WHAT’S NEW AT THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

It’s a bumper week at The Whisky Exchange! With new whisky from Glen Moray, a new outfit for our Whisky of the Year, prize draws (plural) and Father’s Day on its way, there’s lots to get excited about. 

Benromach’s New Look

Benromach’s range of famously peated Speyside single malt whiskies – which includes our Whisky of the Year for 2020, the wonderful Benromach 15 Year Old – has had something of a facelift, and we think it looks pretty tasty. It’s the same great liquid, but with a flashy new look, so whether you’re a completist collector or just need to stock up on your favourite dram, you’re in for a treat.

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Glen Moray

Madeira Cask ProjectFirst came the Cider Cask Project, and the Rhum Agricole Cask Project followed close behind. Now, the next instalment in Glen Moray’s Curiosity Range has arrived in the form of this 13-year-old single malt matured entirely in Madeira casks. Limited to less than 1,500 bottles, this is an indulgently sweet whisky, with layer-upon-layer of dark-chocolate, toffee and sweet and creamy fruit notes.

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Prize draw Win Bunnahabhain

40 Year OldA favourite among discerning whisky drinkers, Bunnahabhain is one of Islay’s lesser-known distilleries – and one of the island’s few distilleries with a reputation for unpeated spirit. It’s core range will stand up against any you’d care to compare it to, and for this month only, every purchase which contains one of Bunnahabhain’s core range bottlings will enter the purchaser into a draw to win a bottle of Bunnahabhain 40 Year Old.

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It’s time for another episode of the show on blended Scottish whiskies.

https://youtu.be/gji1QPT5jX0

Whisky for Father’s Day gift guides – GlenDronach, BenRiach & Glenglassaugh single malts

The GlenDronach

Nestled in the Valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, is The GlenDronach – one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. The GlenDronach is of true Highland style; a complex and full-bodied spirit, perfect for slow maturation in Spanish oak Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Year Old

Crowned ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the internationally acclaimed 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Years took home the top prize for all whisky, making an ideal gift for the world’s best Dad. This expression offers sumptuous notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with an enveloping, memorable finish. The GlenDronach is a richly-sherried and characterful Single Malt, produced in the Highland region of Scotland.

UK RRP: £73.00

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8

Matured for ten years in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, and bottled at natural cask strength, this expression is the perfect gift for connoisseurs seeking a deeper insight into the distillery’s richly-sherried Highland Single Malt. Like sipping velvet, with mocha, caramel macchiato and cherry chocolate cake, layered with dates, plum skin and sultana.

UK RRP: £66.00

BenRiach

Founded in 1898, the BenRiach Distillery has long been the home of artistry and expertise across whisky distilling and cask maturation. The multi-layered flavour of this Speyside single malt is a result of the eclecticism of casks used during maturation. BenRiach distills three types of spirit – classic, peated and triple distilled, and is one of two remaining distilleries in Speyside to use barley from its traditional on-site floor maltings – a time-honoured craft that is celebrated for one month each year.

BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years

With flavours of cocoa, sweet macaroons, floral oak and dried berries, BenRiach Aged 12 Years is a whisky with a tremendous depth of flavour, making it an ideal whisky for Dads to sip and savour this Father’s Day.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £43.00

BenRiach Temporis Aged 21 Years – Peated

If you’re looking for a slightly alternative whisky gift for your Dad, this is it. This intense, unique expression from BenRiach, packing a full-bodied flavour profile, provides the rare opportunity to try a peated Speyside whisky of this age – a unique treat for Dads who like to try something new. With notes of rum-soaked dried fruit, orange peel, new leather and oak-y smoke, the Temporis makes the perfect dram for exploring flavour.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £ 144.00

BenRiach Aged 21 Years

BenRiach has long been a distillery to keep an eye on when it comes to whiskies with inventive maturation styles. This BenRiach Aged 21 Years has been drawn from a mixture of four casks – bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenéz Sherry casks and red wine casks. With spiced fruit and milk chocolate at its core, this indulgent whisky is a delicious gift for any whisky loving Dad.

Gold winner at International Wine and Spirits Competition 2019.

UK RRP: £130.00

Glenglassaugh

On the crescent beach of Sandend Bay stands Glenglassaugh Distillery, producing a luscious single malt with rolling waves of flavour. A complete distillation of its natural surroundings, Glenglassaugh is shaped from the visible and invisible influences of land, sea, air and spring water. The classic and peated Octaves expressions in Batch 2 are matured in hand-selected Octaves casks, made to size from a range of Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, Amontillado Sherry and Port wood. The smaller size of these casks allows for greater interaction between the wood and the spirit, strengthening the whisky’s depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

Matured in the seaside warehouses of this coastal Highland distillery, Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 a rare gift for an exceptional father. Sip smooth velvet waves of salted chocolate caramel, savouring the intriguingly long finish of citrus spiced coffee, aniseed and peanut brittle.

Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £60.00.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2

Shaped by land and sea, The Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 Peated embraces the traditional addition of peat smoke in the craft of making this delicious whisky, which has been matured in bourbon, port and sherry casks.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £65.00

Market Pricing may vary accordingly.

Craft Whisky Club Partners with Edinburgh Whisky Academy

This June, the online whisky initiative Craft Whisky Club has partnered with highly respected pioneers of certified whisky education, Edinburgh Whisky Academy to create the ultimate online course and subscription service, for those who not only want to discover a new world of craft, artisan and innovative whisky-making but get a chance to try them too.

From casks to pairings, locally-produced to the exotic, learning and exploring the world of whisky is a fundamental part of the whisky experience. By teaming up with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, Craft Whisky Club provides its members with the chance to explore the history, science, artistry and making processes which makes their favourite spirit so special. The collaboration offers members a wealth of opportunities to learn more about a wide range of whiskies from industry experts, and in these more confined times, courses can be taken from the comfort of your own home.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, all members who sign up before Father’s Day (June 21st) will receive complimentary access to their ‘Focus on Flavor’ module. Existing Craft Whisky Club members will also enjoy a 10% discount on all their other courses, access to a monthly Q&A with an EWA expert, and much more! Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s Focus of Flavour is the perfect module to help members take their Craft Whisky Club membership to another level, helping them discover the new classics and experience the range of flavours being a member of Craft Whisky Club offers.

“We are very excited to enter into this partnership with Craft Whisky Club. Everybody at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy is passionate about first-class whisky education. Working together means we will be able to ensure more whisky enthusiasts can access our online courses and in-person Diplomas. Not only will members learn more about the industry and what makes whisky such a complex and fascinating product, but they can also be assured of an enhanced whisky drinking experience as they enjoy some of Craft Whisky Club’s incredible bottlings. Slainte!” — Edinburgh Whisky Association

For further information on how the membership works and pricing please see here.

I’d like to start with something plain and simple: We are, and always have been, against racism.

And while some would have wanted us to speak sooner on the action we are taking, we believe that a considered, informed response is far more valuable than a knee-jerk reaction.

After listening long and hard to those with a deep understanding and often first-hand experience of racial injustice, and after being inspired to study, think and discuss this situation as a team, we are acting.

We have agreed on a course of immediate action, including setting up a strong HR policy focused on anti-discrimination. This is one of five new principles that will guide us going forward. I believe businesses today have an important role to play in the fight for a just society, and we will take that responsibility even more seriously.

You are welcome to read our plans in full, but we wanted to highlight here another new principle that has become even more vital in recent days – we will encourage people to use the power of their vote to spark change.

Every voice deserves to be heard. Yet, especially as we have seen this week, even that most fundamental of rights is not universal. This must change. Those who can vote, must. And we all need to speak up for those whose voices are stifled.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. To find out more about our plans, please get in touch with me directly at:
john.glaser@compassboxwhisky.com

The team and I really want to know what you think.

John Glaser
Company Founder

Extra Special Whiskies for Father’s Day

Cream of Kentucky 13 YO

Bruichladdich Black Art 7.1

Tomatin 30

For The Bourbon Fan

Cream of Kentucky Bourbon 13 Y.O.

The Cream of Kentucky brand that was very popular in the mid-thirties and forties with the added distinction of labels designed  by Norman Rockwell. When Jim Rutledge retired after  20 years as the master distiller of Four Roses, he decided that he wanted to do his own thing and purchased the rights to the brand.

Four Roses had been  sold only in Asia, but Jim made it iconic, first in Kentucky and then nationally.

To do the same thing with Cream of Kentucky., he knew he needed a flavor profile with a mellow mouth feel and a long and very smooth finish. He found one that is a winner. It has that nice creamy mouthfeel with gentle fruitiness a hint caramel and vanilla, plus some soft woody characters.

This wonderful 13 Y.O. is limited and will not be around for long. It is a winner from a man  who  strives to put great product in the bottle. What can a bourbon drinker enjoy more than a wonderful Bourbon, knowing that the bottle purchased, profits will be going towards a very eco friendly distillery that will produce great bourbon and Rye, that Jim Rutledge will own.

Cream of Kentucky 13 Y.O. Batch 4  51% $159.99

And if he prefers fine, rare  malts….

Bruichladdich Black Art 7.1 25 Y.O. 48.4%

Jim McEwan felt that blending is a black art, so he saved the best of his magic for the small batch Bruichladdich Black Art Series

We have never been able to get as much Black Art as we wanted and only got a few bottles of this edition because a couple of elite restaurants had to give it up. It’s a great whisky with depth that evolves and goes on and on. Adam Hartnett has continued what Jim started and I feel Jim would be very happy with the impeccable blending of those special casks.

Nose: Rich marzipan, then walnut, creme caramel, hints of strawberry, violet and coconut. There is a heavy fruit style with plum, poached pears, raisin and grapefruit and after opening further wood spice, nutmeg, toasted oak, roasted coffee beans and muscovado sugar. An absolute delight to the nose

Palate: A little sharpness is a nod to the strength but quickly the satin texture covers the palate to give a viscous, round mouthfeel. Oak oak power and poise gives a hint of dryness but also waves of coconut, turkish delight, soft caramel, and spiced orange. The layers of oak that come through softly melt into one another, each sip brings a new level of discovery within this most complex of assemblages. While on the palate there appears less complexity than on the nose, an important balance, texture and defined style serves to highlight the aromatic quality of this whisky.

Finish: It seems as if it goes on forever, the incredible viscous texture of this whisky extends the finish and it lingers on the palate. Roasted nuts, then tropical fruits, pineapple and butterscotch give a sweetness that is sure to be remembered. Mood: As ever the mystery of its creation serves to intrigue. Black Art 7.1 gives a moment to reflect on the past and to welcome the possibilities of the future.

Black Art 7.1 – 25 Y.O. 48.4% $450 Very, very limited

Tomatin 30 Y.O.

Last of a Great Deal

We hope that patience is a virtue, because we waited a long time for this one. In these uncertain times we have just the thing to put a little balance on this situation, a Thirty Y.O. Highland that was matured in a combination of ex- bourbon casks and traditional oak casks at a great price.

The Tomatin 30-Year-Old delivers fresh aromas of soft fruits, golden honey and smooth white chocolate. On the palate, it’s a fusion of tropical fruits and creamy buttered vanilla mingle in an explosion of sensational mixed spices

This single malt hits your palate with a full mouthfeel and your taste buds will be doing a dance. Balanced and in great harmony, its grace and elegance justify its price. It comes in its own wooden presentation case and leatherette carry pouch. That only enhances as a special gift that you could give to your father or  yourself. Crazy times make for crazy prices We got a great deal on this Jim Murray recommended gem. Only 600 bottles came into the country. Just a few bottles are left. This is great value, take a look at the price of 30 Y.O. single malts.

Tomatin 30 year old Batch 1 46 ABV

Reg:$599.99   – Sale price $324.99 ends 6/30/20

Click to Order

Delivery Free in Greater Boston

We can ship via Fedex anywhere In Massachusetts

Sorry other 49, we can’t ship out of state

Joe Howell .

We Deliver!

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Don’t miss out!

From Laphroaig to Hakushu – don’t miss out on exceptional savings in our limited-time Flash Sale.

With free UK delivery on all orders over £99, snap up your favourite drams today.

The details we await………

Isle of Lewis whisky shop raises spirits with delivery service thanks to Business Gateway support

A whisky shop based on the Isle of Lewis has successfully adapted to lockdown with the launch of a new delivery service and the introduction of enhanced online services for customers, with help from Business Gateway.

Founded by Iain Faller, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop offers customers a selection of high-quality Scotch malt whiskies, Scottish artisan gins and other fine spirits. While initially due to move into new premises in April 2020, Iain adapted his business in response to COVID-19 with the launch of a delivery service available across the Outer Hebrides and mainland Scotland.

This has been accompanied by a series of virtual tasting sessions, in collaboration with Larkfire who provide Hebridean wild water for whisky. Using connections with local organisations met through Business Gateway, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop sourced and delivered a variety of spirits to create a successful virtual tasting experience for 30 customers.

Prior to the pandemic, Iain attended a number of Business Gateway and DigitalBoost workshops, which equipped him with the skills he needed to use social media as a marketing tool to raise awareness of his business and its service.

Iain also accessed a variety of business start-up services over the last two years which have been instrumental in keeping the business stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included one-to-one business support, advice on his business plan and a successful grant application to the Outer Hebrides Young Entrepreneurs Start Up Scheme (Plus) (OHYESS+). The OHYESS+ scheme provides support to new businesses and is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and delivered by Business Gateway Outer Hebrides.

Iain Faller, owner and founder of The Island Spirit Whisky Shop, said, “I had always dreamt of turning my hobby of collecting whiskies into a business, and after attending twenty Business Gateway workshops, I finally took the plunge.

“While I was not anticipating the current situation, the skills I gained from attending Business Gateway workshops equipped me with the confidence to diversify and utilise social media to advertise and market our business, without having the presence of our high street shop. I have been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement I have received from the local community and other local businesses.”

“The business support grant we applied for has helped keep the business on track with our original plan and prevented us from spending money allocated for stock purposes. Meanwhile, the valuable networking opportunities have led to collaborations with other local businesses, we have adapted our operations over the last few weeks to offer our customers a virtual tasting experience in their own homes. I can’t thank Business Gateway enough.”

Derek Maclean, Business Adviser, Business Gateway said, “Over the past two years Iain has been able to take advantage of a wide variety of services which we offer and it is always rewarding to see someone take the leap and start their own business.

“While the ongoing circumstances are not what anyone could have predicted, it has been brilliant to see how Iain has adapted, with the successful launch of his new service and I look forward to when Iain can open his shop so that customers can enjoy the experience he offers.”

For support and advice on critical business issues during the pandemic visit our dedicated Coronavirus Hub which is updated with new information daily: https://www.bgateway.com/coronavirus-business-support-across-scotland.

About Business Gateway

1. Business Gateway offers a range of professional resources, support and tools to help businesses and those in business learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop sustainable strategies for growth.
2. Business Gateway is delivered by local authorities throughout Scotland.
3. Business Gateway works in collaboration with a wide variety of organisations, including Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to help deliver the best advice and support to Scottish businesses.

A Scotch Drinker’s Delight: A Rare Single Cask Exclusive at an Unbeatable Price
1994 GlenAllachie 24 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Cask #3560 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky ($149.99)
“This is EXACTLY the sort of whisky you’ll return to and fall in love with.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal 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.

Precious few single casks of GlenAllachie ever make it to market, so when the opportunity revealed itself to acquire this 24-year rendition, we jumped. GlenAllachie, perhaps best known as a key component of Chivas Regal, has become something of a darling among collectors. This is due in part to its rarity, but also because their whiskies are just downright delicious. As our SoCal spirits buyer, David Othenin-Girard notes, this is a particularly engaging cask. A tad coy at first blush, in time it opens to reveal a dazzling array of “sweet malty flavors, cinnamon, cinchona bark, and pithy citrus peel.” Bottled at cask strength, which is a whopping 120 proof, it is a potent dram, but one that is easily tamed with a modest addition of water. You will find that other 25-year renditions of GlenAllachie cost in the $400 range. That’s where the beauty of our Faultline label comes in. By importing directly, we are able to offer this stunning single cask exclusive for $149.99. This value here is incontestable. The combination of rarity and price alone make this a compelling proposition. Add in the utter irresistibility of this spirit, and you have a must-buy opportunity. The truth is, we don’t know the next time we’ll see another single cask from GlenAllachie, but if we do, it likely won’t be at such an approachable price. A prized addition to any whisky collection, this easily ranks among our top exclusives this year.

1994 GlenAllachie 24 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Cask #3560 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

The GlenAllachie distillery was a candidate for one of Scotland’s most under-the-radar distilleries up until its recent sale to a group of private investors lead by the unrelenting Billy Walker. The distillery, built in 1967, became a workhorse for the Chivas Brands, but despite its importance in blending, the whisky was not traded particularly heavily. We’ve only once bottled GlenAllachie and even historical bottlers like Cadenhead’s, Signatory and Douglas Laing have only offered a handful of expressions over the years. When we do see it, it tends to be young. Having access to old GlenAllachie is a real treat, but being able to sell a nearly 25 year old single cask at cask strength was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. GlenAllachie’s new owners sell their new PX-finished 25 year for $400, which is lovely, but something about the purity and complexity of the spirit unadulterated drew us to this particular cask. Bold and aromatic, this isn’t a lightweight at nearly 120 proof, but subtle nuances of the spirit remain despite the high proof. Expect a huge basket of fruit interspersed with zingy spice and dark fudgy malt. We’re extremely lucky to have access to these casks and while on paper it might not look like the normal Faultline too-good-to-be-true pricing, this whisky overachieves on every level. Now that the distillery has a proper single malt label, it’s unlikely we’ll see exceptional old single cask ‘Allachie on the open market like this one.

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

This gorgeous ‘Allachie is one of only two casks of the distillery we’ve ever bottled. That’s not for lack of trying, it’s just stuff that doesn’t make it to the open market very often. When I first tasted this set of 3 Glenallachie casks, I was not impressed. This is one of those whiskies that starts ultra shy. First impressions are so important when bottling whisky, but if you judge a book by the first page, you’ll miss so much. It’s not unusual for me to hear from customers about their first sip of a new cask being a let down, only to fall in love with the whisky hours or weeks later. This is EXACTLY the sort of whisky you’ll return to and fall in love with. On first nosing you get hints of pencil shavings and bits of citrus, but as expected it’s completely mute otherwise. Take a nap. Now we’re back, 20 minutes power nap in the books, and a whole new world has opened up in the glass. Gone is the fresh shaved wood and newly arrived are a plethora of yellow things: mirabelle, lemon sorbet, honeycomb and marigolds. Behind that a darker quality light roast coffee, roasted malt, taffy. On the palate, great balance between the sweet malty flavors, cinnamon, cinchona bark and pithy citrus peel. A splash of water and the lemon and herbs come forward. Strangely, it’s become even more spicy and bold on the palate. The water adds richness and sweetness up front, but the big spicy finish is undeniable. I prefer this with just a few dashes of water or cut under 46% (enough water to cloud) rather than somewhere in between, but it stands up straight right out of the bottle if you give it some time. A more nuanced expression than previous Alexander Murray Faultlines, this offers tons of complexity for those willing to tease the whisky out.