
Whisky bottle 'fit for a King' priced at $1,300

'Precious first fill sherry cask' to be released by one of Scotland's most prized distilleries

Posted: 6 August 2009
How to spot fake cigars

Cigar collecting has greatly increased in popularity in the last few years. But are collectors collecting what they think they are?

Posted: 4 August 2009
Lake-side wine and food festival

Annual event offers amazing range of ways to treat the palate, presented by award-winning chefs.

Posted: 4 August 2009
The year’s biggest whisky sale

It'll be whisky galore this Wednesday with sales expected to top £100,000

Posted: 3 August 2009
Whisky miniatures in danger

New licensing laws could make it more difficult for visitor shops to sell whisky miniatures

Posted: 31 July 2009
Rare wine autographed by baseball legend

A highly-collectible Chateau features a '600 home runs' star on its label

Posted: 29 July 2009
'The Last Drop'

At $17,000 a bottle you'll need to savour every drop

Posted: 26 July 2009
The $1m wine book

It weighs as much as a nine year old child, 25 of the 100 limited editions have already been sold

Posted: 23 July 2009
Million dollar wine investors appoint new MD

Former vice president of Napa's Artesa Winery and Vineyards to help business growth

Posted: 16 July 2009
Internet opens Asia markets to fine wine collectors

NY auction house’s first-ever use of online bidding is 'met with an extremely enthusiastic response'

Posted: 15 June 2009
'Now is time to be stocking up on fine wine’

Markets are well placed for growth over the next few months, say experts - and it could all be thanks to Asia

Posted: 15 June 2009
China's first-ever wine auction is $1.3m success

90% of buyers claimed 'they would drink the wines themselves,' and weren't buying for investment

Posted: 2 June 2009