GreatDrams marks the easing of lockdown with Lockdown Lock-in special release – Available Now

For our second set of new releases for the year, we have mixed things up a little to have a range with an Islay single cask, a single grain from Strathclyde, a PX single cask from Craigellachie and a blended malt we have called The Lockdown Lock-in Dram. We always do our best to release totally different flavour profiles and to bring unique styles and production methods to consumers who otherwise would not be introduced to such gems, and this lineup is no different.

“Who, at the beginning of this decade, would have thought that whisky tastings would go virtual (and work really well!), that we would have no summer programme of events to see and pour our whisky for our awesome customers at. This whisky, The Lockdown Lock-in Dram, with its luscious notes of vanilla and honey is a smooth, easy-drinking blended malt whisky created to raise a glass to one another as we move through this challenging time and look forward to brighter times” – Greg Dillon, co-founder of GreatDrams.

As a company of two people, husband and wife duo Greg & Kirsty Dillon, we are able to be really nimble when it comes to what we do with our range, what we release and when we release new limited edition whiskies.

“This was all about doing something a bit different, maybe a bit quirky, but fundamentally the whisky is fantastic with so many layers and depth of flavours. Lockdown was hard for all of us in different ways, this is just our small way of marking this with a whisky to be shared, to bring a smile to those enjoying it and to remind ourselves of the journey we have all unexpectedly been on for the last fourteen months or so”.

THE GREATDRAMS SUBSCRIPTION HAS BEEN REVAMPED TOO

Named “Best Whisky Subscription for Exclusive Bottles” by IndyBest from The Independent… Are you looking to expand your whisky collection with some exclusives that cannot be bought in shops or even online? Looking for the ultimate present for the whisky lover in your life, the one who is always tremendously hard to buy for? Look no further than the GreatDrams Whisky Subscription, delivering bottles only available to subscribers every two months.

We utilise our knowledge, experience, skill and network to source members of The GreatDrams Subscription exclusive whisky bottlings from casks of ours that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Each is selected by Greg & Kirsty for a variety of reasons; interesting flavour profile, unique cask maturation, interesting back story, rare distillery and many more. Our reasoning and journey to selecting each cask will be communicated with each bottle you receive.

Each subscription level includes a virtual whisky tasting for all subscribers every two months.

The full currently line up in the GreatDrams range is: 

THE LOCKDOWN LOCK-IN DRAM BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
As featured in Mail+, this whisky, with its luscious notes of vanilla and honey is a smooth, easy-drinking blended malt whisky created to raise a glass to one another as we move through this challenging time and look forward to brighter times.

“We have already seen a lot of movement of this release in the gifting market as people look to buy something to mark the occasion when they get to dram together once again – or even for those who don’t know what to get the whisky lover in their life,” notes Greg, “it is already a crowd pleaser!”

Age: 12 Years Old     |     Cask: Ex-Bourbon casks     |     ABV: 48.2%     |     Only 500 bottles ever released

CRAIGELLACHIE 7 YEAR PX SHERRY CASK OLD
We love the Craigellachie Distillery, always have, always will, and this is a release driven by participants on our private virtual whisky tastings. Over 200 of them got to try this as we introduced cask samples to our whisky lineups and this whisky was loved by so many groups we felt compelled to do a small run of just a hundred bottles for those who wanted to get involved in this special whisky. This whisky has been matured for its whole maturation term in a Pedro Ximenez cask (known as PX in the industry) which has given it a stunning meaty flavour profile full of rich fruit and a pang of sweetness too owing to its time in the PX cask.

“Yes, only 90 bottles of this one have been produced, and all because of the awesome feedback we received when cask samples of this gem were used on our virtual tastings during the Christmas season” – Kirsty

Age: 7 Years Old     |     ABV: 48.2%     |     Only 90 bottles ever released

STRATHCLYDE 15 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

As you’ll know, we love grain whisky so this is our core Single Cask Single Grain whisky release for 2021. Expect notes of toffee, fudge, stewed apples with a thick, oily mouthfeel evoking cereal and spicy notes whilst being incredibly smooth at the same time with honey and burnt brown sugar notes present too.

Age: 15 Years Old     |     ABV: 48.2%     |     Only 200 bottles ever released

ISLAY SINGLE CASK SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
We have always wanted to bottle an Islay whisky, and our awesome customers have been pestering us to do so for a long time… finally it is here! A heavily peated whisky from the mystical island of Islay, matured in First Fill Bourbon Barrel and laden with beautifully balanced, classic Islay peated whisky notes as well as lovely soothing vanilla and citrus fruit notes along with cinnamon and warming spice notes too.

Age: 7 Years Old     |     ABV: 48.2%     |     Only 243 bottles ever released

All our releases are non-chill filtered and of natural colour.

“We have been toying with when to release our ancient Girvan for a while now and it felt right to do so now as it is just over 30 years old, is so rich and luxurious in its flavour composition and, frankly, like all our releases, we fell in love with it… who doesn’t love an ancient grain whisky?!” – Greg

In addition to new releases, GreatDrams is now taking bookings for private virtual whisky and gin tastings September through December, so far since lockdown was announced GreatDrams’ virtual tastings – public and private – have had over 2,000 participants and has added a fun dimension to what we do. Greg notes that he “never expected to do virtual tastings, and set the first one up as a way to get around 20 people to have a drink with him to alleviate the monotony of lockdown and it just spiralled from there”.

To get in touch and talk whisky contact Greg@GreatDrams.com or to buy limited edition whisky www.greatdrams.com/whisky-shop

ABOUT GreatDrams

www.GreatDrams.com
www.twitter.com/GreatDrams
www.Instagram.com/GreatDramsGreg
www.Facebook.com/GreatDrams

GreatDrams is all about raising spirits
Award-winning from our first dram, with one of our most recent award wins being in the most prestigious global whisky competition describing our whisky as being “amongst the finest products in the world”, we will introduce whisky drinkers to their next favourite. GreatDrams is a family business bringing great quality, limited edition whiskies and whiskeys to the people, all at a fair price. Never repeating our products, and never compromising on flavour.

GreatDrams was launched with the aim to make great whisky more approachable & available. We are experts in finding incredible tasting rare casks of whisky.

With twenty awards under our belts, we have a proven track record for producing great tasting whiskies that are recognised and awarded by both consumer and industry judging panels… that sell out every single time as well, which tells us all we need to know.

We love what we do and are constantly searching for whisky that not only has a story behind every drop and means something to us, but tastes sensational.

Malt Mysteries

Orkney 15 Year Old

From an unnamed Orkney distillery.  It’s not Scapa.  Matured in refill sherry butts this is a lovely example of this Orcadian whisky from Signatory Vintage’s Un-Chillfiltered Collection. 15 Year Old 2006 vintage single malt Scotch whisky from a mystery distillery on Orkney. Matured in refill sherry butts#DRU17/A65 #3 bottled March 2021 by Signatory Vintage for Un-Chillfiltered series. 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.

£48.58 / €46.97 / us$57.44 / c$69.28 

Shop – Orkney 15 Year Old 2006

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

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