2014 Bunnahabhain (Peated) 9 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $49.99  View

Every peat lover should buy this before it runs out- that is the simple truth of the matter. To elaborate, high quality peated malt boasts something of a premium these days, and the closest thing to this deal, Laphroaig 10 y.o. Cask Strength, costs $20 more for a polarizing malt with less character. Hearty, mossy smoke upfront gives way to lacquered wood, cracked pepper, walnuts and charred fig. The malty backbone soaks up the sherry perfectly, providing ample weight and a satisfying finish, balanced by fresh wood smoke and sea salt. I cannot overstate the quality of this cask; previous Staoshia bottlings have used re-charred barrels to impart flavor in a short period, but the refill sherry provides a perfect compliment to the powerful malt with no need for shaving and processing the wood. If you don’t procure yours soon, I can guarantee you’ll regret missing out.

2010 GlenFabulous 13 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $59.99 View

Our series of Faultline mystery malts continues with this special cask distilled at the special distillery near Ballindalloch. Glenfarclas absolutely detests others using their name on any labels that might hold juice that they distilled, so our bottler would not include the distillery details on the label, but we have no such qualms telling you exactly where this is from. It was distilled on May 8th, 2010, and filled into a hogshead for 13 years before being bottled exclusively for K&L at a natural cask strength of 55.1% on July 29th, 2024. No chillfiltration or coloring added. One of 294 bottles. Cask: 29900345

1998 The Huntley (Balvenie) 25 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Hogshead Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $250.00 View

If you’re lucky enough to taste a cask strength single barrel of sherried Balvenie 25 year, it’s probably because you ponied up for the Ultra VIP tour at the distillery. You might get a tiny little sip and then find out it’s about £1500 a bottle. It’s probably worth it considering how absolutely unbelievable these whiskies are when they’re old, but I wouldn’t be able to swing it, not when barrels like this are sneaking about Scotland. The trade name for this whisky is Burnside and we’ve had several great ones over the years, but never one in a high quality refill sherry hogshead like this. That barrel take this to the next level and is simply so showy I almost feel bad not charging more, but we’re committed to being fair, so profit while you can. Here we go. The color is the most perfect possible burnished copper (1.1). The nose is quintessential offering deep wild honey, Tahitian vanilla, candied ginger, sultanas, fig compote & old jurancon. The palate is incredibly zesty and vibrant with huge orange oils, marmalade, apricote jam, ginger root, honeysuckle, mirabelle, dried tarragon. With water it opens and adds a beautiful lemon oil character, the tiniest cleanest wisp of white smoke, waxy pear and baked apple. This is extremely delicious old school Balvenie that could have easily stood out in their own warehouses. Not at all sure why they would have let this go, but considering we’re a quarter of the price of the current 25 year and it’s full strength in refill sherry its about the best deal we’ve ever had from the special Dufftown distillery.

1997 Islay Mystery (Ardbeg) 26 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $300.00 View

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, 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.

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