Own Whisky Memorabilia Fit For A King 

Mark Littler Ltd is selling a limited edition set of copper coasters made from Diageo stills.  

How would you like to own the same piece of whisky memorabilia as our new king, Charles III? This limited edition set of coasters for sale at Mark Littler Ltd offers you this opportunity with this amazing set of 6 whisky coasters, made from Diageo stills.

The coasters are fashioned from the copper stills at 6 of the distilleries under Diageo’s portfolio: Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, Oban, Talisker, and Cragganmore.

Conceived as a limited edition release to celebrate 50 years of Diageo at Caledonian Road, the coasters were created by engineers from Diageo Abercrombie. The exact numbers are unknown, but it is believed that there are only around 60 sets in existence.

In 2018, the King (then His Royal Highness Prince Charles) was presented with a limited edition set of coasters from the Royal Lochnagar distillery as a 70th birthday gift. The King also donated a 1988 cask of Royal Lochnagar whisky to raise funds for The Prince’s Foundation, a charity set up in Charles’ name to help communities build a more sustainable future.

The coasters themselves are engraved with the names of each distillery, as well as information about the specific stills from which the coasters were made, including installation dates.

This limited edition set of coasters is available now on the Mark Littler Shop. You can find out more about this unique whisky memorabilia by watching Mark’s YouTube video.

About Mark Littler Limited

Mark Littler is an independent whisky broker, market analyst and consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Each week he publishes new videos on his YouTube channel about topics such as cask investment fraud (and how to avoid it), the history of distilleries and bottles, debunking whisky investment myths and much more. For more information visit www.marklittler.com

If you are interested in the Diageo coasters or would like to chat with one of the team about our other services, please get in touch.

Email: whisky@marklittler.com

Telephone: 01260 218 718

GOING BACK TO OUR ROOTS

Created to celebrate the iconic sherry cask that started it all and capture the excitement of the early days of the Society. Don’t miss this exciting new bottling and these other Maverick spirit suggestions.

MAVERICK

Cask No. SM.55

SMALL BATCH SINGLE MALT

Age: 12 years

Cask: 1st, 2nd & Refill Hogsheads Spanish oak oloroso, Spanish oak PX & Bourbon

SHOP NOW

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

FEBRUARY CÀRN MÒR RELEASE

Our latest Càrn Mòr  release is now available to buy from your local stockists! With a combination of sweet sherried whiskies and fruity drams, there’s something for everyone. Being released on Valentines day, it calls for the perfect gift for a loved one…or yourself  😉. Bursting with exciting expressions, including a Guyana rum finish, Sauternes finish from a variety of  regions across Scotland. Click here to find your local retailer.

Ardmore 2009 is a 13-year-old, Highland whisky that is primarily seen in blends. Spending its life in PX Sherry Hogsheads gives it a beautifully balanced palate. You can expect each dram to be packed full of sweet and savoury notes with a touch of peat smoke, reminiscent of  a succulent, sugar glazed ham.

For something a little different, we have Craigellachie 2010. This whisky has been finished for 24 months in French Oak Puncheons – first used for Cognac and then Guyana Rum. On the palate, it delivers savoury notes of roasted coffee and hazelnuts, balanced with ripe, tropical fruits… we think it’s a great dram.

This Linkwood 2013 began its life in First-Fill Bourbon barrels before finishing its maturation in French Oak Sauternes Casks for 18 months. This 9-year-old combines tropical fruit and spice with warming cinnamon and ginger. As it is limited to 1123 bottles you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on one!

Glentauchers 2011 is another whisky which is usually found in blends. Bottled at 11 years of age has been finished for 24 months in Amontillado Sherry Butts, bringing notes of crushed amaretti biscuits and mascarpone over stewed apricots to the palate.

These expressions and more are on their way to a retailer near you.

NEW OLD PERTH PX LIMITED EDITION

Introducing, a very special Old Perth Limited Edition. The liquid, which was hand-selected from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers’ extensive collection of mature single malt Scotch Whiskies, has spent its entire life in a combination of Oloroso and PX Sherry Hogsheads and Butts; and for the past fifteen months, it has been mellowing in 1st-Fill Pedro Ximenez Casks from Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin, Spain.

Old Perth is limited to 7,800 bottles and available to buy since 3rd February in major drinks retailers across the UK. As always, this expression is non-chill filtered and no colour added. It is bottled at 56.2% adding to its powerful yet velvety palate. This deep garnet whisky will not disappoint, exploring beautiful deep fruit notes with sultanas, prunes and cacao. On the palate, it delivers raisins, dates, candied fruit, leading into dark chocolate and cocoa. This expression is retailing at £58…what a steal! To grab a bottle for yourself, click here .

A RARE ESCAPE TO
AN ISLAND PARADISE

Our journey into the forgotten flavours of the past continues with The Extinct Blends Quartet, where our whiskymakers have taken inspiration from vanished characters and recipes, to create four unique blends using some of our most precious parcels of whisky. And this time, we’re reimagining a lost whisky from the Compass Box archives. From the lavish seascape of Ultramarine, the first release from the quartet, we escape to a secluded island paradise… You have arrived at Delos, the second Limited Edition from The Extinct Blends Quartet.

DELVE INTO
COMPASS BOX HISTORY

Delos is a study of one of our very own creations: Asyla. If you enjoyed Asyla’s sumptuous balance of grain and malt, the character of Delos may appeal to you. Just like that ‘lost’ blend, it’s delicate and soothingly sweet. Only with richer, rounder and more resonant flavours, thanks to the older stocks in its composition.

AN ISLAND OF
ANTIQUITY

Delos takes its name from a remote Mediterranean island, said to be the birthplace of the Greek god Apollo. It’s a place of great antiquity – tranquil and exotic, with a rich and compelling past. Much like the aged whiskies that make up its whisky profile. Soft waves of pear, pineapple, and orange oil break gently on the nose, before revealing sun-drenched guava, heather honey and chai spices on the palate.

While inspired by the style and recipe structure of Asyla, Delos has richer and rounder flavours from using older stocks of whiskies which amplify the character, bringing more grandeur to it and making it more resonant.

The delicate mouthfeel and transportive aromas within Delos are nevertheless familiarly delicious. For me, sipping Delos feels like a holiday.

JAMES SAXON

WHISKYMAKER

MADE FOR MOMENTS
OF SANCTUARY

Meditative, mellow and harmonious, we created Delos to bring sanctuary to those who drink it. Best served with music and some close friends. Pour it into a wine glass and escape to your own private retreat.

BUY NOW

Our mailing address is:

Compass Box Whisky Co.
Chiswick Studios
9 Power Road
London, England W4 5PY
United Kingdom

Na Bràithrean [na brah-rin] means “the brothers” in Scottish Gaelic.

The team are always searching hard for the right mother cask to split into a pair of unique Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Each brother is finished independently using different kinds and sizes of barrels to shape the flavour.  The end product is two bottles of the same spirit with different personalities and characteristics. Each brother is different and undoubtedly unique. We are delighted to showcase their latest release at Inverurie Whisky Shop.

View the Collection

DIAGEO Distiller’s Edition

New 2022 releases

The Distiller’s Editions (DE) are annual releases from some Scotland’s most classic and loved distilleries, under the ownership of Diageo. Showcasing the single malt whisky by highlighting how it works in harmony with various cask types to elevate the characteristics and flavour profile of each distillery.

Shop – Distiller’s Edition Whisky

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY ANNOUNCES U.S. ARRIVAL OF ITS FIRST-EVER WORLD BLENDED WHISKY, SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY ‘AO’

A premium whisky featuring five of the world’s most renowned whisky regions 

New York, NY (February 13, 2023) – The House of Suntory has announced the arrival of its first-ever world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, to the general market. Previously available in Japan and Global Travel Retail only, the whisky arrives this month to Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, and Korea – and will be available in the United States in early 2023.

Blended using whisky from Suntory Group’s own distilleries in five of the world’s most renowned whisky-regions: Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Japan and the US, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the oceans that connect these whiskies of the world together. The bottle is five-sided in honor of the five major whisky-making regions. The calligraphic lettering was written by Japanese calligrapher Tansetsu Ogino with an intent to represent the whiskies’ global origins and Japanese craftsmanship.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch in Scotland, the complexity of Cooley in Ireland, the smoothness of Alberta in Canada, the vibrance of Jim Beam in the US, and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu in Japan. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth-generation Suntory Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based on Suntory’s globally recognized Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Building on Suntory’s history of craftsmanship, this innovative, multi-faceted, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory and is a tribute to the liquid’s long history. 

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each of the five major whisky-making regions.”

Suntory World Whisky Ao is available for suggested retail price of $55.00 for a 700ml bottle. It joins the Suntory whisky portfolio including Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki and Suntory Whisky Toki, the ideal whisky for traditional Japanese highballs.

TASTING NOTES – SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY AO, 43% ABV

Color – amber

Nose – profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma

Palate – smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness

Finish – sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity

ABOUT HOUSE OF SUNTORY

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki—Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, and Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan.

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY:
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Clear Creek McCarthy’s 6 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel #367 Peated Single Malt Oregon Whiskey (750ml) $109.99 View

This wonderful barrel of whisky was distilled on January 4th of 2016 at the original Clear Creek facility in Portland before being filled into refill Oregon oak at a filling proof of 55% abv. Like all McCarthy’s Whisky it was double distilled on small copper pots from heavily peated Scottish barley, fermented naturally and bottled without the use of additives or chillfiltration. The barrel would have been transferred shortly after barreling to the new Hood River distillery location where it aged for more than 6 years in the unique Cascadian climate. Harvest on August 29th, 2022, it rested in tank for an additional 2 months before bottling on October 10th, 2022. Hand selected by K&L’s Spirits Buying team, this is one of the few true cask strength single barrels ever to make it to our shelves and easily one of the most special. McCarthy’s does an incredible job to produce whisky of great complexity and maturity at a young age, this is pushing the limits of the oldest we’ve ever come across. Powerful smoke, a zesty cleansing oceany character balanced by a sweet malty core, no Islay drinker will be able resist this special cask strength single barrel from one of the US’s original craft distillers. A true gem by any measure!

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

MEET OUR NEW MAVERICK

Our new Maverick bottling celebrates our independent spirit. The 12-year-old small batch single malt from Speyside was created by our Head of Whisky Creation, Euan Campbell, to celebrate the iconic sherry cask and capture the excitement of the early days of the Society.

Our founder Pip Hills recently sat down at The Vaults to try the bottling named in his honour. “I think it’s lovely. It makes me smile. Very, very nice whisky indeed,” he says. “I see from the bottle that it’s been in two or three different kinds of casks, which is not something that, being old-fashioned, I approve of all that much. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and it is a perfectly lovely whisky.” LISTEN to Pip’s full tasting notes here

Maverick started its life as a Speyside single malt in refill bourbon hogsheads before undergoing additional maturation in oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks made from Spanish oak.

WATCH EUAN’S CASK CREATION JOURNEY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

This is the first national barrel proof expression for the Bernheim Original line.

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the first national Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, creating a soft, sweet flavor. This extension to the Bernheim brand delivers the same familiar smoothness with even more depth of flavor from seven to nine full years of aging. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled without chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest form. Like the Original, Barrel Proof is produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof will be a nationally allocated product which will be released in batches, twice a year. Each release will have its own unique batch number and proof which will vary from edition to edition.

Keeping with Heaven Hill’s commitment to tradition and quality, Bernheim Barrel Proof is made with Heaven Hill’s wheat whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The A223 batch of Barrel Proof is bottled at 118.8 proof or 59.4% by volume. With a distinct nose of oak staves and fresh bread, this wheat whiskey has initial tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The finish is soft, yet complex with lasting notes of honey and caramel.

“The launch of the Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a very exciting one for Heaven Hill,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We know this is a product consumers want, and we think this batch has the smoothness they’ll recognize from Bernheim Original, but with an even greater depth of flavor.”

Bottles of this Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey will feature the A223 batch number prominently on the front of each bottle next to the Barrel Proof designation. The letter “A” represents the first batch of the year. The first number represents the month of the release with “2” indicating February. Finally, the last two digits indicate the corresponding year with “23” designating 2023. This release is expected to hit store shelves by the end of February with a suggested retail price of $64.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in more than 65 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”