• Kavalan King Car Conductor Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
  After so much time spent merely reading about the great single malt whiskies from Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery, we can finally get our hands on them here in the states! The first release from Kavalan back in 2008 was their classic King Car Conductor expression that uses ex-sherry, ex-Bourbon, and ex-wine casks of between four and four and a half years of age for the marriage. It’s this whisky that I suggest those who are looking to try out one selection from the Kavalan portfolio begin with. The first thing that strikes you as you taste it is how un-youthful it is. It might as well be a 12 year old malt from the Scottish Highlands, but with an incredible supple-fruited character. It tastes like well-made, mature, Scottish single malt with extra concentration. It’s new and exciting, yet familiar and easy-to-place. There’s a soft, supple, raisined fruit and sweet sherry flavor right on the entry and a long, rich finish that continues to bring tof fee and caramel for minutes. It’s the humid conditions of Kavalan’s warehouse that allows the maturation to take place much faster — and while I’m normally skeptical of such accusations, the proof is in the pudding here. This is real deal whisky from the next big thing. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1996 Arran 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
  While peat ruled the day in 2009, the current whisky craze is all about sherry — that special wine from Spain whose barrels are used to mature numerous Scottish single malts. Macallan is known for its Oloroso sherry influence, and we’ve had a number of Glendronach casks aged in Pedro Ximenez. That rich, unctuous character is what whisky fans are after right now, which has lead to an increase in pricing on these expressions. While we continue to supply the household names, we’re also keeping a watchful eye on the independents like Arran distillery — an island producer with a penchant for using sherry maturation in some of their higher marks. We recently found a lovely little hogshead recoopered from fresh sherry wood that had spent 17 years in the Arran cellar. At 56.1%, the aromas drift right out of the bottle into a bouquet of raisined fruit and buttery toffee. The palate is surprisingly dry, however, with all the nuances of European oak making the ir way through layers of almond and sandlewood. There’s a bit of earthy rancio on the finish, as more fresh sherry flavor beings to saturate the dry, woody aftertaste. Water really brings out the fruit and opens up a bit of the sweetness. Similarly mature whiskies from Glendronach and Macallan sell for $150 to $200, so at $109.99 we’re pretty happy with the result; especially at cask strength. This one isn’t nearly as sweet as the some of the other sherry bombs we’ve had, and that’s quite nice for a change. (David Driscoll)

• 2002 Bowmore 12 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Hogshead Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($74.99)
  Bowmore is ALWAYS such a sleeper for us. Each year, we find a cask or two of Bowmore that we absolutely fall in love with. There are so many reasons why Bowmore is special, it’s hard to pinpoint why exactly we love it so much. Is it because they are malting more than 25% of the barley on site? Or perhaps it’s the fact that the distillery’s main warehouse sits below sea level. Maybe it’s the incredible resources and expertise that the distillery has or the peculiarity of the stills. Either way, we are absolutely entranced by most millennial Bowmore. This 2002 was so taught and powerful at full strength that we decided to experiment with bottling at lower proof. When we added water the whisky turned around and smacked us right in the face! What started as a sharp spear of smoky and peat seamed more like a catapult with a flaming ordinance. Not as bracing or angular, the lower proof actually broadens the whisky considerably. It’s smoked seawa ter, strange spices, and wisps of wild dried fruits. Bowmore deserves to be expensive, but this whisky delivers far beyond its price point. Inevitably it will go unnoticed, until you know, someone notices and buys it all. It’s always the same with Bowmore, so get a head of it. (David Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1992 Bruichladdich 21/22 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
  Now that Bruichladdich has been purchased by Remy and the older stocks have become harder to find, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bottle a 20+ year old hogshead of the unpeated Islay distillery — especially for a price this hot! At 53% cask strength the malt is bold enough to offer a bit of a kick, yet reduced enough to allow the more delicate side of the whisky to shine. The salty, supple notes are apparent right on the initial sip, bringing back memories of Bruichladdich’s “Waves” expression, albeit with much more complexity and age. The stonefruits are soft and enticing, with more saline, maritime notes undulated under “waves” of richness and oily textures. If you were ever a fan of Bruichladdich from the old Susan Purnell days here at K&L, then this whisky is like a nostalgic ride down memory lane. This is the flavor that many a K&L customer cut their teeth upon, and at the price we’re selling it for, it’s not all that much more than it cost back then. For all the whiskies we taste in Scotland each year, this is the flavor profile I’ve found most difficult to duplicate — mature Island whisky without smoke. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1983 Caol Ila 30 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($259.99)
  We just can’t stay away from these old Caol Ilas. Maybe it’s because they’re the last old Islays available, but we keep coming across these casks of Caol Ila that are just on fire. Caol Ila (arguably the most unsung Islay distillery) was spared closure in 1983, while its sister distillery Port Ellen was not so lucky. Caol Ila reliably churned out whisky throughout the 80’s whisky slump to provide a smoky base to the big name blends. While collectors the world over search for the final few bottles of Port Ellen left out there, few realize that if they just expanded their horizons slightly, they’ll find equally wonderful old Islay whisky is still available and I might even call it affordable. This spectacular cask from the Signatory warehouses is strickingly different from the 32 year we released last year. Here, we have much less focus on the exotic wood, earth and funk and much more classic Islay in every sense. We can go down the list and describe the expected and clearly evident flavores, smoke, ash, brine, lemon peel, oyster shell, nuts, it’s all there. It takes a slightly herbal turn on the finish with powerful core, but remains above all other things balanced. Of course, that doesn’t tell you anything about how special this whisky actually is. All I can say is that Caol Ila is one of our favorite distilleries and this malt is exactly why.

• 1998 Laphroaig 15 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($159.99)
  Des McCagherty is a man of few words, but when he said to us, “You might want to load up on Laphroaig this year,” we listened. Apparently, this is one of the most difficult and costly distillates to purchase on the independent market and stocks are depleting faster than ever from Signatory’s Pitlochry warehouse. A yearly barrel of two of Laphroaig at K&L has become commonplace since we started our barrel program and we don’t want that to change — at least not while we can help it. That’s why we snagged this 16 year old sherry butt of peaty goodness, full of big smoke, cinnamon, tar, and brine, but rounded out by a rich, sherry-laden note that fans of Laphroaig’s PX edition will recognize. That combination of sweet and peat is one of the most popular flavor profiles on the market right now, which always adds a few dollars to the cost. In this case, it’s fully worth it. The sherry adds the perfect raisiny balance to the bold, ashy flavors of the 61% spirit. If you’ve already loaded your cabinet with numerous, collectable bottles from Islay’s iconic distillery, then I won’t say that this bottle will offer anything new to your selection. However, if you’ve been taking mature, full proof, relatively-affordable, single barrel expressions of Laphroaig for granted, you might want to start thinking about snagging a few of these. That’s what we did, at least. (David Driscoll, Spirits Buyer)

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

BOURBON IS HOT, SO IS SUMMER—EVAN WILLIAMS KENTUCKY SLUSH TO COOL DOWN CONSUMERS IN SELECT TEST MARKETS 

Evan Williams Introduces the Coolest Way for Bourbon Drinkers to Refresh Their Summer 

LOUISVILLE, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, producers of Evan Williams, are giving Bourbon lovers in select markets a new way to chill out this summer—Evan Williams Kentucky Slush.  The only Bourbon-based pre-mixed cocktail, Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is made with real Evan Williams Bourbon and the natural flavors of Lemonade, Orange Juice, and Sweet Tea, and can be frozen, poured or blended.  It is best served frozen in the bottle or any personal container, blended with ice for an instant frozen Bourbon Slush, or simply poured straight on the rocks. 

As the Bourbon category grows year after year, now surpassing 16 million cases in the US and topping the $1 billion mark in exports for the first time, traditional seasonal trends, whereby consumers trade in their whiskeys for “white goods”—Gin and Vodka—during the summer months, have largely gone by the wayside. In fact, share of Bourbon consumption is now as high in July and August as January and February.  Given this trend, and given the dynamic growth of Evan Williams Bourbon, named both an Impact “Hot Brand” and a Beverage Information Group “Growth Brand” this year, Heaven Hill is test marketing Evan Williams Kentucky Slush in 11 markets this summer. Test markets will include Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

Evan Williams Kentucky Slush will be shipping mid to late May, and is to be available in market at off-premise accounts from June until August in a 1.75 liter PET bottle suitable for storage in the freezer.  Strongly branded with the Evan Williams logo and graphic theme, Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is intended to be merchandised and displayed within the Bourbon aisle using the POS materials made available, either on the shelf or as part of an impactful floor display.  All marketing materials, from case cards to posters and bottle neckers, use the tagline “For Seriously Refreshing Bourbon…Just Chill.”  Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is bottled at 25 proof or 12.5% alc./vol, which is a higher proof than other similar slush-type products, with an average national suggested retail price for the 1.75 liter bottle of $14.99. 

“As the Evan Williams brand franchise grows, we have identified additional usage opportunities, and one of these is clearly to expand Bourbon as a refresher during the hot summer months,” said Susan Wahl, Senior Brand manager, Whiskeys, at Heaven Hill.  “We know through both research and anecdotal evidence that many of our newer Evan Williams consumers look for different, more refreshing ways to drink Bourbon in the summer, whether at backyard cookouts, at the lake, or other summer gatherings.  We feel that we have a great taste profile, and with the flexibility to freeze it straight in the bottle, blend it with ice, or simply pour it on the rocks, we look for great results in our 11 test markets.”    

Founded in 1934, Bardstown,KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey.  Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

A DRAM FOR ALL DADS

If you’re looking for the perfect gift this Father’s Day, then look no further than our handpicked selection of award-winning single malt whisky… 

The Macallan Gold

Why not treat your Dad to a bottle of The Macallan Gold, the first expression in the innovative 1824 Series, which showcases this single malt’s natural colour and is matured in 100% sherry seasoned oak casks. The Macallan Gold has notes of vanilla followed by dark chocolate, with lingering floral and light oak notes. The Macallan Gold is available in multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons (RRP £35.99). www.themacallan.co.uk  

Highland Park 12 Year Old 

Highland Park 12 Year Old is the perfect gift for Dad’s who are fans of flavour. This single malt whisky boasts a honey sweetness, followed by fruity notes with a hint of gentle smoke and a flavour that just keeps on delivering. Highland Park 12 Year Old is available at multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op (RRP £34.04). www.highlandpark.co.uk. 

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 

The classic 10 Year Old Laphroaig offers a bold smoky taste followed by a hint of seaweed and a surprising sweetness. This is the foundation of the iconic Laphroaig range and makes the perfect Father’s Day gift for fans of the unique peaty character offered in any of Laphroaig’s signature expressions. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is available in all major multiples including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda (RRP £35.10). www.laphroaig.com 

Ardmore Traditional Cask 

Ardmore Traditional Cask is the perfect whisky for a Dad who appreciates time honoured craftsmanship. Ardmore has continued to adhere to their traditional ways of distilling since 1898, when the distillery was first founded. This single malt whisky offers a full and rich taste, with unique and rare highland peat-smoke tones, followed by a smooth, subtle sweetness. Ardmore Traditional Cask is available in selected major multiples including Asda and all good whisky shops (RRP £32). www.ardmorewhisky.com

A quick note from Mike at the Whisky Shop Dufftown;

Here is a link to our latest Newsletter. There’s a look back at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2014 and the latest on our programme of events for The Whisky Shop Dufftown Autumn Festival 2014. We hope to have tickets on sale from 2 June 2014 at 8:00 pm.

I hope you enjoy it.

Many Thanks

Mike

http://www.whiskyshopdufftown.com/category/news/

INTRODUCING THE VAULT

The vault is a select range of whiskies that have become very rare or discontinued from both our own ranges and commercial stocks, with as few as 1-2 bottles available for some whiskies once they have gone then they have truly gone!

We will be adding some exclusive releases to the site over the coming months. Kicking the 2014 selection off is the Clynelish 24 year old single cask, next month we have a Miltonduff reaching its 20th year in the cask we will be bottling it towards the middle or latter part of the month, the new labels will be White and Burgundy with exclusive to London printed on the side of the Label.

Longrow 18 is changing this year, gone is the old Purple box and buff label for the much cleaner white label and open fronted box, this will of course lead to a run on the old Purple box ranges so get in quickly before they all go to the collectors.

The new Longrow 18 is a much more scarce beast this year with only a few cases, given it’s the first of the new design we expect demand to be high for this product when it arrives this week.

Clynelish Distillery 1990 24 Year Old Special Bottling – 70cl / 47.5%

Bottled exclusively for Cadenhead’s London, only 228 bottles from the cask.

Nose: Mandarins, lemon thyme, sweet vanilla and juicy red apples.

Palate: White chocolate, orange bitters, pine needles and custard creams. Rich rounded palate lifts again with a hint of sweet sea breeze.

Finish: Crisp and zesty, touch of brown sugar, banana bread and more white chocolate. This is a great dram form the start to the finish.

Longrow from Springbank Distillery 18 Year Old – 70cl / 46%

Last chance to own the purple box

Nose: This whisky has an incredibly sweet nose with some savoury notes peeking through. Marshmallows in abundance – the vanilla variety, with icing sugar and foam bananas adding to the sweetness. Read more

Palate: This dram coats your palate in a waxy fashion with its continuing sweet flavours as described on the nose. But there is also the familiar, well balanced trace of smoke which makes… Read more

Finish: The creaminess of this whisky means it doesn’t go away – you feel the warmth of this Longrow all the way down to your boots, creamy, sweet with a gentle smoke finish.

Hazelburn Bond Reserve Sherry Cask from Springbank Distillery 8 Year Old – 70cl / 57.4%

One of the old Cadenhead’s Bond Reserve editions of Hazelburn only 290 bottles originally made.

Nose: Sweet fruity nose at first then some aromatic spiced chocolate.

Palate: Very rich across the palate with an abundance of sweet sherry tones lingering with a sweet coco taste and fresh tobacco leaves.

Finish: A long finish with a perfect balance of flavours that seem to linger from across the middle of the palate, warming sweetness once would expect from an older dram than this.

www.ralfy.com having a history lesson with Whisky Review 458 – exploring a historic blended scotch

LCBO RELEASES FIRST ONTARIO SINGLE MALT WHISKY 

Vaughan, Ontario, May 23, 2014 – Still Waters Distillery announces the release of its STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY at the LCBO. This is the first Single Malt Whisky to be distilled, aged and bottled in Ontario. The whisky, available in limited quantities, will be launched at the Summerhill LCBO store on May 31, 2014. The distillers will be on hand from 11:30am until 3:30pm to meet customers, offer samples, and sign bottles. They will also be at the Oakville LCBO on Cornwall Drive on June 7 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.  

STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY was first released last year directly by the distillery and in other markets, but this is the first LCBO release. It has received excellent reviews from critics and consumers alike. It is bottled as a single cask offering in individually numbered bottles. The whisky is made by hand from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley in small batches in a custom built copper pot still. It is bottled with no chill-filtering or artificial colouring. 

Distiller and company co-founder, Barry Bernstein, said, “We set out to restore the tradition of small batch craft distilling in Ontario that goes back centuries. We are excited to be releasing Ontario’s first craft whisky.” Barry Stein, co-founder and fellow distiller remarked, “We are pleased with the support the LCBO has given to locally produced products that consumers are now seeking”. 

Still Waters Distillery is Ontario’s first craft distillery. Their focus is on handmade whiskies, with their STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY being the first release. A 100% rye whisky will be released in the fall. They also produce an award-winning blended Canadian whisky, and an award-winning vodka. They are the recipient of the 2013 Canadian Whisky Awards, “Distillery of the Year”.

First Release Early-Bird tickets now on sale – 2 for £40 – Click here or on the banner to book. Only 100 pairs available. Second release will be 2 for £50…

Don’t tell anyone…except those you want to come!

See you there.