Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Marking the beginning of a new era following 180 years of production at Glenfarclas distillery since its establishment in 1836, this 40 year old release is presented at a strength of 43% abv in a striking wooden box that recreates the iconic warehouse doors.

The nose offers a sweet fruitiness with Turkish delight and freshly ground java coffee beans. The palate has light heather honey spread on buttered toast before a sherry power creeps to the back of the mouth releasing chocolate, raisins and sultanas, ending in a sweet, crisp finish.

£695 Buy Now

OCTOBER AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!

Auction ends on Tuesday 8 November

The Incredible Journey Like all good stories, Yamazaki’s starts with a journey and a few intrepid men, travelling from Japan to Scotland and back again, this time to learn the secrets of whisky. The result was founding of the distillery by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 – it would be another six years before the first Japanese whisky was bottled and a further 55 before Yamazaki’s first single malt, in 1984. What better way to celebrate this journey than with a dram of the magnificent Yamazaki 50 Year Old? A masterpiece in whisky making, requiring half a century of craftsmanship. The bottle is presented in a sleek black box and the bottle topped with fragile washi paper tied with a gold cord. We salute the journey that began almost a century ago.

The Odyssey and the High Seas

Johnnie Walker couldn’t have imagined back in 1819 that he would become an icon of Scotch whisky and that his blend would one day sail around the world in a 50-metre luxury yacht (as Johnnie Walker Odyssey did). When he started selling his whisky from a grocery store in Kilmarnock, John’s ambition was to ensure that the quality of his whisky remained consistent: it is now the bestselling whisky in the world. John Walker’s commitment to quality can be appreciated in The Directors Blend series which has never been released for general sale. Each release is inspired by different aspects of blended whisky, from distillery styles to smoky finishes. This auction we have the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions for you to start or complete a collection.

Be the first to bid!

Get bidding, and good luck!

The Whisky Auction team.

Part 4/7 in the Beginners Guide to Whisky – Balblair 2005 & GlenDronach 12 Year Old.  

THE BALVENIE REVEALS MUCH-ANTICIPATED CHAPTER TWO OF THE BALVENIE DCS COMPENDIUM 

‘The Influence of Oak’ explores Malt Master David Stewart MBE’s masterful leveraging of different wood types  

Following the momentous launch of The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One in October 2015, today the eagerly anticipated The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two is unveiled. Titled ‘The Influence of Oak’, this chapter features five extremely rare single malt whiskies. It highlights the complex manner in which different oak barrels influence the flavour of the spirit during the maturation process.

The Balvenie DCS Compendium is Malt Master David Stewart MBE’s handover of his knowledge in both written and liquid form that will see 25 rare and vintage casks released over five years. The Balvenie DCS Compendium captures the breadth of David’s achievement and contributions to the industry and his craft.

David pioneered double cask maturation or finishing during a 54 year career at The Balvenie, a legacy most notably fulfilled in The Balvenie 12 YO DoubleWood. This chapter showcases his vast knowledge and unrivalled expertise in understanding this process, which he has harnessed to craft whiskies of exceptional quality.

The whiskies in The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two range in age from 15 years to 43 years and were taken from different cask types, including; European oak Oloroso sherry butts, first fill American oak bourbon barrels, European oak port puncheon and European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry butt – with each barrel imparting their own distinct flavour profile to the final expression.

Commenting on The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two, David Stewart MBE, says: “As a Malt Master, I’m very lucky to have been trusted to experiment with different cask finishes and even try out my own techniques to see how they effect the distinctive honeyed characteristics of The Balvenie. Understanding how the oak and the previous spirit, or fortified wine held by the cask influences the whisky is a very important part of my job.

“This chapter highlights the complexity of flavours each expression takes from wood. I love the results from the older Oloroso sherry butt, which has produced a whisky with a fantastic floral and fruity nose, followed by a wonderful honeyed sweetness. The whisky taken from the 2001 Pedro Ximénez sherry butt is unusual, it shows The Balvenie as a near liqueur with toffee sweetness and a touch of spicy ginger.”

The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two whiskies are:

• 1972 Aged 43 years – Cask 13134, European oak Oloroso sherry butt, filled 31^st October 1972, 52.4% ABV
• 1990 Aged 25 years – Cask 2790, European oak Oloroso sherry butt, filled 3^rd October 1990, 59.6% ABV
• 1990 Aged 26 years – Cask 7359, First fill American oak bourbon barrel, filled 1^st May 1990, 52.9% ABV
• 1997 Aged 19 years – Cask 7951, European oak port puncheon, filled 6^th August 1997, 61.8% ABV
• 2001 Aged 15 Years – Cask 9328, European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry butt, filled 25^th April 2001, 62.3% ABV

As with each chapter in the The Balvenie DCS Compendium, Chapter Two is stunningly presented in a bespoke walnut and brass frame, crafted by Scottish wood craftsman Sam Chinnery. The rarity of each expressions is highlighted by an individual number engraved on the presentation case, showing it is one of just 50 sets available worldwide. Individual bottles from the set will also be available in single walnut presentation frames. 

About The Balvenie DCS Compendium 

The Balvenie DCS Compendium is the whisky launch of a lifetime, and a celebration of the industry’s longest-serving Malt Master – David Stewart MBE. Consisting of 25 exceptionally rare single cask single malts, the compendium and its accompanying book represent a handover of David’s skill and expertise to the future generations of craftsmen at the distillery.

The accompanying book has been written by Dr. Samuel J Simmons, The Balvenie Global Ambassador, and signed by David. Featuring a collection of archive imagery from The Balvenie distillery, the book captures and expands upon each of the five chapters and documents the process taken by David in curating the compendium.

Past and Future Chapters

Chapter One of The Balvenie DCS Compendium, titled ‘Distillery Style’, was released in October 2015 to critical acclaim the world over. Following Chapter One and Two, a further three chapters will be released annually until 2019, each featuring five individual casks that correspond with a certain theme within the accompanying book. The subsequent themes are as follows;

• Chapter Three: Secrets of the Stock Model
• Chapter Four: Expecting the Unexpected
• Chapter Five: Malt Master’s indulgence

To learn more about The Balvenie DCS Compendium, please visit

https://www.thebalvenie.com/our-range/dcs-compendium/

The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two full Tasting Notes  

1972

Nose: Fragrant, floral and fruity, fresh pineapple juice and melons, a malty sweetness and soft oak vanilla

Taste: A syrupy sweetness, with honey, butterscotch, vanilla toffee and delicate cinnamon spice Finish: Lingering with gentle waves of vanilla and subtle oak spices

1990

Nose: Rich and deep, elegant oaky notes followed by sweet aromas of raisins, dates and gentle ginger spice

Taste: Velvety smooth with sweet dried fruits, a deep nuttiness and sherry oak. Gentle warm spices and a touch of oak tannin

Finish: Sumptuous with a sherried sweetness

1990

Nose: Rich and malty, sweet toffee, vanilla fudge with layers of honeycomb and a delicate spiciness

Taste: Rich maltiness, honey maple syrup and citrus notes, ending in delicate cinnamon spice and subtle oak vanilla

Finish: Rich with a creamy sweetness and gentle spices

1997

Nose: Creamy toffee notes of brown sugar, hints of dried fruits and delicate spices of nutmeg and cinnamon

Taste: Warm and inviting, with prunes, plums and figs. Tropical fruit juice, sweet wood spices and dried fruits

Finish: Lingering with dried fruits, oak spices and sweet wine

2001

Nose: Deep and intensely fruity, peaches and mango, soft vanilla with layers of brown sugar and oak spices

Taste: Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, a touch of spicy ginger overlaid with gentle oak tannins

Finish: A fruity sweetness with gentle oak vanilla and spices 

About The Balvenie: 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master was awarded an MBE for services to the Scotch whisky industry by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. Each expression has a very individual taste, but is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.
• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of single malts.
• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2016 – Bowmore: From One Master To Another

If you made a list of the all the Scotch whiskies to try before you die, it’s a fair bet that Black Bowmore would be on it. And for those in The Whisky Show’s 2016 Bowmore masterclass, not only did they tick that particular whisky off their list, they also got to try it in the presence of Eddie MacAffer (master distiller) and David Turner (distillery manager), who have a staggering 75 years’ experience of Bowmore between them.

Edide MacAffer (left) and David Turner of Bowmore (© Simon J Hanna)

Eddie has just retired, and has passed the baton to David, so this could have been the final time the duo sat down to talk about the whiskies they have made together. ‘This will go down as a legendary tasting,’ began our host, whisky writer Dave Broom. He wasn’t wrong.

In Their Own Words – Eddie MacAffer and David Turner

Eddie: ‘They used to give us a bottle of Bowmore Deluxe a month, rather than a few drams a day. But they must have decided it was too good, because they started giving us bottles of Rob Roy instead’

David: ‘When Bowmore gets to 17 or 18 years sold, the smoke tends to die out, and you get a lot more stewed fruit’

E: ‘Our No.1 vaults are right by the sea, almost below sea level. The whiskies are at peace in there – there’ll be ghosts in there, drinking drams’

D: ‘Dave Broom did an apprenticeship with us for two nights; he didn’t turn up on the second one!’

E: ‘The 1980s were difficult [for Bowmore] because it was push, push, push, and that affected the quality. Our fermentation was short – about 44 hours – the still was running hot and we were getting all those unwanted flavours in there. You could tell from the smell in the distillery’

E: ‘In the 1960s, there’d be a queue about 100 yards long to try the new-make; in the late 1980s, you’d be lucky to have two or three people waiting!’

D: ‘Suntory had a big impact; from 1989, they invested heavily in good wood’

E: ‘You can hear the roar of the ocean when you taste Sea Dragon. It has a lovely flowery fruitiness’

E: ‘The water [source] doesn’t have any effect on the end product’

D: ‘Our reputation was really made with [the 1964] bottling of Black Bowmore. It was one of those whiskies that changed people’s mindsets about what single malts could become’

We Tasted

Bowmore Tempest 10 Year Old Clean and refreshing – fresh lemon peel mixed with coal embers and grilled pineapple.

Bowmore Deluxe (Bot. 1970s) Gorgeous notes of salted caramel and woodsmoke, then a big hit of lemon and apple. Delicious!

Bowmore 25 Year Old More coal and bonfires but the fruit is drier and richer, adding complexity.

Bowmore 30 Year Old Sea Dragon Fruity and aromatic, with pineapple and grapefruit to the fore, along with Earl Grey tea, sea spray and a whiff of smoke.

Black Bowmore 1964 30 Year Old (2nd edition) Big sherried nose upfront, with raisins, mocha, stewed fruit and Christmas-cake spices. Even richer on the palate – Maya Gold chocolate, tobacco, cardamom, nutmeg and clove. Stunning.

Bowmore 1964 Fino Sherry Cask (46 Year Old) So fruity! Aromas of grilled pineapple and Starburst sweets along with grilled peaches and the merest suggestion of peat. Saltier and brinier on the palate, but waves of generous fruitiness quickly take hold – apricot, lemon, orange.

Favourite whisky

The final two whiskies were sensational and lived up to the hype – not something you can always say when trying something with such a big reputation. But I’m going for the NAS Deluxe bottling from the 1970s, which summed up Bowmore for me: tropical fruit with an undercurrent of smoke.

Having not tried many of these whiskies before, I understand know why Bowmore fans are so passionate about this distillery. The no-holds-barred fruitiness of the whiskies was amazing, as was the way the peat played its part but never took over. Thanks to Eddie and David for a wonderful masterclass.

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES MASTERCLASS WITH COLIN DUNN

We’re extremely excited to have Colin Dunn join us to taste this year’s selection of Diageo’s Special Releases!

For 2016 they’ve included an extraordinary range, featuring a well-aged grain whisky and a number of whiskies from now-closed distilleries. In total, the complete set is valued at £6,700!

– Tasting Lineup –

Port Ellen 37 Year Old 1978
Brora 38 Year Old 1977
Cambus 40 Year Old 1975
Glenkinchie 24 Year Old 1991
Linkwood 37 Year Old 1978
Mannochmore 25 Year Old 1990
Auchroisk 25 Year Old 1990
Cragganmore Limited Release
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 200th Anniversary Edition

THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER
AT 7.00PM

– Tickets £60 –

BOOK NOW >>

VENUE

THE STUDIO
7 CANON STREET
BIRMINGHAM B2 5EP

PLEASE ARRIVE FROM 6.45PM FOR A 7.00PM START

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old Lowland Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $150) ($119.99)

This whisky just shocked the hell out of us when we retasted it recently. It’s supple, textural, chewy, and full of sweet barley and pure Scotch whisky flavor. Imagine a combination of the Glenmorangie 18 and Oban 18, a whisky that is the perfect balance point between these two classic malts. The viscosity of the GlenMo meets the light, delicacy of the Oban, all coming together to showcase the amazing quality from one of Scotland’s most overlooked distilleries. You’ve got our attention again Auchentoshan! This is a stunning whisky for a great price.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 19, 2015

I LOVE this whisky. This is my new Glenmorangie 18. A classic sweet barley and vanilla flavor, but with extra viscosity and more weight on the palate. It’s thick and chewy. You can almost bite into it. The Glasgow distillery is becoming relevant once again. Watch out other distilleries!

Auchentoshan 21 Year Old Disillery Bottle Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($159.99)

Special Order Only! Special order items are not in stock and are dependent upon quantity available from distributor. All special orders are final and non-refundable. Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. The quintessential Lowland Single Malt; it doesn’t get better than this! Elegant and smooth with aromas of soft green fruit with mint, oak and freshly cut barley. On the palate, this malt offers sweet chocolate and mint with oak and honey, and a long, soft and warm finish.

Hi folks. We’re live with the 67th auction – the biggest ever. Enjoy and #dontloseyourbottle

Kind regards from Glasgow

The SWA Team

CHIVAS REGAL AND JAVIER BARDEM DISCUSS THE POWER OF SHARED SUCCESS

Today sees luxury whisky brand Chivas Regal launch a rallying cry to recognise the power of shared success through a 360 degree advertising campaign. The latest instalment of the Win the Right Way advertisement campaign features winner of the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival 2010, Javier Bardem (Skyfall), and is a demonstration of the power and impact of working together to achieve success.

In addition, the campaign delves into the stories of successful social entrepreneurs from across the globe including South Africa, Australia, Uruguay and Mexico, along with finalists from Chivas The Venture. The cast featured in the campaign brings to life the Win the Right Way campaign by exploring the stories behind the people and experiences that have helped them to achieve success.

Javier Bardem says “The most successful people I know take success and failure in the same way; you have to learn from both experiences in order to make yourself a stronger person. By surrounding yourself with people who are honest with you and by helping them in return, you will achieve success together. So, here’s to those that try, for in trying they make the world a better place.”

Richard Black, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal says “At Chivas Regal we believe in sharing success, supporting local communities, and investing in social business. This is one our founding beliefs and is at the core of everything we do. Our latest campaign allows us to continue to champion our commitment to Win the Right Way together and gives us an opportunity to reinforce this belief in entrepreneurial thinking and generosity around the world.”

Chivas Regal Ultis, the latest product offering that is the essence of Chivas Regal, launches at the same time embodying the brand’s belief in the power of shared success and will feature in the Win The Right Way campaign in select regions.

Bringing together five of the most precious signature single malts from Speyside, Scotland, Chivas Regal Ultis is a luxury whisky with complex flavours, a glorious golden hue and a commanding, rich aroma. Chivas Regal Ultis is the ultimate way to celebrate shared success with friends.

From millions of casks in the Chivas Brothers inventory, less than 1% has been hand-selected by the expert blending team to create Chivas Regal Ultis. This traditional method of individually nosing each cask ensures the blend’s superior quality, whilst the distillation process which takes place exclusively in copper pot stills captures the essence of the smooth and generous character of Chivas Regal’s signature style.

Colin Scott, Custodian Master Blender says “By working together, our blending team has masterfully brought five unique single malts from across the Speyside region to create an exceptional blend which is truly the essence of Chivas Regal Ultis. Each individual malt and each individual blender has added an element of expertise to the whisky, which is unique to the blend, ensuring it is the ultimate embodiment of shared success.”

Launched in tribute to the passion and dedication of five generations of Master Blenders who have spent their life’s work creating the Chivas signature style since 1909, Chivas Regal Ultis will be available in all major retailers and travel retail at an RRP of USD$200.

To find out more about the Win the Right Way campaign or Chivas Regal Ultis, visit www.chivas.com

-Ends- 

About Win the Right Way

The Win the Right Way campaign launched in 2014 and brings to life the Chivas Regal brand belief that real success is not measured by a man’s wealth alone but by how many lives he has enriched.

The latest instalment of the campaign aims to reinforce this belief and inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Chivas Regal Ultis: Tasting notes

Overall Tasting profile

The five single Malts that have been selected for Chivas Ultis are at the heart of Chivas Regal. The Strathisla, Longmorn, Tormore, Allt A’Bhainne and Braeval Malts are the signature malts of the Chivas house style sharing a smooth and generous character

• Nose: The aroma presents ripe peach and red apples with accompanying cinnamon, fudge and honey infusions.
• Taste: Tasting reveals a smooth vanilla texture, brimming with clementine and apricots, before giving way to a background of soft caramel, spicy cloves and ginger.
• Finish: A bold finish is long with a warm hint of heather, leaving a satisfyingly full experience.

About Chivas Regal

Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas 18, Chivas 25, the pinnacle of the range ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. Launched in October 2016, Chivas Regal Ultis is the first blended malt Scotch whisky from the House of Chivas and represents the true Essence of Chivas Regal.

http://www.chivas.com/

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s no.2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

http://www.chivasspirit.com/

@ChivasNewsRoom

We’ve been waiting for just the right day to release the last two whiskies from our most recent container of Scotch whisky. The drizzle is finally coming down outside, the Fall weather is beginning to encroach, and the time is right for ultra-mature, warming and robust Islay whisky. The island of Islay is the spiritual home of whisky. It’s Scotland’s Mecca for single malt pilgrims who travel around the world to visit the legendary whisky locale. But no one wants to think about sipping an old, complex, and smoky glass of 35 year old Caol Ila when it’s 92 degrees outside and the sun is shining. You drink old Caol Ila when the skies are grey, the air is crisp, and you need that bit of Islay warmth to lift your spirits after a day of winter weather. Islay itself is a region weathered by the elements. It’s windy, and rugged, and heavily shaped by the surrounding sea. Over time, that environment has shaped both its residents and its whiskies as well. After spending decades in oak barrels, these two Islay whiskies are finally ready to show you their splendor. Those looking to get an early start on the holiday shopping season will want to act quickly. Ultra-mature Islay whiskies are enough of a rarity these days as is, let alone at reasonable prices like these. The weakened British Pound definitely helped us work down the costs. When you deal with merchants like us who buy direct, you get the benefit of the currency exchange (so long as they pass it on to you like we do). In this case, you can enjoy true single malt luxury for prices that are much more reasonable than what the general market is currently offering. Quantities are extremely limited, however; especially in older casks like these where the volume has evaporated over time. If you or a loved one is a fan of Islay whisky, you won’t want to miss these.

1987 Bunnahabhain 28 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $199.99 While peated whisky fans will fawn over the 35 year old Caol Ila we’re releasing in tandem here, the Bunnahabhain 28 year is the whisky for those who love nuance and restraint. There’s no heavy smoke to be inhaled in this jewel of a single malt. There’s little smoke, whatsoever, actually. This ancient Islay whisky has everything we love about the standard Bunnahabhain 18, just with an additional ten years in wood and a drinkable cask strength proof of 49.1%. There’s that earthy, resinous stonefruit on the palate that we love so much; a creamy and supple texture that haunts your senses. The salted caramel comes in later, washing over the back of the mouth like a wave off the coast of the sea nearby the distillery. Considering the standard edition Bunnahabhain 25 was released earlier this year for a whopping $900 per bottle, our direct import program comes out looking great with this release. For $700 less you get three additional years and an unfiltered, undiluted purity. Fans of Islay whisky will be thrilled with the complexity and the value. Fans of whisky in general should consider grabbing more than one of these. Unfortunately, however, the older the cask, the more the evaporation. There’s less than 200 total bottles of this beauty. We recommend grabbing one quickly.

1980 Caol Ila 35 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $349.99 We’ve bought a number of amazing Caol Ila casks over the years, some at just five years of age and others at more than thirty, but there are two things we can say about this particular cask of Caol Ila: we’ve never had one this old and we’ve never had one this well-priced considering the market. Experienced whisky drinkers compare old Caol Ila to old Port Ellen, that elusive and rare Islay distillery now selling for thousands of dollars per bottle. While Diageo just released the 11th edition this past year, a 35 year old cask strength expression of pure peated splendor, it will run you at least three grand. With this cask strength Caol Ila, we’re offering you a whisky that’s just as delicious (if not as rare) for about ten percent of that price. If you’re looking for decadent Islay goodness, you’ve got it all here. It’s oily, resinous, round on the palate, thick with brandied fruit, but oh so ashy, smoky, salty, and peaty. It’s sweet and then it’s savory. It’s bright, but then it’s heavy. It’s easy to drink, yet utterly complex. It’s the entire package and it comes just in time for the holidays when gifts like this are greatly appreciated by savvy drinkers. We’ve waited until the end of our most recent container to release this beauty to the world. There are less than 130 bottles available at 56.3% cask strength. Don’t let our reasonable price fool you: if you or someone you know likes smoky whisky, this is about as high end as it gets.

David Driscoll

K&L Spirits Buyer daviddriscoll@klwines.com 650-556-2736

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com