The details we await………

PORT ELLEN 40-YEAR-OLD : PORT ELLEN’S 9 ROGUE CASKS

A NEW 40-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY RELEASED FROM THE CELEBRATED ISLAY DISTILLERY, AHEAD OF ITS RETURN

Introducing the second release in the highly collectable Port Ellen Untold Stories Series that explores the story of Port Ellen’s past ahead of the distillery’s return. Each precious drop of this exclusive 40-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is from 9 rogue casks and is one of the oldest and rarest releases ever to be made available direct from the distillery. It offers an entirely new dimension of flavour never before seen from Port Ellen. With only 1,380 bottles of this release made available to the public, it is one of the last chances to own a part of Port Ellen’s history.

The Port Ellen 40-Year-Old and the story of its captivating 9 Rogue Casks was unveiled at the first virtual edition of the famed Islay whisky festival Feis Ile. During an online whisky tasting, the future master distiller for Port Ellen Georgie Crawford shared a series of rogue stories from Port Ellen’s past, and revealed the new release for the very first time.

Port Ellen was distilled for just sixteen of the last ninety years, and not a cask more since its closure in 1983, making the original dwindling stocks finite and incredibly rare. In 1979, a small parcel of stock was identified as holding unusual flavour characteristics that stood out from the typical Port Ellen distillery character. Unsuitable for the needs of the blenders at the time, the casks were marked and set aside for further maturation and blending in the future.

Forty years on, today’s master blender Dr Craig Wilson carefully selected nine special casks from the original stock: each was identifiably Port Ellen but with its own defining character. He skilfully blended together the nine casks, four American oak hogsheads and five European oak butts, to create a Port Ellen unlike anything seen from the distillery before.

The rogue characteristics that saved the casks from blending in the 1980’s, are today celebrated at the heart of a new momentous 40-year-old single malt. Port Ellen’s signature soft peat smoke and rich sweet aromas, are met with a more refined character that is unusually layered and distinctive. The medium peated style holds a lighter character, with unusual tropical fruit flavour notes and a hint of aromatic spice and cinnamon.

This release highlights the variety of styles produced historically at Port Ellen and the skill of today’s master blender in bringing these together. Each sip offers an opportunity to experience the next chapter of Port Ellen’s Untold Story.

A donation of 20 signed bottles including the Port Ellen 40-Year-Old bottle and bottles from Islay distilleries Lagavulin and Caol Ila will be donated to the Islay Feis Ile Committee. The 20 special bottles, worth a total value of £10,000, will be used to support fundraising activities to raise money for Islay based charitable organisations and community groups.

Notes:

The second release of Port Ellen Untold Stories series: The Port Ellen 40-Year-Old will be available globally through selected luxury retailers Recommended Retail Selling Price in UK is £6,500 (including tax and duty) Bottle size: 70cl ABV: Cask Strength 50.9%

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Delicate, grassy/herbal, burnt tangerine skin, very mild smoke at cask strength, opens up a little with the addition of water, crème caramel/roasted coffee, red fruit compote, ripe peach skin
• Palate: Much more pronounced bonfire smoke, pipe tobacco, leather, wood spice
• Finish: Long, wispy smoke finish

Port Ellen’s 9 Rogue Casks:

Four American Oak Hogsheads
• CASK 1469 – green, oily, cinnamon, herbal
• CASK 1680 – green, fruity, tropical fruit, vanilla
• CASK 1747 – fruity, leather, tropical fruits, green
• CASK 5176 – clementine, cinnamon, creamy

Five European Oak Butts
• CASK 4890 – herbal, floral, green, spicy
• CASK 4913 – cinnamon, fruity, aromatic, leather
• CASK 4914 – herbal, cinnamon, ripe fruit
• CASK 6806 – green, herbal, raisin, confectionery
• CASK 6816 – menthol, medicinal, fruity

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

2020 Winter Feast Limited Release

Winter Feast is Dead – Long live Winter Feast

June is an exciting time of year for Tasmania and Sullivans Cove. Dark MoFo is one of our busiest events of the year, when we welcome tens of thousands of visitors to our mid-winter revels. This year, we had planned parties, bar takeovers, our Dark Cellar speakeasy within the Winter Feast food hall, and of course our extremely limited Winter Feast whisky. But as you probably know, Dark MoFo 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The borders to Tasmania are still closed. There will be no party.

But that didn’t stop us from making our Winter Feast Whisky. Known locally as “The Witch’s Brew” Winter Feast is a chance for our Head Distiller Heather to go a little crazy, making use of our entire library to create an extremely limited, bespoke blend of over 500 different cask samples ranging in age from 2 to 20 years. Bottled at 50.2% abv, the resulting liquid is 13 years old on average and heavily influenced by French Oak Apera cask for a rich, meaty and endlessly complex whisky that’s unmistakably Sullivans Cove.

Normally, this limited edition Sullivans Cove Single Malt is only available to purchase in person from our Winter Feast bar. But because of the cancellation, this year we’re making Winter Feast available to our entire mailing list through a ballot system. There are only 79 bottles all together from this year’s batch, so you’ll have to be lucky to get one, and registering via the link below is your only chance to get hold of Sullivans Cove’s most limited whisky of the year.

Details of the draw are in the form, so click below to enter!

REGISTER NOW

WARNING
Under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990 it is an offence: for liquor to be delivered to a person under the age of 18 years.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units ($3,360 for 2019-20) for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase liquor.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units ($1,680 for 2019-20)
Liquor Licence Number: 75253
To enjoy our website and purchase our products you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence.
Drink responsibly. Find out more at drinkwise.org.au

A Long-Time K&L Favorite Comes Through in Strong Fashion
1991 Bruichladdich 27 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Cask #2121 Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($189.99)
“This whisky is absolutely everything you want it to be and more!”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

NOTE: In accordance with local directives, our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

Jim McEwan and the Bruichladdich distillery essentially lit the engines on our single cask program back in 2012. We’ve long enjoyed this partnership, and this spectacular 27-year-old bottling of the Faultline label is just the latest fruit from that still-growing tree. While most very old, labeled Bruichladdich on the market today will have spent time in a wine barrel and set you back as much as four figures, this beauty is pure, no-frills Islay in a standard hogshead. While it’s not peated, it still displays the hallmark salinity of Islay along with wonderful herbal, grassy notes and a touch of nutty complexity. The palate is loaded with viscosity to carry the honey, floral, and citrus tones through the long finish. Fans of very old Scotch whisky will certainly thrill at both the profile and price of this exclusive cask, and for less than four figures, let alone for less than $200, you’re unlikely to find as compelling a bottle of dram as this for a long, long time.

1991 Bruichladdich 27 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Cask #2121 Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($189.99)

The Bruichladdich Distillery and K&L have had a long history together. Our store was one of the first to champion the mission of this special distillery after a group of private investors refurbished and reopened the facility on the banks of Lochindaal in the early 2000s. It was also the first place we went to find casks way back in 2012. In fact, it was the illustrious Jim McEwan, distillery manager at the time, who sold us our first cask of Faultline Single Malt. That was our Littlemill 21 year which sold for a cool $120 back then. Now, of course, Jim has left Bruichladdich and they’re not in the single cask game any longer, but our Faultline brand of single malts persists. What’s most unusual about this cask is that the distillery was not able to secure access to the casks in this lot, because if they had, we’d have seen them finished in wine casks and sold for many multiples of this price. There must have been some personal or political reasons why the owners chose to avoid selling the lot back to the current owner. There is almost no pre-sale, independently bottled Bruichladdich available. It’s simply too valuable to the distillery. We don’t often get opportunities to bottle under the Faultline name because we reserve it for whiskies we believe offer unprecedented value and quality. This single hogshead has all the hallmarks of the wonderfully idiosyncratic spirit from this excellent distillery. Unpeated, but so distinctly Islay, a bottle of pure Islay just for us.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 27, 2020

I’m honestly surprised that we were able to snag this cask considering the hype around the Bruichladdich distillery these days. The owners have plenty of cash to grab old stocks from private sellers and even though this is just a plain old hogshead, a few years finished in some goofy wine cask and you’ve got the next 30 Year Rare Release for over $1000! So by some great luck we stumbled upon these stocks, three casks from the 1991 vintage, two of which were close to 80 proof already. Both of those were lovely but lacked the power and tension of this special cask. And Jim McEwan would kill me for telling you to add water to a Laddie this old, but it’s just a whisper out at first out of the bottle. A few (six to be precise) drops later and we’ve unlocked totally the treasure. The nose is a ton of marzipan being pulverized on a rock beach in a storm. Certainly no hint of smoke a but a linear salinity that’s so inviting. Wild grass drying in the summer sun. On the palate ultra complex with tons of salted grains, chewy and viscous. Powerful pepper, wild flower honey and candied lemon peel. Long, textural and satisfying on the finish. This whisky is absolutely everything you want it to be and more! Just DON’T skip a few drops of water on this one.

TyndrumWhisky
presents

GlenAllachie Premier Cru

This release was hand filled at the distillery a couple of weeks ago, and comes from the same type of casks that held the (also) amazingly tasty Bruichladdich MRC. This is up there with the best. Billy Walker is certainly creating some stunning whiskies up at GlenAllachie, and this is not to be missed.

ORDER NOW

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ralfy review 829 – GlenDronach 15yo @46%vol: (2020)

ralfy.com revisits an old sherry-bomb.

https://youtu.be/bz6_BRDBf6g

Glen Scotia releases exclusive Dunnage Tasting Box following success of virtual festival

The Glen Scotia virtual festival has been heralded a huge success, after attracting over 8,000 visitors from all around the world.

Following the cancellation of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 which had been scheduled to run from 19-21 May 2020, the Glen Scotia Distillery announced it would bring its programme of events online for the first time at www.glenscotia.com/festival.

As part of the programme the distiller made its famous dunnage whisky tasting, which for many is the pinnacle of their Campbeltown Malt Festival experience, available for those outside the distillery for the very first time.

The theme for 2020 is The Casks of Campbeltown, featuring whiskies matured in casks from the town, and investigating the influencer they have on the modern Campbeltown style.

Only 200 dunnage tasting packs have been released in the UK, each containing five 25 ml samples along with password access to a specially created tasting video hosted by Iain McAlister. A further 1800 tasting boxes will be distributed to markets around the world.

In the UK, the Glen Scotia Dunnage Tasting Box is available to order from Dram Team priced at £55.99 (including postage).

The five samples will include:

• Glen Scotia Victoriana, 54.2% abv
• Cask 810, 2005 First Fill bourbon 60.1% abv
• Cask 486, 2002 Refill Sherry Hogshead 48.8% abv
• Cask 2/359, 2009 First Fill Bordeaux Red Wine 57.1% abv
• Cask 6/413, 2005 First Fill Tawny Port Hogshead 57.4% abv

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, said: “We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the response we had to the Glen Scotia Virtual Malts Festival. We saw over 8,000 people join us from all over the world including Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia – wildly exceeding our expectations!

“We’re now considering making some elements of the festival permanently ‘virtual’ going forward. We know Campbeltown isn’t the easiest place in the world to get to so this will be a great way to allow our global whisky fans the chance to be a part of the celebrations in future years.

“The dunnage tasting is one of my favourite events in the Campbeltown Malts Festival schedule and we’re excited to be able to provide those who had hoped to join us in person, and perhaps quite a few who usually wouldn’t have had the chance, the opportunity to take part in our special dunnage tasting.”

Chris Borrow, Founder, DramTeam added “I could not be more thrilled to be working with the fantastic team from Glen Scotia to put together this incredible dunnage tasting set. Some friends and I had the privilege of being utterly spoilt by Iain McAlister on our first ever visit to Campbeltown, when he very generously hosted us for a Glen Scotia dunnage warehouse tasting. To this day, the best tasting experience of my life – and one that I am very excited to put in a box for other people to enjoy. This is legitimately the best whisky-tasting-by-post we’ve ever done!”

Campbeltown was known as the whisky capital of the world during the Victorian era and was home to over 30 working distilleries. The annual Campbeltown Malts Festival is a celebration of Scotland’s fifth and smallest malt producing region and its whisky making heritage. This year’s event was set to take place from 19-21 May, however in line with Covid-19 government guidance, the festival has been cancelled for the first time since it launched in 2009.

Founded in 1832, Glen Scotia reflects centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with the region and its award-winning whiskies are renowned for their distinctive maritime influence and Campbeltown character.  For those who missed out on the festival this year many of the tastings and tours are still available to watch www.glenscotia.com/festival.

Notes

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded a Platinum medal at the prestigious 2020 San Francisco World Spirits.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.
• www.glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

English Whisky Comes of Age

The English Whisky Co. is launching the first ever 11 year old single malt whisky, as it puts English whisky firmly back on the map.

As the founders of English whisky in this country, The English Whisky Co. is proud to be the first to bring an 11 year old single malt to the market.

“It has been a very long wait, but after a decade and a half we are finally in a position to release an English Single Malt Whisky bearing an age statement,” explains managing director, Andrew Nelstrop. “The English – 11yr old is a fantastic example of the work that is being done in our cask warehouses, ensuring a generational supply of delicious English Single Malt Whisky.”

The new 11 year old, which officially launches on 4^th June, offers a complex nose with citrus, baked apples and hints of almonds which give way to a taste that is fruity with some lovely oak overtones; all ending with a rich, oily and slightly dry finish. 2466 700ml bottles have been produced, RRP £59.95.

“We are very proud to launch this wonderful 11 year old English whisky,” continues Andrew Nelstrop. “The English Whisky Co. was brought to life in 2005 as the realisation of our Founder’s dream. James Nelstrop’s aim was simple: to open a whisky distillery in England and to make the very finest single malt whisky. There were no other goals or requirements. We are proud to have kept the distillery in the family and prouder still to have maintained our Founder’s desires to make a world class single malt.”

For more information on the English Whisky Co. visit www.englishwhisky.co.uk

NINETEENTH ANNUAL GREAT BUFFALO CHASE 5K TO TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY OVER FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

Race Proceeds to Benefit VFW Post 4075 

        FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (June 2, 2020) – Buffalo Trace Distillery’s 19^th annual Great Buffalo Chase 5K will be held virtually this summer for the  first time in order that we can continue to raise funds for charities.

Historically, this summer holiday classic has taken place on the Fourth of July, attracting top runners from across the United States and the world to the Distillery for the scenic run, but this year, with participant health and safety in mind, the race is coming to you!

Runners and walkers will participate in this year’s virtual 5K by running or walking in their hometowns and local neighborhoods wherever they are located during the period of July 3-5 instead of running at the Distillery as the grounds will not be open to participants. Runners will be mailed a commemorative T-shirt and race bib and have the option to record and submit their personal race time until 11:59 p.m. on July 5. Details for how to submit race times will be communicated following registration. Everyone is encouraged to use #ChaseTheBuffalo on social media and dress in their best patriotic or Buffalo Trace attire. Race times will be posted to the Buffalo Trace Distillery website on July 6.

Registration is $20, and all proceeds will again benefit the city of Frankfort’s VFW Post 4075. Registration for this virtual 5K opened May 20 at www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com/events and will close at 9 p.m. July 5. Participants are encouraged to register by June 26 to allow race materials to be shipped and delivered in time for the race.

Due to the nature of this being a virtual race, and in the spirit of fairness, prizes will not be awarded to top runners this year. On behalf of all participants, and in commitment to supporting others, this Fourth of July Buffalo Trace Distillery will make a donation to God’s Pantry Food Bank to support the local Franklin County community. Participants are encouraged to take part in the virtual patriotic attire costume contest through the Virtual Great Buffalo Chase 5K Facebook Event on the Buffalo Trace Distillery Facebook Page for a chance to win a prize from the Gift Shop. Additionally, everyone who registers will be entered into a raffle for the chance to receive a hand-made American Flag made from bourbon barrel staves, which can be donated to the charity of their choice for fundraising.

For more information and to register go to www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com/events.

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 35 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” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com