An Unbeatable Holiday 4-Pack from a Best-Selling Brand
Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) ($159.99)
Including reference-point favorites and coveted, allocated releases…

The iconic Heaven Hill distillery is the source for most of our best-selling whiskey bundles, and the Elijah Craig bottlings are the cornerstone of that success. Just in time for the holidays, we’ve assembled a must-have four-pack that will thrill longtime fans of this beloved brand, as well as anyone who just loves unbeatable value-for-price whiskey. Not only will avid bourbon aficionados be able to re-stock on the always excellent Small Batch and Rye at a below-market discount, but they will also get their hands on two highly coveted offerings that have always been under tight allocation—the Barrel Strength Batch B522, which just garnered 92 points and an Editor’s Choice designation from Whisky Advocate for its “perfectly tempered sweetness and depth,” and the 93-point Toasted Barrel, a ramped up rendition of the benchmark Small Batch that we seldom see on the open market. The best part, of course, is that our bundle price brings these four outstanding whiskeys to you for much less than what you’d pay at the individual retail prices, making it a can’t-miss proposition for bourbon lovers everywhere, or for anyone with a bourbon lover on their gift list. But fast action is required, as availability is limited.

Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) ($159.99)

Heaven Hill makes some of the most sought-after whiskey in Kentucky. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Barrel Strength releases are highly allocated and nearly impossible to find at MSRP. Here you’re getting a bottle of Barrel Strength B522 and Toasted Barrel plus the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye. If you add up all of the MSRPs this bundle not only gives you access to the hard to find items, but saves you $20 over buying all four bottles separately. Hard to argue with that. Re-stock your bar with two of the best staples coming out of the Bluegrass State and sock the fancy stuff away for a rainy day. If you’ve got a bourbon lover on your holiday shopping list this year, they’re sure to be thrilled with this box.

Elijah Craig “Small Batch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $24.99)

91 points Whisky Advocate: “Subtly complex and nicely rounded. A bed of sweetness (caramel, vanilla) peppered with honey-kissed fruit, golden raisin, and a hint of marzipan. Pleasing oak grip and dried spice on the finish. A great value for such a high-quality bourbon. (JH, Spring 2017)”

K&L Notes: Coming from the great master distiller Parker Beam, the Elijah Craig bourbon has to be one of the best value bourbons on the market! Great balance of sweetness and spice. Also, at 94 proof, it has just the right amount of kick.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 24, 2017

Elijah Craig Small Batch remains one of the best values in the shop. Composed of 8- to 12-year-old bourbons distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Despite removing the age statement, Heaven Hill’s flagship brand remains one of the best values in the store. This style is dark, nutty, and honeyed with minty spice to round out the ultra-rich texture. The higher proof does great things for this one and not a whole lot of stuff can touch this in the price point.

Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $29.99)

94 points Whisky Advocate: “Elijah Craig always impresses with value, but until now has been confined to bourbon. This foray into rye whiskey sticks close to Elijah Craigs bourbon roots by using only the minimum-required 51% rye in its formulation; however, it does achieve a nice departure in flavor. Aromas include butterscotch, caramel-nut clusters, and peppery spice. The spice ramps up on the palate, carried forward by the full body, hearty proof, and mouth-coating texture, as cherry cola, baking chocolate, and darker fruits emerge. Priced a notch below comparable peers, this rye delivers powerful flavors that feel excitingly untamed, and will impress bourbon and rye lovers alike. *#7, Top 20 Whiskies of 2020* (JL, Winter 2020)”

94 points Wine Enthusiast: “The complex aromas suggest red fruit, vanilla and allspice. The first sips open with oak, leading to hints of dried cherry and cranberry midpalate. That fruit note extends into the elongated, mouthwatering finish, backed by cinnamon and cayenne heat. *Best Buy* (KN)” (03/2022)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 06, 2021

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elijah Craig Rye since it was first released to limited markets in the U.S. in early 2020. Over a year and many prominent awards and critical reviews later, it feels like I’ve waited a lifetime. Fortunately, now that it is actually in my glass, it has actually lived up to my expectations and the hype. It has fully delivered on the value proposition that is the Elijah Craig brand, a move that makes Heaven Hill one of the greatest in the business. The whiskey is bursting with flavor; rye obviously takes center stage, but it is so well supported by the high corn and malted barley content that it never overshadows its co-conspirators. Sweet spice (in other words, not peppery spice) envelops the palate. Generous toasted oak leans towards coconut. The caramels and vanillas are also there; I want to say prominent, but it isn’t the right word, because while it’s robust, there are no hard edges. It’s a rounded rye in style and texture. At 94 proof (the same as EC’s Small Batch Bourbon), it has the easy drinkability I associate with the brand without missing the punch so many modern whiskey fans love and expect. A modern classic, no doubt, and one that has managed to stay true to everything I expect from Elijah Craig. No easy feat considering the very high bar I hold for the mark.

Elijah Craig “Toasted Barrel” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $54.99)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: “This needs a few minutes to open up to reveal a rich caramel aroma. The palate is markedly sweet and spicy, showing vanilla, caramel and a mix of cinnamon and cayenne. Adding water tones down the heat and brings a flavor or cinnamon red-hot candies wrapped in caramel squares. A vanilla accent smooths over the long exit. It’s a small-batch Bourbon finished in toasted new oak. (KN)” (07/2021)

Whisky Advocate: “Initially reticent on the nose, with time this reveals gooey caramel, pralines, Hershey’s milk chocolate, and a touch of charred mint leaves. It’s chewy and occasionally sharp on the palate, with oodles of roasted nuts, polished oak, mint, peppery spice, dark chocolate, licorice, tobacco ash, and char. The medium-length finish holds tingling white pepper, unsweetened chocolate, and more polished oak. (SSB, Fall-2020)”

K&L Notes: This is a different take on Elijah Craig’s classic and beloved Small Batch Bourbon. A judicious application of a new toasted barrel takes the well-known profile of one of our best-selling bourbons and kicks it up several notches. This whiskey is a new offering from the brand and was recently launched on an allocated basis, making it highly desirable yet difficult to find.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B522” Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) (Regularly $69.99)

92 points Whisky Advocate: “The maturity is instantly apparent, with a nose of chocolate cloaked in old oak and antique leather, but also offers red berries and aged herbs at the edges. Plenty of depth on a buttery palate of chocolate, almond, gooey caramel, vanilla ice cream, and ripe banana. On the finish, chocolate, raspberry jam, and espresso bean. This one has aged gracefully, with perfectly tempered sweetness and depth. *Editor’s Choice* (DF, Fall 2022)”

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

Saturday, December 3rd, 1PM – 5 PM

Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Tasting

with Robin Coupar

Join us for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch presented by global ambassador and Keeper of the Quaich Robin Coupar! Established in Speyside in 1840, Glen Grant is one of the top five whisky producers in the world and consistently voted among the world’s best whiskies.

Featured Expressions

Glen Grant 12

Glen Grant 15

Glen Grant 18

About Robin Coupar:

Robin Coupar is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a leading Scotch and American whisk(e)y expert who has dedicated almost 30 years to the industry. As Global Ambassador for Gruppo Campari’s whisk(e)y portfolio, Robin covers a broad portfolio including The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Wild Turkey, Russell’s Reserve Bourbon & Rye, and Forty Creek Canadian Whisky. Robin is a globally recognized category expert and brand advocate and leads Masterclasses, attends high-profile industry events, panel discussions and generates press coverage through media interviews. He also engages with key trade partners and accounts, assists in product launches, conducts consumer liquid to lips events. Over the course of his storied career, he has worked across 5 continents, including North & South America, Europe, Asia, and Indian subcontinent. In 2016 he was inducted into the prestigious Keepers of the Quaich organization, and he is also a judge in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Robin currently resides in California. His favorite drink is the Glen Grant 12 Year Old.

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(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)

ralfy review 954 – AnCnoc 12yo @ 40%vol

INNOVATIVE ENGLISH WHISKY PRODUCER, THE OXFORD ARTISAN DISTILLERY, ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT BY DIAGEO THROUGH DISTILL VENTURES 

17^th November 2022 (Oxford, UK): The Oxford Artisan Distillery, an ultra-premium English rye whisky producer seeking to revolutionise farming practices in the category, has announced that Diageo has made a minority investment in the company through Distill Ventures, the independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future.

Founded in 2016, The Oxford Artisan Distillery produces whisky using biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through an approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC). These heritage grains and farming techniques have been developed in partnership with John Letts, a farmer and archaeobotanist with over 25 years’ experience, and an innovator in this field. The Oxford Artisan Distillery is the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, a proprietary mix of 30 to 100 different varieties grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

The distillery’s first English rye whisky was released in April 2021, with a second batch available shortly after. To date, The Oxford Artisan Distillery has released a further nine batches of whisky and its distillery tour, just outside of Oxford, is rated one of the top things to do in the city on Tripadvisor. With ultra-premium whisky growing at 11% in the United Kingdom over the last five years^[1], the brand’s vision is to grow a modern and scalable whisky brand centred on restorative agriculture, driven by their forward-thinking approach to sustainable farming.

The investment will support the next stage of the company’s growth by enabling the upgrade and expansion of its production sites, and the continued development of The Oxford Artisan Distillery brand and its consumer experiences.

Dave Smith, CEO of The Oxford Artisan Distillery, said: “Over the last few years we have seen the industry take major steps towards addressing the climate crisis, but we have a responsibility to do more in tackling sustainable farming and grain production. With Diageo and Distill Ventures’ support, we believe we can use whisky to further a revolution in the field. We have been blown away by the team’s belief in our mission and could not be happier to be entering the next stage of our journey with them alongside.”

Frank Lampen, Founder and CEO of Distill Ventures, said: “Grain is becoming an important part of how whisky producers are continuing to innovate and develop new styles and flavours, and the heritage grains used by Oxford Artisan Distillery together with their ground-breaking approach to farming in a sustainable way make this one of the most exciting distilleries in the English whisky scene, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their development.”

Eugene Khabensky, Vice President of Global Ventures at Diageo, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome The Oxford Artisan Distillery into the Distill Ventures portfolio. Its ultra-premium positioning coupled with its commitment to put regenerative agriculture at the heart of what it does, fits perfectly with our strategy to support premium and environmentally responsible brands.”

As with all brands within the Distill Ventures portfolio, the founding Oxford Artisan Distillery team will retain majority ownership and control of the business.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The distillery opened for business at its purpose-built site in Oxford on 27th July 2017.

It is Oxford’s first ever distillery and produces whisky with total provenance from grain to glass. The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through a new approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC).

R-CGC:

With Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping there are no fallow years, no tillage and no chemical inputs, leading to greater biodiversity in the field. As well as producing three times as much grain as any other modern rotational organic grain production system – driven by the fact that there is no need for rotation – R-CGC sequesters more carbon than any other modern organic grain production system. 

About Heritage Grain:

The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses genetically diverse populations of heritage grains – revived from historical sources by a leading archaeobotanist and grown sustainably on over 350 acres in the UK. The distillery’s grain contributes to biodiversity and soil health in the English countryside. The grains are the result of archaeobotanist, John Lett’s lifelong research on heritage grains: John has spent a large part of his life sourcing and growing heritage grains together, as polycultures. John takes 30-100 varieties of grain, mixes them up, and grows them together in the same field, at the same time. These sustainable fields are similar to what you would have seen in medieval times – the grains are grown specifically for the distillery, making The Oxford Artisan Distillery the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

Distill Ventures

Distill Ventures (DV) is the drinks industry’s first accelerator for new and growing brands. Since its founding in 2013, DV has invested in 35+ brands in a wide range of drinks categories, including New World whisky, premium gin, and non-alcoholic spirits. Through a combination of cash investment, mentoring support and access to a network of experts, DV works with founders from all backgrounds and stages of growth to help brands go further, faster.

Through both its traditional investment pathway and its Pre-Accelerator, which launched in 2021 and focuses on recruiting diverse entrepreneurs into drinks, DV operates across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink categories, and invests at all stages, from pre-launch through to those requiring significant growth and expansion capital. It is operated independently and backed by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, providing investment funding, as well as resources and access through its global network of experts. For more info on, or to learn about our portfolio of current and exited brands, visit www.distillventures.com.

Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal and JεB whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company whose products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] IWSR, 2017-2021: by volume

NOSE: Crystallised ginger, sherry oak and rich golden syrup.

PALATE: Sherry-soaked winter fruits, giving way to rich malt loaf topped with vanilla cream.

FINISH: Honeyed apricots, then toasted nuts.

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A Must-Have, Ultra-Classic Highland Rarity from Hunter Laing
2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare”
Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
(750ml) ($200.00)
“…one of the best products I’ve ever had from this lovely distillery.” —
David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The inimitable team at Hunter Laing Old & Rare strikes again. In Scotch connoisseurs’ circles, the Old Pulteney brand holds a special sway as one of Scotland’s most distinctive, highly sought-after malts. Tucked up on the far Northern Coast, this special old distillery has built quite a reputation for its singular style—an old-school, ultra-classic Highland profile that satisfies every last criterion for excellence. This special Pulteney cask from a first-class independent bottler offers a truly quintessential expression of unpeated ocean malt, and 18 years in ex-bourbon cask have only ramped the complexity and character up to eleven. “This is exactly the type of Highland malt I like to drink,” declares K&L spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard, “an absolute dream, offering so much unique character and further solidifying Pulteney as one of the greats of the Northern Coast.” It’s hard to overstate the rarity of any opportunity to acquire Old Pulteney, and anyone who’s ever found the brand on the open market knows a distillery bottling at this age will run many multiples of the $200 price of this special cask. So, the truly astute collector will act quickly on what is undoubtedly a proposition of both world-class quality and remarkable value.

2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($200.00)

K&L Notes: The wonderful Pulteney distillery in the town of Wick was at one point the most northerly distillery on the mainland of Scotland. This far-flung distillery was established to support the extremely popular fishing industry in the area. While the herring was plentiful, so were rowdy fishmen, leading to a prohibition in the town from 1922 to 1947. The extreme location of the distillery meant that all supplies for a significant portion of its existence had to come by boat. Now the Old Pulteney brand is starting to become more important, the stocks are now being diverted from blending toward the brand. It’s always been extremely rare on the independent bottler markets, and we’ve only had the honor of selling a few version from Gordon & Macphail and Duncan Taylor over the years. Now this cask from the excellent Hunter Laing Old & Rare line offers a completely classic Pulteney profile. Filled into a bourbon barrel in September 2002 and bottled in January 2022 at a perfect 18 years of age, this whisky is quintessential Pulteney offered in a way the distillery isn’t even able to replicate. If we were to have found an equivalent barrel under the owner’s brand, it would have certainly commanded 2-3 times this price, but be no more delicious. Expect a complex mix of mature malt and vibrant ocean character that exemplifies this excellent distillery. Please remember to add a drop of water or two to release the aromatic potential.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: November 08, 2022

This gorgeous cask of Pulteney is one of the best products I’ve ever had from this lovely distillery. Old-school and absolutely pristine, aged 18 years in a fresh bourbon barrel, this is exactly the type of Highland malt I like to drink. In lots of ways, it exemplifies the idea of unpeated ocean malt that the Northern Coast does so well. It’s not as waxy and oily as Clynelish, but with a tons of character. Let’s taste. The color is a vibrant pale gold. The nose is a complex mix of fresh herbs, salted fruit, tea tree oil, and very old, fine wood. On the palate, it’s very malty, extremely sweet, and approachable at full strength, but it’s obviously hiding tons of character behind its 118 proof. With a drop of water and some air, we’ve got a huge change—sweet malt, licorice candies, pulverized stone, distant waves, gooseberries, greengage, petroleum jelly, fragrant scrubby heather, and salty chutney. The palate remains extremely rich and supple now with more salt and a complex mixture of white raisins dipped in dark cocoa powder. This whisky is an absolute dream, offering so much unique character and further solidifying Pulteney as one of the greats of the Northern Coast. It may seem pricey compared to other 18-year-olds we sell/have sold, but is in fact an incredible value considering the quality and scarcity of this special malt.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2022

The Old and Rare bottlings from Hunter Laing are always of impeccable quality, and this cask is certainly no different. This 18-year bourbon barrel yielded only 197 bottles of a golden elixir that is sweet and honeyed, as well as salty and fresh. At 58.6% ABV, it’s a big whisky but not overly hot. The nose is full of marmalade, honey, sea spray, lemongrass, peaches, and malt balls. The palate is lifted and lively, jumping from honey and cream to snappy citrus and sweet herbs. With a touch of water, the fruit explodes into a tropical maelstrom set off beautifully by the salty tinge. The finish is long and clean. It’s a beauty all around.

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

Win a VIP tasting experience at Dundonald Links with Bunnahabhain

Are you a fan of whisky AND a fan of golf? Well, we have partnered with Bunnahabhain and Dundonald Links Golf Resort to offer an incredible prize.

At the very heart of Ayrshire’s golf coast lies a modern links golf masterpiece. Win a two nights stay for four people in a luxury two bed lodge surrounded by private putting greens, including an exclusive dinner and tasting experience in The Whisky Room with Bunnahabhain’s Master Distiller, breakfast each morning, and a full round of golf for your group.

Purchase a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2022 and you will be entered into the prize draw! This activation runs from today (21st November) until the 6th December. Best of luck!

Discover Bunnahabhain Whisky →

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2022

Last years inaugural release of the cask strength version of the legendary 12 Year Old was a roaring success, and the second edition follows that trend but at an even higher strength of 56.6% abv. A richer, creamier, and more intense flavour profile shines with oak spice, marmalade and lots of dried fruits.

£80.00
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WINTER EVENTS AT THE SOCIETY

Get involved with a Society event near you

SEE ALL EVENTS

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

Matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch #11 is the latest release of the richly sherried Highland malt. Expect richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee, to lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry

MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER.

Buy – GlenDronach CS Batch #11 – £85 / $83* / €81*

Nose: Mulled cranberry, orange and clove liqueur meld with dark honeyed treacle on a base of nutty oak.

Palate: Richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee interweave with chocolate raisin, cinnamon maple and sultana

Finish: Lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.

Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whisky region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Friday, December 2nd, 3PM – 6 PM

Craigellachie & Aberfeldy Scotch Whiskies

Come by for a taste of new and rare single malts presented by whisky experts and distillery ambassadors. Craigellachie single malt is considered “the rock at the heart of Speyside,” yet is anything but your typical ‘Speyside’ whisky. Considered old fashioned even in 1891, its fruity, muscular flavour stems from the use of traditional worm tub condensers, producing a full, yet aromatic, character that defies expectations.

Perthshire distillery Aberfeldy is perhaps best known for their contributions to blended scotches, producing beautiful balanced single malt whisky since 1898. Often referred to as ‘the golden dram’ in blended malts, their core expressions are rare to find and enjoyed the world over.

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(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)