NEW ARRIVALS

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 2003 Auchroisk 11 Year Old “Exclusive Malts” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($99.99)

• 1983 Caol Ila 30 Year Old Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($349.99)

• 1996 Caol Ila Samaroli Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($249.99)

• 1992 Glen Scotia Samaroli Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($249.99)

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

SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEYS OF MIDLETON PRESENT THEIR FIRST EVER GOOGLE HANGOUT ON AIR LIVE FROM THE GOOGLE FOUNDRY, DUBLIN  

On Monday, May 18th, in honour of World Whisky Day, the Masters of The Midleton Distillery will come together for their first ever live Google Hangout ON AIR. Broadcast live from the Foundry in Dublin’s Google HQ, the show will be streamed from 6pm GMT. The event aims to raise awareness and educate whisk(e)y lovers about Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

The event will be hosted by International Brand Ambassador, Dave McCabe, who will discuss all things Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey with Master Distiller Brian Nation, Master Blender Billy Leighton, Master of Maturation Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Whiskey Science David Quinn and Master Cooper Ger Buckley.

The seminar will cover everything from the history of Single Pot Still Irish whiskey, the Midleton Distillery’s unique maturation and wood programme as well as a tasting of some of the most revered Single Pot Still Irish whiskeys, Redbreast 12 Year Old, Green Spot, Powers John’s Lane and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy.

The link to the live Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys of Midleton Google Hangout ON AIR will go live one hour prior to the event.

In the meantime, join us in spreading the word about the Google Hangout ON AIR and follow the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys of Midleton on Google+ https://plus.google.com/+SinglePotStillIrishWhiskey/posts

#SinglePotStill

#WorldWhiskyDay

A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE ANTIQUARY

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd has given its premium blended Scotch Whisky brand, The Antiquary, a new look in a move to give it a new lease of life, while still retaining the history and provenance of one of the oldest Scotch Whisky brands in the market.

The iconic diamond cut bottle remains, however it is in a taller, sleeker, and more sophisticated form. Pocket Rocket Creative has designed new labels and secondary packaging to highlight the unique shape of the bottle which, aside from the high content of malt whiskies inside, is arguably one of the brand’s biggest selling points.

The Antiquary, along with its 12 year old and 21 year old expressions, is sold worldwide, with significant market success in France, Portugal, Russia, Angola, UK and the USA. The new label designs were trialled in Chile in 2014 and will now be rolled out worldwide.

“The Antiquary has been around since 1888 and, particularly in the UK, is known as the blend that ‘my Grandfather used to drink’”, explains Jennifer Masson, Marketing Manager. “We want to challenge that perception and give this deserving institution a new lease of life. The new packaging will attract a wider, and younger, demographic without distancing our existing customers. The Antiquary is a cut above other blends in the market; with 45% malt content all three expressions are smooth and easy drinking.”

Stephen Bremner, Sales Director, expects to see an upturn in sales as a result of the redesign: “Much like the Tomatin Distillery, the Antiquary brand has been a sleeping giant. With the new packaging I expect to attract new customers in new markets, particularly in South America. We’ve tweaked the recipe for our entry level expression too, to better reflect the original recipe used by the Hardie brothers in 1888, resulting in the smoothest blend in recent years.”

Del Sneddon, lead designer on the Antiquary Project said: “The distinctive bottle of The Antiquary with its unique facets has charmed many for decades. We decided to enhance its form further by creating a bespoke label that follows the geometric shape of the front face and also improves standout. More detailing and calligraphy within the label was also added to ‘premiumise’ the design and cleaner typography for the brand name was introduced to bring it up-to-date. The outer cartons proudly depict The Antiquary’s distinguishing contours for ultimate impact.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Antiquary brand is owned by the Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd, which also owns the Tomatin and Cù Bòcan single malts, along with a portfolio of blended whisky brands.
• See http://www.theantiquary.com/ and http://www.tomatindistillery.com/ for more information
• The new packaging is being rolled out worldwide gradually over the coming months – the 12 and 21 year old expressions are only available in selected markets.
• John & William Hardie began their quest to create the perfect blended Scotch Whisky more than 150 years ago. In 1888, using only the finest and rarest malts, they succeeded in creating what was considered to be superior to all other blends; The Antiquary. The name is taken from the famous gothic novel written by Sir Walter Scott, redolent with family secrets, stories of hidden treasure and hopeless love.
• Pocket Rocket Creative Ltd, based in Stirling – Central Scotland – was established in 2007 and operates with 5 staff, 3 of whom are Directors (Gary Dawson, Gary Doherty, Del Sneddon)
• Awarded World’s Best Design Agency at the World Whisky Awards, 2014

Brand Evolution

The Authors’ Series is an exclusive range of Single Malt Whiskies created by prestigious blenders and bottlers, Hunter Laing Ltd.

The range features specially selected, unique high end single malts. Each whisky paired with a famous author, ensuring that author’s life and work relate to the distinct taste and character of the malt contained within. The first four author’s in the series were Charles Dickens, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Rudyard Kipling & Edgar Allan Poe.

Each bottle is individually dipped in wax and then sealed with the monogram design. Then packaged in a brown leather presentation box finished with a gold metallic foil to bring a touch of luxury to this limited edition malt.

Ardbeg 1993 Rudyard Kipling 

This Ardbeg 21 year old was matured in 1993 and bottled in January 2015. It is one of only 120 bottles which have been drawn from a Refill Hogshead and bottled at a natural cask strength of 56.4% volume.

£900 Buy Now

Macallan 1993  Charles Dickens

This 21 year old single malt from the Macallan distillery in Speyside. This particular expression was distilled in 1993 and bottled in 2015 from a Refill Barrel at a natural cask strength of 54.8% volume. One of only 99 bottles. Full of rich, dried fruit flavours with a hint of spice.

£600 Buy Now

Clynelish 1996 Edgar Allan Poe

This particular expression is a Clynelish 18 year old, originally filled to cask in December 1996 and bottled in 2015 at a natural cask strength of 56.1% volume. Drawn from a refill Hogshead it is one of only 243 bottles. Sweet yet spicy, with a creamy fudge flavour and some citrus notes.

£280 Buy Now

Probably Speyside’s Finest 1986 Robert Louis Stevenson

This whisky comes from the Glenfarclas distillery, and was originally filled to cask in 1986. Matured for 28 years in a Sherry Butt and bottled in 2015 at 48% volume. One of only 306 bottles. Rich and sweet, with delicious Christmas pudding and sherry flavours.

£190 Buy Now

Hunter Laing Collection

Hunter Laing & Co are an independent bottling company based in Glasgow that provide The Whisky Shop with a superb range of single cask malt whiskies under the labels Old Malt Cask, Platinum Old & Rare and Douglas of Drumlanrig.

Every Hunter Laing bottle available from us has been hand picked by members of The Whisky Shop staff based on its fantastic flavour and outstanding quality.

View The Full Collection Now

BACK IN STOCK

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Aberlour 12 Year Old Non Chillfiltered Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($49.99)

• 1994 Glen Garioch Single Vintage Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($119.99)

• Glenfiddich 15 year Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($42.99) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: “Look for rich, rounded flavors with lots of honey, vanilla and baking spice notes. The palate is creamy, with a mouth-filling texture and smoky finish. ” (12/2013) Wine Spectator: “A deceptive delight that starts sweet with honey, leather and orange peel on the nose, then turns to spice on the palate. After a spot of honey on the tongue tip, the spices come on in earnest, with cinnamon and ginger. Leaves a long, spicy finish. Three types of cask: Sherry, Bourbon and new oak.” (02/2011) K&L Notes: Awarded Double Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

• Scapa 16 year old “The Orcadian” Isle of Orkney Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($69.99)

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

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #109

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a wine-finished GlenDronach. Since Billy Walker and his team took over the GlenDronach Distillery in 2008, it has truly been put back on the map. Walker and his team are well-known for experimenting with different types of casks, and the whisky Mark tried today fits that bill perfectly: the GlenDronach 14 Year Old Sauternes Finish. It is sweet and creamy, with the wine putting its stamp on the spirit, but in this case it worked wonderfully.

http://youtu.be/3B1SxBa7Kyk

MAKER’S MARK PREVAILS IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Loretto, Kentucky, May 5, 2015 – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on Monday ruled in favor of Maker’s Mark and parent company Beam Suntory in a class action lawsuit alleging misleading marketing in the labeling of Maker’s Mark as “handmade.” The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle dismissed the complaint of two Florida consumers “with prejudice,” ending the case. “In all events, the plaintiffs have not stated a claim on which relief can be granted,” the ruling concludes.

“We have asserted all along that the complaints in this case were frivolous and without merit, and we are very pleased the court agreed with our position so emphatically,” said Rob Samuels, chief operating officer of Maker’s Mark. “This ruling is very good news, and it should send a strong message to those who would seek to gain from similar baseless and irresponsible litigation,” added Kent Rose, senior vice president and general counsel of Beam Suntory.

The case dismissed by the court is Dimitric Salters and A.G. Waseem, etc. v. Beam Suntory Inc. and Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., etc.

About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

In 1954, at a small Victorian distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a pioneering handmade bourbon that, for the first time, would appeal both to bourbon and to non-bourbon drinkers alike, that tasted good and exemplified good taste, and wouldn’t “blow your ears off,” which was the measure by which bourbons were judged at the time. He decided to make his whisky in small-batches of 19 barrels, developed a proprietary barrel char to enhance the softness and sweetness of his whisky, and then rotated each barrel by hand to ensure exposure to consistent temperatures throughout the warehouse, and, ultimately, he aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels,

Sr., unknowingly and unintentionally, fired the shot that started the Bourbon Revolution, and transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handcrafted spirit, giving rise to the modern era of bourbon. Today, Maker’s Mark continues to make its bourbon the same way Bill Samuels, Sr., did 60 years ago, in small batches by craftsmen who hand-dip each bottle. In 2010, in tribute to his father’s spirit of innovation, Bill Samuels, Jr. unveiled Maker’s 46®, a totally new bourbon that reflects the distinct character of Maker’s Mark® but has a bigger, bolder and complex taste without any hint of bitterness. Maker’s Mark® Bourbon (45% alc./vol.) and Maker’s 46® (47% alc./vol.) are distilled, aged and bottled by the Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., in Loretto, Kentucky. In 1980, the distillery was designated a National Historic Landmark, becoming the first distillery in America to be so recognized, and has also been decreed as the “world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery” by Guinness World Records®. The Maker’s Mark Distillery is one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. For more information, please visit the Maker’s Mark® website (www.makersmark.com)

GEORGE T STAGG, 2010 BUFFALO TRACE ANTIQUE COLLECTION, 71.5%

We have been fortunate enough to have received a small parcel of stock which has contained a small quantity of the 2010 edition of the George T Stagg Bourbon. We regularly get asked if we have any of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and usually the answer is no (unless asked close to the annual launch). So we probably don’t need to stress how rare it is to come by a few cases of this limited edition Bourbon.

George T Stagg is big… we mean BIG! It is bottled at barrel proof giving it a hefty alcoholic roundhouse, if you’re approaching this stuff be prepared to go in swinging. This is a meaty and oaky American whiskey with a deeper subtlety beneath its brash exterior. This is one for collectors and drinkers to get into a Royal Rumble over!

PLEASE NOTE THE IMAGE PROVIDED IS NOT OF THE 2010 EDITION.

£164.95

For any queries please email angus@milroys.co.uk

“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.”

Raymond Chandler, Novelist and Screenwriter

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #110

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries a BenRiach, selected as festival bottling in Belgium. Every whisky festival in Belgium offers a specially selected whisky as their festival bottling, after all. For the 10^th Anniversary of Whisky Live Belgium (in Spa in 2013), a single cask of BenRiach 1996 was bottled. It is a bit atypical as it was a virgin oak hogshead, meaning less fruit, but all the more spices. But what a damn good whisky indeed.

http://youtu.be/7k9925MaNZ8