Ardbeg “Uigeadail” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $86) 94 $79.99 View

 Launched in 2003, Uigeadail remains one of Ardbeg’s core offerings. Matured in a mix of sherry and bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength. Peppery peat, warm tar, coffee grounds, machine oil, and black pepper on the nose. The palate is complex and rich, offering orange segments sprinkled with sea salt, dark chocolate, malt, and ever-present sweet peat. Nicely balanced. Lengthy in the finish, with smoky caramel. (GS, Fall 2018) 

K&L Notes

2009 World Whiskey of the Year. Ardbeg Uigeadail (pronounced Oog-a-dal) takes its name from the brooding, mysterious loch that provides the peat-laden water for Ardbeg. It is a special vatting of casks matured in bourbon barrels and many older sherry casks. The older casks bring luscious, sweet, raisiny tones to the unique Ardbeg taste. Michael Jackson’s tasting notes: “Nose: Intensely smoky. Dry, clean, tangy smoke. Like standing downwind of the barbecue while steaks are char-grilled on the beach; Palate: Firm, very smooth, then explodes on the tongue; Finish: Hot. Alcoholic. A shock to the system; Comment: The elemental opposite of the sophisticated Lord of the Isles.” 9 1/4 points from Whisky Magazine! Also, was on F. Paul Pacult’s List of the Scotch Whiskies to be Drinking in 2007. Nonchillfiltered.

Barrell Craft 8 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4B1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View

The spectacular 8 year old single barrels of Kentucky Straight Bourbon that Barrell has sourced have been wildly popular. One of only 36 barrels to trip the 8 year mark for their Kentucky single barrel releases, this cask is superlative.

Balvenie 21 Year Old “Port Wood” Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) 94 $249.99 View

 A port cask finish gives this Scotch a copper penny hue. The aroma suggests baked apple, while the palate has a chewy, concentrated vanilla-oak profile, leading to walnut, leather and espresso. The rounded finish sings with sherry and spice. Adding water coaxes out baked apple sweetness and dials back the oak. (KN)  (12/2017)

91 points Whisky Advocate

 This is the ultimate Port-wood expression from Balvenie and has been finished in 30-year-old port pipes. A more vibrant and textured Travel Retail variant is non-chill filtered and bottled at 47.6%. Soft, red grape notes, vanilla, and milk chocolate on the nutty nose. Very discreet smoke. Rich plum flavors in the mouth, dark berries covered in cream, and spicy honey. The finish is long and elegantly drying. (GS, Spring 2017)