Today, we have what might be our largest set of new arrivals and returning favorites to date. Scotch is very well represented with exciting arrivals from Benromach, Ledaig, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Caperdonich, to name a few. This week’s highlights include:

Benromach Organic Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $65) $44.99 View

Benromach 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $80)93$59.99 View

1997 Ledaig 21 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 View

2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $159.99 View

1997 Benriach 21 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Rum Barrel Finish Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $169.99 View

2004 Ardbeg 15 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Ex-Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $239.99 View

1995 Caperdonich 24 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $399.99 View

ralfy.com buys a Glenlivet for a change !

https://youtu.be/_aVrXH3hZiw

GORDON & MACPHAIL REVEALS UNIQUE SINGLE MALTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Single malt whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled a duo of special bottlings from its iconic Connoisseurs Choice range for Christmas gifting.

The Connoisseurs Choice 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is joined by a Connoisseurs Choice 2004 from Glenlivet in a celebration of the Speyside and Highland regions.

The Connoisseurs Choice range, which marked its 50^th anniversary last year, has featured more than 2,000 bottlings with releases from almost 100 distilleries from all over Scotland.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail said: “These Connoisseurs Choice releases are exceptional one-offs from some of Scotland’s most admired distilleries and are the perfect gift for whisky fans looking to explore and try unique, never-to-be-repeated expressions that are unavailable anywhere else.

“Passion for single malt Scotch whisky has been at the heart of our family business for four generations, with each sprit hand-selected from distilleries and matched with our casks before being patiently monitored throughout the maturation process, bottled only when it is ready.

“This careful process has resulted in a huge variety of vintages, finishes, flavours and strengths, creating something for every palate.”

Each whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail is the result of close relationships built over decades with distilleries, resulting in a collection of rare whiskies created by unique experience.

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery [RRP £141]

Located in the far north of the Scottish Highlands, Old Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826 in the historic Caithness fishing port of Wick. Known as a ‘maritime malt’, the liquid, distilled in close proximity to the coast, has an edge of salt to its otherwise sweet and malty style.

The Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is a warm and rich 19-year-old whisky laid down on 26 October 1999 in cask no.1457, a refill Sherry butt. Spending its whole life in the hand-selected cask, the liquid has taken on the spiced fruit aromas reminiscent of the festive season.

Just 554 bottles are available for purchase from selected specialist whisky retailers internationally.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery [RRP £101]

Glenlivet is one of the Gordon & MacPhail’s longest standing relationships, dating back to the 1930s when Glenlivet was one of only three operational distilleries in Scotland.

Only 162 bottles are available of this 14-year-old whisky from what has grown to become one of Speyside’s most sought-after distilleries. Following selection, the spirit was matched with refill bourbon barrel no.800670 and laid down on 10 November 2004.

A 14 year maturation in an ex-bourbon cask has left the whisky with fresh, wooded and sweet aromas combined with delicate floral notes from the distillation.

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery

56.5% ABV, outturn of 554 bottles, UK RRP of £141. Matured in cask no. 1457, a refill Sherry butt.

Aroma: Rich SHERRY aromas combine with HAZELNUT and creamy MILK CHOCOLATE. A FLORAL note develops alongside sweet HONEY and CINNAMON with a refreshing hint of MINT.

Flavours: Initially smooth and sweet with STEWED FRUIT flavours. A hint of zesty LEMON develops, complementing subtle ALMOND notes with an undertone of mouth-warming BLACK PEPPER.

Finish: Long and lingering with nuances of warming SPICE.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery

64.0% ABV, outturn of 162 bottles, UK RRP of £101. Matured in cask no. 800670, a refill bourbon barrel.

Aroma: Delicate notes of LAVENDER accompany creamy VANILLA and fresh HERBS.  Cracked BLACK PEPPER complements notes of BROWN SUGAR. Hints of CUSTARD develop with nuances of OAK.

Flavours: MILK CHOCOLATE compliments fragrant PEACH notes with ALMONDS developing and leading to a hint of LIME.  Undertones of BANANA and CUSTARD linger.

Finish: A long sweet and NUTTY finish with LIME and HAZELNUT.

Laphroaig 30 Year “Limited Edition” Old Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $899.99 View  

From the distillery: “In 2016, Laphroaig 30 Year Old was launched and in 2017 the 27 Year Old Double Matured Laphroaig continues this series. The entire range is presented in white wooden boxes with hand carved images of the distillery inside. To make this exquisite liquid, mature Laphroaig previously aged in refill hogsheads was transferred into first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks. Patiently aged in Laphroaig’s famous Warehouse No. 1, these casks were then hand selected for a final maturation. This rare whisky features a touch of Laphroaig’s trademark peat smoke tempered by lime and sea salt. Each and every sip will be well worth the wait.”

Full, soft and sumptuous on the palate with flavours of citrus peel and pears poached in red wine and spices. Craig’s release of the year so far, this is stunning. To hear that it has a reasonable price tag makes it even better!

Official Tasting Notes:
Full, soft and sumptuous on the palate with flavours of citrus peel and pears poached in red wine and spices.
The finish is long, with hints of rich vanilla panna cotta, ripe berries and cherries.

This FIRST release – 48% of the whiskies have been aged in ex-sherry casks.

Inspired by an eponymously named bespoke whisky we recently created for a bar in New York City called The Spaniard, Compass Box decided to explore this style further to create a malt whisky blend with its core whiskies aged in Spanish Sherry and Spanish red wine casks. The result is this amazing whisky. The recipe can be viewed in images. From Compass Box.

AVAILABLE NOW

It’s only six weeks until Christmas, and we’re starting to think about choosing the ideal gifts for our nearest and dearest, or selecting the perfect bottle that will get everyone at our Christmas party talking.

It also means it’s time for our biggest Outturn of the year – a mammoth, mouth-watering release of 45 celebratory casks to get your festive season started. With so many bottles to choose from you’ll want some time to select your favourites, so head to the website and read the full Outturn now, ahead of its release on Friday, 15 November at 9am.

And if you can’t quite wait until then, we’re releasing a limited number of six preview bottlings at 2pm (GMT) today. Christmas just came early!

READ OUTURN

PREVIEW WHISKIES

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

Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 Strictly Limited

In the lovely new Strictly Limited packaging, comes a new Caol Ila from a line of excellent young casks. Now at 47.5% there is even more to like! Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask hogshead bottled 2019 by Morrison & MacKay for the Strictly Limited series. 411 bottles.

Caol Ila Distillery is famous for the stunning view from its still house windows looking out across the Sound of Islay and for the objects which have passed by including naval battleships, submarines and whales. Caol Ila was established in 1846 by Hector Henderson on a sheltered but rocky stretch of coast on north east Islay. Now the largest malt whiskey distillery on Islay it produces peated and some un-peated malt whisky with the distillery range including Caol Ila 12 year old and the Distiller’s Edition. Caol Ila participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music.

Buy – Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 – £41.86

CREATE THE PERFECT DRINKS TROLLEY THIS FESTIVE SEASON WITH

WOODFORD RESERVE’S LIMITED EDITION WHISKEY GIFT RANGE 

 AVAILABLE FROM WAITROSE AND SELECTED RETAILERS FROM £18.00

London UK – Whether for you or a loved one, celebrate with WOODFORD RESERVE®’s unique holiday gift selection, from the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Gift Pack – for those partial to an Old Fashioned cocktail – to the Woodford Reserve Malt, the Scotch drinker’s whiskey of choice. Perfect for seasoned whiskey aficionados and cocktail enthusiasts alike, Woodford Reserve’s award-winning family of American Whiskeys offers a gift that will befit every celebratory occasion this winter. 

A WARM WELCOME FOR WHISKEY LOVERS; FROM RRP £32.00

Revered for its rich and full-bodied flavours brought out by the masterful artisanal process behind every bottle, Woodford Reserve Bourbon is one of the world’s most celebrated bourbons, with over 200 detectable flavour notes. So what better way to gift your loved ones during this year’s festivities than with a bourbon that has truly made its mark and a limited edition bottle. From bold grain and wood notes, to sweet aromatics, spice and fruit, Woodford Reserve Bourbon can be served as a digestif after dinner, on the rocks, or as the basis for a cocktail, thanks to its unique mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt.

The special limited edition bottle depicts a holiday landscape from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. For over 20 years, guests have visited the national historic landmark to enjoy Woodford Reserve Bourbon, take in the scenery and learn about its history. Painted by renowned Kentucky-based artist, Suzanne Enriquez Dougherty, the snowy scene showcases the stylistic approach to her work bringing the warmth of the holiday spirit at the distillery to life.

Unusual also for being triple distilled for extra smoothness, this iconic spirit is a versatile foundation for your favourite festive tipple. 700ml bottle available from Tesco for RRP £32.00, reduced to £25.00 from 29 October until 18 November. 

AN OLD FASHIONED HOLIDAY; FROM RRP £32.00

Roll out the drinks trolley this December and pour out the world’s number 1 classic cocktail*, the Old Fashioned, with Woodford Reserve’s Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup, created in collaboration with a selection of the world’s best bartenders. Made using bitters, sugars and botanical extracts, the syrup makes light work of the classic American cocktail and has been developed to carefully complement the signature taste of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, including rich fruits, caramel, spices and vanilla – the true taste of the festive season.

Creating an authentic Old Fashioned to pair with the indulgent delights of holiday gatherings couldn’t be easier with one of two distinct gift packs. Choose from either one, featuring both the 60ml Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup and the award-winning 700ml Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon (available from selected Waitrose and Amazon stores for £32), or the other that comes complete with Old Fashioned glassware and a 200ml bottle of Woodford Reserve (available from selected Sainsbury’s stores at £18).

RECIPE:

1. Pour 50ml of Woodford Reserve Bourbon into your favourite rocks glass
2. Add 10ml of Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup
3. Stir with a large block of ice for 10 seconds and garnish with an orange zest

THE SCOTCH DRINKER’S WHISKEY; FROM RRP £35.00

For those who enjoy a Scotch as they nestle down post-supper but are seeking a new experience, reach for Woodford Reserve Malt. With an emphasis on the nuttiness of grain and toasted oak of the barrel, Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey gives a more buttery flavour than its bourbon counterpart, an ideal pairing for the rich flavours of any festive dessert.

Whilst most people associate malt whiskey with Scotland, Kentucky has a history of malt whiskey production pre-prohibition, which Woodford Reserve has drawn on for inspiration. Crafted from 51% malt and aged in new charred oak barrels the result is a whiskey that is flavourful with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, caramel coated nuts and a trace of toasted coconut.

700ml bottle available from Asda for RRP £35.00.

Notes :

*Drinks International

”The World’s Best Selling Classic Cocktails 2018” by Hamish Smith 31.01.18. Ranking based on the votes of 106 best bars in the world.

About Woodford Reserve:

Tucked in the heart of thoroughbred country in Versailles, Kentucky lives the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, the birthplace of Woodford Reserve. A National Historic Landmark, the Woodford Reserve Distillery represents craftsmanship with a balance of historic heritage and modern practices. Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, a premier producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands including Jack Daniel’s, Finlandia, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, and Chambord. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. To learn more about Woodford Reserve, visit us www.woodfordreserve.com or www.facebook.com/woodfordreserve.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

43.2% ABV

Proof: 86.4

Appearance: Clean, brilliant honey amber.

Nose: Heavy with rich dried fruit, hints of mint and oranges covered with a dusting of cocoa. Faint vanilla and tobacco spice.

Taste: Rich, chewy, rounded and smooth, with complex citrus, cinnamon and cocoa. Toffee, caramel, chocolate and spice notes abound.

Finish: Silky smooth, almost creamy at first with a long, warm satisfying tail 

About Brown Forman

For more than 145 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,600 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

WOODFORD RESERVE is a registered trademark © WOODFORD RESERVE. All rights reserved.

Your friends at Woodford Reserve remind you to Drink Responsibly.