Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

 $189.99

Whisky Advocate  Fragrant and herbal aromas, with pine needles, basil, green bell pepper, pea pod, black truffle, peppercorn, and smoke from smoldering dry mosses and wood shavings. It’s very smooth and refreshing, with pear, peppermint, lemon, lime, green tea, kiwi, and herbal notes, finishing with chopped mint, more herbal layers, and gentle peppery spice. A unique composition and a quintessential Japanese whisky experience. (JM, Summer-2023) 

K&L Notes Suntory’s Hakushu, known as the “forest distillery,” was built in 1973 as a sister distillery to Suntory’s Yamazaki (previously the only Japanese single malt available in the United States). The facility is located at a high-elevation site next to the pristine waters of the Ojira River, which are used to dilute the whisky itself. Hakushu distillery uses different styles of oak barrel to age their single malt, but mainly hogshead, which, according to the distillery is, “suitable to the clear air and cool humid climate.” The 12-year old from Hakushu is lightly peated and very delicate in its flavor profile. The light and fruity style of the whisky is quite similar to the Yamazaki 12, but the smoke really makes up for any lack of richness. We’ve seen insane price increases over the last five years on Japanese whisky and inventory getting tighter and tighter, but for a limited time, we have Hakushu 12 in stock and available to sell, and at a fraction of the price you’ll see at many other retailers across the country.

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

ROYAL SALUTE MARKS A GOLDEN YEAR WITH INAUGURAL 2002 RELEASE FROM FIRST EVER VINTAGE SCOTCH COLLECTION

The master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, Royal Salute, has announced the launch of its 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release. This marks Royal Salute’s first ever vintage release, and the inaugural expression of a wider series of precious vintage blends. This new collection was created to pay tribute to the iconic characteristics of Royal Salute’s 21 Year Old Signature Blend, with each celebrating the unique character of 21 Year Old whiskies across the years.

Available in selected Duty-Free stores in airports around the globe, the 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release has been meticulously crafted and refined using exceptional 21 Year Old whiskies, all laid down in casks in 2002. Royal Salute has been renowned for commemorating significant milestones since its inception in 1953, when it was created to celebrate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To start this exclusive new collection, the Scotch has chosen to honor the year associated with her Golden Jubilee, a nod to its rich heritage and reflecting its commitment to celebrating moments of historical and cultural importance.

Expertly created by Royal Salute’s Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, the 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release is a perfect build on the classic and iconic 21 Year Old Signature Blend. Every element of this Vintage blend is the result of precise craftmanship and intricate experimentation, using only the finest 21 Year Old whiskies laid down in American oak casks in 2002. The hand-selected malts and grain whiskies ensure a delicate balance between the incredibly rich character of Royal Salute’s renowned style, with a smooth and sweet nature, offering notes of vanilla custard, honey and ripe plums, married with a clear influence from Longmorn Distillery with creamy toffee notes and a rich and elegant finish.

Speaking on the new collection and inaugural release, Sandy Hyslop comments:

“This remarkable new series is a true embodiment of Royal Salute’s commitment to craftsmanship and heritage. This is Royal Salute’s first ever vintage release, so to mark the occasion, for the first volume, I wanted to create a blend that truly heroes the character of our 21 Year Old Signature Blend, that has been loved across the world for the past 70 years. Working with high-aged whiskies demands meticulous attention and precision, so using whiskies laid down in casks in a single year was an additional layer of complexity but an incredibly exciting challenge.”

The exquisite liquid is wrapped in a beautiful bottle design that pays homage to the brand’s signature deep navy finish alongside vibrant orange cues to complement the original Royal Salute navy blue. The selected colour palette is seamlessly reflected onto the exterior of the box with a beautifully intricate illustration on the interior, elevating the overall design of the new release.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release is available in selected Duty-Free stores in airports around the globe from May 2024 at RRP from $234 USD. To discover more, visit www.royalsalute.com or follow @royalsalute.

Rare Chance at a Coveted Single-Malt Rye Collectible
Hotaling’s 16 Year Old “Old Potrero” Bottled In Bond
Single Malt Rye Whiskey (700ml) ($229.99)
“If I were inclined to give numeric scores to whiskey, this would surely earn a 99 or 100 from me.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Extraordinarily difficult to find and typically highly allocated with a mere 432 bottles produced, Hotaling’s ultra-rare 16 Year Old Bottled in Bond Single Malt Rye has been a darling of the secondary market. We were thrilled to see this available and jumped at it.

Hotaling’s 16 Year Old “Old Potrero” Bottled In Bond Single Malt Rye Whiskey (700ml) ($229.99)

K&L Notes: Fritz Maytag, the visionary who ushered in the craft beer movement, is also responsible for a resurrection of pot-distilled whiskey in America. Not satisfied with merely rescuing Anchor Brewing in 1965 and resuscitating its iconic steam beer, he expanded to spirits in 1993. Fritz established Anchor Distilling Company in the back of the beer brewery and propelled the return of pot-distilled whiskey to the United States. Inspired by the rye whiskeys being made at America’s founding and Scotland’s finest single malts, the San Francisco distillery on Potrero Hill dedicated itself to a mash of 100% rye malt. Since the first barrels were laid down in 1994, Bruce Joseph has been manning the stills and producing the finest pot-distilled whiskey in the country. While they lost the use of the Anchor name in the ill-fated brewery sale, Hotaling, as it’s now known, is still producing the same whiskey under Bruce’s watchful eye. This long history makes Hotaling one of the few small distilleries in the country capable of releasing a 16-year-old, bottled-in-bond rye. It’s a true rarity and one of the most complete whiskies we’ve ever tasted. Only 432 bottles produced. Aged 16 years in once used, charred, fine-grain, American oak barrels. 50% ABV and non-chillfiltered.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 09, 2024

If I were inclined to give numeric scores to whiskey, this would surely earn a 99 or 100 from me. Whiskey being subjective, it’s hard to say something is perfect, but this rye is full of flavor, complex, nuanced, balanced, and outright delicious. There are precious few boxes left to check after that. Aged in once-used barrels of fine-grain American oak, this was set up for success over its long 16 years of aging, more like a Scottish single malt in many ways than most rye whiskeys. The color is a gorgeous bright gold. The nose is expansive, sweet, and easy to get lost in. Vanilla, creamed butter, cinnamon, fresh-cut grass, molasses, caraway, coriander, soft caramel candy, saddle leather, mahogany, mint, and so much more. In some combination of the malting and the long aging, the sharper grassy and hotter spice notes of the rye have been tamed into something sweeter and rounder. The proof is perfect. Robust enough carry tons of aromatics but not overwhelm with alcohol. On the palate, the aromatics are repeated and then spread even further into black tea, toasted coconut, honey, and granola. The finish is lengthy, full of warm baking spices and showing a surprising red fruit kick toward the very end. While it’s shockingly easy to down a glass of this in pure hedonistic enjoyment, it’s the kind of spirit for a night where you really want to delve into and marvel at the complexities that can be coaxed out of one bottle.

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

Drookit Dug 2011 Blended Scotch Whisky | Little Brown Dog Spirits

Drookit Dug from excellent indie bottler, Little Brown Dog Spirits, a new blended Scotch whisky launched December 2023. A ‘cask strength session dram’, distilled in 2011 and matured in refill sherry butts then bottled at 43.6% vol.

Original Price £44.98

 Current Price £42.48

ROYAL SALUTE
THE MIAMI POLO EDITION

Introducing the sixth edition in the Royal Salute Polo Collection inspired by the city of Miami – a hub of culture, and home to world-known polo clubs. For the Miami Polo Edition, Master Blender Sandy Hyslop has created the first Royal Salute whisky to be fully finished in first-fill rye and first-fill bourbon casks.

This striking pink bottle of luxury blended Scotch whisky is sweet and silky on the palate, offering notes of fresh apricot, pear drops and coconut shavings over milk chocolate, with a backdrop of zesty lemon curd and gingerbread that linger in the finish.

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Bruichladdich 18 Year Old Re/Define

Behold The Bruichladdich Eighteen, an ultra-high provenance single malt The spirit was distilled from their very first crop of home-grown barley, and has been matured on Islay in majority bourbon casks, with a small number of wine casks. Bottled at 50% abv.

£150.00

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Our Hamish has had a sip and jotted down his thoughts.

Nose: honey, butterscotch, and citrus

Palate: tropical fruits and toasted mellow oak

Finish: floral minerality

ralfy review 1027 – Benromach 8yo Peat Smoke @46%vol:

Beam Suntory Rebrands to Suntory Global Spirits

Company marks 10 years since Suntory acquisition
New positioning sets global business up for next era of growth and leadership

New York, April 30, 2024 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, today announced that it is rebranding to become Suntory Global Spirits, reflecting the company’s evolution into a truly global leader across categories in spirits and Ready-To-Drink cocktails. The new name is introduced as the company marks 10 years of sustained, profitable growth since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. in 2014.

The company has grown significantly over this time period – including from a $2.5 billion-dollar company to a $5.5 billion-dollar global spirits powerhouse today – and its team has also expanded, now comprised of more than 6,000 employees around the world. The rebrand includes the launch of a new website and visual identity that celebrate Suntory Global Spirits’ distinctive, unmatched focus on quality, craftsmanship and sustainability – defining brand attributes connected to and complemented by those of its parent company, Suntory Holdings.

“Suntory Global Spirits demonstrates our global leadership and premium position in the market, while enabling us to build upon the strong and positive brand recognition that Suntory has worldwide,” said Greg Hughes, President & CEO of Suntory Global Spirits. “The dedication that Suntory CEO Tak Niinami and Suntory Holdings have shown to advancing our culture and business growth – while also preserving the legacy of craftsmanship and interplay of traditions exemplified in brands from Jim Beam to Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark to Yamazaki – is extraordinary. Becoming Suntory Global Spirits is the natural next step in our evolution.”

“Now is the right moment to deepen our shared passion for the innovation and artistry that deliver incredible experiences through our products and fully unlock our unified advantage across our leading spirits portfolio,” said Tak Niinami, President & CEO of Suntory Holdings and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Suntory Global Spirits. “Since the acquisition of Beam Inc. in 2014, the company has gone through an incredible transformation to become an even stronger organization, led by our shared values of Yatte Minahare, Growing for Good and Giving Back to Society. We’re grateful to the entire global team under Greg’s leadership as we continue to inspire the brilliance of life in harmony with nature and grow the trust and love that people have for Suntory around the world.”

The company’s new brand platform showcases the art of crafting the highest quality products with great attention to and respect for the water and natural ingredients that are vital across its iconic spirits portfolio. It also pays homage to the bold steps that Suntory and Beam Suntory, now Suntory Global Spirits, have taken over the last decade in pursuit of Suntory Global Spirits’ ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company.

The rebrand is expected to help the company drive value as one global team and focus on key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila and Ready-To-Drink, while providing flexibility for growth in the future.

To learn more about Suntory Global Spirits, visit the company’s new website at suntoryglobalspirits.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

Theatre of Dreams (Drams)

Welcome to the theatre (Scotland). MCLEANSCOTLAND, in partnership with WHISKY TOURS, invites you to the Theatre of Drams, in an historic country called Scotland. With a promise to deepen engagement with whisky fans and friends from around the world.

The Theatre of Drams provides an unique way to access and engage with the water of life and all it represents. Using interactive features that encapsulate the passion, drama, history and values of Scotch whisky. These attractions including: taking whisky to a new level, allowing lovers of the dram to advance and develop through different levels on a private tour. The experience that can be continually updated and enjoyed by all ages over 18 (in Scotland, the drinking age). MCLEANSCOTLAND and WHISKY TOURS, celebrating more than 28 years of the pursuit of the dram and commemorating seminal moments in the drinks’ rich and remarkable story. The Theatre of Drams also includes a large selection of whisky to try and a dining experience.

MCLEANSCOTLAND and WHISKY TOURS, are one of the best whisky tour companies in the world. Success has been enjoyed both on tour and in the distilleries. Partner Liz came up with the phrase “you drink we drive” many years past and it has stuck. We’re a bespoke tour company, give us your wish list and we design a tour for you. We arrange everything from a couple of days, a couple of weeks, standard and complete luxury, all involve drams and fun! We cover the whole of Scotland – mainland and the isles.

A review by Ingvar Ronde, author of the Malt Whisky Year Book & Keeper of the Quaich “Hi Paul. Back in Sweden and delighted to find my wonderful lab still recognises me (as does my wife). I think we had a brilliant tour, in fact the best ever, and as always itґs a pleasure being on the roads with you. Apart from being a great companion, you share so much about Scottish history and culture which you know Iґm always keen to learn more about. I liked in particular the scenery going from Ballachulish to Tyndrum in Glencoe – a road Iґd never travelled before. The best views Iґve ever had in Scotland. Also enjoyed Kilmartin very much. Glad I took pictures of the plates (or signs of whatever you call them) so that I could read them thoroughly later to find out about the very early years of Scottish history. I think we have a solid plan for next year so letґs keep in touch about that. Thanks and speak soon”. Ingvar

As one guest told us: “Liz–I really cannot express how awesome you guys made this trip. At no time did we feel a part of a canned experience. It was friendly, accommodating and everything we could have dreamed about. I have already been singing your praises and have referred several people to your website to inquire about tours. You guys have given me the best vacation I can remember in a very long time. For the first time ever, it was difficult to want to return home, for all of us. In fact, to be honest my son and his twin sister are serious about wanting me to look for a property somewhere in the Speyside region for a bed and breakfast. We will have to see about that, but I definitely will be returning.”

And another; “Paul and Liz are an absolute joy to communicate with. Both are professional, knowledgeable, courteous, friendly, and awesome with communication. It was because of Paul’s demeanor via email communication, that I chose you guys for our tour. The way you and Paul communicate is vastly different from the other 7 companies that I contacted for the tour. The tour schedule was WOW!! So detailed, well planned, organized and thought out. You guys truly listened and tried your hardest to schedule events tailored to our wants and it definitely showed! Thank you Whisky Tours McLean Scotland for creating and delivering the Tour of a Lifetime!! I HIGHLY and STRONGLY recommend this company for your Scotch whisky tour!! Thank you again for everything!”

Does it get much better than that?

For YOUR Theatre of Drams tour, contact Liz or Paul at info@whiskytours.scot.

www.whiskytours.scot

BONNINGTON DISTILLERY Sherry Cask 2024 Limited Release

Bonnington Sherry Cask Lowland single malt Scotch whisky from the distillery located in Edinburgh. Matured in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks this is a limited edition release of 1,500 bottles. This exquisite expression is matured in hand-selected sherry casks, infusing it with the complex sweetness and deep, warm tones that only the finest sherry wood can impart.

£52.87

Nose: Sweet sugar, pick and mix, fresh oak and green wood.

Taste: Fresh, subtle red fruit, lightly dusted sugar on berries.

Finish: Lots of wood and tannins, some salty notes.

Boonington Distillery located in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Owned by John Crabbie & Co, purveyors of wine and spirits since 1801, set about establishing a new distillery in the city, in the port area of Leith. In 2020 the first new spirit flowed from the stills with an inaugural release in 2023. Bonnington Distillery has released a sherry cask expression with plans for a peated release in the future.