Glasgow’s first whisky boat sets sail on the Clyde

The ‘Murray McDavid’ whisky boat finds a new home in the heart of Glasgow moored next to the ‘The Tall Ship’ at Riverside.

Owned by Aceo Limited, the company behind the Murray McDavid brand, the 60ft traditional wooden boat ‘Murray McDavid’ has been rejuvenated for a new lease of life on the River Clyde. Designed as a floating office for day to day business, it will also be taking guests on board for whisky tasting events throughout the year, introducing whisky lovers to Murray McDavid’s inspired Scotch whisky.

During the summer months, the boat will also take sailing trips to the whisky islands to take part in whisky festivals and cultural events, with a variety of fun whisky destinations. Corporate events and tasting groups can take advantage of the location in the cultural heart of Glasgow, enjoying bespoke tasting sessions and private bookings.

Murray McDavid is a whisky bottler with a long tradition of practising the art of maturation to produce inspired Scotch whisky. We offer the complete range of scotch from vintage single malts and select grains to vatted malts and crafted blends.

For more information on the Murray McDavid brand visit www.murray–mcdavid.com/ or email Brand Ambassador Dean Jode on Dean.Jode@murray-mcdavid.com

Companions of the Quaich Whisky Tasting

Join us for 5 delicious drams from the highly regarded Nikka range of single malt and blended whiskies. Please join us for what promises to be an entertaining and educational night around the harvest tasting table at Legacy. Natino Bellantoni, brand ambassador, will lead the tasting.

The Companions of the Quaich is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting and sharing knowledge and enjoyment of Whisky. We share a common interest in, and a passion for, the whiskies of Scotland and the world.

Open to members and non-members alike, this is also a great way to try before you buy.

Nikka Pure Red Malt • Nikka Pure Black Malt • Taketsuru Pure Malt •

Nikka Coffee Grain • Nikka Coffey Malt • 

When:                         Wednesday, May 25, 7pm

Where:            Legacy Liquor Store

Seating:          Limited to 30 participants

Cost:                $35

RSVP:              May 16, 2016

Email:              info@vanquaich.com

Caol Ila 32 Year Old 1984 Magnum Old & Rare

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

1988 Blair Athol 26 Year Old “K&L Exclusive’ Signatory Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky SKU #1227525

Last year’s cask of 1988 sherry-aged Blair Athol from Signatory drove our customers into such a frenzy that we still get phone calls asking about it over a year later. The big, rich, caked-in-sherry flavor blended beautifully with the soft-fruited core of the Highland whisky’s profile, creating an absolute beast when bottled at full proof. We’re happy to announce to all those who’ve been begging us for more that we were able to return to Signatory this past spring and purchase the lone sister cask to that beloved Blair Athol, bringing one last batch of that sherry-matured magic to K&L customers one last time. Whereas last year’s cask showcased all the sweetness and sugary spice that Oloroso sherry can offer, this whisky is much drier and earthier on the palate. It’s full of coffee bean, dried prunes, and burnt almonds, lingering far longer on the finish with a more dynamic finale of dried earth and savory splendor. It’s a fitting finale to one of the most talked-about and requested whiskies in K&L history. We’re happy we were able to finish out the legacy with a bang!

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 15, 2016
This cask absolutely shocked me. It’s supposed to be “refill sherry.” But DANG it’s dark like cola. So, on first nosing there’s tons and tons of dark cacao flavors. Not chocolate, but straight up cacao powder. The palate is dry and rich, not unlike the exceptional single barrel Glendronachs we used to get at around this price. Big spice, big dry sherry, mostly bigness. I like this with a solid dollop of water. It will take a few minutes to open up after addition, but when it does we go toward the exotic wood and candied orange peel flavors that I really love. The structure remains but a new mellowness exists. Whether you take it neat or add a bit of water, this is unquestionably one of the finest sherried casks in the store.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 15, 2016
After the Blair Athol craze of 2015 at K&L, we immediately called our friends at Signatory and had them hold the last sherry butt in their warehouse. Signatory has long had a relationship with the nearby distillery and they’d been sitting on these ultra-rich casks of whisky for some time. This whisky is an absolute beast of malt. It’s brimming with cakebread, Christmas spice, cocoa, and toffee. At cask strength, it can withstand a few drops of water quite well, which only open up more of that complexity. Unfortunately, I can’t call Signatory and ask for more after we sell through this barrel, because this is the last one. Alas…

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 07, 2015
An expressive, rich and round single malt that is full-bodied. It is packed full of flavor with the sherry barrel aging showing itself. Malty and dried fruit flavors are part of the delicious flavor profile

$179.99

Maker’s Mark® Introduces American Pharoah Commemorative Bottle

In 2015, American Pharoah captivated the hearts of fans worldwide by becoming the first-ever winner of horse racing’s fabled Grand Slam. By sweeping the Kentucky Derby®, the Preakness Stakes®, the Belmont Stakes® and the Breeders’ Cup® Classic, American Pharoah established himself as one of the greatest racehorses in history. Now, in anticipation of the 2016 racing season, Maker’s Mark® is celebrating this extraordinary achievement by introducing a limited-edition American Pharoah commemorative bottle. To further mark the occasion, Maker’s Mark and the Zayat family will also make a donation benefitting the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Endorsed and supported by American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat, the bottle features the now-legendary blue and yellow silks of Zayat Stables. “American Pharoah proved to an entire generation of racing fans that the impossible can be achieved,” said Zayat. “It was a joy for us to race him each and every time he took the track, and we thank Maker’s Mark for their fitting tribute to this once-in-a-lifetime racehorse.”

The limited-edition Maker’s Mark American Pharoah bottle will be available at select locations nationwide beginning on May 1st, 2016. Suggested retail price is $74.99. Please check your local retailer for availability.

In added celebration of American Pharoah’s Grand Slam win, Maker’s Mark and the Zayats will also make a donation to the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby Museum is a non-profit organization with an impassioned commitment to engage, educate and excite everyone on the extraordinary experience that is the Kentucky Derby®.

“Maker’s Mark has always had a strong connection with horse racing,” said Rob Samuels, Chief Operating Officer of Maker’s Mark Distillery. “Without the support of the thoroughbred industry in the early days of our brand, Maker’s Mark simply wouldn’t exist. We’re honored to help grow the sport we love while also commemorating one of the most remarkable achievements in sports history.”

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)

William Grant and Sons makes clean sweep at 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards

Glenfiddich Distillery has swept the board at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards, collecting a hat-trick of honours. The Dufftown distillery picked up first place in all three categories after their malts were selected by the whisky-loving public in a series of blind taste tests.

Glenfiddich 12 year old triumphed over Glen Grant’s 10 year old in the 12 year or younger category, and also took the title for the 13 to 20 year category with its 18 year old, winning over Glen Moray’s 16 year old.

Glenfiddich 21 year old won the category for single malts aged over 21, beating the Cragganmore 25 year old 2014 Special Release into second place.

Roving judging sessions were held across Speyside during the Festival, which closes today (Monday May 2), and one was also held in specialist Scottish shop Scotia Spirit in Cologne. This was the first time a judging session was held outwith the local area.

Owner Peter Klas is a long-term friend of the Festival and it is hoped the success of the overseas judging session will lead to more international destinations being added to future events.

The finalists in all three categories were whittled down into a shortlist of entries earlier in the year by a panel including industry experts, retailers and whisky writers.

Festival chairman James Campbell says,“Huge congratulations to Glenfiddich for such a tremendous success at this year’s awards – we have never had one single distillery win all three titles before.

“Our awards are considered as one of the industry’s highest accolades, as the winners are determined by the people who matter the most –the whisky-drinking general public.

“Having a panel of industry experts judging the drams would not represent the views of the majority of drinkers, which is why we allow Festival visitors to have the final say. The people who vote in the awards are judging the drams based on their personal preference of the nose and taste of each entry. As it is a blind taste test, consumer or brand loyalty does not affect their decision.

 “The judging sessions are enjoyed by a wide variety of people – from whisky aficionados to novices still learning about our national dram – and are an extremely popular element of the Festival.”

The awards are sponsored by coppersmiths Forsyths of Rothes, the company responsible for building many of the pot stills in which the shortlisted single malts were distilled.

The five day Festival comes to an end today (Monday) and has featured a packed programme of over 500 events, with music, crafts, and food themes running alongside a wide range of distillery tours and tastings.

More information about the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is available on its website – www.spiritofspeyside.com/. The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate

Personalise your whisky for the perfect gift!

Looking to make your gift personal? Then why not add your own bespoke message to a bottle using our brilliant engraving service?

You can also enjoy free delivery on all orders over £75 posted to a UK address. Next day delivery available!

View the full range here

Glenrothes 1971 Macphail’s Collection

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$588.44

Glenrothes 1971 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Sherry cask matured bottled 2015 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Macphail’s Collection series. Nose: Reminiscent of Christmas cake – rich fruits with some fresh orange peel notes and a hint of chocolate. Taste: Underlying sweetness, fresh pear notes and a subtle almond in the background. Glenrothes Distillery was established in the narrow valley of the Rothes Burn on the west side of Rothes in Scotland’s Speyside whisky region by James Stuart in 1878. Now one of the largest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland with eighteen washbacks, ten copper stills singing in their own mighty cathedral and a traditional pagoda roof. Glenrothes Distillery participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and is a major contributor to the Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse blends of scotch whiskies.

• Four Roses “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel OBSQ (8 years, 11 months) Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ( $64.99) The lastest cask of OBSQ marks one of the last of our Jim Rutledge picks and it’s the fruitiest of the bunch. Soft banana and tropical notes coat the entry, dusted with wood shavings and peppery notes. At no point does this whiskey ever feel like its 114.2 proof. It’s lithe and light on its feet, finishing with clean flavors of vanilla and oak, never once packing the richness or the power that the alcohol percentage might suggest. It would make a fantastic rocks Bourbon or a perfect Manhattan mixer due to it’s pure whiskey flavor but lack of cloying sweetness or big wood richness. It’s a finesse Bourbon through and through, but with plenty of fruit and flavor to back it up. Lovely stuff.

• Four Roses “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel OESO (11 years, 4 months) Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ( $64.99) Those looking for dark and decadent should snag a bottle of this 11+ year old OESO cask selection from the end of our Jim Rutledge series. As a contrast to some of the younger, fresher 8-9 year old barrels we picked, this 55% stunner of a whiskey is like a perfect wave of red fruits, vanilla, sweet oak, and dark chocolate, each flavor integrated and almost imperceptible from the next. This is a throw back to a style of Bourbon that has almost vanished off the face of the earth: a rich, full-boded, thick and supple whiskey that really shows the sweetness of the charred oak maturation and balances it against a fruity and vibrant spirit. You’ll be kicking yourself for not buying two of these. But only after it’s empty, of course!

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

Curtain comes down on 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival as thousands of visitors raise a glass to the region

The final drams have been sipped at the 2015 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – but organisers are already preparing to do it all over again. The curtain came down on over 500 events last night (Monday, 2 May) and now the team behind the world famous Festival are putting plans in place for a second event in the early autumn.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival took place over five days in the heart of Scotland’s best loved whisky producing region, drawing thousands of visitors from home and abroad for a programme combining the country’s national drink with music, food and fun.

New records were set when tickets went on sale for the Festival’s biggest ever programme earlier in the year. Festival chairman James Campbell says this year’s gathering in whisky’s spiritual home was one of the best on record.

He adds, “It will take us a little bit of time to find out what the overall numbers were, but the area was extremely busy for the full five days and, most importantly, everyone I saw and spoke to had nothing but great things to say.

“To see people at these events thoroughly enjoying themselves makes worthwhile all the planning and hard work of our volunteer directors, of the Festival manager and of all the other people who give up their own time to ensure the Festival is a success. Knowing visitors will leave the area with very special memories is hugely rewarding for all of us.

 “I personally met visitors from over a dozen different countries – some who have been coming for years and others who were visiting for the first time – and it was really special to see all these visitors having such a great time side by side with local people.

“I think visitors are always surprised by the huge range of different events, and the fact that they can have access to the people who are involved in the very heart of our whisky industry. I don’t think any other whisky festival in the world can offer what we can.”

All eyes are now on Spirit of Speyside – Distilled, which will take place in Elgin Town Hall on September 9 to 11. It will bring together Speyside’s whisky producers under one roof on their own doorstep for the very first time.

The event will also include local gin and craft beer, along with a wide range of food producers, showing off the huge extent of Speyside’s larder. Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will be split into four sessions over the three days, with tickets being sold for each session.

It is hoped that the event will initially attract a more local audience, but in time Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will also become a destination for the many international visitors who attend the main event in May.

James adds, ”The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has grown to become a phenomenal event, but we felt that it was time to add a second event which did not require visitors to undertake a great deal of itinerary planning.

“We chose Elgin for the location because it is the transport hub for the area, with excellent rail and road links. People can come for one session or the whole weekend, but still enjoy the spirit – and welcome – for which Speyside is famous.”

Tickets for Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will go on sale within the next couple of weeks via the website www.spiritofspeyside.com. The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate