JOIN OUR WHISKY CLUB…
A fan of Murray McDavid?
Want to be part of an exclusive whisky community?
Join our Murray McDavid Whisky Club for a look behind the scenes and opportunities to join in with unique tasting sessions.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2025 Release – 10 Years Old
Loch Gorm 2025 Edition is the first ever Loch Gorm aged for over 10 years in oloroso sherry butts. Anthony selected 23 oloroso sherry butts in total, 20 fresh (first fill), 3 refill (second fill).
“10 years maturation in Sherry casks has added an abundance of rich spices, dark fruit and barbecue sweetness to the light citrus and peaty character of Kilchoman” – Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder.
Clonakilty Distillery poised for further expansion following €3M warehouse investment
Driving growth, innovation and premium whiskey – Clonakilty Distillery poised for further expansion
Clonakilty Distillery is poised for an exciting new chapter as the brand continues to expand its premium whiskey offering in international markets.
This latest phase of growth comes on the back of a major €3 million investment in operations, multiple expansions across various international markets, and is backed by an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability.
This investment has seen them expand their production capacity, upgraded its facilities, and develop new product lines, in addition to the expansion of its warehousing and bottling capabilities – services they now provide to other spirits producers, further supporting the industry.
The multi-award-winning distillery, known for its innovative approach and premium whiskey offerings, has set its sights on further significant growth in 2025 and beyond.
The distillery, which produces Clonakilty Single Pot Still, Clonakilty Double Oak and Galley Head whiskies, has celebrated significant growth and expansion in recent years after solidifying its position in both domestic and international markets.
Clonakilty’s growth has been driven by a dedication to quality, innovative production methods, a focus on sustainability and a commitment to supporting and developing the local economy and wider Irish whiskey industry over the past number of years.
Strong Growth in Domestic and International Markets
Building on its success in Ireland, Clonakilty Distillery has expanded into key international markets in recent years and is now distributing in over a dozen countries – including United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan, France, South Korea, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
The company is also making a significant commitment to exporting to the Chinese market this year.
Founder Michael Scully confirmed the UK market is now in their sights as the brand are set to launch there at the end of the month:
“We were delighted to be hosted in the Irish Embassy in London last week to announce the launch our award-winning Clonakilty whiskies into the all-important UK market at the end of March.”
Despite delays due to Brexit and the challenges of international shipping, the company’s founder Michael Scully has said he is optimistic about the opportunity to establish itself across the water.
With strong sales in Ireland, Mr Scully said the company is “extremely happy with their product offering with its commitment to quality and great taste will resonate with UK consumers – not just the Irish diaspora but whiskey enthusiasts in general.”
Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Clonakilty’s reputation is built on its dedication to quality, with its single pot still whiskey featuring prominently in its award-winning range.
Unlike many blended whiskies that primarily contain single malt and grain whiskey, integral to Clonakilty’s blends is the inclusion of their own single pot still Irish whiskey.
The brand is particularly proud of its most recent accolades, including a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and independent confirmation of our credentials with a strong 92 points rating from the industry recognised publication Whisky Advocate.
Sustainability remains at the heart of Clonakilty’s operations. The distillery has reduced packaging weight by 28% in the past year, reflecting its commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product integrity.
Distillery Tourism: A Booming Contribution to Clonakilty
As part of its long-standing commitment to both the local economy and the whiskey industry, Clonakilty Distillery has made its visitor experience a central part of its operations.
Distillery tours have become a major draw for both domestic and international tourists, adding to the broader appeal of Clonakilty as a tourism destination. Visitors can experience the whiskey distillation firsthand, from grain to glass, learning about the craftsmanship and heritage that goes into every bottle.
Of course no tour would be complete without sampling our award winning product in our bespoke tasting room. As befits our location on the southwest coast of Ireland and our 9 generations link to Clonakilty the barley which goes into our whiskies is grown locally including on the Scully family farm resulting in our signature Clonakilty Single pot Still whiskey with its typical oily texture and fresh spice notes – perfect on its own or over ice!
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
With strong domestic sales, increasing global demand, and ongoing product development, Clonakilty Distillery is gearing up for an exciting year ahead. The brand continues to innovate, with new products in development and plans to expand further into international markets.
As part of its long-term strategy, the Distillery says it remains dedicated to authenticity, sustainability, and delivering exceptional quality whiskey to consumers worldwide. With investments in infrastructure, product development, and international growth, Mr Scully says the distillery is on a trajectory to become a major player in the Irish whiskey industry for years to come.
What’s On at The Whisky Exchange
Welcome to Whisky is our brand new show – a celebration of whisky and an opportunity to learn all about it, bringing together more than 40 producers and over 250 whiskies to try.
It’s about more than just whisky: it’s also about education and community. We whisky lovers are a passionate bunch, willing to share knowledge and drams, and always willing to welcome another member into the fold. As such we are hosting a full schedule of talks and demos as well as a clutch of 101 stands and an ‘Ask Us’ counter.
Venue: Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, London, SE1 9DD
Date: 11-12 April 2025
Tickets from £50
Book Now
The privilege of selecting a custom batch of Compass Box cannot be overstated. Only a handful of venues have ever been invited to participate in a collaboration with the great modern bespoke whisky maker. The blending and bottling of a K&L Exclusive Compass Box led by the illustrious John Glaser is one of our crowning achievements in terms of sheer quality. It took us almost 5 years from the moment we first approached the brand before they agreed to it. That whisky, 5th & Harrison, was a blend of old Caol Ila and sherried Glen Ord, a coupling for the ages. With killer price and a mysterious label -that were definitely NOT a drawing of any former K&L Spirits buyer- it sold out in just days for $180. Now the few bottles that remain fetch over $1000 at auction. Since then, so much has changed. John Glaser has handed the reigns over to a new generation of whisky maker and a new era of collaboration has blossomed.
K&L has a new location in Southern California and so much more. Nearly 10 years to the day that we began the process of creating 5th & Harrison, we’re ready to release a second custom batch bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants by Compass Box. The act of blending whisky is one of the most gratifying and complex tasks I’ve had the incredible luck to perform. Blending whisky is not a materialistic endeavor that might be solved by wit and measure. The simple truth of blending is that 1+2≠3 and creating a whisky of great distinction and character is not as simple as just smashing three really good malts together. So, guided as it were, by the deft hand of Whisky Making Director and all-around splendid chap James Saxon, I embarked upon a supreme journey. We loved the original 5th & Harrison style and wanted to stay within that realm. James had an incredible array of wonderful old sherried and peated whiskies to choose from, but it was quickly narrowed down to a few lots. They had old Ardbeg, Highland Park, Caol Ila, Bowmore and sherried Glendullan or Tormore.
I wasn’t simply looking to recreate the prowess of the original in flavor terms. Instead, I felt we needed to focus on creating the same experience of unbridled value for your dollar. That immediately cut the potential of working with Ardbeg out of the question – despite the quality of the distillate, it’s not only difficult to integrate, but VERY expensive after 20 years of age. I’d assumed the same fate would hold true for the other Islay options, but after running the numbers, we found that we’d be able to use significant portions of Bowmore aged for almost 23 years in ex-bourbon. That product on its own would fetch many hundreds of dollars in today’s market.
With it we married a gorgeous first fill sherry butt of Glendullan of at least 21 years of age. This little-known distillery can offer some serious character and complexity if aged in quality casks. So little sees high value sherry it’s hard to generalize about the character, but this barrel was absolutely first rate. It brought out the deep tropical fruit and wild exotic side of the Bowmore. This original blend was supple and delicious -a 5th & Harrison redux if you will, but it didn’t really show the maturity of these two wonderful old spirits. In fact, the whiskies seemed to bring out the hidden youthfulness in each other, a noble trait, though now somehow masking some deeper complexities that the two exhibited apart. At James’ suggestion we began to explore the potential of encouraging a small amount of old rugged Caol Ila into the blend. This I also assumed would be cost prohibitive, but we forged ahead anyway.
After nearly two and half decades in refill American oak, the wild jagged spirit has smoldered into a dense singularity of salty ocean flavors. The feeling of boarding a weathered schooner, salt and tar covered, the captain’s pipe wafting as he steadies the wooden tiller. Whiffs of salted fish, sea spray and diesel smoke complete the harbor scene. Ultimately, this final note brought the new batch together perfectly by retaining the wild freshness but pinpointing both a base and top note that draws the deeper elements of the first two malts forward. The resulting blend is easily one of my favorite modern bottlings of Scotch in at least a decade. It exemplifies everything we are at K&L, providing a superior experience for an incredible price. I’ll attempt to do it justice here. The color is stunning hue of chestnut (1.2). The nose offers an incredible sense of the finest and oldest things -old teak, cordovan, salt encrusted rope, mango syrup, balsam, seaweed, bonfire, première eau and marmalade. On the palate the Bowmore shines at first offering salted tropical fruit, fried plantains in honey, grilled lemons.
Then our Glendullan adds wild nutty oxidized rancio, dense spices and freshly chopped dark chocolate. The finish brings a heavy dose of lemon oil, old wood, baked orchard fruit, apricot jam, salted almonds, camphor and smoldering tobacco. It doesn’t need a drop of water and certainly not more than that if you must. Bottled at extremely near cask strength 0.1-.2% to round out the labels and with no chillfiltration, coloring or other additives whatsoever. Today, to commemorate the expansion of K&L into new waters, we launch both 5th & Harrison II & Culver & Sepulveda. These two sister bottlings include the exact same juice, but each label celebrates these two wonderful cities that we call home. IN some comedic twist of fate, we’re able to offer these wonders – an old blended malt scotch whisky at the exact same price as the previous K&L/Compass Box collaboration from over a decade ago, a true triumph.
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
Featuring the Best Scotch 2025, Glengoyne 25 Year Old. This exclusive tasting allows guests to experience our 25 Year Old and our 30 Year Old whiskies, plus a specially selected ‘wild card’ whisky from our shelf.
Take your time, savour and marvel as our Distillery Ambassadors explain how nothing is rushed, and every stage of our whisky making process is given as long as it needs. This is an in-depth tutored tasting of our finest whiskies.
How much do you really know about whisky? From barley to barrels, this 20-question quiz will put your whisky knowledge to the test! Whether you’re a casual sipper or a dedicated enthusiast, challenge yourself and see if you have what it takes to master the malt.📖 Take the Quiz
Max Homa Partners with Elijah Craig for Ultra-Exclusive Toasted Barrel Pick
The standout 8-year-old pick will be released in extremely limited quantities with less than 200 bottles available exclusively for the most discerning golf and Bourbon fans
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 18, 2025) – PGA TOUR® pro Max Homa, known for his humor and strong performance on the golf course, has teamed up with Elijah Craig to create a one-of-a-kind Bourbon expression. When he’s not perfecting his swing, Homa can be found enjoying the rich, sweet oak notes of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, which he has dubbed his “hands-down favorite.” So, when the opportunity arose to collaborate on a private barrel pick for his fans, he jumped at the chance.
The result is a truly exclusive Toasted Barrel pick that captures Homa’s love for craftsmanship, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. The process begins with Elijah Craig’s renowned Small Batch Bourbon, which is then elevated by a second, custom toasted barrel. This step imbues the Bourbon with an additional layer of sweet oak complexity, creating a rich, full-bodied profile.
“Since the beginning of my partnership with Elijah Craig, fans have been asking for a barrel pick,” said six-time PGA TOUR® winner Max Homa. “All of the barrels I sampled were delicious which made the decision very difficult, but in the end my Toasted Barrel pick ultimately stood out with its rich creamy notes of butterscotch and vanilla alongside the classic oak smokiness and spice Elijah Craig is known for.”
For Max’s signature sip, the team followed the same finishing process, but with a unique twist—working with single barrels that were uncut and bottled at barrel proof. After sampling four carefully curated options alongside Elijah Craig Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, Homa stepped into the role for the day, ultimately selecting a standout 8-year-old Bourbon. This Bourbon, initially aged on the fifth floor of Heaven Hill’s Rickhouse M and finished for six months on the fifth floor of Warehouse H1, boasts an impressive 126.6 proof.
The result is a Bourbon with a depth of flavor that begins with the unmistakable aroma of toasted oak and sweet caramel. The finish is warm and satisfying, with lingering hints of chocolate and baking spices—perfectly embodying the signature toasted finish Elijah Craig fans know and love, while amplifying every rich note.
Max Homa’s exclusive Toasted Barrel pick is exclusively available to residents of Max’s home state of California, providing an opportunity for fans to enjoy a truly exceptional expression of Bourbon crafted by one of the game’s most talented athletes. Fans of both Elijah Craig and Max Homa can sign up to be the first to know when the release will be available for sale by visiting the Elijah Craig website. By providing contact information on the sign-up page, fans will receive an exclusive email with the limited opportunity to purchase the product. Note that joining the list is not a guarantee of purchase and product will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Please note that joining the list is not a guarantee of purchase.
ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Rye, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body, and rich flavor. Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon, Best Single Barrel Bourbon (aged 11+ years) and Best Straight Bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com
MARCH AUCTION HALFWAY THROUGH!
Released in early 2020, the fifth instalment of the Macallan Folio series tells the story of an individual who, after a day of sport in Speyside, bemoans a chance from the Laird to share a glass of Macallan with him, because he had taken down the lugs of his bonnet and couldn’t hear the offer of a warming glass of Macallan!
Although this well-known blended whisky in now produced by Diageo in Scotland, it was first produced by James Logan Mackie in Edinburgh in 1861. Older bottlings of White Horse are incredibly sought after, in particular due to the fact that a good proportion of malt used in the blend comes from Lagavulin Distillery. This particular example was bottled in 1949 by Royal appointment to His Majesty the King.
Or how about this well-aged expression, distilled at the much loved Speyside distillery Glen Grant. This rare release marked the opening of their new visitors centre on the 28th of May 2008, available only to those that attended the celebrations. Bottled straight from a single Cask at natural Cask strength and limited to only 85 bottles with bottle number hand-written and including the signature of the Master Distiller Sir Dennis Malcolm!
Distilled in 1974 at Benrinnes Distillery, aged for 21 years then bottled at a natural Cask strength, this is a lovely example of the highly-regarded Rare Malts range.
These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our March 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 23rd March from 8pm GMT.
