Exclusive “Faultline” Scotch: Rare Bottlings from Balvenie & Ardbeg – Scotch Whisky News
Exciting Releases from Top Distilleries
K&L Exclusive “Faultline” Collectibles
“This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label.”— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
We’re thrilled to present these K&L exclusive Faultline bottlings, which deliver exceptional quality far beyond their price point. Sourced from some of Scotland’s most renowned and exciting distilleries, Faultline strives to create single malts that are both effortlessly beautiful and full of character. Complex, dynamic, and unavailable anywhere else, these unique bottles are the perfect addition to any collection.
This Faultline series also offers a rare opportunity to experience the work of Brazilian contemporary artist Céu Isatto. Each special bottling features a segment of her painting, shown below. Whether you choose to collect the full set or select your favorites, each bottle represents not only a brilliant Scotch expression but also a true story waiting to be discovered.
The special distillery in the town of Dufftown is unquestionably one of the top distillers in Scotland. Owners William Grant detest the thought of another company bottling their most special malts, but they nonetheless trade in it on occasion. When they do sell it, they add a molecular amount of a neighboring distillery (either Kininvie or Glenfiddich) and sell it off as Burnside. But now, they don’t seem to like to see that name on bottles either. So, we’ve adopted a totally unrelated name so as not to piss anyone off. Still, I’m happy to tell you this was distilled in Dufftown on December 9th 1998 and filled into a sherry hogshead for 25 years. Bottled exclusively for K&L at a natural cask strength of 51.2%
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2025
This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label. Yes, it’s very expensive – but old Islay of this quality is rarely trading for less than double the price of this wonderful single cask. Sure, it’s listed as a blended malt, but there’s no question about the source and if you’re in it for the function over the form, you’ll be extremely happy with this stupendous cask of Ardbeg. If the distillery had held onto these barrels, there’s no question they’d be in some gorgeous special edition worth thousands. No need for further convincing. Let’s taste.
The color is picturesque old gold (0.6). Still extremely powerful after more than 2.5 decades offering pungent dark coal smoke doused in salt water. Pulverized oyster shell, lemon oil, lanolin, old rubber boots, salted fish, candy cane, roasted tarragon, Vin Jaune, and metal shop. On the palate, powerful green and black peat smoke, tense yet full-bodied, cigar ash, camphor, lemon drops, menthol, and tarry asphalt. With water, we add much more oyster brine and lemon oil on the nose, but the palate still exhibits powerful peat smoke, albeit slightly tamed. Now we have some limestone, Myer lemons, candied ginger drops, and creosote. Absolutely top-notch old heavy peat Ardbeg. Not one of these tame ones. A real refreshing contrast to the modern style peat. It ain’t cheap, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a similar experience anywhere else these days.
This wild barrel of teaspooned Islay malt was filled into a single hogshead on November 24th of 1997. The distiller in questions, Ardbeg, does not like to have its name adorn products it did not bottle and during this period which represented a significant transition for the distillery, many deals were made to acquire the product, but obscure its origins. Indeed, this is no single malt. It would have been teaspooned (administratively or literally) with another Islay malt distilled on or before November 1997. But the source of whisky is unquestionably that special distillery on the southern shore of Islay. One taste and you’ll be sure. Bottled exclusively for K&L at a natural cask strength of 54% without color or chillfiltration. One of 264 bottles. Cask: 9876917
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2025
This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label. Yes, it’s very expensive, but old Islay of this quality is rarely trading for less than double the price of this wonderful single cask. Sure, it’s listed as a blended malt, but there’s no question about the source. If you’re in it for the function over the form, you’ll be extremely happy with this stupendous cask of Ardbeg. If the distillery had held onto these barrels, there’s no question they’d be in some gorgeous special edition worth thousands. No need for further convincing. Let’s taste. The color is picturesque old gold (0.6). Still extremely powerful after more than 2.5 decades, offering pungent dark coal smoke doused in salt water. Pulverized oyster shell, lemon oil, lanolin, old rubber boots, salted fish, candy cane, roasted tarragon, Vin Jaune, and metal shop. On the palate: powerful green and black peat smoke, tense yet full-bodied, cigar ash, camphor, lemon drops, menthol, tarry asphalt.
With water, we add much more oyster brine and lemon oil on the nose, but the palate still exhibits powerful peat smoke, albeit slightly tamed. Now we have some limestone, Meyer lemons, candied ginger drops, and creosote. Absolutely top-notch old heavy peat Ardbeg. Not one of these tame ones. A real refreshing contrast to the modern style peat. It ain’t cheap, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a similar experience anywhere else these days.
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