300+ DRAMS AND COUNTING!

The World’s Greatest Whisky Bar is already stocked with more than 300 incredible drams, with even more to be announced.

From a 1947 Glenrothes to a 1980’s Karuizawa, there’s something to stir the soul of any whisky fan – and drams start from just £1! The dram list is constantly growing and will be updated as bottles are confirmed.

View the dram list

We have even more exhibitors confirmed for Whisky Show: Old & Rare, from Limburg regular Magnus Fagerström to highly respected independent bottlers, Gordon & Macphail. See our spectacular exhibitor list below for more info.See the Exhibitor List Show Details

29 February-1 March 2020
11.30am-6.30pm
(last pour 6.10pm)

One Great George Street
London
SW1P 3AA

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Spectacular Gifts at The Whisky Shop

Whether it be a birthday, a wedding, an anniversary or simply to show someone that you care, The Whisky Shop has the perfect whisky gift for you.

Free UK Delivery on orders over £99

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Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Scottish Barley Gift Pack

70cl / 50% abv

£52.00

Whisky of the year for 2019 is HERE. Kavalan TWS Virgin Oak Release was the winner.

British team crowned winners of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2019 – the ‘World’s Toughest Row’

• British team, Fortitude IV, have been crowned winners of this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
• The four-man boat completed the 3000-mile Atlantic crossing in 32 days 12 hours and 35 minutes from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean
• The four long-time friends attest ‘some of the scariest moments of [our] life’ but ‘memories that will last a lifetime’
• The team witnessed incredible wildlife, as well as extreme challenges including capsizes (72 hours from shore), sores and 12 metre waves
• The winning team stormed into English Harbour at a phenomenal speed of 7 knots – more than double the average speed for the race
• This year, Talisker will enjoy a double-celebration, with one of the winning rowers, Ollie Palmer, also a Diageo employee
• The next boat is due to arrive into Antigua within 48 hours, with the remaining fleet following between 1-65 days behind
• Talisker are excited to announce their renewed sponsorship of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge for the next two years

14^th January, London: British four-boat, Fortitude IV have been crowned winners of this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – the world’s toughest rowing race.

The four friends – Ollie Palmer, Tom Foley, Hugh Gillum and Max Breet – completed the 3000-mile rowing race in 32 days, 12 hours, 35 minutes, arriving into English Harbour, Antigua on 13 January 2020 – the first dry land the team have seen since departing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, over one month ago, on 12^th December last year.

It was not an easy crossing for the winning team – this year’s weather conditions were tough and there was a close rivalry with Australian four-boat, Rowed Less Travelled, who are due to arrive in Antigua within the next 48 hours.

The team endured some of the strongest winds ever experienced by the race – causing waves up to 12 metres in height, broken oars, capsizing as well as sores and bruises.

But alongside extreme weather conditions, the participants have also experienced incredible wildlife sightings during their voyage – witnessing both highs and lows of mother nature during this elemental adventure. Whales, orca and repeat sightings of flying fish jumping over their boat and even hitting rowers’ heads – Fortitude IV reported a pod of dolphins and sea turtles circling around their boat on Christmas Day – such sightings lifting spirits on this epic journey. The natural wonders combined with the challenge of both mental and physical endurance result in a life-changing achievement – and affirm the rowers’ motivations for entering.

Elsewhere in the fleet, 9 boats are expected to finish within the next week, with some of the solo boats predicted to spend up to 8 more weeks at sea.

Talisker Whisky have sponsored the Atlantic Challenge for six years and share the same love for adventure and the world’s oceans. Talisker has a rich history with the sea – in 1830 Talisker Whisky was founded by the MacAskill brothers who rowed from Eigg to Skye to find the perfect spot for their distillery in Scotland. Just like the Talisker distillery, this row represents what it means to be made by the sea.

Talisker are excited to announce their continued sponsorship of the Atlantic Challenge and have renewed their partnership with the race for two years.

Speaking in Antigua after the race Ollie Palmer and Hugh Gillum of Fortitude IV said:

OP: “It feels amazing – words won’t be able to sum up how we feel, what we’ve just gone through and then seeing friends and family just now. The memories we have out there will last a lifetime. With all that time on the ocean, you definitely realise what is important to you. 

“The most amazing thing I saw was this incredible array of stars – all moving along in a line like a train – there must have been 200 or 300 stars. That for me was the most incredible thing I saw – along with lots of wildlife; dolphins, whales and turtles.”

HG: “Being on the ocean in quite an extreme context, strips back all the noise and makes you realise what is really important to you. You have a lot of time to think out there – with no distractions – and that inspires you in different ways. 

“It was an amazing thing to have done – we set off thinking it was a once in a lifetime thing and we can certainly maintain that position. The sum of all the parts is incredible – from seeing the shooting stars, to the arrival here tonight, and the support from all of our family and friends. There are tough times that we perhaps would wish away slightly but standing here now [in Antigua] we just think that the sum of all those parts is incredible.”

Natalia Montigny, Head of Global Marketing for Talisker commented: 

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Fortitude IV into English Harbour in Antigua as the winners of this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. I am personally proud of my dear friend and colleague, Ollie Palmer, for him and his teammates to have accomplished this unbelievable achievement, unthinkable to most. Talisker joins their family and friends in celebrating these Wild Spirits and know that their journey will inspire others to embrace their inner-adventurer and reconnect with nature and the things that matter most.”

CEO of Atlantic Campaigns, Carsten Heron Olsen said: 

“Our winning team – Fortitude lV with Tom, Ollie, Hugh and Max – have, from the beginning, done incredibly well. I salute them, and we are, as every year, blown away by our teams’ determination and capability to make what seems impossible, possible – rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. 

“The first team arriving into English Harbour, Antigua, is the greatest time of year. To see our rowers’ faces, their expressions, the way they have changed… as one of our rowers said in La Gomera ‘the journey is the start of a new beginning’ and it is.”

Notes  

TALISKER

The TALISKER distillery is battered by the elements on the windswept coast of the Isle of Skye and is one of the most remote distilleries in Scotland. It was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, and the distillery has been in near-constant operation ever since. Talisker 10 year old, Talisker Skye and Talisker Storm are widely distributed while Talisker 18 year old, Talisker Distiller’s Edition and Talisker Port Ruighe can be found in specialist stores. See www.malts.com and www.facebook.com/Talisker for more information. The TALISKER, TALISKER STORM, TALISKER PORT RUIGHE, TALISKER SKYE words and associated logos are trademarks. © DIAGEO 2018.  Talisker 10 year old and Talisker Storm were recently awarded Double Gold at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Awards. Talisker 10 year old was also awarded Best in Category. Talisker has a heritage rooted in adventure, in 1830 its founders the MacAskill brothers crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the Isle of Eigg to establish the TALISKER distillery on the shores of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye. It has remained there ever since, producing consistently fine whiskies for almost 200 years.

As a whisky Made By The Sea, we want to do our part to protect our oceans, the most important ecosystem of our planet. We believe the power for change lies in the hands of the consumer and brands and as such, Talisker is currently undertaking initiatives to improve its environmental performance.  To date, the Talisker distillery has reduced energy by 12%, improved water efficiency by 22%, achieved zero waste to landfill and is constantly exploring new innovative uses of natural resources, including using sea water for cooling water which can help reduce demand for freshwater during warmer months on Skye. Talisker is equally committed to improving the sustainability of its packaging, including opportunities to reduce weight of materials, increase the recycled content and ultimately, to remove plastic almost entirely from its primary packaging by 2020.  The initiatives currently underway to improve Talisker’s environmental performance are aligned with Diageo’s industry leading environmental targets for 2020 which include halving its carbon emissions and improving its water efficiency by 50% by 2020.

TALISKER 10 YEARS OLD

Talisker 10 Years Old is much-loved with a smooth and smoky finish. Double distilled to create a rich, deep character embodying maritime characteristics of a coastal whisky, it is one of the most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the world. This single malt has a sea-salty nose and famously rich and powerful peat-smoke flavour, leaving a warm peppery taste at the back of the mouth.

TALISKER SKYE

Talisker Skye pays homage to the Isle of Skye’s majestic landscape and coastline. The liquid has been made from a combination of hand selected toasted and refill American oak casks, that accentuate the sweet, citrus notes of Talisker. The result is a Talisker expression that opens with welcoming, smoky sweet notes, developing into deep maritime flavours and culminating in a powerful, spicy conclusion.

TALISKER STORM

Talisker Storm is crafted to enhance the distillery’s signature smoky and briny flavours, Talisker Storm displays characteristics of the tempestuous seas of its home on the Isle of Skye. It is spicy on the nose, with a hint of struck matches, brine and an oily explosion of pepper. On the palate a deep, nutty smokiness is followed by a hit of wood and brine, finishing with a smooth aftertaste of peaty burnt embers.

DIAGEO

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

ATLANTIC CAMPAIGNS

Atlantic Campaigns is the official race organiser and the company behind the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.  Without Atlantic Campaigns the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge would not be possible. Working alongside some of the planet’s best ocean rowing advisors, Atlantic Campaigns make dreams a reality and challenges conquerable.  The main goal for Atlantic Campaigns is to make The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge the best organised rowing event in the world. For more information please visit – taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com

The full list of teams competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2019

BOWMORE

Vault Edition
Second Release – Peat Smoke

50.1% ABV · 70cl

£69.99

The second release in the Bowmore Vault Edition series has arrived. These expressions are hand-selected to uncover the depth and range of flavour generated by maturation at Bowmore.

Four notable layers characterise all Bowmore whiskies as a result of the rare environment within the iconic No.1 Warehouse. Each release in this four-part series showcases a different layer; Atlantic sea salt, peat-smoked perfection, full-bodied fruitiness and silky sweetness.

This second edition showcases Bowmore’s perfectly balanced smoky character, wisps of Peat Smoke at once enveloping and exciting the senses. Notes of toffee, dried fruit, sea salt and smoke make for a beautifully balanced whisky.

Open the door to a story of deeper character.

Drams to raise this Burns Night 

“Freedom and Whisky gang thegither!”

Celebrate Burns Night with the stunning Robert Burns Malt Gift Pack, plus some more irresistible Scotch to mark the occasion.

Free UK Delivery on orders over £99

Robert Burns Malt Gift Pack

70cl / 43% abv

£39.00

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Brilliant Bourbons! 

We’ve hand-picked our favourite bourbons that you need to try. Don’t miss an incredibly rare 23 Year Old from Pappy Van Winkle as well two classics from Blanton’s, 1792 Single Barrel and more!

🚚 Free UK Delivery on all orders over £25 📦
🌎 We also ship worldwide! 🌍

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old

Save £600

NOW £2,150.00

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The Good Dram Show – Episode 346 ‘Bimber Distillery’ 

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. Continuing on from last weeks episode I’ll be reviewing another new distillery, this time it resides here in the UK.

https://youtu.be/9E75KqzRnvw

TROPICAL TRIUMPH

Tomatin Distillery capture the flavours of south western France with the latest Warehouse 6 release: The 1977

In a bold move, the award-winning distillery has used a wine cask from Sauternes, France to mature its latest luxury expression. After a journey of over 1,100 miles and 42 years in waiting, The 1977 is one of Tomatin’s most exclusive releases ever. 

15^th January 2020: Tomatin, the renowned Highland distillery has today announced the newest expression from the Warehouse 6 collection: The 1977. This luxury whisky is the first in the distillery’s history to be matured in a Sauternes wine cask, resulting in an exceptional explosion of tropical flavours.

Tomatin’s whisky from the 1970s is known for its deep and complex fruit flavours. This unique flavour profile combines stunningly with the intense notes of coconut, mango and ginger that are a trademark of the Sauternes region of France. The delicate balance of flavours has resulted in one of Tomatin’s most exceptional spirits to date, yielding just 390 bottles priced at £3,000 each.

Graham Eunson, Distillery Operations Director at Tomatin, said: “Of the thousands of casks held at Tomatin, we’ve only ever acquired a handful of Sauternes wine casks. Using any one of them, even for one of our oldest and most valuable whiskies wasn’t a decision we made lightly; we knew from the start that it could be difficult to impart the flavours of the wine cask to the whisky without overwhelming it. Despite the immense challenge, I’m pleased to say that our team has produced a truly exceptional whisky that includes notes of apricot, peach, sweet honeysuckle and spice, all enticed from the Sauternes cask’s influence.” 

The 1977 expression has spent its life maturing in Warehouse 6, the traditional dunnage style warehouse where Tomatin’s most treasured casks are laid low above a cool earthen floor. Cared for by several generations of the distillery’s workforce, their dedication is perfectly matched by the complex meteorological conditions that surround the towns of Sauternes and Barsac to produce extraordinarily sweet wine. These fruity notes have influenced the whisky over time, resulting in a luxurious expression that dances across the palate for a gloriously long finish.

As with every Warehouse 6 release, each expression pays tribute to the Tomatin craftsmen that have been custodians of exceptional Scotch for generations. The 1977 is no different, and as with the previous luxury expressions in the series, (the 1971, 1972 & 1975), each of the 390 units is decanted into an exquisite hand blown Glencairn Crystal decanter with unique copper decoration. This luxury bottle is presented with two glasses (also Glencairn Crystal), a solid copper stopper, along with a numbered certificate detailing the remarkable journey of the whisky.

Bottled at natural cask strength (49% alc./vol.), each of the 390 units of The 1977 is priced at £3,000 and will be available from specialist retailers throughout the UK and the world.

Available from whisky specialists and online retailers including:

Harrods

The Whisky Exchange

Master of Malt

Notes: 

Tomatin Distillery has been producing and blending malt Scotch whisky since 1897. Over the last 50 years, the distillery has borne witness to vast change. At its peak in the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest distillery in the world operating 23 stills and producing 12 million litres of alcohol every year. Over the last decade, significant time has been invested in rediscovering the distillery, people and values, and in refining the business model to move away from the formerly lucrative bulk commodity market to now focus on Tomatin’s core range of single malts, The 1977 release is a part of Warehouse 6’s limited edition range, which includes the 1971, 1972 and the 1975.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £10,000). In the last ten years, Tomatin has secured over 60 prestigious awards in a variety of categories, and in 2019 the distillery celebrated its most successful year ever at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, securing seven Double Gold awards and four Gold awards.

About the The 1977

• Cask Number: 38863
• Cask Type: Sauternes Hogshead
• Strength: 49% alc./vol.
• Distillation Date: 23^rd September 1977
• Bottling Date: 30^th September 2019
• Number of bottles: 390

Two Rare Old-School Single-Batch Bourbons from a Kentucky Master

Ever since Elijah Craig Barrel Proof won Whiskey of the Year in 2017 from Whisky Advocate it’s been a challenge keeping any of their releases in stock. Thanks to a little year-end love, we were able to secure a sizable portion of Batch B519 and Batch C919. These uncut, unfiltered expressions of Elijah Craig are sublime. Every barrel that goes into Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is twelve years or older and offers a slightly different, yet wholly consistent drinking experience. While each batch possesses its own stamp, they all share a common intensity, a palate-coating delivery, and a satisfying sipability—even at very high proof. The consistent quality of these releases combined with exceptional affordability is unparalleled. The only trick is they never last long, so stock up while you can.

93 points Whisky Advocate: “Keeps true to this award-winning whiskey’s oak-driven style, with aromas of lead pencil, leather, and fresh sawdust, balanced by dense fruitiness and tinged with herbal licorice and eucalyptus. Brawny and tannic on the palate, it’s reminiscent of sucking on a cherry Popsicle stick, balancing sweet caramel, brown sugar, and molasses with persistent oak, cedar shingle, clove, and paprika. A rustic, powerful, and robust bourbon. (JL, Fall 2019)”
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B519” Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($59.99)

K&L Notes: The exceptional full strength version of Elijah Craig has become one of the most well regarded new releases in years. Luckily they’ve been able to offer it at a very reasonable price, and while it continues to be allocated, it is not as elusive as some of the other high-proof, limited releases on the market today. An exceptional bottle that should be on most whiskey lovers’ bucket lists.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020

It’s very rare that we can offer more than one batch of ECBP at a time. Given the immense drinkability of these I always finish my bottle or two before the next batch is released and don’t typically get a shot at purchasing more. I relished the opportunity to do a side by side. While both B519 and C919 scream Elijah Craig, they do offer different experiences. B519 has a punchy nose laden with dark cherry fruit, vanilla, baked apples, and a cool cinnamon and fresh sawn oak note that reminds me of a lumber yard after it’s rained. It smells like it’ll be luscious on the palate. And it is. A buttery texture combines with all the sweetest spices on the tongue. It’s a symphony of wood spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice. A shocking amount of fruit shows up in addition to all the wood influence. The sweeter caramel and fruit notes are balanced out by pepper – particularly with the addition of a few drops of water. It’s a beautiful whisky with poise and a long, long finish.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch C919” Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($59.99)

4.5/5 points, John Dover in thewhiskywash.com: “Stimulating the palate and the mind, Elijah Craig has crafted a spicy sipper that will awaken the drinker to the punchier side of the bourbon spectrum with its Barrel Proof distilling. Go in prepared and you will be rewarded with a refined drinking experience lodged firmly in the traditions that make bourbon the drink of choice for so many.” (12/2019)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020

C919 compared to B519 is an absolute monster. Tipping the scales at 136.8% ABV it’s the highest proof Elijah Craig we’ve seen in over 3 years. The nose is full of spice box, petrichor, savory spices, thyme, fresh sliced green apples, and the sweeter notes of butter, cream and heavy caramel. It shares some aromatics with B519 that remind me of a cooperage – full of toasting oak – rather than a lumber yard of fresh sawn wood. The palate is an absolute beast. Packed with dark cocoa powder and sweeter milk chocolates. When you add in water drop by drop each splash looks like it’s creating an oil slick as the fat texture of the whisky comes crashing out of solution. The wood profile changes into more of a barrel house and a summer farmers market. The finish is essentially endless. If you want to tame this one, add lots of water. If you love your bourbon to be confrontational and maybe bite you back, leave it alone and enjoy the ride.