Monday 8th August 2022

Selected exclusively for The Whisky Barrel 15th Anniversary.

On-Sale from: 4-AM EDT / 9-AM BST / 10-AM CET / 4-PM HKT

An Exclusive presale of Linkwood 1971

Aged 50 years

Online whisky store thesinglemaltshop.com is proud to present readers with the presale details of its exclusive single cask bottling from Gordon & MacPhail’s Private Collection range.

Dublin-based online retailer thesinglemaltshop.com is celebrating the launch of a notably rare, exclusive single-cask bottling of a classic whisky from legendary Elgin independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail’s Private Collection range. The whisky in question is a 1971 Linkwood, aged for half a century in an American refill hogshead and bottled at 42.4% ABV.

This incredibly precious liquid earned extremely high praise from leading whisky expert Charles MacLean and just 166 bottles are being released, with a retail price of €7,950. The first 10 buyers of a bottle will receive a complimentary ticket to attend an exclusive, luxury launch event at Boisdale of Belgraviain in London, hosted by Whisky Magazine, Charles MacLean and thesinglemaltshop.com.

When it comes to rare examples of ‘veteran’ Linkwood spirit, Charles MacLean declares that, “Malts distilled before innovations of the 1970s, as this Linkwood 1971 was, open a sensory window on the past, they are themselves liquid history, and as such are hugely emotive. Furthermore, from a collector’s perspective they are so rare they are sometimes described as ‘unicorns’–gorgeous mythical creatures. A combination of these factors makes such malts highly desirable to connoisseurs, collectors and investors.”

To secure your bottle as part of this exclusive presale use the Discover More .

Gordon & MacPhail was established in Elgin during 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. In 1915, John Urquhart joined the firm and soon established a formidable portfolio of maturing whiskies, before ultimately taking over the business. Successive generations of his family have continued to own and operate G&M up to the present day. Thanks to the Urquharts passion and foresight, G&M now boasts an unrivalled inventory of single malt casks, some dating from before the Second World War. It is no exaggeration to say that the company has played a crucial role in the renaissance of single malt Scotch whisky.

New single malt Scotch

INDEPENDENT BOTTLINGS

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Whiskey Del Bac Releases New Limited Annual Expression Normandie

[Tucson, AZ, August 1, 2022] – Whiskey Del Bac will release Normandie, a new limited annual expression available in select markets on August 6, 2022. Normandie is Whiskey Del Bac’s Classic American Single Malt Whiskey, aged in charred, new American white oak barrels, then finished an additional 13 months in Calvados brandy barrels. The American single malt is named after the coastal region of Normandie (the French spelling), France, which is known for its creamy cheeses, rich seafood, and an abundance of apples and pears.

“The richness and culinary culture of Normandy reminded us of the culinary scene in our hometown of Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy,” said Whiskey Del Bac Co-Founder Stephen Paul. “Blending the bright apple flavors from these Calvados barrels with the earthy and caramel tones of our Classic American Single Malt to create this expression has been an adventure in whiskey making. We couldn’t be more happy with the way this expression turned out.”

Normandie is the second whiskey release included in the Whiskey Del Bac Global Cask Collection, which includes a total of three limited annual releases, all inspired by European regions. The first release – Frontera, finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas – was inspired by the bold and complex sherry wines of Jerez de la Frontera. The third and final release from the Global Cask Collection, a heavily-mesquited Winter Release coming this December, is a Desert Southwest interpretation of the heavily-peated Islay Scotches. These expressions will be released at the same time each year moving forward.

Normandie’s Calvados finish with a base of Classic was formerly released as the Whiskey Del Bac 2018 Summer Distiller’s Cut that quickly sold out.

“Much like the response from the original sherry cask-finished Distiller’s Cut that then became Frontera, fans of Summer Distiller’s Cut 2018 were so enthusiastic about the Calvados finish we had to bring it back for the annual release of Normandie,” said Amanda Paul, Whiskey Del Bac Co-Founder.

Only 900 bottles of Normandie will be available at select restaurants and stores in national markets where Whiskey Del Bac is distributed including Arizona, New York, California, and Illinois. Spirit Hub will have a limited allocation for the 40 states that they deliver in. Bottles can also be shipped directly to the consumer in Kentucky. Arizona residents will also be able to purchase directly from the distillery onsite starting at 11:00 a.m. on August 6, 2022 or purchase online starting at 9:00 a.m. and have it shipped anywhere in the state. Normandie is bottled at 48.5% ABV/97 proof. The suggested retail price will be $90 a bottle.

Normandie’s tasting notes:

On the nose, you may find caramel-dipped apples, sour cherry, and dulce de leche.

On the palate, you may taste bright citrus, peppery notes across the mid-palate, and it finishes with short-but-sweet caramel and stone fruit.

The recommended serving for Normandie American single malt is with one large ice cube.

About Whiskey Del Bac

Whiskey Del Bac is a brand of American single malt whiskeys made by Hamilton Distillers. Based in Tucson, AZ, Whiskey Del Bac is best known for its mesquited American single malt, Dorado — which has been awarded a 90 rating by Whisky Advocate. Also popular is its award-winning single malt, Classic, which was included in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Spirits list in 2021. Known as innovators in southwestern whiskey by using mesquite smoke in the malting process, the Hamilton Distillers team releases other unique expressions seasonally under the Distiller’s Cut and Global Cask collection. The distillery is located in the heart of Tucson, AZ and is open for retail and tours. To learn more about Whiskey Del Bac and Hamilton Distillers, visit www.whiskeydelbac.com

VELVET FIG

Velvet Fig is a small-batch, hand crafted malt whisky that is full of deep rich fruit flavours, a velvety smooth mouthfeel and complex wood character. Aged in 9 first fill ex-sherry hogshead European oak casks of single malt and 6 first fill ex-sherry butt European oak casks of single malt, Velvet Fig gives notes of ripe figs, sultanas, milk chocolate, walnut and nutmeg.

Approx. 45% – Six Oloroso sherry hogsheads casks of Scotch single malt

Approx. 55% – Four ex-Oloroso sherry butt casks of Scotch single malt

All are carefully blended to create a smooth malt whisky with deep flavours of rich fruits and complex wood character which is bottled without chill-filtering and at 46% ABV. 

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR Dark gold

NOSE The nose is vibrant with red and black berry fruits, figs coated in milk chocolate with hints of marzipan and walnuts coated in toffee sauce.

PALATE Luscious fruit flavours such as ripe figs, Medjool dates, apricots and deeper fruit notes like raisin and sultanas. Milk chocolate spiced with nutmeg and ginger and yielding sweet chestnut and toasted walnuts in the finale.

FINISH Luxurious and complex wood flavours appear as cinnamon and pipe tobacco envelops the palate with endless subtle spice.

70cl | 46% ABV | £43.95

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Don’t Miss a Collectible Trophy Coveted Among Rye Fanatics
Wolves in Collaboration With Willett Family Estate “Batch 2” Cask Strength A Blend Of Straight Rye Whiskeys (750ml) ($289.99)
“…it easily delivers a similar quality experience to the coveted Willett single barrels I’ve tried.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

In the realm of luxury, collectible rye whiskey, Willett sits at the absolute pinnacle of the pyramid as one of the most coveted (and expensive) names in the market. What’s a rye fanatic to do when a bottle of Willett single barrel will often cost you up to four figures? You turn to the remarkable collaborative bottlings from Wolves, a California-based distiller that first came to our attention with their inaugural release of this jaw-dropping blend of 6- and 7-year-old rye casks from the iconic Kentucky distillery. With a touch of older stocks from Indiana’s MGP distillery blended in, Batch 2 of the collaboration is a quintessential, cask-strength Willett expression that has already seen intense action from trophy hunters across the U.S. market. As a result, it’s now almost impossible to find, but we’ve secured enough supply to offer it out to our most committed rye collectors. K&L spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard declares, “it might just be better than any single cask on the market today,” and we’ve already moved through our allocation at quite a clip, which means anyone seeking the very best collectible treasures should act fast to add this to their stash while they can.

Wolves in Collaboration With Willett Family Estate “Batch 2” Cask Strength A Blend Of Straight Rye Whiskeys (750ml) ($289.99)

K&L Notes: The Wolves is a creative collaboration based in California. They’ve released several single malts with Marko Karakasevic of Charbay Distillery, but it’s this project with the Willett Family Estate that put them on the map. This is the second batch of this smash hit, which is similar to the first but older and bottled at cask strength. This whisky is made up of 6- and 7-year-old rye hand-selected by Willett Master Distiller, Drew Kulsveen. Using the 74% rye mashbill from Willett House A, South Rick 14, and House H, South Rick 6, the team deftly blends the exceptionally rare and well-regarded whiskey with older stocks distilled at MGP in Indiana. A bottle of single barrel Willett Rye in the 7-year range easily commands close to four figures, and this wonderful blend highlights the very best of these two special distilleries. Extremely limited and already sold out throughout the country, we’re very lucky to have received a significant allocation, but we’ve already sold most of it so don’t wait any longer if you’re on the fence.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: July 27, 2022

The craziest thing about Willett is how consistently unavailable it is. People go absolutely nuts for their single casks, but we haven’t seen a single cask in years. So, to get high-proof, aged Willett, you’ve got to pay secondary market prices, which in this day and age will run you a truly outrageous mark-up. Of course, this is neither single barrel nor all Willett, but it might just be better than any single cask on the market today. They’ve put a lot of thought into making this special dram. Let’s taste. The color is a vibrant tawny. The nose is full-on Willett rye, offering a gorgeous mixture of powerful pine sap, lacquer box, burnt orange peel, candied pecans, cinnamon apple candy, and earthy mineral character. On the palate, big, rich, toasted cinnamon, dense minty rye, sweet caramel-covered apples. This is a big boy and needs plenty of time in the glass. I think it easily delivers a similar quality experience to the coveted Willett single barrels I’ve tried and adds nuance through blending, which gives balance and character. Obviously this one is very expensive, but it will nonetheless be gone very soon. Enjoy it while you can.

New Irish whiskey

TEELING WHISKEY GINGER BEER CASK

A sweet and spicy Teeling single malt that has been finished in ex-ginger beer casks from Umbrella London. Master distiller Alex Chasko sent Teeling ex-bourbon casks to Umbrella to hold its feiry ginger beer for two years. Teeling’s whiskey was then finished in the casks for six months to create a rich dram led by notes of fresh ginger, rich molasses and sweet malt.

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Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 7

Batch Strength 007 is bottled un-chill filtered at 57.5% ABV, and has a rich, natural copper hue crafted by the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Spain.

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Batch Strength 007 is bottled un-chillfiltered at 57.5% ABV, and has a rich, natural copper hue crafted by the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Spain. On the nose you’re met with a subtle waft of vanilla sponge, followed by spicy cinnamon and roasted praline. The luxurious, thick mouthfeel is complimented by a decadent pavlova filled with luscious raspberries. A drop of water unveils caramel apricots with a wave of oak spice, and a zingy lemon punch. On the lengthy and lingering finish, warm oak spices give way to baked figs and evident sherry flavours, which ascend to meet the freshly peeled clementine.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Cinnamon oak, then a praline and vanilla sponge.

Palate: Raspberry pavlova. Water brings apricot, lemon, and a fresh wave of oak.

Finish: Oak spice gives way to baked figs and freshly peeled clementine.

Gordon & MacPhail releases historic Single Malt Whisky

Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its last cask laid down in the 1940s from Milton Distillery, today known as Strathisla. This is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released by Gordon & MacPhail to carry the Milton Distillery name.

Matured in a cask filled for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Year-Old Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery is exceptionally rare, with only 180 bottles available worldwide. The distillery’s original name was given by founder George Taylor, and this single malt represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.

It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.

Renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith said of this 72 years old whisky, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – prior to it becoming known as Strathisla – which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”

Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail adds: “Milton, or Strathisla as it is known today, has small copper stills with a distinctive shape that helps to give the spirit its rich, fruity and full-bodied character. Decades of experience led us to fill the spirit into a first fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation. Having carefully assessed its progress down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal this landmark single malt to enthusiasts and collectors. In terms of rarity, this deserves true ‘icon’ status. A whisky of this age bearing the Milton name has never – and will never – be seen again. Its long maturation has seen the cask gift the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a hint of smoke not traditionally found in more modern Speyside releases.”

“Whether it was produced under the name Milton or Strathisla, greatly aged single malts from the site have always been met with anticipation. Given that so few releases have ever carried the Milton name – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our last – we expect demand for the 180 decanters to be extremely high.”

Matured in cask 383, a first-fill Sherry puncheon, and bottled at 48.6% ABV, this whisky will be available to pre-order from selected whisky specialists from 25^th July 2022.

To discover more about this one-of-a-kind whisky and to see Gordon & MacPhail’s latest feature films starring industry titans including – Christopher Coates, Becky Paskin, Alice Lascelles and Charlie Maclean click below.

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Michel Couvreur “Blossoming Auld Sherried” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) $279.99 View

The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that David and I had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This crazy Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the ’60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of Pinot Noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself, selecting his own sherry butts to ensure the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jawdropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: do NOT cut the hard wax seal, use a wine opener to go through it)

Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) $79.99 View

Michel Couvreur established his business selling Burgundy wines in the early 1950s in Scotland. In 1978, French friends suggested that he add a top-quality Scotch to his portfolio, which began Couvreur’s interest in the whisky industry. He believes that the oak whisky is aged in has an outsized influence on the character of the finished product. He also strongly prefers sherry casks for the maturation process, and has gone to great lengths to source what he believes are the finest casks from Andalusia. The Blossoming Auld Sherry is a recreation of the legendary malt whiskies of the Victorian era. An era when sherry and Scotch were both kept on hand in the cellars of England and Scotland’s great estates and drawn for consumption as needed. Matured in one single butt of the freshest possible Montilla-Moriles casks, this whisky is redolent of that great wine of Jerez in a way that’s simply not available in modern bottlings. This ultra-saturated butt from a solera started in the 1950s at Toro Albala is one of a kind. Couvreur is the only producer able to buy from the venerable Bodega and they receive the choicest butts delivered still wet to the cellars in Burgundy. The cask was kept in medium humidity for the majority of its maturation before being moved to the wettest part of Couvreur’s cellar where extractive atmosphere is at a maximum. Age is inconsequential in terms of the quality here, but it is indeed older than all but the most expensive of Couveur’s offerings. A triumph!