While Champagne may be the beverage of choice for Valentine’s Day, we’d argue the stronger spirits are a more than welcome addition to an evening of romance. Luckily, we have several new arrivals that are sure to titillate and arouse. Leading things off is a 22-Year-Old Single Cask from Tobermory. Loaded with flavors of peaches and cream, it’s a tippler that will appeal to the seasoned Scotch maven and casual imbiber alike. For those on the prowl for something a little more potent, the new exclusive Whistle Pig 10-year, at 117.1 proof, will heat things up real fast. Perhaps you are looking for something a tad more exotic? Then you’ll want to give the Domaine Hubert Pays d’Auge Vieux Calvados a spin. Fruity, feminine, and lissome, this delightful apple brandy from Normandy is all too easy to love. And lastly, to our way of thinking, Valentine’s Day simply wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without some Dickel. Our new “K&L Exclusive” single barrel has arrived and it is pure temptation in a glass. Read on for all the juicy details…

The Newest “Sovereign” Single Barrel Release

Peaches and cream, that’s what they should call this new 22-year-old Tobermory, bottled for us by Sovereign. It’s loaded with fresh stone fruit and a rich creamy texture, to the point that I think even my wife is going to enjoy this one. Tobermory is on the Isle of Mull just across from Oban and it makes a similarly light and vanilla-laden malt. This particular single barrel edition is right on point: a very delicious expression of a textbook Scotch malt character, nothing weird or out of the ordinary, just damn good whisky, with age, at full proof, at a hot price. This will not be the bottle that you drink a tablespoon from every few weeks. You’re going to pour fingers of this stuff and it’s going to be empty before you know it. Dangerously drinkable liquid.

1995 Tobermory 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99) – The Isle of Mull, just north of Islay along Scotland’s west coast, is host to one of the most unassuming of distilleries, called Tobermory, which has quietly made outstanding, straightforward Scotch whisky since 1798. Never the most bold or brash of single malts, neither the loudest nor the most assertive, Tobermory does make a smoky island whisky called Ledaig, but the flagship malt is a fruitier, maltier expression that really starts to sing after two decades in wood. With this 22-year-old single barrel edition bottled for us by Sovereign, the oft-overlooked attributes of Tobermory come into full focus, beginning with an arousing bouquet of nectarines stewing in freshly milled barley. That stone fruit goodness emanates from the glass in waves, morphing into a sweet nectar of honey and peach on the palate. The vanilla from the oak aging starts to shape the whisky on the mid-palate, adding spice and richness toward the finish where the barley becomes the star. The malty, creamy finish is lifted by the 50.8% ABV and that extra proof tingles the taste buds for minutes. There’s nothing new to be had from this exceptional Tobermory expression, just a classically flavored malt whisky for a fabulous price. In a market currently full of anomalies and unique flavors, this is the bottle you’ll return to again and again.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

This is a beautiful single malt that is very easy to drink. The nose is very expressive with pronounced aromas of honey and wax. In the mouth it is round clean, soft and pretty with a long tongue coating finish. With a splash of water the nose becomes a touch more sweet and in the mouth a little softer.I like this producer and it is always a joy to have something from Tobermory in stock.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

This is a spectacular bottling of Tobermory which is a distillery I had long heard of but only tasted one other expression. The whisky here is what people have always told me happens from the place, all the beautiful richness that makes people fall in love with Scottish whisky. Warm white fudge with stone fruit and a creamy deliciousness all mix together perfectly here. Soft, supple, and way to easy to drink this is the best kind of dessert and single malt rolled into one.

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

An increasingly rare chance to get you hands on some island (Mull not Islay) malt with 20+ years of age for under $90!? This is an unpeated expression of Tobermory that dances between golden orchard fruit / stone fruit, toasted barley, peanut brittle and buttercream. Then on the finish some lovely savory, saline nuances kick in to add another layer of coastal complexity. I also love that this single cask came down to a perfect 50.8% alc all of its own accord…pour it…drink it.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2018

As my colleague Alex said when I asked if he had tasted our sample bottle, “It’s one of the best scotches that has ever passed my lips.” I think that sums things up nicely. Especially when you consider the context. 22 years old, cask strength, single barrel, etc… I can’t argue. This whisky ranks. It’s loaded with citrus, fresh peat smoke, sugar candy and caramels. It’s a little salty. That classic brine character really shines through and complements the delicate fruitiness that lingers on the palate. Add in the complex herbaceous notes that waft in and out and you’ve got yourself a very complete, very balanced whisky. In short: you’ve got old Bowmore. I expect the only complaints we will register in the Spirits department on this one are about not having enough bottles to sell.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2018

This is one of the best expressions of Islay peat that I’ve ever tasted. The peat is subtle on this one, almost lost in the aromas of honeyed grains and marmalade on the nose. On the palate, the smoke shows up elegantly behind the rich creamy sweetness of the malt, eventually matching that intensity for a full proof, 51% abv masterpiece. The complex and delicious flavors stick around for an incredible finish.