Craigellachie 13YO Bas Armagnac Finish, 46%

THE VIDEO

Craigellachie really blew us all away. With a different. Flavour, as well as some very. Affordable release whiskies. Sadly, most of them have been discontinued, but we still have the ever wonderful Craigellachie 13YO to enjoy. But now we have a cask finish series….and this one has been. Finished in Bas Armagnac casks.

Bas Armagnac also relies on worm tubs for it’s condensation methods, so the two spirits have some similarities, but the fusion of the cask finish has given us some incredible savoury, different styles of flavour that are going to take quite a long time to unpack, god bless having the whole bottle to enjoy.

I picked this up from the ever reliable Royal Mile Whiskies while on holiday in Edinburgh – I was after some other stuff, but when Edinburgh is that busy, you have to get up early to get the new bottles. I will say, though, coming away with this was quite a joy, as for some reason it’s been so long since I’ve had a bottle of Craigellachie in the house.

Penelope Bourbon introduces tastes of Spain with Valencia

Annual limited-release bourbon is finished in Vino de Naranja casks from southern Spain

ROSSELLE, N.J. (Aug. 14, 2024) – The annual release of Penelope Valencia is set to launch. On its journey to finish its straight whiskeys in wine casks from the world’s finest winemaking regions, Penelope Bourbon makes its latest stop in southern Spain. This year’s installment of Penelope Valencia pairs Penelope Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey with Vino de Naranja casks from Sevilla, Spain. Penelope Valencia is bottled at 95 proof (47.5% ABV) with a minimum suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750mL bottle. A limited allocation of 5,000 (6-in) cases ship in August.

While the foundation for Valencia is Penelope’s award-winning Four Grain bourbon, the inspiration is Vino de Naranja – a bold, aroma-rich orange wine produced in Spain’s southern coastal wine region of Sevilla by aging white wine and the bitter, fragrant peels of Seville oranges in oak barrels. While Seville oranges cannot be eaten raw, their sharp and powerful flavor and aroma are prized for marmalade, juices and Vino de Naranja.

“We’re constantly evolving and tweaking our processes with the goal of making our products better year over year,” said Michael Paladini, founder of Penelope Bourbon. “This year’s Valencia is a great example of that commitment, and we’re excited to share it for fans to enjoy.”

Penelope Valencia features a mash bill of 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat and 3% malted barley, and is finished for up to 12 months in Vino de Naranja casks. This unique finish imparts an aroma of bold spice and iced coffee cake with orange glaze; a body including flavorful citrus

zest and mandarin with hints of vanilla and candied ginger; and a long, savory finish with hints of orange peel and black pepper.

CONTINUED

“These are some of my favorite wine barrels to work with,” said Daniel Polise, founder and master blender of Penelope Bourbon. “The producer we partnered with from southern Spain creates exceptional orange wine, and this year’s release has fantastic, rich orange and citrus notes that really stand out from last year’s tangerine notes.”

Rated a Top-10 Whiskey Under $100 by Whiskey Raiders and a Silver medal from the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Penelope Valencia is one of four special award-winning annual cask finish releases in Penelope Bourbon’s Cooper Series. The other offerings include Rio, double finished in American honey and Brazilian oak casks; Rosé, finished in French rosé wine casks; and Tokaji, finished in Hungarian wine casks. A product locator for the Penelope family of bourbons can be found here.

ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON

Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon has been one of the country’s fastest-growing whiskey

brands. Named after founder Michael Paladini’s daughter, Penelope boasts a series of straight bourbon and rye whiskey expressions that are all uniquely blended and finished. Remarkably smooth and flavorful, Penelope is perfect whether sipping neat or mixing in a cocktail.

Penelope’s core expressions, Four Grain, Barrel Strength, Architect and Toasted Bourbon, have received over 40 combined awards and industry accolades. In 2024, the brand won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Barrel Strength (96 points) and Toasted Rye (99 points); Double Platinum at the ASCOT Awards for Barrel Strength; and Double Gold for Rio and an Innovation Award for Toasted at the SIP Awards.

In addition to its cornerstone expressions, Penelope continues to introduce new and innovative limited releases within its Cooper Series, Limited Releases and Founders Reserve lines.

Today, Penelope Bourbon is sold in 48 states and seven countries. Proving that with enough love, care and hard work, anything is possible.

For more information about Penelope, please visit penelopebourbon.com and follow on social media @penelopebourbon (Instagram / Facebook).

Baker’s 13-Year-Old from The James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Today, we are officially re-releasing the much beloved Baker’s 13YO – a limited-edition bottling of special 13-year-old single barrel liquid, bottled at 107 proof. This extra-aged expression explores how time and location in the warehouse drive distinction from barrel to barrel. From still to rickhouse to bottle, a lot of things happen with the liquid like weather, length of aging, and rickhouse placement all shape the distinct notes and flavors of each barrel.

Named after Baker Beam, grandnephew of the legendary Jim Beam, Baker’s Bourbon honors the family’s long history of distilling, and honors what makes us different.

While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

Nose: Fruit, vanilla and caramel

Palate: Medium-bodied with flavors of oak, toasted nuts, with vanilla and fruity notes

Finish: Robust, medium-long, and warmly rounded

Baker’s Bourbon 13YO is now available in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $149.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Baker’s Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

INTRODUCING…
KI ONE KOREAN SINGLE MALT

We’re thrilled to welcome Korea’s first-ever single malt whisky from Three Societies distillery in Namyangju, located 40 minutes north of Seoul. The distillery experiences a dramatic temperature range from 30 degrees in summer to -20 degrees in winter, effectively speeding up the aging process.

Matured in new American oak, the palate is full of that new cask influence with notes of white pepper, vanilla, nuts, sweet toffee and summer fruits. This is just the beginning for Three Societies distillery and a great sign of what is to come.

Korea’s first single malt whisky comes to us from Ki One distillery in Namyangju, just outside of Seoul. The distillery experiences a dramatic temperature range from 30 degrees in summer to -20 degrees in winter, effectively speeding up the aging process. Matured in new American oak, this single malt opens with a creamy butterscotch character on the nose, which is met by orchard fruit, blackberries and pecans. The palate is light but full of that new cask influence, you can expect notes of runny honey, white pepper and hints of vanilla.

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Reload on Blanton’s Best-Selling Collectible Treasures
The coveted single-barrel special editions back in stock…

Two of the most coveted and best-selling bourbon rarities in recent years, Blanton’s Gold and Straight From the Barrel bottlings, are always at the top of any bourbon enthusiast’s wish list. After a historic offering just over a year ago, you now have another opportunity to restock your bar or add these iconic bottles to your collection for the first time. Please note, these are European import bottles, making a unique journey from Kentucky to Europe and back to the States. Truly remarkable times!

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)(European Import) ($195.00)

K&L Notes: From Buffalo Trace Distillery, Blanton’s holds the distinction of being the world’s first regularly released single-barrel bourbon. This exceptional brand was launched in 1984 and named for the legendary leader of that historic distillery outside of Frankfurt, Albert B. Blanton. Over the last several years, Blanton’s has become one of the most sought-after and inaccessible whiskies on the market. This, their rarest and most elusive expression, was previously completely unobtainable. For instance, in 2021, K&L was allocated a mere three bottles company-wide. Now, thanks to new regulations allowing 700ml bottles to be sold, another channel opened up for this special whiskey. Each barrel is different and bottled at full cask strength without chill-filtration of any kind. Proofs range from 115-135, and cask numbers cannot be checked in advance of purchase. This rare expression is truly one of Kentucky’s finest.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: December 20, 2022

This review is drawn from barrel #397, which was dumped on February 7th, 2022 and bottled at 63.05%. Your bottle will almost certainly be different, so please be aware of the unique character of each barrel. The nose is absolutely explosive with rich aromas of caramel sauce, orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cherry compote, and vibrant woody spice. The palate starts extremely sweet and creamy before the rye and barrel spice begin to wallop the mid-palate. The intense spice and old-school woody character balances the heavy woody sugars perfectly, and while exhibiting plenty of the Kentucky Hug that bourbon lovers enjoy, it doesn’t feel hot or ethanol-heavy at all. The long, chewy palate gives way to a rich, oxidative finish full of nutty, sweet chocolate and dried red fruits. A few drops of water add more fruit and tame the spice a bit, but I like this best right out of the bottle. There’s no question that the price of entry on this is high, but if you’re prepared to spend this kind of dough on any other modern bourbon, this should be a contender for top dog!

Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)(European Import) ($195.00)

K&L Notes: The rare Blanton’s Gold has become beloved by connoisseurs and collectors world wide. The ultimate single-barrel bourbon that launched the entire category, Blanton’s has become one of the most asked-for and hardest-to-obtain bourbons on the market today. We’ve found some limited stocks of European-bound product that would otherwise have not been available. The famous “Gold” Blanton’s is so named for its unique golden horse and golden writing. Bottled at a perfect 103 proof, the Blanton’s Gold ramps up the complexity considerably from the standard release without the heat that the Straight From the Barrel offers. This is the perfect whiskey to offer nearly any bourbon lover if you’re looking for a special bottle that they’ve never had. It’s a true Kentucky benchmark and should be considered one of the truly great whiskies on the market today.

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

Course Spotlight: Wake Up Your Whisky Nose

Embark on a sensory journey that will transform the way you experience Scotch whisky, ensuring that your future tastings become a sensory adventure that you can unpick, analyse and enjoy. Wake Up Your Whisky Nose is a theory-based module packed with practical tips that will awaken your senses to the rich, aromatic world of whisky tasting.

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SPECIALITY BRANDS EXPANDS WORLD WHISKY PORTFOLIO WITH AUSTRALIA’S AWARD-WINNING STARWARD

Speciality Brands, the award-winning, premium spirits distributor, will exclusively represent the globally awarded Australian whisky brand Starward, starting from 2 September 2024.

Starward was created in 2007 in Melbourne by David Vitale with the aim to offer distinctive and approachable Australian whiskies and put the country firmly on the whisky-producing map.

The brand joins Speciality Brands’ world whisk(e)y range which spans from Japan to Canada and the USA  to Taiwan. It includes Nikka, Kavalan, Michter’s, Amrut, Chichibu, and Lot 40.

Speciality Brands will build Starward’s footprint, increasing distribution across all channels with a programme of events, tastings, and sampling.

Chris Seale, Speciality Brands Managing Director, says: “We have been following the progress of Starward for some time now and have always been impressed with the brand’s liquid and positioning. We’re really pleased to be adding them to our portfolio. Our expertise in world whisky stands us in good stead to achieve the brand’s ambition in the UK. We’re looking forward to expanding on its current foundations and bring more drinkers to the Australian whisky category.”

Scott English, Commercial Director at Starward whisky says “We’re pleased to be partnering with Speciality Brands to continue to grow our award-winning whisky’s presence in the UK. Our Melbourne-made whisky already has an established footprint in this dynamic commercial market, and we look forward to seeing Speciality Brands unlock new opportunities for us. We know that our UK Starward fans have embraced our Australian whisky with open arms, and this partnership represents Starward’s ongoing commitment to expand and grow in this region, for years to come.”

Speciality Brands will be distributing the four core brand whiskies: Nova, Left Field, Solera and Fortis (100 Proof) alongside the limited releases with the agreement starting from 2  September.

For trade queries, please contact the Speciality Brands sales team: sales@specialitybrands.com

About Speciality Brands

Speciality Brands is an award-winning, premium drinks agency representing some of the world’s finest spirits. Its portfolio is solely focused on premium spirits and includes Starward, Takamaka, Nikka, Michter’s, Camus Cognac, Cocchi and Tapatio. A dedicated team of well-respected drinks industry personalities including award-winning mixologists, top brand ambassadors, experienced account managers and marketing experts is led by Managing Director Chris Seale. The agency’s passion is delivering first class products, in-depth educational trainings and impeccable service levels to the premium on-trade and retail sectors.

www.specialitybrands.com

About Starward:

Crafted in Melbourne, Starward whiskies embody the city’s adventurous spirit and are celebrated for their delicious versatility, uniquely matured in red wine barrels sourced from Australia’s famed wine regions. Each expression bears the distinctive influence of Starward’s wine barrel maturation, offering a diverse range of flavours from single malt to double grain, ensuring there’s a Starward whisky for every drinker’s preference. | www.starward.com.au | @StarwardWhisky

INTRODUCING…
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF BOURBON

Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, we’re delighted to introduce this single barrel Elijah Craig. Among the thousands of barrels ageing at Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, some will distinguish themselves as truly exceptional. This whiskey was drawn from one such barrel, chosen by us, especially for you.

We were blown away by the balance of subtlety and power in this 10-year-old whiskey as well as its complex palate of milk chocolate, leather, freshly baked rye bread and cooling spearmint. Just 174 bottles of this outstanding Kentucky straight bourbon will ever exist, so order yours today.

In Heaven Hill’s vast rickhouses, some barrels stand out for their exceptional quality, and one such cask is this rare single barrel bottling of Elijah Craig. Hand-picked by our head buyer, Dawn Davies MW, it captures the true essence of Heaven Hill’s much-loved brand. This unaltered expression was bottled at barrel proof, showcasing notes of milk chocolate, hazelnuts, caramel, and freshly baked rye bread, followed by subtle notes of menthol and leather. Just 174 bottles of this outstanding Kentucky straight bourbon will ever exist, so order yours today.

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Kilkerran (Glengyle) “Heavily Peated” (2024 Release) Small Batch Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $99.99 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