John Milroy Selections: The Newest Additions to K&L Exclusive Single Malt Portfolio
Whisky fans take note as we have once again brokered a deal in which we can bring you exclusive single malt bottlings at significantly discounted prices. We are talking authentic, beautifully crafted selections that cost 40-50% less than what you’d pay elsewhere in the country. By partnering with John Milroy Selections we are now have access to single malts that are every bit as thrilling and temptingly priced as our sensationally popular “Old Particular” exclusives.
1997Ben Nevis 18 Year Old “John Milroy K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99
1995Tormore 20 Year Old “John Milroy” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $89.99
1995Glen Garioch 20 Year Old “John Milroy” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $119.99
With the John Milroy Selections, in addition to the outrageous value you’re also getting access to rare stocks that don’t just show up every day. These casks have been selected by one of the top noses in the business and are notable for their incredible depth and complexity. All of Milroy’s carefully curated selections seek to highlight the incredible quality of the spirit going into the casks which means they’re often going to come from refill hogsheads or bourbon barrels. These types of casks are the distillers’ preferred vessels because maturity is achieved through subtle concentration over decades, thereby truly highlighting the exceptional flavor of the great spirit inside. Great Scotch doesn’t need much more than that to be spectacular. Pick-up a bottle or two of these exceptional finds and find out why we are so excited about these most recent additions to our single malt portfolio.
The wonderful John Milroy’s line of single malt single cask Scotch is finally back, and we’re proud to be the exclusive purveyor of this special brand in California. The legacy of the Milroy’s name goes back to 1964, when John “Jack” Milroy opened a little wine shop at #3 Greek Street in an upscale neighborhood on the West End of London. Over the next 30 years, the Milroys and their talented store manager, Doug McIver, would make the Milroy name synonymous with exceptional single-cask Scotch. Eventually, McIver moved on to become the head of the venerable Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits Department, and Jack Milroy struck out on his own to create the equally well-regarded “John Milroy Selection” brand of single-cask single malts. In 2009, Jack tapped Doug as his pick to take the special line of Scotch into the new century–partnering with Berry’s would ensure that only the very best whisky would be bottled under the Milroy name. Doug takes this spiritual legacy seriously and he’s finally put together a portfolio of exceptional single casks. We’re proud to be his partners in California.
We’re offering today an exceptional Ben Nevis aged 18 years. This special distillery is becoming one of the most sought-after Highland offerings thanks to its robust and full flavored profile. The distillery stands at the base of the highest mount in the British Isles and is owned by the famed Japanese distiller Nikka. Founded in 1825 in the far-flung town of Fort Williams, it’s definitely worth a detour if ever possible as the Western Coast is simply breathtaking. The distillery sells a single cask at 15 years for nearly $200. Retailers in other states who snagged a bit of this before we moved in and are asking upwards of $130! We’re selling the very SAME CASK for $60. It boasts big malty flavors with tons of coastal influence and deep mossy finish. While the Ben Nevis is becoming more popular and more regularly on offer here at K&L, it will rarely be available at such a stupendously low price. Grab this one quickly!
The far-flung and unsung distillery in the town of Fort William is named for the highest mountain in the British Isles, which looms behind the distillery on the rugged west coast of Scotland. Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. acquired the distillery in 1989 and has worked to improve quality ever since. We don’t often see Ben Nevis available, but whisky of this quality and price cannot be ignored!
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 29, 2017
This killer Ben Nevis is one of the best values we’ve seen from the Highland Distillery, which can often command a hefty premium. The nose is almost textbook Highland Malt for me. Big notes of fresh heather, whisps of something fusible (maybe it’s camphor or lamp oil), sweet herbal honey, lump sugar, moss growing up the banks of a babbling brook in a dark forest somewhere. Ok, sorry about that one, but seriously it’s a bit mossy. On the palate, rich malt, slight hints of fresh peat, and a wonderful full bodied texture. This one loves water and some time in the glass. It cleans it out a bit and brings out this wonderful golden fruit, mirabelle, fresh herbs and a old copper coins. Some whiffs of aged white wine. Maybe more some preserved lemon and a gravelly note that pops up on the palate. This one is an absolute cranking for the price.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 27, 2017
This is for people who are looking for a light and clean single malt. The aromas are pretty,light and delicate. This theme continues in the mouth with soft, smooth and subtle malt flavors. There is no smoke and there is plenty of joy in this tasty and nuanced whiskey.
Olivia Ragni | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 30, 2017
This is both soft and easy to put down, with some funky notes of almond skins and sake yet flavors of lemon cake, malt, vanilla and a super creamy mouthfeel. Easy, yet complex, a single malt lover’s paradise.
Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 30, 2017
One of my favorites in this line-up of John Milroy casks, this is INTENSE stuff. Beautiful toasted spelt on the nose, there are harmonious sweet spices and long vanilla notes on the palate. This finishes even longer in the mouth with a broad and lengthy grain notes. Take into account the quality, the age and that this is well south of $100 and you may have one of the best single malt values in K&L history.
Finally, the very first cask of Tormore we’ve ever bottled and likely the only Tormore we’ve had in stock this century and it is a real treat. The distillery is extremely beautiful, built in 1958 it’s rather young by Scottish standards. The striking copper roofs are unforgettable, but usually we see them wiz by as we drive the A95 toward Aberlour and Dufftown. The attractive and inviting look of the distillery belies the extremely limited offerings within. Recently released 14 & 16 year old versions are available at the distillery, but not yet exported by parent company Pernod Ricard (Chivas Brothers). A huge majority of the production goes into the blends. IN fact, I’ve only tried one other Tormore in the last decade and it was an 80 proof single cask 16 year old bottling from Signatory that retailed for about the same price as this one. That was 4+ years ago. Tormore is known for its malty fresh style and medium body. This particular cask has some dark gravelly edges to round out by a wonderful fruity floral quality and loves a few drops of water. A fun and different malt driven whisky that’s perfect for summer sipping. I’m assuming this will be a first Tormore for many of our customers.
The very first Tormore to hit our shelves in over a decade and certainly the first single cask we’ve sold. This super easy drinker needs a bit of water, but swims like a charm. Tormore is famous for striking copper roofs and its light floral malt. With some serious age it’s developed a great depth and some fabulous complexity while remaining refreshing and quaffable like few other malts in the store.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 02, 2017
This is the first Tormore we’ve had in the shop in over a decade and it’s a wonderful example of this ultra fresh and light style. The perfect summer malt, and it loves water. For anyone that’s driven around Speyside, you’d recognize the incredibly beautiful grounds and stunning copper roofs of this rare little distillery. It’s not small production, but Chivas lets very little out as it’s a base malt for many of their blends. This light fresh style is exactly what you want on a hot summers night or even GASP over ice. The nose starts strong note of black tea, fresh gravel and peaches. A pointed oakiness develops as we go deeper, fresh pencil shavings, dark roasted malt, lanolin – a slight dusty note. With a nice dollop of water the edginess falls away leaving wonderful pithy citrus, stone fruit skins, sweet malt. The tiniest hint of peat doesn’t show it’s self until the spirit hits the palate. This plays perfectly off the super sweet malt and round fruit. An easy soft let down on the back end. This is real drinkers malt and loves water, so it should be consumed with that in mind.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 02, 2017
This is one of the richest of the Milroy casks I have tasted so far and a super cool example of how Sherry casking can work. Although there is some richness on the nose, I also get notes of slightly oxidized floral and almonds that you find in Sherry. The palate was creamy and smooth with vanilla, butterscotch, and a warming heat towards the finish. That heat and spice lead to a super long finish and help keep this bottle in your mind as you sip.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 27, 2017
Before this bottling I had never tasted a single malt from Tormore. I am glad that I got a chance to do so because this offering has so much to offer. In the nose there are caramel notes with savory undertones. With a splash of water, it is rich and juicy, packed with concentrated malt and dried fruit flavors that are very delicious. It is complex and interesting and should give joy to fans of single malts.This is the most unique selection of the John Milroy bottlings that are currently in stock.
Anthony Russo | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2017
Elegance at its best, this 20 year old is a bit lighter on the peat and has soft caramel flavors that provide the structure. Less herbal and grassy, there is an amazing orange zest flavor that make this spirit seem alive.
From the famous stalwart of the eastern Highlands this cask of Glen Garioch represents some of the finest in this style we’ve seen in ages. Glen Garioch produces one of the highest quality distillates in Scotland, historically quite peaty; it’s now a fruity, bready, malty magician. You might liken it to a fuller bodied version of Clynelish. Subtle and brimming with complexity, Glen Garioch is a true BLUE CHIP distillery and we’ve only managed to bottle it exclusively only twice before. Both of those casks were bottled by the distillery and distilled after the 1995 closure. This cask represents some of the oldest stocks of Glen Garioch we’ve seen on the open market and comes from the period right before the distillery was mothballed for several years. A very rare treat indeed! This little single cask Glen Garioch is of such high quality that our out of state competitors feel confident in asking nearly $200 a bottle for this special whisky. It likely is worth at least that, but our price is nearly 40% less. These special casks don’t come around very often and if you know Glen Garioch than you’ll know that you must have this special whisky.
The wonderful historic Glen Garioch is one of the oldest active distilleries in Scotland. Founded in 1797 behind the tiny hamlet of Old Meldrum, it was in the Morrison Bowmore portfolio when it was acquired by Suntory in 1984. Distilled in early 1995, it’s some of the final spirit distilled before its closure. This ultra malty style transports you directly to barley fields of Aberdeenshire.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 21, 2017
The first nosing of this stupendous cask takes me right back to Old Meldrum and our first visit to Glen Garioch. Here we have that wonderful Garioch maltiness, that’s almost unmistakable. It could easily be a helping of skirlie ir mealie (oats fried in butter) if it weren’t for that deep gravelly malt note in the background. With a bit of air and a drop of water, the beautiful flinty character of Garioch shines through, almost on the level of the best trocken Rieslings. The nose is vibrant with waxy fruit, grapeseed oil, lemon peel and tiny hints of camphor. The palate is so open, yet wildly complex with the waxy fruit gaining hold culminating in a long finish of herbs and green tea. An absolute treat and a great value for a rare blue chip distillery.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 02, 2017
There is something really unique that Glen Garioch does that I can almost always identify, yet it is difficult for me to describe. Tasting this bottle I again was pleased to taste this beautiful note that is so quintessentially Glen Garioch to me. What is perhaps even more exciting is that this is what I was always told was old school, classic Highland style that I have rarely gotten to taste. The nose is light vanilla and cut hay with hints of cereal. Sipping it I got oatmeal and light grassy grain notes with a little vanilla and heat. This is light and beautiful whisky, low heat and a little wood spice, truly old school cool.
Olivia Ragni | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 30, 2017
The John Milroy bottling of Glen Garioch is quite elegant and insanely complex. The different aromas and flavors just go on forever. Fresh fennel, candied orange peel and lemongrass jump from the glass while on the palate notes of candied lemon peel, mint and sugar cookie come through. A stunning single malt.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 27, 2017
I tasted this product with and with out water. With no water there is a nice malt undertone but savory notes are somewhat pronounced both in the nose and in the mouth. With the additions of a little water, this Glen Garioch opens up letting the malt flavors come up with the savory notes playing a supportive role.This selection is full of nuance and will be a pleasure to sit down with and think about.
Anthony Russo | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 29, 2017
This Scotch is impressively layered and held together with a touch of peat. Flavors of stone fruit, oranges, and caramel all balance each other out, yet individually shine. A “must-have” for drinkers of elegantly structured Scotches.
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