1992 Bladnoch K&L Exclusive 18 Year Old Chieftain’s Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($89.99) As soon as we got off our red-eye flight to Edinburgh, David OG and I headed straight over the Chieftain’s office for some barrel tasting. Even with our sleep-deprived palates we both straightened up after tasting this single barrel Lowland whisky from Bladnoch. There aren’t too many distilleries left today in the southern part of Scotland, but it’s still considered a whisky-making region. Along with Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie, Bladnoch is one of the remaining survivors still making the light and fruity Lowland style of single malt, but it has been unavailable in the U.S. While the former two distilleries tend to be simple and straight-forward in their flavor profile, Bladnoch is expressive and alive in a way that most single malts are not. The nose is instantly perfumy with flowers and a waxy note that reminds me of a Crayola crayon box. The first sip is all jelly beans and citrus with sweet vanilla permeating the core. It finishes in a flurry of complexity that makes one instantly reach for more in hope of deciphering these flavors, but the malt is so intense that it proves difficult. We enjoyed this Bladnoch so much that we carried it in a pocket flask for the entire rest of the trip. It became our personal drink of choice when we finished each day because it was so fun and easy to drink. For a whisky this good, as well as 18 years old, the price is stunningly inexpensive. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

1983 Dailuaine K&L Exclusive 27 Year Old Chieftain’s Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($139.99) Cask maturation is a fascinating process, namely because 20+ years in a barrel doesn’t affect all whisky in quite the same way. Three decades in fresh sherry barrel, for example, sometimes results in a single malt so rich that the original flavors may no longer be recognizable. However, 27 years of slow aging in a refill hogshead can be like simmering a pot of stew over multiple days – the flavors congeal and are coerced into action. That’s a pretty good description of the Dailuaine 27 year cask we found at the Chieftain’s warehouse on our recent trip to Scotland. Another Diageo-owned distillery primarily used for blends, this Speyside malt is quite the little tease. The nose is full of fresh blossoms with vanilla and mulled grains which spring into further action on the palate – rather delicate and soft. The finish, however, comes roaring in with smoked almonds and a powerful mouthfeel, not at all what one expects after such an elegant entry. We’re always on the lookout for older whiskies that seem to have been forgotten and we really lucked out with this find. This whisky reminds me of the Mannochmore barrel we did from Chieftain’s last Christmas in that we’re getting a delicious, ancient malt for pennies. The difference between them is that the Dailuaine is better. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

1995 Allt-A-Bhainne 16 Year Old Chieftain’s Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($69.99)

1998 Ardbeg 13 Year Old Chieftains Bourbon Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($89.99)

1984 Benrinnes 26 Year Old Chieftain’s Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($169.99)

1997 Caol Ila 14 Year Old Chieftain’s Jamaican Rum Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($99.99)

1990 Rosebank 20 Year Old Chieftain’s Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($169.99)

Springbank 14 Year Old Manzanilla Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 11 available ($89.99)

Springbank 14 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($89.99)

1998 Strathisla 12 Year Old Chieftain’s Petrus Gaia Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($69.99)

Scotland – Blended Scotch

Compass Box Great King Street Artist’s Blended Whisky 375ml – 8 available ($21.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

www.ralfy.com /’s  elite team of super-budgeted Marketing whizz kids on mega-buck bonus-options invite you to share some amber-magic with . . .whisky Review #226 – Wasmund\’s Single Malt Whiskey

… hooray!

Bowmore Unveils Islay Taste Map With Martine Nouet

The ultimate companion and guide to Islay Single Malt whiskies

This autumn, Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, has collaborated with esteemed whisky writer Martine Nouet to create the Islay Taste Map. In a bold move to support the Islay category as a whole, the map, which is the first of its kind, is the ideal guide to the complex and very varied characters of Islay’s eight magical distilleries: Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Bowmore. Launched as an educational tool for both the on- and off-trade, the map will also be available for consumers to access online from November.

Bringing to life the ancient elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water that make up Islay’s mild yet uncompromising climate, the map uses colour-coordinated taste profiles to illustrate how each of the elements is reflected in the whiskies from each distillery. From the peaty and mossy cues of EARTH; the floral notes of heather and sweet meadow in AIR; the smoke, bonfires and burnt wood of FIRE; to theocean air, sea salt and wet sand of WATER – each distillery has a unique taste profile. The map also explains how the whiskies taste indoors and out alongside a character profile and tasting notes.

In development for over a year, the map has been created in collaboration with esteemed whisky writer and Islay resident Martine Nouet. Known as the ‘The Queen of the Still’, Martine was carried away by Islay’s distinct yet varied fragrances when she first visited the island 20 years ago.

Founded over two centuries ago in 1779, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in Scotland. As with all Islay Single Malts, Bowmore whiskies are renowned for its peaty smokiness. The Distillery carefully smokes its own malt just as their ancestors did centuries ago, using skills handed down from generation to generation. Nurtured and matured in the legendary warehouses below sea level, the No. 1 Vaults, Bowmore Single Malt is widely acknowledged to be amongst the finest and most perfectly balanced in the world.

For more information and to download the map visit www.bowmore.com (The map will also be available for consumers to access online from November, 2011)

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on 01283 217703 or enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldestDistillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our

Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, dampcellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

· Bowmore Legend

· Bowmore 12 Years Old

· Bowmore Darkest 15 Years Old (sherry cask finished)

· Bowmore 18 Years Old

· Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer thaneight distilleries.

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Arran Single Sherry Cask 719’

Arran Single Sherry Cask 719 1997 14yo
56.3% abv
£62.50 inc vat
£52.08 ex vat

Arran Single Sherry Cask 719 1997 14yo 56.3%alc.

Single Sherry Cask 719
Distilled 09/05/97
Bottled 11/08/11
Limited to 520 bottles

Price excluding VAT: £52.08
£62.50 Including VAT at 20%

https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2011/10/18/arran-single-sherry-cask-719/

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Hi all,

Hope you are all well and many apologies for the delay in getting the next tastings up and running. We’ve been a touch busy with 5 Whisky Festivals in the last 7 weekends!…

Anyway, we have a special treat in store for you as we roll out the ‘Islay – Blind Fury’ roadshow once again. As many of you know, the general idea is that I will present to you six of the finest Islay whiskies around in a blind tasting in which your palate is well and truly examined. Pit your wits against these mighty whiskies!

Of course I will reveal their origin once the tasting is done, but until then you will be flying blind with only your nose and tongue to guide – what a revolting thought!

The tastings take place at the following venues on the following dates…

Islay – Blind Fury, The Return
£20 per ticket

Newcastle, Blackfriars, Friday 18th November
Manchester, Britons Protection, Saturday 26th November
London, Red Lion, Tuesday 29th November

Now the only catch is that the events are not yet on the website. If I could ask you therefore to email me at eddie@thewhiskylounge.com, or by return with your ticket requirements for now and I will then reserve these for you. We can then sort out the small matter of payment in the weeks before the tasting/s.

Thanks

I just want to take the opportunity, because I’m a sentimental old b**ger, to say thanks to all of you who have continued to support through attendance of our events. I know I have said it many times, but it still needs to be said that we really couldn’t do it without the people to do it for, i.e you! We have a great many things in the pipeline for next year so please continue to watch this space…

Manchester Festival Video

Never one to hide his light under a bushel (ahem), I thought you might be interested to see the video of our final and largest event of the year. It is a testament to the hard work that goes into the events, the exhibitors that quite often are there in their own time and, of course, you, the customer/lounger/apostle (delete as applicable). It is also a bit of fun, like everything we do, so enjoy!
Manchester Whisky Festival YouTube Video

Anyways, I think that’s enough from me for now, but I look forward to seeing you at an event or two soon!

Slainte!
Eddie

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com

Highland Queen Majesty 30 Year Old

Single Highland Scotch Whisky

WAS £110.00 – NOW £80.00 SAVE £30.00

Highland Queen has been produced in Scotland for over 100 years. It takes the name from Mary Queen of Scots, who reigned from 1545 to1567 and was executed in 1587 on the order of Elisabeth 1st, Queen of England.

Majesty 30 years old is the oldest and rarest expression of Highland Queen, with only 2000 bottles produced. It has exceptional elegance and softness on the nose, with the sweetness golden syrup, butterscotch and creamy toffee. Long and elegant to the end the finish has amazing finese with gentle nut notes, hints of dates, citrus notes and the softness of vanilla creams.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

We are pleased to announce that Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay has arrived!!

This release has been produced from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at the distillery. This makes Kilchoman the only distillery that does this.

It’s bottled at 50% alcohol. The RRP is: $99.99.

There are only 780 bottles (130 6/pks) available for the entire country.

If you need samples, let us know.

Thank you,

The ImpEx Beverage Team

Non-Profit Organizations off to an Amazing Start with Help of Buffalo Trace Millennium Barrel

With Over Two Months to Go, Chances Still Available to Win this Collector’s Edition Bottle!

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Oct. 2011) – Nearly $50,000 has been raised for charity to date through Buffalo Trace Distillery Millennium Barrel auctions. With more than two months and 100 non-profit fundraising events to go, the Distillery hopes to reach its goal of raising $200,000 for charity.

The Millennium Barrel bourbon was the last bourbon barrel of the twentieth century Buffalo Trace Distillery filled on Dec. 31, 1999 and set to age in the Distillery’s warehouse V, the world’s only bonded single barrel aging warehouse.

In June of 2011, the company bottled this single barrel of whiskey, which yielded 174 handwritten and individually numbered bottles. Each Millennium Barrel bottle was packaged in a numbered hardwood showcase box that includes a piece of the historic barrel’s charred oak stave.

Buffalo Trace Distillery then offered all 174 bottles to non-profit organizations wishing to raise funds for their charity. The only caveat was that the bottles had to be auctioned off by Dec. 31, 2011. Interested parties can check on upcoming charity fundraisers for their chance to win this piece of history at http://buffalotracemillennium.com/charities.html

“Some of these non-profits have found some really creative ways to raise money for their organizations. We’re excited so many people are supporting such worthwhile causes and encourage bourbon fans everywhere to go to the Buffalo Trace Millennium Barrel website to help support these groups,” said Kris Comstock, Buffalo Trace Bourbon brand manager.

Comstock referred to the New York Cares non-profit organization that raised $6,255 for their organization by creating it as a special prize offer only premier ticket holders to the event were eligible to win. There have been several other organizations across the country that have upped their dollars raised through other creative ways, such as combining the collector’s edition bourbon with other upscale prizes.

“With more than 100 non-profits events still scheduled before the end of the year, we hope to reach our goal of $200,000 for these worthwhile causes,” Comstock added.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com .

Grant’s 25 Years Old in the 2012 Whisky Bible

Good afternoon,

You may recall this time last year when I wrote about how Grant’s 25 Year Old had been named ‘Best Blended Scotch Whisky, 19 Years and Over’ by Jim Murray of Whisky Bible fame. Well, I’m pleased to say we have been honoured with this most coveted title for the second year running.

For…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012’

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012

An enthusiast’s yearbook, by an enthusiast, for an enthusiast. This latest version is so bang up to date Ingvar must have perfected some form of time travel! Remarkable.

298 pages

£13.95

https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2011/10/18/malt-whisky-yearbook-2012/

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk