Ultra-rare scotch NFT drops as the oldest whisky ever released on BlockBar: The Royal Salute Time Series 51 year old release

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Royal Salute, the master of exceptionally aged Scotch, drops the oldest whisky NFT on BlockBar (blockbar.com), the world’s first direct-to-consumer NFT marketplace for luxury wine and spirits. The ultra-limited Royal Salute Time Series 51 Year Old 2021 Release is a blend of some of the finest and scarcest hand-selected whiskies, laid down no later than 1970 and sourced across famed and ‘ghost’ distilleries of bygone eras.

Exclusively dropping bottle number #85, from only 101 crystal decanters of the Time Series 51 Year Old 2021 Release, this marks the first ever NFT from Royal Salute. This unique release is one of the rarest expressions in the entire Royal Salute portfolio, and to celebrate this, it has been adorned with a 24-carat gold plaque detailing the luxury whisky’s first foray into the world of NFTs, and bears the signature of Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop.

In addition to the one-off flagon, the token will also unlock an invitation to experience a private tasting with Sandy Hyslop, complete with a 5cl miniature of the high-aged blend, making this enchanting Scotch even more of a collector’s piece. Lastly, an exclusive guided tour of the renowned Strathisla Distillery in Scotland’s iconic Speyside region, luxury overnight stay and dinner for two is also included in the sale, complete with a tasting experience of the wider Royal Salute portfolio of exceptional blends in the Royal Salute Vault, where the Scotch’s most precious expressions are kept.

This special release has a distinctive flavour profile that has developed over five decades and was perfected thanks to the intricate nurturing and expert craft of Sandy Hyslop. The distinctive amber whisky has been bottled at cask strength and is non-chill filtered, to preserve it at its purest form. It exudes notes of blood orange partnered with the sweetness of aged oak, salted caramel and precious Manuka honey flavor, followed by a subtleness of sweet hickory smoke, peach and bergamot.

Mathieu Deslandes, Royal Salute Global Marketing Director, commented: “Royal Salute is dedicated to sparking emotion and enchantment in every encounter, be it in the physical or digital world. We are always exploring new ways to innovate and connect with today’s luxury consumers; we couldn’t be more energised to be launching the highest-aged Scotch whisky ever released on BlockBar, and opening the doors to our world to even more whisky aficionados.”

The unique NFT is being offered exclusively through BlockBar.com, and represents the pinnacle of blended Scotch whisky, whether it is acquired for personal enjoyment, investment purposes or securing a rare and unique item for whisky connoisseurs and NFT collectors. Upon purchase, the cryptographic version will be held securely by BlockBar, with a record of authenticity held on the blockchain as a digital certificate of ownership. Alternatively, the buyer can claim the real-world physical product and experience, or safely trade the NFT within the BlockBar platform.

“We are delighted Royal Salute has chosen to partner with BlockBar to drop their first ever NFT. This special Time Series 51 Year Old signed by Sandy Hyslop is our first ever blended Scotch, and the oldest whisky to drop on BlockBar.com to date, so we’re creating a new legacy for both brands”, said Dov Falic, CEO and co-Founder of BlockBar.

The Royal Salute Time Series 51 Year Old 2021 Release NFT priced at $35,000 USD will be dropped on 21st December 2021 via www.blockbar.com. At 9:30 AM EST a lobby will open up for users to enter, in order to enter the lobby a user must have 1 Eth in their wallet and have their wallet connected to the site. At 10:00 AM EST, all users in the lobby will be shuffled into random order. BlockBar will then go in order down the queue. Each person at the top of the queue has 10 minutes to submit their deposit of 1 Eth and then has 48 hours to submit their remaining balance. Full Terms & Conditions can be found on BlockBar.com. The NFT can be purchased from BlockBar with Ethereum (ETH) or by credit card.

DOTr to ramp up rescue and relief efforts in areas left devastated by Typhoon Odette

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Transport Secretary Art Tugade has ordered key agencies of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ramp up rescue and relief efforts in areas left devastated by Typhoon Odette.

The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, “Odette” left casualties and a swathe of destruction in its wake in the Visayas and in Mindanao.
 
“I ordered all transport agencies to make sure that areas that were badly-hit by Odette will receive needed aid and relief. Ang gusto ng Pangulong Duterte, ibuhos ang lahat ng kinakailangang tulong at ayuda sa ating mga kababayan,” Sec. Tugade said.

“We are in close coordination with the Pffice of the President to make sure that the directive of the President is implemented swiftly. Currently, the DOTr has mobilized its personnel, facilities, assets and resources to answer the call for assistance of our kababayans. Rest assured, we will deliver,” Tugade added.

 
Philippine Coast Guard, PPA, MARINA mounts rescue, relief operations
 
As of 4:00 of 18 December 2021, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been deploying assets to assist in rescue and relief operations in the Dinagat Islands, Siargao Island and Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur in Mindanao, as well as in the Central Visayas, and in the Eastern Visayas which were left battered by “Odette.”
 
The PCG, in coordination with various shipping companies, also conducted an emergency meeting on Saturday, 18 December 2021, on the recovery of vessels that ran aground or were sunk at the Cebu City Pier and in the Mandaue area.
 
In addition, the PCG deployed its Cessna plane to conduct an aerial inspection of Kabangkalan City in Negros Occidental.
 
Meanwhile, to assist in the delivery of needed communication and relief items to the areas affected by “Odette,” the PCG deployed its Parola-class patrol vessels.
 
The Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) was sent to conduct a survey of aground vessels in Loon, Bohol.
 
Also deployed was the Parola-class patrol vessels BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) and BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) to deliver relief goods to the affected areas in Mindanao. BRP Cape San Agustin proceeded to Surigao to deliver relief items from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Another Parola-class patrol vessel, the BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) was ordered to go to Davao and transport relief items.
 
Another Parola-class patrol vessel, the BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401), which is the lead ship of the Parola-class patrol vessels of the PCG, left for Cebu bringing needed relief items, fuel, communication equipment, and oil spill dispersants as requested by the Coast Guard District Central Visayas.
 
Also deployed was the older Ilocos Norte-class patrol boat BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV 3502) to deliver DSWD relief goods to Negros Island which was badly-hit by “Odette.”
 
Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya said BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) an offshore patrol vessel, and currently, the largest and most modern vessel of the Coast Guard, will depart at noon on Sunday, 19 December 2021, to deliver relief items to Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, the Dinagat Islands, Siargao Island, Southern Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol.
 
MARINA orders shipowners to prioritize delivery of relief items; PPA takes care of stranded passengers in ports
 
For its part, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) allowed vessels to sail after Odette left the PAR. The agency also called on domestic shipowners to prioritize the transport of needed relief goods.
 
MARINA Administrator Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said domestic vessels were allowed to sail to prevent the stranding of passengers at ports and terminals and to assist in the delivery of relief goods to areas hit hard by “Odette.”
 
During a command conference, Empedrad directed all MARINA regional directors to undertake swift coordination with shipowners whose ships were unaffected by the typhoon to resume their operations and to prioritize in the carriage of relief operations.
 
Empedrad also directed designated MARINA safety engineers to assess the condition of ships as soon as possible and ensure that they are seaworthy and that their Certificates of Public Convenience, Special Permit or other authority to Operate are valid before they are authorized to sail.
 
Meanwhile, Empedrad said the MARINA Regional Office in Surigao City will be temporarily relocating its operations in its Extension Office in Butuan City beginning Monday, 20 December 2021, while waiting for the complete repair of its regional headquarters.
 
As for passengers who were left stranded at the affected ports, Secretary Tugade instructed the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to provide them with light meals and to ensure that their safety and convenience are maintained during their stay at the ports and terminals.
 

Repair of typhoon-damaged airports
 
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has started efforts to restore airport operations in areas affected by “Odette,” to include interim measures to resume operations without compromising safety, repair of damaged passenger terminal buildings (PTBs), other infrastructure and installations, and to check on the condition of CAAP workers who were affected by the typhoon.
 
According to CAAP Director General Capt. Jim C. Sydiongco, he will be heading a CAAP technical team composed of the heads of the Aerodrome Development and Management Service (ADMS), Air Traffic and Air Navigation which will assess the repair works needed at the Siargao, Surigao, Maasin and Mactan airports from 19 December to 20 December 2021.
 
Sydiongco said the inspection team will also be delivering needed communication equipment to restore needed coordination at the typhoon-affected airports. In addition, CAAP, he said, is now exploring sources to fund the needed airport repairs.
 
“The heads themselves will be going in order to make immediate and final decisions on actions to be taken. In coordination with the management team, CAAP has been exploring sources of fund for the needed repairs, including possible realignment of funds,” DG Sydiongco said.

SSS gets COA’s highest audit rating for 2020 financial statements

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The Social Security System (SSS) received an “unmodified” opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its financial statements for calendar year 2020, the highest audit rating that may be given to government agencies by state auditors.

“We rendered an unmodified opinion on the fairness of presentation of the financial statements of SSS as at and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, with emphasis on the recognition of Insurance Contract Liability in the SSS’ financial statements in compliance with the policy directive of the National Government requiring government insurance institutions to adopt the PFRS [Philippine Financial Reporting Standard] 4 – Insurance Contracts effective CY 2020,” the Auditor's Opinion in the Executive Summary of COA's Annual Audit Report on SSS stated.

An unmodified opinion means that the auditor was satisfied with the submitted financial statements as these have met the requirements demanded by regulations and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles, criteria, and standards.

SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio gratefully accepted the COA audit opinion on the 2020 financial report. She said, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSS continued to pursue its mandate of providing meaningful social security protection to its members and their beneficiaries through a culture of excellence in management grounded upon sound and efficient policies and best practices.

“For CY 2020, SSS' total cash inflow from the collection of members’ contribution and proceeds from investments and other income reached P231.51 billion, which surpassed its total cash outflow of P205.52 billion from payments to members and beneficiaries and payments for operations, resulting in a net cash generated from operating activities of P25.99 billion,” Ignacio said.

SSS assets in 2020, on the other hand, grew by P38.61 billion or 6.4 percent to P639.99 billion from P601.38 billion in 2019.

With the change in its financial reporting standard starting with its 2020 financial statements, SSS' Social Benefit Liabilities (SBLs) are now presented in its liabilities. In previous years, SSS' SBLs were presented in the Notes, which forms an integral part of its financial statements.

The SSS also reported that based on its 2019 Actuarial Valuation, its fund life is projected to last until 2054.