Laphroaig Ambassador Named an “Icon of Whisky”

Co-gháirdeachas (Congratulations)! We’re raising our glasses to Laphroaig ambassador Simon Brooking this month. Brooking was recognized at WhiskyLive in New York City as a highly commended Icon of Whisky. The honor builds on past accolades Brooking has received over the years, helping drive awareness and trial of Laphroaig. The Icons are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world, and are selected by an independent editorial panel from companies based around the world.

Laphroaig PX Cask NAS (48%, OB, +/-2012) 

“Laphroaig PX Cask Is A Special Expression Of Our Famous Whisky Which Has Enjoyed A Final Subtle Maturation In Pedro Ximenez Casks That Previously Contained PX Sherry, Known For Its Rich Aroma And Flavour. Travel retail Exclusive.” On the back label “This Style Of Maturation Brings Together 3 Types of Barrel; Ex-bourbon, 19^th Century Style Quarter Casks And Finally Pedro Ximenez Casks. The Result IS A Full And Subtly Richer Laphroaig With A Long And Complex Finish.” On the nose there’s some subtle peat smoke and a rich sherry notes, a combination of which is highly seductive, this is simply lovely on the nose, there’s a little earthiness lurking in the back ground but all in all it’s a tour de force of aromas. The taste is warming and the peat smoke jumps out and then there’s a sweet jam like moment along with some hints of chocolate. The sherry and the peat smoke are a delight together. This is brilliant whisky. The finish is earthy, warming, peated and sweet and then quickly becomes dry and the lovely sherried peat smoke roils around in the very long excellent finish.

Get on a airplane to Heathrow and buy some for yourself. Buy two. Bring your spouse and buy three.

£57.49

92 points

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY

MILTONDUFF EDITION

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky range inAsiaand the No. 1 in Global Travel Retail, is launching Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition – one of an innovative and exclusive collection of whiskies from the first limited edition series in the history of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.

Over 40 different malt and grain whiskies, sourced from all overScotland, are blended together to produce Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.  Specially created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, each edition in the Signature Distillery series aims to showcase the unique influence of one of the major signature malts that provide depth to Ballantine’s 17 Year Old – Scapa, Glenburgie, and Miltonduff – by accentuating their contribution within a limited edition blend.

The latest edition in the series, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition is a blended Scotch whisky that highlights the role of the Miltonduff single malt.

Miltonduff malt forms the foundation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, bringing power to the blend, its character complementing the other fingerprint malts perfectly.  The cinnamon spiced notes bring warmth to the blend and its floral character balances the fruity sweetness of other malts.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition brings the unique qualities of the Miltonduff malt to the fore while staying true to Ballantine’s signature style.

The presentation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition reflects the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old bottle, with added inspiration from the warmth of the tasting notes: elements of orange inspired by the sweet and fruity notes on the nose and a subtle rose sheen representing the hint of cinnamon spice that comes through in the background of the blend.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, says: “The Miltonduff Edition is an excellent addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. It’s ideal for those looking to explore Ballantine’s 17 Year Old on a deeper level as it offers whisky drinkers a unique insight into the role that the Miltonduff malt plays in the much revered Ballantine’s 17 Year Old blend. It also showcases the excellent work of our Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, a man who is a world-leader in the art of blending.”

The Signature Distillery series plays a pivotal role in telling the story behind Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and will continue in 2014.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Miltonduff Signature Distillery Edition is available now in limited quantities, with an RRP of $75 USD*.

Notes

*RRP inAsiaDuty Free.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition tasting notes

Nose: Rich fruity and sweet. Flavours of peaches in syrup, juicy sweet orange and creamy soft toffee with a hint of toasted almonds.

Taste: Sweet scented floral flavours. Extremely smooth with milk chocolate flavours and hints of cinnamon spice, cloves and liquorice root in the background.

Finish: Very long, warm and sweet.

About Miltonduff Distillery

Located in one ofScotland’s foremost whisky producing regions, Speyside, Miltonduff is set in the fertile valley known as the ‘GardenofScotland’, an area that has attracted many brewers and distillers over the centuries, due to the ready availability of the finest barley and the quality of theBlackBurnRiver’s water.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia, No. 1 Scotch whisky inEuropeand the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Laphroaig Triple Wood NAS (48%, OB, +/-2012) 

A cornucopia of cask used to produce this whisky; “The Most Richly Flavoured Of All Scotch Whiskies. Matured In Ex-bourbon Barrels And Quarter Casks, Then Finished in European Oak.” And non- chill filtered and at something resembling cask strength. So, on the nose there’s a really good combination of peat smoke and grain backed by some sweetness (think warmed honey) and then some subtle cask notes. There’s also a subtle hint of juniper and cocoa powder. It’s very intoxicating and luxurious. The taste is big but not overly aggressive, the peat smoke is obviously present as is the cocoa and the two make a very good combination. The juniper shows up after a moment or two but is not over whelming. There’s also some nice dryness but it has a difficult time battling the sweetness. All in all the combination of flavours in excellent. The finish is dry and long with the cocoa and the peat smoke working well together for a long lingering finish.

My oh my, how nice.

$90

Score 90 points

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES BATCH TWO OF ITS NEW CASK STRENGTH EXPRESSION

JUST five months after the launch of its new Cask Strength expression, GlenDronach, the award-winning Aberdeenshire distillery, has this week bottled the second batch of this phenomenal new single malt.

“It really is down to huge demand in the international marketplace,” revealed Sales Director Alistair Walker. “All 12,000 bottles in Batch One sold out in a matter of weeks and since the turn of the year our agents around the world have been calling for a second batch. We’re delighted to respond with this new expression.”

Batch One got rave reviews from Glendronach aficionados. “Sublime whisky”; “Like flakes melting in dark chocolate”; “This whisky is superb. Like a kid in a toy shop drinking this”; and “On the palate you got chocolate raisins and dark caramel. Give it twenty seconds and you got caramel and cream. Can’t wait for batch 2” were just some of the favourable comments.

“We believe Batch Two will exceed people’s expectations,” added Alistair. “It’s a superlative dram; the fullness of flavour is really astonishing.”

“Cask Strength” simply means that the whisky is bottled at the natural strength, straight out of the barrel. Each batch is unique, and the batches will continue to be released as long as this expression remains popular with consumers.

The second batch has been personally selected once again by Master Blender Billy Walker. At 55.2% vol, non chill-filtered and bottled at its natural colour, it has been matured as before in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

Mr Walker’s tasting notes show how time, wood and whisky mystically interact to create another richly-sherried expression that’s true to the GlenDronach style:

Appearance: Rich golden amber with a crimson heart.

Nose: Wonderful rich aromas of honey-drenched raisins and sultanas.

Candied ginger and orange peel are spiced with a beautifully delicate back note of warm oak.

Palate: A perfectly balanced traditional sherried character. An explosion of chocolate-coated raisins and zest of orange mellowed with sweet warm oak spices, hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared almonds.

Finish: A uniquely balanced classic finish.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on our new Cask Strength Batch Two expression and where to buy it. If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk

This is just a quick note to say that I’ve made a 27yo Longmorn available on my online shop at http://www.whiskybroker.co.uk/acatalog/Longmorn.html. It is a single cask bottling at cask strength 53.8%, and is priced at £55. The cask only yielded 191 bottles, so I don’t imagine that they will be available for long, but in any case, I will be making the bottles available to my trade customers from Monday 13^th May, so if any are still available then, they will be likely to rapidly disappear.

If you’d like a bottle, but don’t want to pay high postage costs, you can select “hold for collection” and I will set the bottle aside for you to add to an order at a later date, to reduce the postage per bottle.

Many thanks to everybody for your continued support. As a small but growing business, we greatly appreciate it.

Martin Armstrong

www.whiskybroker.co.uk

May Update: Treasure seekers
Treasure seekers….members have been snapping up these precious and rare gems..

1) 121.59 Vanilla candles on a polished table
14yo Refill ex-bourbon barrel, £49.40
14 available…  Buy

2) 1.171 Orchids in an old wardrobe
28yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £88.30
24 available…Buy

3) 59.43 Caramel Swirl Ice-cream
29yo 1983 30th Anniversary Bottling, £137.20
33 available…Buy

4) 4.175 Suspicious skulkers on the cat-walk
13yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £58.80
16 available…Buy

5)  7.83 Fresh, airy and sherbety
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £69.10
13 available…Buy     
    
Pearls of WHIS-DOM
Tasty TRIO: 53.184, 64.43 & G7.4 for £184
10 available…Buy

Island PAIR: 53.184 & 4.175 for £118
10 available…Buy

Packing CASE Offer: TRIO + 77.32, 7.83 & 3.198 for £364
4 available…Buy 
    
May Outturn

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 Whisky Lounge London Festival & Dram and Jam

This year is, for us, the year of whisky festivals. Along with our own Whisky Show, which is shaping up to be even more impressive than before (which was pretty impressive already), we’ve also been the official retailer for Whisky … Continue reading >>

New Arrivals

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1995 Mortlach 17 Year Old The Exclusive Malts Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($129.99)

Scotland – Spirits Pre-Arrival

• 1989 Isle of Jura 23 Year Old K&L Exclusive  Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)

Back in Stock

Canada – Rye

• Whistle Pig “Triple One” 11 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (cannot ship) – 6 available ($119.99)

Scotland – Blended Scotch

• Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml ($44.99)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1988 Littlemill 24 Year Old The Exclusive Malts Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 7 available ($159.99)

• Springbank 15 year old, Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($91.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Peach Street Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml – 6 available ($62.99)

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