Kaiyo “K&L Exclusive” Cask #541 Cask Strength Japanese Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

Like so many Japanese whiskies that have come to the market in recent years, Kaiyo remains an enigma. It tastes delicious, there is a tantalizing background story to the brand, but the level of detail a whisky geek desires always seems in short supply. No matter, ultimately when the price is right and the whisky tastes great, we are here to pull the trigger. Japanese in origin, presumably teaspooned malt, this was placed into Mizunara oak for nearly 7.5 years and then made Kaiyo’s hallmark ocean voyage. The gentle rocking, salt air, temperature and humidity changes are all a part of the whisky’s story. Cask #541 sees a yearlong finishing in a refill hogshead barrel. This adds a bit of complexity to the profile yet preserves the Mizunara oak as the defining characteristic. It’s a masterclass in Mizunara. Over time in glass you can pick out a wide array of sweet tropical notes ranging from juicy fruits to toasty coconut and a cabinet full of exotic spices. At 56% ABV and unchillfiltered, there is power, weight, and texture to bolster what is otherwise an elegant and complex dram.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 24, 2020

The first selection ever of a Kaiyo single cask. After 7.4 years in Mizunara oak, this beauty was transferred to a 2nd fill hogshead for a little mellowing. It’s chockablock full of vanilla, coconut, honey and sandalwood. The stylistic preference in Japan for whiskies that are balanced and nuanced is clearly present, but this is not a shy malt. The barley shines from the get go, but add a little water and it explodes. At 56% ABV it’s a robust and full throttle whiskey that screams of its time in Mizunara with a bold and spicy wood profile.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 24, 2020

The enigmatic and opaque Kaiyo whisky has become a staple on our shelves. It does a lot of things right in the very complicated Japanese Whisky genre while maybe skirting some of the most obvious pitfalls. And I still have no information about what is actually in these bottles, but we can assume that this has been aged in Japanese Mizunara and are likely sourced from malt distilled in Northern Japan (Hokkaido & Sendai). And while these distilleries are some of the world’s finest, it is clearly the barrel that is the star of the show here. This cask is the most quintessential expression of the flavors I’d expect from Mizunara. The nose is tight at first and needs a drop or two of water to open up. Now we get tons of sandalwood, ceremonial incense, plum wine, coconut husk. On the palate, tons of red cherry and big spice – cinnamon, clove, nutmeg etc. It’s long bold and peppery. This one is really pretty intense, designed for those who like more bold flavors. Adding water doesn’t necessarily diminish that but adds some depth and sweetness.

The spiritual home at The Vaults has a special place in the heart of all Society members. With a history as a home for fine wine and spirits since the 1700s, its little wonder that some of our rarest and oldest Society whiskies are named after the iconic building.

The latest unique bottlings from the deepest corners of our warehouse started their journey at two distinguished distilleries, both of which are firm favourites with Society members, before being aged to perfection by our spirits team. So, we encourage you to ‘seize the day’ and indulge yourself in a moment of nostalgia with these spectacular drams as you secure yourself a piece of history.

CASK No. 76.146 DANCING SEVILLANAS IN THE MOONLIGHT

The first sniff evokes sherry wine, leather boots and the inside of a jazz guitar – also apricot flan, chocolate orange, iced gingerbread, prune juice and toffee apples. The mouth-filling palate suggests sherry trifle, pastel de nata, orange peel, spiced raisins, sticky dates and café crème cigars. Water shifts the nose to polished mahogany, dry savannah, blackcurrant jam, liquorice root, cinnamon swirls and honey on burnt toast. The palate is easier but still rich and satisfying, with rum baba and thick-cut marmalade – feels like dancing Sevillanas in the moonlight. After 30 years in bourbon wood we transferred this into a first-fill oloroso hogshead.

CASK No. 53.322 CARPE DIEM

Wow! Words cannot do it justice but imagine a winter’s afternoon walk along the beach and, when the sun dipped below the horizon, you started to feel the cold and walked towards the cottage where a crackling log fire and this dram awaited you. Sit back, relax and reflect. After a drop of water, you immersed yourself in a free-standing Victorian bathtub filled with lavender-infused hot water. In this almost elated state of mind you could even hear the heavenly choir of ‘greedy angels’ in what must have been one of those blissful moments of your life – ‘Carpe Diem’!

Finding some ‘me’ time has never been more important, so next time you relax with a whisky, don’t forget that there’s an abundance of content over on the Society website to keep you entertained. You’ll find live streams and bottle reviews, podcasts and playlists, and our new, monthly interactive digital Unfiltered magazine. So, pour a dram from your favourite bottle, put your feet up and escape for while on your fascinating whisky journey.

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

TOMATIN

1977 VINTAGE – 42 YEAR OLD WAREHOUSE 6 COLLECTION 4TH EDITION

Single Cask | Single Malt | 49% ABV | 70cl

In the heart of the distillery grounds there is a quiet corner. In these sacred surrounds sits a traditional dunnage warehouse. Within, Tomatin’s most treasured casks. These exclusive casks enjoy a magnificent atmosphere, laid low on antique wooden rails above cool earthen floor and stacked single level – unencumbered – so Tomatin’s warehousemen may keep vigil on the gently maturing spirit.  At Tomatin’s very core, Warehouse 6 is a truly special place.

With patience, comes reward. After forty-two years, Master Distiller Graham Eunson has declared that the spirit in cask 38863 is in its prime, and ready to be savoured.

This Luxury Whisky is the first in the Distillery’s history to be matured in a sauternes wine cask, resulting in an exceptional explosion of tropical flavours.

Limited Release: Only 390 Bottles

£2,999.95

ADD TO BASKET

GLENGLASSAUGH RELEASE COASTAL CASK COLLECTION TO CELEBRATE DISTILLERY REAWAKENING

Glenglassaugh Distillery, standing at the edge of Sandend Bay on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, lay silent for over two decades before reawakening in 2008. Since then, the small, coastal distillery has gone on to release a range of award winning boutique younger whiskies and now celebrates the release of a collection of cask bottlings all aged between 10 and 11 years.

The collection, hand selected by Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie, captures the lush, coastal character of this traditionally-crafted Highland single malt, defined by its location and elemental influences. As time passes and character evolves, the full collection has taken all of its deepening colour from coastal maturation in oak. The coastal warehouses benefit from the invigorating North Sea air which influences the cask maturation, creating Glenglassaugh’s signature colour and palate.

Each cask bottling in the collection was distilled shortly after the distilleries re-awakening and by its very nature, is an exclusive one-off: bottled from a single cask, individually hand-numbered and with only a limited number of bottles available.

Glenglassaugh Master Blender Rachel Barrie said: 

“No matter what is happening in the world around us, each day the surf rolls in on Sandend Bay and the invigorating North Sea air passes through our coastal distillery and warehouses. That’s the beauty of Glenglassaugh’s coastal casks, each truly a distillation of nature’s elements, come wind, rain or shine. 

Over a decade since the spirit reawakened in 2008, Coastal Casks is the first global release of a selection of Glenglassaugh cask bottlings at 10 and 11 years old. Like the surf in Sandend Bay, each cask brings rolling waves of flavour that intensify and evolve in each and every sip.  

Nurtured by the coast, each Glenglassaugh Coastal Cask shares a unique and luscious sweetness. With tasting notes ranging from raspberry fruit jam to salted caramel; tropical fruit syrup to chocolate profiterole and clotted cream,  this collection is a celebration of Glenglassaugh’s coastal malt journey, which I hope you will savour to the full.” 

The Glenglassaugh Coastal Casks collection are of natural cask colour, bottled at 51.1% – 57.9% ABV, non chill filtered, prices range from £89 for a 10 year old cask to £99 for an 11 year old bottling. Each coastal cask will be made available in a different location worldwide. Global pricing and date availability may vary.

Notes:

Glenglassaugh Tasting Notes:

Cask R11-008-1 (Australia/New Zealand/Canada/India/Middle East/Africa)

Aged: 11 Years Old

Cask Type: Madeira Puncheon

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Sunset gold

Nose: Dried apricot and mandarin with oregon pine, salted caramel and toasted almond

Palate: Burst of tropical fruit syrup with papaya, lychee and the lingering balance of pine nut oil

ABV: 54.7%

Cask 957 (Poland & Eastern Europe)

Aged: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Sherry Puncheon

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Mellow gold

Nose: Buttered raisin brioche with baked pineapple and lingering raisin fudge

Palate: Toasted nutmeg, rich cocoa, salted butter and Seville orange marmalade

ABV: 57.9%

Cask 888 (South East Asia)

Aged: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Spanish Wine Hogshead

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Varnished cherrywood

Nose: Chocolate toffee, hazelnut, sultana with raisin and berry fruit

Palate: An explosion of ripe and stewed fruit, blackberry, sultana, chocolate cream and lasting salinity

ABV: 56.7%

Cask 7497 (China/Japan/Korea/Hong Kong)

Aged: 11 Years Old

Cask Type: Pedro Ximénez Butt

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Stained teak

Nose: Waxed cherry and fruitcake laced with brandy and salted olive oil, filled with raisin and sultana

Palate: Date and prune oil with notes of dark vanilla, salted black olive and a lingering sherry sweetness

ABV: 55.8%

Cask 559 (UK)

Aged: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Bourbon Barrel

Spirit Type: Peated

Colour: Harvest gold

Nose: Fruit syrup and salted sea samphire with smoked barley and rhubarb

Palate: Rhubarb custard and salted mango puree with lingering pineapple, toasted sesame and coconut

ABV: 55.9%

Cask 1830 (Belgium/Netherlands/Germany/Nordics)

Aged: 11 Years Old

Cask Type: Port Pipe

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Ruby

Nose: Blackcurrant jam and clotted cream with raspberry, treacle and buttered pastry

Palate: Full bodied richness of blackberry pie with macadamia nut and lashings of custard cream

ABV: 55.4%

Cask 1346 (Distillery exclusive)

Aged: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Bourbon Barrel

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Bourbon vanilla, apple and crisp pear with buttercream and tropical fruit syrup

Palate: Pineapple, grapefruit and chocolate profiterole pastry with almond butter and lingering trace of fresh sea salt

ABV: 54.7%

Cask 1138 (Taiwan)

Aged: 11 Years Old

Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry Butt

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Darkest mahogany

Nose: Sun-dried raisin bread with black treacle syrup, liquorice, sultanas and brown sugar

Palate: Full-bodied with treacle, luscious sherry oils and lingering dark honey and walnut

ABV: 55.7%

Cask 2428 (France, Italy, Iberia, Mediterranean)

Aged: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Pedro Ximénez Butt

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Walnut brown

Nose: Dried fruit and candied pineapple with dark molasses, treacle toffee and espresso

Palate: Baked pineapple and dark chocolate with a drizzle of olive oil and salted date caramel

ABV: 57.8%

Cask R12-213-1 (USA)

Aged: 11 Years Old

Cask Type: Oloroso Hogshead

Spirit Type: Classic Unpeated

Colour: Honeyed gold

Nose: Chocolate ganache, caramel roasted coffee and seaside toffee and pistachio nut brittle

Palate: Orange and sherried fruit explosion with sun dried raisin and buttered croissant with lashings of chocolate spread

ABV: 51.1%

About Glenglassaugh Distillery:

On the crescent beach of Sandend Bay stands Glenglassaugh Distillery, producing a luscious coastal malt, shaped by the rich abundance of land and sea, with rolling waves of flavour. A complete distillation of its natural surroundings. A whisky whose essence is distilled from the visible and invisible influences of land, sea, air and spring water. Its heritage stretches back to 1875 when the distillery was founded by Colonel James Moir. It was on the banks of Glassaugh stream that the distillery was built, and its name ‘Glenglassaugh’ – meaning ‘valley of the grey-green place’ – has been taken from its beautiful surroundings. Despite being mothballed for over twenty years, the distillery has a history of elegant maturation, with award-winning old vintages dating back to the 1960s, and an award winning range of boutique younger whiskies, released in the years following the distillery’s reopening in 2008. As this jewel of a coastal malt is discovered and enjoyed, it promises to become a cult, contemporary classic.

GLENGLASSAUGH DISTILLERY:

www.glenglassaugh.com

Twitter: @Glenglassaugh

Instagram: glenglassaugh

Facebook: /GlenglassaughDistillery

Whisky industry defies economic turmoil with exponential growth-boosting favourability with investors  

Pandemic pushes investors towards cask Irish whiskey and Scotch   

• The Irish and Scottish whisk(e)y industry is predicted to grow at a high CAGR in the next five years in spite of the coronavirus economy, driving higher investor interest
• Irish whiskey exports have grown by 300% in the past decade, with the US market worth $1bn alone 
• A third of investors are looking to cask whiskey investment amongst other ‘alternative investments’ to protect their wealth during the pandemic
• 55% of investors would turn to cask whiskey to hedge against economic uncertainty and spread risk once informed with potential returns being the biggest driver  

Eighty-nine percent of investors are changing their approach to their portfolios by turning to alternative investments to spread risk, at a time when the UK economy plummet by a fifth. According to the 2020 Cask Whiskey Buyer Report, with premium cask’s whiskey becoming increasingly appealing.

New research by cask whiskey investment leader,Whiskey & Wealth Club also reveals that investors largely favoured longer established options such as art (31%), antiques (28%) and wine (24%) with interest in cask whiskey investment rising to 55% in the current environment.

Over two-thirds of investors cite the potential returns on cask whiskey investment as the main reason to invest. While 57% are willing to invest in the spirit to diversify their portfolios as the pandemic affects financial markets.

Commenting on the report findings, Whiskey & Wealth Club founder, Jay Bradley, said:

“The more ‘traditional’ alternatives, such as art and, antiques and watches are the most sought-after. Yet cask whisky, is becoming popular as an ever-appealing prospect for investors looking to negotiate this period of financial uncertainty and meet their changing needs.”

The appeal is especially with younger investors. Over half of those aged between 25-34 are more likely to invest in the spirit over their older counterparts, reflecting recent trends with whiskey’s growing popularity with younger drinkers.

Whiskey’s growing investment appeal 

Globally whiskey’s popularity has soared in recent years and is set to continue increasing the demand for aged spirit. Currently, the Scotch whisky secondary wholesale market is estimated at $40m according to the IWSR, the global benchmark for wine and spirit data. Last year alone, exports grew to a record £4.9bn.

Irish whiskey is also amid a resurgence following its fall from grace as the in the early twentieth century. Exports have grown by 300% in the past decade, with the US market worth $1bn alone. 

Cask whiskey investment is a developing market that has largely been unexplored, having previously been available to a select few. The market is now more accessible, with investors able to purchase casks of premium spirit from leading distillers via brokers. The investors receive full ownership of the casks they purchase, while distilleries receive an injection of capital.

Bradley concludes: “As the cask whiskey buying market matures, the key differentiator is the cachet of premium spirit. Investing in a whiskey from a premium distillery or brand — with a limited run— offers the potential for significant return on investment. When it comes to whiskey, quality and rarity will always count.”

Research methodology

Whiskey & Wealth Club commissioned research in summer 2020 from Censuswide of 505 individuals with capital of £100,000 or more available for investment –full methodology.

About Whiskey & Wealth Club

Whiskey & Wealth Club is a wholesale whiskey company that connects individual investors with authentic and premium Irish and Scottish distilleries. The distilleries make casks of new make spirit available to Whiskey & Wealth Club at a wholesale rate that are then released to private individuals at significantly discounted rates.

Whiskey & Wealth Club manages storage and insurance as standard, allowing the whiskey to mature in maintained, government bonded warehouses. Investors can then decide when is best for them to sell their mature whiskey or bottle to enjoy themselves.

 

The autumn leaves drift by my window  

Authentic collection

Here we are finally at the doorstep of autumn, beholding its glorious colours and stories to tell of a summer that seemed to pass quicker than we always think. Autumn is an interesting in-between season of many happenstances, and I do have to say that our autumn release will echo these warming thoughts very well. As usual, we hope that all of you have been able to relax, sit down, and pour a dram of your choice over these recent times. Of course, it is crucial to keep you fine people supplied and to reflect the current season of a variety of flavours and colours, so let’s take a good look at the outside and see whether you can find your new favorite.

In this new upcoming Authentic collection- release we have a good variety of ages and different maturations, which will surely intrigue your eyes and taste buds! For instance, if you are looking for something older, but are in between peated and non-peated; we are going to have a 25-years-old Longrow and a 31- years-old Fettercairn. Both of these drams are obviously different in their profiles, yet will satisfy a friend of well-rounded mature flavours; Fettercairn will provide chewy fruitiness, whereas Longrow’s soft campfire blessed toffee apples will dance on your tongue.

As the weather gets colder and rain drops down your window, there is nothing better than have something to warm you up and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the moment. I think for occasions like these, sherry, port, and wine cask matures whiskies are the best. The darker, dry tones of these drams elevate you well above the seasonal darkness and wetness; a truly cheery bomb of aromas and tastes. Now you might be asking, what on earth do we have to offer this time?

First, of all, we have a wonderful Craigellachie, which has been finished in a fresh PX Sherry hogshead. Needless to say that this one here is thick as coffee chocolate, bold like a marzipan decoration on your aunties’ birthday-cake and delicately cherried.

Well, how about something that is sherry cask matured, but tells a different story? Well, I got you covered there as well, as you don’t have to look at any further than the 10-years-old Glentauchers that has been finished in Manzanilla sherry cask! This beauty here gives an incredible balance of sweetness and a hint of saltiness, reminding me of fruity cakes, salted caramel, and a hint of elegant spices.

There has to be a third one of course! And of course, it is a grain whisky, but please don’t stop reading there! This one here has been matured in a Madeira cask since 2017, and gives a blast of flavours! We are talking about the new Girvan 14-years-old grain whisky, which offers a great taste of somewhat plum-jammy loveliness, covered in rich vanilla and toffee; a nice little break from its malty siblings!

I wonder what autumn is like in Canada? I might never find out truly, but at least I can try and offer you some Canadian whisky! This 34-years-old gentleman has been matured in a bourbon barrel, giving it an intense set of flavours and character. It tells me a story of woody spiciness, hints of raisins, cola, and a groovy touch of creamy fruits! I think this autumn is the time to get a new friend and you will definitely find a friend in this bottle, what a great bottling!

However, if you want to keep things somewhat traditional and head your feet and backpack towards the west; towards the tides of Islay, we got you covered there as well! As the winds and rain ease down, on the horizon you shall see an 11-years-old Bunnahabhain, which will as expected is a surge of oily saltiness, dark chocolate mixed with layers of honey glazed nuts! This captain will make you get through the dampest of seasons for sure!

Then again, if you like spending time inside warehouses full of whisky, the profile of the 12-years-old Deanston is a must-have. It indeed provides that set of the aroma of dunnage warehouse and earthiness. The flavours are actually rather surprising turning into something sweeter, well described as fresh fruits, yet finishing in something dry like blackcurrants. All in all, a great dram to take your imagination to several places at once!

A Little Announcement

The release becomes available this Friday 23/10/2020

If you wish to reserve anything, please send us an email to the following address: wishlist@whiskytastingroom.com Please be aware that some bottles may be balloted. The release date on all the new Cadenhead’s bottlings is Friday 23rd October 2020. We are unable to allow pick up in store or ship until Friday 23rd October.

Fettercairn 31 years old – 54.7% – 70CL

Nose: Key lime pie, grapefruits, biscuit cereal notes.

Palate: Chewy. Pumpkin seeds, hoppy notes.

Finish: A pleasant sourness. Earthiness and honey comb.

Longrow 25 years old – 52.1% – 70CL

Nose: Red apples, coal dust, dunnage earth floors.

Palate: Campfire smoke, rock salt, plums and berries.

Finish: Soft toffee, marzipan, bramble jam and burnt toast.

Craigellachie-Glenlivet 12 years old – 53% – 70CL

Matured in PX Sherry cask since 2019

Nose: Brown sugar, cinnamon, gingernut biscuit, marzipan.

Palate: Very chewy and oily. Raisin and rum ice cream, coffee cake.

Finish: Flinty. Peppercorns, gingerbread, hard boiled cherry sweets.

Canadian 34 years old – 60.5% – 70CL

Nose: Pear drops, wet wood, yeasty, tree sap.

Palate: Rum spice, sweet, root ginger and cola.

Finish: Buttercream, pancake batter and molasses.

Bunnahabhain 11 years old – 57.3% – 70CL

Nose: Salty. Freshly cut hay, pebbles, barley water.

Palate: Oily with slight peppery notes, chocolate and golden syrup.

Finish: Soft marshmallow, cashews nuts, liquorice sweets.

Deanston 12 years old – 53.9% – 70CL

Nose: Dunnage warehouse, mild paprika, cloves and fresh cut grass.

Palate: Fruit crumble, icing sugar, Scottish tablet.

Finish: Blueberries, currants and chocolate profiteroles.

Glentauchers-Glenlivet 10 years old – 53.2% – 70CL

Matured in Manzanilla sherry barrel since 2019

Nose: Very sweet. Candy apples, fruit crumble and Madeira cake.

Palate: Vanilla, salted caramel, and a hint of black pepper.

Finish: Cinnamon, sour grapes then fading out with a lovely drying finish.

​

Girvan 14 years old – 54.6% – 70CL

Matured in Madeira hogshead since 2017

Nose: Fruit loaf, orange peel and gooseberry jam.

Palate: Stewed fruits, chewy toffee, pomegranate, red currants.

Finish:  Unusually long, Madagascan vanilla ice cream, grapes and burnt sugar.

Cadenhead’s London

Cadenheads Whisky Shop & Tasting Room
26 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7QF

Live GlenAllachie Tasting With Billy Walker!

Thursday 12th November 7pm (UK GMT) | Live on Facebook | Billy Walker

Tasting Kits Available Now!

We are delighted to have available a limited number of tasting kits for this exciting online event where Master Distiller, Billy Walker, takes you through a flight of brand new GlenAllachie whiskies.

Including the wonderful 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch #4 at 56.1% and 3 releases from the brand new Limited Virgin Oak Finish series:- French, Spanish & Chinquapin.

The tasting kits contain 25ml samples of each whisky, offering a great opportunity to try each of them while Billy talks you through them.  A fun evening no doubt!

Shop – GlenAllachie Tasting Kit – £15 / $16.13* / €16.54*

Saturday October 24th, 5:30 PM:

Glenlivet Spectra with Dominic Venegas

Go on a journey of discovery with Glenlivet’s mysterious Spectra release, a series of three whiskies released without tasting notes, age or cask information! Whisky expert Dominic Venegas will guide guests through tasting and identifying each of our mystery whiskies. A challenge for Scotch lovers – what will you taste?

 Click Here to RSVP

In connection with this tasting, 

Glenlivet is 10% off with the coupon code ‘VIRTUAL’

The latest whiskies from Islay

From the rugged climate of the Isle of Islay, Scotlands most famous Whisky Island, come two new limited editions.  Kilchoman Distillery is one of the few Farm to Bottle operations in Scotch Malt production and their latest releases showcase two wonderful contrasts in flavour and style.

From the fruit laden Fino Sherry to the more traditional but robust Machir Bay cask strength, there are flavours aplenty for fans of Islay’s peated character.

Kilchoman Fino Sherry Matured Limited Edition

£75.00

Shop now

Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Edition

£57.99

Shop now

Inverurie Whisky Shop

1 Burnside, Inverurie, AB51 3RY, United Kingdom

mike@inveruriewhiskyshop.com

http://www.inveruriewhiskyshop.com

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week I’m taking a look at the recently re-packaged Benromach core range.

https://youtu.be/J3HLQvFI9Ok