THE HARMONY COLLECTION

VIBRANT OAK

We are delighted to share that the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak is available to purchase from our Online Boutique. This release is a unique collaboration with Cirque du Soleil celebrating 200 years of The Macallan.

The whisky, created by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, is matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. These have been carefully selected to deliver the classic American oak flavours of vanilla, citrus and sweet oak, naturally derived from the cask during maturation, with a medium, sweet finish that delicately lingers.

EXPLORE

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR Autumnal Leaf.

AROMA Intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake.

PALATE Creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak.

FINISH Medium, sweet with lingering vanilla.

ABV 44.2%

Sutherland Bottled By Thompson Bros. 5 Year Old Limited 2024 Release Blended Highland Malt Scotch Whisky

(700ml~ Pre-Arrival) $99.99 View

David Othenin-Girard
K&L Buyer
Review Date: 10/2024

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually tasted this batch. But I did taste the previous batch. If you know anything about me, it’s that I honestly believe the Dornoch Distillery to be the most exciting and significant new distillery in Scotland in modern history. While it’s currently too small to make a splash commercially, they’re on their way to building what I have no doubt will be considered one of the top five distilleries ANYWHERE in the world by decades end. This will be the Chichibu of Scotland and there’s never been another release in this country that features their incredible malt. The boys up in Dornoch are proud of their home and the three wonderful distilleries that are currently operating. This blend features significant amounts of their special malt, older expressions of the wonderful Clynelish distillery and a splash of very old Brora. If this is anywhere close to the last release, and good word is that its equal or greater, it’s a wonderful expression of the highland style. The last one was deep and round with gorgeous waxy fruit and a pungent wild aromatic character. It’s easily one of my favorite drinks right now and should resonate with any old school scotch lover, while peaking senses for even the most discrete spirits nerd. A truly special product that makes me so proud of what we do at K&L.

The incredible Dornoch Distillery is easily the most exciting new distillery operation in Scotland today. Run by brothers Phil & Simon Thompson, they understand the desires of true whisky lovers like few other distillers in the region. While their tiny distillery can only produce a handful of barrels a year, they’re in the process of building a much more substantial plant and while we wait, they’ve built an excellent independent bottling operation known as Thompson Bros (Redacted Bros stateside.) This special whisky pays homage to their home region, a gorgeous slice of Scotland known as Sutherland. This windswept county stretches from just north of Tain over the Dornoch Firth to the tip of northwestern Scotland and the North Atlantic Sea. Every drop of malt in this blend is distilled in Sutherland county and there are only three distillers in the area – Dornoch, Clynelish, and Brora. With a rough breakdown of 1/3, 2/3 and 1%, all three are represented within this bottle. This is the first product commercially available featuring Dornoch’s delicious own distillate yet to be released in the US. Widely sought-after in markets across the world and available exclusively at K&L. This release has completely sold out in other markets in a matter of minutes and the US pre-arrival is priced 20-30% below what it commanded in the UK.

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

The ImpEx Collection Edition Four Debuts, Showcasing Exquisite Scottish and World Single Malt Treasures for Discerning Palates

 ImpEx Beverages is back with its latest curated round-up of unique global spirits expressions in a single-cask form designed to appeal to those seeking choices of impeccable quality.

ImpEx Beverages, a renowned global spirits importer, is known for its unparalleled ability to procure and introduce the finest rare and premium expressions to the United States. With a strong focus on Scotland’s top-tier offerings, ImpEx meticulously selects and brings to market a range of specially chosen spirits, with the pinnacle of its offerings being The ImpEx Collection.

ImpEx Beverages, led by President and Keeper of the Quaich Sam Filmus, is now proud to present Edition Four of The ImpEx Collection, consisting of four single-cask, single-malt Scotches and two single-cask, single-malt global whiskies from the far-off, worldly corners of India and New Zealand.

“We’ve been very blessed to represent some fantastic and multi-award winning brands as an importer here in the US. Edition Four of The ImpEx Collection includes very special Single Cask selections from Pōkeno and Indri as part of its World Single Malt offerings,” said Filmus. “The trust and care these brands have shown in the selection process and allowing us to bottle these under our label gives us an even greater sense of pride in their release.  In fact, The ImpEx Collection 2020 3-yo Pōkeno Amontillado Cask #20-26 received a Gold Medal and 90 points from the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition along with 93 points from Whisky Advocate in their Fall 2024 issue.”

The ImpEx Collection concept is to showcase some of the best “gems” in its Editions. These bottlings, spirits that might otherwise disappear into a blend or never be bottled at all, represent some of the rarer gems out there. They result from a meticulous cask selection process achieved by blind tasting samples and forming a tasting panel consensus-based only on flavor, quality, and unique characteristics, ensuring that each bottle is a true treasure.

“It’s never a simple or easy process to select the expressions we release in our Editions of The ImpEx Collection,” explained Filmus. “A single cask has to have the perfect recipe for us – the right appeal, the right size, the right price, and the right age are a part of it all, but the taste and quality above all else.  We call our expressions gems for a reason: they are precious to us (and to the consumers we have in mind when we select them, we hope).”

For The ImpEx Collection Edition Four, the extraordinary single-cask Scotches selected are drawn from Scotland’s prominent whisky-making regions, namely Speyside and Highland. The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Royal Brackla ($120), bottled at 58% ABV, kicks things off, heralding from a Highlands distillery founded in 1812 and known as “The King’s Own Whisky” for being the first Scotch whisky ever granted a Royal Warrant. Opening aromatics of apples and melted demerara sugar set the palate for apples, pears, and a luscious lemon zest that finishes with soft, brown sugar and cake spice.

From Dailuaine, a Speyside distillery famous for being the first in Scotland with a pagoda roof, comes The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Dailuaine ($140). With a bottling strength of 56.8% ABV, this single malt draws you in with essences of coconut oil and apricot on the nose. The palate is then tempted with a dance of apricot and tangerine that gives way to a finish of lingering green apple.

Further into Edition Four is The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Strathmill ($140), crafted in the Speyside region at a Victorian-era whisky-making operation. The flavor profile of this expression is decadent in consideration – red apple, cinnamon, and sugar plum on the nose, yielding as you take a sip to baseball card bubble gum, pear, and rose petals. The finish is lasting and rich in flavor.

The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Benrinnes ($120) is also a treat, drawing first breath in a cask from a Speyside distillery known for rich, full-bodied expressions. This 12-year-old, sporting a 58.9% ABV, draws one in with cherries and rosemary on the nose, followed by the sip revealing the addition of candle wax and red fruit. The finish here is an emerging blood orange that brings a fresh citrus note.

On the global whisky stage, The ImpEx Collection Edition Four delivers two distilleries that are not as likely known but still very intriguing. First off, from India comes The ImpEx Collection 2015 7 yo Indri ($175 – 53.5% ABV). Indri has been making waves on the global stage with its award-winning expressions, and ImpEx found itself a gem of an ex-wine cask bottling that drops with sweet figs and plums on the nose, leading to a palate wanting for this whisky’s fruit predominance and sweetness. It concludes with touches of vanilla and grapes.

New Zealand whisky is represented well by The ImpEx Collection 2020 3 yo Pōkeno ($125), clocking in at 58.5% ABV and finding its age in an Amontillado Sherry Cask. Pōkeno brings a water source protected by volcanic hills in a misty valley to this expression. With this whisky comes ripe peaches and honey on the nose, leading to marzipan and cashew nuts on the palate and a long, rich finish.

All of The ImpEx Collection Edition Four expressions will be available starting October 16th, 2024, when excited consumers can begin to look for these fantastic expressions in specialty retailers across the US.  For more information on these beautiful gems, including where to buy them, please email ImpEx Beverages at Office@ImpExBev.com for an individual and personalized response.

ABOUT THE IMPEX COLLECTION EDITION FOUR 

The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Royal Brackla Single Cask #110000245 (58% abv. RRP $120 – 282 bottles total) 

Nose: Traditional Scrumpy cider springs out of the glass with apples and melted demerara sugar.  A background of cinnamon and nutmeg spice builds and compliments the freshness

Palate: Rich and Creamy with apples and pears.  A bright, lemon zest note creates a zingy feel and is enhanced by a delicate black pepper spice.  With time, the orchard fruits are balanced with walnut skins.

Finish: The nuttiness from the spirit lingers and carries soft, brown sugar and cake spice. 

The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Dailuaine Single Cask #312079 (56.8% abv. RRP $140 – 250 bottles total) 

Nose: Coconut oil, tangerine, apricot, vanilla, and honeysuckle combine in a sweet perfume.

Palate: Apricot and tangerine dance together with a notable warmth and a touch of fennel. Waxy feel.

Finish: Apricot gives way to green apple lingering on the tongue and bringing you back for a second sip. 

The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Strathmill Single Cask #802952 (57.5% abv. RRP $140 – 272 bottles total) 

Nose: Red apple, cinnamon, pear, star fruit, sugar plum, and baseball card bubble gum.

Palate: Baseball card bubble gum and pear notes let you know they are there as they are joined by touches of fresh barley, wax, and rose petals.

Finish: The palate extends bringing a finish that is lasting and rich in flavor. 

The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Benrinnes Single Cask #306532 (58.9% abv. RRP $120 – 273 bottles total) 

Nose: Cherries, rosemary

Palate: Cherries and rosemary continue with the addition of candle wax and red fruits. Chewy

Finish: Blood orange emerges bringing a fresh citrus note to round out the experience. 

The ImpEx Collection 2020 3 yo Pōkeno Amontillado Cask #20-26 (58.5% abv RRP $125 – 330 bottles total) 

Nose: Ripe peaches, orange and pear drops, with hints of honey and almonds

Mouth: Peach and Orange liqueur combine with marzipan and cashew nuts, and a hint of dried spice

Finish: Long and rich 

The ImpEx Collection 2015 7 yo Indri ex-Wine Cask #1746 (53.5% abv RRP $175 – 175 bottles total) 

Nose: Sweet and elegant with hints of figs, plums, and raisins.

Palate: Well balanced and long lasting with fruit predominance and sweetness.

Finish: Complex with touches of vanilla and grapes.

ABOUT THE IMPEX COLLECTION

The ImpEx Collection is a labor of love derived from the heart of Sam Filmus, President and Managing Director of ImpEx Beverages. He, along with his business partner Chris Uhde, has spent a significant amount of time and passion selecting the casks that go into each bottle of The ImpEx Collection that you find on the shelf. After over 40 years of combined industry experience, you can tell that each cask is unique and special, offering the best that different categories have to offer.

Whether you find yourself looking for a dram of rare and unique whisky or you feel you want a special and select rum or mezcal, you can be sure that each bottle of The ImpEx Collection will take your passion for a spirit to new heights. The high expectations for quality and taste that Sam and Chris possess can be found in each sip of delicious juice. While we unveil the offerings from The ImpEx Collection, we hope you will find the taste and style that suits you best.

ABOUT IMPEX BEVERAGES

In 2008, a new chapter began for Sam Filmus after years in the business captaining JVS Imports. With ImpEx Beverages, his vision was to import premium and rare Spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer. In 2018, Chris Uhde joined Sam as his business partner in ImpEx Beverages, and together, they have expanded the portfolio and vision for ImpEx. Now, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium-sized distilleries and independent bottlers. ImpEx Beverages imports Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, the Caribbean, India and New Zealand, with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. We also feature a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED
CHRISTMAS WHISKY 2024

There’s no better dram during the festive season than a single malt with notes of fruit cake, warming spices, chocolate, citrus and dried fruits. With the latest edition of A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas whisky, we set out to explore the links between flavour and memory. After searching for the perfect single malt to evoke that Christmas feeling, we selected this rich, decadent Speysider, aged for 15 years in top-quality sherry casks.

This limited-edition bottling is a great gift for the whisky lover in your life and the ideal bottle to share around the table on the big day. The deep amber colour of our exclusive Christmas whisky is all natural, gained through long years maturing in top-quality sherry casks.

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SPRINGBANK 5yo 100 PROOF SHERRY

In April 2023, we released the Springbank 5yo 100 PROOF in Bourbon which was a great success. So, for this upcoming release, we have decided to bottle another Springbank 5yo at proof strength, however, this time in Oloroso Sherry. In total, 1900 bottles have been produced and are available exclusively to our Springbank Society members.

Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry

Distilled: June 2019

Bottled: October 2024

Strength: 57.1% ABV

70cl Bottle

£55

(UK Price including VAT)

To join the Springbank Society contact them at society@springbank.scot

THE SEASONS: AUTUMN

We are delighted to introduce the next three entries in our limited-edition series, The Seasons. The three single malt whiskies we have chosen to evoke autumn are earthy, rich and warming, perfect for brisk days and cool evenings.

Each one was drawn from a single cask and bottled without chill filtration or added to colour, to preserve a clear sense of distillery character. Autumn is in the air, and our new collection is the perfect way to savour the season.

   DISCOVER MORE 

J.G. Thomson
51 Year Old
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
1972 | 70cl | 46.5% ABV

Exclusive to HTFW, award-winning distillers J.G. Thomson & Co. have released just 155 bottles of their extraordinary 1972 vintage blended grain Scotch whisky. Only available here for a limited period, this unique blend is both covetable and collectable.Don’t miss this chance to own a rare timepiece from a legend of Leith’s rich whisky history.

Crafted from vintage distilled components from 1972 and left to mellow for more than half a century in ex-bourbon barrels, this exceptional blend has had the time to develop intense depth and character – making it a one-of-a-kind dram and an exquisite alternative to malt.Bottled at 46.5%, non-chill filtered and with no added colour, serve neat to appreciate the unique flavours and aromas that over 50 years of maturation have created.

Nose: Alluring aromas of deep, earthy cocoa, sweet, dried mango and stewed rhubarb.

Palate: Orange blossom, cherry chocolate and marzipan to delight the taste buds. One sip will leave you wondering where it’s been all your life.

Tamnavulin, the world’s fastest-growing single malt, unveils Port Cask Edition

The Single Malt known for its signature Speyside flavour and double cask maturation announces a new addition to its range

Tamnavulin Distillery, celebrated for its quintessential Speyside character and distinctive double cask maturation, is adding a Port Cask Edition to its core range.

As with every expression from Tamnavulin, the whisky undergoes a meticulous ageing process in two distinct casks, to create a whisky that is irresistibly sweet, velvety smooth, and teeming with complex flavours.

The journey of this remarkable new whisky begins in the heart of Speyside, where Tamnavulin’s new make spirit develops vibrant notes of ripe orchard fruits. The first maturation in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels crafts a rich and layered foundation, imparting delicate flavours of sweet biscuit, creamy vanilla, and subtle hints of apple and pear.

The whisky is then masterfully finished in a second cask, which has already led a life nurturing a fine Tawny Port wine. These casks have been carefully selected from Portugal’s celebrated Douro Valley, imparting a rich sweetness to the whisky through the cask over time as the spirit matures. The result is an accessible yet opulent and sophisticated expression that embodies the craftsmanship of Tamnavulin.

Building on the success of its acclaimed Wine Cask Editions, Tamnavulin’s master whisky makers, led by Kirsty Hodge, sought to find a partner to complement and elevate the characteristics of the distillery, leading them to the home of Port. The result? A breathtaking whisky that delivers a sensationally balanced expression with intricate layers of rich fruit.

Visually arresting with its deep mahogany hue, this whisky captivates from the very first pour. The nose reveals ripe red berries, plums, and dark chocolate, delicately layered with notes of rose syrup, sweet biscuit, and spiced orange. On the palate, it unfolds into a rich medley of honeyed poached pears, berry compote, dried fruits, and creamy caramel, unveiling a nutty finish.

This versatile whisky shines when savoured neat as well as elevating classic cocktails, or pair with aged Gouda cheese for an indulgent treat.

Tamnavulin Port Cask (ABV 40%) is now available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s and will launching in Asda from 17^th October with an RSP of £35.

About Tamnavulin:

Tamnavulin, named after the Gaelic term for ‘Mill on the Hill,’ draws its identity from the 16th-century woollen mill that once graced its historic site. It stands as the embodiment of the quintessential Speyside malt. Established in 1966 in the tranquil village of Tamnavulin, Scotland, the distillery’s journey has been one of both tradition and revival. Though the distillery closed its doors in 1995, it was brought back to life and meticulously restored in 2007. Since then, Tamnavulin has been dedicated to crafting exceptional single malt whisky that captures the true essence of Speyside—sweet, smooth, and fruity.

Nestled in the heart of Speyside, a region renowned for housing over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, Tamnavulin benefits from an environment perfectly suited for whisky production. Speyside’s unique microclimate, with its temperate conditions, provides the ideal setting for whisky maturation, while the region’s plentiful water sources contribute to the whisky’s purity and character. Inspired by this extraordinary location, Tamnavulin expertly marries time-honoured distilling traditions with cutting-edge techniques to craft its signature double cask matured Speyside malt—offering a single malt experience with twice the flavour and depth.

Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition

ABV: 40%

Cask: American Oak Barrels and Tawny Port Casks

Available in the UK and Sweden in 70cl format from August

RSP: £35 / 329 kr.

Colour: Deep Mahogany

Nose: Ripe red berries, plums, dark chocolate, rose syrup, sweet biscuit and spiced orange.

Taste: Sumptuous notes of honeyed poached pears, berry compote, dried fruits and creamy caramel with a nutty finish

NEW Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR

Today, we celebrate the launch of the 2024 edition of Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR!  This unfiltered, cask-strength American rye delivers a distinct and rich liquid, full of balanced rye spice flavor complimented by notes of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak complexity. It was distilled and barreled in the autumn season of 2012 and laid down in 4 distinct warehouses in Clermont Kentucky to ensure incredible consistency and gentle flavor mellowing over time.​

 TASTING NOTES

Non-Chill Filtered for a more robust flavor

Color – Golden Tawny

Aroma –  Bold, vanilla underpinned with hints of tobacco spice

Taste – Allspice, sweet vanilla and caramel, charred oak

Finish – Pleasant, Full bodied with lingering notes of rye

Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR is 107.4 proof with an SRP of $99.99 for a 750mL bottle.

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

VIBRANT OAK AND GUARDIAN OAK

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak and the travel exclusive, Guardian Oak. This release is a unique collaboration with Cirque du Soleil celebrating 200 years of The Macallan.

The Macallan Harmony Collection celebrates the possibilities of repurposing natural materials in our packaging and of creating beauty from our own resources.

For this release, we focus on our own area of expertise and mastery which is represented by oak. Oak runs through every facet of The Macallan and our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.

As a member of The Macallan Society, keep an eye on your inbox for an upcoming invitation to purchase this single malt.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

Cirque du Soleil’s world-renowned shows inspire change through creativity and art. In perfect harmony, The Macallan and Cirque du Soleil combine their crafts to present this enchanting Collection. This release reveres the marvels of nature and the infinite potential of the imagination.

VIBRANT OAK

The whisky, created by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, is matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. These have been carefully selected to deliver the classic American oak flavours of vanilla, citrus and sweet oak, naturally derived from the cask during maturation, with a medium, sweet finish that delicately lingers.

COLOUR Autumnal Leaf.
AROMA Intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake.
PALATE Creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak.
FINISH Medium, sweet with lingering vanilla.
ABV 44.2%

GUARDIAN OAK

Our travel exclusive, Guardian Oak is a reminder of the importance of both the connection with our natural environment and of preserving it. The whisky is matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. This release will be available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from January 2025. There will be limited availability worldwide.

DISCOVER