AVAILABLE 14 FEBRUARY

£875 PER BOTTLE

The release of Elixir Distillers’ Rosebank Roses series has become an annual event. In this fourth instalment of 21-year-old single malt, Rosebank’s floral and grassy Lowland character is augmented with a soft, orchard-fruit sweetness and a rich spice, further lifting and enlivening the lost distillery’s signature profile.

As with previous releases in the series, this whisky is extremely limited in quantity and we expect it to sell out very quickly. To make sure everyone gets a fair chance, we’re suggesting that customers register their interest by visiting the product page below, entering their email address and clicking NOTIFY ME. If you sign up to be notified, you will be emailed when the product is on sale.

Rosebank Roses: Grace will be available to buy exclusively from The Whisky Exchange at 14:00 GMT tomorrow, 14 February 2020.

Find out more about the Rosebank Roses series or sign up to be notified below.

LEARN MORE                     SIGN UP

A Special Edition of a Wildly Popular 10-Year-Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old “Batch 011” Original Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)
“It’s Islay perfection at an attractive price from one of the world’s most famous distilleries. The 10 year cask strength Laphroaig is simply one of the most underrated whiskies, not just at K&L, but in all of Scotland.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

If you love intense whiskies then you’ll definitely want to pick up this very special 10 Year Old release from Laphroaig. Batch 011 takes the traditional 10 Year Old edition and turns it up to eleven. Rich and handsomely endowed with notes of sea breeze, peat, smoke, exotic spice, and orchard fruit, it is the whole package and charms from the very first sip to the last. Rarely available in the U.S., this riveting dram left our staff absolutely flabbergasted by its power, range, and soaring complexity. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to finish a more compelling Islay malt. Our allocation is limited and dwindling by the day. If you love old-school drams, then you absolutely need to add this to your collection.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old “Batch 011” Original Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)

Batch 011 of Laphroaig’s popular small-batch edition of its 10-year-old single malt. Hard to find outside of the distillery, these whiskies are rightfully critically acclaimed, offering a punchy and intense take on the 10-year-old’s medicinal and maritime character.

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

Every bottle of Laphroaig reads “The most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies” right on the front. While it’s broadly true for Laphroaig, if we had to rank their individual bottlings, it is the 10 year cask strength that ranks as the richest of them all. Everything you’ve ever loved about Laphroaig is in this bottle. The salt, the iodine, the dank peat smoke, the charcoal, the fruit, the flowers, the cereal, the kelp, the candy, the wood. It all dances and sings in perfect time and harmony. For more than most distilleries, the jump to cask strength for Laphroaig is so important in capturing the full intensity of the spirit and depth of flavor. The lack of chill filtration brings you miles closer to Islay than the regular 10 year expression. Burnished amber in color, batch 11 is redolent of ripe stone fruit and cold ocean spray. It’s thick with caramel and sweet tangy BBQ. The perfumed floral notes ride high from nose to finish. The intensity of maple syrup and dried desert fruits abound but zesty citrus peel keeps it fresh. The complex malt profile offers everything from toasted and roasted nuts to fresh cut grass and baked granola. Smoke doesn’t sit heavily, but jumps around lithely in the glass. It’s Islay perfection at an attractive price from one of the world’s most famous distilleries. The 10 year cask strength Laphroaig is simply one of the most underrated whiskies, not just at K&L, but in all of Scotland.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 03, 2020

Wonderfully medicinal, this Batch 11 of Laphroaig Cask Strength opens with antiseptic and singed bandaids, and yes, of course that’s a good thing. Only moderate seaweed here, there’s some tasty cherry cough drop notes mixed with smoldering embers from a beach bonfire. Oak and cedar play with punchy spice of mace, cayenne, and cinnamon. The spice reigns supreme on the palate at first, but complexity comes through in a big way. Charcoal unfolds to orchard fruit unfolds to dried flowers unfolds to lemon pith. Laphroaig is never for the faint of heart, but if you pay the toll then this bottle rewards with layers of flavor beyond the peat and the punch of the cask strength proofage.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020

This is a powerful dram of whisky. I love how this ten year old, at full cask strength, shows off its peaty, oily power. When I add a few drops of water it blossoms, showing layers of complexity while not losing a beat of impact. This is a true winter warmer, full of smoke and wet earth. If you love a peaty Islay, this is a must have.

Festival season is on!

Hi relaxed Maltstockees!

We have got some good and exciting news for you! As you know we are hard (but relaxed) at work to provide you with a great program in September! So we can announce some old and new friends will attend Maltstock 2020!

Want to meet us? The first quarter of the year is usually a period of whisky festival bonanza! You can go to a festival every weekend, if you want. And we know you want to, because we keep on meeting you there. Which is relaxed! In a couple of days you can find us in Alkmaar at the Hielander festival. So if you have got any questions or suggestions, or just want to enjoy a relaxed dram we’ll meet you there!

So, see you at a festival nearby or in September at our 12th edition of Maltstock!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan and Teun

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a first, again!

Incredible but true, although we have seen numerous of their bottles on our sharing tables, the fine people of Teeling were never with us before. But we are stoked to be able to announce that 2020 is going to be the year Teeling is at Maltstock! And they are very happy to be with us and to be able to meet you people at the relaxed whisky weekend!

Billy Abbotts’ 10th appearance at Maltstock

Recognize the serious looking man in the picture above? It is a rare picture of Billy Abbott making a serious face during a whisky tasting. Amazing! After all the years Billy has been with us we thougth we’d seen it all, but he keeps amazing us! Billy is, judging by his Facebook profile picture, after all a man of colours!

So we are very proud and happy that Billy will be with us again in 2020 representing The Whisky Exchange! Undoubtedly bringing relaxed new whiskies and stories to Maltstock!

Where to find us?

Maltstock can be found at several whisky festivals. If you have any questions or suggestions, or just want to share a dram, please find us at:

– Hielander Whisky Festival (February 7 & 8, 2020)
– The Whisky Show – Old and Rare (Teun only – Feb 29th – Mar 1st)
– Whisky Festival Northern Netherlands (March 27, 28 & 29, 2020)
– Whisky in Leiden (4th of April)
– Spirit of Speyside festival (April 29th – May 4th)

Teun will work! (In London with Stirk)

Teun van Wel will be helping David Stirk at The Whisky Show – Old and Rare, later this month. That must be a precarious situation! Two such relaxed men behind one stand. Well, at least they are both an old and rare breed, so they will feel right at home!

Tickets are available

Make sure you don’t miss out on what again promises to be a very special edition of Maltstock!

So if you haven’t done so already, get relaxed and get your Maltstock ticket here

Click here to go to our webshop

Whether you love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us. Luckily, we know the variety of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s casks offer a dram for every occasion. So, whether you choose to celebrate or shun the most romantic day of the year, we have a bottling just for you.

CHECK OUT OUTTURN     SHOP 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

Friday, February 28th, 5-7PM:

 Local Spirits: Glyph Molecular Whiskey

To make Glyph, distillery Endless West begins by mapping out a desired flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel, then selecting the exact molecules from sources like fruit, citrus, yeasts, and sugars to build their spirit, eschewing traditional aging and distilling methods to create a delicious whiskey in record time. The results are then hand-bottled in the historic Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco, just a few miles away from The Whisky Shop.

Click Here to RSVP 

(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)

CRIME WRITER IAN RANKIN TOASTS THIRD FIFE WHISKY FESTIVAL

Crime writer Ian Rankin will be guest of honour when the Fife Whisky Festival returns to the Kingdom next month.

The author, who was born in Cardenden, Fife, will speak at the whisky-themed dinner which opens the event at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh.

He said: “As a keen whisky drinker I’m delighted to be speaking at the Festival. Whisky is one of the wonders of Scotland. Sharing a few whiskies with a friend is the ultimate act of conviviality. 

“There’s a spirit of place to each lovingly-produced whisky and also a sense of history. Whisky connects us with the past, stirs memories, warms us and welcomes us. 

“Scotland punches above its weight in many sectors, but with whisky we have given the world a very great gift.”

The third Fife Whisky Festival, founded by Justine Hazlehurst, of Kask Whisky, and Karen Somerville, of Angels’ Share Glass, runs from Friday March 6 until Sunday March 8.

The showcase event opens with a banquet style dinner on the Friday night featuring three courses paired with special drams and an after-dinner talk from Mr Rankin – best known for his series of Inspector Rebus novels.

The Festival continues on Saturday March 7 with two tasting sessions at the Corn Exchange in Cupar.

The opening dinner and first Saturday session are sold out but there are tickets remaining for the second Saturday session which runs from 5pm until 8.30pm.

There are also tickets available for a special event on the Sunday – a screening of whisky film The Amber Light at Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre near St Andrews followed by a tour and tasting.

The film, directed by Adam Park, follows spirits writer Dave Broom on a quest to gain a deeper understanding of his national drink – whisky.

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film at 2019’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, the film traces his journey back to the roots of whisky and shows how it is an integral part of wider Scottish culture.

The film will be followed by an exclusive guided tour of Kingsbarns Distillery and a trip to the tasting room to enjoy some carefully selected drams.

Meanwhile on the Saturday, the Festival will feature a special bottling of whisky from Fife’s own Cameronbridge Distillery.

Exclusively selected by official Festival retailer Luvians and bottled by Fife Whisky Festival exhibitor, James Eadie, this 22-year-old single grain whisky was finished for 12 months in a first fill Marsala hogshead.

The release is limited to just 275 bottles and will be sold for the first time at the 2020 Festival.

Justine Hazlehurst said: “We’re delighted to introduce this fantastic limited- edition single grain whisky at the Festival which I’m sure will prove popular.

“We’re also really pleased with how the Festival has grown in both numbers and reputation since the first event in 2018.

“We sold more tickets in the first three days this time than in the first three months for the 2019 festival which is indicative of its growing success.”

Karen Somerville said: “The Festival really has gone from strength to strength since we launched it and exceeded all our expectations.

“It’s a real coup to have Ian Rankin join us as guest speaker at the dinner in Lindores Abbey – he’s well known for enjoying a dram and of course he has strong links to Fife so we’re looking forward to hearing what he has to say.”

Lindores Abbey owner Drew McKenzie Smith said: “We at Lindores are proud to host the opening dinner for Fife Whisky Festival as we are home to the first written reference to Scotch whisky.

“Fife may have been a quiet area for whisky production for some time but slowly we are becoming a well know region for more and more distilleries, which is why we are thrilled to play such a huge part at the official opening of the Fife Whisky Festival.

“This is the second time we have hosted the Opening Dinner and we hope to keep this a yearly tradition as the festival grows to become one of the biggest festivals across Scotland.”

The first Fife Whisky Festival took place in 2018 after Ms Hazlehurst and Mrs Somerville, an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES), joined forces to bring whisky back to the Kingdom of Fife.

It proved a major success and was followed by a bigger and better second event in March last year.

This year the Festival is sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, legal firm MacRoberts LLP and global construction company ISG.

It will feature two tasting sessions on the Saturday with drams on offer from more than 35 distilleries and independent bottlers including Springbank, Tullibardine, Blair Athol, Glen Scotia, Glenfiddich and Eden Mill.

The famous Luvians Bottle Shop, the festival’s on-site official retailer, will be on hand for whisky purchases and there will be a food stall run by a local business throughout the day.

Graeme Dempster, of sponsor Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, said: “Now in its third year, the Fife Whisky Festival has been a great success and boosted Fife’s reputation as a whisky destination.

“It’s exciting to see over 30 distilleries and independent bottlers from across Scotland come together to present their whisky expertise. I’m really looking forward to catching up with the new exhibitors, festival regulars, friends and our clients. 

“Our involvement in the whisky distillery sector has allowed us to support and advise established and emerging distilleries on their insurance needs. 

“As the industry goes from strength to strength, it’s great to see an event like the Fife Whisky Festival grow in prominence too. As the ‘Broker of Choice’ within the Scotch Whisky industry, we’re delighted to be a part of it once again.”

Paul Beaton, ISG’s regional director in Scotland, said: “Scotland’s premium beverage sector plays a pivotal role in our economy and shared history, and we are committed to supporting many of the world’s most recognised global brands meet a consistently growing market demand.  

 “The Fife Whisky Festival brings together the best in the industry and we are delighted to sponsor this year’s event.”

Euan Duncan, Partner and Chair of MacRoberts, said: “MacRoberts are thrilled to be able to offer our support to the Fife Whisky Festival 2020 as part of our commitment to the wider Food & Drink market in Scotland.

“The sector is growing, and the event marks an exciting opportunity for both established and emerging brands to not only showcase Fife Whisky, but also some of the best that Scotland has to offer.”

To buy tickets and for more details about Fife Whisky Festival, go to www.fifewhiskyfestival.com

Notes: Fife Whisky Festival was launched in 2017 by Justine Hazlehurst and Karen Somerville and the first event was held at the Corn Exchange in Cupar on Saturday March 10, 2018. The event attracted more than 500 whisky-lovers from across Scotland and further afield and was opened by endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont. For more details, go to www.fifewhiskyfestival.com

Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm is co-directed by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for nearly 60 years. More information can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

 Justine Hazlehurst is the founder of Kask Whisky, a whisky events company based in Edinburgh. She has established the Fife Whisky Trail and the Leith Whisky Trail and works alongside Holyrood Distillery developing and leading the distillery’s Whisky Walking Tour. For more details about Kask Whisky, go to www.kaskwhisky.com

A Sharply Priced Single Malt Exclusive from a Top Speyside Distillery
2003 Benrinnes 15 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
“Just a perfect whisky and maybe the best intro to Benrinnes we’ve ever bottled.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

We’ve had huge success with Benrinnes over the past few years, and as a result, we’re always on the hunt for new casks from this excellent Speyside distillery known for its hallmark elegance and refinement. And that is precisely what we found with this exquisite 15 Year Old rendition. As our SoCal Spirits buyer, David Othenin-Girard, writes: “This cask is an absolute gem, especially if you love fruity spirit-driven malts…” Easy-drinking and immediately accessible, this is a must-have for those who crave a spirit that’s more nuanced and refined. But the quality of the spirits is only part of the story here, as we’re offering this exclusive cask for only $74.99. This is a remarkable value for a Scotch with such an impressive age statement. Finding such bottlings for under $100 is a rare feat, much less for under $75. If you’ve enjoyed our previous casks of Benrinnes, then you simply have to give this rendition a spin. It delivers everything we’ve come to expect and so much more. You’ll need to act quickly, as a groundswell of interest has made this one of the fastest-selling single malts in our portfolio.

2003 Benrinnes 15 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($74.99)

Benrinnes has become a staple on our shelves for the last several years. This isn’t simply because Benrinnes is available, but because the whiskies we taste from this lovely little facility are delicious. And while it’s true that it’s available relatively frequently, we’re picky about which casks come home with us. Benrinnes is unique for several reasons. Firstly, between 1974 and 2007, the distillery conducted an unusual semi-triple pot distillation whereby the feints from the wash still, weaker spirits still, and low wine still are included in the low wine distillation. The spirits still is fed by the foreshots and the heads of wash and low wine stills, and the heads and feints of the spirits still. Presumably, this was done to not waste any usable spirit, but the resulting malt is delicate and aromatic in a very unique way. Add the use of traditional worm tubs for cooling and it’s a recipe for one of our absolute favorite Speyside malts. We can only assume that the reason this excellent distillery isn’t marketed in the US as a standalone is due to its necessity in Diageo’s blending program. Now they’ve switched to a more traditional double distillation, which still produces an excellent if slightly more homogenous malt, but there’s something about the old way that’s endearing and appealing. This excellent cask shows the ubiquitous fruitiness that we’ve come to love in Benrinnes, but also some deep spice and tangy citrus thanks to a rather active cask.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 23, 2020

We’ve been on a bit of a Benrinnes bender these last few years. It’s just really hard to argue with the quality of this spirit and the value these incredible casks are able to offer. Last year’s 10 year sold well at $50, but that was distilled after the distillery flipped to its new double distillation system. It’s hard to tell whether it’s the added age or the old way of distilling that sets this one significantly apart from last year’s, but we’ve definitely graduated to the next level here. This cask is an absolute gem, especially if you love fruity, spirit-driven malts, rather than the cask-driven. The nose is a lovely mixture of cake frosting, ripe Mirabelle, touches of underbrush and sugar cookies. On the palate, sweet malt and slight grassy notes frame the lovely freshness and pure fruit perfectly. With water the intensity of the crystalline fruit is heightened. This is one of the cleanest, easiest-drinking malts in the shop right now. Easy, creamy and fruity, but don’t forget to add a drop of water or you’ll miss out on the fun. Too easy to drink and perfect for anyone, whether expert or novice, looking to have their first cask strength dram.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2019

Light and chewy are hard to do at the same time, but the old distillations of Benrinnes seem to achieve it every time. There is so much complexity to the malt itself, it’s mesmerizing. Tons of fruit ranging from pear and apple to stone fruit crossed with a touch of fresh cut hay and the texture of fine-crumb, hot-out-of-the-oven pound cake. A bit of zesty lemon peel and pilsner-bright barley offer a fresh but flavorful palate. A fine toasty oak on the finish rounds everything out and provides a bit of sweet spice and chocolate. Just a perfect whisky and maybe the best intro to Benrinnes we’ve ever bottled.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2020

It may have just passed but this would have been a great whiskey to celebrate the Lunar New Year with, perfect with dumplings and priced where I wouldn’t feel too bad if my relatives made a highball with it. The nose is sweet, with overly buttered toffee, cocoa powder, Asian pear, candied ginger, and goji berry. The texture was like watered down honey and just as sweet with a nice burn to it. Caramel banana, green apple, and cinnamon danced on my palate and left a oaky sweet tone with a bit of plum for me to ponder. Wonderfully light and expressive Scotch at a great price point.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 27, 2020

This Scotch is surprisingly floral, but still has a lot of leather on the nose which is a character I associate with Benrinnes. Violets mix with red berries and scents of black licorice. With more nosing, yeasty and bready notes emerge with touches of cocoa. On the palate, fruit and spice shine in a big way. There’s a lot of orchard fruit coming through plus cinnamon, mace, and chili. What I really like about this malt is that the fruitiness is clean and bright, rather than the heavy sherry-focused variety that’s all the rage right now in Scotch. It stays light and zesty through the entire sipping experience.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 23, 2020

Lighter in profile than many others on the shelf, this is a great deal in single malt whisky. The palate is very honeyed with crisp ripe pear, orange rind and sweet/sour lemon drop candy. A touch of cinnamon on the end adds some great spice and complexity. There’s nothing not to like about this one, and it lends itself as one of the most approachable single malt Scotches on the shelf.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 02, 2019

This is a balanced and absolutely delicious single malt. It is lively with a pretty floral nose with beautiful beeswax notes. In the mouth it is sweet and round with no smoke to get in the way of the lusty malt and subtle beeswax flavors. With a splash of water there is the same flavor profile as above but it is more open and is softer. This is very easy to drink and shows why it is always a pleasure to taste something from Benrinnes.

2020 promises to be a vintage year for fans of sports and fine spirits alike. With two major industry calendar events taking place on the weekend of the 23-25 April in Las Vegas, there’s never been a better opportunity to take your enthusiasm for football and whisky to entirely new heights. The 2020 NFL Draft and Nth 2020 – the Ultimate Whisky and Spirits Experience – will be taking place side by side in the thrumming heart of Las Vegas, meaning visitors to the city will be able to enjoy two unforgettable spectacles at once, and partake in a truly remarkable weekend packed full of incredible highlights.

Nth 2020: The Whisky Event of the Year

While The Las Vegas Strip hums with NFL Draft excitement on the weekend of the 23-25 April 2020, over at the glamorous Wynn Hotel, there’s just as much to celebrate for those who love luxury spirits, fine wine and Champagne, and rare whiskies. Nth 2020 is the ultimate encounter with the uppermost echelons of the world of fine spirits, and promises – on its 10th anniversary year – to be bigger, more spectacular, and more unforgettable than any that has come before.

Book your Tickets today!

https://universalwhiskyexperience.com/the-nth-2020/

Park Ave ~ After Hours

Is Back!

“West meets West”

An evening with Starward and Eigashima.

You know how it goes…

After we close ~ The Whisky flows

For our first ‘After Hours’ event of 2020 we’ve invited two exciting, inovative distilleries from way, way across the pond. Together they’ll educate minds and palates on Australian and Japanese whiskies. In other words…We’re thrilled to have Georgy Zaydenman of Redwood Brands for Starward and Krista Farrell of Skurnik  for Eigashima.

We hope you can join us on Wednesday, February 26th at 7:30 for what is sure to be a lot of fun. 

Details are below.

Please contact us with any questions you might have.

Cheers!

Jonathan, Eric & Marlon

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop

270 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10016

212-685-2442

jonathan@parkaveliquor.com

eric@parkaveliquor.com

whiskyconn@gmail.com

www.parkaveliquor.com

Wednesday, February 26th at the store

7:15 ~ 9:30ish

$100 per-person ~ Limited Seating

Includes extensive whisky sampling,

 kosher bites & lots of laughs (depending on your sense of humor)

RSVP:

whiskyconn@gmail.com ~ Marlon

eric@parkaveliquor.com ~ Eric

212-685-2442

Seating for this event is limited so please have your RSVP confirmed. We are not responsible for typographical errors or the ongoing errors of the New York Knicks front office. If inclement weather causes the event to be cancelled we will contact you. Be sure to contact us with any questions.

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 |  parkaveliquor.com

Friday, Feb 14th 5-7PM: Scotch Tasting:

 Royal Brackla 

Celebrate Valentines Day with a whisky fit for Royalty! Founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, ROYAL BRACKLA’s regal malt has a remarkable history. The distillery itself is over two centuries old and its malt’s nickname of ‘The King’s Own Whisky’ stems from its distinction as the first single malt to be granted a royal warrant.

Click Here to RSVP 

(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)