K&L “Our Best Single Malt Whisky Deal of 2017” – Scotch Whisky News
Purchasing unique barrels of cask strength single malt whisky isn’t a process that particularly lends itself to everyday value, mainly because of the added costs that bottling whisky at full proof and in small quantities entails. We hear from K&L customers all over the world on a regular basis who would love to participate more often in our exclusive whisky program, if only the costs were a bit more in line with the regular brands. The sad truth is, however: there simply isn’t much cask strength juice out there for under $75 and when we do manage to locate more value-priced selections they’re usually in the 5-7 year range, and often quite youthful in their character. With the three-tier distribution system set up the way it is in the United States, there’s really no way around that price point. But that’s why you shop at K&L, right? Because we know how trim down those margins, cut out those middlemen, and bring the booze directly to you for a more reasonable price!
We’ve performed a few magic acts over the years. We’ve located some rare whiskies, pulled out a few stops, and managed to drop the price on many an interesting spirit here and there, but we can’t remember having ever put together a Scotch deal like this one: two single barrels of cask strength, sherry-matured, dark and delicious Highland single malt whisky for less than fifty bucks. We’ve been sitting on our hands and biting our tongues, hoping to keep this deal a secret until December when we knew single malt shoppers would appreciate it most. Not only are these two sherry-matured whiskies sure-fire gift options for your Macallan or Balvenie-loving whisky drinker, they’re both loaded with flavors of shortbread, toffee, Christmas cake, and dark chocolate. Never in our store’s history have we been able to offer whisky this rich and this delicious at full proof for under fifty bucks. Buy a few for your loved ones, or buy a few for yourself; just don’t miss out on this offer. We think it’s the best single malt whisky deal of the year.
Glenallachie is a Pernod-Ricard-owned distillery that sends most of its whisky to the blended Chivas Regal, but after our customers get a taste of this super-saturated sherry-matured delight, it’s going to be a household name at K&L. This 11 year old first-fill sherry bomb is like a darker, sweeter, older, richer, better version of another Pernod-Ricard classic: the Aberlour A’Bunadh. But whereas the A’Bunadh sells for $70 a bottle, this decadent Glenallachie comes in at a cool $49.99. For the age, quality, and concentration of the sherry here, this is right there with the Dailuaine 9 year old cask as one of the best single malt whisky deals we’ve ever offered. The nose is brimming with burnt vanilla, toasted nuts, and cakebread. The palate is a 59.8% beast of savory sherry, sweet pudding, candied citrus, and dark chocolate. If you’ve been dreaming of the 22 year old Mortlach sherry bomb we offered years ago that is still the stuff of legend today, this is the baby version of that whisky. We could probably sell this for $99.99 and few people would complain. We’d recommend buying this one by the case. Only 600 total bottles available.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
This is a delightful bottle of whiskey even without the sub $50 price tag. The nose showcases the traditional nutty richness from the sherry cask, but there is a more savory, almost touch of earth note alongside it. Amazingly smooth on the palate, like the nose, this Scotch brings an almost savory element to the sweet richness of the sherry influence. Hints of bitter chocolate, earth, and almonds mean that this will be perfect to warm up the many cool evenings that this time of the year brings.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
Weighing in at a whopping 59.8% this gem packs deep, rich, dense sherry into a garden full of fresh herbs and moist, rich humus. It’s chewy, nutty sherry with a touch of cocoa and all at an unheard of price point for cask-strength whisky in the market today. If you want a great gift for a big sherry whisky lover without dropping 100+ bucks, this is just the ticket.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this whisky for months, ever since I first tasted it back in Glasgow this past September. Once the price of the Pound dropped and I was able to rework a little math, I knew we had a chance to offer one of the best single malt deals in our store’s history. This is like a K&L Exclusive version of Aberlour A’Bunadh, but this version comes from another Chivas distillery called Glenallachie. This one also comes with an age statement (11 years) and a discount of $20 per bottle. Sherry bomb chasers haven’t seen a deal this good in a decade. This is every thing we say it is: dark, rich, chewy, raisined, concentrated, and full of sweet sherry. It’s almost 60% at cask strength and it’s a complete animal. For $49.99, I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry.
Dailuaine is one of Diageo’s classic Speyside distilleries that produces a classically rich, nutty, and creamy Highland malt whisky. We thought this particular nine year old sherry butt-aged expression was so fruity and delicious that we practically jumped across the negotiating table to get our hands on it. Matured in a second fill cask, the toffee and shortbread notes of the Oloroso cask are more restrained and integrated, but they’re still front and center. They meld beautifully with the inherent maltiness of the whisky and build to a finish that pops at 58.3% with spice, rhubarb, and toasted almond notes. Fans of Glendronach, Macallan, and Balvenie should go ga-ga for this. The chewiness of the sherry is just apparent enough to add body and texture, but it never takes away from the pure malt flavor. Utterly drinkable and of profound quality for the price. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best deals we’ve ever offered for any cask of sherry-aged malt whisky in our store’s history.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
Stunningly smooth and approachable despite being bottles at a hefty 58.3%. Tons of intense sherry, candied nuts, and richness here, but not a huge sherry bomb in the classic sense. While there is the clear stamp of Spain’s finest fortified wines, there is also an elegance and balance due to a robust maltiness with a touch of heavy cream. All for $50 bucks, this is a heck of a deal.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
Super fun, tasty bottle that we picked up from Hepburn’s Choice that fulfills the niche that seems to be harder and harder to fill in the whiskey world. Namely good, smooth affordable whiskey. Here the sherry casks gives this 9 year old Scotch a nutty sweetness on the nose with hints of caramel. The palate has loads of rich baked fruit and the Sherry really sings with nutty spice and rich round tones. Even at cask strength this is a surprisingly smooth whiskey for anyone looking to get into a fun bottle that doesn’t have to be special occasion only.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2016
While the super sherry heads all fawn and freak out over the uber-rich Glenallachie 11, the fans of more restrained and balanced sherry-aged whisky should be surreptitiously stocking up on this 9 year old Dailuaine, hoping the masses don’t catch wind of this incredible deal. This sherry-aged delight drinks like a full proof version of Glendronach 12 or the Balvenie Doublewood. It’s half creamy malt and half toasted sherry deliciousness. The flavors of sweet barley and sweet sherry meander back and forth and trade places numerous times with each sip. Sure, it’s the price as the Glenallachie and it’s two years younger, but this is the bottle you’ll come back to over and over again. This is the one you’ll really miss when all 559 bottles are sold out.
