NEW LIMITED RELEASES FROM

Kentucky Owl Tekumi Bourbon

Takumi translates as ‘Master’ in Japanese & this is an authentic way of highlighting the collaboration between a young, fast-rising Master Blender in Yahisa Yusuke and an industry veteran and Hall of Famer in John Rhea. It is a collaboration that encompasses not just the art of blending itself but also the different flavour and taste profiles each country has become famous for in making its whiskeys. Kentucky Owl’s Takumi Edition is an artfully blended limited 2nd edition aged bourbon that provides bourbon lovers with an insight into the flavour profiles sought by a Japanese Whisky Master Blender. This special release brings the best Japanese whisky-making skills to Kentucky Owl’s bourbon range. The initial wave of buttery rye bread provides a full-bodied taste & feel from the start. Across the tongue, the savoury mix of rye & caramel combines into a cinnamon & caramel sauce to bring out some fruitiness, mostly apple & pear, that all combined, provide a flavourful, pleasant, lasting finish.

£120.00

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An Ardbeg Limited Release Unlike Any Other
Ardbeg “Heavy Vapours” Islay Single Malt Whisky
(750ml) ($134.99)
“This is for those who can’t get enough peat, earth, and smoke, or those who geek out on production details. Or both, ideally. A hell of a whisky.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

For the most fanatical peat lovers among our Scotch clientele, your ultimate wheelhouse whisky has just arrived. The Ardbeg “Heavy Vapours” Islay Single Malt is quite simply a peat bomb of monster proportions. The Ardbeg malt is already known for its intensely smoky profile, and thanks to a deliberate change in the production process for this bottling, the Heavy Vapours ramps up the peat factor to eleven. This limited release is the first of its kind from the Islay icon, and we’re sure it’s going to find a devoted following among Ardbeg aficionados everywhere.

Ardbeg “Heavy Vapours” Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($134.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 09, 2023

Ardbeg has always been a little silly on the marketing side of things, and this year’s Limited Edition is no different. They’ve created a graphic novel mystery about the missing purifier, the goofy dongle on the top of Ardbeg stills that magically provides the fruity ballast to Ardbeg’s incredible balancing act. Without it, heavy vapours accumulate, and you’re left with a much more robust, smoke-forward whisky. That’s not to say the fruit is gone, but the whisky is starkly different for this one change in the distillation setup. Setting aside their marketing schtick and whatever is to be revealed in the graphic novella on Ardbeg Day (June 3rd, 2023), I must say I only really care about the whisky itself. Let’s taste. At first pour the nose is just as advertised—intense smoke and peat. Heavy Vapours indeed. It’s remarkable actually. This is all about the raw materials. Not a ton of wood to be found. The color is pale straw, and there is a hearty amount of sweet malt underneath all that savory smoke and wet peat. The saline reads a bit like the scent of an indoor pool, somewhere between humid chlorine air and the iodine of Ardbeg’s neighbor up the road. It’s a sort of chemical nose that I, as a lover of all things Islay, find extremely comforting. The nose also holds sweet, candied malt notes, but they are decidedly hidden and only show after many minutes in the glass. On the palate, the malt jumps forward and is quite appealing—sweet barley, roasted and fresh, with a hint of green apple and vanilla. And wham—more peat, wet seaweed, salted earth, and lingering smoke. The finish is a bit of prickly pear and a mix of glycerol alcohol and creosote. It’s a hell of a whisky, but buyer beware. If you don’t love peat and smoke, this won’t be for you. This is for those who can’t get enough peat, earth, and smoke, or those who geek out on production details. Or both, ideally. A hell of a whisky.

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

As we get ready to move into our new Masterton Bond warehouse later this month, we’ve uncovered some hidden gems – the VERY last drops of some outstanding bottlings.

We’ve just added some unbelievable casks to our website at their original price. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a bottle or two before they disappear forever… But be quick, numbers are low and limited.

LET’S GO

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

ralfy review 977 Extras – Navigating whisky.

Heaven Hill Distillery Named 2023 Global Icon of Whisky Distiller of the Year

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof named World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – The Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky awards announced Heaven Hill Distillery as the 2023 Global Distiller of the Year. The award was announced in London on March 30 at the Whisky Magazine Awards 2023, celebrating the very best people and places in the industry. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922 was previously named World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon at the American Icons of Whisky Awards on February 9 in Louisville, Ky.

Previously announced as a 2023 American Icon of Whiskey Distiller of the Year, Heaven Hill Distillery was voted amongst an esteemed panel of judges to best this year’s finalists. Since 1935, Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond collection including its namesake Bourbon. Heaven Hill also invites more than 200,000 visitors per year through the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.

Announced in June 2022, Heaven Hill is celebrating a return to distilling in Bardstown after breaking ground on the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. Initial production at the state-of-the-art distillery is slated for 150,000 barrels a year after opening in 2024, and over time will have capacity to ramp up to producing 450,000 barrels annually. This will be in addition to the company’s distilling that occurs at the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, which will continue to operate at full capacity of 450,000 barrels annually.

“We’re honored to celebrate our contributions to distilling tradition, as well as continue to make an impact in innovation as we invest in the future of American Whiskey with the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill Distillery Master Distiller. “I’m proud to salute our legacy of distillers who helped build our brands over the years and look forward to the next generation of craft and quality from Heaven Hill Distillery.”

As noted by Christopher Coates, editor of Whiskey Magazine, “The 17th annual Icons of Whisky awards saw the stiffest competition yet. The experiences offered by the top whisky bars, retailers and attractions today are truly world-class – and have become bywords for hospitality and tourism excellence beyond just the drinks sphere.”

Several Heaven Hill brands were also recognized during the American World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky presentation. Notable awards include Sustainable Distillery of the Year, Lynn House as American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year, and Connor O’Driscoll as Highly Commended Master Distiller. More information, including silver and bronze medalists, can be found at www.worldwhiskiesawards.com.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

AUCTION ENDS TONIGHT!

ENDS SUNDAY 21st  MAY FROM 8PM

Stylish 1968 Single Malt from a Silent Distillery.

We have some cracking bottles in our May Auction, which ENDS TONIGHT, including this vintage offering from silent still Ben Wyvis. The fact the distillery was only in operation from 1965 to 1977 means that any bottlings from this closed distillery are now very hard to find. One of only 151 decanters, it comes with a 5cl Miniature which is intended to be a nice wee taster of the spirit.

Nothing odd about this Springbank!

Distilled in 1996, this Springbank Single Cask was bottled for wine and spirits retailer Oddbins. Matured in a single Manzanilla Sherry Cask #260 then bottled in 2009 at Cask strength. One of only 588 bottles produced.

Get Your Glendronach!

We have a super selection of GlenDronach for you this month, from the 8 Years Old Octarine to the 21 Years Old Parliament.

Classic Bottlings

Check out our Friends of Classic Malts lots this month, including Cragganmore 14 Years Old and Talisker 12 Years Old.

Register now at www.clickwhiskyauctions.com to bid on these fantastic bottlings and many more besides.

SCAPA DISTILLERY OPENS THE ‘SCAPA NOUST’, A NEW WHISKY TASTING DESTINATION WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE DRAMATIC ORCADIAN LANDSCAPE

A hidden gem steeped in history and with local traditions at the heart, the Scapa Noust offers an unparalleled whisky tasting experience in Scotland.

This April, Scapa Distillery in Orkney is opening its new and intimate whisky tasting room, the Scapa Noust. Welcoming Single Malt fans and adventurers alike, the tasting room will offer uniquely immersive experiences for those looking to taste exceptional whisky in a spectacular destination, including The Cask Finished Edition, Scapa 19-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez hogshead finish, which launches as the newest addition to the Scapa Distillery Reserve Collection.

The Scapa Noust Tasting Room and experience

The distinctive clifftop location overlooking the natural harbour of the Scapa Flow and dramatic Orcadian landscape makes the Scapa Noust a truly special location to taste whisky. Tucked away on the Northern Isles of Scotland and surrounded by the elements, the Scapa Noust welcomes visitors to enjoy a dram of Scapa whisky Single Malt in an inviting and warm setting.

With touch points throughout reminiscent of the maritime heritage of the destination, the namesake harks back to the island’s traditional boat shelters, ‘Noust’, the Orcadian term for a safe haven for boats. After a tour of the working distillery and warehouse, up to twelve guests can enjoy tastings of Scapa Single Malt whisky around a central hand-carved long table featuring ripples inspired by the sea, whilst seated under a statement ceiling, crafted in the style of a traditional fishing boat’s interior. Visitors will take in views through the floor to ceiling glass, looking out over the Scapa Flow, an underwater landmark site where a shipwreck of a sunken fleet resides. Inside the Scapa Noust, there are nautical design touches from the local area as a reminder of the area’s history, including a traditional naval radio desk donated by a local Orcadian, as well as a helmet which is over 100 years old and was used by the British navy up until the 1970s.

Designed by a local Orcadian architect Mark Fresson, the tasting room pays homage to the traditions and crafts of the Orkney islands. Cassie stone from across the island has been re-used and repurposed outside, using a technique hailing from Medieval times. There are also examples of locally crafted and rare Orcadian basket weave inside. The Scapa Noust encompasses the contrast of wild and calm: being both surrounded by the harsh elements and cliff edge lapped by the sea, while also inside an oasis of tranquillity as a nod to the welcoming warmth of the Orcadian community.

Scapa Distillery Reserve Collection

To celebrate this opening, Scapa is launching a new addition to its Distillery Reserve Collection, The Cask Finished Edition, Scapa 19-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez hogshead finish. There are just 440 bottles of this rich and spicy whisky which will be available exclusively at Scapa Distillery and on the distillery website, priced at £185.

Jacques-Henri, Head of Brand Experience and Advocacy at Chivas Brothers commented:

“We are thrilled to open the doors of the new Scapa Noust tasting destination at our Scapa Distillery. The team are so proud to have brought this vision to life, designing a space with a modern and fresh interior, whilst simultaneously honouring the rich traditions of Orkney that make Scapa whisky what it is.

Orkney is a special place, perfect for those wanting to absorb rich local history and culture and experience the wild beauty of the Orcadian archipelagos. The stunning Scapa Noust offers an incomparable experience for whisky fans and adventure seekers alike”.

The Scapa Noust tasting room is open to the public from 1^st April 2023. With a new direct connection from London City Airport to Orkney launching this summer, it is now even easier to discover all that Orkney has to offer. To learn more, please visit Scapa Distillery (maltwhiskydistilleries.com) or contact Visitor Centre Supervisor Maria Letizia Bardelli at scapa.admin@pernod-ricard.com.

MEET BRUADAR’S BEES 

On World Bee Day award-winning Scottish Whisky liqueur Bruadar pays  

homage to the tiny creature responsible for its unique flavour 

20th May 2023, Aberargie, Scotland – Bruadar is created by carefully balancing Single Malt Scotch Whisky, sloe berries and honey which is produced by hives at their distillery in Aberargie. On World Bee Day  (Saturday 20th May), Bruadar has, for the first time released exclusive imagery of the hives which are responsible for the liqueur’s unique flavor.

Last year Bruadar approached Denrosa Honey, who have been beekeepers in Scotland for three generations to place hives on their farm, to not only allow them to enhance the local provenance of the liqueur but to also strengthen the eco-system around the distillery.

Graeme MacKeddie, Head of Production, Bruadar said: ‘Consumer demand for understanding more about exactly what is in our glass, or on our plate, and how they are sourced grows year on year. During our re-launch of Bruadar, we took the opportunity to include local Perthshire honey, with the notion that in time perhaps we could have our own bees. Last year we took the plunge, and invited Denrosa Honey to introduce bees to the farm here at Aberargie. This has been mutually beneficial with our farm’s clover fields offering the bees a source of pollen at a time of year when few other plants are in bloom, and we are extremely lucky to be able to reap all the added benefits to our farm that the bees bring. They are amazing little creatures.’

Although the key ingredients of honey—pollen and nectar—remain the same, much like whisky, there are a number of factors that can affect the honey’s aroma, taste and colour, with the biggest being the kind of flower a bee frequents. Clover honey, for example, is light in colour, with a delicate floral taste, whereas hardy heather plants bring a more complex taste with notes of molasses and caramel.

A plant’s specific growth habitat, with endless possible variants such as temperature, precipitation and soil quality, can also have a huge impact. Honey made from the same pollen source can taste completely different depending on the area the flowers are grown in.

Perthshire’s moderate climate is ideal for producing honey. The relatively mild winters, plentiful rain and warm summers, allow a diverse range of wildflowers and berries to thrive, providing ample food for bees.

The Bruadar bees forage from the local area and spend much of their time on the farm’s permanent pasture, home to clover and wildflowers (as well as grazing sheep).In late summer, the Bruadar bees take a trip up to Perthshire’s heather-covered hills where they collect the nectar from the abundance of pink and purple flowers.

To pay homage to the Bruadar Bees we have teamed up with Jack from @Scottishmixology to create some bee inspired cocktail recipes. Download high res imagery, reels, ingredients and methods by clicking here:

Bruadar Cocktails by Jack Jamieson @scottishmixology

World Bee Day is on Saturday 20^thMay 2023

ABOUT BRUADAR  

To find out more about Bruadar visit www.bruadarliqueur.com or to find a stockist follow www.bruadarliqueur.com/buy 

RRP £25.95   

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.

They are an independent bottler and whisky distillers, based in Aberargie, Perthshire, who produce a wide selection of whiskies, including Mac-Talla Islay Single Malt and Old Perth, a sherry-matured blended malt whisky range and Càrn Mòr.

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 

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS Names New MASTERS OF BOURBON and MASTERS AND SCOTCH

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS, a U.S. education body dedicated to whisk(e)y, has met on the campus of Buffalo Trace Distillery to conduct annual Master examinations and name the first MASTERS OF BOURBON titleholders in history. New MASTERS OF SCOTCH were also announced.

Judges and candidates underwent 3 intensive days of training, tasting and examination that led to the identification of an inaugural class of new MASTERS, on both the Bourbon as well as Scotch track.

The examination included an intense blind tasting exam, a detailed oral theory exam, as well as a wideranging 6-question essay exam. Candidates were reviewed on all aspects of the world of Bourbon (or Scotch, respectively); covering history, production, all major distilleries, trade, tasting, laws and more.

The international judging panel consisted of Council board members, featuring only globally acclaimed whiskey authorities.

This year’s senior judges in residence were Steve Beal, Lew Bryson, Marty Duffy, Sebastien Gavillet, Tobias Gorn, Monique Huston, Arthur Nägele, and Bernhard Schäfer.

New Council members serving for the first time as full judges included MASTERS OF SCOTCH Dan Crowell, Jerad Justesen, Guy Sporbert, John Wabeck and Sam Wright.

Judges evaluated all candidates independently and elected new Masters based on agreed-upon standards developed and upheld by the Council. To become a candidate in the MASTER program, individuals must first pass the CERTIFIED BOURBON (or SCOTCH) PROFESSIONAL exam, and in a second step pass the CERTIFIED WHISKEY SPECIALIST exam to demonstrate global knowledge. The study program is open to all individuals, from around the world, through enrollment at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS congratulates the following professionals to their monumental achievement in whisk(e)y:

CHASE HENRY, MASTER OF BOURBON

MARK RUCKER, MASTER OF BOURBON

TOM MCCORMICK, MASTER OF BOURBON

JAY JORDAN, MASTER OF BOURBON

JUSTIN STRUMPFER, MASTER OF BOURBON

JUSTIN BOYER, MASTER OF SCOTCH

ADAM EDMONSOND, MASTER OF SCOTCH

SIDDHARTH SAWKAR, MASTER OF SCOTCH

On April 27th, 2023, the above individuals have joined the COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS as members for life, subject to the Council’s code of ethics. Those candidates who did not pass all parts of the exam will be supported and mentored by the Council towards success in later examinations.

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS currently consists of 48 members. Since 2019, the Council has developed and supported thousands of certification candidates, from 50 countries.

The next on-site MASTER exams (both Scotch and Bourbon) are expected to take place in the West Highlands of Scotland in spring of 2024.

All program information can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org

The full list of Masters and board members is published at www.whiskeymasters.org/whiskey-masters

Contact information: Office@WhiskeyMasters.org

EU Shop | Batch Strength | Single Casks

Carriages at Midnight

 2023’s first EU Exclusive

Our latest Single Cask Limited Release brings a soft and delicately sweet whisky to the EU. Carriages at Midnight is dripping in elegance from head to toe, and is long and luxurious with malted toffee sweetness, blackcurrant and lemongrass.

“Having dusted off the digestifs at the fancy party you thought you’d never go to, arm in arm you tumble into a taxi home full of good food and even better memories. This dram is that carriage home at midnight…”

~ Kirsty Mackinnon, Brand Manager ~

Shop Carriages at Midnight EU