WHISKY IS FOR THE REBELS,

NOT THE RULE-MAKERS

We’ve just released Scot-Free – the world’s first English vatted malt which is made using whiskies from six different distilleries. Quite the departure from our Scotch roots, but with good reason. This one isn’t just about celebrating the growing English whisky scene. It’s about something that’s been a cornerstone of Compass Box since we started back in 2000: transparency.

 TRANSPARENCY MATTERS 

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have created their own robust single malt whisky Geographical Indications (GIs) that clearly define and authenticate their whisky production. The same is true for Australia and the USA. Each set of rules is slightly different, with those differences allowing distillers to reflect their place and culture.

England has proposed its own GI and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has publicly opposed it. This is despite the fact that England is seeking a definition of ‘single malt’ that Wales, and the USA, already have.

A GI is a kind of transparency: it clearly states that this whisky was made in this locality, to these standards. Words on a label mean something. There is more than one way to make delicious whisky, and differences are what make the world more interesting.

TRANSPARENCY TASTES GOOD 

Take a bottle of our Orchard House. You’ll notice several technical details displayed on the label – like the fact it’s not chill-filtered and there’s no added colour – details we aren’t required to list but want to be upfront about.

Others think differently. They quietly add Caramel E150-A food colouring to their whiskies, both single malts and blends, without saying a word. It’s deceptive and wrong that producers aren’t obligated to give you this sort of information.

“Since 2000 the team at Compass Box have created a series of blended whiskies that push the boundaries of blended scotch. They started with the whisky itself, not only naming the component whiskies but telling consumers exactly what proportions they used.”

This quote from a Forbes article is one we’re really proud of, not least because it encapsulates what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. For anyone new around here, that article is also a good summary of our first 25 years of whiskymaking.

OUR STORY SO FAR

TRANSPARENCY MAKES A DIFFERENCE 

We take a lot of inspiration from worlds beyond whisky, and one company that’s especially impressive on transparency is Tony’s Chocolonely. Their UK office is down the road from ours in Richmond, London.

Tony’s is focused on ending exploitation in the cocoa industry, and challenging their competitors’ opaqueness by being open and honest about their own sourcing, their challenges, and their progress. Just have a look at their website.

As we mention them, and given that we recently looked at how you can pair whisky and food, here are two transparently delicious pairings for the weekend ahead…

1. Orchard House & Tony’s Hazelnut Crunch

Our bright and fresh character in Orchard House finds a playful partner in the textured nuttiness.

2. Nectarosity & Tony’s Almond Honey Nougat
Nectarosity’s oaky richness complements that chewy sweetness in the chocolate. 

A FINAL THOUGHT 

Transparency is about doing what’s right. Sometimes that’s got us into trouble, like the time the Scotch Whisky Association said we could only disclose the age of the youngest component in our whisky – and no others – even though it made up less than 1% of it. No matter. We might ruffle a few feathers now and then, but ultimately you deserve to know what you’re drinking as you journey with us into uncharted territories of taste.

This is interesting
And this is interesting
And that’s very interesting

Last Chance Drams!

We’ve listed below a small selection of products listed in our ‘Last Chance Drams‘ section over on our website. In this section we currently only have 1 bottle remaining in stock of that particular release and soon to be sold out! Grab one of these fine products while you still can. This section is always updating so worth visiting when browsing Abbey Whisky. As always, if you have any questions, please just get in touch.

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SHOP LAST CHANCE DRAMS!

Suntory Yamazaki “Islay Peated” 2024 Tsukuriwake Limited Single Malt Whiskey (700ml) $450.00 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

Phil will return next week……..

Auction Debut for One of the Rarest Offerings Ever from

The Balvenie Distillery

 Hammer Proceeds from the Sale of

The Balvenie Private Cask Trunk to be Donated to WWF and The King’s Trust

 Online Auction Open for Bidding Until 29 May

LONDON, 19 May 2025 – An exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the rarest offerings ever from The Balvenie – or from any whisky distillery – is currently underway at Sotheby’s in London. Bidding is now open on a sale of Finest Whisky, in which The Balvenie 50 Year Old Private Cask #16560 Trunk is a headline lot. Quite literally a treasure chest, the appearance of this hyper-rare item containing 10 bottles of single cask 50-year-old whisky from The Balvenie Distillery marks the first time that any bottles from The Balvenie’s rare cask programme have been seen at auction.

Every one of the 220 bottles produced from this cask – and the 22 wooden trunks in total in which they are housed – is owned by one collector, who has kindly chosen to consign one of the trunks to auction in order for the sale proceeds from the hammer price to be donated to two charities: WWF and The King’s Trust. Carrying an estimate of £240,000-450,000, The Balvenie Private Cask Trunk is available to collectors until 29 May only.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, said: “This unusual trunk represents not only ten fantastically old and rare bottles of whisky with exceptional presentation, but more importantly, it is a glimpse into the secret world within the upper echelons of whisky collecting. The rarest offering from Balvenie has finally become public and all for the benefit of two very worthy charities.”Cask #16560 is one of the few casks ever to be selected for the William Grant & Sons Private Client cask offer “event sale”, an annual programme in which only one cask selected from The Balvenie will be offered to one lucky private buyer and bottled for them that year. This Sherry Butt was selected by The Balvenie Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, for its extraordinary richness of character and depth of colour and bottled in 2021. On 14 December that year, Cask #16560 was removed from its home at The Balvenie distillery where it lay for nearly 51 years in order to be transformed into 220 dark sherry whisky bottles.

The cask itself went on to become not just the inspiration for, but the tools with which the labels were designed. For the label design concept, The Balvenie team worked with award-winning Scottish artist Paul Furneaux to commission an original artwork, from which 220 individual and unique labels were produced.

The starting point was a visit to The Balvenie’s Cooperage, a barrel-making facility that allows this particular distillery to control quality and creativity in their cask curation. Borrowing from a traditional lithography technique, Furneaux used the oak staves from Sherry Butt #16560 to create a collage of paint imprints on canvas using various colours and hues to invoke the Speyside landscape that surrounds the distillery. Once Furneaux’s vision was complete and the paint had been applied to canvas as a finished work, the final piece was scanned and then divided into 220 individual equal portions, one for each hand-applied label, giving every bottle from the cask its own unique appearance.

On the back of each bottle is another label containing the details of the liquid. Each label is individually numbered, and each bottle is packed in a matching wooden presentation case with a corresponding number etched into the top. For more information and detailed imagery of the production process, please click here.

The ten bottles are each contained with a carved wooden presentation case fixed with brass tube hinges. The cases have been lovingly produced and finished by hand and measured perfectly to fit the trunk itself. The solid oak trunk is laser engraved and gold gilded with the cask number and The Balvenie logo, then finished with Renaissance wax. For more information on the production process of these presentation cases, please click here.

World Wide Fund for Nature

The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is a global conservation organization that works to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. It focuses on issues like wildlife conservation, climate change, deforestation, oceans and freshwater ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices. The WWF partners with governments, communities, and businesses to create long-term solutions for a healthier planet.

The King’s Trust

The King’s Trust, formerly known as The Prince’s Trust, is a UK-based charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales). Its mission is to support young people aged 11 to 30 who are facing challenges such as unemployment, educational difficulties, mental health issues, or risk of exclusion. The Trust offers programs that help young individuals build confidence, gain skills, and find pathways into education, employment, or entrepreneurship. Since its inception, The King’s Trust has assisted over a million young people in the UK and has expanded its reach internationally, operating in more than 20 countries. Through various initiatives, it continues to empower youth to transform their lives and achieve their potential.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

UMIKI JAPANESE SINGLE MALT WHISKY NOW IN JAPAN, SELECTED ASIAN COUNTRIES & DUTY FREE! 

YOSHINO SPIRITS / KAMIKI SHUZO UNVEILS THE UMIKI SINGLE MALT WHISKY

A Refined New Expression, Now in Japan and Asian Markets- Duty-Free Stores!

Yoshino Spirits and Kamiki Shuzo proudly present Umiki Single Malt Whisky, a distinguished new release crafted exclusively for Japan, select Asian & airport duty-free stores.

Rooted in the tradition of purity and craftsmanship that defines Japanese whisky, Umiki Single Malt offers a harmonious balance of smoothness, complexity, and nature’s elegance.

This exceptional whisky is meticulously distilled and matured, then finished in rare Mizunara Oak casks — a wood prized for its delicate influence, imparting subtle spice, sandalwood, and an unmistakable Japanese character.

With its delicate flavors and graceful finish, Umiki Single Malt stands as a tribute to authentic Japanese whisky-making — a true Collector’s Item for those who seek rarity and refinement. This new expression reaffirms Yoshino Spirits’ dedication to excellence, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving world of premium Japanese single malts.

About Umiki Single Malt Whisky

Umiki Single Malt Whisky, produced by Kamiki Shuzo Co. Distillery is finished in rare Mizunara Oak Casks, and comes in elegantly packaged in a wooden gift box.

About Yoshino Spirits / Kamiki Shuzo:

Based in Osaka, Japan, Yoshino Spirits and Kamiki Shuzo are known for pioneering innovation in Japanese whisky. Through a dedication to craftsmanship, creativity, and authenticity, they continue to define the future of Japanese spirits on a global stage.

For Further Information:

Please contact info@umikiwhisky.com and visit www.UmikiWhisky.com

Unveiling the Legacy of the Russell Family

A Story of Craftsmanship, Heritage, and a Rare 38 Year Old Single Cask

Uncover the history of Glengoyne’s return to family ownership, their unique approach to whisky making, the next in our storytelling series. From their beginnings as whisky brokers in the 1930s to becoming esteemed custodians of Glengoyne, the Russell Family has dedicated generations to the pursuit of exceptional Scotch Whisky.

Their dedication culminates in the Russell Family Cask 38 Year Old. Matured in one of the finest first-fill sherry butts, this rare single malt is a bold celebration of three generations united by craftsmanship and tradition.

Immerse yourself in the legacy of the Russell Family and the meticulous creation of this extraordinary whisky.

Tasting the Russell Family Cask with Gordon Dallas, our Brand Ambassador

Russell Family Cask

 38 Year Old Single Cask

This rare gem, drawn from one of the finest first-fill sherry butts, is a tribute to three generations of the Russell family, owners and custodians of Glengoyne since 2003. For 38 years, cask no. 915 rested in our dunnage warehouse, reaching a richness and silkiness that embodies the passion and craft passed down within the Russell family. This whisky is not only a celebration of their dedication but also a reflection of Glengoyne’s enduring values of craftsmanship, patience, and heritage.

RUSSELL FAMILY CASK 38 YEAR OLD

SAMPLE/STOCK IMAGE as provided by Whisky Intelligence and NOT K&L!

Kavalan “Vinho Barrique” Solist #W170113034A Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

$220.00

The famous Solist series has become incredibly hard to find in the US over the last few years. But occasionally we see small lots of single barrels from various spots become available, often at well under market prices. We cannot argue with excellent Taiwanese whisky at $80 lower than most markets in the US. This cask strength single barrel is dark and brooding with a massive 122 proof. *****DUE TO TRADEMARK ISSUES KAVALAN SINGLE BARRELS DO NOT INCLUDE THE SOLIST NAME IN THE US, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE UNDER THE SOLIST LABEL****

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

WHAT IS THE ISLAY FESTIVAL?

Each year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music brings thousands of whisky enthusiasts to this remote Hebridean island. Join us in taking a deep dive into one of the world’s great whisky events with our very own ambassador and educator, Billy Abbott. Learn more about the Islay Festival in our Inspiration section.

DISCOVER

SHOP NOW

While Islay is well-known for intensely smoky single malts, not all the island’s whiskies are peated. Try Bunnahabhain or Bruichladdich for a taste of Islay without the heavy smoke.

ralfy review 1078 Extras – Whisky one step at a time.