Here’s one for the log books of serious whisky collectors. Next month, an intriguing new single malt leaves these shores, the essence of which has been to the Caribbean and back. Adventurer James Aiken voyaged solo across the Atlantic, from La Gomera in Spain to the sunny island of Antigua, carrying wooden staves secured to the deck of his sailing yacht, Oaken Yarn. Over the course of the 24-day, 3,264-mile journey, the wood was seasoned by the salty air and sea spray.
“Most of my life is focused on the ocean, and the variety of ways that we can interact and learn from it”, says Aiken (pictured below). “This expedition taught me even more and allowed me to connect with nature’s elements in an entirely new way… I cared for the wooden staves aboard, ensuring their safe passage. The crossing was an almost meditative experience in nature: both challenging and a joy.” The staves were then returned to Talisker’s distillery on the Isle of Skye for the final maturation of a very important whisky – the 43-year-old Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge. It is Talisker’s oldest release.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Thousands of estates are sitting unclaimed in the UK – is your family name on the list?More than 5,700 unclaimed estates are on a government list waiting to be found by living relatives. We take a look at the list, and explain how to make a claim
-
420,000 more pensioners to be dragged into paying income tax – how does tax on the state pension work?Hundreds of thousands more pensioners will need to pay tax on their pension income at the end of this tax year, new HMRC data shows. We look at how taxation on the state pension works.
-
Halifax: House price slump continues as prices slide for the sixth consecutive monthUK house prices fell again in September as buyers returned, but the slowdown was not as fast as anticipated, latest Halifax data shows. Where are house prices falling the most?
-
Rents hit a record high - but is the opportunity for buy-to-let investors still strong?UK rent prices have hit a record high with the average hitting over £1,200 a month says Rightmove. Are there still opportunities in buy-to-let?
-
Pension savers turn to gold investmentsInvestors are racing to buy gold to protect their pensions from a stock market correction and high inflation, experts say
-
Where to find the best returns from student accommodationStudent accommodation can be a lucrative investment if you know where to look.
-
The world’s best bargain stocksSearching for bargain stocks with Alec Cutler of the Orbis Global Balanced Fund, who tells Andrew Van Sickle which sectors are being overlooked.
-
Revealed: the cheapest cities to own a home in BritainNew research reveals the cheapest cities to own a home, taking account of mortgage payments, utility bills and council tax
-
UK recession: How to protect your portfolioAs the UK recession is confirmed, we look at ways to protect your wealth.
-
Buy-to-let returns fall 59% amid higher mortgage ratesBuy-to-let returns are slumping as the cost of borrowing spirals.
