Wemyss Single Casks

The Speyside Edit

Wemyss Malts source casks from distilleries across Scotland for their single cask range. Each cask chosen for bottling is representative of the best characteristics of that region and the name given to each Whisky reflects the unique aromas and flavours found within the bottle.

Single cask Whisky is unique in that it is a snapshot of the distillery on one day of production and they type of cask it has been matured in. Depending on age and cask type, there are between 150 – 700 bottles per single cask, making each expression unique and highly covetable, as once they are gone, they are gone…

For time-sensitive bottles this December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

The heart and soul of our Spirits Department is our Direct Import program. We travel far and wide, meeting with well-established distillers and little-known estates alike, in a never-ending search for bottlings that combine exceptional quality and outstanding value. Our standards are exacting (as are the standards of the producers we work with), as we take great pride in offering our customers the very best expressions to be had, whether it be Scotch, or bourbon, or rum, or any other distilled spirit. Because of the relationships we’ve struck, we have unfettered access to some of the world’s finest spirits. And because we are skipping several tiers of the distribution chain, we are able to offer these gems for a fraction of what you’d expect. As a result, we have built one of the most robust and diverse spirits programs in the country.

SCOTCH 

Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)$24.99 View

2010 Glen Garioch 10 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $54.99 View

2006 Behind The Highlander (Craigellachie) 14 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

2010 Islay Strait (Caol Ila) 10 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Finish Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $69.99 View

1998 Archiestown Adjacent (Dailuaine) 22 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $109.99 View

2003 Craigellachie 16 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $109.99 View

1997 Hebridean Mulligan (Ledaig) 23 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $119.99 View

1997 Hector Macbeth (Glenfiddich) 23 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Finish Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $119.99 View

2008 Highland Park 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask #7774 Refill Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $139.99 View

1995 Aberlour 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $299.99 View

American Whiskey & Bourbon

John E. Fitzgerald “Larceny – The Quarantine Barrels” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #6625292 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $26.99 View

Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #7166876 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $34.99 View

Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Warehouse I, Floor 4, #OF201755 Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View

Rebel Yell Distiller’s Collection K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $39.99 View

New Riff K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #16-10785 Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #27990 Straight Indiana Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

Wilderness Trail K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Sweet Mash High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Woodinville K&L Exclusive Single Cask #2556 Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 View

Wathen’s Barrel Proof “Barrel #99 SoCal Barrel” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $79.99 View

Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Single Barrel K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $139.99 View

The whole Whisky-Hamster.com team is happy to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to come, let’s hope it’s gonna be much less weird than 2020.

On our side, at whisky-hamster.com, what a year it has been. We have been live for 10 months and went from comparing the prices of 4 whisky specialized shops to more than 12 shops today. We went from 2000 whiskies in stock at our partner shops to more than 8000 now. We also have more and more content for you to know about the main whisky regions, whether you are into Campbeltown Scotch Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/campbeltown-scotch-whisky), French Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/french-whisky) or Taiwanese Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/taiwanese-whisky) you can find a detailed description of each region on our website, including fun and historical facts.

We are also working a lot on the quality of our data, we are checking all our product pages one by one in order to ensure our filters are the most efficient and you will be able to find the best price for the whisky of your dream in no times. More than 4500 products have already been manually verified and the work is ongoing.

Thanks again for all the people who are supporting whisky-hamster.com that is helping a lot of whisky fans having access to their favourite bottles at the most affordable price. We have plenty of plans for 2021 and will keep you posted here and on our Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to follow us there not to miss on any of our selected offers (https://www.facebook.com/whiskyhamster).

Oban 18 Year Old “Limited Edition” West Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $139.99 View

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $4,800.00 View

DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED TASTE OF SAILOR’S HOME,
MADE IN IRELAND AND SHAPED BY THE WORLD

INNOVATIVE NEW BRAND SETS OUT TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF
IRISH WHISKEY, LAUNCHING ACROSS THE ON AND OFF-TRADE AND AVAILABLE NOW FROM HIGHBALL BRANDS

December 2020, Limerick: Sailor’s Home, an innovative, contemporary and premium new Irish whiskey brand hailing from Limerick, has launched its first range of three truly unique expressions in the UK; The Haven, The Journey and The Horizon. Crafted by legendary master whiskey maker Dr. Jack Ó’Sé; Sailor’s Home’s distinct flavours have been shaped by an adventurous approach to blending, ageing and finishing. Sailor’s Home seeks to take drinkers on a new journey, with flavours that push the boundaries of what is expected of a premium Irish Whiskey.

MADE IN IRELAND, SHAPED BY THE WORLD

Inspired by the rugged and untamed Wild Atlantic Way on the Western coast of Ireland and the original Sailor’s Home, a shelter built for the international community of seafarers travelling through the port of Limerick from Spain, America and the Caribbean in the 1800s; Sailor’s Home and Dr. Jack Ó’Sé’s approach to making whiskey is clear – to respect tradition and paths well-travelled, whilst forging a new and innovative approach to Irish Whiskey that places taste above all.

Using his 40+ years of experience blending Irish whiskey and his insatiable thirst for learning and innovation, Dr. Jack has brought this vision to life and pushed the boundaries of traditional Irish Whiskey with three distinctive expressions, created to be enjoyed by adventurous drinkers and bartenders seeking out new flavour experiences, in great places and great serves:

The Journey Irish Whiskey (The Explorer Series) is the go-to whiskey for adventurers. The liquid’s journey is remarkable – from an initial ageing in virgin American oak, followed by recasking into American bourbon barrels before being blended with malt Irish whiskey that has been matured in American bourbon and finished in Jamaican rum casks. The resulting liquid has tropical fruit and rum notes with sticky toffee pudding and malty depth before a long, almost sweet finish. Explorers can stir The Journey Irish Whiskey into an Old Fashioned or enjoy neat.

Nose: Butterscotch, toasted oak, dark rum notes
Taste: Sticky toffee, rum roundness perfectly balanced with malt depth
Finish: Ripe banana, molasses & vanilla
ABV:43% RRP: £41.95

The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is Sailor’s Home first release of the unique single pot still Irish Whiskey style – created with both malted and un-malted Irish barley and oats that is then triple pot distilled resulting in a rich, creamy and smooth distillate. The new make spirit is initially matured in American bourbon barrels and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, giving the liquid a flavour full of pot still spices, roasted
almonds and vanilla notes whilst the finish is long with brown sugar and ripe black fruits. The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is best enjoyed neat or in a well-balanced Manhattan cocktail.

Nose: Green grapes, warm spice & honeyed oak.
Taste: Captivating creamy mouthfeel, pot spices, roasted almonds & vanilla notes.
Finish: Brown sugar, ripe black fruits.
ABV: 43% RRP: £52.95

The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey (The Islands Series) is crafted from exceptional Irish malt and grain whiskeys that have been matured for at least 10 years in American bourbon barrels. The remarkable whiskey is then filled into carefully selected Barbados rum casks for a finishing period of 6 months introducing lush, refined flavour twists typical of Caribbean rums like caramelised banana and rich brown sugar. The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey should be experienced neat.

Nose: Mouth-watering brown sugar and ripe tropical fruits.
Taste: Melting pot of malted honey, oak depth, silk rum, vanilla and caramelised banana.
Finish: Buttery toffee with orange zest.
ABV: 43% RRP: £58.95

Dr. Jack Ó’Sé, Sailor’s Home’s Master Whiskey Maker commented: “We’ve created a range of three truly distinctive whiskeys made in Ireland but shaped by the world. It’s been amazing to work with these liquids, being adventurous with flavours is what Sailor’s Home is all about. We look to explore and go beyond, so that a new generation of Irish whiskey drinkers can join us along this journey of discovery.”

Fabrice PM Limon, Co-Founder & Director Highball Spirits, commented: “Sailor’s Home is not what you’d expect from Irish whiskey. It’s inspiring. It’s progressive, contemporary and flavour-rich and will appeal to bartenders and connoisseurs that are looking to discover new depths and flavours. It’s exciting to consider their applications in cocktail culture and we look forward to working with our partners in the on-trade to offer consumers distinctive and delicious experiences.”

The full Sailor’s Home range is available from https://www.masterofmalt.com/ and https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/. For further information on stocking Sailor’s Home please contact Highball Brands.

https://www.sailorshomeirishwhiskey.com/
Instagram: @sailorshomeirishwhiskey

NOTES 

COCKTAIL RECIPES

Whilst all three Sailor’s Home expressions can be enjoyed neat, why not explore The Journey and The Horizon with the following classic whiskey cocktails?

The Journey Old Fashioned

Ingredients
50ml The Journey
10ml 2:1 sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Method
1. Build in a rocks glass with a large cube of ice and stir
2. Garnish with a twist of orange
The Horizon Sweet Manhattan
Ingredients
60ml The Horizon
30ml Sweet Vermouth
2.5ml Luxardo maraschino
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
Method
1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
3. Garnish with a fresh cherry and zest of orange

ABOUT SAILOR’S HOME

Sailor’s Home is an innovative, contemporary and premium new Irish whiskey brand whose purpose is to reward those who explore. Consisting of three distinct expressions linked by the desire to explore the boundaries of flavour. The Journey Irish Whiskey, The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey have been sourced, distilled, aged to perfection, blended and finished under the watchful eye of maker, Dr. Jack Ó’Sé. Jack himself is inspired by the beautiful Sailor’s Home built in 1856, to reward seafarers on their journeys with the experience of home away from home.

ABOUT DR. JACK Ó’SÉ

Dr. Jack Ó’Sé is one of the most respected names in Irish Whiskey. He has a lifelong love of learning and passion for the industry, having distilled his first batch of spirit in 1979 and earning his Doctorate in fermentation in 2020. During the course of his 40-year career, Dr. Jack has been involved in all aspects of alcohol production – from commissioning and designing pot stills for the likes of Pearse Lyons Irish Whiskey, Achill Distillery and The Burren Distillery; to learning from expert coopers, such as John Neilly and holding the position of Master Distiller for award-winning whiskeys – Dr Jack is embedded in all elements of production with a focus on innovation and taste. Jack’s approach to making Sailor’s Home whiskey is clear – to respect tradition and paths well travelled, whilst forging a new and innovative approach to Irish Whiskey, that places taste above all.

Please enjoy Sailor’s Home Irish Whiskey responsibly.

Port Ellen 33 Year Old 1983 1st Release

Eidolon is the first release in a series of three bottlings from Hunter Laing & Co. to mark the revival of Port Ellen distillery on Islay. Port Ellen 36 Year Old 1983 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Eidolon is the first in a three-part series of Port Ellen limited-edition bottlings from Hunter Laing & Co. Limited release of 638 bottles.

Port Ellen Distillery was established by Alexander K. Mackay on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay at Port Ellen in 1825. Port Ellen was a malt whisky distillery but closed in 1983 and whilst some of the distillery buildings remain Port Ellen drum maltings occupy part of the site. During the winter of 1823-24 James Fox tested his newly designed spirit safe at Port Ellen Distillery prior to its introduction in all Scottish licenced distilleries by 1825 in order to comply with enactment of the Excise Act of 1823. Thus Port Ellen Distillery was the first Scottish distillery to install a spirit safe and James Fox was paid £428 for his work. Official bottlings of Port Ellen single malt whisky include the Port Ellen Annual Release and independent release from Hunter Laing & Co. are highly prized.

Just 683 bottles and we have managed to secure a few of this incredible new series.

£2,900 / €3,187 / usd$3,250 / cad$5,013

Shop – Port Ellen 36 Year Old – 1st Release

HUNTER LAING LAUNCHES NEW EIDOLON SERIES TO CELEBRATE RARE PORT ELLEN SINGLE MALT 

Hunter Laing & Co. reveals the limited edition 36 Year Old whisky, the first in a series of three.

The family-owned Scotch whisky distiller, blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. introduces the brand-new bottling series Eidolon. This release is the first in a three-part series of Port Ellen limited-edition bottlings.

Distilled in 1983 shortly before the legendary Islay distillery was to close, only 638 bottles of the limited-edition Port Ellen Islay Single Malt Whisky will be available to purchase. As with all of Hunter Laing’s rarest independent bottlings, the Eidolon series is presented at natural cask strength and without artificial colouring or chill-filtration. The 53.5% ABV Eidolon first release can be found at specially selected whisky stores worldwide and on the Ardnahoe Distillery online shop, ardnahoedistilleryshop.com.

Hunter Laing & Co. is known for its cask stocks of rare aged whiskies, particularly from Islay. Founder Stewart Laing’s own father was particularly fond of Port Ellen Distillery whilst it was in operation and took care to lay down casks of its spirit for long-term maturation.

Stewart Laing said, “We are pleased to offer Islay enthusiasts this exceptional malt whisky in our new Eidolon presentation, which will only feature whiskies from Port Ellen Distillery. It is without doubt a whisky of contrast – both a testament to historic wisdom and a celebration of modern whisky expertise. The Eidolon casks were carefully set aside some years ago for additional aging and we now believe they have reached the peak of their complexity and character.”

Brothers Scott and Andrew agreed, “A new generation of whisky perfectionists have, in turn, been fortunate to taste this increasingly rare spirit over the years, continuing to protect and nurture the casks across seasons and time.

“We have spent a great deal of time in designing the presentation and we believe that it does justice to the quality and rarity of the whisky inside. We are now thrilled that this exceptional malt can be experienced as the first bottling under the Eidolon series.”

In ancient Greek literature an eidolon is a recollection of something memorable from history – Hunter Laing’s Eidolon is being launched in anticipation of the closed Port Ellen distillery being “brought back to life” as distillery owners Diageo plan to resume production in the near future.

Facebook: @Hunterlaingwhisky

Twitter: @hlaingwhisky

Instagram: @hunterlaingwhisky

Notes

• Hunter Laing & Co is an independent distiller, blender and bottler based in Glasgow and run by the Laing Family – father Stewart with sons Andrew and Scott.
• Hunter Laing has been operating since May 2013 and owns a portfolio of much-loved whisky brands including Kinship, Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Hepburn’s Choice and Sovereign.
• It distributes to 65 markets around the world in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
• The Laing family are the owners of Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay, which began distilling in 2018.
• Ardnahoe Distillery has welcomed over 34,000 visitors to the distillery since 2018.

A Beautifully Aged Speyside Malt at an Unbeatable Price
1993 The Road to Elgin (Linkwood) 27 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

For time-sensitive bottles this December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

We are back with another spectacular “teaspooned” offering that will delight even the most seasoned of Scotch collectors. While we can’t label it as such, this 27 Year Old comes from one of Speyside’s top distilleries: Linkwood. Linkwood is one of the crown jewels in the Diageo portfolio. It was originally constructed in 1821 and licensed in 1825, making it one of the region’s oldest. Much like Clynelish in the 1970s, a second distillery was erected next door, and the original distillery shuttered in 1985. Today, the washbacks from both distilleries are still in use, but the stills at the “old” Linkwood are silent. It remains highly prized for blending because it offers a beautiful balance between rich fruit and bold malt. Here we have a stupendous single cask that is well into its third decade of maturation. It’s extremely uncommon to see, as Linkwood above 25 years old becomes an absolute rarity. Because it’s been teaspooned, we can offer this remarkable dram at a significantly discounted price. This is a bottling no collector of Speyside’s finest should be without.

1993 The Road to Elgin (Linkwood) 27 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

Teaspooning this exceptional whisky was a very nerve-wracking endeavor. While we inherently believe that the innocuous act of adding the tiniest possible quantity of another malt to a single barrel of Scotch does nothing to diminish the quality of a particular whisky, there is an intellectual argument to be made for keeping the sanctity and purity of a single cask intact. In the end, we’ve made the decision that in almost every case the more important factor for our customers is value over image. So while we had wanted desperately to be able to name this excellent distillery and could have likely sold every bottle for much more than the 25% premium that avoiding tariffs would have afforded us, we believe that it is most advantageous for our customers to offer them the very finest whiskies at the best possible prices regardless of perception. That is indeed what this special cask represents. Even years ago, when whisky was plentiful and comparatively cheap, we would have been lucky to find a deal as sweet as this one. At this advanced age, this famous old Speyside exhibits all the finesse and elegance you’d expect. A nose of creamy malt, Seville orange peel and honey candies. Sweet rich malt and stewed fruit on the palate with kisses of toasted vanilla, caramel tuiles and touches of warming wood spice on the finish. While some would’ve paid an extra $50 to show off the famous Linkwood name, we prefer mystery and affordability. We think most of our customers do too.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 10, 2020

If you missed it on pre-arrival, don’t despair, there is one last shot at this beauty. I must admit that at first blush I was slightly disappointed here. Then I waited. I added a drop of water and I waited. Worth. The. Wait. Golden honey, florals, caramel, butterscotch, brioche, all came pouring forth. Orange blossom and sweet mulled cider sang out. It feels youthful, bright, zippy, and vigorous with a touch of just-harvested malt, seeming to defy its sizable age statement. Then the dramatic and lengthy finish confirms that the 27 years it took for this to mature was definitely worth the wait. And for just 150 bucks, it’s hard to imagine that you’ll ever have a chance like this one again.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 16, 2020

The fact that we still have any of this awesome cask is a total shock. On paper this should have sold out along with the old Balvenie and Glenfarclas, but of course Linkwood doesn’t mean much to most drinkers since it’s not a distillery that’s been marketed on its own. Part of what I love about this cask, and the other two I mentioned, is that all three are very much quintessential Speyside in many experts’ estimation, yet they’re all so distinct from each other. The differences outweigh the similarities to the point that, as I’ve said before, it diminishes the importance of regionality in the marketing of Scotch whisky. But I digress. Significantly higher proof than the other two old teaspooned Speysiders this year and the color is pale straw. The nose is also very different, not showing such overt maturity as either of the other two. Instead, we have a robustness-perhaps a lack of fruitiness-that is unique to this Linkwood, but lines up with my idea of the distillery as a bit more rugged than the other two. An interesting mixture of dark malt, vanilla syrup, navel oranges, star anis and underripe banana. One the palate we’re very much on the malt and vanillas now. Prickly spice and a good dollop of pepper. The finish starts to release some sweetness and now we’re getting some exotic honey and some brambly heather. It’s indeed a slightly idiosyncratic style that is one of the reasons we love Linkwood. I prefer this with no more than a few drops of water, if that. Add such with some air and the spirit begins to offer more citrus and white pepper. It’s not as friendly or easy as the other two big Speysiders we’ve bought this year, but I suspect many who don’t want something too fruity and don’t mind a bit of pepper in their malt will find this one very attractive indeed.

We’re getting ever closer to Christmas Day, but we still have time to share one last special gift – three indulgent new bottlings from our rare Vaults Collection.

Featuring classic and timeless examples from three member-favourite distilleries, these expressions will bring you a moment of nostalgia from Christmases gone by.

Aged to perfection and truly one of a kind, these drops of whisky history are not to be missed. They are limited in number and we expect them to be in high demand so all bottles are limited to one per member. For those who take one home, we encourage you to pop the cork and enjoy it with loved ones, please do not resell it at auction.

Chewy flavours prowled around dark malted rye bread covered with marmalade, nutmeg and molasses before hot cross buns fell victim to banana flambé. The careful addition of water delivered a sophisticated selection of sweet pipe tobacco, golden syrup and buttered fruit scones supporting marzipan, soft leather and spearmint spice. Finally came a wicked amalgamation of sultanas and ginger cake before tea leaves and sandalwood left a lasting impression.

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

New Release: The Likely-Final, Limited Batch of a Bourbon Bestseller

Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Old “Rare Release Batch #9” K&L Exclusive Exploratory Cask Series

Nonchillfiltered Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)

“…the simple fact of the matter is that no other bourbon on the market can offer everything that Docs does at this price.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

For time-sensitive bottles this December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

Here it is, what is likely the final batch in an incredible run of 15-year-old bourbons from Doc Swinson’s. Those who were lucky enough to enjoy the previous releases will know that these bourbons are utterly fantastic. While the original source remains unknown—is it Beam, Heaven Hill, Barton, or some other distiller?—what is known is that they are about as deliciously engaging as they come. This fourth in the series is every bit as compelling as its predecessors and is one of the sharpest values one can find in collectible bourbon. If you haven’t had a chance to taste these inspired bottlings, then you must give this rendition a spin. You’ll understand instantly why the previous casks have sold out in record time. With collectible bourbon priced into the stratosphere, it is a real boon to find a bottling this special for just under $150. We expect our allocation will disappear in short order, so time is of the essence in securing this rare treasure.

Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Old “Rare Release Batch #9” K&L Exclusive Exploratory Cask Series Nonchillfiltered Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99) —This product is expected to arrive for shipment or pickup by Thursday, December 31, 2020.

Doc Swinson’s has become an absolute sensation in the bourbon world. The skeptics have been silenced and countless bourbon lovers have fallen in love with their exceptional exploratory cask 15 year. It would be negligent not to mention that for those paying attention, the first batch of 15 year old (batch #6) has now become a serious collector’s item. Its successors, batches #7 & #8, sold at record speeds and have been received with equal gusto by aficionados and amateurs alike. Amazingly, our friends at Docs have secured this new batch of 15 year. It’s the same exact bourbon as the first three batches. As the supplier for this bourbon is extremely concerned with the preventing its source from being disclosed, the 29 barrels that went into this excellent small batch bourbon were dumped in KY before being trucked in inert containers to Washington for bottling. This batch was slightly larger than the last three at 4200 bottles, an increase of 240 bottles/two barrels. The gorgeous truth about these awesome bourbons is that each batch has its own amazing character built around an amazing core of classic flavors. Expect a richly-textured, mature bourbon character with aromas of leather, baking spice, brandied cherries, chocolate and fresh wintergreen. Perfect balance between sweet and savory on the palate with a long warming finish. Sadly, according to the bottler, this is the last of these 15 years, although they assure us they’re pushing for more. We’re prayin’ they succeed.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 08, 2020

Another delicious batch of Doc Swinson’s is here, unbelievably. They’ve said this is the final batch and there isn’t more in the pipeline currently. I’m praying they’re wrong. In any case, these last three batches of Docs have been extremely well received. I suspect each bourbon lover will have their favorite batch, but ultimately after tasting them multiple times together, it’s really hard to pick a front runner. There are plenty of similar qualities but each batch is different, which is the gorgeous beauty of true small batch bourbon. One thing that’s not in question is that the quality across the board is undeniable. I’m still not able to convincingly determine the source. The smart money seems to be on Beam at this point, but many have speculated it’s Heaven Hill and I was certain the first batch tasted like Barton. In any case, the simple fact of the matter is that no other bourbon on the market can offer everything that Docs does at this price point. While it’s certainly not inexpensive, there’s inherent value in what these guys are doing, and considering we’ve sold over 2500 bottles across the various batches, it seems that many, many people agree with that assessment. Let’s have a taste: the nose here has big roasted pecans and caramelized sugar. This builds toward cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean. The palate is heavy and rich (probably the thickest feeling of the three recent batches) and has tons of sweet oak. The spices taking over in the middle are kept at bay by the rich nutty sweetness toward the finish. I’m still unable to determine which batch I like best. It seems to depend on my mood. That said, it doesn’t really matter. They’re all excellent and remain a complete anomaly in a category that seems to ubiquitously ask us to fight for every bottle – the most beautiful thing about Docs is that it’s here – until, of course, it’s not.