The International Wine & Food Society

Yes, now ‘s the time for blended Scotch to shine. A brand new publication, singing the praises of #blendedScotch, has been released by The International Wine & Food Society (IWFS) – ‘Exploring Blended Scotch’.

This new title investigates a topic which the authors believe has not been given the coverage it deserves – the sheer delights of blended Scotch whisky – uncovering many of the hidden treasures of what is the ‘foundation of the Scotch whisky industry’. The IWFS agreed that blended Scotch is a style of whisky that is worthy of further investigation and have published this almost pocket-sized booklet for its members and beyond. Chapters covered include its fascinating history, blending, appreciation, leading blends, old blends, cocktails, pairing whisky with food and finishing with some delicious recipes.

“Exploring Blended Scotch” is the product of a collaboration between two writers from both sides of the Atlantic. It has been co-authored by Charles MacLean MBE (Scotland), one of Scotland’s leading experts in writing, tasting and lecturing about whisky and Stuart Leaf (USA) who is a knowledgeable, passionate collector and taster of old blends (and IWFS member). They first met, over a glass of Scotch back in Edinburgh, three years ago. Stuart says “Although conducting joint tastings was challenging across the Atlantic, writing this monograph was a truly fun and engaging distraction during the depths of Covid. Needless to say, most discussions were dutifully enhanced with an appropriate dram!”

“Exploring Blended Scotch” aims to be an insight into an exciting array of different blends, both old and new, which Scotch lovers are encouraged to try. It may also be just the introduction that newcomers, to the delights of whisky, are looking for.

For now, please put your feet up with a glass of #blendedScotch, with or without water (bottled soft water is best!), and get ready to explore the many interesting and tasty elements of blended Scotch whisky.

As well as being distributed to the 6,000-strong international membership of the IWFS, which has branches from Toronto to Tokyo and Honolulu to Helsinki, this title is also available to both public and trade.

This title can be purchased from the IWFS website via the following link: https://www.iwfs.org/secretariat/purchase. The cover price is £9.99 (US$13.99 approx). A Japanese translation will be published in February. An e-book will also be available via various platforms in due course.

The IWFS is an independent non-profit making organisation, run by volunteers, it is also one of the largest wine and food societies in the world. When members enroll they receive a quarterly food and wine magazine and wherever they travel are welcomed by branches worldwide. Branch events encompass all aspects of food and wine appreciation and learning, visits to food and wine producers plus international and regional festivals.

We are proud to offer a whole host of drams from the lost distilleries of Scotland. These are whiskies from distilleries that have reached near-legendary status, such as Brora, Rosebank and Lochside. More and more of these hard-to-find gems are added to our old & rare range every week.

If you’re after something special, take a look at our recommendations below, including a 1970-vintage Brora bottled by Douglas Laing as part of their Platinum Selection series, a special bottling from Dallas Dhu, a 1975 vintage from Linlithgow and much more.

EXPLORE LOST DISTILLERIES

A 97-Point, Top-100 Single Malt from a Treasured Highland Gem

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Côte-Rôtie Red Wine Finished Batch No: 2921 Highland

Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($119.99)

“I’m rarely impressed by red wine cask finishes on Scotch, but the Aberfeldy 18, finished in Côte-Rôtie barrels, truly wowed me.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

A critical component of Dewar’s for the past century, Aberfeldy’s signature honeyed charm is now reaching a wider audience with the recent releases of some wonderful old, age-stated barrels. This 18-year-old stunner takes an unconventional approach to aging, as it was finished in red wine casks that once held powerhouse Syrah from Côte-Rôtie in the Northern Rhône. A yin/yang match that shouldn’t work on paper comes together to form a truly unique dram that garnered 97 points and a Top 100 Spirits of 2021 nod from Wine Enthusiast. As spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley describes, “The natural fruitiness and sweet honey notes of Aberfeldy actually mesh perfectly with the intense dark berry fruit of the world’s best Syrah. The power of the wine brings out some of the earthier tones of the malt for an exceptionally well-balanced and pleasant drinking experience.” There are few profiles like it in the whisky world and fewer still at 18 years of age. Finally, throw in the stellar price that’s a fraction of what many big-name single malts in this age range go for, and you have an unequivocal winner that all collectors and Scotch fans need to experience.

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Côte-Rôtie Red Wine Finished Batch No: 2921 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($119.99)

97 points Wine Enthusiast: “This starts off with earthy, oaky aromas. The palate opens dry in tones of cedar and a hint of tingly spice. Adding water brings mouthwatering vanilla forward, along with coconut and a nutty tone reminiscent of pecan pie. The finish is long and drying, with plenty of baking spice and ginger tingles. Finished in Cote-Rotie red wine casks. *Top 100 Spirits of 2021* (KO)” (12/2021)

K&L Notes: The Golden Dram, as Aberfeldy is known, is an appropriate name derived in equal parts from the marked golden honey notes of the whisky itself and the fact that gold is still panned in the Pitilie Burn, the distillery’s water source. The distillery is a critical component of the Dewar’s blend and has been since the Dewar’s built it in the 1890s. Today under Bacardi ownership (Diageo was forced to sell Dewars and its attendant distilleries in 1998 by the UK Monopolies Board), the single malts from Aberfeldy are finally getting the attention and focus they deserve. The core whisky lineup has been revamped and the extremely sought-after 18 year release has expanded from being exclusively released for travel retail, to being more widely available. Still quite limited in availability, this release is finished in red wine casks—specifically for batch #2921—the powerful Syrah wines from Côte-Rôtie. The result is a perfect mesh of Aberfeldy’s natural honey sweetness and the intense red fruits and structure of Côte-Rôtie.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 18, 2022

I’m rarely impressed by red wine cask finishes on Scotch, but the Aberfeldy 18, finished in Côte-Rôtie barrels, truly wowed me. The natural fruitiness and sweet honey notes of Aberfeldy actually mesh perfectly with the intense dark berry fruit of the world’s best Syrah. The power of the wine brings out some of the earthier tones of the malt for an exceptionally well-balanced and pleasant drinking experience. The color is a rich copper. The nose is redolent of vanilla, blackberries, plums, raspberries, and raw honey. The deep earthy tones of cedar, tobacco leaf, and a thin veil of smoky oak comes out with more time in the glass. A small addition of pure water brings forward more citrus, in particular, a sweet, zesty orange peel, which matches the luscious honey perfectly. The palate is robust. It feels thicker and more substantive than expected from the nose. Perhaps it’s a bit of the wine’s famous tannins imparting a firmer structure than you often find in Scotch. I’m not clear on where exactly it’s coming from, but I’m certain that it works. The finish has a beautiful reprise of the orange peel freshness, gobs of spice (the work of top notch French oak?), and of course, Aberfeldy’s signature nectar—golden honey.

Allt-A-Bhainne 2006 15 Year Old
Connoisseurs Choice

A 2006 Allt-A-Bhaine single malt from independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, matured in a refill hogshead for 15 years, before being bottled in June 2021 as part of its Connoisseurs Choice series.

£70.45

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Glen Keith 1999 22 Year Old
Connoisseurs Choice

A 1999 Glen Keith single malt from independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, matured in a refill American oak hogshead for 22 years, before being bottled in July 2021 as part of its Connoisseurs Choice series. Aromas of vanilla pods, green apples, tangerine, lime zest and charred oak fill the nose, complemented by notes of toasted almonds, zesty citrus, pineapple, poached pear, aniseed and honeycomb throughout the palate.

£152

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Strathmill 2008 13 Year Old
Connoisseurs Choice

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Kilchoman 2011 10 Year Old Founders Cask 4th Release

Whisky lovers have been desperate to get their hands on this limited edition release of only 322 bottles! After spending ten years in an Oloroso sherry hogshead, this rich 100% Islay expression was bottled in November 2021 at 54.4% abv. It is free from artificial colouring and chill filtration. With only 322 bottles produced from cask 625/2011, you better be sure to get your hands on one before it’s too late!

£110.00
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2010 Pulteney 10 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength

Single Hogshead Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival)

$79.99 View

The wonderful Pulteney Distillery in the town of Wick is one of the north coasts most well loved. While it remains under the radar to the greater drinking public the Scotch community has long sung its praises. The distillery is one of the few who still manages to sell the odd cask here and there, but until recently it was relatively unusual to see on the Independent Bottlers lists. We’ve recently picked up a few casks and very rarely do the malts from this seaside distiller ever let us down. The distillery itself, located on the eastern coast of the northern most tip of the Highlands in county Caithness, is one of Scotland’s few “urban” distilleries. Tucked among granite homes, just blocks from the bustling harbor, The Old Pulteney Distillery quietly churns out a lovely ocean flecked malt of the highest order. Built in 1826, it’s oddly shaped stills, each with a bulbous refractor ball in the neck and an hair pin turn of a lyne arm, produce a not at all typical spirits. This relatively unadulterated expression of youngish Pulteney is about a typical Pulteney as one might expect full of fresh herbs, bright fruit and salty fruit. Hints of smoke and sea air cap off a totally lovely and typically atypical Pulteney. This lovely hogshead was filled in 2010 and bottled without coloring or chillteration at the end of 2021. Only 222 bottles of this lovely malt were bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants at a cask strength of 57.6% abv.

2009 Benriach 12 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength

Single Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival)

$99.99 View

Benriach is quickly becoming one of the most attractive names in Scotch. They’ve won some huge awards, particularly for their slightly smoky 12 Year Old expression designed by the illustrious Rachel Barrie. Rachel is extremely adept at developing products that offer nuance and complexity, while not compromising on flavor. What we don’t see much out of most distilleries these days are LOUD whiskies – ones that step up and shout at you. And while we don’t always want to be screamed at, it’s impossible to deny the thrilling feeling of getting packed into a sweaty club and having a heavy metal band blow your socks off. It’s ok to enjoy it and still want to go to the Opera next weekend. You don’t have stop liking Guns N’ Roses because you love ballet. This is bold, unabashed Benriach with 12 years in Sherry butts, bottled at cask strength without chillfilteration or coloring. It might not be as punk rock as Ardbeg, but it’s still pretty cool. Most importantly it’s absolutely delicious and totally worth the door fee. We must thank Alistair Hart and his good reputation for getting us backstage passes to this event. Bottled without coloring or chillfiltration at a cask strength of 58.2% abv.

Benriach 15 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength

Single Port Pipe Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival)

$109.99 View

The gorgeous Benriach distillery is one of Speyside’s most unique. The distillery, built in 1898, was promptly purchased and shuttered by nearby Longmorn Distillers, where it remained silent for many decades. It was purchased in 1965 by the Glenlivet Co. and refurbished before being sold to Seagram’s in the late ’70s. It was always a hub of experimentation and remains filled with crazy expressions and unusual cask fills, with both peated and floor malted versions. It’s rather rare to see independently bottled Benriach, but it seems Alistair Hart’s relationship with former distillery owner Billy Walker has played a role here. They’ve offered us several casks from the good Mr. Walker’s current and past portfolio this year and we’ve been more than happy to take every single one of them. This delicious port pipe of Benriach was bottled at cask strength without chill filtration. The quality of the wood is paramount here, and the deep red-fruited character works wonders when paired with the gorgeous Speyside attributes that Benriach is known for. Few deals like this will be available in the future. While we can still occasionally buy barrels from the distillery, we’re not likely to get something of this stature or price in their own bottle. A true gem and proof once again that Hart Bros. should be considered one of Scotland’s very top bottlers. Bottled without coloring or chillfiltration at a cask strength of 56.5% abv.

1997 Mortlach 24 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength

Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival)

$279.99 View

There isn’t much that needs to be said about this. Mortlach meet sherry, sherry Mortlach. Two and a half decades later the marriage is still a perfect one. What’s the secret? Listening and mutual respect or raw unbridled attraction? Probably both. There may be no right answer, but no one questions that these two things belong together. The Mortlach distillery, known locally as the Beast of Dufftown, is one of those great distilleries that has never been given proper attention by its owners. The distillery has quietly been a key component in the great Scotch blends since 1823, yet few outside the single malt aficionados appreciate its prowess. Yes, the new owners have recently re-released a line of well regarded distillery bottlings, but their availability is intermittent, and the exceptional pricing the original offered seems to have evaporated. It’s been a much more successful effort to transition the brand into a proper single malt property, yet this excellent property remains in the shadows of its “classic malt” brethren. The beast, brooding down in the gully, was waiting to be unleashed. Now it finally has been! This is a big boy butt from the biggest of Speyside’s blue-chips. Robust, full of character and bottled no-holds-barred at full cask strength. It’s incredible we’re still able to get things like this out of Scotland and while it will be hard to argue with anyone that this one is “affordable,” for what it is, the price is really quite shocking.

Bruichladdich 17 Year Old Private Cask #56 Hold Fast

Now available at The Real Drinks Company! A World Exclusive! This 17 year old Islay Single Malt was produced at Bruichladdich distillery and drawn from a single sherry hogshead.  63.7% and one of only 280 bottles, get one now while stocks last.

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GlenDronach
10 Year Old Single Cask

A 2011 vintage first fill sherry butt bottled November 2021 by Hart Brothers for their Cask Strength, Single Cask label. At a lovely 56.5% this is a rare chance to fill the Glendronach single cask hole in your life. Glendronach 10 Year Old 2011 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill sherry butt distilled November 2011, bottled November 2021 by Hart Brothers for the Cask Strength series.

LIMITED TO 1 PER PERSON

Buy – Glendronach 10yo – £119.70/ €120* / $134* / c$170*

Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whisky region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Special Offers

PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

There are only a few days left to enjoy discounts on our drinks of the month, including the exciting new release from The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks series by Elixir Distillers: Caol Ila 2011 10 Year Old Parcel No. 7. This is a dram bursting with an intriguing melange of childhood sweets, savoury notes, richness and characterful smoke.

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1995 Strathmill 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $249.99 View

1994Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Hogshead Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $379.99 View