The madness of the holiday season is now over, we have all survived the stupidity of Black Friday, cyber Monday, Panic Saturday! How about wincing Wednesday or thumping Thursday and let’s not forget silly Sunday, let’s see the idiots who create such moronic names steal the last 3 thinking it’s a good idea to constantly give stupid PR driven names to anything they possibly can! (Rant over)

Our Christmas season started way back in September with release after release of stunning single casks and small batch malts, obviously the last one of the year was an incredible range selling out of everything bar 3 cases of Clynelish 19 in less than an hour, we even sold the reserve stocks normally held back for the in-store sales! Don’t think I can recall such a thing happening across the range before. I know the speed of sales caused too many of you to miss out we had no idea demand would outstrip supply all those decades ago when we purchased the casks or made the whiskies.

We have to remind our overseas customers that all bottles sold on the site are UK delivery only or collect in-store, we do not ship outside the UK at this time.

The tasting room is booking up solidly again for 2016 with all January evening tastings along with most of early February booked up and 5 of the 6 personal blending nights we had planned sold out with-in minutes. If we can fit a few more in this year we will do so soon.

A few thousand tasting room vouchers sold the last few weeks so get booking ASAP to secure a slot before the next holiday season starting March 25th (Good Friday) it will be upon us before we know it.

Over the last year I have been stocking up on Tamnavulin Glenrothes and Tamdhu simply because I quite like them to be honest. If you have not had one of our small batch vintages you will kick yourself if you don’t give them a try.

Now its time to look forward to a new year full of surprises from Scotland’s amazing distilleries. Our new season from Springbank kicks off with the long awaited 12 year old cask strength followed by the new 16 year old Local Barley later in the month (more about that later)

Our first new products of the year are due to hit the shops as you get this newsletter, along with the very new we have some very old so this is going to be a big release in London.

OLD & EXREMELY RARE

This is your chance to own some very rare and fine whiskies, there is only 1 bottle of each of these, so once its gone, its gone. But have a look in The Vault where you’ll find som rare gems.

Allt-A-Bhainne 1980 60.3% Bottle number 282 cask 100029 old picture label Cadenhead bottling.

Benriach 10 1986 bottled July 1996 61.2% Cadenhead green glass screen print bottle Cadenhead bottling.

Benrinnes 23 March 1962 bottled November 1985 46% brown glass Amber dump black & white label Cadenhead bottling.

Caol ila 22 May 1974 bottled July 1996 57.4% green glass screen print bottle Cadenhead bottling.

Dallas Dhu 12 Gordon & Macphails

Dallas Dhu 24 1970 60.6% rare malts bottle

Dallas Dhu 34 1980 43% Gordon & Macphails

Craigallachie 23 December 1962 bottled January 1985 46% brown glass Amber dump black & white label Cadenhead bottling.

Glenlochy 26 January 1958 bottled October 1984 sherrywood cask 46% brown glass Amber dump black & white label Cadenhead bottling.

Hillside 25 Glenesk distillery 1971 bottle 2070 62% rare malts with original carton

Lagavulin 1978 63.5% cask number 16 bottle number 97 Cadenheads picture label Cadenhead bottling.

Linlithgow (St. Magdalene) 24 December 1982 bottled May 2007 50% single cask 303 bottles. Old Malt Cask bottling

Rosebank 12 43% flora & forna bottling

Glenmorangie The original 10 year old (old label)

Lochside 10 Macnab Distillery bottling 40% 750mil picture label (some damage to lower part of the label.

Bowmore 15 year old sherry cask (Darkest) 1990″s seagulls picture label.

COMING SOON

Springbank 12 year old Cask Strength is due in by late January early February again this is going to be around 60-65% Sherry casks the rest will be Bourbon casks,

Springbank 16 year old Local Barley due early February, this is a welcome return to the Local Barley series, the last Local barley produced was way back in 1966 then released as a vintage in the 1990’s with the picture label showing hand drawn images of the distillery, quite a colourful label that i am sure some would love to see again! Well lets see what happens very soon.

Springbank 18 will not be bottled until later this year along with the new Kilkerran 12 year old expected in the summer.

Springbank 21 is almost gone we will add a few bottles to the site very soon from the 2015 bottling.

Springbank 15 is now heading into rare status until the next batch of casks are ready to bottle around August so any stocks we have in will be down to a max of 2 bottles per customer, this might be down to one bottle sooner than we would like if sales continue at the current pace.

Longrow 18 2015 bottling is also close to selling out until we re-bottle the next batch due April / May.

As soon as we have the Local Barley and Springbank 12 in stock I will send another newsletter.

A TRIBUTR TO UNCLE BRIAN

On January 2nd 2016 our most iconic member of staff passed away, He was known as Uncle Brian to customers who came to our shop in Covent Garden when we first opened in London just under 21 years ago.

Brian was one of those oh so few people who simply loved life and talking to customers, he never tried to sell the most expensive he simply wanted people to enjoy the best whisky they could.

One of his great skills was getting to know so many people (He would never say customers) personally that even today they ask how he’s doing. If you never had the chance to meet Brian then you missed a truly unique man who helped shape the direction of the shop in London.

So it’s with deep sadness that we must now close the chapter on our much loved Uncle Brian.

His family and friends will deeply miss him as will I and all those who have worked with him be it in London or from our head office and of course our customers who have been with us since May 1995.

All the best for 2016 everyone.

Stephen W Cadenhead’s London

The Joys of Blended Whiskies, each part coming together to create a complex drink.

Compass Box Great King Street Glasgow Blend$44.99

SIA Blended Scotch Whisky$49.99

Syndicate 58/6 Premium Blended Scotch Whisky$174.99

Black Bottle Fine Old Scotch Whisky$19.99

D&M | 2200 Fillmore St | San Francisco | CA | 94115

A BITTER SWEET VALENTINE’S WITH BLACK BOTTLE

It is said that opposites attract, and Black Bottle Scotch whisky couldn’t agree more. This unique whisky’s delicate smoky and peaty flavours, balanced by notes of sweet oak and honey, show the seamless synergy that flows from expertly combining different but complementary tastes.

Try Black Bottle this Valentine’s Day (February 14) – neat, on ice, or as part of a refreshing cocktail.

Here are two cocktail recipes, conceived by internationally recognised Scottish mixologist, Mal Spence, the global ambassador for the brand.  One of these includes a dash or so of bitters, the other some heavenly sweet sugar syrup. Be daring and enjoy this bitter sweet combo of cocktails with your loved one, and make magic happen!

Black Bottle was created in 1879 in Aberdeen by tea blender Gordon Graham, an inspiration in Scotch whisky history for his uncompromising, daring spirit.

The whisky was globally relaunched in 2014, back in a black bottle as its name suggests. It now also features a blend far closer to the Aberdeen original. It retails for between R240 and R260 per 750ml bottle, from selected liquor outlets countrywide, as well as http://www.vinoteque.co.za/.

Black Bottle Bitters & Cola

Glass

Rocks

Ingredients

1 part Black Bottle whisky

2 to 3 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 parts cola

Orange wedge

Ice

Method

Fill the glass to the rim with ice cubes. Add the bitters, Black Bottle whisky and cola. Stir and add orange wedge.

Black Bottle Ti-Punch Twist

Glass

Rocks

Ingredients

1 part Black Bottle whisky

½ part sugar syrup

½ a lime

Ice

Method

Pour the Black Bottle whisky into the glass. Squeeze and drop the lime into the glass. Add the sugar syrup, some ice and stir.

Go to http://www.theblackbar.co.za/ and enter your details in order to be invited to exclusive Black Bottle events.

Follow Black Bottle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBottleSA) and/or

Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlackBottleSA).

Join the conversation using: #BlackBar

 This article in a Tweet:

Be daring with @BlackBottleSA blended #Scotch this #Valentines and dish up some tasty cocktails for you and your loved one! #BlackBar

The Hepburn’s Choice single malt whisky label continues to be one of the most important and value-driven finds of the last five years for our spirits department. The relationship we’ve established with the Hunter Laing Whisky Company during our annual visits to their Glasgow-based office is perhaps our strongest and most fruitful in the industry. Their selection of single casks is unparalleled in today’s market and the fact that we can buy directly from the source gives us unbeatable pricing during a period when single malt whisky’s continued ability to provide value is being called into question. Not everyone understands exactly what differentiates “independently-bottled whisky” from the standard brands usually seen on the standard liquor store shelf. Many customers ask: how is it that K&L is able to purchase unique barrels of single malt whisky directly from distilleries that are owned by companies like Johnnie Walker?

In essence: we travel to Scotland to meet with former blending houses that are currently more interested in selling off their inventory as individual components, rather than in large volume blends. We’ve spent the last five years learning to navigate vast warehouses and incredibly-dense inventories in search of only the finest Scotch on behalf of our customers. When we find a particular cask that stands out from the pack, we purchase the entire barrel and have it bottled on behalf of K&L. The whiskies are bottled uncut, without filtration, and with no adulteration. Over the years, our customers have come to recognize these K&L Exclusive selections as the very best of what we offer, waiting with baited breath for each new shipment to arrive.

To learn more about the Hepburn’s Choice label and how we purchase our whisky when we travel to Scotland, check out this latest article from our On The Trail blog for a full explanation.

Check out the latest K&L Exclusive arrivals below:

2009 Caol Ila 5 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($49.99)

This is our second cask of young Caol Ila under the Hepburn’s Choice label and our decision to re-order was based on the tremendous success of the previous edition. We weren’t sure how our customers would react to such a youthful and unabashed expression of Islay intensity, but what we discovered was that young Islay whisky tastes rather wonderful. In this five year old cask of Caol Ila there’s a roasted barley note immediately that wraps around the fruit and continues to squeeze on the palate until shaken off by the salty, sea water note that washes into the finish. A second sip shows more pure peat flavor and bright phenolic notes that again get lost in the fruitiness of the Caol Ila spirit. This is another fun one for true fans of Islay and for whisky geeks looking to understand the various stages of single malt maturation.

2009 Talisker 5 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($49.99)

Ahh….Talisker. That beloved Isle of Skye whisky that tempts so many of us with its heavenly combination of round, textural richness and smoky peat flavors. Now imagine that bright star of a whisky in its incubation period, still forming its integral character, not yet developed or ready to shine in its polished presence. This five year old, unbridled look at Talisker is for true whisky geeks only. Matured in a refill hogshead for only five years, the color is still almost clear and the flavors still maintain much of their new-make youth. The beery and almost-fermented flavors of white whisky are still strong in this interrupted interlude, but it’s the finish that will captivate you and send you over the moon. All of that smoke, peat, saline, salty, and phenolic intensity absolutely explodes on the back end of the palate, erupting in a combination of sweet fruit and bright baking spices. You’ll take one sip, then another, and then yet another as you try to wrap your head around this rare single malt opportunity. Independent editions of Talisker are incredible few in number. For the price, we think your leap of faith will be well rewarded.

This whisky is so much fun if you’re really into single malts. Most serious whisky fans know that finding independently-bottled Talisker is next to impossible. This 5 year old cask offers you that allusive opportunity, even though it’s a bit of an oddball at such a young age. You’ll be happy you bit the bullet, however. This whisky absolutely erupts on the finish, smothering the palate in peat smoke, salt, and fruit spices.

1997 Benrinnes 17 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

This is our fourth cask of Benrinnes in the last two years and, believe us, it won’t be the last. We’ve become rather infatuated with the Diageo-owned Highland distillery since our visit a few years back. Not only were the ladies running the operation incredibly friendly and gracious, they also helped us to better understand and appreciate the delicate, malty flavors of this classic Scotch whisky operation. Benrinnes isn’t a smoky whisky, it’s not a rich and textural whisky, nor is it oily or overtly powerful. It’s simply an old school, no frills, vanilla and fruit flavored single malt that has incredible balance, grace, and pureness of flavor. Despite the rather unexciting description, there’s a lot to be excited about when drinking this cask strength 17 year old edition of Benrinnes. Much like buying a new black suit if you’re a guy, or a new black dress if you’re a gal, there’s something timeless and essential about this whisky. It shows the 17 years spent in barrel with the richness of the vanilla and the roundness of the malty profile, but there is nothing outside the box about this whisky. It’s just a perfect and shining example of Highland perfection. We love it because it is exactly as it’s supposed to be, not because it’s an anomaly. If you love tradition and excellence in your Scotch whisky, then Benrinnes is for you.

I love Benrinnes. That’s all I can tell you. I can’t tell you that it’s the flashiest or most potent of whiskies. It’s not smoky or sherried or overly-rich. It’s just absolutely delicious. It just hits the spot in a perfect Scotch-like manner. Vanilla, sweet barley, and a smooth, supple texture. Classic.

Another great cask from Benrinnes. It has wonderful malt and subtle floral aromas that are sweet and inviting. In the mouth it is soft and round with lively refreshing flavors. T Benrinnes over performs again.

1997 Glenlossie 17 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

Few people have heard of Diageo-owned Glenlossie distillery, the Speyside facility known mostly by insiders for its role in Haig Blended Whisky. But that’s part of what makes single barrels like this one so much fun! It’s a chance to taste whisky from producers that normally do not bottle their Scotch as pure single malts. For fans of Glenlivet’s Nadurra series, this 17 year old Glenlossie single barrel might be right up your alley. The intensity of the oak in this concentrated cask is apparent right from the initial sip as the woodiness quickly overwhelms the palate. At 55.4%, it’s quite a powerful blast, but it soon gives way to grassy, malty, and cereal-like flavors that constitute the classic Highland Scotch style. That extra oak on the entry, however, completely distinguishes this cask from its other Highland counterparts. It’s the boldest and baddest of the Hepburn’s Choice editions we’ve brought in on this shipment.

1995 Inchgower 20 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

Almost 100% of Inchgower’s single malt whisky production goes into Johnnie Walker and Bell’s blended whiskies, so the chance to taste a single, unblended cask of the Speyside facility’s whisky was something we were definitely interested in. This sherry-aged beast of a malt should attract the attention of Mortlach and Blair Athol fans who have feasted on the dark, dense, meaty flavors of heavily-sherried casks we’ve purchased in the past. The richness of the Oloroso density is buffered by a strong note of earthy, savory, almost sulfury intensity; a brooding character that becomes more and more powerful as the 57.5% ABV begins to cut through all that sweetness. It eventually reaches a crescendo and the nuttiness of the sherry appears to take you through the finish. It’s not Glendronach, it’s not quite Glenfarclas, and it’s definitely not Macallan; it’s just Inchgower. Welcome to the new king of sherry-aged monsters.

1997 Clynelish 18 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)

We’re as obsessed with Clynelish here in the K&L spirits department as we are with Benrinnes, which is why we’ve locked down yet another cask of the beloved distillery’s whisky in this latest shipment. While Clynelish is widely considered a connoisseur’s choice for top-notch single malt whisky, its appreciated attributes aren’t always apparent to the unseasoned drinker. What makes Clynelish so special (and a favorite among famous blending houses like Johnnie Walker and Compass Box) is the rather diminutive profile of light vanilla, lemon zest, heather, and a bit of bees wax. It’s not a powerful or potent combination of flavors, but rather a flutter of brilliant beauty wrapped up in a biscuity core of elegance. At 55.4%, this cask strength 18 year old edition of Clynelish could use a little to help unlock all that complexity, but it’s not a necessity. It showcases its quintessential character in fine form straight from the bottle. While Clynelish will never be as popular as the more powerful and showy single malt whiskies, it will always remain the favorite of those who appreciate substance and style.

I never get tired of drinking Clynelish, one of Scotland’s most distinct single malt whiskies. That lemony, waxy, creamy profile is probably the only Scotch character I could pick out of a blind tasting 100% of the time. It’s the most distinguished and recognizable flavor in the business and we will ALWAYS take advantage of an opportunity to buy the whisky directly.

This offers soft, pretty and subtle spice aromas. There is a wonderful mouthfeel that is nice and creamy. Here again, there are light spice flavors. In short, this Clynelish is subtle, light, seductive and a joy to drink.

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

JANUARY UPDATE: TOP 10 DREAM DESTINATIONS

We’re all dreaming of a summer holiday and members have been inspired by evocative, summery drams this week – where do you want flavour to take you? Clear winners at number 1 and 2 are flower-filled mountain meadows. Sun-scorched heather and hay take us for a late summer break in the Highlands at number 3. Poolside posing in Beverly Hills is an absolutely fabulous choice at number 4! Surprisingly simple, homely pleasures capture our hearts at number 5; just relaxing in the garden. Dream destinations are running out fast so order now get your place in the sun…

No. 1: Light & delicate

58.18 Toffee and sunny, runny honey £47.90

No. 2: Juicy, oak & vanilla

48.69 Folly from France £51.60

No. 3: Peated

3.255 Genie in a bottle £107.20

No. 4: Spicy & sweet

85.33 Poolside posing in Beverly Hills £45.10

No. 5: Young & spritely

77.40 New carpet in a sweetie shop £50.20

No. 6: Young & spritely

39.119 Strictly whisky £47.00

No. 7: Old & dignified

76.124 A symphony of oak £155.00

No. 8: Oily & coastal

4.217 Nordic nosh £90.70

No. 9: Juicy, oak & vanilla

36.94 Young & spirited £58.00

No. 10: Oily & coastal

31.32 Piri-Piri and Teriyaki chicken £116.90

Browse New Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Glendronach Cask Strength

Batch #5 of the sherry cask matured Highlander bottled at natural cask strength.

Buy – $64.94

Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 5 Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Winter 2015 release of the popular full strength sherry cask matured Scotch.

Nose: Delicious molten toffee and wild honey poured over ripe figs and dates. Subtle hints of tangerine, coffee grounds and a dusting of cinnamon add a perfect balance to the nose.

Palate: Vibrant oak spices and warming stem ginger  compliment the rich sherry and dark fruit characteristics. Waves of sour plums and subtle gingerbread combine with stewed barley and roasted coffee beans, softened by a gentle hint of walnut..

Finish: A perfect harmony of the finest sherry casks and traditional Highland characteristics.

Whisky and Italian Delicatessen – 19 Greville Street, Tue 19 Jan   More > 

BURNS TASTINGS & SUPPERS

Aberdeen – The Caledonian Hotel, Thu 21 Jan   More >

Aberdeen – The Caledonian Hotel, Fri 22 Jan   More >

Dunfermline – Garvock House Hotel, Fri 22 Jan   More >

Glasgow Burns Tasting – Radisson Blu Hotel, Fri 22 Jan  More >

Cambridge – Best Western Plus, The Gonville Hotel, Fri 22 Jan   More >

FREE Live Music Night – The Vaults, Mon 25 Jan   More >

The Vaults Burns Tasting & Supper – The Vaults, Fri 22 Jan   More >

We hasten to add… but pleased to offer this evening of entertainment with an introductory Society dram, 3 dram tasting, and two course haggis supper amidst melody and three Act dramatic entertainment…

London Burns Tasting & Supper  – 19 Greville Street, Mon 25 Jan  More >

We are hosting our biggest Burn’s night yet! A traditional Burns’ Evening to be hosted at our neighbouring Crypt with bagpiper, haggis supper and of course John McCheyne!

Burns Night in the Dining Room – 28 Queen Street, Mon 25 Jan   More >

We present this relaxed Burns Tasting where whisky, wine and food will take centre stage. Piping, traditional Burns poems, 3 Society drams, 3 carefully matched wines & light entertainment will be interspersed during this pantagruelian 5 course meal.

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Laphroaig 32 Year Old – the end of a special birthday year

Laphroaig’s birthday celebrations have drawn to a close. It was their 200th, so we don’t begrudge them a year of partying, especially as it has featured a few special releases. Things kicked off with the 15 Year Old back in April, and continued with an excellent Cairdeas bottling at the Islay Festival, a Friends-of-Laphroaig-only 21-year-old and a travel-retail-exclusive 16-year-old. They’ve even made one of the best whisky adverts we’ve seen:

But they did one final celebratory release, saving the best for last – Laphroaig 32 Year Old, as previewed at The Whisky Show’s sold-out 200 Years of Peat masterclass.

Like many of the other legendary, long-aged Laphroaig releases, the new 32yo is all about sherry casks. To put the whisky together, distillery manager John Campbell sourced a variety of casks, including refills and spirit aged for up to 35 years. The finished whisky is bottled at cask strength with no added colour (and a clear glass bottle to show the liquid’s deep red hue) and no chill filtration.

LAPHROAIG 32 YEAR OLD, 46.6% ABV, £799

Nose: Blackcurrant and liquorice sweets, damp bracken and smouldering hay. It smells old, with classic dunnage warehouse flavours of bung cloth and earth joined by rich peat. The traditionally sharp medicinal notes of TCP and sea-spray ozone sit on top as a contrast, although sweet notes of icing sugar, chocolate butter icing, candied fruit and boiled sweets keep things balanced.

Palate: Rich peat, dark chocolate and damp-forest campfires – earthy rancio, tree bark and burning pine needles – red berries, cinnamon spice and freshly cracked black pepper. Behind the earth and spice are the sweet-and-sour fruity notes that you’d expect from a Laphroaig of this age – apples (sweet, sharp and baked), mango, star fruit, lime skin and bitter orange peel – as well as dark, sweet liquorice.

Finish: Big and spicy to start, with tingly black-pepper heat. The flavours fade slowly, leaving liquorice, chocolate sauce and stewed fruit.

Comment: Much more intense than I expected from the small number of other well-aged Laphroaigs I’ve had the opportunity to taste. It has the fruitiness that I love in their whisky once the peat has started to fade, but also has lots of smoke and a punch of flavour from the sherry casks.

There were only 6,000 bottles available worldwide and most have now sold out. We have just a handful and they’ll be hitting our website on the afternoon of 13 January. If you’d like to receive an email when it goes live, click through to our website and sign up by hitting the Notify Me button.

 Buffalo Trace Distillery Has Another Record Year for Visitors

Visitation has increased 190% since 2009

            Franklin Co, Frankfort, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2016) – Buffalo Trace Distillery ended 2015 on a high note, with a record number of visitors coming to see the 243-year-old National Historic Distillery. For the year ending Dec. 31, 2015, Buffalo Trace entertained 145,849 guests, an increase of 18% over the previous year.  Since the end of 2009, Buffalo Trace has seen an astonishing 190% growth in visitation.

            “Our Visitor Center expansion was completed last spring, just in time for a very busy summer and fall,” said Meredith Moody, marketing services director.  “Between the expansion, the opening of our Old Taylor House, the completion of our new technologically advanced 83,000 square foot distribution center, and the additional 282 acres of land we purchased to start our own farm-to-table bourbon, we’ve had very eventful year at Buffalo Trace Distillery.”

            And that’s not all – last year the Distillery was also awarded two very prestigious awards, the 2015 American and Caribbean Spirits Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and the 2015 Icons of Whisky World Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year.  A host of other awards and gold medals were awarded to the various brands produced by Buffalo Trace in 2015, all of which can be seen here.

            For 2016, Buffalo Trace Distillery has no plans to slow down its tourism efforts.  It will continue to offer its five complimentary tours, each followed by a complimentary tasting.  The consumer events such as the January “Legends” dinner series, Valentine’s dinner, Oaks Day festival, and more will continue to be offered.  The Distillery is also open now year round for tours, except major holidays.

“We’re excited about the future plans we have for the Distillery, most notably that we expect to reach our one millionth (cumulative) tour visitor sometime in 2016!,” added Moody.  “Our plans for celebrating that milestone are under wrap for now, but you can be sure to see something exciting from us later this year, probably in the fall.”

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Laphroaig 1997 TWE Exclusive – a steal of a price

Continuing our Laphroaig theme from yesterday, we’ve got a great TWE exclusive to share – Laphroaig 1997 bottled by Berry Brothers.

However, we also have an admission to make: we’ve been selling it at the wrong price.

Unfortunately, due to some bad calculator work, we’ve had the bottle on the website for £40 less than we should have, and now we’ve noticed we’ve had to put it up to its proper price of £150 – still a lot less than than the €259 one of its sister casks is going for elsewhere

We launched the Laphroaig in December, although there were a few preview bottles on the Berry Bros & Rudd stand at The Whisky Show back in October – it was hailed by many to be the best Laphroaig at the show, occasionally coming second to the now-sold-out show bottling.

Laphroaig 1997, Berry Bros & Rudd. Cask #46, bottled 2015, 53.8% ABV

Nose: Sea spray, beach bonfires and lashings of fruit – lime, mango, pear, passion fruit and maybe even a hint of banana. The fruit sweetness sits under a layer of sharp citrus peel and fresh bandages.
Palate: It starts with a big coastal hit of crashing waves, damp stones and rock pools, and then the fruit arrives. The fruit bowl from the nose backed up by burning logs, coal dust and an unexpectedly rich backbone of vanilla cream.
Finish: Classic Laphroaig medicinal notes lead – iodine and sticking plasters – before liquorice, menthol, leafy tarragon and sweet anise roll-in and fade away.
Comment: A super-fruity Laphroaig with a big kick of the distillery’s traditional medicinal nature, but perfectly balanced with out either taking the upper hand. The smoke is very much in the background, but provides an excellent contrast which adds yet another layer of complexity. A good dram.

We’ve sold most of the Laphroaig 1997 but it’s now back up on the website, and while it’s not the steal of a price it was before, it’s still a very good deal – grab your bottle here.