TheWhiskyBarrel.com releases more exclusive GlenDronach single casks; #179 and #180 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release two exclusive single cask bottlings from the Highland distillery, GlenDronach. The GlenDronach 26 Year Old 1992 Exclusive Cask #179 and Cask #180.

In November 2018 TheWhiskyBarrel.com released casks #8314 and #8315, both of which were, unsurprisingly, hugely popular. Casks #179 and #180 are expected to be just as popular, offering entirely different experiences, flavours and impressions of the renowned GlenDronach style.

Distilled on the 29^th of May 1992 and matured in a single sherry butt for 26 years, cask #179 was bottled in 2018 yielding 638 bottles at 50.8%. Tasting notes from the team at GlenDronach indicate warming Christmas spice on the nose and warming fruity crumble on the palate.

Also distilled in May 1992 and bottled in 2018, cask #180 is, nonetheless, a different fish altogether. This bottling offers a more mature character with luxury dark chocolate and rich sherry notes.

The GlenDronach distillery sits in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills near Aberdeenshire. It is named after the source of its water; the Dronac burn. Founded in 1826, the distillery was one of the first licensed distilleries. Throughout the years, GlenDronach has maintained its true Highland style that stands it apart from other malts. Renowned as the masters of sherry cask maturation, the Highland whiskies are well recognised by their deep colour and rich flavours.

GlenDronach has a very strong reputation in the whisky world. The Highland distillery under the ownership of Brown-Forman has continued to release highly prized single cask scotch. TheWhiskyBarrel.com is, therefore, delighted to have casks #179 and #180 to add to an exclusive quartet of the GlenDronach 1992 Single Cask bottlings.

Available exclusively from TheWhiskyBarrel.com, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan. 

GlenDronach 26 Year Old Exclusive Vintage Single Cask | 1992 | Cask #179 for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 50.8% 

GlenDronach 26 Year Old Exclusive Vintage Single Cask | 1992 | Cask #180 for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 50.5% 

Tasting notes – Cask #179 

Colour: Copper

Nose: Christmas spice with a zing of zest and notes of sweet toffee. 

Taste: Homely and warming apple, orange and cinnamon crumble with a sweet shortbread. 

Finish: Lasting sweetness balanced by the tartness of the fruit.

Price: £269.95 GBP / $301.23 USD (+ P&P) 

Tasting notes – Cask #180 

Colour: Amber

Nose: Sherry, dark chocolate, raisins and nuts. 

Taste: Crumbly shortbread with notes of marzipan and sweet and salted toffee popcorn. 

Finish: A bold finish bringing the sweet and salty notes together in a satisfying union. 

Price: £269.95 GBP / $301.23 USD (+ P&P) 

The Whisky Barrel	E: info@thewhiskybarrel.com
Visit www.thewhiskybarrel.com	T: +44 (0)845 2248 156
Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Notes:

1. Q) What is the product called?
   A)  GlenDronach 26 Year Old 1992 Exclusive Cask #179 and GlenDronach 26 Year Old 1992 Exclusive Cask #180.
2. Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
   A) Monday 28^th of January 2019.Q) Where is it available?
   A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
   A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.Q) How much is it?
   A) £269.95 GBP / $301.23 USD (+ P&P)

1. Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
   A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.Q) What is the ABV of this product?
   A)   Cask #1798% ABV natural cask strength. Cask #180 50.5% ABV natural cask strength.
2. Q) Why has this product been launched?
   A) Limited Edition single cask distillery exclusive for The Whisky Barrel.  

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. The Whisky Barrel won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.

Another record breaker lined up for Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival as programme is revealed for 20th anniversary year

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations with another record-breaking achievement. As organisers take the wraps off the 2019 programme today (Thursday, 31 January), they have revealed that this year’s festival is on course to host nearly 600 events – almost 100 more than in previous years.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale on Tuesday, February 5 at 12 noon with whisky fans from around the globe poised to snap up places. New ticket sales records have been set almost every year, and organisers hope that 2019 will follow the same pattern.

Event providers from all corners of Speyside – the spiritual home of Scotland’s malt whisky production – have lined up a host of exciting and unusual events for both whisky connoisseurs and first-time visitors from May 1 to 6.

From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and tastings at distilleries that are never usually open to the public, to fun community-led events with music and food, the festival organisers are promising something for everyone regardless of their level of interest or knowledge about Scotland’s national drink.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell said: “It’s hard to believe that the festival has been around for 20 years, but when the team launched the festival they knew they had created something very special that had the potential to attract a global audience.

“The festival is fantastic for those who are deeply passionate about whisky because of the unique opportunities that it presents to tour lesser-known distilleries and have a dram with the managers and master distillers that are so important to the industry, but what makes it different to any other festival is the way that it brings people together.

“The atmosphere is second to none whether you’ve visited many times in the past or are coming for the first time. It’s a fantastic way to see the local area and really be a part of the local community – no other whisky festival offers the authentic experience that we do.”

Last year, the festival hosted around 500 events and attracted visitors from as far afield as Tanzania to the Falkland Islands. Many of the top attractions completely sold out within a matter of hours of going on sale, with opportunities to taste rare and vintage malts and whisky-themed dinners being among the most sought-after tickets.

Mr Campbell added: “We are absolutely thrilled to be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year so it is incredibly fitting that the 2019 festival will be the biggest on record in terms of the number of events being hosted.

“Once again, our event providers have done an incredible job in coming up with activities that will provide our visitors with memories of their trip to Speyside that will last a lifetime.”

Visitors to the event are being urged to test their whisky knowledge ahead of the festival – which reveals a new logo as part of its anniversary celebrations – by taking part in a fun online whisky quiz.

The quiz, which can be taken at www.spiritofspeysidequiz.com, tests knowledge of the festival, the local whisky industry and the wider Speyside region. There is a chance for those who take part to win a bottle of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival malt whisky.

The event programme is available to view now at www.spiritofspeyside.com ahead to the tickets going live next week. There are also regular updates on social media at facebook.com/ /WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram19

Campbeltown Malts Festival Schedule Announcement

Campbeltown Malts Festival 

First Announcements – January 2019

Springbank Society,

It’s one of the most exciting days in the Springbank (and Kilkerran and Cadenhead) calendar – it’s the first official announcement about the 2019 Campbeltown Malts Festival.

Below you will see all the details that our colleague Mairi has put together about the events and plans for the festival in May.

—–

We are excited to announce our first detailed programme for the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2019. The festival will take place from Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th May and during the four day event, we will celebrate the quality spirits produced here in Kintyre.

Below, you will find all the relevant information regarding the events and tastings being hosted by Springbank, Mitchell’s Glengyle and Cadenhead’s during the festival. Over the next (almost) four months, you will be kept up to date with any additional information regarding events which will take place over the festival.

How to Order Tickets

In 2018, we decided that an online ticketing system would be a much easier way for our festival goers to purchase tickets. This seems to have worked extremely well with very little teething problems so in 2019, we will once again use this for ticket bookings. This will include all tickets which are available for our Thursday and Friday events, as well as our Wednesday evening dinner.

We will be using a website called Eventbrite – www.eventbrite.co.uk. Wednesday tickets will be available to purchase from Wednesday 6th February 2019 at 2pm (UK time) and Thursday/Friday tickets will be available to purchase from Wednesday 13th February 2019 at 2pm (UK time).

You can register on Eventbrite now to save time entering your details when you order your tickets. You will still be able to order tickets even if you do not register in advance, though it might save you time to do so. Details of the festival will be displayed on Eventbrite prior to the ticket launch, including descriptions of each tasting – which are also detailed below in each section and also in a summary timetable at the end of this announcement.

It will be a maximum of 2 tickets per person for each tasting and, please note (and this is important!), that some tastings do overlap in time so it might not be possible to do all of them. All tastings will last for approximately 1 hour, except for the Springbank Warehouse Tastings on Thursday which will last for approximately 45 minutes.

Tickets for the Cadenhead Club Member Tasting and the Springbank Society Member will not be available on Eventbrite. How to acquire tickets for these events can be found later in this email. This also applies to any event that is only bookable on the day.

Tuesday 21st May 2019

5:30pm: Cadenhead Club Member Tasting – FOC

On Tuesday 21st May at 5:30pm, the Cadenhead Sales Team will be hosting an exclusive tasting for members of our Cadenhead Club. The tasting will take place in the Springbank Malt Barns and will be a blind tasting to choose a future release for Cadenhead Club members.

The Cadenhead Club Tasting will be free to attend but places are very limited so it’s advisable to book your place ASAP. Bookings can be made immediately, by emailing club@cadenhead.scot. Please note that we cannot allow any non-members into this tasting.

Wednesday 22nd May 2019

On Wednesday, festival staples return as we host the Springbank Society Tasting and our special dinner at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery.

11:30am: Springbank Society Member Tasting – FOC

On Wednesday 22nd May at 11:30am, the Springbank Sales Team will be hosting our annual exclusive tasting for members of the Springbank Society. The tasting will take place in the Springbank Malt Barns and will involve choosing the next Society bottling, due for release in Autumn.

The Springbank Society Tasting will be free to attend but places are very limited so it’s advisable to book your place ASAP. Bookings can be made immediately, by emailing society@springbank.scot. Please note that we cannot allow any non-members into this tasting.

7pm: Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery Dinner – £250.00

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first ever Open Day that J&A Mitchell & Co. Ltd hosted, we are taking our annual dinner back to where it all began. The exclusive Distillery Dinner will be taking place at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, the location of our first Open Day back in 2009.

On arrival to Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, you will be greeted with a champagne reception which will also feature a range of locally sourced canapés.

Following this, you will sample a selection of whiskies, hand drawn from the cask by a member of our senior production team. All guests will then vote for their favourite and the most popular choice will be bottled for you to take home on the night.

You will then be led to your table to enjoy a four course meal with a specially selected wine to accompany each course.

To end your unique experience, each attendee will be presented with their own exclusive 70cl hand drawn bottle, chosen earlier in the evening.

Throughout the evening, staff from J. & A. Mitchell & Co. Ltd. will be present to chat to and share some drams with.

There will be a set menu so please advise us of any dietary requirements you have once you have booked. This can be done by emailing festival@springbank.scot.

The cost of the dinner is £250.00 per person. Tickets for this event will be available via Eventbrite from Wednesday 6th February at 2pm (UK Time). Please note this is one week earlier than all other tickets.

Thursday 23rd May 2019

Springbank Open Day

The Springbank Open Day will take place on the third day of the festival. The day will start at 10:30am when the sale of our special Open Day bottles will commence. In addition to the tastings mentioned below, there will also be free distillery tours, local craft and food stalls, exclusive bottlings, our famous warehouse whisky bar, live music and much more happening throughout the day. Events at Springbank will conclude around 9pm.

The tastings and masterclasses taking place during the Springbank Open Day (excluding events that are only bookable on the day) will be available to book on Eventbrite from Wednesday 13th February at 2pm (UK time) and details of each can be found below:

11:30am: The Hazelburn Breakfast Tasting – £30.00

What better way to kick off the Springbank Open Day than with our very own breakfast whisky! Join us as we explore the Hazelburn range and try some exclusive cask samples, including one of the first ever casks of Hazelburn laid down in 1997 (Breakfast not included!)

11:30am: The Art (and Science) of Maturation – £30.00

Join Director of Production Findlay and fellow Brewing and Distilling Graduate Lea as they unveil the art and science of whisky maturation at Springbank, accompanied by a range of whiskies and other wines and spirits.

12:30pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

12:30pm: Malting Demonstration – FOC (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Watch a member of our production team demonstrate our traditional malting process while enjoying a dram of one of our most popular whiskies. This free event serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about Springbank and maybe even try turning the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point (located in our main marquee) to book and collect your tickets.

1pm: Springbank Tasting – £30.00 (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Only available to book on the day, you can join one of our Sales Team in enjoying a selection of drams from across the Springbank range, from our old favourites to the most recent releases. Whether new to Springbank or an old hand, this tasting has something for everyone. Tickets can be purchased from our ticket point (located in our main marquee) on the day. 

1:30pm: The Directors’ Cut (or The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) – The Sequel – £50.00

More cask samples, Springbank, Kilkerran and Cadenhead’s stories, general whisky chat and terrible jokes with Director of Production Findlay Ross, Springbank’s Director of Sales and Marketing Ranald Watson and Director of Sales for Cadenhead’s Mark Watt. If you were at last year’s tasting you’ll know what to expect (we’ll probably choose some new samples but no promises) and, if not, just remember that the whisky is the most important part of any tasting…

2:30pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

2:30pm: Springbank Distillers Single Cask Tasting – £30.00

A selection of exclusive single cask bottlings which have been released around the world. An excellent chance to try rare whiskies from around the globe, all in one sitting.

2:45pm: Malting Demonstration – FOC (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Watch a member of our production team demonstrate our traditional malting process while enjoying a dram of one of our most popular whiskies. This free event serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about Springbank and maybe even try turning the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point (located in our main marquee) to book and collect your tickets.

3:30pm: Springbank; New and Forthcoming Releases – £30.00

A chance to join us as we try some of the most recent limited releases from Springbank Distillers. The first part of 2019 has seen a number of new whiskies released and this is the ideal opportunity to try them in one sitting in the company of one our trusted Sales Team.  

4pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

Please note: 

• The Malting Demonstrations will last for 30 minutes.
• The Springbank Warehouse Tastings will last for 45 minutes.
• All other tastings during the Springbank Open Day are scheduled for 1 hour.
• Some of the tastings will overlap so please be aware of this when making your selections.
• Tasting locations will be listed on Eventbrite, as well as in the timetable included in this announcement.
• Tickets for tastings that are only bookable on the day are not available on Eventbrite and must be purchased from our ticket point at Springbank Distillery on the morning of the Open Day.

Friday 24th May 2019

Cadenhead and Mitchell’s Glengyle Open Day

The final day of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2019 will be dedicated to Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery and Cadenhead’s Independent Bottler.

Our Friday events will take place at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery where there will be hourly free tours of the distillery, local craft and food stalls, live music, cocktail bar and the very popular Cadenhead Lucky Dip Bar. Please note: The Kilkerran Festival Bottle will be launched on this day.

The tastings and masterclasses for Friday 24th May can be found below:

10am: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

10:15am: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

10:30am: Cadenhead Alternative Tasting – £30.00

Throughout its history, Cadenhead’s have been about more than just excellent whisky. This is your chance to try some of our alternative spirits. The tasting will include a selection of Gin, Rum, Cognac and possibly some surprises and will be hosted by Cadenhead’s Director of Sales, Mark Watt.

11:30am: The Evolution of Kilkerran Tasting – £30.00

An opportunity to experience the evolution of Kilkerran. Be part of the journey, sampling some of the earliest Work in Progress bottlings, present day releases and a glimpse into the future with the headline Kilkerran event of the day.

12pm: The “Wee” Cadenhead Tasting – £30.00

An additional tasting added to this year’s festival, the ‘“Wee” tasting will showcase some of our hidden gems which have been bottled and are still available in the market.

1:30pm: Kilkerran Alternative Tasting – £30.00

We have teamed up with an experienced mixologist to showcase the alternative way to enjoy Kilkerran. During the tasting you will enjoy Kilkerran cocktails as a member of our Sales Team guides you through each of the whiskies used.

2:30pm: Cadenhead Masterclass – £30.00

The “Big” Cadenhead Tasting will feature Cadenhead’s Sales Team members, Jenna McIntosh, Cameron McGeachy and Director of Sales, Mark Watt.  In previous years there have been battles between the 3, showcasing their particular drams but this year they may unite to showcase what Cadenhead’s has to offer…or maybe the truce won’t last! Keeping with tradition, there will also be a cask rolled into the venue which will be part of the tasting and available for purchase at the end.

This year, we are looking for more crowd interaction so if you have any questions you wish to ask us for the event, there will be an opportunity to send them to us in the near future.  Keep a close eye on our various social media outlets for more details!

2:30pm: Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a wide variety of the rarest Kilkerran whiskies, hand-drawn from our finest casks which have been hidden away in the darkest recesses of Glengyle.

3:30pm: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

3:45pm: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

4pm: Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a wide variety of the rarest Kilkerran whiskies, hand-drawn from our finest casks which have been hidden away in the darkest recesses of Glengyle.

Please note: 

All tastings on Friday 24th May are scheduled for 1 hour.

• Some of the tastings will overlap so please be aware of this when making your selections.
• Tasting locations will be listed on Eventbrite, as well as in the timetable included in this announcement.

Additional events happening during the festival week: 

Monday 20th May

5:30pm: Davaar Island Dramble

Kate Watt, founder of Whisky Impressions is hosting two walking tours during our festival week. The first is a guided walk across to Davaar Island to see the famous Crucifixion Cave painting. A wee dram and some Scottish goodies will be provided when you get there. It can be fairly rocky underfoot to sensible footwear is recommended. Maximum 16 people.

Website: www.whiskyimpressions.com

Email: info@whiskyimpressions.com

Tuesday 21st May 

11am – 6pm: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers Open Day

Free distillery tours will be available, which will include tastings of the core range of gins, and other spirits produced in collaboration with others. There will also be food and a cocktail bar available. 

Website: www.kintyregin.com

Email: info@kintyregin.com

4pm: Liquid History Tour

The second of Kate’s tours is a Liquid History Tour. Go along and discover Campbeltown’s distilling past and present on this guided walking tour around the town. There will be pit stops at a local hostelry or two for some liquid refreshment along the way! 

Website: www.whiskyimpressions.com

Email: info@whiskyimpressions.com

8pm: Campbeltown Picture House presents the film ‘Scotch: A Golden Dram’

Storyline:

Shot entirely on location in Scotland, Scotch – The Golden Dram tells the story of Uisge beatha, Gaelic for “water of life.” Scotch is enjoyed in more than 200 countries, generating over $6 billion in exports each year. For more than a century, Scotch whisky has been the premier international spirit of choice. It is time to tell the story of “uisge” to the world. 

While capturing stunning Scottish landscapes, the real heart of the film is the characters – the fascinating men and women who make Scotch whisky. The film explores some of the biggest names in the industry, including Richard Paterson, a master blender whose nose was insured for $2.5 million, Glasstorm, a company specialising in hand-made bottles for rare whiskies that sell for over $10,000 each, and the Cinderella tale of Jim McEwan, the distiller and master blender, a 50 year plus industry veteran who takes on a dilapidated distillery on his home island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides and turns it into an award-winning blend. McEwan acts as the film’s ambassador, guiding us to discover the process and the people, who they are, their personal histories, how they came to immerse themselves in the art and science of making whisky, and their drive for perfection. 

Featuring: Jim McEwan, Richard Paterson, Dr Bill Lumsden, Ian MacMillan, Charles MacLean, Lynne McEwan. 

Website: www.campbeltownpicturehouse.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd May 

Glen Scotia Open Day

Events to be published by Glen Scotia in due course. 

More information on the festival and associated events will be released over the coming weeks and months. Less than four months to go!

For enquiries, please email festival@springbank.scot.

Please see a table of Springbank, Kilkerran and Cadenhead events below:

Hand-Selected American Whiskey Gems

Our spirits department continues to track down some of the most thrilling finds in American whiskey. Today’s set highlight finds from three of our favorite labels: Wathen’s, Old Forester, and Knob Creek (which snagged #2 “Best Whisky of 2018” from Whisky Advocate). These carefully curated finds represent, dollar for dollar, some of the sharpest buys in the market. Craftsmanship, rarity, and unparalleled quality are the key drivers behind these must-have bottlings.

Item Name	Retail	Link
Wathen’s Barrel Proof “Barrel #69 San Francisco” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)	$79.99	View
Wathen’s Barrel Proof “Barrel #40 Los Angeles” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)	$79.99	View
Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #0755 (Warehouse H, Floor 7) Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml)	$39.99	View
Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml)	$59.99	View

First off, we have two incredible and very limited casks of Wathen’s Bourbon. Wathen’s has allocated only 75 barrels for the entire country to be bottled at full cask strength. Because we’ve long been a supporter of the Medley family we were lucky enough to have access to not one, but two casks! It doesn’t hurt that we swim in two different ponds across the Golden State! Thus, we have a San Francisco barrel and a Los Angeles barrel. While the whiskey comes from an undisclosed distillery, Charles does all of the distillation himself, so despite the juice not being from its “own distillery” it is actually made by the producer. These two barrels give you a chance to taste some truly old-school style whiskey. If you’ve ever tried any of the old National Distillers’ stuff out of Owensboro, these barrel proofs are the closest modern parallel. We feel truly honored to be selected as one of the very few stores in the country that will be selling these wonderful casks.

Adding to our old-school bourbon lineup is a modern classic from Old Forester. Aged in Warehouse H on the seventh floor, this bourbon is pure hedonistic indulgence. It’s rich, round, spicy, and sweet. Nothing but love here in a full bodied, woody, and candy corn package. Brown Forman continues to produce some of the best and most affordable whisky in America. As long as they keep making whiskey of this quality and letting us purchase casks, we will have gems like this on the shelf.

If you weren’t quick on the draw in December, you may have missed out on some of 2018’s Top 20 Whiskies as rated by Whisky Advocate. While the #1 whisky has become damn near impossible to get a hold of, we have managed to secure a healthy allocation of the #2 spot. Knob Creek’s Cask Strength Rye is a limited whiskey of limitless power. It’s massive, chewy, and intense, clocking in at 59.8% ABV. The real feat here is that it is also one of the most approachable ryes of the year and laden with spice, sweet citrus, and caramel. It’s a glorious start to 2019 to be able to sink your teeth into such a lineup of American spirits.

Wathen’s Barrel Proof “Barrel #69 San Francisco” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($79.99)

The exceptional Wathen’s Barrel Proof is finally back, this time in a slightly stronger form. The 2017 offering was drawn from a small batch of just 25 barrels that had been filled at lower-than-normal proof. This year’s is filled at the Wathen’s traditional entry proof of 117 proof and was offered to just a handful of accounts across the country. We’re great fans and friends with the wonderful Medley family and we’re grateful to receive a barrel in each of the NorCal and SoCal markets. Last year’s barrels sold out instantly and the flavor profile on those was pretty darn wacky. The lower entry proof offers a completely different maturation experience. These two casks will provide a much more classic bourbon experience than last year’s offering, but still exhibits some very unique and exceptionally complexity. The Medley’s have one of the most interesting and unusual whisky productions in Kentucky. They’re contractually obligated to obfuscate the source of this bourbon, but since Charles takes over completely for their distillation period it doesn’t matter as much as most non-distiller producers. He’s had decades of experience distilling and has very strong opinions about what makes great bourbon. If you’ve ever tried any of the old National Distillers’ stuff out of Owensboro, these barrel proofs are the closest modern parallel. We feel truly honored to be selected as one of the very few stores in the country who will be selling these wonderful casks.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 29, 2018

Barrel 69 is much more traditional than Barrel #40. The nose has powerful aromas of roasted coffee, sweet tea, toffee, and crème brûlée. The dense sweet aromatics on the nose are completely translated to the palate, but with the addition of a powerful oak spice and strong grassy note. Gorgeous tannin structure and a richer texture than the other barrel—it doesn’t have the same linear earthy forest note, but the allusion to old-school whisky component is still there. I actually like this with the tiniest drop of water (not something I often prefer do with cask strength bourbon). This cleans the earthy note up and softens the tannin adding a great sweetness to the spicy palate. Of the two barrels, I’d definitely give this to people looking for a more bold and challenging experience..

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 06, 2019

This is a wonderful single barrel selection because it is both delicious and it has some unique qualities. What is so unique about this bourbon is the mouthfeel that, after a splash of water, is round with a creamy or velvet feel to it. The nose is a sweet caramel invitation and the mouth is sweet with some spice undertones. There is a nice, long finish.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 05, 2019

After much anticipation, we have finally received a private cask from Wathen’s at barrel strength! As a fan of their other whiskies and lover of high-octane spirits, my excitement when this landed was almost fanatical. With that being said, I was a little disappointed with the nose after pouring it into the glass. It was hot but not too bad; it was the tightness that made it tough; I could faintly detect notes underneath the alcohol. Initially notes of wet wood and ume plum were pretty distinguishable, but there was another sweeter note hanging out underneath, something that reminded me of brown butter sugar cookies being baked in a neighbor’s kitchen. As time passed in the glass, the sweeter notes seemed to take more of a step forward.

The palate was an entirely different story. Soft, full, and lush were just some of the words that peppered my brain as I sipped the bourbon. Despite the high proof, it did not drink hot, on the contrary, it felt warm and soothing and I noticed that it got sweeter the longer I held it. Some of those grassy/wet wood notes came back, almost playing tug of war with the sweetness that was developing. The finish felt like the feelings I get in a nice relationship, it was long and warm and tingly.

I did add water for a second go-round and found that it did loosen up the nose a bit, but not much; but more than that, it killed the silky texture that I found so nice on the palate. Taking this home, I’d say to let the glass sit and give the dram a bit of time before you drink, but be careful because once settled, it’s very easy to drink.

Wathen’s Barrel Proof “Barrel #40 Los Angeles” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($79.99)

The exceptional Wathen’s Barrel Proof is finally back, this time in a slightly stronger form. The 2017 offering was drawn from a small batch of just 25 barrels that had been filled at lower-than-normal proof. This year’s is filled at the Wathen’s traditional entry proof of 117 proof and was offered to just a handful of accounts across the country. We’re great fans and friends with the wonderful Medley family and we’re grateful to receive a barrel in each of the NorCal and SoCal markets. Last year’s barrels sold out instantly and the flavor profile on those was pretty darn wacky. The lower entry proof offers a completely different maturation experience. These two casks will provide a much more classic bourbon experience than last year’s offering, but still exhibits some very unique and exceptionally complexity. The Medleys have one of the most interesting and unusual whisky productions in Kentucky. They’re contractually obligated to obfuscate the source of this bourbon, but since Charles takes over completely for their distillation period it doesn’t matter as much as most non-distiller producers. He’s had decades of experience distilling and has very strong opinions about what makes great bourbon.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 29, 2018

This absolutely stupendous cask strength bourbon offers so much complexity in such a small package. There’s something inherently old school about the Wathen’s products and these barrel proof offerings allude to an old style of whisky that might have existed 30 years ago. The nose is a powerful mixture of big sweet toasty oak, ultra ripe nectarines, Tahitian vanilla and old polished wood. The palate has this wonderful gravelly dark forest quality that balances the sweet caramel and ripe fruit in the perfect way. Medium bodied, but a long spicy nutty quality on the finish. These whiskies are so delicious and yet completely idiosyncratic. Not for lovers of super sweet sappy whiskies, but also not completely austere by any means. Overall a feeling of old schoolness that is almost non-existent in cask strength single barrels from any other producer. Easily one of the most exciting and interesting bourbons of 2018…and just in time.

Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #0755 (Warehouse H, Floor 7) Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) ($39.99)

Brown-Forman’s Old Forester brand has seen a tremendous increase in popularity over the last few years, and it’s casks like this that explain why. Aged in Warehouse H on the seventh floor, this barrel is one of the richest and most intense of any Old Forester we have bottled. It is sweet, full of barrel spice, and a perfect winter time bourbon. The soft and approachable style that has made bourbon one of the most popular drinks in the world is on full display.

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

This is one of the richest barrels of Old Forester we have had the pleasure of selling. It’s sweet and full bodied and deeply spicy all at the same time. The brown sugar notes are off the charts. The nose and palate are both full of sweet wood spices, tobacco leaf, crème brûlée, and toffee. The tannins are super fine and bring in an earthy and savory component that keeps everything lined up. Vanilla and cream abound on the finish. All in all, this is a perfect classic bourbon. Rich and smooth, a delight to sip.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 12, 2018

Even after all we’ve done to open people up to the Old Forester brand, it still remains a bit of a second-tier offering. Their distillery bottlings offer excellent value and the new whisky row series has been well received, but its status as a stalwart value has not lit the bourbon world on fire. Where the distillery really shines is in these excellent single casks. This one is no exception. An impeccable nose of sweet candied corn, subtle spice, and tangy vanilla. The palate is so soft and smooth you don’t expect the exceptional length that it brings. Lower on the spice than many of our previous OFs and one of the cleanest we’ve ever had, no varnish, no funky, just sweet oak and caramel. Pure pleasure distilled and bottled at 90 proof.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 07, 2019

This single barrel should please many bourbon drinkers. It is pretty and easy to drink. The nose is a sweet vanilla invitation. In the mouth it is on the light side with burnt sugar flavors and a hint of vanilla. Pure and clean, it is made to sit back and enjoy.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 29, 2018

After coating the walls of my glass, I watched—mesmerized by the long, evenly spaced, oily legs slowly meandering down the glass. The aromatics began their run with heavy oak notes at first and then hurdled into cherry Italian syrup with just a hint of vanilla waiting at the finish. Sipping this was way too easy. A sweet note sprinted forward first, quickly passing the baton to a cherry cough drop (in a good way), and a hint of brown sugar balanced the slightly medicinal quality of the cherry. The finish left nothing to hide as I got a distinct lidocaine sensation and slowly came to my senses about where that faint medicinal quality was coming from. The red fruit note lingered a bit, as if I had a Gushers gummy stuck in the recesses of my molars, giving a bit more dimension at the end.

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 11, 2018

Fantastic old-school bourbon, the kind we remember drinking in the past! Dry and creamy with wonderful smoky wood, notes of spice, a nice smooth mid palate, and a fine finish. This is how bourbon used to be and I love it!

William Beare | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 30, 2018

Aromatic, spicy, with an awesome dry finish lacquered with delicious cedar richness and piney freshness. I want to put shoes on this whiskey and take it for a mountain hike. It drinks like a dream—winter spice (clove and anise) on the nose, excellent texture on the palate, and a third act that cuts the sweetness in half and replaces it with dusty, earthy tones that bring this well-priced bourbon firmly into the big leagues.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 30, 2018

This is a solid, wood-centric whiskey, with notes of oak spice, cedar, and good char melting into dark caramel and cinnamon. Banana, cherry, and coconut come in for support, but the wood does the talking here. The coconut shows itself more on the palate before moving back towards toasted barrel flavors and a bit of spice on a dry finish.

Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($59.99)

93 points Whisky Advocate: “Dripping with caramel and tingling with spice, this is a blockbuster whiskey that delivers across a spectrum of flavors. Maple syrup, sugar in the raw, and caramel-drizzled flan highlight the aroma, while the palate turns fruity and tropical with the sweet drive of peach nectar, grilled fruits, and pineapple upside-down cake. At the same time, its lemony bright, warmly spiced, tremendously rich, and oh-so-good! Pour on the water and enjoy the ride! (JL, fall 2018)”

K&L Notes: Coming in at #2 on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 whiskies of 2018, Knob Creek’s cask strength rye is an incredible array of pepper and spice. It’s massive, intense, jaw dropping and just generally over the top. It’s 9 years old, uncut, unfiltered, and unapologetically powerful. The most incredible part about it is though is not all of the acolades and superlatives, it’s that with all of that power and spice, there is substantial fruit and sweetness to make it a complete whisky. It is indeed most worthy of the #2 spot for best whiskies of 2018, and because it’s actually available to purchase, it’s #1 in our book!

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 05, 2019

Smelling this rye brought me back to the days of working in a bakery and smelling the rye dough as the bakers were kneading it. The grain on the nose is unmistakable, but past that you get wonderful baking spices like nutmeg and mild clove mixing with stewed cherries and a green banana note at the end. The palate reminded me of the opening to the Power Puff Girls, Sugar, spice, and everything nice. These were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect whiskey dram. Ok, maybe not perfect, and in this case, I would liken Chemical X (the extra ingredient Professor Ultonium added) to a cherry jolly rancher. The finish was mighty powerful too, long and daring me to take another sip, the rye grain made sure to say goodbye as it slowly sauntered away.

WOMEN’S WHISKY NIGHT

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY

Tuesday, 5th March, 2019
6:30PM

The first Women’s Whisky Night of 2019!

On March 5th we have some delightful drams from Elements of Islay to sample!

A unique range of single malts and blends from various Islay distilleries, each that embody a distinctive flavour profile from the distillery.

Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in the industry from this amazing range.

Run by women. For women.

#womenswhiskynight
@womenswhiskynight

Book tickets here!

Milroy’s of Soho ~ 3 Greek Street ~ London, England ~ W1D 4NX ~ United Kingdom

Australian Whisky: Starward

Starward whiskey brings together Australian malted barley and Australian red wine barrels to create a distinctly Australian spirit. Starward’s distinctive whiskies are exclusively matured in Australian wine barrels in the variable Melbourne climate – which experiences “four seasons in one day” – to create a dynamic form of elemental maturation.

More Details & RSVP

Green light for multi-million Rosebank Distillery revival 

Ian Macleod Distillers has been granted planning permission to start work on its multi-million pound redevelopment of the Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk.

Following the lodging of a planning application in June 2018 and a subsequent extensive public consultation process, Falkirk Council has now given the green light to the Rosebank restoration, which is one of the most respected and sought-after Lowland single malt whiskies in the world, widely termed the ‘King of the Lowlands’.

Rosebank ceased production in 1993 when former owner UDV (now Diageo), mothballed the site and its maltings were converted into a restaurant.

After 25 years of lying dormant, the extensive work to revitalise the Distillery is now expected to begin shortly.  This will generate 25 full time equivalent jobs for the local economy when it commences distillation and opens to visitors around Autumn 2020.

Situated on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal, the revived Rosebank Distillery hopes to attract around 50,000 visitors a year to Falkirk and will offer a wide range of distillery tours, with some featuring the very last drams of Rosebank distilled prior to the distillery’s 1993 closure.

Plans include a new circa 1,000-square metre contemporary and energy-efficient distillery with a production capacity of up to one million litres of alcohol per year. The iconic Rosebank chimney will remain in place and other historically significant canal side buildings will be retained and refurbished for use as a visitor centre, tasting room, shop and warehouse space.

Leonard Russell, Managing Director of Ian Macleod Distillers, owners of Rosebank, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone of the Rosebank redevelopment project.  To bring back to life an iconic distillery and quintessential Lowland single malt is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Our investment goes beyond production. We’re proud to be investing in Falkirk by adding to the town’s flourishing economy and tourism scene with a new Rosebank Visitor Centre, to help tell the story of this remarkable whisky.

“Rosebank Distillery has a very special place in Scotland’s whisky heritage and we’re committed to ensuring this remains the case. We will strive to replicate the unique Rosebank style by once more employing the unique techniques of triple distillation and worm tub condensers, for which this iconic Lowland single malt is famed.”

Following planning approval from Falkirk Council, Ian Macleod is purchasing the Rosebank site from its current owners, Scottish Canals.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals for their support of our vision to revive Rosebank Distillery. The backing from both parties has brought our vision to life and enabled the smooth running of this initial phase of the project. We look forward to continuing these relationships as we progress through the next stages.”, added Russell.

Councillor David Alexander, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development said: “It’s great to see the Rosebank Distillery coming back into use and this large investment on the site is to be welcomed. We’ve worked closely with Scottish Canals and Ian Macleod Distillers to ensure that this site can become a great tourist attraction as well as bringing investment to the local economy and new employment opportunities. We look forward to seeing this historic site transformed and producing whisky that will be recognised across the world.”

Ian Macleod Distillers also acquired the Rosebank brand and last remaining stocks from former owners, Diageo, in October 2017. The company expects to use this limited Rosebank whisky for a small number of releases from 2019, distilled in the last few years before Rosebank Distillery closed its doors in 1993.

For more information, please visit www.rosebank.com

Please drink responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes:  

About Rosebank Distillery

Rosebank Distillery is located beside the Forth & Clyde Canal at Camelon, between the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies. Its history on the present site begins in 1840, when James Rankine acquired the maltings of the Camelon Distillery, which were on the opposite side of the canal to the main distillery.

By 1886 Rosebank was operating on both sides of the canal with the Camelon building producing malt which was then transferred over a swing bridge to the distillery building. In the 20th century it was considered one of, if not the, premier Lowland malts. In 1993, owners, United Distillers, mothballed the building. Rosebank’s single malts are now some of the most sought-after in the collectors’ market.

About Ian Macleod Distillers

Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. Ian Macleod Distillers became a fully integrated distiller, blender and bottler in 2003 when it purchased Glengoyne Distillery. This was followed by the acquisition of its second distillery, Tamdhu, in 2011 and more recently, Edinburgh Gin in September 2016.

About Falkirk

The Falkirk area has seen significant tourism growth. In the period 2009 to 2017 there has been an increase in visitors to the area of 53% and the economic impact of this sector has grown by 63% and numbers employed has seen growth of over 18%. There are now three five star (Visit Scotland rated) attractions in the area – The Kelpies in Helix Park, Callendar House and Xtreme Karting and two of Scotland’s top ten attractions in relation to visitor numbers. For more information about tourism in the Falkirk area go to www.visitfalkirk.com

 

Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive Barrel #906” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $69.99 View

The extremely popular Maker’s Private Select barrel program has become one of our favorite. Maker’s has always had some serious cache, but their consistency and commitment to their original product line might have hurt their clout with the cognoscenti. But over the last few years they’ve started to introduce new products many of which have become go-to products for our customers. This trend has culminated in the creation of the Private Select program, which offers accounts an opportunity to create their own finishes onto of the already delicious Maker’s Cask Strength flavor profile. They start with a small batch dump of cask strength (10 barrels). Used barrels are then popped open and filled with a special selection of 10 custom staves of various toast and char levels. In this case, LA manager Illya Haase determined the recipe. We’ve got 2 staves of Baked American Pure adding deep vanilla and sweet woodiness. 3 Seared French Cuvee staves offering bold cinnamon and a balancing tannin. And 5 Roasted French Mocha (a first for any K&L Private Select) adding dense dark coffee, cocoa, and subtle licorice to the mix. All in all this is the most unique and intriguing Private Select we’ve done to date. Truly the total package, with an integration right out of the bottle that isn’t always evident in these barrels. I liked this one at cask strength with no water. Bravo Illya, bravo!

1999 Finest Orkeny Single Cask (Highland Park) 18 Year Old “John Milroy” Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $99.99 View

The Highland Park distillery has always been a favorite of aficionados. It’s risen to international prominence over the last several years thanks to a strong marketing push from their owners, the Edrington Group. Their move toward highlighting the island’s Scandinavian history has brought about plethora of unique “limited” offerings and special editions. While many have been very good, the general theme is fewer age statements and higher prices. But, something has happened over couple of years. An unbelievable amount of “no name” Orkney Single Malt casks are popping up at bottlers across Scotland. Usually coming out of refill bourbon and hogshead barrels, this high quality malt was likely sold to raise money for Macallan’s expensive new distillery. Most bottlers know that they’ve stumbled on a cash cow. Cask strength single barrel HP commands very high prices on the open market. Our 12 year old single cask from the distillery sells without issue at $160 and our competitors sold theirs for $200+. Those all sold out months ago. So our suppliers didn’t think anything of expecting to get £100 ($200+ stateside) per bottle for this stuff. And several bottlers have gone ahead and done just that ’cause why not? So when our friend Doug McIver came to use with this wonderful cask at bargain basement prices, we knew we had a winner. Cask strength single cask HP 18 for $100 retail? Of course! But, this isn’t one of those, “well for $100, it’s pretty good” whiskies. This is the real deal.

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

 

GLENMORANGIE ALLTA PRIVATE EDITION NO.10

Glenmorangie Allta is the 10th anniversary release of the “Private Edition” series that has seen the distillery pushing the boundaries in terms of cask and ingredients used to produce whisky. The Allta meaning “Wild” in Gaelic sees a bespoke yeast strain found on local Cadboll barley being utilised for the first time to produce a fragrant spirit, which has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels to highlight its fruity character and lend a rich creaminess to the finished whisky.

BUY NOW

TASTING NOTES FROM THE PRODUCER

Nose:

Rounded, with biscuity, yeasty tones. Gentle floral notes of carnations and Parma violets, baking bread, very gentle vanilla, soft raisins and sweet mandarin orange.

Palate:

A crisp citrus bite to the mouthfeel. Butter candy, creamy vanilla, orange syrup with slightly yeasty background. Gentle mint, the tiniest hint of sweet chilli and delicate, dancing, floral notes.

Finish:

Long and earthy with hints of bittersweet orange and peppermint.

ORDERS YOURS NOW

Please note the product page may display zero availability because this product is available on pre-order. Orders will be shipped from Monday 4th February.

With the long month of January now behind us, it’s time to look forward to a February full of new whisky revelations and experiences, so we’ve lined up a spectacular bottling list to help you do just that.

Make sure you don’t miss out on your next ‘eureka moment’, click over to our website now and browse the full listing ahead of the release on Friday, 1 February at 9am (GMT).

READ ONLINE                      ALL WHISKY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video