When Mr. Paul P John decided to create single malt whiskies in India, he traversed the lanes of Scotland to learn about its distilleries and whisky culture. Starting his company in 1996, he soon launched The Great Indian Single Malt to award-winning acclaim.

Skilfully chosen indigenous ingredients and the warm environs of Goa, double-distillation in copper pot stills with long necks, and maturation in white oak barrels create the magic that is Paul John Single Malt Whisky. Rich and full-bodied with distinct fruit and spice flavours.

Mithuna – 2021 Release

Limited Edition | 70cl | 58% ABV

Named after the Indian counterpart of the Zodiac sign Gemini, Mithuna by Paul John, brings to you an indescribable, almost ethereal, luxury experience. With hints of old oak, aromas of liquorice, delicate beeswax and a soothing ulmo honey on crisp toast with a tinge of vanilla, Mithuna delivers chewy flavours of coffee mocha, orange peel, and soft spice floating on active tannins that lead to a long and gratifying finish.

£209.95

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BLADNOCH DISTILLERY LAUNCHES 2021 SINGLE CASK COLLECTION

This year for the first time, the annual collection will include a 6th cask, highlighting one of the rarest cask types in the Bladnoch Distillery archives.

BLADNOCH, SCOTLAND (MAY 26, 2021) – Bladnoch Distillery will release its annual Single Cask Collection in limited quantities on the 26th of May, 10am BST through their UK online store, Visitor Centre and later in various countries around the world throughout Bladnoch’s trusted network of distributors.

The 2021 collection will consist of 6 unique single casks, hand selected by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage as the very best that were maturing at Bladnoch’s 204 year old estate this year. Featured in this year’s collection will be some tantalising cask types including Palo Cortado Sherry, Port Pipe and Amontillado Sherry.

The 2021 Collection will feature an additional 6th cask, a grand ex Canasta Butt that is one of only a few to exist in Bladnoch’s bluestone warehouses. This distinguished single cask will be differentiated by a luxurious all-black bottle presentation. Distilled in 2002, this single malt displays notes of liquorice sticks, delicate florals and almonds on the palate.

Dr Nick Savage said of the collection, “The 2021 Single Cask Collection once again allows us to demonstrate the quality and breadth in style of the maturing stocks at Bladnoch. As part of this five year program, these 6 whiskies add to the 2020 collection with more cask types and vintages, including the extreme rarity of certain casks such as the specially selected Canasta Butt. The 2021 collection showcases the very best casks from our maturing stocks.”

The inaugural 2020 Single Cask Collection sold out in record time to whisky enthusiasts around the world. With bottle quantities of each cask very limited, Bladnoch’s 2021 Single Cask Collection is set for a similar fate.

To purchase the Bladnoch 2021 Single Cask Collection, visit www.bladnoch.com. The collection will be available from 10am on the 26th of May.

RRP
£140-£400

About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest working Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Lowlands. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, it is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’ Hand crafted using only the finest local ingredients such as the pristine water from the River Bladnoch that flows alongside the distillery and Scottish barley create a rich, flavourful whisky that is best savoured. Bladnoch single malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage, formerly at The Macallan, and owner David Prior, a whisky connoisseur who is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery. Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in the iconic distillery.

OLDEST CORE RELEASE TO DATE UNVEILED BY

THE GLENALLACHIE

Batch 1 of The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength single malt is the latest creation

from world-renowned Master Distiller, Billy Walker

Hot on the heels of winning the World’s Best Single Malt award (World Whiskies Awards, 2021), The GlenAllachie Distillery is launching its oldest and most prestigious core offering yet: The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 1 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

A brand-new addition to the GlenAllachie’s multi award-winning flagship range, Batch 1 of The GlenAllachie 30-year-old (UK RRSP £475) is the first in a series of annual small-batch releases at this age, with only 2,000 bottles available worldwide.

This first instalment is a marriage of vintage whiskies from nine casks handpicked by acclaimed Master Distiller, Billy Walker, from stocks spanning more than 50,000 casks maturing across 16 on-site warehouses at GlenAllachie.

To create this unique whisky, which is bottled at cask strength of 48.9% ABV, non chill filtered and natural colour, Walker personally selected a combination of 1989 and 1990 vintages matured in former Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso hogsheads and puncheons, along with a small quantity of Chinquapin Virgin Oak casks.

The result of Walker’s superlative blending and wood management expertise is an exceptional whisky that delivers bold sherry-matured sophistication; notes of indulgent mocha, ripe figs and dark chocolate, coupled with classic GlenAllachie honeyed charm.

Commenting on the historic release, Walker, who next year reaches his 50^th year in the industry, said: “When I first explored the warehouses here back in 2017, I was blown away by the quality I discovered. I immediately set out earmarking casks and planning a series of incredibly special releases.

“I always had an ambition to create a memorable 30-year-old expression, presented at natural cask strength, that would truly blow away whisky connoisseurs across the globe. It’s a small-batch single malt that undoubtedly captures everything I’ve learned along the way in my career, and thus is a bottling I’m particularly proud to release.”

The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 1 is available from specialist retailers globally, with a UK RRSP of £475.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts an almost 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2021 stands at an eye-watering £1m/$1.2m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol, and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie

Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie

Instagram – @theglenallachie_

TASTING NOTES

The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 1 – 2,000 bottles, 48.9% ABV

• Colour: Rich Mahogany.
• Nose: Fruit cake, raisins and mocha, with honey, cinnamon and coconut.
• Taste: Layers of dark chocolate, fruit cake, raisins, honey and figs, with treacle, orange zest and nutmeg.

TIMOROUS BEASTIE UNLEASHES

“MEET THE BEAST” CASK STRENGTH LIMITED EDITION

Douglas Laing & Co, family firm behind the “Remarkable Regional Malts” Scotch Whisky range, today unleash Timorous Beastie “Meet the Beast”; a limited edition partner to their Highland Malt brand.

Offered at a natural cask strength of 54.9% and matured exclusively in ex-American Bourbon barrels, the spirit is said to be a “massive amplification” of the original.

Packaged in a black bottle with red capsule and premium gift tube, the striking livery features the brand’s trademark mouse character and monochromatic colourways, complemented by flashes of bold red. With tasting notes including “complex oak”, “buttery pastry” and “rich spices”, the team behind Timorous Beastie Meet the Beast say it is “bound to appeal to an adventurous whisky drinker with an appetite for big flavours”.

Cara Laing, Director of Marketing in her family business, said:

“The original Timorous Beastie may look cute and unassuming, but the spirit inside is a seriously credible Highland Malt, offered at high alcohol strength and without colouring or chill-filtration. Our new limited edition “Meet the Beast” is designed to unleash Timorous Beastie’s wild side in line with a repositioning for the core brand, which seeks to enthuse and excite consumers via premium, credible messaging with a feisty edge. It’s true what they say – beware of the quiet ones!”

Timorous Beastie Meet the Beast is expected to retail at £50 and will be available from selected specialist retailers globally from May 2021. Just 3,600 bottles are available.

Tasting notes    

On the nose, expect a burst of sweet vanilla, complex oak and orchard fruits. The beast of a palate delivers wonderful notes of candyfloss, creamy honey and buttery pastry, running to a satisfyingly long finish with spices that go on and on…

ABOUT TIMOROUS BEASTIE

Instagram: @timorousbeastiewhisky

Facebook: /dltimorousbeastie

Established in 2014 by Douglas Laing & Co, Timorous Beastie represents “ultimate distillation of the Highlands” in a small batch marriage of Single Malts distilled at Glengoyne, Glen Garioch, Blair Athol and Strathearn Distilleries, amongst others. The multi award-winning Scotch is distributed in over 50 markets globally and has amassed a loyal following

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

THE DUBLINER IRISH WHISKEY COLLABORATES WITH RASCAL’S BREWERY

FOR LIMITED-EDITION BEER CASK SERIES

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey has launched The Dubliner Smoked Stout Whiskey, the first release from the brand’s latest limited-edition collection, The Dubliner Whiskey Beer Cask Edition Series, following a collaboration with one of Ireland’s leading craft brewers, Rascal’s Brewing Company.

The Dubliner Smoked Stout Edition is a whiskey packed with personality and flavour, bottled at 40% ABV. If freshly baked oat cookies, honeyed sweetness and fresh cinnamon spice, followed by big creamy maltiness and subtle toasty smokiness floats your boat, this is one whiskey you’re going to need in your life. 

You’ll need to be quick though -The Dubliner Irish Whiskey Smoked Stout is a limited edition with fewer than 2000 bottles on sale, available to customers in Ireland now online from www.thedld.com for €35.

This latest collaboration saw the award-winning Dubliner Irish Whiskey share their ex-bourbon whiskey casks with fellow Dublin neighbour and independent Irish craft brewer, Rascal’s, with the brewers filling the casks with their high quality, unfiltered and unpasteurised beer.

Following bottling, the casks were returned to the Dubliner team, with each cask refilled with The Dubliner Irish Whiskey, allowing the flavours of the beer, having soaked into the casks, to seep into the three-year-old whiskey, creating a delicious blend that’s set to excite whiskey and beer fans alike.

“We are excited to launch the Dubliner Smoked Stout Irish Whiskey in Ireland. This is the latest in our flavour work on the brand. Dubliner Irish Whiskey is committed to making whiskey accessible for anyone to try. Big on flavour, it is sure to appeal to whiskey and beer drinkers alike.” Bronagh Hunt, Global Brand Director, Irish Whiskeys at Quintessential Brands.

There will be more releases from The Dubliner and Rascal’s in the coming months so keep your eyes peeled for more news soon – top tip: you’ll hear of the latest releases first by following the brand on Instagram so check out The Dubliner Irish Whiskey (@dublinerwhiskey).

ABOUT THE DUBLINER

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey is part of the Dublin Liberties Distillery’s portfolio of Irish whiskeys, majority owned by Quintessential Brands. A young, dynamic distillery team located at The Dublin Liberties Distillery in the Liberties, the old whiskey district of Ireland; opened in February 2019 and considered one of the leading players in reviving Dublin’s local whiskey production. The Dubliner range is available to purchase at www.theDLD.com . 

ABOUT QUINTESSENTIAL BRANDS GROUP

Established in 2011, Quintessential Brands Group is one of the most successful spirits companies to emerge from the UK in the last decade. The company offers a complete range of services and products to its customers across the world; producing and distributing some of the world’s most-loved spirits brands, including Greenall’s, the Original London Dry Gin, Opihr Spiced Gin and BLOOM Gin, as well as developing and producing some of the most commercially successful retailer brands of recent years for trade customers, and co-packing for some of the world’s most well-known spirits brands.

Recognised by the industry as International Spirits Challenge Gin Distiller of the Year five times in the last six years, Quintessential Brands is renowned for its unrivalled gin distilling capabilities heritage dating back to 1761 and is emerging as one of the most dynamic new entrants in the Irish whiskey market with the Dublin Liberties Distillery. With world-class product development and manufacturing at four world-class production sites across Europe and an award-winning premium brand portfolio comprised of English Gins, Irish Whiskeys, Irish Creams and Liqueurs, Quintessential Brands is committed to being the indispensable spirits partner of choice to its customers across the world, with customers and insights at the heart of everything we do.

Headquartered in London, Quintessential Brands Group distributes its brands and services through regional business units and distributors internationally.

For more information, visit the Quintessential Brands website: https://quintessentialbrands.com

Three American Oak Single Cask Whiskies

In the coming days, we will release three American Oak Single Cask whiskies.—

In addition to an American Oak Bourbon Single Cask (TD0177), we will be releasing an American Oak Tawny Single Cask (TD0317) and an American Oak Second Fill Single Cask (TD0121). All three are exceptional examples of the malt-led Sullivans Cove spirit working alongside the characteristics of American Oak for long-term maturation.

TD0177 American Oak Bourbon Single Cask, bottled at 47.2% was matured for over 14 years in a 200L cask and yielded only 122 bottles.

TD0317 American Oak Tawny Single Cask, bottled at 47.9% was matured for over 12 years in a 300L cask and yielded 427 bottles.

TD0121 American Oak Second Fill Single Cask, bottled at 47.5% was matured for 14 years and 5 months in a 300L cask and yielded 440 bottles.

Further cask information and tasting notes can be found on our online store.

“American Oak casks complement our malt-driven spirit and suit our gentler approach to all aspects of the whisky making process. With a more porous surface, American Oak lends itself to long-term maturation, with the vannillan characteristics of the wood marrying perfectly with our new make spirit.” – Heather Tillott, Head Distiller

These whiskies will be released via ballot.

The ballot will open for 24 hours from 11am Hobart time on Tuesday 25th of May, 2021. Further details will be sent via email prior to the ballot opening. Please note, entries will be strictly limited to one bottle per cask, per person. You’re welcome to enter all three ballots. Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballot closes.

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Limited-Edition, One-of-a-Kind World-Class Whiskies
Featuring bottlings from Ardmore, Bunnahabhain, Tomatin, Tormore, and Tullibardine

Today’s offer represents the rarest of the rare in the world of Scotch. These mature, ultra-limited bottlings will easily provide a centerpiece to any collection rich in the best of whisky. Coming in both 700ml and 750ml sizes, the complexity and power across the board is unmatched, as these K&L exclusive single casks have been selected among many as the finest their respective distilleries have to present. Only a handful of bottles of each are available for the world, and you’re seeing them here first. We recommend swift action to secure your allocation on pre-arrival, as once these whiskies are gone, they’re gone for good.

* Please note that some of these rare spirits items are offered in our regular 750ml format, while others are bottled in 700ml format. These items are on pre-arrival, ready for pickup or delivery in late summer 2021. Please refer to each individual product page for more detail.

1994 Tomatin 25 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($249.99)

Tomatin is a fascinating distillery with a unique history and many incarnations, from starting as a bulk blender and supplier and eventually shifting to a steadfast focus on quality single malt production. From the early 1900s through the mid ’70s, Tomatin grew continuously. They added stills multiple times as demand for their product increased exponentially. By 1975, they were the largest single malt production facility in Scotland. Sadly due to market forces they never operated at their full capacity, and by the mid ’80s the massive bust in the market for Scotch was impossible to ignore. Tomatin was liquidated and became the first of many Scottish distilleries to be purchased by Japanese companies. Today owned by the company known as Takara Shuzo, Tomatin has many bottlings on the market, but it is the choicest single casks that command the most attention. Here we have an incredible single cask of sherry-finished Tomatin 25 Year Old at a natural strength of 49.3% ABV. Expect a great value single malt with tropical and stone fruits in abundance, melded with sherry spice and orange peel dipped in chocolate.

1989 Tullibardine 31 Year “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($299.99)

Tullibardine sits in Blackford not far north of the border between Highlands and Lowlands. Historically, it produced a nutty malt that was generally filled into tired casks and sold off for blending. Their lack of a strong wood management program meant that single casks were a crapshoot. If you managed to get a great one, you could have a phenomenal spirit. If the cask was past its prime, the whisky was nothing to write home about. In 1994, the distillery was shut down. It wasn’t until new ownership took over in 2003 that the distillery reopened and saw a huge influx of new casks. They also tweaked the spirit for a more high-toned fruit profile. While the results from this change have been excellent, it is the older, nuttier style that, if aged properly in a quality cask, really is a treat. This 31-year-old beauty comes from 1989, before the shutdown, and was filled into a quality sherry butt. The combination is an over-the-top nutty richness, dusty cocoa, and spices mixed with sun dried fruits.

1988 Ardmore 31 Year “Hunter Laing Old & Rare Heritage Platinum Selection” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($349.99)

Only 60 bottles will be available of this intriguing, old Highland peater. Distilled in April 1998 and bottled in 2019 at 50.2% ABV without dilution or chill filtration, the Platinum Selection represents the very best of what Hunter Laing has to offer. These casks are the bottler’s finest stocks and are selected not only for their exquisite rarity but also their unbelievable quality. Built in 1898 by William Teacher, the Ardmore Distillery is one of the Highlands’ best kept secrets, offering only an extremely limited selection bottled by the distillery, and the Ardmore malt remains a key component in the popular Teacher’s Highland Cream, which may be why they’ve neglected to market the wonderful peated Highlander beyond the current limited offerings. This very old barrel offers an incredible expression of old-school Highland malt with deep coal smoke, cured leather, wild honey, and tart red fruit. Just perfect at nearly 100 proof, it needs no water to open but could use some air to develop fully in the glass. Despite the high quality and limited availability, the price is extremely reasonable, and it should be given some serious consideration by any lover of old peated whisky.

1988 Tormore 31 Year “Hunter Laing Old & Rare Heritage Platinum Selection” Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($349.99)

This lovely Oloroso Sherry butt from the Tormore Distillery was distilled in May of 1988 and bottled in 2019. A sister to the wonderful barrel we purchased last year, this time bottled in 700ml, it represents one of the best values in old, sherried malt available in Scotland today. The Tormore Distillery and its iconic copper roof is one of Speyside’s newer distillers. Built in 1958, great care was taken with the design of the exterior, unlike at other distilleries of the period. The distillery was expanded in 1984 and can produce upward of 3.7 million liters of alcohol per year. Nonetheless, it’s extremely rare to find Tormore of any age in the U.S. The relatively short and wide stills give a rich and textured spirit that lends itself nicely to sherry aging. Bottled at natural cask strength of 49.1% ABV and without chill filtration, only 60 bottles of this exceptional cask are available in the U.S. exclusively at K&L Wine Merchants. As described by the bottler, “This amber coloured whisky matured in an Oloroso sherry butt has lashings of hazelnuts, coffee, chocolate and tobacco on the nose. Spicy and nutty on the palate with a touch of toffee leading to a long, rich, peppery finish.”

1987 Bunnahabhain 30 Year “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($399.99)

This stupendous old Bunnahabhain is as complex and delicious as it is rare. Of course, any Islay whisky that’s made it to the 30-year mark will command an extremely high price, but considering where the distillery’s own 25-year is priced these days, we felt this single cask offered significant value. Distilled in 1987 and bottled at a natural cask strength of 48.4% ABV.

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

Speyside 28 Year Old 1992 Infrequent Flyers

Speyside 28 Year Old

1992 vintage. Infrequent Flyer from a virgin oak cask packed with plenty of flavour and character. Oily, spicy, viscous and fruity. 28 Year Old 1992 vintage single malt Scotch whisky from a secret Speyside distillery. Single virgin oak barrel barrel #4824 bottled 2020 by The Alistair Walker Whisky Co. for the Infrequent Flyers series. 271 bottles.

Nose: Floral, fragrant, and very fruity – pears, bananas and ripe pineapple. A hint of toffee.
Taste: Really vibrant. Vanilla custard, honeycomb, cookie dough. Malty, with soft oak prevalent, and warming spices.
Finish: Viscous and oily.

Mystery single malt that don’t want to reveal their true identity. Rummage around and with a bit of investigation you are sure to find a rare unspecified bottling from independent bottler.

Cask #4824

BUY NOW

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO.’S FIRST RELEASE STRIKES GOLD IN THIS YEAR’S GLOBAL AND HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL A’ DESIGN AWARDS

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. wins the highest scoring Gold award in ‘Packaging Design Category’ for The Devil’s Keep Experience Box

12^th May 2021, London The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. achieved Gold in the ‘Packaging Design Category 2020-2021’ of the A’ Design Award for The Devil’s Keep experience box, which was the luxury Irish whiskey’s first release. The A’ Design Award and Competition is the world’s most prestigious and influential design accolade, which acknowledges the best design and most innovative products from international brands and designers.

With over 4,000 entries submitted from the world’s top designers, the competition is judged by over 200 jury members from the International Design Academy, to form The Grand A’ Design Award Jury Panel, including design professionals, press and academics, who award brands across five categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron. The award-winning products and designs will be formally announced at the official A’ Design Award Gala-Night and Exhibition in Italy, which will take place later this year.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was the highest scoring Gold Award, achieving 9.9 within the top 2% of the category, missing out on Platinum to Pepsi Co’s redesigned packaging. It was the only whiskey brand to be awarded ‘Gold’, within the ‘Packaging Design Category’, alongside over 20 innovative brands awarded Gold in the A’ Design Award. It marks The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s third win of the year after being awarded ‘Luxury Drinks Secondary Pack’ for the design of The Devil’s Keep experience box at The Luxury Packaging Awards 2020 and Highly Commended for the design of The Devil’s Keep bottle in the ‘Luxury Drinks Primary Pack’ award in February 2021.

The Devil’s Keep is a rare triple distilled, 29-year-old single malt whiskey and one of the finest whiskies that Ireland has ever created. It was the first release from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., making this accolade a moment of particular significance for Founder, Jay Bradley, and Design Director, Tiago Russo. The launch of The Devil’s Keep in November 2020 saw just 333 bottles released – with an additional 333 expected later this year. It was the most expensive inaugural first release in history, which sold at auction at USD $60,000 (almost £46,000 and €51,000 Euros), and the oldest triple distilled Irish whiskey in existence, only to be topped by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s second release in February 2021 of the 30-year-old The Emerald Isle Collection.

The Devil’s Keep was designed to be a multi-sensorial experience, which engages all five senses. The Devil’s Keep bottle is encased in an experience box made up of two custom-locked cases, secured by bespoke brass Japanese style locks. The minimalist outer case of the experience box has a dark stained oak finish and a bolt of geometric gold detailing, while the burgundy leather walls that line the inner case help to refract the colours of the whiskey. Housed inside the box are the exquisite whiskey accessories: two uniquely designed glasses, an atomiser, a measure of barley, a carafe of water, a pipette and whiskey stones. To protect the main packaging, a structural transit box was designed in two parts, allowing a vertical extraction which makes the experience as effortless and ergonomic as possible.

No detail was overlooked in its creation, from the vial of barley sourced from the same malting house that housed the original barley for the whiskey, through to the carafe filled with water sourced from the Antrim hills which was also used for the original whiskey. A custom-designed pipette enables water to be applied precisely to release the micelles and the flavours, while obsidian whiskey stones can be used in place of ice to prevent the dilution of the whiskey. A special ‘angels’ share’ atomiser has been designed by expert perfumer Sarah McCartney, which is unique to The Devil’s Keep. It captures the unmistakable aroma of walking through the halls of a whiskey warehouse full of maturing whiskey, evaporating into the ether. Bespoke glasses, a custom numbered whiskey certificate and a detailed booklet which tells the story of The Devil’s Keep are housed in each door.

Tiago Russo, Design Director at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., said: “It is a huge honour for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. to be recognised amongst some of the most well-established brands in the world. The A’ Design Award is the highest achievement in design, celebrating exceptional work from some of the most renowned names in the industry. Through the power of design, I was able to create a product that brings to life the story of The Devil’s Keep and celebrates Irish heritage and whiskey through a multi-sensory experience. The accolade is particularly special as The Devil’s Keep is the brand’s first release, and it now sets the benchmark for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. in the future as one of the brands to watch in the luxury whiskey space.”

Jay Bradley, Founder at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., commented: “I am so proud that we have been recognised in the A’ Design Award for The Devil’s Keep. It has taken our team years of dedication, craftsmanship and passion to create a unique whiskey experience. To be recognised in such a prestigious category is a huge achievement, which has allowed us to take centre stage alongside some of the most exceptional products in the world. Through the launch of The Devil’s Keep, my mission was to challenge global perceptions of Irish whiskey by creating the most luxurious drinking experience – ultimately filling the gap in the market for ultra-luxury Irish whiskey.”

Following the success of The Devil’s Keep and The Emerald Isle Collection in partnership with Fabergé, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. will announce its third release in June 2021.

For further information about The Devil’s Keep, please visit: https://www.craftirishwhiskey.com/the-devils-keep/ Instagram: @craftirishehiskeyco

Website: https://www.craftirishwhiskey.com/the-devils-keep
Video: https://vimeo.com/473493966 (password: watch)

Notes:

Price: 10,000 Euros

About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.:

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is different. This is not mass-produced whiskey, but an attention to detail and crafting processes that create the very finest craft Irish whiskey.

The company sources rare whiskey and uses ultra-premium finishing barrels to mature its whiskey due to the high quality of the wood and previous spirit or wine that helps deliver complex flavour profiles. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., knows that a premium level of spirit stored in this type of barrel adds deep and complex flavours into the finish which produces a phenomenal Irish whiskey.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. uniquely cask their whiskey at 52% ABV. Adding water in at the start allows the water and whiskey to marry over time creating a far smoother whiskey.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the proud whiskey partner of the The MICHELIN Guide and a partner in the Michelin Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2021.

https://vimeo.com/457863988

History of Irish Whiskey

 It is little known that Ireland invented whiskey in the 14th century and dominated the sector. By the 1800s, a group known as the ‘Dublin Whiskey Masters’ brought the art of whiskey making to its zenith with iconoclastic disruption. However, although Irish whiskey suffered a dramatic decline due to an unfortunate set of geopolitics, it is now being reborn and today, clawing back past glories. Ireland’s emerging, small-scale but disruptive distilleries have the talent and freedom to innovate whiskey on a scale not seen since the 19th century. The Devil’s Keep sees the age-old secrets of Ireland’s whiskey masters re-imagined with the launch of the oldest ever released triple distilled Irish whiskey and the most expensive first release in the history of whiskey.

About the A’ Design Award:

The A’ Design Award and Competition is for designers, innovators and companies that want to highlight themselves to attract the attention of media, publishers and buyers. In a world where there are millions of products and designs launch each year, the award was born out of the desire to underline the best designs and well-designed products. The award-winning products and designs are highlighted to the international public via the A’ Design Award Gala-Night and Exhibition in Italy and they are communicated to all relevant press across the world.

 For 2020 – 2021 there are 211 Jury Members forming the International Design Academy – The Grand A’ Design Award Jury Panel, composed of design professionals, press members and academics.

The full list of winners (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) can be found here: https://competition.adesignaward.com/winners.php

K&L Exclusive Sherry-Aged Whisky: Michel Couvreur’s “Peaty Overaged”
Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)
“…one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market…This new batch of Couvreur is better than ever!” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

In their constant search for the world’s most unique and compelling spirits, our buying team routinely discovers truly stupendous offerings exclusive to K&L. One of our favorites over the years has been the Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged.” What’s truly remarkable is where this inimitable dram comes from—a deep, dark cellar in the heart of Burgundy. The late Michel Couvreur arrived here in the 1960s and set about acquiring impressive stocks of new-make single malt Scotch and cultivating one of the most well-sourced sherry-cask regimens in the whisky world. Now produced by his long-time apprentice, this peated K&L Exclusive is, as spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard describes, a “wildly high-quality…whisky with a French sensibility.” For any lover of incredibly expressive sherry cask whisky, this is a must-try bottling that will leave you stunned, thrilled, and totally addicted to the style that is none other than Michel Couvreur.

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

The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that we had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This innovative 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)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2021

The magnificence that is Michel Couvreur has always been clear, but it wasn’t until we stepped into the special cave carved out of the rock in Bouze-lès-Beaune that we could fully appreciate the incredible endeavor in process at this fine producer. While this is by definition NOT scotch, because it is aged outside of the country, the old school practices utilized at here are unusual back in Scotland. The fact that these guys literally drive to Jerez to pick out fresh sherry casks (from Equipos Navazos no less) is totally unique in modern times. In fact, no producer of malt whisky is getting access to fresher barrels than these guys. Not being able to use the famous moniker does not preclude this from being one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market. Stupendous depth and complexity even at 86 proof, and while the sherry is toned down from the standard version, a subtle fino/amontillado quality exists in the back ground. This is pointed by a fabulous smokey sweetness, which hints at the source whisky. Maybe an island somewhere, maybe a drop of Islay, wildly high-quality Highland whisky with a French sensibility. A truly unique gem. This new batch of Couvreur is better than ever! They seem to have slightly upped the peaty element and it’s a welcome addition. They won’t tell us where it’s from, but it’s starting to feel very Caol Ila to me. Also, they’ve adjusted the wax seal which is not soft and can be opened directly via corkscrew. No need to break the wax in advance these days.