The Whisky Shop Exclusives

The Whisky Shop is home to a selection of single malt expressions that you simply can’t find anywhere else. From one of the rarest Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the world to hand-selected single cask expressions, our exclusive range is a sight to be seen!

Free delivery available on all orders over £75 Next day delivery available

Aberfeldy Single Cask

Distilled in 1996 and specially selected by the members of The W Club and the staff of The Whisky Shop Edinburgh in March 2013, this Highland Single Malt is a fabulous single cask expression. Brimming with vanilla notes and stewed fruits, this fabulous expression also packs some typical warming oak flavours from the fairly long maturation.

£160 Buy Now

Glenfarclas 1994

Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles, this expression from the family-owned Glenfarclas distillery is our very own award-winner! Scoring an impressive 95.5 in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible, this Speyside Single Malt received the coveted Liquid Gold Award. The nose has intense layers of sultanas and dessert wine, the palate offers juicy grape, toasted oak, sauternes and marmalade, while the finish is medium with notes of cocoa and vanilla.

“…not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky” – Jim Murray

Glenfarclas 2000

This Single Malt Scotch Whisky was specially selected for The Whisky Shop, and is an utter delight from start to finish. There’s enough Glenfarclas character here for fans of the distillery to love it, but this is also a great way to start your exploration of the distillery if you’re not yet familiar with it. A great malt. Mid-amber: ex-sherry cask. Slow legs. A somewhat closed nose to start, then scents of rice pudding, perhaps with a spoonful of red jelly, becoming more cereal-like, especially with a drop of water. A sweet overall taste, with peppery spice in the warming finish, reduced somewhat by water.

£60 Buy Now

Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old

This Whisky Shop exclusive bottling of Bowmore takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘pier,’ referring to the ancient stone pier that once served the distillery. Finished in the finest Spanish sherry butts, the cask strength, non chill-filtered Bowmore Laimrig has a rich, dark character and colour. The nose offers an instant aroma of coal tar soap, but the rich Oloroso sherry notes deliver an attractive counterbalance. On the palate it is full bodied, with a luxurious raisin and sherry taste, complemented by wood smoke. The finish is long and spicy and smoky.

£78 Buy Now

Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1992 Single Cask

Hand-selected by The Whisky Shop and Glenfiddich Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, this expression was chosen to celebrate the founding of The Whisky Shop in 1992. The very first release from the Glenfiddich Rare Collection, this single cask is available exclusively from The Whisky Shop and is limited to only 200 bottles. Matured in a refill bourbon cask distilled on the 13th March 1992, bottled at 55.6% abv. This whisky really shows off the Glenfiddich distillery character, with lots of sweet, fruity notes with apple and pear and just a hint of oak and spice.

£1,200 Buy Now

Ladyburn 1974 40 Year Old

Hailing from Scotland’s shortest-lived distillery, this 40 year old is one of the rarest malt whiskies in the world. Built on the site of William Grant & Sons’ Girvan grain distillery, Ladyburn produced malt whisky for less than 10 years from 1966 to 1975 before being demolished. One of the last remaining casks from Ladyburn, Cask 89/199 No.74 was filled in 1974 and aged in the warehouses at Girvan until its 40th birthday on 21st November 2014. This Whisky Shop Exclusive is limited to only 157 bottles.

£2,597 Buy Now

The Glenlivet Gallow Hill

This limited edition Speyside Single Malt comes from the distillery that started it all! The Glenlivet Distillery in the Cairngorms National Park was the first legal distillery in Glenlivet and became so famous that other distilleries began to use its name leading to the owners being granted legal protection for the name The Glenlivet. Matured in a hogshead cask and one of approximately 250 bottles, this limited edition takes its name from the hill above the The Glenlivet distillery where the local gallows used to be.

£240 Buy Now

Glen Garioch 1978

This sophisticated Single Malt was hand-selected by The Whisky Shop in October 2011. Bottled non chill-filtered at cask strength from North American Oak, Cask No 11,000 quietly matured at Glen Garioch Distillery from 1978. Hailing from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, this rich and fruity Highland Single Malt has sweet notes of vanilla and dried fruit

£485 Buy Now

Glenkeir Treasures The Secret Speyside 2002

Born from an ex-sherry cask this Secret Speyside comes from one of the most famous distilleries in the world but we’re not giving anything away! This mysterious single malt is a limited release that was filled to cask on 5th April 2002. Red jelly and burnt sugar contribute to a sweet overall taste with dried fruit and sherry notes. A warming finish.

£60 Buy Now

Photo Credit Charlotte Graham/Guzelian

YEAR-LONG CHARITY WHISKY TASTING MARATHON REACHES HALFWAY MARK ON JULY 25th 2016. 

183 of 366 unique whiskies will have been reviewed and filmed on a daily basis as part of a challenge to raise £5000 for a UK children’s charity. 

Ben Bowers, of Hemingbrough, North Yorkshire, is attempting to film a review and history of 366 different whiskies from 366 unique distilleries over the course of 366 days. 

Having commenced on January 25th 2016 (otherwise known as “Burns’ Night”) Ben aims to review ‘A Dram A Day’ until January 24th 2017, uploading a video of every review on a daily basis to a YouTube channel. Each video also provides background history and anecdotes on each whisky, providing an informative guide to new drinkers. 

On Monday July 25th, Ben will upload the review for Dram 183, the halfway mark of this mammoth challenge. 

He aims to raise £5000 for The Childrens Heart Surgery Fund, a UK based charity helping babies and children requiring complex surgeries due to congenital heart defects, along with providing support for their families. This funding goal was inspired by the issues the best friend of his 6 year old daughter has had to endure after being born with a hole in his heart, and who will require a complete valve replacement when he is strong enough. 

Donations of each 25ml sample (the equivalent of 1 unit of alcohol) have been generously supplied by whisky fans around the world, along with suppliers and distributors. At the time of writing Ben is only 30 samples short of the full 366 enabling him to complete the challenge. 

Ben has had to continue the reviewing Drams during a family holiday to Florida and will also need to juggle the birth of a third child in October with the final stages of his mission. 

Ben also hopes to seal a publishing deal for a personal diary of the challenge to raise even more funds for the charity upon completion.

www.ralfy.com does an unusual comparison of ‘generational’ bourbons with Whisky Review 591 – Bourbon de Luxe (2016 and 1970’s)

WORLD TRAVELLERS CAN DISCOVER ISLAND INTENSITY AS JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN LAUNCHES IN DUTY FREE

Johnnie Walker introduces first Blended Malt Scotch Whisky exclusive to world travellers 

Diageo GTME, 4th July 2016: Tempted to explore the fascinating world of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, but overwhelmed by choice? Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky brand has introduced the perfect solution in an exciting new addition to its world famous portfolio – Johnnie Walker Island Green.

A rare blend of rich single malt whiskies from the four corners of Scotland, Johnnie Walker Island Green provides drinkers with a distinctive flavour experience allowing them to explore the character of these celebrated malts in a signature Johnnie Walker style. A duty free exclusive, Johnnie Walker Island Green is available solely to travellers, adding to its exclusiveness.

Aromas of wood smoke, pepper and spice mingle with layers of orchard fruit, gentle vanilla and sandalwood while the taste experience delivers all the character of a single malt but with greater depth and complexity amplified by the unique Island style.

Showcasing the same blended malt craftsmanship as the critically acclaimed Johnnie Walker Green Label, the exclusive taste of Johnnie Walker Island Green offers a more intense expression with a greater influence of smoky maritime malt whisky. This is balanced with robust fruity Highland malts including Clynelish™, lighter Lowland malts represented by Glenkinchie™ and the characteristically sweet and fragrant Speyside style of Cardhu™.

Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, said: “As whisky makers, we’re passionate about flavour. We captured the distinctive style of individual mature malts from the four main whisky regions of Scotland, ensuring Johnnie Walker Island Green offers all the character of a single malt, but with a richer flavour experience.”

Doug Bagley, Managing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “Johnnie Walker Island Green is the perfect purchase for traditional Johnnie Walker fans or those seeking to explore the world of Scotch malts.

“The blend was recently awarded a ‘Master’ at The Global Scotch Whisky Masters 2016, the highest possible ranking available at this international competition, proving just how special a whisky it is. And, as an exclusive product to travellers which cannot be purchased outside of duty free, this is truly a unique addition to the Johnnie Walker range.”

Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, global travellers can now discover true island intensity through the taste of Johnnie Walker Island Green.  Pick up a bottle in selected airports now and in duty free stores worldwide from July 2016.

For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Notes

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN has a RRP of $60

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN has an ABV of 43%

JOHNNIE WALKER ISLAND GREEN is available in 1L bottles

ABOUT JOHNNIE WALKER

About Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.

Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2015), making JOHNNIE WALKER the most popular Scotch whisky in the world.

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include JOHNNIE WALKER, CROWN ROYAL, J&B, BUCHANAN’S, WINDSOR, SMIRNOFF, CÎROC, CAPTAIN MORGAN, BAILEYS, DON JULIO, TANQUERAY

Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com/.

Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Kilchoman Sanaig 46% ABV SHERRY CASK MATURED

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, has continued its recent success at the International Whisky Competition, where it was awarded Best Peated Scotch Whisky, with medals at both the Los Angeles Spirits Competition and San Diego Wine and Spirits Challenge.

Sanaig, the latest additional to the Kilchoman range scored a stunning 92 points “Best of Category Award” at the LA Competition and Double Gold at the San Diego Wine and Spirits Challenge. The results are even more impressive given the short history of Islay’s newest distillery, having only started distilling in 2005.  Founder Anthony Wills commented “results like these are extremely pleasing, we have a belief that what we do at Kilchoman is unique and such recognition reaffirms that believe. It’s only nice to get one over on your rivals”.

First launched in the US in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself in the world of single malt. Sanaig, their latest core range release has a predominantly sherry cask influence, the Scotch first being matured in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels before being transferred to further maturation in Oloroso sherry casks.  The result of this dual cask maturation allows for both the caramel and vanilla from the Bourbon barrel to combine with the richness of the sherry casks along with the signature maritime peat smoke, saltiness and citrus sweetness of Kilchoman.

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, the only independently owned Islay distillery is most famous as the only distillery in Scotland to produce a portion of it’s whisky from barley grown onsite, completing all stages of the whisky-making process themselves using traditional farm distillery methods. Kilchoman Sanaig is bottled at 46% ABV and is available in the majority of the US markets, priced between $70 and $75.

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman Sanaig Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky

Colour: Beech wood

Nose:  Soft cooked fruits with caramel and vanilla.

Palate:  Toffee, peat smoke and citrus with lingering sweetness.

Finish:  A lovely balance of peat smoke, fruit and sweetness.

Notes: Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have now been joined by their three sons: George, James and Peter.   Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this. Kilchoman is now very much a family affair:   Since the first bottling was released in 2008, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

• Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
• Machir Bay was named Whisky of the Year at IWC 2013. Loch Gorm was also awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2nd Ed was given bronze.
• Kilchoman 2007 Vintage received Whisky Advocate’s Award for Islay Single Malt of the Year 2013.
• In 2012 Machir Bay was awarded two prestigious IWSC Gold medals and a Silver medal, and was named in GQ’s Best 100 Things of 2012.
• Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Armorik French Single Malt Whiskies

When was the last time you had the pleasure of trying a French Single Malt? That’s right, not Scotch, American, or Japanese single malt; but French Single Malt! These are a couple super-cool bottles of whisky to further diversify one’s collection, and please one’s palate. The Double Maturation is malty and dry, with orchard fruit and salty caramel undertones. The Sherry Cask is big and warming, with noticeable peat and sherry influence and a big long finish. Both have all natural color and are non-chill filtered. These are some super-cool whiskies.

1997 Glen Garioch 15 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ( $89.99) Let me bring you back to March of 2013; back when whisky kids could still be kids. David OG and I drove to Glen Garioch to meet Rachel Barrie. We picked out a delicious 15 year old cask from the Morrison-Bowmore stocks. We toasted to a successful journey, placed our order, and left with a smile. Then a funny thing happened in between the time our cask was bottled and the time our cask was due to be received: Suntory and Beam merged, Campari (who was acting as an importer to the U.S. for Suntory) was given the boot, and all hell broke loose. We never got our cask. We never knew what happened to it. After a few years went by, we kinda just forgot about it. Three years later the cask has been found and finally delivered to K&L, more importantly for the same price we were quoted back in 2013. The whisky explodes on the palate with sweet grains, rich vanilla, malted barley, and stonefruit. You get spiced apples and notes of butterscotch as well. They still couldn’t get the peat out of the distillery even after halting peated whisky production in 1994 as there’s just a smidge of smoke on the finish. Distillery-direct casks from Scotland have become almost extinct at this point, making this selection that much more special. It took three years to get it here, but it was worth the wait. (David Driscoll, K&L 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

Invergordon 30 Year Old 1984 Sovereign

Highland Single Grain Scotch Whisky

 

TWO A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY BOURBONS WIN GOLD

AT 2016 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION

            Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (July 5, 2016) – Two spirits from A. Smith Bowman Distillery were awarded Gold Medals at the 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey and John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey each received this honor.

            These spirits were ranked among 401 spirits that were submitted from a total of 29 countries.

            The Los Angeles International Spirits Competition was formed in 2007, with an esteemed panel of judges using a blind-tasting method to award medals to the best distilled spirits from around the world.  The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, Sept. 2 – 25, in “The Wine, Beer & Spirits Marketplace.”

            Complete results of the 2016 LAISC are available at www.laspiritscomp.com/.

About A. Smith Bowman

1. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com/.

Construction work to bring spiritual home of Scotch whisky back to life begins

Multi-million-pound project to create Lindores Abbey Distillery now underway 

Building work has begun in Fife on a multi-million-pound project which will see Scotch whisky produced in its spiritual home for the first time in over 500 years.

The brainchild of Drew McKenzie-Smith and his wife Helen, Lindores Abbey Distillery will incorporate ancient distilling techniques and ingredients to produce a world-class spirit. The couple are also planning to open a visitor centre on the site and produce a unique Scotch whisky which will be available by 2023.

Lindores Abbey is known as the ‘spiritual home’ of Scotch whisky thanks to Friar John Cor, who paid duty on malt in 1494 in order to make ‘aqua vitae’ for the king, an act that was recorded in the Exchequer roll and is the earliest written evidence of whisky distillation in Scotland.

Once completed, Lindores Abbey Distillery will sit next to the ancient ruins of the 12^th century abbey built by the Tironesian Monks who originated from France. The monks worked the surrounding land and brought modern methods of horticulture, brewing, animal husbandry and distilling from the continent.

Drew McKenzie-Smith said: “To us, the history of Lindores Abbey is just as important as the plans we have to create a distillery. If it wasn’t for the expertise of the Tironesian monks who came to Scotland in those dark and frightening medieval times we may not have the advanced industry we do today.

“Building a distillery on this site will bring the spiritual home of Scotch whisky back to life and we will initially produce and market an aqua vitae spirit.

“We’re working closely with various teams to ensure we respect and maintain the historic integrity of this unique site. We believe a whisky distillery and visitor centre will help drive tourists to this part of Fife and, in turn, have a positive impact on the local economy.

“We hope to draw upon our expertise gained from many years spent working in the luxury hospitality industry and in fact we are already hosting dinners and events within the Abbey grounds and Lindores Abbey House for visitors from all over the world who are keen to share in this special story at the early stages.”

The distillery is being built by converting and enlarging the original abbey steading. The current steading is made from original abbey stone and is over two hundred years old. Wood and stone from the surrounding area will be used as much as possible to carry on the tradition of local sustainability and to minimise the carbon footprint of the build.

Forsyths of Rothes have been appointed as fabricators with the building specifically designed by Organic Architects of Helensburgh. International whisky expert Dr. Jim Swan will contribute his skills and expertise to create a world-class whisky which Drew believes will appeal to a global market.

Drew continues: “We will be using specific yeasts which may include a species we believe was used by Friar John Cor. These will be joined by more modern, powerful flavour-producing varieties. Lindores Abbey Distillery will have three copper stills, one wash and two spirit stills where the copper will contribute to a smooth and mellow taste.”

Gareth Roberts, Director at Organic Architects, said: “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to design the new distillery at Lindores Abbey. The building will contain various contemporary materials which will compliment the traditional stone buildings. This marriage of ancient and modern reflects the character of the whisky which will be produced here.

“Archaeological works were carried out before the construction started which have added more to the historical understanding of the abbey complex. Some of the archaeological trenches will be left open in and around the new building and it is very exciting to see the scale and quality of these buildings which have been buried for hundreds of years.

“Inside the distillery there will be a range of contrasting spaces; a dark and theatrical visitor area will take visitors to a large bright still room which looks over the abbey ruins. Even at this early stage you can see that the positioning of the stills will be spectacular. The new distillery will have one of the most atmospheric settings of any Scottish distillery.”

Construction work to create the distillery is now well underway following extensive archaeological digs around the abbey ruins which boasts the burial site of the ill-fated first Duke of Rothesay following his death in 1401. William Wallace, John Baliol and various medieval kings and queens also visited the abbey before it was destroyed under instruction of John Knox in 1559.