The very warmest of welcomes everyone to our now live 155th auction.  We have some really cracking drams in this month with special releases, limited editions and supremely well-aged expressions galore.  With summer just around the corner now is undoubtedly the time to start stocking up that drinks cabinet and no matter your tipple we’ve got you covered with just about every dram imaginable represented.  So, without further ado here are a few highlights from the auction this month.

Mortlach 1971 47 Year Old Single Cask #2892

This is a really special expression to start us off, the Mortlach 1971 47 Year Old Single Cask #2892.  Known as ‘The Singing Stills’ as a nod to the hum produced by Mortlach’s famous stills when in use, this is the oldest Mortlach ever released and is one of a vanishingly few 94 bottles released.  Aged for the best part of five decades in a single cask this is a bottle of unrivalled quality from ‘The Beast of Dufftown’

Glenglassaugh 1963 51 Year Old Single Cask #3301

Next up is an esteemed Highland gentleman, this is the Glenglassaugh 1963 51 Year Old Single Cask #3301.  Ever popular with blenders it is only recently that Glenglassaugh has been making a name for itself for its single malts, better late than never.  This beauty was distilled way back in 1963 and has spent an astonishing 51 years ageing in a single Bourbon barrel before finally being bottled in stylish teardrop style glassware in May 2014.

Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year Old 75cl

A bottle of the finest bourbon now from our American cousins, this is the Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year Old 75cl.  This special edition hailing from Buffalo Trace in Kentucky contains two crystal eagles to represent the two decades of maturation, one sits inside the bottle at the base, and one comes as a stopper to be used after opening this rare spirit.  What could be more American than eagle themed bourbon I hear you ask, that’s right, two eagles!  A fine specimen indeed from one of the most award-winning distilleries in the world.

Bowmore White 1964 43 Year Old

And finally we have a tremendous bottle from Islay’s oldest distillery, this is the Bowmore White 1964 43 Year Old.  Sitting alongside the coveted ‘Gold’ and ‘Black’ releases, this highly sought after Bowmore was filled into six bourbon casks way back in 1964 and then laid down to mature in the distillery’s famous No. 1 Vaults. Over four decades of ageing have imbued this dram with a golden richness that only careful and patient maturation can impart and has added to Bowmore’s already fearsome reputation for quality.As always, we have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites for your watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

We have launched our brand new Hearts & Crafts 5 Pineau des Charentes. This beautifully well-balanced whisky is a must-have for your collection. Prepare to taste the rich notes of summer berries, almond and baking spices in every sip.

Keep your eyes peeled on our social channels this Sunday. We’ll be posting a video to show you some shots behind-the-scenes at the distillery as our team bottled this product ready for you all to enjoy.This limited-edition product is selling fast though so don’t linger… purchase yours from our website below, at our distillery in Stourton or at either of our two shops in Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water.

SHOP NOW

In celebration of Earth Day which took place recently, we are thrilled to share some exciting news with you – we have just installed two bee hives at our distillery. By welcoming these precious pollinators and providing them with a safe haven for them to thrive, we are continuing our efforts and commitment to help care for our beautiful surroundings that make us who we are today.

As the bees get settled into their new home, we can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll have on the biodiversity of our home and on our Wetlands project. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!

Cotswolds Distillery Phillip’s Field, Whichford Road Stourton Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5EX

Our exclusive bottling comes from the Benriach distillery, located in the Speyside region of Scotland. It has been distilled in 2011, matured for 12 years and bottled from Pedro Ximenez Hogshead, without chill-filtration or artificial colouring by Alistair Walker, exclusively for our shop.

NOSE Raisins with dark muscovado sugar, followed by walnut oil and figs.

PALATE Delicate aniseed leads to rich espresso with buttery hot cross buns.

FINISH Longing and moreish.  Only 328 bottles were produced.

£79.99

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Lagavulin 11 Year Old “Offerman Edition” Caribbean Rum Cask Finished Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Produced in partnership with actor Nick Offerman (whose character Ron Swanson on the hit TV show Parks and Recreation had a profound fondness for Lagavulin and a rare steak), the 2021 Offerman Edition won the title of Whiskey Advocate’s #1 whiskey of 2021.

$89.99

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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

ralfy review 1025 Extras – BEWARE of Whisky Cask Scams (My Opinion)

ARDGOWAN DISTILLERY UNVEILS FINAL WHISKIES IN

AWARD-WINNING CLYDEBUILT SERIES

Ardgowan Distillery has announced the two final additions to its celebrated Clydebuilt whisky series: Anchorsmith and Draughtsman Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The penultimate release in the Clydebuilt series, Anchorsmith combines six distinct whiskies from renowned Lowland, Speyside, and Highland distilleries, each matured in first fill oloroso sherry casks and handpicked by Master Whisky Maker Max McFarlane.

Marking the final chapter of the series, Draughtsman offers a grand finale to savour. This unique blend marries a small parcel of Ardgowan’s oldest hand selected casks – including a 25 year old malt –  with a selection of distinctive eight year old malts matured in first fill oloroso sherry casks.

Max McFarlane, Master Whisky Maker at Ardgowan Distillery,  said:

“Crafted with precision and passion, these limited edition blends pay homage to the rich maritime heritage of the Clyde shipyards, embodying the same dedication to quality and craftsmanship that made ‘Clydebuilt’ synonymous with excellence.

“Anchorsmith is a truly exceptional blend, offering a unique sensory experience with its well-balanced nose of black cherries, lemon drizzle cake and chocolate raisins.  On the palate, expect a full-bodied symphony of ripe dark fruits, roast chestnuts, and pomegranate juice, leading to a long, lightly tannic finish with hints of earl grey tea and orange marmalade.

“Draughtsman consists of malt whiskies sourced from eight distilleries across Scotland, marrying a 25-year-old malt whisky with a handpicked selection of first fill oloroso matured malts, resulting in our most intense and complex whisky to date. Dive into a nose of Ceylon tea, manuka honey, and dark chocolate, leading to a palate bursting with flavours of juicy blackcurrant jam, all spice, and dark red fruits. The finish is a crescendo, starting slow and building to an explosive finale.”

The two new additions join Ardgowan’s decorated collection of Clydebuilt whiskies, which have won a variety of accolades including a recent Master Medal at the 2023 Spirits Business Global Scotch Whisky Masters and golds at the World Whiskies Awards.

Both Clydebuilt Anchorsmith and Draughtsman are bottled at 46% ABV, with a recommended retail price of £52.99 and will be available for purchase from April 22nd through Ardgowan Distillery’s network of specialist on-trade retailers.

After almost 7 years’ careful planning, Ardgowan Distillery Limited’s ergonomic, energy efficient distillery and visitor experience, which will create up to 47 local jobs and produce up to 1m litres of premium whisky per year, is due to open later this year.

The ambitious plans for the new net-zero distillery include cutting-edge technologies and partnerships with new technology developers to deliver a truly carbon-neutral spirit. The distillery has partnered with Heriot-Watt University and engineers Briggs of Burton to develop technology to capture all of the CO2 in its fermentation process and transform it into green biomethane – a technique which has never been used in a Scotch whisky distillery before.

The innovative distillery design uses low environmental impact composite cladding, timber and steel materials to create a modern Nordic long hall, symbolising resurrection and rising from the ashes of the former Ardgowan Distillery in Greenock, which was bombed during the 1941 Blitz.

For more information, please visit www.ardgowandistillery.com

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Clydebuilt Draughtsman Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

NOSE

Well balanced and distinctive, with notes of black cherries, lemon drizzle cake chocolate raisins,

sesame oil and sticky figs and dates.

PALATE

Full bodied, floral, and plummy – awash with ripe dark fruits, roast chestnuts, pomegranate juice and

overripe bananas.

FINISH

Long and lightly tannic with earl grey tea and orange marmalade.

46% ABV

RRP £52.99

Available from 22 nd April from Ardgowan Distillery’s network of specialist on-trade retailers

Clydebuilt Anchorsmith Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

NOSE

Complex: Ceylon tea, manuka honey, sweet currant scones and marzipan meet candied lemon peel,

dark chocolate, and leatherbound books.

PALATE

Packed with mouth-watering notes: toast with juicy blackcurrant jam, subtle allspice, dark red fruits,

and herbal hints.

FINISH

A one hundred metre dash – a slow start building to super charged, explosive finish.

46% ABV

RRP £52.99

Available from 22 nd April from Ardgowan Distillery’s network of specialist on-trade retailers

About Ardgowan Distillery Company Limited

Ardgowan Distillery Company Limited has full planning permission for the construction of an eco-friendly single malt whisky distillery, gin distillery and visitor centre on the historic Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip, 30 miles west of Glasgow.

Ardgowan Distillery Limited has invested in world-class technologies to put sustainability at the heart of its plans, aiming to become carbon negative. The distillery will begin production in 2024 with capacity to produce up to 1 million litres of premium whisky per year, and the combined facilities will create up to 47 new local jobs.

Visit:                     www.ardgowandistillery.com

Instagram:        @ardgowandistillery

Twitter:              @ardgowanwhisky

Facebook:          @ardgowandistillery

For additional information or to arrange media interviews please contact:

April 2024 // 26.04 – 06.05.2024

ENDS TONIGHT!

Our April auction ends this evening, featuring thousands of rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles. We have legendary vintages from pioneering independent bottlers, grandeur aplenty from established distilleries and unique and experimental drams from the hottest names in the whisky industry right now.

Yamazaki 55 Year Old 2021

Ben Nevis 1926 Single Cask 63 Year Old #322 / One of 96

Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving

Early Aberlour Bottlings

Whisky Fair

GLEN GRANT DISTILLERY

65 Year Old 1958 Mr. George Legacy #4

Cask #3818

TWB Tasting Notes:

Nose: The initial aroma is rich with a pronounced sweetness, reminiscent of aged sherry and vintage leather. There are also vibrant hints of dried fruits, notably apricots and dates, intertwined with subtle notes of almond and walnut. A whisper of floral undertones adds a delicate complexity, with a backdrop of old library books suggesting its extensive aging.

Palate: On the palate, this whisky reveals a silky, almost velvety texture that envelops the mouth. The taste starts with a gentle sweetness, displaying flavors of ripe plums and red apples. This evolves into a richer, more concentrated profile with layers of dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch of peppery spice. The oak influence is evident but beautifully integrated, providing a sophisticated woody resonance without overpowering the delicate fruitiness.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with a continuing spice that slowly fades to leave echoes of vanilla, toffee, and a hint of smoke. As the flavors linger, there is a satisfying dryness that comes from the oak, ending with a clean and refined conclusion.

Gordon & MacPhail Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich beeswax aromas lead to underlying molasses, stewed prunes nad warm spices. Subtle aged leather develops alongside mature oak and a hint of cocoa powder.

Taste: Smooth and full bodied. Seville orange peel and morello cherry flavours give way to dried tobacco and roasted coffee bean. Toasted oak notes come to the fore with a touch of liquorice.

Finish: Long and balanced with a faint hint of smoke.

Low wines are essentially an intermediate product in the distillation process, emerging after the first distillation run. Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Low wines is distillate collected from a wash still. So, we charge up a wash still with wash. We run the still and collect all the distillate as low wines. This run takes the liquid from about 8% or 9% alcohol up to about 22% or 25% alcohol.”

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