July Outturn brings whisky of the finest pedigree with six new single casks with distinguished character. Discover the divine diversity of these rare breeds and follow your nose to flavour.

CASK NO. 9.126  ICE CREAM IN AN ORCHARD

11 years old; refill barrel; 56.7%; Spicy & sweet

Sweetly fragrant like orchard blossom, violets and roses. Then spiced apples and plums with a waxy finish of mint ice cream and vanilla.

CASK NO. 112.19  QUIRKY, KOOKY, FUNKY

17 years old; 2nd fill barrel; 56.2%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose combines cereal, grass and lemon puffs with putty, paint and cigar ash. The palate is sweet and viscous with funky features.

CASK NO. 93.79  OILED UP AND FRISKY

10 years old; 1st fill barrel; 56.9%; Young & spritely

The sweet oiliness of walnuts and clotted cream combines with a frisky freshness as spearmint meets with cloves, cinnamon and baked apple pie.

CASK NO. 36.135  EXOTIC, EXCITING, EDGY

19 years old; refill barrel; 56.7%; Spicy & sweet

Indian spiced salad, Caribbean spiced gulab jamun followed by bird’s nest soup and Moroccan pickled aubergines – clearly out of the ordinary.

CASK NO. 10.125  CHARRED STICKS IN A HONEY POT

9 years old; refill barrel; 61.1%; Lightly peated

Mineralic crushed flint combined pink wafer biscuits and salted pistachio nuts beside the charred embers of a bonfire doused in runny honey.

CASK NO. 53.244  VANILLA CHIMNEY STACKS

7 years old; refill hogshead; 58.8%; Peated

Delightfully sweet – tinned fruit cocktail and custard tarts with chestnuts being roasted on a driftwood bonfire beside salty sea waves.

SMWS Canada

A DEEP AND SMOKY CHARACTER

Crafted to reflect the diverse history of The Macallan single malt and house a subtly smoky Macallan, M Black is the latest and most complex release in The Macallan Decanter Series. It celebrates the mastery, creativity and character that defines the very heart of The Macallan’s single malt.

An evolution of the iconic M Decanter, M Black continues the collaboration between three masters of their crafts: The Macallan, Fabien Baron and Lalique. At the heart of Baron’s design vision are the six facets of the decanter that pay homage to the Six Pillars foundation stones that define the character of The Macallan.

Fashioned in the highest-grade black crystal for the first time, and crafted from a very limited number of casks, The Macallan M Black tells its own story of exceptional cask ageing and the commitment taken to nurture and mature The Macallan spirit.

Another cracking smoky whisky from the newly beloved Peat Week series by The Balvenie. For one week every year, The Balvenie Distillery closes normal operations and distills exclusively heavily peated malt. The peat itself is different from the stuff you’d find on Islay because the organic composition differs from region to region. The terrestrial peats of the highland are composed of shrubs, heather, and other highland greenery that have lower phenol levels than the bogs of Islay. Balance is made up by guaiacol and non-phenolic smoke elements. The resulting whisky is something totally different from what the average Balvenie drinker might be expecting, yet familiar in some respects. The backbone of sweet heather and honey wraps around the earthy smoke perfectly. The sweet vanillins of the 100% American oak soften the kick of the remaining phenols and add nuance to spicy guaiacols perfectly. The higher proof and non-chill filtration provide texture, depth and richness. This is definitely peaty, but there’s so much else going on here that I’d imagine even the most sensitive palate would appreciate it. One of our favorite yearly releases and one of the most innovative products on the market, proving that the sometimes stodgy Scotch industry still has some tricks up its sleeve after all.

2003 Balvenie 14 Year “Peat Week” Vintage Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

https://youtu.be/JT8kfBcmUgY

Selling it’s first few bottles in 2012, Brenne has picked up more than it’s fair share of wars and accolades from the domestic and international press. Barley grown in France, a yeast strain sourced from Cognac and maturation taking place in Limousin oak a long with ex-Cognac casks, a match made in heave for this tiny outfit. Tasting like a sweet-shop from all of our pasts, the whisky is gentle, complex and very unique in what I have tried in the modern world of single malt and other pot still distillates. Cheers!

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of 2018 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling

12^th Edition of annual ultra-premium release renews partnership with Master Blender Alain Royer and continues support of ALS research and patient care

BARDSTOWN, KY— Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the 2018 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in orange curaçao barrels. The 12^th edition will ship into select markets across the country beginning in September.

The 2018 edition showcases the versatility that Heaven Hill’s 1.4 million aging barrels provide for an ultra-premium, innovative Bourbon. Aged for seven to eight years in the upper floors of Rickhouse Q, the Bourbon was then aged for four months in barrels that previously held French orange curaçao liqueur. The orange curaçao finished offering is the second barrel-finished Bourbon in twelve years of the annual Parker’s Heritage Collection series. Royer also partnered on a previous edition, which featured a Cognac finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Bottled at 110 proof (55% abv) and non-chill filtered to preserve all the flavor compounds, the orange curaçao finish lends a unique flavor that complements the Bourbon without overpowering it, creating an entirely new and elegant tasting experience.

The annual release of Parker’s signature line is one of the most highly anticipated bottlings for Whiskey and Bourbon lovers worldwide, as the collection produces an innovative, highly sought after bottling each year and now serves as a remembrance of the collection’s namesake. Parker’s Heritage Collection was originally conceived to showcase the extraordinary quality and broad range of Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey holdings, as Heaven Hill boasts the world’s second largest inventory of aging American Whiskey.

The late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. The past five editions from 2013-2017, including the “Promise of Hope” Bourbon, the “Original Batch” Straight Wheat Whiskey, the Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, the 24-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, and the 11-Year-Old Single Barrel, respectively, have raised over one million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. Heaven Hill will continue with this cause-related campaign, and will again contribute a portion of the proceeds from the average national retail cost of $89.99 of each 750ml bottle sold of this year’s release to the ALS Association. With every past edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection quickly selling out, the company expects to continue to generate significant dollars for this effort in Parker’s memory.

“We are excited to resume our partnership with Alain Royer as we continue to innovate with barrel finished products,” said Susan Wahl, Group Product Director at Heaven Hill Distillery.  “Parker appreciated thoughtful, new ways to enjoy Bourbon, as evidenced by his original collaboration with Royer.  This newest edition blends both Parker’s imprint, as the Bourbon was distilled by him several years ago, but also the imprint of our current Master Distiller, Denny Potter, who worked through countless samples to find the perfect balance of flavor and Bourbon. We are proud to continue offering the Parker’s Heritage Collection in his memory and continue to support ALS research and patient care efforts.”

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous eleven editions, but with a beige colored label, the newest Parker’s Heritage Collection edition reflects the care and craftsmanship of its contents. Available in a three-bottle case, it will be featured on the shelves and back bars of the nation’s finest spirits retailers and on-premise accounts starting in September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate magazine, Whisky Magazine and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the series stands as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” to “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.4 million barrels aging in 56 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

It was this past September that we last received a shipment of single barrel exclusives from George Dickel. While not technically bourbon, these Tennessee whiskeys immediately grabbed the attention of wheated bourbon fans — revealing much the same profile as the most coveted bottlings in this category, but without cracking the $50 mark. Sweet, rich, and high proofed, they are precisely what the discerning bourbon drinker is looking for. As we anticipated, they flew out the door, so we’ve gone back and secured three more barrels. This set is every bit as impressive as the first, and are truly astounding finds — especially when you consider their price-to-quality ratio. By their very nature, quantities are super limited, so don’t wait too long to pick up these exclusive stunners.

Another recent arrival is the truly stunning Balvenie “Peat Week.” An outlier in Balvenie’s portfolio, this bold and smoky concoction is not some clever marketing ploy, but a truly unique expression from a distillery that’s made its name with subtle and nuanced Scotches. Consistently one of our favorite annual releases, this year’s expression is heavenly. It is crafted in a way that will appeal to longtime Balvenie fans, as well as the most ardent followers of Ardbeg, which is to say, it shows the perfect amount of smoke without masking the underlying complexity for which Balvenie is so well known.

And for our gin aficionados, we have available the much-lauded Malacca from Tanqueray. This Old Tom style was an underground success when it was released in 1997 until its mothballing a few short years later. Thankfully, with the rise of interest in artisanal gins, Tanqueray decided to reintroduce their delightful take on Old Tom. Citrusy, fresh, and with a soft approach, it is perfect for anyone who is on the hunt for the perfect mixing gin that also drinks beautifully on its own.

EXCLUSIVE SINGLE CASK STUNNERS FROM DICKEL

When you talk to passionate bourbon drinkers today, most of them are looking for the rich, sweet, boldly flavored, high-proof editions that seem to have completely evaporated from today’s market. Part of the reason the Van Winkle expressions (and the Weller bourbons by default) became so beloved, besides the pull of pop culture, has to do with their sweeter profile due to the lack of rye grain in the mash bill as a balance. While not technically categorized as bourbon (even though it qualifies as such, Dickel goes by Tennessee whiskey), the distillery’s high corn, low rye mash of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley results in a whiskey brimming with sweetness and lighter on the peppery and herbaceous elements. The only thing that’s ever kept Dickel from becoming the next big thing in the American whiskey scene is the low proof, but that’s where the company’s single barrel program comes in. Each K&L selected single cask of Dickel comes with a 9-year age statement and 51.5% ABV, dialing up the sweetness and sending serious bourbon fans into a frenzy.

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L8040K1007 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) ($44.99)

Barrel K1007 is bold and spicy on the nose but big, sweet, and woody on the palate. This Tennessee Whiskey has the smooth finish you’d expect from its more famous cousin, bourbon.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2018

If you’ve loved the previous Dickel selections we’ve bottled, this is a worthy follow up. It’s big, bold, and spicy but with the classically smooth finish you want from Dickel. That spice is like you’ve mixed cinnamon and clove together with fresh saw dust. It’s beautiful and full and the perfect playmate for many different cocktails, especially those with a sweet vermouth.

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #08D09F70415 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) ($44.99)

Barrel 0415 is amazingly different from the majority of the Dickel barrels we have selected. There is a fruity component here that you just don’t often see in Bourbon (or Tennessee whiskey). In a way it seems to drink backwards from the other Dickel selections. It begins sweet, floral, and compels you to linger on the nose. The palate shows that signature smooth sweetness, and then Wham! the spice on the finish brings it all together.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2018

This is the most compelling of the Dickel Barrels to date. It’s noticeably different from anything else we’ve bottled before. While many single barrels are a riff on a theme, the nose here just jumps out as being wildly different. It’s fruity, intense, a bit floral, and is the kind of whiskey you’d be happy to nose all night long. The only problem with that plan is that it is so big, full, and rich on the palate that you’d be missing out on the sweet profile and long clean finish.

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L7233K1007 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) ($44.99)

Barrel #1007 is the corniest of the bunch (in a good way) with lots of sweet grainy aromas and notes of buttered popcorn with baking spices on the palate. It’s never sweet or overtly rich, however, in spite of those characteristics. The finish is spicy and lively with hints of barrel char and rich oak that linger for minutes. It’s a whiskey for those looking for bourbon-like alternatives that still retain their favorite flavors.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 11, 2018

George Dickel is like your favorite musician. Any album they put out you just have to listen to because they’re all so damn good. This new barrel is no exception. It might be because I’ve been drinking so much of it that the twists and turns a new barrel brings stand out in interesting ways, but I think this is the best barrel of the season (and I’m afraid our last for a while). There is a darker caramel note here – almost fudge like. The wood spice takes a back seat to the sweetness of the corn itself. Endlessly smooth and still peppy at 103 proof, this is another home run.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 274 ‘Tomintoul & Glencadam’ – In this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be looking at new make Tomintoul and Glencadam and comparing those samples with the finished article!

https://youtu.be/J_DUG46zpMY

GLENLIVET CODE

$126.28

ABV: 48.0%
BOTTLER: Distillery
REGION: Speyside

Glenlivet Code Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Limited edition for you to crack the whisky’s combination of aromas and flavours. *LIMIT OF 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER* Having out-grown his distillery at Upper Drumin George Smith built a new distillery in 1858 at Minore just short distance upstream of the River Livet and which he opened the following year and named Glenlivet Distillery. During the 1850s the Edinburgh firm of Andrew Usher produced the first vatting of malt whiskey from a single distillery using a number of different vintages of Glenlivet whiskey. Following expansion in 2010 this distillery is now equipped with fourteen stills making it one of the largest malt whiskey distilleries in Scotland. The range includes Glenlivet Founders Reserve and Nadurra.