Announcing Whisky Quotes – a new service for whisky collectors and investors

We’re happy to announce a new internet service focused on gathering and presenting market information on rare, collectible and investment whisky bottles.

Every investor needs an accurate and timely information about their investment. It is even more true for whisky assets, for which owners had had to regularly track multiple online and stationary auctions to calculate their market value.

Now, with the help from Whisky Quotes, it’s easier and more convenient for both novice and experienced investors, to view and evaluate their portfolio’s performance. Whisky Quotes will give you an instant access to the whisky market value over the last years and much more.

Whisky Quotes is aimed mostly at whisky investors and collectors but we believe that easy access to a comprehensive market information will benefit everyone.

At this point we’re putting the finishing touches on the bottles database and the application itself. Later we’ll send invitations for a private BETA access for those who subscribe early for news and updates on our website. Those participants will be able to influence the development phase by providing us with constructive feedback and suggestions.

Here’s a small preview of what’s to come:

Visit and subscribe at www.whiskyquotes.com. We are open for comments and suggestions. 

Thank you!

The Whisky Quotes Team

Kilchoman’s 5^th Edition 100% Islay is a vatting of ex-bourbon barrels filled in 2009 and 2010.

First released in 2010, the 100% Islay range is only lightly peated, compared to Kilchoman’s Machir Bay and Loch Gorm.

The annually released, limited edition bottling, is produced solely from barley grown at the distillery. Kilchoman remains the only Scotch whisky distillery to produce single malt using these traditional Farm Distillery methods.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director, says: “There is a clear difference between the 100% Islay range and other releases, the lighter peating level and maturation exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels gives the whisky a beautiful fragrance and balance. When we first set out to build Kilchoman the ambition was to produce a single malt from barley grown on the distillery farm to give complete control and traceability, we also wanted to echo how whisky was once made on Islay and across Scotland.  We are incredibly proud to continue these traditional practices”.

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years. Kilchoman is the only independent Islay distillery.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 5^th Edition is bottled at 50% ABV and is now available from ImpEx Beverages at a recommended retail price of $100/bottle.

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 100% Islay 5^th Edition Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky

Colour: White wine Nose:  Light, fresh and clean with peat smoke in the background.

Palate:  Light, fresh and well balanced with peaty smoke and sweetness coming through on the finish.

Finish:  Finish:  Long, clean and sweet with soft peat smoke.

Visit us at www.impexbev.com

1995 Craigellachie 18 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)

It wouldn’t be a whisky season without some big rich sherried malt to round out the selection. Craigellachie is becoming a serious force now that the owners have finally decided it should be marketed as a single malt. This exceptional distillery was almost exclusively reserved for the blends until very recently, but the heightened profile means that procuring more in the future might become more difficult. That’s why we knew we had to jump on this spectacular sherried ‘llachie. This has everything you want in a sherried malt and nothing that you don’t. It starts with a slight flintiness (don’t worry it’s not sulfur, just a spark on the front), this quickly blows off to reveal a magnificent bouquet of dried cherries, fudgy cacao nibs, roasted coffee beans, and freshly polished sandalwood. The dark aromas translate well to the palate, but never go bitter and the malty spirit adds lift and sweetness. Here is a truly balanced sherried malt like none other on the shelf right now. Sure we all sometimes love a big hammer of sherry right in your sensory organs, but sometimes you want the sweet velvety caress of that special wine from Jerez. Balanced, yet not lacking depth or power in anyway.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2015
For fans of sherry-aged single malts the Craigellachie 18 is an absolute bargain. It is mouth-filling, with rich and round flavors. In my tasting notes I wrote “Wow.” For fans of Macallan 18 who want to branch out and try a similar yet different whisky.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 25, 2015
This massive cask is definitely one of my favorites from this year. Craigellachie is a wonderful and under-appreciated distillery that’s only now getting recognition as a true Scottish Blue Chip. Its OB 17-year offering has recently won Speyside whisky of the year and this 18-year-old first-fill sherry version is another example of why the distillery is so well regarded by those in the know. Here we have some really classic sherry aromas, some fudge, wisps of gun smoke, dark dried plummy fruit. The palate dries up nicely (this is definitely Oloroso, not PX), but still brings out some Christmas cake and other dense fruity/spicy aromas. A real winner and an absolute steal considering where other malts in first-fill sherry are fetching these days.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015
For those who enjoyed the sherry casks we once were able to secure from Glendronach, this is our current replacement–and it’s far less expensive. Lovely richness, cakebread and spice, good weight on the palate. It’s a solid 18 year old sherry-aged whisky for an outstanding price.

Annual Mega-Scotch Tasting

August 2, 2015

Scotch Aficionados,

We do this once a year, just for you. Join us for our Annual Mega-Scotch Tasting Sunday, August 2, 2015 at 4:00 pm. We will gather in the Pine Room to sample some of the best scotch ever made. Additionally, Mary will be presenting your palate’s with delicious treats that compliment the exquisite tasting. This day shows off the impressive nature of the Dundee Dell, and why we take our scotch so seriously. Be a Mad Man for a day and taste the finest scotch in Omaha.

Cheers, Dell Staff

Taste:

Bennrinnes – 24 year
Glenfarclas – 40 year
Glen Grant – 28 year
Glen Ord – 30 year
Inchgower – 26 year
Mosstowie – 30 year … And many more

~ Stay Tuned for a Special Treat from Pat~

Cost: $100/person Reservations: Not Required but Encouraged
Call us: 402-553-9501

Once again we had a bunch of 28 loveable whisky freaks come to Scotland with us from Finland! In fact, The Malt Whisky Association of Finland, who visit us twice a year, from their 500 strong whisky membership. We are always pleased to see them, led as usual by the Club President Mika Jansson, who arrived a day early, staying in Perth with us, sharing drams at Paul’s hoose.

The MCLEANSCOTLAND crew for this tour was Liz Gillespie and Paul McLean (Partners/owners) and Mark Burgess, driver and drambassador from Belfast, where our coach also came from. We named this tour “The Viking Raid” for obvious reasons. When we designed this tour and sent it to Finland, it was advertised in the Association – it completely sold out in 60 seconds, we had to almost double the planned group size.

Tuesday 30 June saw us departing Perth for Aberdeen airport. Collect our group followed by a transfer to Elgin for a pre booked lunch! From there to Golspie and the Golspie Inn, just for drinks you understand. Finally to the Wick hotel – checking in, relax in the bar before a whisky dinner. At the airport we had 3 who arrived late (2 hours), so Paul hired a car from the airport, stayed around with Mika to meet them, then tried very hard to catch up the coach at Wick – we passed the coach at Golspie! A good first day, we all caught up and met up for the whisky dinner! Thanks to Andrew and his staff.

Wednesday 1 July we started the day at 8.45am sharp departing for the Old Pulteney distillery. Paul took the car to drop at Wick airport whilst pal Ian (whisky on tour fame) brought him back to the distillery. Malcom did a grand job for us there, thanks to him and the staff. Departing the distillery 11.30 for a 45 minute drive to the ferry in Gills Bay for the 1pm sailing. Please – if you ever use this ferry, avoid the burgers like the plague, ughh, worse than a piece of old carpet! We arrived at St. Margaret’s Hope 2pm and headed to the Scapa distillery for a 3pm tour. We split into two groups and had a good tour and set of drams, thanks again to all concerned. This evening Dinner at hotel where we had a special guest; Martin Markvardsen Brand Ambassador for Highland Park. Paul had pre arranged this with Martin, also for the tour tomorrow. Great to see him again.

Thursday 2 July all onboard for the 10.00am visit to Highland Park Distillery, I must say a brilliant tour here (in 2 groups), another Martin took our second group. The group was split into two for the tour & taste. Martin did the guiding – as arranged, but then somehow we ended up with BOTH Martin’s on the coach, guiding us around the mainland. A 1 hour drive to Skara Brae for a visit to this outstanding historic site. At Yesnaby cliffs Martin had brought drams of Thor and the 1987 edition. We all enjoyed these drams with Odins hammer before our eyes – a rock formation sticking out of the sea. Then the peat bog, where we were told about the significance of different peat layers. Return to the Hotel – a great day thanks to the Martin’s!

Friday 3 July; We left the hotel At 9.30 for Stromness, some free time here before the 11am ferry. Lunch on ferry – great this time, grand ferry, very smart. We had amazing views from this sailing back to the mainland. Wolfburn Distillery, a tour, warehouse visit and two drinks of new spirit, departing at 2.30pm for Clynelish distillery, where I was a wee bit annoyed they hadnee told me of the work going on. They had decorators in so the visitor centre was moved to Brora, doon the hill, then back up the hill for a tour of the distillery, then back (again) doon the hill for a tasting. Oh well. Departing distillery at 5pm ish we headed south to Inverness. A good hotel overlooking the river, food and drams tonight? We all split up doing our own thing – Liz, Mark and myself had a wee pub crawl and food at the Italian, others moved around the city, many doing beers at the Castle Tavern.

Saturday 4 July; We left Inverness 8.30 and headed to Elgin, where we did a wee town tour (wasting time actually) – then arriving at 9.50 at Glen Moray distillery. Iain and the gang did wonders here as we knew they would. I had arranged this one (Mika arranges most via distributers back in Finland) and I can honestly say it was one of the tour highlights. The distillery shop took a battering ! Many whisky lovers dragged out of the shop asked if we could do the tour again ! Words like awesome, superb were used. Well done Iain in the tasting stakes, the 30 year old flew from the shelves.

With 4^th July being a Saturday we managed the 6 Pillars tour at Macallan. Can I just say to Mark (driver) you did a great job getting us there on time. As it is such a large group we split into 3 smaller groups. The final distillery tour of the whole tour, but – one final stop we had arranged; Duncan Taylor Whiskies of Scotland. Many thanks Andrew for coping so well on your own mate! Finally heading to Aberdeen – loaded down with whisky purchases, the Holiday Inn in the city centre. Everyone headed out for those final drams/food, Brew Dog bar took a big hit. The tour ended at the hotel after breakfast.

All in all, another successful tour, hard working crew and a happy bunch of Fins (mostly), but with a large group as this we couldnee please everyone all the time. Thanks to everyone on board, crew and guests, thanks Mark for grand driving and a clean coach everyday, looking forward to the next tour now !

Some comments…

“Excellent Viking Raid! It was very much to Your credit Paul, Liz and Mark!”

“Thanks Paul/Liz/Mark! (as well as all the old and new finnish faces on the trip). Great tour once again”

“Thank you for all the arrangements again to you and Liz!! This trip was a dream come true to many who come on the tour. For me, it was great to see you two again, and Mark as well! Many thanks for all the arrangements and kind help!”

“Back at home. Out standing trip, incredible views, mind blowing whiskies, hilarious company, phenomenal distilleries, stupid flight company (KLM), and magnificent new contacts! Thank you again Scotland!”   Authors note; the photo – Guitar made from casks presented to Highland Park made in Finland by Jani Bergström.

“Hello Paul and Liz, you are awesome people! Nicely organized program. The weather was great! I have no idea how you managed to arrange that! This Norseman is going to bed, and will continue the whisky raid tomorrow.” 

“On ferry to Orkney even seen a killer whale as we came into port” 

“The wee traveller is finally home after a very bumpy ride over Germany…thank you all who was on the trip, it was awesome!!!”

The Viking Tour. Malt Whisky association of Finland completed a tour in Scotland 30.6 – 5.7.2015. Our group consisted of 28 whisky enthusiasts. We visited 7 distilleries. Some highlights from the tour.  

In Old Pulteney we could get own bottling of 25 yo OP! In Highland Park we were shown almost every corner of the distillery. In HP peat field we were told about the significance of different peat layers. At Yesnaby cliffs we got drams of Thor and the 1987 edition. In the Wolfburn distillery we were offered two of their new makes. In Glen Morays warehouse we got to taste port wine finished GM and Madeira finished GM. Both from 1988. Oh my! In the visitor centre we had a nice tasting. The highlight was of course a 30 yo GM. Stunning. Trying to recover from the tour!

Scots need not to worry when it comes to whisky. Tasted some mind blowing stuff e.g. Old Pulteney 25, Talisker 1956, Scapa 16, Highland Park 1987, Glen Moray 30, Balvenie 22, Balblair 1990…only few to mention.

http://www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/

Director of distilling is singled out for judges’ praise

Crafted only from handpicked Spanish oak casks, which previously contained sherry. The Macallan’s casks are amongst the most precious and scarce used in single malt whisky. The rich, ruby colour distinguishes this as a classic Macallan whisky, and it is the interaction of spirit and wood which delivers this vibrant colour. The intensity of Rare Cask’s character was made by The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno.

The Taste:

Silky smooth with lots of the rich, dried fruit flavours expected of The Macallan. Lots of dried fruit and raisins, with toasted oak, vanilla and a chocolatey sweetness. A full and warming finish with light citrus notes.

£200 Buy Now

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d – I call that a bargain

A lot of distilleries talk about their history, but there are few still in operation who can point to generations of family ownership. One of the best known distilling families in that exclusive club are the Grants of Glenfarclas, owners of the distillery for 150 years. To celebrate this milestone, they have released a new whisky, the cryptically named Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d.

John and George Grant: the first and second generations of the family

The story behind the name is actually simple: On 8 June 1865, 29 years after its founding, John Grant bought Glenfarclas for the princely sum of £511.19s.0d. A bit of digging on the Bank of England’s website suggests that this was equivalent to about £57,000 in today’s money, quite the bargain for a working distillery. The distillery was only part of the purchase, as the family were actually buying the tenancy of Rechlerich farm, and the distillery came along with it – the total bill was £1224.19s.7d. The Grant’s leased out the distillery but when their tenant, distant cousin John Smith, resigned in order to found Cragganmore, John and his son George took over. Since then, the family have run the distillery.

John L S and George S Grant: the fifth and sixth generations

As George S Grant, son of current director John L S Grant, has said at tastings, it’s unnerving to visit the family graveyard and see your name on so many gravestones – the Grants have been quite conservative when naming their children and over the years they’ve almost all been called John or George. However, it does mean that now, 150 years after the family bought the distillery, a John and a George again run the company as a father and son team.

Filling the celebratory casks

Along with the release of £511.19s.0d, the distillery celebrated the anniversary by filling 10 sherry butts and 10 sherry hogsheads, ready for the future generations. The family are still planning for the long-term, laying down stock now to ensure that years down the line they’ll have all of the whisky they need.

Glenfarclas is well known for its heavily sherried whisky, and this celebratory dram starts off down the same path, consisting mainly of first-fill sherry butts. However, there’s more to it than just a blast of dried fruit:

GLENFARCLAS £511.19S.0D FAMILY RESERVE, 43%

Nose: Honey and raisins with gentle charred-cask bitterness hidden behind. Stewed apples and pears develop in the glass, along with golden sugar, Portugese custard tarts, buttered fruit cake, nutmeg and clove. Despite those heavier notes, it’s still quite fresh, with freshly sliced Golden Delicious apple and hints of candied lemon.

Palate: Soft and rounded, with delicate sherry-cask spice and fruit to start. The flavours get darker as it develops, moving on through raisins and dark fruit cake to gentle notes of char and mixed spice. Just before the death, fresh apple pops up, accompanied by damp leaves and forest floor earthiness.

Finish: Nutmeg and cinnamon toast, soft and lingering with tart apple sauce and a hint of liquorice.

Comment: A game of two halves, with fresh fruit and weighty sherry-matured flavours balanced carefully, with each taking their turn on the nose and palate.

Lighter and more elegant than some of Glenfarclas’s drams, but still with the classic sherry cask punch hidden underneath. It is available now from The Whisky Exchange.

Auction is now live folks. Enjoy.

The 52nd Auction

Kind regards from Glasgow – The SWA Team

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Shinshu Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Japanese Whisky 750ml ($54.99)

• Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whiskey 750ml (Ships as 1.5L) (1 bottle limit) ($59.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
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