Tormore 2002 | Côte Rôtie Wood Finish

A 2017 bottling by Independent whisky bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. Distilled in 2002 at the Tormore distillery, initially matured in first fill bourbon casks, then finished in Côte Rôtie red wine casks from one of the most famous producers in the Rhône Valley, Guigal.

£52.48

North British 55 Year Old 1961 vintage Lowland and single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask refill butt #13328 bottled February 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Sovereign series. 144 bottles. This beautiful dark golden grain has a sweet nose with vanilla, sultanas, raisins and raspberry jelly with lime zest. Smooth and creamy on the palate, the flavours just run off the tongue. More vanilla and stewed apples with rich fruit cake topped with marzipan and milk chocolate. The finish is long and dry with a pleasantly sweet aftertaste.

North British Distillery was established on farmland to the west of Edinburgh in 1885 by Andrew Usher, John M. Crabbie and William Sanderson. Since then the city has expanded ever outwards and now the distillery resides in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. North British opened in 1887 to guarantee supplies of grain whisky for its owner’s cordials and scotch whisky blending businesses. It is equipped with four Coffey stills to produce grain spirit at 94.5% alcohol and multi-million litres of spirit annually. Whilst most of its whisky matures in racked warehouses in the central Lowlands, a small number of casks spend at least eight years at the distillery in dunnage Warehouse No.1. Official releases are very few but excellent independent ones are available from Hart Brothers and Hunter Laing.

North British55 Year Old 1961 Sovereign #13328 
$575.18

Saturday May 6th, 12-3PM

Japanese & Irish Whiskies

Curious about the wider world of whiskey? Come by May 6th for a tasting featuring Suntory Whisky of Japan and Kilbeggan Whisky of Ireland! Both new and award-winning releases will be tasted from both distilleries. Click the link below for detailed pour list.

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HIGHLAND PARK LAUNCHES REBUS30 WHISKY

An exclusive 10 Year Old Single Malt to celebrate special 30^th anniversary

Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky is proud to announce plans to collaborate with legend of British crime author Ian Rankin and The Orion Publishing Group to help mark the thirtieth anniversary of John Rebus, one of crime fiction’s best loved creations.

To help start the celebration in style, a very special edition of Highland Park is being produced – Rebus30, a 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky, that will be available for Rebus fans to buy exclusively from Highland Park.

Jason R. Craig, Highland Park, Brand Director, said: “We are delighted to have been asked to produce this exclusive bottle to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of a great crime icon.

“This is a very special partnership for the brand as we were involved ten years ago when Ian celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the publication of the first ‘Inspector Rebus’ novel Knots and Crosses.  At that time, Ian was invited to visit the distillery on Orkney where he chose a special single cask.  The whisky’s flavour profile was chosen according to what Ian felt Rebus would prefer – cask no 3272, was ‘dark, complex and with a long finish’.

“To celebrate Rebus30, our brief was to craft a 10 year old single malt fit for an iconic detective who truly stands apart. The result is stunning single malt created by Gordon Motion, our Master Whisky Maker and a tribute to those with a strong independent spirit and those who know their own mind.

“Best shared with friends or when enjoying a dark crime novel!”

Sarah Benton, Group Marketing Director at Orion said: “Working with Highland Park on this partnership for Rebus30 and RebusFest has been a total delight. What better way to celebrate Rebus’ 30^th birthday! We know his fans are going to snap up these exclusive bottles fast. In addition to the Highland Park Rebus30 10 year old single malt, we will be auctioning a few limited edition Highland Park 30 year old single malt also specially created for Rebus30, throughout the year’s celebration – watch out for these!”

Rebus and Highland Park fans will be able to buy this commemorative bottling for £30 (70cl) and it will be delivered in time for the launch of RebusFest at the end of June 2017.  It will only be available for those who join the brand’s Inner Circle tribe. Registration of interest for this bottle will be open from early April.  To hear further news on how to register for a bottle, join our Inner Circle tribe here www.highlandparkwhisky.com/Innercircle

In addition for those who will be in Edinburgh for the RebusFest, Highland Park’s Senior Brand Ambassador Martin Markvardsen will be hosting two whisky Master Classes on Friday 30^th June and Saturday 1^st July at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.  As well as learning all about why Highland Park stands apart from other single malts, guests will be given a unique opportunity to taste Highland Park Rebus30 along with some of the brand’s other special whiskies.  We hope you will #RaiseaGlasstoRebus and celebrate #Rebus30 with us.

Tickets for both events are available to purchase from www.ianrankin.net/rebusfest.

Highland Park Rebus30 10 Year Old is 40% ABV and will RRP at £30 per bottle (70cl).

Fulfilment will be in June 2017.

Tasting Notes

Natural colour, mature citrus fruits and creamy vanilla with a hint of peppery sauce. An intensely balanced single malt fit for a detective who truly stands apart.

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park ICE Edition was awarded 99 points and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. While Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old were all awarded 96 points or above and the Tried and True Award at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge.

A Quintessential Islay Malt From A Historic Distillery

Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch ($59.99)

“A lovely whisky and it very much speaks to the strength of what may be Scotland’s top producer.” – David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

The Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition is as about a picture perfect bottle of Scotch as you can find. Fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced it is a worthy holder of its illustrious 200th Anniversary designation. Made in homage to the famous imbibers tome “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland” by Alfred Barnard, this single malt manages to offer a glimpse into the whiskies of a bygone era while still conveying a unique modern style.

Every bit as good as, and according to many a palate even better than the coveted 16 year, this Limited Edition bottling can be had for a song when compared to malts of like quality and status. What’s more, it’s not often to find a bottle that has an engaging a history as it is delicious, but here you have it in the Lagavulin 8 Year Old. To learn more about this terrific bottling be sure to check out our recent Spirits Journal post.

Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

Whisky Advocate: “Light in color it may be, but this is no wimp. The nose goes straight to the shore with mineral and salt, but its also sweet, which allows it to be fresh, lively, yet balanced. The palate delivers some menthol, bay laurel, more brininess, a hint of malt, and Parma violet. Everything remains very breezy, with peat smoke being blown from a kiln into salt-laden air. I prefer it to the 12 year old and the price is fantastic. (Summer 2016, Dave Broom)”

K&L Notes: The 200th anniversary bottling of Lagavulin is finally here! A limited edition eight year old single malt whisky that packs all the peat, smoke, salt, and classic Islay flavor of the beloved distillery into a younger, brighter, more assertive expression. Sure to sell fast and sure to be one of the more popular whiskies we sell this year! The special edition celebrates a visit to the distillery be Alfred Banard (author of the classic “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland”), where he recollected tasting a delicious eight year expression.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2017

This 8 year version of Lagavulin is even more quintessentially Islay than the 16. It’s fresher, livelier, peatier, and simply more dynamic on the palate. I also love that Lagavulin paid homage to the classic whisky travel book “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland” by Alfred Barnard, a writer who visited all 150 active distilleries in the UK back in the late 19th century. He specifically mentions an “exceptionally fine” Lagavulin 8 year expression, and it’s clear from tasting the modern rendition why he felt so strongly. It’s a lovely whisky and it very much speaks to the strength of what may be Scotland’s top producer.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2017

Absolute magic! I’ve always been a bigger fan of the out of control cask strength 12 year old over the (still wonderful) standard 16 year. To be able to get an affordable, if slightly tame version of that is an exceptional score! There’s just SO much going on here. This is real deal stinky briny, sooty oily Lagavulin. I’m not even going to bother attempting to describe this further, but this is without a doubt one of the best peaty whiskies on the shelf at any price. Forget the age and focus on the flavor. $60? Laphroaig Cask Strength and Ardbeg Uiggy have another for contender here for best bang for your buck peater in the store and I’m leaning toward the man in the middle. Good old laggy, lag, we don’t deserve you.

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Gordon & MacPhail Clynelish 1972 Rare Old 

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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Bowmore 20 Year Old

1996 vintage single cask hogshead bottled February 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for Old Malt Cask series. Peat, seaweed, shortbread, fudge and more peat! N. Butter shortbread with toffee and a touch of seaweed. P. Silky soft with fudge, dates and peat. F. Long and lingering with a late touch of peat. Bowmore Distillery was established by David Simpson in 1779 on the Isle of Islay. Situated by the shore of Loch Indaal it is amongst the oldest working distilleries on Islay and one of the oldest malt whiskey distilleries in Scotland. Bowmore Distillery continues to produce a proportion of its malted barley on its own traditional malting floors and malt kilns. Bowmore Distillery is a participant in Feis Isle, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music during which special bottlings. Popular official bottlings include Bowmore 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 25 Year Old.

$118.13

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Ralfy gets a bit upset with packaging !

Ralfy Review 641 – Isle Of Jura 21yo @ 44%vol

A long weekend whisky tour, full of whisky to sample, distilleries to visit, plenty of fun with hotels, lunches & dinners. Join Liz and Paul of MCLEANSCOTLAND on the exclusive whisky trip.

Thursday 31 August. We meet you at Inverness airport at noon. With your first Scottish dram in hand we drive to Speyside in time for a two course lunch with a drink included at The Delnashaugh Hotel. It’s then a short distance to Glenfarclas Distillery where you take a tour and taste. Glenfarclas was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to open a dedicated visitor centre in 1973. After your tour relax with a dram or three. Then on to Grantown on Spey, where you check in to The Garth Hotel. This evening we host a 3 course dinner with thee whiskies. Also this evening, Spud the Piper in full highland dress entertains you. In 2000 Madonna and Guy Ritchie came to Scotland for their wedding ceremony. Spud piped for her. On their arrival the press, asked him to play ‘Like a Virgin’ on the pipes. So he played for Madonna as she came down the steps of her jet. The next day he was on the front page of every paper known to man! We then introduce Robert Ransom founder of Angels’ Nectar “Blended by Angels, to be Shared with Friends”, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies are vibrant and fresh, just the way the Angels enjoy their drams. Relax with a presentation and samples from Robert.

Friday 1 September. After a sumptous highland breakfast we travel the short distance to Craigellachie, where we visit the Speyside Cooperage; the only cooperage in Britain with a visitor centre. An experienced Cooper will  show how Coopers still use traditional methods and tools. Although shipped across the world, many of the casks remain in Scotland, providing a vital ingredient in Scotland’s whisky making process. From here its five minutes to Glenfiddich Distillery, where we have arranged lunch. Then a half hour drive to Elgin where we visit Glen Moray Distillery, a private tour and taste, a French owned distillery, one of our favourites. A superb tour followed by drams, some direct from the cask. The shop has (in our opinion) the best value for money whisky to purchase anywhere! Ten minutes to the hotel, check in, relax, have a bite to eat. This evening at the hotel, we introduce Derek Hancock.   A Senior Executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports for over 40 years. Derek has travelled the world for over 25 years and has presented many master classes, tastings and high level presentations to customers in every continent. Let Derek escort you around the region and impart stories and insights into the distilleries, brands, drams and people who make this such a fascinating topic. Overnight Elgin.

Saturday 2 September. After breakfast we relax a while, then attend our very own MCLEANSCOTLAND whisky school with Vic Cameron. Vic (BSc DipDist)  has over 23 years experience in the distilling industry, working in a number of roles for Diageo. He has worked in production management at both malting and distilling sites. Vic is proud to have been the 4th International Malt Whisky Nosing Champion. He is now on the organising committee for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky school and also the Whisky Lecturer for the University of the Highlands and Islands. Starting at 10am, we break for refreshments at 11am, continuing after the break until 12.30.  This is a very informative humorous take on the whisky industry – with chocolates!  FREE time follows, allowing you a lunch break. You have a ticket for the Distilled whisky festival at Elgin Town Hall, running from 1pm – 5pm; the team behind the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings this event to the sampling table – the best Speyside whisky distillers (at least 50 of them) are uniting under one roof. But that’s not all. Speyside’s whisky distillers will be in good company as award-winning brewers, gin crafters, food producers and others, will be joining them. Overnight Elgin.

Sunday 3 September. After a deserved lie in, we transfer back to Inverness airport/railway station for 12 noon.

Included in this tour; Liz and Paul are your MCLEANSCOTLAND hosts, coach transport for 3 days, 3 nights en suite accommodation, 3 fully cooked Scottish breakfasts, lunch at Delnashaugh and Glenfiddich, 3 course whisky dinner, entry to distilleries as shown, ticket for the whisky festival, whisky presentations by Robert, Vic and Derek, whiskies as shown, extra drams on board the mini coach, plus – a take home 20cl bottle of superb Spey whisky. Cost  £715  per person sharing a twin or double room. Single extra £110

HAPPY EASTER!