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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.
Ardnahoe Bholsa is an exceptional whisky is predominantly matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is bottled with no artificial colouring or chill-filtration, ensuring a pure and authentic experience. With an ABV of 50% and presented in a 70cl bottle, this whisky delivers a full-bodied, memorable flavour profile.
On the nose, it offers a rich blend of smoky peat, raisins, and the sweet influence of Oloroso sherry, complemented by vibrant notes of orange zest and walnuts. The palate is indulgent, with luscious ripe plums and dates, balanced by the distinctive warmth of Islay peat. The finish is long and peppery, leaving a lingering sherried character.
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The nose is dominated by classic tones of maple and brown sugar with a little bit of praline and toffee to take things even further into opulence. The rich palate conveys honeyed almonds, butterscotch, candied orange peel, and hints of fresh tobacco leaf. At this proof, there is heat to this dram, but the overall intensity of the profile more than stands up to the heat. This is a bottling that any fan of Heaven Hill should have behind their bar, in their cabinet, or stashed away for special friends or special occasions.
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
This Strathclyde has enjoyed 34 years of cask maturation, including an additional finishing period in a rye cask from the Koval distillery. The result is a superbly balanced whisky with notes of sweet oak and fresh cereal.
Nose: Toffee apple, stewed pears, vanilla.
Palate: Sweet oak, caramel sauce, fresh cereal.
Finish: Long and gentle, peanut brittle.
Distillery Strathclyde | Bottler Murray McDavid | Region Lowland | Age 34 year old | Alcohol 47.2% ABV | Vintage 1987 | Year Bottled 2022 | Cask Wood Type Rye Finished | Number Bottled 564 | Country of Origin Scotland
Loch Lomond 16YO Cognac Finish.
A distillery that I’ve admired for quite a long time is Loch Lomond. They seem to be able to do everything without the smallest hint of being a try-hard. Whether it’s powerfully peated options, delicate Highland single malts, or something matured in outrageous casks with heaps of complexity. They’ve got it.
This is the first release in a series of bottles that focuses on location and travel. This sixteen year old single malt is matured in ex-bourbon casks for most of its life before being finished in ex-Cognac casks for a whole year. The Waypoint Series will showcase a vast wealth of cask influences across a few different releases and will also highlight some incredible areas within Scotland. This first release is named Falls of Falloch. An incredible waterfall featured within the Trossachs of Scotland. The country is a place of incredible beauty, some of the finest in the UK, as well as the world itself.
A bottle that is dominant with light, floral freshness. Elderflower, golden sultana, green apple, and fresh pear run through the liquid transporting you to spring and summer – you can almost feel the tingle of sunshine on your skin from it. The finish is a little heavier with charred wood, caramelised sugars, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Overall, it is an outstanding bottle when it comes to age, value, and storytelling.
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SCOTLAND’S NEWEST WHISKY BOTTLER ENTERS GLOBAL MARKETS & EXPANDS SENIOR TEAM
Saltire Rare Malt, based in Falkland, Fife – the birthplace of Scotch Whisky over 530 years ago – is raising a glass to 2025 as they celebrate further success in the whisky world through new global markets, new stockists and the assembling of an unrivalled team of whisky veterans boasting over a century of combined industry experience.
Single malt whisky-lovers across the world will soon know the name Saltire Rare Malt as the Falkland-based independent whisky bottler enters further global markets, hiring new senior team members to take the company to the next level.
Since launching their first bottles in 2024, Saltire Rare Malt can now be found across the UK, as far as Japan, Latin America and the Netherlands as they welcome new stockists in Belgium and Uruguay. Success has been quick for the Falkland bottler and it doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon as they announce a special 1-year anniversary releases coming in May – a highly anticipated *14-year-old Linkwood from the Speyside region, 1 of only 74 bottled from a Refill American Oak Ex Bourbon Cask at 54.1% ABV priced at £160.
Saltire Rare Malt’s meteoric rise caught the eye of Jan Damen, who takes on the role of European Sales Director. He brings with him 25 years of rich single malt whisky experience – heading up the roles of Operations Director for Europe at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Group Commercial & Operations Director at The Artisanal Spirits Company, and General Manager at The Single Cask.
Saltire Rare Malt has also appointed a USA Brand Ambassador, Paul Bryant to lead Saltire’s journey across the Atlantic. The new hires join the UK & Europe Brand Ambassador, David McCallum and Business Development Director, Andre de Almeida. All in good company as curating the Saltire Rare Malt Collection is Hans & Becky Offringa — known internationally as ‘The Whisky Couple’.
Hans Offringa is an international whisky expert and author with over 35 years experience – an inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame and A Keeper of the Quaich. Becky Lovett Offringa is also a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Both Hans & Becky are well-respected judges at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards, with over 50 years experience between them.
‘The Whisky Couple’, are a trusted part of the Saltire family and with incomparable guidance and advice. If curators Hans & Becky disapprove of a sample, the cask will not be bottled.
A MEASURE OF TIME & TASTE
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & Founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie. The pair have worked together for three decades, before moving into the whisky world to collect fine and rare single malts. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.
The founders felt that 2024 would be a good year to launch the very first bottlings of Saltire Rare Malt, 530 years after the birth of Scotch Whisky – in the beautiful, historic town of Falkland. Among Saltire Rare Malt’s meticulously curated collection are ‘well-known labels’, ‘rare gems’ and casks from ‘lost distilleries’ with Single Malt Scotch Whisky releases that are ‘never rushed or hurried — they’re bottled when the right time arrives’.
FALKLAND, FIFE; THE BIRTHPLACE OF SCOTCH WHISKY
Falkland is a beautiful Scottish market town in the Kingdom of Fife, built around the 12th century Falkland Palace. 1494 saw the first record of Scotch Whisky. King James IV, staying at the Palace, issuing the famous order: “8 bolls of malt to Friar John Cor, werewith to make the ‘water of life”. This can be considered the birth certificate of Scotch Whisky. Saltire Rare Malt is now situated in the market square opposite Falkland Palace. Over 530 years after the birth of Scotch whisky, its story has now come full circle.
Commenting on their worldwide success, Saltire Rare Malt Founder & Director Keith Rennie said; “Saltire Rare Malt was born out of friendship, vision and a passion for the very best Single Malt Scotch Whisky. To see our company be so well-received across the globe really is a dream come true.
“Being successful is all about the team you build around you. The sheer quality, knowledge & experience we have across our team at Saltire makes the future very exciting. We are honoured to have Hans & Becky curating the Saltire Rare Malt Collection – their incredible whisky know-how and the trust we have in them is a beautiful thing.
“Bringing our new hires Jan & Paul into the Saltire family again demonstrates that with the best team around you anything is possible. We’re raising a glass to 2025, and we can’t wait to announce what’s next!”
The Saltire Rare Malt Collection is available to buy online on their website at: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/
l-r Hans & Becky Offringa – ‘The Whisky Couple’, Founder Keith Rennie, Founder Nigel Heywood
About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.
W: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/
I: https://www.instagram.com/saltireraremaltwhisky
F: https://www.facebook.com/people/Saltire-Rare-Malt-Whisky/61554723364117/
About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:
Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.
Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. Becky and Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family.
*Saltire Rare Malt; Linkwood – 1st Year Anniversary
Tasting notes; “A beautiful nose. This is what you want from a Linkwood, nice, sweet and fruity, think strawberry candies as a top note. Then cigar boxes and sugar-coated oranges with cotton candy. The ruby port wine vintage barrique added extra layers of fruit upon fruit. Simply a lovely, fruity dram with a smooth but full body.”
Price: £160
Bottled at: 54.1% ABV.
Filling date: 10-2-2011
Region: Speyside
Release date: May 2025
Link to buy; https://www.saltireraremalt.com/collections/all
The Grand Whisky Auction ENDS TONIGHT!!!
The auction closes on Tuesday 18th March from 9:00pm (GMT)
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