Imperial Single Cask

Single cask bourbon barrel #4190 bottled April 2019 by Morrison & MacKay for the Celebration of the Cask series. Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Single bourbon barrel #4190 bottled April 2019 by Morrison & MacKay for the Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask series. 230 numbered bottles.

230 numbered bottles of the increasingly collectable lost Speyside distillery.

IMPERIAL SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Imperial Distillery was designed by Charles C. Doig and established in 1897 by Thomas Mackenzie at Carron in the heart of the Speyside whisky region. Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and a huge golden crown was placed upon the pagoda roof of one of Imperial Distillery’s two malt kilns to commemorate the occasion. Imperial Distillery was equipped with four huge stills but closed in 1998 and was demolished in 2013. A new distillery called Dalmunach has been built on the site and opened in 2015. Independent releases of Imperial malt whiskey feature in the Signatory Vintage ranges and those of Gordon & MacPhail.

Shop – Imperial 23 Year Old – $221.37

Old Potrero “K&L Exclusive Barrel #12″ 63.33% Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View

Old Potrero “K&L Exclusive Barrel #13″ 63.21% Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View 

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY BOURBONS WIN TROPHY, TWO DOUBLE GOLD MEDALS AND ONE GOLD MEDAL AT 2019 INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 8, 2019) – Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a Trophy and Double Gold Medal at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge, held earlier this summer in London.  Also winning a Double Gold Medal was W. L. Weller “CYPB,” and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey claimed a Gold Medal in the 24^th annual Challenge.

            Several Buffalo Trace whiskeys also won Silver Medals:

• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon
• W. L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
• W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
• Old Weller Antique Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Rye Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
• Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon

The Tasting Awards were held over 10 days of intense blind tastings by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals.  Samples were delivered to the judging area in flights of numbered tasting glasses to ensure the accuracy of the blind tasting.  Each judge assessed the products according to age, region and variety, which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman.

This year, the International Spirits Challenge received more than 1,600 entries from nearly 70 countries around the globe.

“We are honored to accept these awards from the International Spirits Challenge, especially the Trophy for the Taylor Single Barrel,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “It was truly a team effort.”

Results from the 2019 International Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/internationalspiritschallenge2019/en/page/2019-results.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Wolfburn’s Royal Visitor

Staff at Wolfburn Distillery were delighted to host a visit by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, accompanied by The Viscount Lord Thurso.

HRH met with the entire Wolfburn team and was shown the inner workings of the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.

“It was an absolute honour to meet His Royal Highness and to show off our whiskies,” comment Wolfburn’s Visit’s Manager Charlie Ross. “A lot of work went into preparing for his visit, but in the end it was a huge amount of fun for all involved.”

HRH spent time in Wolfburn’s still-house, where he was shown each aspect of the spirit production process, and in the warehouses, where he was able to draw – and taste – samples direct from the casks.

“It’s always special opening casks for visitors,’ remarked Mark Westmorland, Wolfburn’s brand ambassador. “And this is our most important visitor so far!  It was lovely to be see him enjoy a dram of our award-winning single malt whisky.”

The last stop on the visit was to the bottling hall, where Prince Charles met several of Wolfburn’s apprentices, who demonstrated how the bottling line works. HRH was then presented with a bottle specially engraved for the occasion, which he filled himself, much to the enjoyment of the watching Wolfburn staff!

Photographs:

1. HRH at the stills
2. HRH filling his presentation bottle
3. HRH meeting the staff at Wolfburn Distillery

ABOUT WOLFBURN:

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded just to the west of Thurso by William Smith in 1821.  In its day it was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, producing, according to HMRC records, 28,056 “gallons of proof spirit” in a single year.  Taking its name from the stream that provided the water – the Wolf Burn – the distillery operated until around 1870.  The reasons for its closure are lost in time, but by 1877 the newly produced Ordnance Survey maps showed it being in ruins.

In 2011 plans were laid to resurrect the old distillery. Construction began in 2012 and in January 2013 the new Wolfburn Distillery commenced production, thereby becoming the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.  Situated 300m from the site of the original distillery, the new Wolfburn operates in much the same way as the old: craftsmen use traditional methods to produce fine spirit, which is laid down in best quality oak casks to await the day when it is bottled as single malt scotch whisky.  Wolfburn’s single malt scotch whiskies have won gold medals in over a dozen international competitions, and are now distributed in 27 countries globally.

Wolfburn Distillery, Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7XW

www.wolfburn.com 

www.facebook.com/wolfburn

A Single Cask Exclusive One of America’s Most Innovative Distilleries
Westward “Single Barrel #B-236-11” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel American Single Malt Whiskey ($99.99)
“Certainly one of the most exciting products we have in the store right now.”
—David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

The wait is over! We’ve finally received our single cask exclusive from Westward, and it is every bit as delicious as we hoped. As our SoCal Spirits Buyer, David Othenin-Girard puts it, “This insane cask of eight-year-old Single Malt bottled at full strength is one of the most interesting things we’ve ever put into the bottle.” Westward’s commitment to producing a truly singular malt whiskey has resulted in a bottling that can only be described as transcendent. Innovative distilling practices coupled with carefully selected grains are but two of the key elements that make this whiskey so special. As the tasting notes below will attest, this single barrel is about as richly textured and dynamic as they come. Malt, oolong tea, caramel, roasted nuts, and peppercorns are but a few of the seemingly endless waves of flavors this bottling delivers. Yes, it is bottled at cask strength, but you could almost never tell given its perfect balance. It’s not hard to argue that it is one of the most compelling single malts on the market today. Based on the exceptional quality of this spirit along with its rarity, we expect it will fly off our shelves. Don’t miss out on one of the most exciting products we’ve introduced this year.

Westward “Single Barrel #B-236-11” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel American Single Malt Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

We selected this excellent cask of Westward Single Malt way back in 2018. They’ve been one of the most consistently good and innovative producers of single malt in the modern era of craft distillation. While the fabulous House Spirits Distillery was made famous for its now-ubiquitous Aviation Gin, it is the single malt that truly drives the operation. The new larger facility opened in 2015 and has allowed House to expand single malt production. Malt now represents the majority of production and the distillery is clearly in the top tier of craft whiskey producers in the U.S. Westward does things a bit differently and is focused on creating a truly unique American single malt without losing sight of the main goal—making it delicious. The whisky starts with locally grown two-row barley milled and cooked, but unlike most single malt, Westward incorporates a boil to inoculate from the growth of Lactobacillus and other unwanted critters. This technique is almost exclusively used in beer production. Next, a powerfully flavored ale yeast goes to town on the rich sugary wash. Double distilled in pots and filled into new #2 char, 36-month air-cured American oak, this is a craft whiskey with the soul of craft beer. This specific cask was distilled way back in 2013 and bottled at the end of 2018, making it the oldest single barrel that Westward has every bottled. Bottled at cask strength without any chill filtration, the ultra-high proof is dangerously deceptive. Big, bold, malty flavors mesh perfectly with the rich, sweet, and spicy oak.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019

I visited Portland back in the summer of 2018 and was totally blown away by the scale with which House Spirits has committed to its Westward Single Malt. These guys are distilling lots of great whiskey and while other brands constantly release special editions, new expressions, and one offs, Westward has devoted itself to one singular product. The results are in the bottle, but I finally convinced the team that the world wanted more! After a year of waiting, we finally have it. This insane cask of eight-year-old single malt bottled at full strength is one of the most interesting things we’ve ever put into the bottle. I’ve always been worried about how older American single malt would handle the oak, but this cask proves there’s no limit to the amount of age when you start with a robust flavor spirit. On first nosing, you’re overwhelmed by deep, dark chocolate maltiness. Powerful aromas of roasted hazelnuts, grilled peach, red fruit compote, exotic honey, woodsy underbrush, and zesty citrus peel. On the palate it’s pure malt framed by dark tea, sweet caramel, and powerful spice. But add a few splashes of water and you’ve got something much more supple and quaffable. Now we move into the gorgeous orchard fruit, honeysuckle, nougat, cracked pepper, and subtle herbal undertones. The palate continues with the bright malt, stones fruits, and some pepper, but finishes long and warming, like a glass of sweet barley tea. I’ve rarely come across craft single malt this complex and put together. The style is the perfect balance between the bold malt flavors and the heady woodsy aromatics that an American whiskey drinker might love. I don’t know if I’d call this a crossover whiskey because it just feels like it should inherently appeal to anyone, but it’s certainly one of the most exciting products we have in the store right now.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 25, 2019

So often when we taste in a professional setting we try our best to break things down into qualities that readers can identify, interpret, and evaluate with relative ease. This, however, is one of those rare occasions where a spirit bucks conventional characterization, as it is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Truthfully, I tasted this four times before writing, and each time I got a different impression; there is so much going on here. Sweet, crunchy grain; savory dough and marzipan; plum and cherry; tons of spice; and sweet caramel with a touch of fudge, all wrapped up in a taut, fiery expression of young but astoundingly complex malt. Candied almonds and chamomile in the mid-palate arrive suddenly at a snappy, savory, spicy finish that lingers with dark, brooding chocolate, and toasted oak. With enough water to cut the proof, suddenly it feels like a much tamer beast: salty pralines, banana, and peach cobbler purr softly, with some of the heat replaced by nutmeg and allspice. Either way you sample it, this is delicious, and definitely worthy of multiple revisits.

Kaj Stromer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 23, 2019

American whiskey is one of the most exciting products in today’s beverage scene and has grown well beyond its original roots in the deep south. The Westward whiskeys represent the cutting edge of what’s happening in the Pacific Northwest. Our spirits team secured another K&L exclusive with this eight-year-old single malt. It’s an assertive little number, but with a splash of spring water, you can tame this robust libation and enjoy the purity of cask-strength American whiskey. The nose is amazingly complex, bursting forth like a fire hydrant with cocoa, nuts, caramel, flowers, pepper, and herbs. With just the right amount of water, to your taste, you can enjoy the palate’s interpretation of one of the most interesting and compelling domestic whiskeys I’ve tried in quite some time. This is just one more example of why K&L has one of the most dynamic spirits programs in the U.S.

Greg St. Clair | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 16, 2019

The nose is full of caramel and orange rind, with some stone fruit in the background. On the palate for me…OK, I had to add some water to this; 131 proof was a bit too powerful for my delicate palate! But then a lot more intrigue emerged; more honeyed than caramel character came forward with some elderflower. A powerful, decisive spirit with real depth and persistence.

Last orders for Anon. Batch 2! 

Only a few bottles of our 10th anniversary single cask remain…

Before it disappears for good, we’d like to celebrate this fine dram by listing it as our Malt of the Month for August, offering £6.00 off and including one of our limited edition 10th anniversary tasting glasses (which have all but gone, so only while stocks last!).

Grab a bottle of this award winning dram, while you still can!

BUY NOW

Littlemill 30 Year Old

1988 single cask sherry butt bottled 2019 by Harts Bros.

Shop $1,402.66

Littlemill 30 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask sherry butt bottled March 2019 Hart Brothers for the Legends Collection series. 100 numbered bottles. Sweet and slightly spicy on the palate. Smooth with a long lasting warming finish. Dark chocolate and treacle. Heather honey, vanilla, custard, banana and summer fruits. Tangerines with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 to the west of Bowling by the north shore of the River Clyde and on the main road into Glasgow. Subsequent modifications during the 1930s resulted in a number of novel features including double ventilation towers which sat over a single drying kiln and pot stills with rectifiers rather than the traditional swan necks. The combination of pot and column stills in Littlemill Distillery was designed to produce malt whiskey which was expected to mature quickly. When production ceased in 1992 Littlemill Distillery was the oldest working malt whiskey distillery in Scotland. Closed in 194 and demolished in 2006 and now Littlemill is a lost Scottish distillery although the shell of the manager’s house remains.

Located in San Jose, California, 10th St Distillery combines time honored Scottish traditions and American ingenuity to create award winning single malt. Their signature expression is made with peated barley imported exclusively from Scotland and mineral rich water from the Sierras, hand-crafted in custom copper pot stills and aged in bourbon barrels. It received ‘Best in Class’ at the 2018 Whiskies of the World. Come by for a taste and learn more about this up-and-coming local distillery.

Click Here to RSVP

WHISKY EXPERTS WELCOME VISITORS TO AUGUST EVENTS 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society prepare for Edinburgh’s busiest month with an array of experiences 

As Edinburgh welcomes visitors from around the world in August, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is putting on a number of special events, making it the perfect location for whisky-lovers in the city.

Throughout the month, SMWS are hosting the ultimate Edinburgh Fringe whisky tasting events at their Kaleidoscope venue at 28 Queen Street.

Hauf ‘N’ Hauf

They will also be celebrating the Hauf ‘N’ Hauf, a traditional Scottish serve of a dram and a half-pint, by pairing Society whiskies with specially selected craft beers.

As the world’s leading authority on single cask whiskies, the Society have paired their rare drams with complimentary beers in order to enhance the flavours of both drinks. Their experts will guide drinkers through the best beer pairings for their drams and have created a specially crafted menu of pairings.

The menu includes; ‘Ester Fest’, a Young & Spritely whisky served with a wheat beer to bring out the estery flavours of bananas and pineapples and ‘Sweet Dreams’, an IPA to be enjoyed alongside a Juicy, Oak & Vanilla SMWS whisky, where the dram’s refreshing sweetness will bring the best out of the bitter ale.

Edinburgh Fringe events 

All Senses Ahead! 

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/all-senses-ahead 

28 Queen Street, Edinburgh

7pm – 9.45pm

Throughout August, every day except Sunday and Monday

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will be bringing a true taste of Scotland to the Fringe, with an all-encompassing sensory feast that celebrates the best of Scottish culture.

Within their beautifully restored Georgian building, guests will be treated to an unforgettable evening of a three course Scottish meal with three-dram whisky tasting, storytelling and music.

A truly immersive virtual reality experience will set the scene as guests explore romantic Scottish landscapes before Will Marshall, the real-life host for the evening, offers the audience the occasion to learn historic facts, participate in songs and indulge in Scottish culture.

A Dram is Worth a Thousand Words 

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=whisky&start=10 

28 Queen Street, Edinburgh

Tastings at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm

Every day throughout August

Home of the largest single malt, single cask collection, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society invites whisky enthusiasts to explore their vast collection of single cask, single malts. Experience a three dram tutored whisky tasting like no other, in the company an SMWS brand ambassador.

The full list of Hauf ‘N’ Hauf pairings:

ESTER FEST – YOUNG & SPRITELY & WHEAT BEER

Savour the complementary estery flavours of bananas and pineapples from the wheat beer with a feisty young bourbon-matured dram.

FULL & FUNKY – SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW & BELGIAN KRIEK LAMBIC

Pair the funky flavours of this fermented lambic brew from Belgium with the full-on fruity notes from this flavour profile.

LIGHT & LOVELY – SPICY & SWEET & PALE ALE

Easy-drinking and lightly hopped pale ale is the perfect counterpoint for the whisky’s prickly spiciness.

THIRST SLAKER – SPICY & DRY & LAGER

Quench your summer thirst with a lower strength lager paired with the strong aromas of our Spicy & Dry drams.

FOR ALL SAISONS – DEEP, RICH & DARK FRUITS & BELGIAN SAISON

A bold pairing of fruity, spicy Belgian saison beer with this deep and indulgent flavour profile.

DARK & DARING – OLD & DIGNIFIED & DUNKEL

Savour our oldest and most distinguished drams along with a smooth, malty dark German lager, to complement the whisky without overwhelming it.

ENTRY LEVEL – LIGHT & DELICATE & PILSNER

Waken up your palate with a Light & Delicate dram alongside a refreshing, hoppy pilsner.

SWEET DREAMS – JUICY, OAK & VANILLA & IPA

The whisky’s refreshing sweetness brings the best out of a more bitter and hoppy Indian Pale Ale.

SUMMERY SEASIDE – OILY & COASTAL & CITRUS BEER

Explore how a sharp citrusy beer cuts through the oily mouthfeel and marine notes from this flavour profile.

DARK AND SMOKY – LIGHTLY PEATED & STOUT

A deep, rich stout with a creamy head that’s light on the hops allows a Lightly Peated dram to shine.

THE DOUBLE P – PEATED & PORTER

Dive into a robust pairing of higher strength dark porter with a good blast of peaty goodness.

FULL SHILLING – HEAVILY PEATED & 80/- HEAVY BEER

A full-flavoured old school combination with an 80 shilling that’s lighter on the hops and heavier on cereal to stand up to our most heavily peated drams.

Ask us at the bar for more details and pairing prices.

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 138 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2HHiNyC
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

ROYAL DORNOCH SETS THE BALL ROLLING ON NEW WHISKY

For golfers who love whisky, it’s the perfect shot.

The world-renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club has for the first time licensed the use of its famous crest and tartan on a unique Highland single malt.

The exclusive dram has been created for the Carnegie Whisky Cellars, in partnership with the golf club, and can be purchased only from the specialist shop in the centre of Dornoch.

Carnegie Whisky Cellars’ own whisky club members tasted the new malt and voted it ‘top dram’ in a blind tasting against five other well-known single malt whiskies.

Full bodied and sherry cask matured, it is described as marvellously mellow, with warming hints of spice and a long lingering finish.

Bottles come in 70cl or 20cl sizes and are adorned with Royal Dornoch’s iconic wildcat emblem and its officially registered tartan.

Neil Hampton, the club’s general manager, said: “Whisky and golf are two of Scotland’s greatest assets and go naturally together.

“We are delighted to partner with Carnegie Whisky Cellars in the first licensing deal of its kind involving the club’s crest and tartan. We hope it will be popular with golfers, whisky lovers and anyone with an interest in such a unique product.”

Michael Hanratty, general manager, the Carnegie Whisky Cellars, said: “We are proud to be associated with Royal Dornoch Golf Club in creating this specially- labelled single malt Scotch whisky, which will be a notable attraction for our customers.”

Golf has been played in Dornoch for more than 400 years. The golf club was formed in 1877 and was granted a Royal charter in 1906.