WHISKY OF THE YEAR: ARDBEG KELPIE COMMITTEE EXCLUSIVE (51.7% ABV) CROWNED WHISKY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg named Master Distiller of the Year for crafting the Whisky of the Year 2017 and will receive the coveted Golden Barrel Trophy.

The International Whisky Competition (IWC) just released its results for this year’s most respected blind tasting judging event. The top recognition, Whisky of the Year, was awarded to Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Exclusive (51.7% ABV) which scored 97.3 points, the highest scoring whisky of the competition.

The 8th edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in Las Vegas over three days, from May 3 to 5 and received over 180 different whiskies. A world-class tasting panel made of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts blind tasted each whisky on an individual basis (8 minutes per whisky).

Each whisky was scored using a comprehensive 100-point scale system developed by Sébastien Gavillet, IWC Head of Tasting Panel and author of Discovering and Mastering Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This process and the fact that only three medals are awarded in any category make the International Whisky Competition the most followed whisky competition and one of the most professional competitions of its kind in the world.

We warmly congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Spirit Creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, as well as his team, for creating such a complex and sophisticated whisky, ever changing with pronounced phenols yet a smooth & lingering finish. “Definitely a contender” said Sebastien Gavillet’s tasting notes. “Elegant! Spectacular” said Adam Carmer’s notes and “Warm finish, exceptionally smooth and well-integrated” said Agi Toth’s notes.

This is the second year Dr Bill Lumsden is crowned Master Distiller of the Year for crafting the best scoring whisky of the competition. Last year’s winner was Glenmorangie Signet, which scored 97 points. Ardbeg Distillery will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this summer in Islay, Scotland.

Full results available here: https://www.whiskycompetition.com/2017-results/ 

About the International Whisky Competition®

The International Whisky Competition is the most followed Whisky Competition on Social Media and brings whiskies from around the world to be blind tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel using the most comprehensive tasting method available. 15 criteria are required to produce the tasting notes as well as aroma and flavor profiles for the International Whisky Guide. Unlike other competitions, the judges are presented with one whisky at a time, to ensure each whisky gets the proper attention. For more information please visit www.whiskycompetition.com

We congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden and his team, for crafting such an a complex and sophisticated whisky, ever changing with pronounced phenols yet a smooth & lingering finish” said Sebastien Gavillet

For more information about the International Whisky Guide and the International Whisky Competition, please visit whiskycompetition.com or contact Sylvain Allard, Managing Director, at s.allard@whiskycompetition.com

We congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden and his team, for crafting such an a complex and sophisticated whisky, ever changing with pronounced phenols yet a smooth & lingering finish” said Sebastien Gavillet

From our friends at Scotch Whisky Auctions; 

We are live with our 74th auction!

With an unprecedented 5000+ lots, and some real superstars, there is without doubt something here for everyone.

Enjoy – and remember: Don’t Lose Your Bottle!

Deanston 40 Year Old

45.6% vol. / 70cl

£1,000.00

Hailing from a Highland distillery housed in a former cotton mill, this 40 year old single malt is one of only 480 bottles produced. Consisting of spirit from refill casks and Oloroso sherry casks, Deanston 40 Year Old is presented non chill-filtered for an authentic taste and natural colour.

Nose: the distillery’s distinctive honey and tropical fruit notes with rich oak, sweet malt, vanilla fudge and a hint of dried fruit.

Palate: sweet heather honey fills the mouth along with pear and apples, before the sweet malt, vanilla fudge and rich oak of the nose develop further.

Finish: long with sweet honey and fruit lingering.

Dumbarton 30 Year Old 1987 10th Anniversary

Hot on the heels as our Irish single cask we’re delighted to present the next bottling of our 10th Anniversary series. A 30 Year Old single grain from the lost Dumbarton distillery. Selected by our friends at Hunter Laing & Co. in Glasgow and bottled May 2017 from a single barrel yielding 197 bottles. Dumbarton distillery closed in 2002 and demolition was completed in early 2017. A little bit of history in a bottle.

SHOP – £86.59

Ladies and gentlemen, Join us on the evening of the 26^th of June for the event of the season. A whisky debate in the style of BBCs Question time alongside what Milroy’s does best , a whisky tasting. With an election right around the corner, we’re in the mood for a debate, so step aside Mr Dimbleby, it’s time to talk whisky. It wouldn’t be a debate without a panel of experts and we are privileged enough to have some of the best.

Mr Colin Dunn- Whisky ambassador, Diageo

Mr Duncan Ross  – Spirit Advisor, The Whisky Exchange 

Mr Edward Bates – Multifaceted Whisky aficionado and skilled writer.

Milroy’s very own GM Patrick McCourt will play host and intermediate between guests and the panel. Guests will be asked to send in their questions and we will pick the very best for you to put forward to the experts for debate. Audience participation is the key, anything goes.   Upon entry to the debate you will be welcomed with a ‘Welcome cocktail’ provided by our award-winning cocktail bar ‘The Vault’. 5 Whiskies will be served throughout the evening to enjoy alongside fierce discussion about whisky and the world that surrounds it. Tickets are limited and are selling fast so pick yours up today on the Milroys web store.

TICKETS

Tamdhu marks 120th anniversary with archive appeal

Tamdhu Distillery is calling on whisky enthusiasts to help bring its history to life, as it marks its 120th anniversary.

The Speyside distillery is asking people to come forward with their Tamdhu memories, artefacts and photographs, as it seeks to build a brand archive and delve more deeply into the social history of its past.

Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager, explains:

“Since the distillery was reopened in 2012 by Ian Macleod Distillers, Tamdhu has been growing in popularity all over the world, and people love hearing about the history of how our whisky is made, and the people who made it.

“We already have some brilliant archive material – for example, the wages log from way back in 1897, and the original distillery blueprints –  but I know there must be lots more out there.

“We’re interested in hearing stories from those who have worked here and their friends and family, and will be collecting photographs and memorabilia, and anything else which people might have hidden away. And, as we are custodians of the old Tamdhu/Dalbeallie railway station, we’d also be thrilled to receive any stories or images relating to it. Our aim is to create an online archive which people can explore and maybe, in time, establish something here at the distillery too.”

To share your Tamdhu stories and memorabilia, simply upload to the Tamdhu Facebook page or share on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TamdhuTimes

Born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897, Tamdhu Distillery was considered the most technologically-advanced of its time. Enthused by the optimism of Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee, it was built by a consortium of merchants and gentlemen of the whisky trade who had raised today’s equivalent of £20 million to fund the project. It was designed by Charles C Doig Esq – the pre-eminent distillery architect and engineer of the day.

Tamdhu is now owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley, the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring and the 100% exclusive use of only the finest sherry oak casks.

Tamdhu has recently received an array of awards for its whisky, including a double Gold for its Tamdhu Batch Strength II and Tamdhu Ten Year Old at the International Spirits Challenge 2017, and Best Non Age Statement Whisky at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Awards 2017, also for Batch Strength II.

For more information, please visit www.tamdhu.com.

Startup Anniversary Invites Worldwide Toast to Japanese Whisky

TOKYO — 25 May 2017 – dekantā, the leading online store for high end Japanese spirits, are hosting a week-long event, starting Saturday 28 May, to mark two years since its founding by Japanese entrepreneur Makiyo Masa. The anniversary week invites customers, partners and friends to celebrate a second year of success for dekantā and the continued allure of Japanese whisky on the international stage.

Each of the seven days leading up to the 3 June anniversary will highlight a Japanese whisky brand or distillery from dekantā’s extensive range, from big brand favourites to upcoming Ji-whisky labels. These daily profiles will involve insider insights and recommendations, ‘flash deals’ on popular bottles, competitions, limited edition bottle sets in dekantā collectible boxes, and more.

Friends of dekantā on social media are invited to offer a virtual toast to Japanese whisky by posting their photos using the hashtag “ToastDekanta” (#ToastDekanta). Participants in the toast will be entered to win bottles, gift-cards and door prizes valued at more than $1,000 USD.

Since dekantā’s founding in 2015, Makiyo has scoured Japan, sourcing the most exclusive and rare bottles and delivering her country’s exceptional spirit to the world’s elite. “Whisky lovers the world over have embraced dekantā and for that we are very thankful,” said Makiyo. “We couldn’t have achieved so much in so little time without the support of our online community of Japanese whisky enthusiasts, and that’s why we’d like to give a little back with a massive Japanese whisky extravaganza.”

In just two years, dekantā has grown to offer the world’s largest online selection of rare and authentic Japanese spirits, and has delivered to 127 countries across every continent in the world. It is now firmly established as the predominant source for rare and high-end Japanese whisky, while stocking a wider selection of Japanese spirits and offering a taste of Japanese culture worldwide. Bottles can be delivered to anywhere on the globe, with an authentic Japanese gift wrapping service available.

Stock ranges from the highly exclusive produce of silent distilleries, to more affordable and extremely popular brands such as Hibiki, Yamazaki and Nikka. Just some of the rare and exclusive bottles listed exclusively on dekantā include a large selection of bottles from renowned ‘silent’ distillery Karuizawa and Ichiro’s Playing Card series. dekantā is offering the highly-anticipated Yamazaki 2017 Limited Edition release for pre-order and the Yamazakura 963 21 year old is a dekantā exclusive bottle that cannot be found anywhere else online.

Japanese whisky has experienced rapid worldwide growth, and has won numerous awards and accolades in recent years. “Thank you to our wonderful customers. Thank you Japan, my home country for making such beautiful whisky that has caught the attention of so many worldwide,” says Makiyo. “We have always prided ourselves on being able to bring an authentic Japanese whisky and cultural experience to customers worldwide, that they would only otherwise find on a visit to Japan. We look forward to welcoming more whisky lovers on the journey.” 

Notes:

For more information on the world-wide toast (available from Sat 27 May): https://dekanta.com/toast-dekanta/

For more information on the anniversary event (available from Sat 27 May): https://dekanta.com/anniversary-2017/

About dekantā

dekantā offers customers access to the world’s largest online selection of authentic Japanese Spirits and has delivered to 127 countries across every continent in the world. A family owned and run business, dekantā’s founders have been selling collectibles since 1985 and specialize in rare, collectible, and new release single malt Japanese whisky. dekantā offers worldwide delivery on an extensive range of Japanese single malt whisky, Japanese grain whisky and Japanese blended whisky, in addition to Scottish whisky released for the Japanese market only.

Consumers who would like to learn more about Japanese whisky should visit the dekantā website, which boasts the most extensive repository of information dedicated to Japanese whisky, including distillery history and tasting notes for each bottle. Bilingual concierge service is available 24 hours a day, providing expert recommendations in both English and Japanese.

dekanta.com

Follow dekantā on Twitter: @dekantawhisky

Like dekantā on Facebook: facebook.com/dekantawhisky/

Feis Ile, the yearly Islay Festival of Music and Malt, is a fixture of the Scotch malt whisky scene. Every year, the population of the isle of Islay doubles for a week at the end of May, as whisky fans from around the world descend on the island. Hotel bookings are made more than a year in advance and you even need to get in months early to get a pitch at one of the island’s campsites. Suffice to say, it’s a big thing in the whisky world.

The Islay Festival of Music and Malt

It started in the 1980s, growing out of a drama festival. At first it focused on music and local culture, but since 1990, the year of the first festival whisky tasting, Islay distilleries have become more involved and now dominate the week.

Bowmore’s famous round church – built with no corners for the devil to hide in

Each distillery on the island is assigned a day of the festival week, so staying from Saturday to Saturday is a must if you want to experience all of the festivities. They also each produce at least one special festival bottling, usually launched at the open day, so if you’re trying to catch them all, you’ll need to hang around for the whole week.

• Saturday 27 May – Lagavulin
• Sunday 28 May – Bruichladdich
• Monday 29 May – Caol Ila
• Tuesday 30 May – Laphroaig
• Wednesday 31 May – Bowmore
• Thursday 1 June – Kilchoman and Jura
• Friday 2 June – Bunnahabhain
• Saturday 3 June – Ardbeg

You can find full details on the Islay Festival website.

The Whisky Exchange Islay Pop-up Bar

Along with the distilleries, there are a few whisky companies who make their way up to the island. This year we are joining the throng and will be opening a pop-up bar in Port Ellen. We’ll be at Ramsay Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, open from 6pm to 11pm.

The plan is simple: we’re providing a laid-back bar to escape from the hectic rush of the festival. There’ll be whiskies from every distillery on Islay, both current releases and some incredible drams from their back catalogues – TWE director Sukhinder has raided his stash to find us some very special bottles. We’ll be selling whisky by the 1cl measure, and prices start at £2.

You can find a list of many of the drams we’ll be pouring on this page, But here are a few of Sukhinder’s highlights:

• Bowmore 1966 Duncan Taylor
• Caol Ila 1969 Dark Sherry Gordon & MacPhail
• Lagavulin 1978 Cadenhead’s (a whisky I’ve lusted after for years)
• Port Ellen 1969 Connosseurs Choice

We’ll also have beer from Loch Fyne, The Botanist gin from Bruichladdich, and a big bucket of ice for making highballs and G&Ts. There’s no entry fee, so come along, say hello and have a relaxed evening of great drams.

Elements of Islay and Port Askaig

During the day, Ramsay Hall will be filled with whisky from our friends at Elixir Distillers, producer of Elements of Islay and Port Askaig. They’ll be pouring samples all day, as well as running tastings throughout the week. Head over to the tickets page to book:

1. Daily Port Askaig masterclass
2. Daily Elements of Islay quiz
3. Port Askaig Pilgrimage walk
4. Port Askaig tasting at Port Ellen lighthouse

They’re also selling bottles and merchandise, so whether you need a bottle of Port Askaig 100° Proof or an Elements of Islay T-shirt, pop in and have a dram while you wait.

Elements of Islay Ar9

And finally, there’s a special festival bottling – Elements of Islay Ar9. It’s a heavily sherried whisky from a cult south-coast distillery. We’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader to guess which one…

Elements of Islay Ar9. Feis Ile 2017 Release. 51.6% ABV

Nose: Dark chocolate and sappy pine lead to a core of salted caramel and treacle toffee. Spiced, stewed apples mingle with tar and creosote, with a seaside bonfire burning underneath – salt spray, burning driftwood and layers of rich, smoky peat.

Palate: Singed raisins, sweet liquorice and charcoal ash start things off, with a dive through bitter liquorice pastilles and blackcurrant wine gums into a pool of bittersweet dark chocolate for afters. Sharp mineral notes flicker around the edges before toffee apples and salted caramel burst through. Smoke is intertwined with the other flavours: burning citrus peel, sweet peat and rich wood smoke dive in and out.

Finish: A bright explosion of mint and menthol fades away, leaving earthy peat, fruity chocolate, bitter ash and touches of sweet pastry.

Comment: A monster of a dram that doesn’t forget its origins. Beneath the layers of sherry-cask fruit and dark chocolate are the clear fingerprints of this cult Kildalton distillery.

It’ll be exclusively available from the Elixir Distillers gang at Ramsay Hall on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the festival. If there’s any left, The Whisky Exchange has first dibs and it’ll be on the website when we get back from the island. Click here to sign up to receive an email if and when it goes on sale.

2017 Kilchoman Loch Gorm is Here!

LOCH GORM is the name given to our annually released sherry cask matured limited edition. The 2017 edition is the sixth installment of this limited release and has been matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts filled in 2009, the longest Loch Gorm maturation to date.

• Every bottle of Kilchoman is hand bottled on Islay at a minimum of 46% ABV allowing for the full-bodied character of the whisky to shine through
• We ship all our barrels whole directly to Islay. Our Bourbon Barrels are sourced exclusively from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky and our Sherry Casks from Miguel Martin in Jerez, Spain.
• Our stills are amongst the smallest in Scotland, increasing copper contact and creating unmatched balance and complexity.
• We never chill-filter or colour Kilchoman Single Malt, our whisky is a pure, unfiltered representation of traditional whisky distilling.

Nose: Orange and lemon notes, rich smoky peat and cooked fruit.
Palate: Rich chocolate, cinnamon and cloves combined with peat smoke.
Finish: Long and full bodied with a balance of sweet smoke.

“Loch Gorm is undoubtedly assertive however in the midst of it’s distinctive peat smoke and sherry character it retains a certain finesse and subtly”

ImpEx Beverages Inc. · 360 Swift Ave · Side B # 9 · South San Francisco, CA 94080 · USA

Direct-Import Exclusives – Classic Single Malts At Very Attractive Prices

“Both Benrinnes and Longmorn make classic Highland Scotch and these two specimen are as classic as they come.”

– David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

The most recent additions to our “Old Malt Cask” line-up are sure-fire winners on every level. Coming from Longmorn and Benrinnes these are classically styled Highland scotches that are so attractively priced that it’ll be next to impossible to pass them up. The Benrinnes 19 Year Old is a fruity, flashy, and friendly version that also offers a good dollop of richness and spiced complexity. We sold a similar bottling from Signatory for $100, so the sub-$70 price tag makes this malt all the more attractive. The Longmorn 20 Year Old for its part is a glorious rendering from this Highland stalwart. Noteable for its broad palette of flavors, it offers an array of vanilla, butterscotch, mellow oak, and subtle fruit notes. Other scotches of a similar age and profile will easily cost 30% more elsewhere, making this a stunning value. We continue to be thrilled to be able to offer these direct import exclusives as they are among the best finds in the world of spirits.

To learn more be sure to check out our recent Spirits Journal post.

1997 Benrinnes 19 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)

There are few things more pleasing to the K&L staff than a new single cask exclusive from Benrinnes distillery, a Johnnie Walker producer that has become the darling of the sales team over the last few years. While typically not sold individually as a single malt whisky, the Highland producer makes one of the fruitiest, friendliest, and easy-to-love profiles in all of Scotland, one that offers a straightforward creaminess and a somewhat decadent finish despite its standard hogshead barrel maturation. The nose is a heavy dollop of toffee and fudge, but the color is a golden straw. There’s no sherry influence to this single cask noticeable from the appearance, yet the flavors are rich and heady. The palate offers an initial burst of herbaceous spice, but that quickly oozes into sweet custard, chocolate with nuts, and candied tropical fruit finish with hints of macaroon cookies. The best part about this cask of Benrinnes, however, is its ridiculous price. Our last cask of Benrinnes 20 year from Signatory sold out quickly at $100, yet here we’re offering a near 20 year barrel of a similar quality for only $69.99. We can thank the drop in the Pound/Dollar ratio for the extra discount, and our spirits team for passing along that savings to you!

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017

I’d say not only is Benrinnes my favorite Highland distillery in Scotland, I’d say it’s also one of the most consistently wonderful. Not only is the malt deliciously sweet, so are the people who work there. Because Benrinnes isn’t sold as a single malt brand, the distillery isn’t open to the public, but when we popped by a few years ago to visit they were so welcoming to us and gave us the full tour. The whisky is used almost entirely for Johnnie Walker, but we’ve been lucky to sneak a few casks over the years. The tall pot stills allow for a round and rich spirit that stands completely on its own, without the need for sherry maturation or peat. This is a supple, round, and dangerously drinkable whisky that we will buy every single time we get the chance. This new OMC expression drinks very much like our 20 year Signatory selection from Benrinnes, but for about 30% less the price.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017

This is a single malt for someone looking for something that is pretty, subtle and easy. It has a nice soft and delicate nose with hints of malt and bees wax. In the mouth this theme continues with malt and honey flavors. This cask is on the light side with lots of nuance and beauty. I tasted this with not added water.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2017

I am always excited when I see a new bottling from Benrinnes, being introduced to them when I started at K&L opened my mind up to what truly elegant single malt could taste like. For those seeking the lighter more refined and subtle side of a bottle here is a truly delightful offering. Very light nose of vanilla and early orchard fruit lead to a long and lean mid-palate with vanilla, very light milk chocolate, some grassy notes and a touch of sweet custard. The finish was classic Benrinnes for me being long with some heat and spice that fade to a nutty aftertaste and just seem to go on forever.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 10, 2017

An easy and generous whisky. The nose is full of vanilla and toffee and offers a slight hint of dried hay. Cream and sweet pudding combine with cornbread and baked granola on the palate to offer a heady beer-esque flavor. The finish is long and slightly lingers with a slight nuttiness. An all-around pleasureful dram.

1996 Longmorn 20 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

Longmorn is one of the stalwarts of the Scottish Highlands, a distillery that produces one of the most consistent and classically-flavored single malts in the business. Within the industry itself, it’s a whisky heralded for its value and its ability to play well with others in a blend. There is only one widely-available officially branded version of Longmorn, which is why we often jump at the chance to snag a mature single cask when available. Known for its rich and creamy texture, flavors of honey and sweet malt, and a buttery, biscuity finish, few single malts showcase such an inherent consistency from barrel to barrel and batch to batch. This particular 20 year old single cask we selected in Scotland last year is a straight-down-the-middle expression of everything we love about Longmorn. The first sip offers sweet malted vanilla, supple oak flavors, and a butterscotch richness that coalesces into two decades worth of smooth, integrated, creamy single malt maturity. At 100 proof, the higher ABV lifts all that viscosity and adds a bit of spice on the back end that helps to balance some of the sweeter notes. This is a classic Highland whisky in the style of Glenmorangie 18, but with the grace and elegance of an Oban 18. The bigger difference here, however, is the fact that the Longmorn is two years older, higher in proof, 30% cheaper, and more intriguing than either of those two whiskies on the whole. You can thank our continued Brexit pricing for the deal!

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017

Longmorn is such a dependable whisky that I would probably buy a cask untasted and unseen if pressed. Luckily, I don’t have to, but it’s rare that I taste an example that disappoints. This 20 year old is a carbon copy of some of the Signatory 20 year casks we did a few years back, but the Brexit pricing of the Pound nets us a serious discount here. This is honeyed, butterscotch-laden, creamy Highland malt at 100 proof that drinks beautifully both neat and on the rocks. As long as I can keep getting barrels like this for sub-$100 a bottle, expect the good times to continue rolling. This is a hot deal.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2017

This bottle is just straight up yum, I pretty much liked everything about it. The nose was an almost perfect sherry nose for me, starting with a slightly oxidized floral note that quickly developed into a rich creamy almond. Although the taste was definitely rich this was not an overly decadent whisky, rather it has plenty of caramel, and butterscotch with vanilla and almonds while maintaining an elegance and length. Soft and creamy with a little water added this has low heat and is oh so very tasty.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 12, 2017

I tasted this offering with and without water. With water the flavors are more subtle and nuanced, and without water fuller and more pronounced, as one would expect. Usually I enjoy cask-strength malts with water because it softens and opens them up. This bottle is an exception to the rule. There is a nose of sweet caramel, malt and a hint of vanilla. In the mouth is round with a malt and caramel flavors and a hint of spice.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 10, 2017

Sweet bourbon vanilla, a little salted caramel, a touch of brine like a fino sherry. This 20 year old is mellow and easy. It has a great creamy palate and a lovely bready note. It’s a bit like an older Oban, but without any trace of peat. This is a drinker’s whiskey. Pour it at the end of your workday when you don’t need to impress anyone but your own taste buds and marvel at the quality that can be had for a mere 80 bucks. As always, drink it however you like it, but I think the 100 proof mark is just perfect for something neat.