Make your gift extra special…

Perfect as a gift for Father’s Day or to mark any special occasion – this is your opportunity to personalise a bottle of whisky with a thoughtful, hand-engraved message, ensuring the bottle lasts much longer than the whisky…

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

$79.99 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).

SPIRIT OF YORKSHIRE DISTILLERY RELEASES FILEY BAY PEATED FINISH

The light and subtly smoky whisky comes after the success of the ambitious distillery’s ‘finished’ releases last year

Filey Bay, Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky, made by the ambitious Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, is releasing a brand new expression – Filey Bay Peated Finish. After the success of its ‘finished’ releases in 2020, the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery decided to go one step further and finish its light and fruity house style whisky in peated casks to deliver a subtle note of peat smoke. Balanced and delicate, Filey Bay Peated Finish is soft and sweet with a gentle twist of smoke making this release perfect for any whisky fan whatever their preference.

This exciting new cask type not only adds dimension to the distinctive, creamy and light whisky, but also brings together the forward thinking distillery’s ethos of respecting tradition with a progressive approach. Filey Bay Peated Finish uses a combination of two of the distillery’s distillate styles from a small selection of stunning bourbon casks laid down in the spring and summer of 2017, which undergoes a secondary maturation in peated casks. Light, sweet and coastal, expect flavours of soft vanilla, caramel, subtle peat smoke and bright citrus.

Co-founded by Tom Mellor and David Thompson, the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery began making whisky in 2016. The distillery is located a stone’s throw from co-founder Tom Mellor’s working arable farm in Hunmanby on the Yorkshire coast, which has been in Mellor’s family since World War II.

“After the success of our ‘finished’ releases last year, we’re really excited to announce our next step, Filey Bay Peated Finish. This bottling is a much anticipated first, as we give our light and fruity signature whisky a subtle sweet smokiness by finishing in peated casks.” said Spirit of Yorkshire Director and Co-Founder, David Thompson.

The distillery’s Whisky Director, Joe Clark added: “Opinions can sometimes be divided on peated whisky, and this release strikes very much at the middle ground for those who love peated whisky and those who are not so sure. Our Peated Finish is all about balance – it’s the perfect dram for any whisky fan.”

The distillery’s traditional yet progressive approach results in a distinctive whisky which is creamy, light and fruity with flavours of citrus, honey, caramel and vanilla, whilst it gets its complex and refined character from maturation in a range of ex-bourbon and sherry barrels. Named after the pristine beach in North Yorkshire visible from the distillery, the gannets that gather on nearby Bempton Cliffs have become an emblem of the brand and appear on its vibrant label.

Alongside Filey Bay Peated Finish, the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery’s initial ‘finished’ range includes the Filey Bay STR Finish, aged partly in former red wine barriques; the Filey Bay Moscatel Finish, aged in Spanish Moscatel wine barrels; and various other limited-run releases using a range of maturation techniques. Filey Bay Flagship is the distillery’s first widely available bottling, following the limited-run First Release and Second Release.

Filey Bay Peated Finish will be available to purchase from June from the distillery’s website here, RRP £60.

Notes 

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery Hunmanby Industrial Estate, The Distillery, Unit 1, Hunmanby, Filey, YO14 0PH. www.spiritofyorkshire.com @SpiritOfYorkshire

About Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery

Spirit of Yorkshire distillery was set up in 2016 by Tom Mellor and David Thompson in Hunmanby, North Yorkshire, UK. A sister operation to the Wold Top Brewery, it is located close to the owners’ arable farm, which specialises in growing malting barley, and uses progressive, sustainable farming practices and unique distillation methods in its range of single malt whiskies.

The distillery’s operations are underpinned by a long-standing passion for sustainable agriculture and careful environmental stewardship: all of the barley used in its production is grown on the farm, making it one of the only genuinely field to bottle distilleries in the UK, while chalk aquifers directly underneath the farm provide a consistent water supply that’s ideal for whisky distilling.

Both Mellor and Thompson have worked in farming and agriculture in the local area for decades. Passionate about low-impact farming techniques being used wherever possible, issues like soil health and biodiversity are also front-of-mind when it comes to the farm’s operations. The distillery will continue its regular tours for locals and visitors looking to find out more about the distilling process from 21st June, while the resident Pot Still Café will continue to offer speciality coffee alongside breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea menus made from produce sourced from local artisans

GlenDronach

Friday, June 18th, 4-6PM

Saturday, June 19th, 12-4PM

Join us this Friday, June 18th from 4-6PM and Saturday, June 19th from 12-4PM for our GlenDronach scotch tastings, presented by whisky expert and ambassador Rory Glasgow. We’ll have a variety of award-winning whiskies to try, with Rory and our whisky experts present for all your whisky questions.

Established in 1826, Highland distillery GlenDronach was one of the very first licensed distilleries in Scotland. The award-winning GlenDronach range marries the best of Highland and Spanish skill and heritage to offer whiskies of elegant, complex character and tremendous depth of taste. Masters of Sherry Maturation, GlenDronach scotches are recognized for their deep color and rich flavor profiles, ranging from sweet fruity Pedro Ximenez sourced single malts, to the dry and nutty Olorosso expressions.

RSVPs are appreciated! Click below to RSVP through facebook.

Friday, June 18th, 4-6PM

Saturday, June 19th, 12-4PM

Current Store Hours at The Whisky Shop:

Open 10AM – 6PM, every day

We respect and enforce California’s Covid Lockdown guidelines, including reduced capacity, mask-wearing, and social distancing.

Gordon & MacPhail introduces The World’s Oldest Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Generations 80YO From Glenlivet Distillery presented in partnership with Sir David Adjaye OBE

ELGIN, SCOTLAND, 15 June 2021: Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail is set to release the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky this September – an 80-Years-Old from Glenlivet Distillery – in partnership with Sir David Adjaye OBE.

Download Video HERE

On 3rd February 1940 in a quiet corner in the north of Scotland, George Urquhart and his father, John, had the extraordinary foresight and vision to lay down spirit from Glenlivet Distillery in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed by future generations.

To celebrate John and George Urquhart’s vision, Gordon & MacPhail has collaborated with internationally acclaimed architect and designer, Sir David Adjaye OBE, to create a unique decanter and oak case to house the world’s most precious whisky to date. Described as ‘an architect with an artist’s sensibilities and vision’, Adjaye was a natural choice as a creative partner; a man who shares the company’s values of artistry, legacy, and craftsmanship.

“When collaborating, I am looking for like-minded partners in terms of their craft, beliefs and traditions. I loved Gordon & MacPhail’s rigour and obsession with their products and their craft – a romantic commitment that enables one to do exceptional things. Our partnership felt so organic,” expresses Adjaye.

Referred to by renowned whisky writer Charlie MacLean as ‘the father of single malt’, George Urquhart passionately believed that each whisky should be left to mature until the cask and spirit had combined to create the desired quality, and it was ready to be shared. The time for Cask 340 was to be 80 years – longer than any other Scotch whisky in history.

On 5th February 2020, leaning on the unique skill and experience acquired over more than 125 years, the decision was taken to finally bottle the cask’s precious out-turn, yielding a total of 250 decanters.

“That this whisky – the oldest single malt Scotch ever bottled – remains so full of vibrant flavour with a strength of 44.9% ABV, is testimony to knowledge handed down over successive generations of my family,” explains Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies, and member of the fourth generation of the family that owns the company.

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched its own casks with spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries. It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

“Maturing a single malt Scotch over eight decades is an art,” adds Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, “similar in many ways to architecture where you are creating something that needs to stand the test of time. Neither can be rushed. Both Sir David and Gordon & MacPhail share a commitment to invest in the future. We both see the significance of creating something exceptional; leaving a legacy for future generations.”

In the same way that a 50th anniversary is commemorated by gold, 80 years is traditionally symbolised by oak – a pleasing reflection of this whisky, cradled in oak for eight decades. Sir David Adjaye’s stunning decanter and case will be revealed in September 2021, with decanter number #1 auctioned by Sotheby’s in early October 2021. To continue the legacy theme, auction proceeds, minus costs, will be donated to award-winning Scottish charity Trees for Life whose mission is to rewild the Caledonian Forest. 

“It’s fitting that this release will provide a relevant, valuable and long-lasting legacy with direct benefits for many,” comments Ewen Mackintosh.

The Generations range from Gordon & MacPhail has previously presented some of the longest matured single malt Scotch whisky ever to be bottled. Its reputation will be further enhanced this September when the Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80YO from Glenlivet Distillery will finally be unveiled.

Register interest via: GORDONANDMACPHAIL.COM

@GORDONANDMACPHAIL

Watch Hill Proper bourbon bar releases layout and renderings and

announces prominent industry leading members

Bourbon enthusiasts have until June 15 to sign up as a Founding Member

PROSPECT, Ky. (June 7, 2021) – Watch Hill Proper, Louisville’s first premier bourbon club located in Norton Commons, is releasing the layout and renderings for their 5,200 sq. ft. location anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2022. Both the layout and renderings were provided by Design + Inc., an award-winning architectural and design firm that specializes in the restaurant industry.

The club will feature The Fermenter – a waiting room with a smaller bar – two private rooms, a Member Lounge, and a Library. The Member Lounge will be accessible to members during the day, before official opening hours of the club. The Library will be a place for members to relax and expand their bourbon knowledge. The main bar will be in a large open room with nearly 1,000 bottles of bourbon behind the bar. A unique bourbon barrel ceiling feature will be a focal point of the club, with barrels located throughout the club.

“We are really pleased with the design process so far and seeing our vision take shape,” says co-founder Josh Howes. “We want a comfortable space that feels like a big living room yet reminds you of a bourbon distillery. When you first walk inside you will know you are in a special place, and I think our design will achieve that goal.”

Watch Hill Proper began accepting membership applications through its website for all membership types on May 12 of this year.  Industry leaders affiliated with high quality brands including Four Gate, Beam Suntory, Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill, Angel’s Envy, Castle & Key, Four Roses, Limestone Branch and Peerless have already joined the club.  Many authors and influencers have also joined, and more are being added daily.  “We have received tremendous support from the entire bourbon industry,” says co-founder Josh Howes, “and we can’t wait to promote their brands through our club events.”

“One of the aspects of Watch Hill Proper we are most excited about is the support from the community as well as the bourbon industry,” says co-founder Tommy Craggs. “We have a lot of Bourbon Industry members already who are partnering with us to bring special events to the club. They have been given a special page on our website because they will help make sure Watch Hill Proper will be an exciting place to visit on a regular basis.”

Membership applications submitted by June 15, 2021 will have Founder Member status with additional perks including the ability to attend barrel picks, behind-the-scenes distillery tours in 2021 and 2022, priority access to rent a spirit locker, as well as one complimentary bourbon tasting a month. Membership will be capped to ensure a premier experience for the members. The club will be open to the public, but members will have reservation privileges, receive a 20% discount on drinks, and have the ability to attend special events amongst more than a dozen additional privileges.

Watch Hill Proper not only plans to deliver a large selection of bourbon and whiskey cocktails, but Howes states that prices will be extremely competitive. “One of the questions I am asked the most is what are our prices? We have posted some sample drink prices on our website because we want our members, and potential members, to know that our goal is to provide one of the best values in the city of Louisville. We want our guests to try lots of new bourbons and we will provide a large selection at good prices. Plus, every week members will have access to our ‘break-even pour’ which is a bottle that we select to be priced by the drink at our cost. Not many bars are willing to do that.”

For membership details, please visit the Watch Hill Proper website at www.watchhillproper.com or contact Bev Reese at (502) 230-1982.

About Watch Hill Proper:

Watch Hill Proper is Louisville’s first premier membership bourbon club anticipated to open early 2022. Our purpose is to be a community built around a common interest – bourbon. Our goal is to be a community of ambassadors for Kentucky’s signature industry. And do it in style. For more information about Watch Hill Proper, or to apply for membership, visit www.watchhillproper.com.

AMERICAN WHISKEY

Not keen to stray too far from your normal Scotch? Why not try an American whiskey for a change, we’ve got bourbon and corn whisky to enjoy.

EASY PEELER

Cask No. B5.4

Age: 4 years

Cask: Charred New Oak Barrel

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A ROCKING CHAIR WHISKEY

Cask No. CW1.1

Age: 11 years

Cask: Charred New Oak Barrel

DISCOVER MORE

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

The Dalmore: the ultimate whisky gift

Pioneers of cask curation with expertise passed through generations of distillers, The Dalmore is a world-renowned luxury single malt – and makes the perfect whisky gift.

Discover the collection

Dalmore 12 year old sherry cask select
The whisky shop exclusive

An exclusive to The Whisky Shop in the UK, The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select showcases the affinity between The Dalmore and rich sherry maturation. This expression begins its journey in American white oak ex-bourbon casks where it spends ten years maturing, laying down the foundations of the distillery’s house style: chocolate, orange and spice. The liquid is then finished in an assemblage of hand-curated sherry barrels from Andalusia in Spain, making this 12-year-old a delicious and decadent drinking experience, full of sweet fruits and autumnal spice.

buy now

“Packed full of sweet sherried flavours, this stunning Dalmore offers notes of treacle toffee, dark berries and figs. Pair with rich dark chocolate for the perfect indulgence.”

Neil, Whisky Specialist at The Whisky Shop

Glen Moray unveils new 2005 Tokaji Finish UK exclusive for Warehouse 1 relaunch

Glen Moray’s famed ‘Warehouse 1’ has today (9^th June) released another treasure from behind its deep blue doors: a 2005 Tokaji Finish expression, which is the first of three whiskies scheduled in 2021 from the ‘new look’ Warehouse 1 Collection.

Distilled in October 2005 and finished in oak casks that once held Tokaji Aszú wine, this new cask strength dram will sweep discerning drinkers away with its sumptuous marriage of Glen Moray spirit and the sweet, nutty notes of Hungary’s decadent dessert wine.

Five Tokaji casks from the Elgin distillery’s Warehouse 1 – home to Glen Moray’s most unusual and adventurous maturation experiments over the years – have been used for a small batch release of just 1244 bottles for the UK market.

Expect sugar, spice and all things nice from this golden, cask strength dram, which moves through a ‘full-on sweetshop’ on the nose, to malty, maple syrup flavours and a long, lingering marzipan finish that beautifully balances the structure of Glen Moray spirit.

After the success of the first Warehouse 1 release last year – Sauternes Cask Matured – the Collection has been given a fresh, bold design update. A colourful Warehouse 1 stamp in deep, soft gold represents the Tokaji casks, with an illustration of the warehouse in question also featured, including the birds that circle overhead on a typical day at the distillery.

The new Tokaji Finish expression will be the first of three launches scheduled for the Collection in 2021. All will share a common theme, celebrating Glen Moray’s classic Speyside spirit matured in casks sourced from some of Europe’s oldest, noblest and most distinctively flavoured wine varieties.

Hungarian Tokaji is a wine with a rich, royal and romantic heritage that stretches back hundreds of years. It is now enjoying an exciting resurgence, inspiring Glen Moray’s master distillers as they seek out interesting, eclectic casks to create this special collection of whiskies.

As Glen Moray Brand Ambassador Iain Allan notes: ‘When our distillers talk about Warehouse 1 it’s almost as if they’re letting you into a secret. This is their special space for experimentation, innovation and patiently waiting for the character of each whisky to develop.

Tasting Notes

Colour: bright gold

Nose: a sweetshop of aromas: sugared almonds, caramel toffee, freshly baked gingerbread. Sweet sugars hold back the traditional fresh fruit character of Glen Moray spirit.

Taste: Malty, biscuity, hints of freshly baked bread, slightly sweet. Maple syrup on Scottish pancakes along with warm pecan pie.

Finish: nutty, almond marzipan, long and lingering.

‘Our team searches the world for interesting casks and they’re not afraid to push the boundaries, try the unusual and creatively combine Glen Moray whisky with unexpected casks. In this case, we have turned to Tokaji, which is a very old but lesser-known wine that has created a wonderful, flavour-packed dram that we’re very proud to release.

‘It’s also very fitting that Warehouse 1 now has its own new and distinctive identity. This is a mark that signifies exclusive, small scale releases, non-chill-filtered and bottled at cask strength and with natural colour. Drinkers can be assured that each whisky has been made with a spirit of adventure, resulting in a dram packed with character and delicious flavour.

‘I’m excited to see what whisky fans will make of our new Tokaji release, and as we move through 2021, I can promise there are more surprises to come from Warehouse 1.’

Crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, Glen Moray distillers have been curious about flavour throughout their history. Surviving handwritten ledgers show that a wide variety of casks were used to mature new make spirit back in those early days, which was an unusual practice for the time. A deep knowledge and expertise of wood has developed at Glen Moray through generations of distillers, resulting in today’s exceptional range of whiskies with a style to suit everyone.

Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2005 Tokaji Finish is bottled at cask strength (56.3% ABV), non-chill-filtered and with natural colour. It is a UK exclusive, available in 70cl packs in specialist whisky shops, RRP £75.

Watch the Warehouse 1 Tokaji Finish film on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfeDfvcDM-E

www.glenmoray.com

www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery

www.instagram.com/glen_moray_whisky

www.twitter.com/glenmoraydist

ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.  www.la-martiniquaise.com

Hamish’s Hidden Malt:
Win the full Game of Thrones Limited Edition set of bottles and chest to match!

In our latest edition of Hamish’s Hidden Malt we are offering up a highly collectible prize: a Game of Thrones Limited Edition Chest (1 of only 205!) with the full set of 8 original bottles in the series representing each house including Cardhu, Clynelish, Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, The Singleton of Glendullan, and Talisker.

To be in with a chance of winning this incredible prize all you have to do is purchase any of the featured bottles below to automatically enter into our giveaway. One lucky winner will be chosen from all these orders and sent this striking chest filled with single malt treasure! Winter isn’t quite coming just yet but I’m sure like Jon Snow you could put your feet up with a dram of Cardhu or Dalwhinnie any time of the year!

Take a gander below and enter before Friday 18th June is up. All orders from now until then will be in with a chance of winning. But win or lose you’ll still receive a lovely new malt to your door. Good luck!