Penelope Toasted Series Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(750ml)
$59.99 View
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
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 518: Glenkinchie 27 Year Old ‘The Floral Treasure’ DSR 2023
Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries an 27 years old Glenkinchie. The Diageo Special Releases are a yearly returning series that is highly anticipated by many whisky lovers. This year’s edition included on of the oldest expressions from Glenkinchie, that Lowland distillery about an hour’s drive away from Edinburgh. Aptly named ‘The Floral Treasure’, Mark found it one of the best releases in this year’s offering.
Kentucky Distillers’ Association
Honors Industry Veteran
With Prestigious “Esprit de Corps” Award
Kevin D. Smith, Former Master Distiller and Industry Executive,
Honored For More Than Three Decades of Service and Leadership to Kentucky Bourbon
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Kevin D. Smith is a recipient of the “Esprit de Corps Award,” an elite recognition honoring leaders who personify the legendary group’s spirit of camaraderie and integrity.
The esteemed Esprit de Corps Award can be bestowed by the Chair of the KDA’s Board of Directors to individuals who have, “by demonstrable and honorable action,” gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance the mission of the KDA and Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Smith has 34 years of distinguished service to the KDA and the Bourbon industry, having worked at top distilleries in the state as the former Master Distiller and Vice President of Production at Maker’s Mark and the last eight years as the Vice President of Kentucky Bourbon Affairs for Beam Suntory.
In addition, Smith has served on numerous civic and charitable organizations, including Chairman of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce from 2022-2023, Chairman of the Governor’s Workforce Innovation Board, Chairman of the Japanese American Society of Kentucky and many more.
“If you’re involved in Bourbon, you know the name Kevin Smith is synonymous with respect, experience and leadership,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “I’m proud that KDA has recognized his many contributions to the betterment of our Association, our iconic industry and our beloved Commonwealth.”
KDA Board Chairman Chris Morris conferred the award to Smith at the KDA’s 2023 annual State Dinner in Louisville. Smith received a commemorative plaque and engraved medal in recognition of his exceptional service.
Morris said Smith joined the KDA Board of Directors in 2019 and served as Chairman in 2022. He also chaired the KDA’s Kentucky Spirits Collaborative, its Governmental Affairs Advisory Group, its Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) initiative, and was Secretary of the group’s non-profit Lifting Spirits Foundation.
“Kevin has been a vocal and vital leader of the KDA for the last decade and is widely respected for his ability to calmly communicate and collaborate with fellow distillers and partners to advance our signature industry and our venerable Association,” Morris said.
Smith said, “To be honored by my fellow distillers and Bourbon legends leaves me immensely grateful. I’m grateful for those who came before me in this industry, I’m grateful for those who work alongside me now, and I’m eager to see how our industry innovates and grows into the future, all right here in my Old Kentucky Home.”
Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon
About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:
Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.
While there is lots to look forward to this year, there’s one piece of news that the whole team is more than a little excited about, whisky time!
With our brand new, custom designed equipment arriving in the early spring, we’re all counting down the days until we can unwrap those shiny new stills, watch them slot into place at Nunton, and fire them up with our very first batches of North Uist Distillery whisky!
Distilled from our very own heritage bere barley, grown right here on the machair in partnership with our trusted keepers of the grain, as soon as the whisky starts flowing we will be getting those year one casks filled and stored with the promises of future drams.
Operation
Whisky.
While there is lots to look forward to this year, there’s one piece of news that the whole team is more than a little excited about, whisky time!
With our brand new, custom designed equipment arriving in the early spring, we’re all counting down the days until we can unwrap those shiny new stills, watch them slot into place at Nunton, and fire them up with our very first batches of North Uist Distillery whisky!
Distilled from our very own heritage bere barley, grown right here on the machair in partnership with our trusted keepers of the grain, as soon as the whisky starts flowing we will be getting those year one casks filled and stored with the promises of future drams.
Cask
Countdown (II).
If you weren’t lucky enough to get your hands on a Year One cask (and selling out in a record breaking two minutes, it is no surprise that many missed out!) we have great news, our Year Two cask offer will be going live in the coming weeks and this time there will be 100 casks up for grabs for those with the fastest fingers on the button.
While we’ll be sharing general whisky news here in the island dispatch, cask offer details including countdowns will go out directly to our whisky mailing list, separately from the island dispatch. If you would like to receive more information about cask offers and be in with a chance of buying one, please reply to this email and ask to be added to the whisky mailing list if you’re not already on it. If you’re not sure if you’re on it then feel free to drop us a note to check.
Psst! We know you’re going to love every sip of our latest issue of Unfiltered magazine. But here’s the real deal: the fun doesn’t end when you finish that last drop. We’ve got an abundance of extra content waiting for you – like the cherry on top after savouring a dram.
From juicy behind-the-scenes stories to exclusive sherry deep dives, you’re missing out on some seriously great bits if you’re not checking out the latest at SMWS. It’s like leaving the party early – the real magic happens when you stick around!
Here’s the lowdown on what you can’t miss:
Throughout 2024, we’re spotlighting our unique approach to sherry-cask maturation. Check out Julien Willems’ feature on our history in this area and a Q&A with Euan Campbell during a visit to the Sherry Triangle in Spain.
We’re also exploring the origins of flavour in the whisky-making process. Gavin D Smith kicks off the series by focusing on malted barley.
Our pals at the Outturn podcast, Unfiltered editor Richard Goslan, and Calum Lawson from the Society’s Spirits Team, are kicking off the year with an overview of what to expect from the monthly Outturn release of new bottlings, including some sherry-matured beauties. Tune in to discover how to make the most of your Society membership and snag the perfect bottling!
Pop in those earbuds and join the conversation
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
Ross & Squibb Remus “K&L Exclusive – LISV Barrel #531″ Warehouse H, Floor 6, Single Barrel Barrel Proof Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
While any Bourbon drinker worth their salt is aware of Four Roses recipe coding system designating mashbills and yeast type, most aren’t aware of where that system actually came from. It was brought to Four Roses from Ross & Squibb (formerly Seagrams/MGP). The link between the two companies goes back to 1943 when Seagram’s, owner of the Indiana facility for many years, purchased Four Roses and shifted that brands focus to the Japanese market. The bond between the two companies strengthened even further when Jim Rutledge came over to run Four Roses after decades at Seagrams. LISV recipe from MGP denotes distillery, mashbill, distillation method, and yeast strain used just like the other famous Lawrencburg distillery. Here we have an unusual 51% corn, 39% rye, 10% malted rye mashbill (Mashbill I) and the V yeast strain (while they won’t confirm it, this is very likely the same V strain 4R uses, again thanks to the Seagrams connection). It’s bottled at 56.6% ABV without chill filtration. The L and S will always indicate ‘L’awenceburg, Indiana for the distillery and ‘S’ distillation method signifying traditional beer still to doubler distillation for the Remus barrel picks).
$59.99 View
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
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, 57.85%
Maker’s Mark have been asked for years from baying customers – ‘Where’s the older stocks?’ The distillery always replied with ‘our liquid just doesn’t work at older ages.’ For years, we’ve all enjoyed Maker’s for what it is, as well as the innovation that they’ve championed over the last decade. But here we have it, the oldest Maker’s Mark ever released to the public!
A combination of 87% 12YO stock and 13% 11YO stock, this is a cask strength, powerful, elegantly put together set of casks that just won’t quit.
I love this liquid, a proud owner of it. But one thing Maker’s really advertised with this was ‘no bitterness’, personally I do taste bitterness, but it’s welcomed and rather complementary to the super buttery, and sometimes very floral aroma that this Kentucky legend has.
It’s a pleasure to have this in my collection, letting people try it, seeing how it develops over time, and the occasional cocktail with it. Congratulations, Maker’s Mark – this thing is a stunner.
Lochlea marks 5th Anniversary with
statement whisky from across half a decade
Multi-award-winning Ayrshire distillery, Lochlea, is celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year, marking the milestone birthday with a limited edition first age-statement whisky release.
Lochlea 5 Year Old is a vatting of five different casks from the distillery – each one showing a different side to the house spirit, hand-selected by Production Director John Campbell and the team.
This exclusive single malt whisky is incredibly special to the Lochlea team – it is their first ever age statement release since the distillery was founded half a decade ago on Lochlea Farm – where Robert Burns lived and worked, inspiring his thinking and development as a poet.
Two of the five casks used are from the very first filling in August 2018, making this the oldest Lochlea whisky that has ever been bottled and released!
The final spirit of this limited 5 Year Old release is made up from two first fill ex-Bourbon casks, one first fill Oloroso sherry cask, one double matured Oloroso Sherry cask and a double matured Pedro Ximenez Sherry cask, giving it a delicious rich flavour and texture.
John Campbell said: “To mark our 5th Anniversary milestone, we wanted to create a whisky that shows off the best of Lochlea spirit that has been matured in different styles of casks over the last half a decade. We have carefully chosen these five casks that have matured our single malt to perfection, then vatted them together to create a unique bottling of Lochlea that we won’t replicate ever again – it’s an incredibly special dram to mark our first special milestone birthday. And as always with our whiskies, it’s made entirely from barley grown on our farm here at Lochlea.”
“In celebration of this special milestone, we felt it was fitting to release it on Burns Night as a nod to Robert Burns who once worked the land that we rely on for our own barley and, ultimately, our final spirit.”
Lochlea is one of the very few full grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland, growing all its own barley, distilling its spirit, and maturing all stocks on site at the distillery (and farm) in the stunning region of Ayrshire. Not only does this keep production quality consistent, but it also helps to ensure the distillery is naturally as sustainable as possible.
In addition to this special anniversary release, Lochlea has a range of limited-edition seasonal whiskies that are released each year to mark the seasons on the farm, as well as a Cask Strength series. The distillery also released a signature expression in 2022 – award-winning ‘Our Barley’, that is available in over 20 markets globally, throughout the year.
Limited edition Lochlea 5 Year Old is available from 25th January onwards, from Lochlea stockists* while stocks last, RRP: £89.99.
Lochlea 5 Year Old
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Baked pineapple, brown sugar, hazelnuts, sourdough bread
Palate: Lemon zest, candied pear crumble, orange peel
Finish: Caramel with hints of black pepper, rose petals and leather
About Lochlea Distillery:
Lochlea was originally a 222-acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-glass distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.
*For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists
Lochlea Distillery has recently won the following awards:
– Icons of Whisky Scotland 2024: Single Estate and Brand Innovator
– Icons of Whisky 2023: Single Estate Distillery of the Year
– San Francisco Spirits Competition 2023: Our Barley – GOLD
– Scottish Field Summer Whisky Challenge 2023: Distilleries under 10 Years Old – GOLD
SECOND-FILL
________________________________________
Our best kept secret until now, Second-Fill casks reveal Sullivans Cove’s spirit in its purest form. The Second-Fill range presents a softer, less oak-forward profile with a complexity that is unique to Second-Fill casks.
DISTILLED POTENTIAL
Sullivans Cove Second-Fill – ‘A whisky where you can properly taste the barley, the barley sugars, the copper, the time and then the cask.’
MATT BAILEY | BRANCH DIRECTOR
SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY
ww.sullivanscove.com
SPECIAL OFFER: £10 OFF
OUR LOCHLEA EXCLUSIVE
Lochlea Single Cask Aberdeen Whisky Shop Exclusive is the perfect whisky for those looking for a unique experience. This single malt was distilled on the 20th of December 2018 and fully matured in a shaved and toasted American Oak Ex-Wine Cask, and bottled on the 6th of April 2023 at 60.3% ABV, with no chill filtration and no additional colour. This Exclusive dram showcases initial sweet vanilla fudge, giving way to ripe red fruits. More plums and raspberries, followed by floral notes and some spice, then a moreish toasted cereal finish. Only 312 bottles produced.
NOW £65.00
