Countdown to Christmas

ADVENT CALENDARS

Get into the festive spirit by sipping on something special each day with our premium drinks-filled advent calendars. Discover a new sample behind each of the twenty-four doors, from both world-renowned brands and smaller, boutique producers, carefully selected to showcase the diversity of your favourite spirit. Our advent calendars include Whisky, Premium Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey.

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PREVIEW OUR
CREAM OF THE CROP CHARITY AUCTION
& CHRISTMAS AUCTION NOW

Watch this Glenfarclas 40 Year Old and more at Whisky.Auction

THE CREAM OF THE CROP CHARITY AUCTION

Rare bottles and bespoke hospitality experiences are being auctioned, with proceeds going to support The Drinks Trust charity to help those in need in the drinks industry.

Preview The Auction

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY INTRODUCES

BOWMORE® MASTERS’ SELECTION

AND UNITES THE WORLDS OF WHISKY MAKING AND AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN 

Islay, Scotland (November 8, 2021) – A shared commitment to heritage, craftsmanship and innovation unites the worlds of whisky making and automotive design with the creation of the new limited edition Bowmore® Masters’ Selection, the latest single malt whisky to be made by Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky in collaboration with Aston Martin. This whisky also marks the first time Bowmore has adopted the “Golden Ratio” principle to create a new whisky. It will be available in the US as of January 2022.

Imagined and defined by two Masters, Bowmore Master Whisky Blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, Bowmore Masters’ Selection bridges two distinct worlds in a powerful, yet inspiring way. At its heart is a mutual trust and respect for one other’s worlds and a passion to discover and learn from each other. Each Master imparts their own creativity and character, but also makes an indelible mark, like leaving their own unique fingerprint, on every single creation.

Marek Reichman, has often spoken about the concept of the ‘Golden Ratio’ – the mathematical ratio found in nature that creates aesthetically pleasing compositions – which sits at the heart of the design of every Aston Martin. Absolute beauty can be created when you achieve a perfect relationship between each proportion of the car.

Reichman explains: “Proportionality defines every precise detail of designing an Aston Martin. We are constantly striving to achieve the Golden Ratio, the optimal of proportions. And it is this force which guides the creation of absolute beauty. To achieve this, we must combine our skill, passion and experience. Coming together with Ron just brings a whole new perspective on this and is hugely inspiring and enlightening. This whisky perfectly and harmoniously brings us together to create a beautiful, yet powerful equilibrium.”

For Bowmore, proportions define character and shape flavor combinations; from cask selection and age to blending. Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, explains, “For the first time with this whisky, we have adopted the Golden Ratio to inspire each of the elements bringing their own unique flavors and selecting the optimal casks to forge the desired character, taking inspiration from Marek and his team.  What seems totally contrasting is, in fact, perfectly balanced and proportionate. Working with Marek has given me a new lens from which to explore whisky making.  This whisky serves as a celebration of our unified knowledge and experience; our shared passions, values and ideas.”

Taking inspiration from an engineered approach, this whisky incorporates the divine proportion of 61.8% formed from a base of 21 year old Bowmore matured in first fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. The remaining parts are made up of exact ratios of each other, in line with the Golden Ratio theory, and include exceptionally aged Bowmore matured for over 35 years.

For this single malt, a powerful and complex yet sweet warming dram, the creators seem to have created absolute contrast but in reality, they have captured perfect balance and proportion. With a clear nod to Aston Martin in the very creation of this Bowmore whisky, it exudes a sophistication and complexity which is truly considered yet promises a thrilling taste experience.

Powerful yet elegant; from sweet to spice; sherry to coffee; honey to pepper – the perfect proportions to achieve absolute depth and balance.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection is available in key global markets including the United States, UK, Germany, Canada and China. In the U.S., available as of January 2022 with a suggested retail price is $400.

Tasting notes: Bowmore Masters’ Selection, 51.8% ABV

COLOR:                Mahogany

NOSE:                  Sweet and nutty with notes of Manuka honey and maple syrup with praline and grilled hazelnuts; combine with rich aromas of freshly tanned leather, cigar tobacco, licorice roots, dried thyme and heather blossom.

TASTE:                 Richly elegant sherry merges with raw Islay peat, while bitter dark chocolate, black pepper, butterscotch sauce unites with vanilla and coffee beans and a fruity flair is defined by Morello cherries and a touch of papaya.

FINISH:                Sweet, spicy and mouth warming, with notes of oak spices, chestnut cream and coconut lingering.

About Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs. The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX.  Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 55 countries around the world. Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown.

About Bowmore®

For more than 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savoured in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River and uses Islay peat to fire the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore, the Art of Time since 1779. www.bowmore.com

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com

Glenfiddich releases an exclusive 26 Year Old whisky to mark COP26,

in partnership with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland 

The limited-edition single cask whisky was laid down 26 years ago in 1995, when the first COP climate summit took place in Berlin.

100 bottles will be available from 22^ndNovember for a charity auction with Royal Mile Whiskies, raising funds to tackle climate change.

This follows Glenfiddich’s sustainable transport initiative, launched earlier this year. 

Monday 8^th November, 2021: Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt whisky*, has created a limited-edition 26 Year Old whisky – in partnership with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland – to commemorate the climate change summit, COP26, in Glasgow this November.

The partnership enables Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and Glenfiddich to raise awareness of the active steps Scotland is taking to tackle climate change. These include the brand’s recently launched, pioneering ‘closed loop’ sustainable transport initiative, ‘Fuelled By Glenfiddich’. This involves converting production wastes and residues into Ultra-Clean Low Carbon fuel that is starting to be introduced to some of its transport fleet.

World leaders and COP26 conference attendees will have already had a chance to taste the one-off Glenfiddich 26 Year Old whisky at a series of COP26 events during the summit with Mark Thomson, the Glenfiddich Ambassador to Scotland, leading guests through exclusive tastings.

Whisky enthusiasts and sustainability supporters alike will have the chance to bid on a true collector’s item, one of 100 bottles, via a charity auction through Royal Mile Whiskies. The auction is raising money for Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and will be live from Monday 22^nd November, concluding on Monday 29^th November 2021.

Claudia Falcone, Glenfiddich’s global brand director, commented: “Glenfiddich is a brand that encourages us to individually and collectively push boundaries and always consider the next step. It has taken more than a decade for Glenfiddich to become the first global spirits brand to process its production wastes and residues into biogas fuel to power some of its trucks. We’re honoured to support the wider sustainability agenda. By releasing the 26 Year Old in partnership with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, we hope to bring attention and inspiration to continued climate change progress through our one-off auction of the limited-edition commemoration bottle.” 

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a diverse coalition of over 60 civil society organisations in Scotland campaigning together on climate change. Alistair Dutton, Board member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland added: “We’re pleased to be working with Glenfiddich and hope this incredible whisky will raise funds to tackle the climate emergency. The proceeds from the Royal Mile Whiskies auction will help Stop Climate Chaos Scotland members in their work to create a greener future for Scotland.”

Scotland has set an ambitious target to cut emissions by 75% by 2030, and to become Net Zero by 2045. With whisky forming such a large part of Scotland’s identity, the Scotch Whisky Association has outlined its ambitious and impressive vision for the future with a focus on four main areas for industry action:

• Tackling climate change by having net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040;
• Moving to a circular economy by making all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025;
• Hitting responsible water use targets by 2025; and
• Caring for the land through the active conservation and restoration of Scotland’s peatland by 2035.

The Glenfiddich 26 Year Old whisky will be available to bid on from Monday 22^nd to Monday 29^th November via Royal Mile Whiskies: https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/glenfiddich-auction/

Notes 

*The Glenfiddich range has received more awards since 2000 than any other single malt Scotch whisky in two of the world’s most prestigious competitions, the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.  

ABOUT STOP CLIMATE CHAOS SCOTLAND

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a diverse coalition of non-profit organisations from across Scottish civil society who provide a coordinated and authoritative voice on the issue of climate change, with the aim of seeing Scotland flourish as a just and sustainable nation, consistent with a climate-safe future at home and abroad, having encouraged others towards the same goal.

ABOUT GLENFIDDICH

Founded in Dufftown, Scotland by innovator William Grant, Glenfiddich first ran from the stills on Christmas Day, 1887. Adopting revolutionary methods and practices Grant’s maverick attitude to whisky production saw Glenfiddich excel for over a hundred and thirty years, becoming the first single malt whisky to be promoted outside of Scotland, and ultimately, the best-selling and most awarded single malt whisky in the world. While Glenfiddich is now sold in over 180 countries across the world, the brand is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family-owned and is still produced in the same distillery which William Grant and his children hand-built.

William Grant, founder of Glenfiddich, was one of the pillars of the Dufftown community in 1887. He is most famous for owning his own distillery, but he also had a wide range of interests beyond whisky. He was a Major in the local Volunteer Militia (forerunner of the Territorial Army), which was a popular activity throughout Banffshire in the Victorian era. He was also Precentor (the person who led the singing in church) at their local Dufftown church. As time went on, he was one of the biggest employers in the area.

ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder and, most recently, Drambuie and Hudson.

MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS RELAUNCH BRUADAR, THEIR SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY LIQUEUR 

BRUADAR HAS A NEW AND IMPROVED RECIPE AND BOTTLE 

November 2021, Aberargie, Scotland– Award winning Single Malt Scottish Whisky Liqueur Bruadar has undergone a relaunch which includes a new recipe and look. After months of experimentation the brand’s Single Malt contribution has been increased slightly, resulting in a higher strength. This also provides more pronounced vanilla and fruity notes from the Whisky, which creates a beautiful balance of flavours that compliment the natural Scottish honey running through the liqueur.

Douglas Crawford, Managing Director, Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, said:

‘We are excited to relaunch Bruadar, our Single Malt Scotch Whisky Liqueur, a product which has always received rave reviews on account of the carefully crafted balance of whisky, Scottish honey and sloe berries. Having recently rebranded our whisky portfolio with Glasgow-based design agency Thirst, it’s the perfect time to focus on Bruadar. We are delighted with the striking new design, which reflects the high-quality of the liquid within.’

Carefully crafted for your enjoyment, Bruadar’s closely guarded secret recipe has been over 20 years in the making. Morrison Distillers’ master blender has skillfully blended Single Malt Scotch Whisky with Scottish honey & sloe berries to create something truly unique. Described as “one drop makes all the difference” and “crafted for dinner and drinks”, the versatility of Bruadar makes it the perfect cocktail ingredient, bringing depth and complexity with its velvety-rich layers of flavour, and yet also works beautifully within cooking.

Niel Hendriksz, Sales Director, Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, added: 

‘Whisky liqueurs have been a somewhat side-lined category over recent years, but one that offers real versatility, delicious whether enjoyed straight, over ice, in a cocktail or as a cooking ingredient. We’re looking forward to introducing a new generation to Bruadar, a drink which fully justifies its place in the cupboard at home and behind the bar.’

Bruadar Tasting Note:

‘Rich honey and fragrant floral notes on the nose, developing into fresh blossom on the palate and a silky smooth finish.’

Alc content: 24% ABV – this is a slightly higher strength than the previous 22%  

ABOUT BRUADAR  

To find out more about Bruadar visit www.bruadarliqueur.com 

RRP £25.95 to find stockists visitwww.bruadarliqueur.com/buy

Bruadar is Scottish Gaelic for “Dream”

ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS   

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is solely owned and operated by one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent whisky families, Jamie and Brian Morrison. There has been over five generations of the Morrison family involved in the whisky business including grocers, brokers, blenders, bottlers and distillers, making them one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families.

Their heritage gives them access to a wide variety of unique and exceptional casks from pedigree distilleries across Scotland. Their family’s values are run through everything they do and they proudly showcase these underneath each of their bottles reiterating their commitment to Patience, Intuition and Integrity.

In every whisky they release, they are committed to continue to impart the knowledge that has been passed down from generations of family whisky makers.

To find out more about Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers visit www.morrisondistillers.com

SOCIETY BALLOT ANNOUNCEMENT
LIVE FROM MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER AT NOON (GMT)

This Springbank 28 Year Old is a vatting of four casks sampled at the latest online society tasting.

A sherry hogshead, sherry butt, bourbon barrel and rum barrel have been vatted together to create this very special society exclusive.

2966 bottles available (20cl)
48.2% ABV
£110 (includes VAT) 

Contact the Springbank Society at society@springbank.scot to inquire about membership & future offers!

TASTING NOTES

Nose The nose has sweet characteristics of ripe tropical fruits, black forest gateau, and honey, nicely balanced with maple smoked bacon and applewood smoked cheese. An earthiness develops along with notes of old library books and kiln soot.

Palate The mouthfeel is velvety and smooth. There are hints of dark chocolate, rich dark fruits, marzipan and wholesome fruitcake. Subtle undertones of fennel and aniseed develop as well as delicious nutty flavours.

Finish Towards the end it evolves to become more salty and sweet. Caramel with a dusting of sea salt. Its complexity and maturity shine through as well as the typical Springbank coastal influence which you might expect from a 28 Year Old whisky, matured by the sea.

Glencadam 17 Year Old ‘Reserva De Porto’ Port Cask

Glencadam’s Limited Edition 2004 Port Cask Finished in the finest Port pipe casks sourced from Porto in Portugal.

NOSE: Rich and festive with aromas of cooked fruits and sweet spices mingled with strawberry tarts, boiled sweets and gingerbread.
PALATE: Layers of bramble and poached pears followed by black cherry, oat biscuits and chocolate ganache cushioned with oak spices.
FINISH: Rounded and long with notes of dark chocolate soufflé, berry coulis and coffee grounds leaving a sweet cinnamon linger

Pre-Order Now

Laphroaig 10 Year Old “Sherry Oak” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

K&L Notes: Laphroaig 10 is definitely in the running for Scotland’s most iconic bottling. After years of pining for a sherried version, it’s finally here. The 10 Year Old Sherry Oak is finished in Oloroso casks, providing a honeyed sweetness that perfectly complements the salty smoke of Scotland’s most richly flavored malt. While it’s our hope that this will eventually be a staple on the shelves, the initial release is extremely limited and will certainly sell out in minutes.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2021

The iconic Islay producer has long been a darling of the Scotch-loving world. There are fewer and fewer people out there who turn their nose up at the wildly peaty style that comes off the special stills at Laphroaig. Not only are they one of the few distillers to use their own malt, which is part of what many attribute to the unique flavors of their spirit, but they use a complex regime of seven stills to create a completely unique malt. While sherried Laphroaig is renowned historically, they rarely fill it into sherry butts. It’s a real treat if they can pull it off properly. Let’s have a taste. The color is amber/deep gold. OH THANK GOD! They haven’t totally neutered the fires of Islay with these sherry butts. It’s right smokey with plenty of oily smoke and sweet peat wafting from the glass. The sherry has drawn it slightly towards the BBQ flavors and away from the high-pitched medicinal flavors, which only the very pickiest Laphroaig lover will lament. Lots of roasted flavors—roasted wood, roasted earth, roasted meat, toasted pepper, roasted brush, ashy smoke. On the palate, it’s unctuous and mouth-coating, thanks most definitely to the higher-than-normal proof, bold and not at all unabashed with the sweetness of the sherry, it’s nutty frame just slightly taming the gamey peat character. We always worry that with these NAS bottlings they’ll try to sneak in some “under-mature” casks, but this feels extremely well composed and, dare I say, “older”? This is an absolutely perfectly executed expression, that offers so much enjoyment and complexity while slightly opening the door to those who might be otherwise afraid to dive into the South Shore smokies.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

SPEAKEASY SPECIALS

Password please? Enter the Society speakeasy and let us delight you with our latest selection of 14 spectacular bottlings. Revel in seasonal favours with a Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits, satisfy your sweet tooth with something Sweet, Fruity & Mellow, or truly indulge yourself with an Old & Dignified bottling from our Vaults Collection, featuring a distillery very rarely seen at the Society. Whatever you choose, be sure to grab it soon before the secret gets out!

VIEW NEW BOTTLINGS

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