Celebrate the 4th of July in style this year with Jack Daniel’s. Distilled to perfection since 1866, this legendary Tennessee Whiskey embodies the American spirit of freedom and independence with every sip.
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by Paul Mclean
Aye this is a Scottish beach, we can take you here to enjoy a dram or three. It is miles away from our usual whisky tour route, but if you can spare a day, we can do it! Assynt and the beautiful Clachtoll Beach, some of the most stunning scenery of the Highlands of Scotland. The wee village of Lochinver is only 5 miles away and approx a one hour drive from Ullapool and two hours from Inverness which features on our whisky tours, and this superb beach is a day trip, with food, whisky and fantastic scenery all round, you would be mad to not consider this.
Just ask and we will drive you there, imagine … a six day whisky tour featuring Inverness, Speyside and the Dornoch Firth area, an ancient Pictish gathering place; they Picts gathered here over 3,000 years ago, and like us, felt the need to soak up the scenery and drams! Of course we offer many whisky tours of all different lengths to all different areas of Scotland, but we feel this is something worth a special day. We will supply the driver, foodie nibbles and the whisky, you supply yourself – what a combination!
ASK FOR THE WHISKY BEACH TOUR at info@whiskytours.scot
anCnoc unveils two new additions to popular peated range
Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition and Peatheart Batch 3 released to global market
anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is building on the success of its award-winning peated range with the release of two exceptional new whiskies, both of which are set to be a treat for peat lovers the world over.
Launching on 1st July, anCnoc Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition and anCnoc Peatheart Batch 3 have been crafted by Knockdhu Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce and his small, skilled team in Aberdeenshire, using the same traditional tools and techniques they use to make anCnoc’s unpeated drams.
Their process pays tribute to Knockdhu’s founders by using the locally sourced barley smoked with Aberdeenshire peat that would have defined the character of whiskies made when the Distillery was founded back in 1894.
Sweeter and woodier than the more pungent peat used for whisky making in other parts of the Highlands and Islands, the resulting anCnoc drams are amongst the most modern, interesting and accessible peated single malts on the market today.
anCnoc Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition
A permanent new addition to Knockdhu’s family of acclaimed single malts, this non-aged expression bursts with anCnoc’s soft, sweet, fruity flavours and the delicious vanilla and warm spice of a sherry finish – but with the added richness of subtle, lingering campfire smoke.
The whisky is crafted using a combination of Knockdhu’s peated and non-peated spirit, and after an initial maturation period in American oak casks, it’s finished in sherry butts from Jerez which hone the whisky’s character – as smoky spirit mingles with sweet spicy wood.
anCnoc released its first peated sherry expression in 2020, exclusively for the Swedish market. Its popularity amongst whisky drinkers, particularly those looking to explore peated whiskies for the first time, prompted the decision to craft an expression for anCnoc’s other key global markets.
Tasting Notes
Colour: dark amber
Nose: sweet honey and tropical fruit, notes of cinnamon and rich toffee, delicate campfire smoke
Taste: toffee apples coated in warming spices, deep vanilla, a rich, sweet, smoky character
Finish: long, wood smoke, caramel, vanilla
Bottled in 70cl at 43% ABV, RRP £40.
anCnoc Peatheart Batch 3
The latest addition to anCnoc’s award-winning limited edition Peatheart series, Batch 3 has been long awaited by anCnoc fans following the launch of Peatheart Batch 1 in 2017 and Batch 2 in 2020.
The Distillery team crafts Peatheart whiskies with just the right amount of peated barley, maturing them in American oak ex-bourbon casks to perfectly marry anCnoc’s light, honey, citrus notes with flavours of rich, soft, ashy barbecue smoke.
These qualities are in abundance in Batch 3, but this time round there’s a slightly more pronounced fragrant grassiness, with enhanced notes of green apple and citrus cutting through the oily smokiness.
This latest batch also pioneers a better way to help drinkers understand the level of peatiness in their bottle, by indicating two ppm levels (phenol parts per million): for both the barley and the finished whisky. The peat smoke used in production gives barley a unique phenol level, and for Peatheart Batch 3, anCnoc’s Master Blender specifies a barley with 34ppm. Phenols are lost during the whisky making process however, so to truly understand a whisky’s peatiness, it’s the ppm of the whisky that matters most. In the case of Peatheart Batch 3 this is 13.3ppm, meaning it’s a bold but more mellow peated dram.
Tasting Notes
Colour: pale gold
Nose: sweet barbecue smoke and earthy peated notes blend with aromas of honey and sweet spices to create a fragrant, grassy character
Palate: peaty smokiness laced with green apples and citrus, sweetened with hint of vanilla and complemented by an oily smoky note which lingers in the finish
Bottled in 70cl at 46% ABV, non-chilled filtered and with natural colour. 1535 cases available. RRP £55.
Gordon Bruce believes it’s the combination of superbly crafted small batch whisky, and the distinctive smokiness of Aberdeenshire peat that lies behind global demand for anCnoc’s peated range.
He commented: ‘I couldn’t count the number of people who tell me they love whisky but just can’t drink it when it’s peated; until, that is, they try anCnoc’s peated whiskies. Both of these new expressions are a tempting proposition: modern, hand-crafted single malts, featuring our light, fruity spirit with a dark, smoky twist. And both are made with the integrity, craft ethos and local resources that our single malt is known for, offering drinkers something genuinely different in the world of peated whisky.
‘With Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition, rather than those medicinal flavours that can be hard to gain a taste for, we’ve created a luscious single malt that offers the best of both worlds; an appealing, ashy smokiness with light, honied anCnoc notes. Peatheart is a whisky that already has a lot of fans, but with Batch 3 there are some subtle differences and a few fresh flavours that we know drinkers are really going to enjoy.’
In the UK, both whiskies will be available exclusively at whiskyshop.com from 1st July before going on sale with independent and specialist retailers and on Amazon from 3rd July. The new expressions will be rolled out to other global markets including Asia, Europe and Canada in the coming months.
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ABOUT ANCNOC
anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, which sits in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was established in 1894 by the pioneering John Morrison, after he spotted an abundance of the natural resources needed to make fine malt whisky in the area: pure spring water and plentiful supplies of peat and barley.
Today, Knockdhu is known as one of the smallest and most enchanting distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, producing a refreshingly modern single malt whisky with the most traditional skills and processes. The Black Hill continues to supply pure water for the whisky making process. The Distillery’s two copper pot stills replicate the original 1894 design, their bulbous bases giving anCnoc its light, fresh, fruity flavour. Old fashioned worm tubs are used to condense the vaporised alcohol. And Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce, and his team, make up one of the smallest workforces in any Distillery (including many dogs!)
anCnoc’s first foray into peated whisky began back in 2014 with the launch of a new ‘Peaty’ range, inspired by the whiskies made early in Knockdhu’s history using local peated barley.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE HOLDINGS LTD
International Beverage is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant spirits. These include:
*Neilson IQ – Volume and Value latest 52 weeks to 28/08/2022.
Glencairn Crystal challenges the whisky industry to think twice about the importance of glassware with new Glencairn Glass campaign
Scottish company, Glencairn Crystal, is challenging whisky companies and distilleries to think twice about the glassware they use to serve their whisky in and the vital role it plays in enhancing consumers’ experience of their brands with a new campaign featuring the Glencairn Glass.
The new business-to-business campaign will pose the question; you wouldn’t serve a gourmet meal on a paper plate so why would you serve your whisky in poor quality glassware? and will feature the strapline ‘Don’t destroy your brand – your whisky deserves better.’
Launching this month, the campaign will run in print media across drinks trade publications and digitally across social media platforms, as well as via the Glencairn Glass website, whiskyglass.com.
The digital campaign incorporates two short videos. The first video highlights the importance of serving quality whisky in a glass that is created and designed with guidance and expertise from some of the world’s most esteemed master distillers, to help customers fully appreciate the nose, colour and flavour of the whisky, as well as promoting and enhancing the brand. The second video features the story and rationale behind the Glencairn Glass design and curation over 20 years ago.
As part of the campaign, the Glencairn Glass website now features a new ‘Don’t destroy your brand’ section inviting customers to input their brand name or logo into the 3D visualiser enabling them to see how their bespoke engraved Glencairn Glass will look before purchase. This is accessible via the digital advertisements and also by scanning a code on the print advertisements.
Since its official launch by Glencairn Crystal in 2001, the Glencairn Glass has become the world’s favourite whisky glass. The glass was the brainchild of Glencairn Crystal’s founder, Raymond Davidson. His vision was to create a glass that the whisky industry could call its own – that would encourage the user to fully appreciate the nose and palate of a whisky. Over the last 20 years the Glencairn Glass has proved to be the world’s favourite whisky glass with over 5 million glasses being sold each year across the globe.
Scott Davidson, New Product Development Director, commented: “Here at Glencairn Crystal we’ve worked with the finest whisky names in the business over the last four decades. We understand that, when it comes to making quality whisky, the process involves the best ingredients distilled with skill, matured for many years and presented in premium packaging. So it only makes sense to serve it in a glass that reflects all that care and attention – which is exactly why we created the Glencairn Glass over 20 years ago.”
He continued: “Our new ‘Don’t destroy your brand’ campaign aims to highlight the importance of how you present your whisky and act as a reminder to brands that every touch point of their whisky creation and presentation is crucial to retain brand and product equity.”
For more details about Glencairn Crystal and the Glencairn Glass please visit: www.whiskyglass.com and www.glencairn.co.uk
About Glencairn Crystal
The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.
The Glencairn Glass for whisky was officially launched in 2001, and over 5 million glasses are now sold each year across the world.
Limited-Time, Yesteryear Pricing on an Islay Staple
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $50) ($34.99)
“This one isn’t likely to last long, but we will always fight the good fight against inflation in booze pricing and keep doing all we can to get the sharpest pricing to our customers.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer
Today’s offer is can’t-miss opportunity to fall in love with an old favorite all over again. No matter how many bottles a Laphroaig fanatic has gone through over the years, they can’t help but go head over heels at this unheard-of price. In one of the great negotiating coups of the year, our spirits team has worked out a sub-$35 price on Laphroaig’s ultra-classic 10 Year Old that we haven’t seen in over a decade. There isn’t much else to say but make room behind the bar, under the table, in the pantry…wherever you can in order to stash away as much as you can, because we’ll certainly never see this price again.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $50) $34.99
92 points Whisky Advocate: “This expression offers an uncompromising note of brine-laden peat and iodine, with charcoal and sweeter fruit notes also present. The palate is equally out there, with old-fashioned fabric Band-Aids, bladderwrack seaweed, black pepper, smoldering peat, vanilla, caramel, and sweet oak. The finish is as big as everything else, with barbecue, iodine, and asphalt. Still a classic! (GS, Fall 2018)”
92 points Wine Enthusiast: “Look for a distinctly peaty aroma, with hints of smoked fish, bacon and mesquite. The palate shows peat smoke from the first sip plus an undercurrent of honey, finishing with black pepper heat. Water brings out a spearmint note and a touch more vanilla. (KN)” (12/2017).
K&L Notes: The last time we sold Laphroaig 10 for this incredible price was February 6th, 2012! When this deal is gone—it is gone. This 10-year-old malt epitomizes the taste of Islay; rich, smoky, and peaty. Known as “the most richly flavored of all Scotch whiskies,” Laphroaig is widely considered one of the finest distilleries in the world. That they’ve held that distinction for two hundred years is nothing short of awe inspiring. Laphroaig continues to maintain an on-site malting operation, which accounts for a small but significant chunk of the barley that they distill. Fermentation is conducted precisely in steel before distillation using a complex seven-still system. The spirit is almost always filled into ex-bourbon barrels. The resulting whisky is one of the world’s great marvels, the confluence of nature’s bounty and human ingenuity. You may not like the way this whisky tastes, but you sure won’t ever forget it. If you do accept the siren’s call to this hollow by the bay, there’s fortunately no going back.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 27, 2023
Sometimes things happen that make you think “it’ll all be ok.” In a world of skyrocketing prices, we’ve managed to put together an incredible deal on one of Scotland’s greatest flagship marques. Laphroaig 10 sets the standard for peated Scotch for many drinkers. It’s intense and yet full of balance and finesse. We’ve locked in pricing on a large parcel that has allowed us to turn the clock back over a decade and offer this classic for the same price we were selling it for in the beginning of 2012! This one isn’t likely to last long, but we will always fight the good fight against inflation in booze pricing and keep doing all we can to get the sharpest pricing to our customers. Whether you rely on the 10-Year as a staple or you’ve been thinking about dipping your toe in the peated waters of Islay, now is definitively the time to buy. Let’s taste! Luminous amber in color, it seems to glow in the glass. The aromatics are intensely rich. Smoke and salt mesh with golden barley and toasted bread. Saturn peaches and green apples receive a BBQ char. Sweet oatmeal laden with brown sugar and maple syrup gloss the smoke. On the palate, vanilla and dew covered herbs mix with the fruit and smoke. Sweet malt stands strong as a backbone and a delicate floral nuance adds incredible depth and intrigue without being overwhelming. The palate weight is huge even at 43% ABV, and the finish lingers for a long time with a pleasant bonfire smoke and reprise of sweet fruit and grain. Lovely.
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
Tomatin Single Cask 1993 – 125th Anniversary
This rare single malt Scotch Whisky cask has been personally selected by Master Distiller, Graham Eunson to mark the 125th Anniversary of Tomatin Distillery. Distilled on the 11th of June 1993 and matured in Oloroso Sherry Butt (cask no:6810) and bottled at natural cask strength.
NOSE
Similar to the type of cask that would have been used in 1897, this is a great example of a whisky that takes time to open up. Initially the nose is very soft with hints of furniture wax, hessian and engine oil. Emerging notes of very old oloroso sherry bring a complex mix of fruit and nut; figs, raisins, plums, pear tarte tatin and frangipane. Growing ever bolder, aromas of coffee liqueur, flamed orange, caramel and black walnut bitters show a darker side before herbal notes of pipe tobacco and eucalyptus.
PALATE
Massive sherry notes coat the palate, walnut, almond, raisins (almost like PX) and citrus in the form of tangerine. This is followed by a wave of European Oak spice, toffee and dark chocolate. In time a liquorice flavour develops along with a hint of Assam Tea.
FINISH
Deep and rich. A short dryness from the Assam Tea note is replaced by re-emerging raisin and chocolate.
Only 501 bottles produced.
£640.00
Macallan 18 Year Old 2023 Release
A crowd-favourite which doesn’t stick around in stock for too long! Matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain, in a wee match made in heaven paired with their rich, fruity and full bodied new-make spirit.
The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak is matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain, in a wee match made in heaven paired with their rich, fruity and full bodied new-make spirit. Presented at 43% abv.
Our Hamish has had a sip and jotted down his thoughts.
Nose: dried fruit and ginger with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.
Palate: spicy clove, orange zest and toasted mature oak.
Finish: dried fruit, ginger and orange.
