Highlander Inn 2011 Single Cask Bottling ~ Bunnahabhain
Released on Thursday 10th November 2011.

The eleventh in our series of “Annual Single Cask Bottlings” is from Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay.

After nosing and tasting several cask samples from many distilleries, we eventually selected this cask, owned by Wemyss Vintage Malts.

Cask Number 1798 was distilled at Bunnahabhain distillery on Friday 2nd March 1979.

It was bottled on Tuesday 20th September 2011 at it’s natural cask strength of 51.4% alc/vol. From a sherry butt, the angels agreed to let us have 511 bottles (700ml).

Maggie Riegler of the Greenhall Gallery, here in Craigellachie, was once again (for the 11th consecutive year) commissioned to paint a picture specifically for the front label which depicts a different view of the Highlander Inn to that of pervious years.

Our true friend, the original Michael Jackson ~ “Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser” ~ always wrote the tasting notes for each bottling of ours until his untimely demise in 2007. From 2008 onwards, we decided to invite a different person each year to write the tasting notes for us. The criteria is that they must have a great reputation, and truly respected throughout the whole “whisky world”.

In 2008 we were delighted that Hideo Yamaoka, Japan’s foremost Malt Scotch Whisky “otaku” and the translator of Michael’s books into Japanese wrote the notes for our bottling of Highland Park.

John Hansell, the creator, Publisher, and Editor of “Malt Advocate”, the USA’s leading magazine for the whisky enthusiast agreed to write his comments for our 2009 bottling of Bowmore.

Serge Valentin, one of the most prolific whisky aficionados on the internet, and a member of the “Malt Maniacs” agreed to write his comments for our 2010 bottling of GlenDronach.

This year we’re absolutely delighted that  Charles Maclean kindly agreed to write the tasting comments on the back label.

A writer whose special subject is Scotch whisky, Charles has been researching and writing books & articles about whisky since 1981.

He has published ten books to date, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky and the leading book on its subject, Malt Whisky, both of which were short-listed for Glenfiddich Awards.

Whisky: A Liquid History, published by Cassell in 2003 was named Wine and Spirit Book of the Year (2005) by the James Beard Foundation of New York. MacLean’s Whisky Miscellany followed in 2004, expanded in 2006 as Whisky Tales; in 2008 he was Managing Editor of Dorling Kindersley’s Eyewitness Companion to Whisky, and in 2009 their World Whiskies. Whiskypedia was published in June 2009.

He shares his enthusiasm and knowledge by giving talks & tastings around the world and by presenting training programmes and Masterclasses for whisky companies, clubs and individuals.

Visit his website, WhiskyMax.co.uk

As always, included with each bottle is a unique Certificate of Ownership with the same number as the bottle, that can be framed and hung on your study / office / drawing room wall.

Again, each label has been painstakingly applied to each bottle individually and then hamd numbered by Duncan Elphick ~ so it really is a personal bottling with none of this automatic labeling & numbering!

It is available to purchase at the Highlander Inn by the bottle (700ml) for £125.00 and by the nip in our whisky bar (25ml) at an introductory price of £8.80.

It will soon also be available in the following countries; Japan (from 20 November 2011), The Netherlands (from 20 November 2011, Taiwan (January 2012), Sweden (January 2012) and Italy (January 2012).

However, if you live in the UK or another country, and would like to buy a bottle without coming to the Highlander Inn, please email Duncan Elphick and he will be happy to post a bottle to you (provided it is legal in your country to receive whisky by post!)

January Previews Released: 125.37 & 71.34
Our first bottling release of 2012…the first of many great casks! Soothe the soul (along with the January blues) with our preview pick from this month’s Outturn…

71.34 Rabbit, ginger & treacle tart
£46.20
Speyside Lossie
Big rich sweet aromas accosted the Panel – ginger cake, strawberry Chewits, treacle tart, cinnamon, malt loaf but also earthy mushrooms, Marigolds (the gloves not the flowers), leather and musky horses

125.57 Delicate vitality
Exclusive to Jan Preview Pair
Highland Northern
Aromatic and delicate – iced cakes and floral bouquets made us think of wedding parties; we also found wine gums, Turkish delight, vanilla fudge, tablet and tickles of white pepper

Pick-me up Preview Pair
71.34 & 125.57 for only £89
Speyside Lossie & Highland Northern
With the ‘wonderful vitality’ of 125.57 and the ‘big, sweet aromas’ of 71.34 our pair is the perfect January ‘pick-me up’

ALSO last chance to buy bottlings and offers from Whisky Season

Whisky Season & Previews
Browse all bottlings

New Year, New Adventure
Join us and fellow members at a Society tasting near you…56 events up and down the country are available online NOW.

Society Tastings & Events

Whisky Magazine’s 2012 Independent Bottler of the Year www.whiskymag.com/awards/ibc/2011/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

The ninth auction ended on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. The next (tenth) auction will begin on January 14 and end on Sunday, January 29, 2012. 

www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com

The whole package?

Hello all,

In 1909, William Grant’s son-in-law wrote in his diary ‘All things must yield to industry and time. None cease to rise but those who cease to climb’.  We like to think that we apply this ethos to all the work we undertake here at Grant’s. So, with some industry and a little time, we’ve…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Single Malts Direct would like to wish all of our customers a “Very Happy New Year”, and we would like to say thank you for your very valued custom during 2011. We are really proud of our level of service, the team worked tirelesly last year. We have increased our product selection and more importantly kept our prices at the lowest possible to benefit our customers. Below was our best seller for 2011, best price online anywhere, grab one whilst stocks last!!!

Shackleton
Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt
Limited edition bottling

Special commemorative bottling of a truly unique blended whisky liquid.

Faithful reproduction of the actual Mackinlay’s whisky taken on the ill-fated Shackleton Antarctic expedition to the South pole in 1907. Presented in a replica bottle and wooden case – just as Shackleton left it.

“The most exciting find of scotch whisky since days began”

Tasting notes:
Colour – Light honey, straw gold with shimmering highlights.

Nose -Soft, elegant & refined. Delicate aromas of crushed apple, pear and fresh pineapple arouse the senses. The spirit is exciting and vibrant with attractive notes of oak shavings that release hints of buttery vanilla, creamy caramel and nutmeg. A whisper of marmalade, cinnamon and even a tease of smoke, ginger and muscovado sugar completes this spectrum of delight.

Taste -With a generous strength of 47.3% this gives the spirit plenty of impact on the palate but in a mild warming manner. Harmonious and exhilarating. Whispers of gentle bonfire smoke slowly give way to spicy rich toffee, treacle and pecan nuts. These enticing flavours linger lovingly on the palate but are soon combined by a sensual, complex array of creme brulee, orange rind and freshly baked bread. It is a remarkable tapestry of tantalising taste sensations which truly rewards the palate

£95.99 inc VAT

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Masters Series Winter 2012
Join us for a series of tastings featuring wine and spirits
chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities,
F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Monday, January 30, 7:00 p.m.

Robbie Burns Night Celebration
Glenfarclas at 175 Years

Please join us in celebration of the birth of the Bard of Scotland. This festive annual event will feature the legendary malt whiskies of Glenfarclas, one of the oldest and last family owned distilleries in Scotland, famous for their robust sherry cask aged traditional Speyside malts. Come share traditional fare, listen to the Scottish bagpiper, hear the immortal “Ode to Haggis” and raise a wee dram to the greatest Scot.

Master of the Quaich F. Paul Pacult will lead us through the surprisingly wide range of Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, including:

Glenfarclas 105
Glenfarclas 10 year
Glenfarclas 12 year
Glenfarclas 21 year
Glenfarclas 25 year

$95 per person

For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636
– Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103

For further information
please visit our Upcoming Events page
Or Call (212) 947-3636.

See us on Facebook

The Spirit Journal Inc. and Keens Steakhouse espouse only the responsible
use of beverage alcohol. The Masters Series is an educational project.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older. Invitation is non-transferable.
An RSVP is required for attendance.

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1990 Clynelish 21 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($114.99) While many single malts are blends of different types of barrels, some are known to be more sherried than others. Macallan for example is widely enjoyed for its Oloroso sherry character, while something like Ardbeg is decidedly less rich. That being said, it’s not that Ardbeg doesn’t use sherry-aged whisky in its single malt, it’s just that there are far fewer barrels in their recipe. Clynelish, perhaps the most respected single malt in the world by whisky insiders, is a whisky renowned for its light, fruity, Highland character. However, what would happen if one of the few sherry-aged Clynelish barrels were isolated from the recipe and bottled as a single cask selection? The answer is here at K&L. An absolutely stellar, 21 year old sherry cask of Clynelish was sitting right next to our Brora cask at the Chieftain’s warehouse so we pulled the trigger. The heather now mingles with raisined fruit, the citrus fruit now turns candied, the wax turns into dripping oil. The complexity of this whisky is simply astounding and collectors everywhere should rejoice at the price. Clynelish is easily on my top five distillery short list and this is one of the best and most unique I’ve tasted. A single cask of this quality from Clynelish at full proof should easily retail for $150 or more. Grab this one while it lasts. – David Driscoll.

Talisker 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($199.99)

Scotland Pre-Arrival

1981 Brora 30 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($249.99) Your eyes do not deceive you! We have indeed secured a single sherry cask from the most sought-after, most desired, and most elusive of single malt distilleries – Brora. Considered the Holy Grail of single malt whiskies, Brora was the original Clynelish distillery before a new facility was built next door. Because there cannot be two distilleries with the same name, the new building was dubbed Clynelish while the old distillery was changed to Brora. Closed in 1983 after Diageo decided to keep only one of the operations running, Brora stocks have dwindled down to near extinction. Considered one of the best overall single malts by almost every reputable expert in the business, the waxy, oily, sometimes peaty character of the whisky has become the most difficult style to reproduce effectively. The newer Clynelish malts have come close, but nothing has the ethereal complexity of Brora. Our 30 year old selection was aged in sherry barrel for a softer, richer palate that brims with saline flavors, resin, supple viscosity, and an earthy sweetness, with a finish that lingers for minutes. Even more exciting is the rumor that Diageo will not release another Brora until 2020, when their stocks hit 40 years old. This may be the last chance to get any Brora for a reasonable price, let alone a fantastic cask like this one. These will sell out on pre-order so make sure you secure one quickly! -David Driscoll

1990 Clynelish 21 Year Old Chieftain’s K&L Selection Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($114.99) While many single malts are blends of different types of barrels, some are known to be more sherried than others. Macallan for example is widely enjoyed for its Oloroso sherry character, while something like Ardbeg is decidedly less rich. That being said, it’s not that Ardbeg doesn’t use sherry-aged whisky in its single malt, it’s just that there are far fewer barrels in their recipe. Clynelish, perhaps the most respected single malt in the world by whisky insiders, is a whisky renowned for its light, fruity, Highland character. However, what would happen if one of the few sherry-aged Clynelish barrels were isolated from the recipe and bottled as a single cask selection? The answer is here at K&L. An absolutely stellar, 21 year old sherry cask of Clynelish was sitting right next to our Brora cask at the Chieftain’s warehouse so we pulled the trigger. The heather now mingles with raisined fruit, the citrus fruit now turns candied, the wax turns into dripping oil. The complexity of this whisky is simply astounding and collectors everywhere should rejoice at the price. Clynelish is easily on my top five distillery short list and this is one of the best and most unique I’ve tasted. A single cask of this quality from Clynelish at full proof should easily retail for $150 or more. Grab this one while it lasts. – David Driscoll

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

BenRiach NAS ‘Birnie Moss’ (48%, OB, 2011)

Birnie Moss is an area of windswept moorland situated close to the BenRiach Distillery and it is this wild place that gives our single malt its name.

This fine single malt is the first bespoke whisky to be delivered from the BenRiach Distillery under its current stewardship and heralds a new chapter in production.

An audacious first under the guidance and enthusiasm of the distillery’s new owners, Birnie Moss is a whisky bursting with originality. Different in style for a Speyside malt, this unique expression wields its peaty, smoky character with a precocious vigour.

The nose is indeed intensely peat however it is just less than intensely floral also; this vanishes (mostly) after some time in the glass. There are also some malt moments but these notes are over shadowed by the big peat presence (apologies DL&Co) along with short bread and green peas. With water the nose changes to coal tar and coca-cola. Time in the glass brings out increased grain/malty notes. The undiluted taste is as expected quite peaty and malty; if tasted blind it could be mistaken for an Islay. The diluted taste is significantly different; creamy, still peated and just as good. The finish is once again peated and malty with the floral vegetal notes in the fore and then towards the tail the malt takes over. It’s long and follows through with the other peat notes with a touch of bitterness at the last.

Youthful, vibrant and good but some what a carbon copy of many other peated whiskies.

$70

Score 79 points

Part five of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!

When we decided to hold a Burns night supper and whisky tasting we were really thrilled that our old friend Ian Murray of Balvenie and Glenfiddich volunteered to come along and host the proceedings.  Ian is a Keeper of the Quaich and an exceptionally entertaining and knowledgeable speaker on whisky, and indeed many other subjects, with a great sense of humour so the evening is certain to be a fun one.  The usual Burns Night shenanigans can be expected and what better way could there be to dispel the post-Christmas blues??

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

BURNS NIGHT SUPPER WITH WHISKIES FROM BALVENIE & GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERIES   
WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY 2012  
 
7pm for 7.30pm 

Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren

Details The evening will be presided over by the inimitable Ian Murray and there will be a welcoming dram before the Burns Night Supper commences with Cullen Skink.  Following this, the haggis will be piped in, in the traditional manner, and will then be addressed by Ian before we partake of the ‘Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race’ along with Neeps and Tatties (For non-meat eaters there is a vegetarian option available but this must be booked in advance).  To finish there will be Raspberry Cranachan.  Each course will be accompanied by a suitable dram (wine available at an extra cost) and there will be a ‘going home’ dram.

Stanton House

This is not a black tie event, ‘smart casual’ will be fine, but in keeping with tradition each guest should wear a piece of tartan, and this can be as simple as a tartan tie or sash.  However, for those who have their own kilt this will be a splendid opportunity to bring it out of mothballs!

Tickets are £39.50 per person, and are very strictly limited.  They are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as they always sell very quickly it is best to book ASAP.  To buy them just log on to whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

March 6th
(Sunday)
Single Malt Tasting 4:00 p.m.

March 10th
(Thursday)
Single Malt Tasting 7:00 p.m.

“20 Degrees of Separation” Single malts that cause huge disagreements among the “experts” $50 per person. Applies to purchase. Reservations are accepted but not required. 402.553.9501 or patg@dundeedell.com

All events held at the beautiful Dundee Dell unless otherwise noted. The Dell is located in Omaha, Nebraska at 5007 Underwood Avenue.  http://www.dundeedell.com/