.Tullibardine – a personal friend of Paul

Paul donders on here about one of his favourite places; Tullibardine Scotch Whisky Distillery was built in 1949 and sits at the foot of the Ochil Hills right on the line where the Highlands of Scotland begin just half an hour from ma hoose. The water source for this distillery is the surrounding hills where they use crystal purity of their spring water that flows down the hills. The distillery produces the Tullibardine range of single malt whiskies grand in themselves, but – during one visit and a chat with Sabine, I fell in love, with … The Murray Châteauneuf-du-Pape Finish. This is a part of the award-winning Marquess Collection and joins the collection’s existing expressions which include the industry-renowned Murray 2004 and 2005. The Marquess Collection is named after Highland Jacobite Sir William Murray, the 2nd Marquess of Tullibardine and is tribute to the brand’s heritage. It is an ongoing collection, which I love dearly, my wee whisky children if you like.  I have waxed lyrical about the “de pape” to anyone who will listen. Just before Christmas Sabine called me to say she had a bottle or two on offer, I grabbed the case! Andy our pal/driver guide was coming to Perth fae Glasgow and he picked them up. He went home with two by the way! The Tullibardine Range is normally what we sample on our tours there, a private tasting experience in their superb bar, out of the way of prying eyes, we can sometimes dram away up to seven examples of Tully’s offerings, wee drams of course! We like them and they like us!

Tullibardine recently unveiled the newest addition – the Tullibardine 15 year old exceptional single malt, distilled after the reopening of the distillery in 2003 and has been carefully matured in first fill bourbon barrels, under the watchful eye of Tullibardine’s master distiller Keith Geddes. It boasts a range of aromas and flavours. On the nose is delicate dried hay and parma violets, with touches of baked apple, cloves and vanilla ice-cream, all the things you loved when a bairn. Then there’s notes of freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, with delicate spices. With a finish of subtle nuttiness, this whisky is a stroll down memory lane, for me anyhow..

Once this terrible virus lockdown ends, I will be one of the first people rushing in, as will many of the tours we have on hold. If you wish to join us, contact me; paul@mcleanscotland.com

An Extremely Rare Release from a Thrilling New Scotch Distiller
2006 Daftmill “Summer Batch Release”
Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($249.99)
“This is as close to the roots of whisky as you can get. A true farm distillery making Scotch the way it would have been done 200+ years ago.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

NOTE: 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.

It has finally arrived! After much buzz, the inaugural U.S. release of Daftmill’s “Summer Batch” is at long last available. Daftmill is one of the most exciting projects in the world of Scotch whisky, with proprietors Francis and Ian Cuthbert building a new distillery and following distilling methods that are over 200 hundred years old. The barley for this fabulous dram is all estate-grown and harvested, while the distillery operates only four months out of the year. The resulting Scotch is not only of the utmost quality, but it is, as one might expect, produced in minuscule quantities. A mere 1,680 bottles of this gorgeous Lowland malt were made, and we are lucky enough to have secured a small allocation. This bottling draws together seven different casks, all of which are twelve years of age. A rambunctious single malt, it reveals a cornucopia of sweet cream, apricot, brown sugar, ginger, and so much more. Vibrant and youthful, it is a wonderful first taste and portends excellent things from this new distillery. If you’ve ever wondered what Scotch might have tasted like 200 years ago, this is as close as you’ll likely ever get. A truly superlative release, this is sure to become an instant hit with collectors. There are precious few bottles to go around, so make sure to act quickly to secure this one-of-a-kind gem.

2006 Daftmill “Summer Batch Release” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($249.99)

90 points Whisky Advocate: “Pure, clean malt shines throughout this whisky, the first Daftmill bottling for sale in the U.S. Shortbread, candle wax, Golden Delicious apple, rose garden, apricot, ginger, and cinnamon on the nose. The palate is biscuity and sweet, with vanilla, shortbread cookies, candied pistachios, and crushed almonds; lemon and orange peel and lively rose oil perk things up once water is added. Tobacco, cinnamon, and toasted almonds and hazelnuts fade like a whisper on the gentle, soft finish. (SSB)” (04/2020)

K&L Notes: Owned by Francis and Ian Cuthbert, the Daftmill distillery was commissioned in 2005 and began serious production in 2006. This bottling marks their first release for the U.S. and is limited to just 1,680 bottles. Operating as a true farm distillery, all of the barley used for production is farmed by Francis Cuthbert on the estate and the distillery operates just four months out of the year for two months after each harvest. This traditional way of running a distillery hasn’t been seen in Scotland since the 1800s. It also makes Daftmill one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, producing just about 100 casks a year. This release is a melding of 7 different casks, all 12 years old.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 29, 2020

This is as close to the roots of whisky as you can get. A true farm distillery making Scotch the way it would have been done 200+ years ago. You get two crops of barley a year—shortly after harvest, you make whisky, then you tend to the other issues on the farm for the rest of the year. The estate nature of this whisky is quite romantic, but more importantly, the whisky tastes spectacular. At 12 years of age it is decidedly mature, but in the way of a precocious child—it drinks beyond the years of a young distillery, yet shows how much more there is still to come as it continues to grow. Wildly exciting and filled with promise. The whisky is a blend of 7 first fill bourbon barrels filled at the end of their first summer season (September 2006). It’s delicate and light, but with an intensity of flavor that is unmatched. There is a complex nose of florals, sweet cream, candied ginger, vanilla, and fine brown sugar and zest. The palate is spicy and difficult to pin down. It feels alive on the tongue, jumping between citrus, ginger, pound cake, and caramel candies. The finish shows fresh-cut summer grasses and lots of stone fruit. With only 1680 bottles produced in this summer release it’s sure to be a collector’s classic for those that can keep their hands off of it. For those that drink it—a splendid example of what whisky must have been.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 30, 2020

I feel very lucky to have visited the good Mr. Cuthbert at his farm and distillery in the summer of 2016. The beautiful and tiny distillery is hidden behind barley fields and built inside a gorgeous old stone farmhouse. Francis was in the distillery taking measurements, a truly hands on distillery owner. He seemingly does everything-although one must assume there are others helping, there’s no question that this tiny production distillery is a labor of love. We tasted several casks together all around 10 years old and while I thought they all tasted pretty good, he brushed off the idea of bottling them saying unequivocally that they weren’t ready. This man knows barley and we’ve waited with bated breath to see these barrels meet his high standards for bottling. Now after waiting almost 4 more years, we finally have access to this excellent and unusual single malt from one of Scotland’s smallest and most watched distillers. The color is white wine. The nose starts restrained, but obvious complexity hides right behind the initial austerity of first nosing. As it opens, we start to notice vibrant stone fruits: apricots, plums, peaches. Then a mineral element and some citrus and lemon oil components. It’s got a very old school feeling that isn’t really available from any other modern distiller. A drop of water and a bit more time and we’re being delivered truckloads of various fruits tropical and continental, some poached and drizzled in vanilla sauce. Creamy and luscious on the palate with wisps of white pepper and perfect clean American oak. This stuff is just lovely in every sense of the word. It’s a new old-style malt unlike so many of the modern new distillers who are trapped between the science and art of single malt distillation. Without a visionary like Francis to make the crucial decisions, any new distillery will be relegated to the second tier and never truly compete with the big boys. Of course, the price is no trifle but it’s a small price to pay for immediate access to the future history of modern single malt.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 329: Ardbeg BlaaacK

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, discovers the latest Ardbeg Feis Ile release. For Ardbeg Day 2020 the Islay distillery launched a sheep theme. Ardbeg claims to be very different from all other distilleries on the island and therefor calls itself the black sheep. Well, well, the boys and girls of the marketing department really earn their keep. Still, it is a very interesting release, as the malt got a finish on Pinot Noir wine casks from New Zealand. Next to this limited edition Ardbeg also released a Committee Only bottling with cream colored label and at cask strength. I’ll try the 46% release, readily available for us mere mortals.

https://youtu.be/6ixZSB86bi0

ONLINE CASK WHISKY AUCTION AIMED AT FIRST-TIME INVESTORS AND BUYERS LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY THEIR PORTFOLIO

The only live, online auction dedicated to cask whisky takes place next month (August) and will feature more than 20 casks including a 1993 Springbank, 1992 Speyside and a 2009 Bruichladdich Amarone – aged for its entire life in an ex-Amarone wine cask.

Perfect for first-time investors and enthusiasts looking to begin their journey into the world of lifestyle collectables, or for all inquisitive buyers wanting to diversify their portfolio to include casks that offer a return over a longer period of time, auctionyourcask.com is open to everyone.

Trusted trader and Director of Cask Trade, Lee Tomlinson, has more than 10 years’ experience working in the industry and has sold 100s of casks.

“The majority of casks in the auction are perfect for aging for 5/10/15+ years which makes them ideal for bottlers looking to plan future releases or investors looking to hold onto casks for a longer-term investment,” says Lee, highly regarded as one of the industry’s leading independent valuator of casks.

“We have it on good authority the 1992 Speyside is Glenlivit, so we are expecting that Lot to attract much attention,” adds Lee.

The auction, hosted by Cask Trade via its online auction website auctionyourcask.com, will go live on 14^thAugust and run until 23^rd August 2020. Casks to go under the virtual hammer are priced between £1,500 and £35,000 and include a 1993 Springbank, 1992 Speyside, 2009 Bruichladdich Amarone, two 2015 Glen Ord Barrels, as well as a 2008 Glen Moray and 2011 Glen Garioch.

But don’t just take our word for it, Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White has tasted a selection of samples from casks that will feature in the auction. Click here to watch his video tasting notes: https://youtu.be/Ve3NbtZTaSg

Following on from the successful first auction in January, the world’s second live, online auction dedicated to casks of whisky is expected to attract even more sellers and bidders from around the globe.

Auctionyourcask.com allows private owners and investors to sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world.

To sign up to bid in the live auction, register here: https://www.auctionyourcask.com/members/login

Auctionyourcask.com is inviting people to register their casks for auction by 31^st July 2020. Those looking to register their cask for sale should complete an online form to request a valuation. https://www.auctionyourcask.com/request-a-valuation

The auction, which will go live on 14^th August will run until 23^rd August (ending 8pm GMT), will feature a wide selection of casks at different price points.

All casks will need to have had a recent re-gauge ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity, wherever possible, to try the whisky before they buy. Auction your cask validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee Cask Trade can offer bidders the actual hammer price. Their low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

Hosted four times a year the next auction will take place in November 2020.

10 REASONS TO INVEST IN CASKS:

1)         Whisky is a top performing luxury investment and far outstrips the more established alternative asset investments such as art, wine and cars. Estimated accumulative short-term returns of 40%, medium term of 80%, and long term 140%.

2)        Each cask is unique and only a limited number are available. No two casks will ever be the same.

3)        Time is on your side as whisky only matures in the cask. The more mature it gets, the more valuable it becomes.

4)        There is no index or quoted market for whisky casks as each one is different.

5)        Complete transparency – Cask Trade buy each cask first and all the paperwork, location and health of the cask is verified before it ever makes it onto the stock list.

6)        Trusted marketplace – Buyers can take Cask Trade’s WOWGR number, go to the warehouse and confirm the cask exists. Bonded warehouses check-in each cask and perform a ‘dip’ test to measure the level of alcohol. Every year, they are required to report to HMRC how many casks they have and the levels of alcohol. Casks cannot be faked or fabricated.

7)        Casks are safer than storing bottles; the only thing stealing your whisky is the angels.

8)        Whisky is a delicious investment and casks are a physical, tangible asset that you own. You can sample them, trade them and even bottle them!

9)        Investment Realisation: Cask Trade’s multiple exit strategies and global client base ensures a hassle-free exit from your investment.

10)      Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their casks(s), upon request, wherever possible.

NOTES:

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.
• HMRC-issued AWRS Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme: Licenced to wholesale, bottle and retail.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: auctionyourcask.com.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

Whisky Price Growth

Results of the recent Knight Frank Wealth Report’s new unique luxury investment index revealed whisky was one of the most coveted objects of desire in 2019.

The report out in February 2020, says Rare Whisky has grown in value the most over the last 10 years at +564% and increased by +5% in the past 12 months; and states casks remained in huge demand. By comparison cars have seen an increase of 194%, art by 141% and wine by 120%.

https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport 

Data collected by Rare Whisky 101 suggests the four-year growth from December 2014 in rare whisky has increased over 160%, compared to just 2.47% for the FTSE 100. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/indices

The same report by Rare Whisky 101 claimed via the BBC that they had performed a controlled test of 55 rare bottles, of which over a third were fakes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-4656670

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE^® 2020 Results Announced 

July 23, 2020 (Hawthorne, NY) – Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), since 2010 the world’s most prestigious global spirits competition, today releases the results of the 2020 Challenge. This year proved to be the eleventh consecutive year of record entries from more than 45 spirit-producing nations.

The judging, held throughout June and July, determined 45 Chairman’s Trophy winners, 237 Finalists, 167 Great Values, and 88 Tried & True Award winners. USC was once again held at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY.

Says UBC Founder and Judging Director F. Paul Pacult, “This year’s USC was the most international, with a dazzling array of quality distillates from as far away as Indonesia, India, and Iceland. Virtually all categories saw substantial gains in submissions, in particular, American whiskey, Ready-to-Drink cocktails, gin, and all brandy categories.

“Since producers enter their best marques into USC, it’s clear that they look to us for the most accurate and unbiased data in the industry. We look forward to USC 2021!”

View complete results at www.ultimate-beverage.com/USC2020results/

Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 Chairman’s Trophy Winners

WHISKY – CANADA

Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series 2019 Edition 26 Years Old

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Jameson Bow Street Cask Strength 18 Years Old

Single Pot Still: Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton

Single Malt: Teeling Single Cask 

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Years Old

Blended Malt: Wemyss Malts Peat Chimney

Single Malt-Highland: Oban 18 Years Old

Single Malt-Island: Highland Park 21 Year Old

Single Malt-Islay: Kilchoman Sanaig

Single Malt-Speyside: The Glenrothes 18 Years Old 

WHISKEY – USA

American/Other: Barrell Dovetail

Bottled-In-Bond:  Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Bourbon: Stagg, Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Rye: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

Single Malt: Westland Garryana 2019 Edition 4|1

WHISK(E)Y – WORLD

The Matsui Mizunara Cask Single Malt

All products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges including buyers, journalists, educators, and bar owners. All spirits rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page which provides all downloadable marketing material. Spirits designated one of the year’s Top 100 Spirits also receive a tasting note. USC results are promoted globally. In addition, high scoring products are featured in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide to the World’s Best Spirits in the November issue of Beverage Media, which reaches more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers. 

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE…No shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of spirits for producers, importers, and marketers through its innovative annual competition: Ultimate Spirits Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot.

One-off drams, one-off deals

We’ve taken things up a notch in our latest flash sale; along with some of your trusty favourites, we’ve added in discounts on premium bottles from Macallan, Balvenie, Ardbeg, and many more! These deals are around for a limited time only (and while stocks last) – head over to our whisky sale to search for some treasure.

Shop the Sale ›

2006 Balblair 13 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask No. 76 Single Spanish Oak Oloroso Seasoned Butt

Cask Strength Single Cask Highland Single Malt Whisky

(750ml) (ships as 1.5L)

$109.99 View

The wonderful Balblair Distillery has long been under the radar. In the little town on Edderton on the northern coast of Scotland at the southern edge of the Dornoch firth, this great distillery has never garnered the fan fare of it’s prominent neighbor just a few miles down the road in Tain. The distillery was originally founded 1790 and then rebuilt 1895, but closed during World War I. It wasn’t until 1949 when Hiram Walker fired the old plant up again. Many buildings from the 1870s still stand on the site, but the excellent malt has remained more less unknown to modern drinkers. It was not until Inver House Distillers took control of the distillery in 1996 that we began to see the malt available internationally and a large investment by Thai Beverage in 2001 set a course for a new chapter in the excellent distillery’s history. Over the last two decades the distillery has become famous for it’s vintage bottlings and odd squat bottles. Our buyers, Andrew and David, visitedt the distillery in Spring of 2019 to select a cask and meet distillery manager John Macdonald. This barrel is Spanish Oak, unlike the vast majority of oloroso butts we see. IN addition, it held for many years oloroso wine vinified outside of the Sherry triangle about 140 miles North East in the region of Montilla Moriles. The combo of Spanish Oak and old Montilla is a rare and welcome surprise. The resulting malt is a big dark “oloroso” bomb with powerful spice and unctuous texture.

Continuing our series which introduces you to the people behind the Cotswolds Distillery, meet Alice, who leads our New Product Development. Have a read on our latest blog to learn more about Alice’s role at the distillery, why our Old Tom Gin is Alice’s favourite product and where she gets her inspiration from when devising new recipes.

READ MORE…

Thursday 6 August 5.30pm – Benromach with distillery manager Keith Cruickshank: join me and Benromach manager Keith for a dive into the distillery’s range of whisky, including our Whisky of the Year, Benromach 15 Year Old. The line-up: Benromach 10yo, Benromach 15yo, Benromach 2009 Cask Strength Batch 4, Benromach 2009 Peat Smoke, Benromach 2011 Organic, Benromach 2011 Sassicaia Finish.

Buy the tasting pack >

Thursday 20 August 5.30pm – Glenfiddich with malt master Brian Kinsman: Next up is me again, this time in conversation with the man behind Glenfiddich’s whisky, Brian Kinsman. One of the most respected whisky makers in the business, he’ll be leading us through the upper end of the distillery’s classic range: Glenfiddich 18yo, Glenfiddich 21yo Gran Reserva Rum Cask, Glenfiddich IPA, Glenfiddich Fire and Cane, Glenfiddich 23yo Grand Cru and the incredibly limited Glenfiddich Spirit of Speyside 2020, launched this year and sold exclusively through a charity auction.

Buy the tasting pack >