Girvan 40 Year Old

1979 vintage single cask bottled 2019 for the Sovereign series. The ideal Birthday gift. Girvan 40 Year Old 1979 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask refill hogshead #16637 bottled 2019 by Hunter Laing for the Sovereign series. Girvan Distillery is a Scottish Lowland grain whisky distillery situated on the Ayrshire coast. It looks out to the island of Ailsa Craig the source of granite from which curling stones are shaped. William Grant and Sons Ltd opened this distillery in 1963 to supply grain whisky to their blends of scotch but with careful maturation in quality casks Girvan is also able to produce excellent single grain whiskies.

Shop $236.80

Friday, July 12th 5-7PM: 

Irish Whiskey: Teeling 

For over 230 years, independent bottler Teeling Whiskey has brought choice and breadth to the Irish whiskey category through their small batch releases. Each small batch bottling is the product of hundred year old family traditions and modern innovation, melded together to create flavorsome, interesting, and consistently award-winning products.

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20th Anniversary Signatory Exclusives – Happy Birthday to Us!

In April 1999, a single click of a mouse kicked off a new venture for Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh – they registered thewhiskyexchange.com. Now, twenty years later, we’re the world’s largest online specialist spirits retailer and have two London shops, as well as two decades of stories. It’s time to celebrate.

To kick off the birthday festivities, we’ve bottled six single-cask whiskies with our friends at Signatory – who celebrated their 30th last year – to join a tasty range of exclusives that we’ve already released. They’re all available now from our website, and from both our Covent Garden and Great Portland Street shops.

Clynelish 2008 10 Year Old – Cask #800139

We kick off the range with something that’s always been on the menu for us over the past twenty years – a single cask of Clynelish. This is about as classic as you can get, with 10 years in a first-fill bourbon cask adding a slab of rich vanilla to the distillery’s fruity character. There’s not as much waxiness as in some, but this is an excellent every-day drinker.

Nose: Rich and dark vanilla pods, freshly scraped, with an almost smokiness lifted by a touch of meadow flower and grass. Creamy sweetness builds, with crème brûlée joined by orange jelly and a grate of lemon zest. Fruity notes develop: apples, pears and gummi chews.

Palate: Soft, sweet and rounded – much lighter than the nose suggests. Cream and orchard fruit leads – apple flan with single cream. Spice builds along with darker notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice.

Finish: Baked apples and pears with brown sugar and cinnamon fade slowly to leave liquorice and lemon zest.

Comment: A rich and rounded dram with creamy vanilla balanced by fruit and spice.

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Clynelish 1995 23 Year Old – Cask #11252

We continue with another old favourite: another Clynelish. This time it’s a 1995 from a refill sherry butt, a style and vintage that we’ve been exploring for a few years, since my first trip to Signatory’s Edradour warehouses – we were introduced to a row of casks hiding in the corner that we’ve been returning to whenever we’ve been able to. This one has more of a sherry kick than some of our previous bottlings, but it still has Clynelish’s fruity, nutty and floral side poking out from behind the rich raisins and cherries.

Nose: Chocolate, raisins and berry jam to start. Sugared almonds and honeysuckle build from behind, with a side of toast, butter and blackcurrant jam. Cinnamon sugar and aniseed notes – the savoury centre of an aniseed without the heat.

Palate: The aniseed leads into a more savoury palate than expected, with leathery sherry balanced against sweet almonds. Fruit cake builds through the middle, dark and rich, with extra glacé cherries. Floral touches sneak in around the edges, followed by dark treacle toffee.

Finish: Long and dark, with savoury liquorice, fruity dark chocolate and barrel char.

Comment: A dark and weighty Clynelish, heavily influenced by the cask. But the distillery character is still there, with floral, nutty and fruity notes breaking through the sherry.

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Glenlivet 2007 12 Year Old – Cask #900216

Another dram that might look familiar to those who have been following our exclusive Signatory bottlings over the past few years – a heavily-sherried, high-strength Glenlivet, bottled relatively young and packed with flavour. It was matured in a first-fill sherry hogshead and bottled at 64.1%, the lowest strength yet for the series but far from the least punchy.

Nose: Red and orange boiled sweets, with floral notes on top and raisins underneath. The fruit is intense and pulls both to the dark and stewed and the light and fresh: crisp apples and gummi bears face off against raisin jam and orange bitters.

Palate: The dark fruit leads, with rich raisins, sultanas, dates and prunes backed up by big spice: cinnamon fireballs and freshly-grated nutmeg. As that calms, the orchard fruit and gummi bears from the nose are revealed. Liquorice notes develop.

Finish: The liquorice continues, with spiced apple jam spread on toasted black bread.

Comment: Don’t be fooled by the fresh fruit notes – this is a bit of a beast. The intense dark notes are carefully balanced by the light, but it’s still rich and very sherried.

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Glenburgie 1995 23 Year Old – Cask #6585

Our first Glenburgie from Signatory, but I suspect not our last. The distillery’s reputation has been rising over the past few years, with both youthful and well-aged releases picking up praise from whisky fans around the world. We went for an older, more elegant whisky to celebrate our birthday, with this 23-year-old bottling zeroing in on the sweet, fruity notes and hints of honey that we’ve been looking for in drams from the distillery.

Nose: Candied peel and Love Heart sweets, floral and fruity with a touch of melon and blossom honey. Grassy notes – both freshly-cut and dried – build, bringing a touch of spice and greenness.

Palate: More fruit, with the peel notes joined by baked apple with sultanas, a sprinkle of brown sugar and a liberal dusting of cinnamon. Roasted bananas and poached pears develop.

Finish: Candied peel returns, with lingering spice and a touch of polished oak.

Comment: An elegant dram that carefully balances fruity notes with the soft spice of careful ageing.

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Ledaig 2010 8 Year Old – Cask #700389

I really like Ledaig. Since I first discovered smoky whiskies from Tobermory – Ledaig is what they call those drams – more than a decade ago, it’s been among my favourites. Finding that The Whisky Exchange gang were also fans when I started working here was both a delight and a relief. The distillery is well known for making peaty spirit that does very well while still comparatively young, and this 8-year-old whisky shows off the classic balance of big smoke, medicinal notes and seaside tang.

Nose: Damp smoke, sweet leaves and barbecued apples – a rain storm puts out an orchard fire. Leathery notes build with trademark plimsoll and sea spray notes. Hints of smoked bacon slowly build, with flashes of crashing-wave ozone.

Palate: Damp ferns and rock pools, with a touch of cracked-stone minerality and liquorice sweetness. It’s mouthwateringly intense, and as it calms, dark chocolate and lime peel are revealed. Rich earth mingles with sweet peat smoke in the background, with a hint of TCP right at the back.

Finish: Surprisingly soft, but long. Medicinal notes fade to leave chocolate limes and old camp fires.

Comment: Classic Ledaig, balancing smoke and seaside character with chocolate sweetness.

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Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2014 4 Year Old – Cask #10590

And finally, the whisky that most surprised us when we were choosing what to bottle for this batch of releases – a four-year-old smoky Bunnahabhain. We’d asked to try some Staoisha – the name that Bunnahabhain uses for this particular style of smoky spirit – and had to check the label of the sample bottle several times when we saw its age: it’s obviously youthful, but with so much more depth of character than we expected after four years. Aged in a dechar/rechar hogshead – a used cask where the inside is planed back to reveal fresher oak before being recharred – it has picked up impressive complexity and had its rough edges rubbed off, creating a punchy but easy-drinking, smoky beast.

Nose: Creamy and smoky, with boiled-sweet sweetness balanced by crunchy Granny Smith apples. Bacon-y smoke builds, with candied orange and lemon providing sweet and sour notes. There’s a touch of sea-spray freshness creeping in at the end.

Palate: Soft and smoky, with gentle peat tinged with medicinal notes. Fresh, sharp apples and pears lead to dark liquorice and sweet earth. Mint and menthol develop, with gently-woody spice.

Finish: Mint and menthol fade to leave liquorice and earthy smoke with tarry hints.

Comment: A big hit of smoke and complexity beyond its years – maritime, fruity and tinged with darkness.

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…and there’s more

This is just the start of our anniversary year. We’ve got loads planned for the upcoming months, with more exclusive releases, as well as competitions, special offers and more. Keep an eye on our 20th anniversary pages – where you can learn more about our history and the key events of the past twenty years, as well as discovering the bottles that have shaped us and the industry – where you’ll find all of our exclusive birthday releases and much more.

Turn up the heat and serve summer… the Society way. We’ve got 21 new casks on offer, all full of bold flavours and tropical vibes. Our July Outturn is jam-packed with serve suggestions and inspiration from our branches around the globe, helping you to handle the heat in the warmer months.

NEW OUTTURN        ALL BOTTLINGS

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

J.J. Corry: The Kelly

A Bonder’s Blend from Milroys and The Vault

The Kelly is a handcrafted blend created by the team at Milroys & The Vault Soho, from some of the finest stocks of Irish Malt and Grain Whiskey curated at J.J. Corry.

Following a visit to J.J. Corry’s hometown of Kilrush, it was clear that his wife, Elizabeth Kelly, had a significant role in the tradition of Whiskey Bonding, and their daughter, Bridie Corry, continued to operate the shop for many years.

This blend is dedicated to the work they did.

Flavour Profile: Bursting with tropical and stone fruits, think ripe peaches and nectarines with a hint of waxed lemon.

Bottled at Milroy’s Golden Strength, 50%, with a touch of water, more complex and aromatic notes are revealed, with some gorse flowers and grassiness.

J.J. Corry: The Kelly, 50% ABV
£74.95 + shipping

Stocks are limited.
1 per customer.

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70cl / 43.2% abv

This is the first release in the Elements series from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay. Distilled in 1978 and matured for 39 years, this expression has been finished for 6 months in a Spanish sherry octave, personally selected by Master Blender Kirsty McCallum. Bottled by hand at the distillery, this extremely limited edition is presented in a beautifully crafted crystal decanter with a wave wave design embedded in the glass. Only 26 decanters have been produced.

A Rare Single Cask from an Under-the-Radar Distillery

Our Old Pulteney 13 Year Old Single Cask is true gem that should not be ignored by any serious lover of Highland malts. This is the first time ever we have brought in a single cask from this highly regarded distillery, and there’s simply no other way to put it—this Scotch rocks the house! What makes this dram so incredible is not flash and sizzle, but instead its staid, measured, and foursquare approach. That quality here really shines through with notes of vibrant citrus fruit, buttercream, baking spice, cocoa, and mint. Its oily texture and maritime aesthetic are what really bring the package together. Being raised in a first fill, ex-bourbon barrel has done wonders to this impeccably crafted distillate. Hands down, this is one of the most exciting casks we’ve delivered in 2019. Combine the amazing quality of this 13-year-old Scotch with its very tempting direct-import price and you have an incredible deal of the highest order. Quantities are limited.

2004 Old Pulteney 13 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Cask No. 231 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Whisky 750ml (ships as 1.5L) ($109.99)

This exceptional cask from the gorgeous little distillery in Wick is the first we’ve ever had directly from Old Pulteney. Distilled in late 2004 and filled into an ex-bourbon barrel, the whisky was bottled at the end of last year without any dilution or filtration. Old Pulteney, despite winning numerous accolades, remains one of Scotland’s great unsung heros in the Highlands. Built in 1826, it was not easily accessible until much later. Barley would have been shipped in on fishing vessels and whisky shipped out. While Wick was once known for their herring, its claim to fame now is this wonderful malt from what was once the most northerly distillery on mainland Scotland. The Pulteney Distillery has an extremely unusual lyne arm that slopes sharply down into the condenser. The spirit is full bodied and packed with flavor and nearly 14 years in the cold, damp warehouse near the distillery has given this whisky tons of oceany character. The nose is an intense combo of rich toffee, vanilla, purple stone fruits and aged wood. The palate tingles with salty maltiness, Seville orange peel, bold orchard fruit and salted dark cocoa. Creamy and textured, it builds toward a long spice-driven finish.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 23, 2019

Old Pulteney is one of those under-the-radar distilleries that the geeks hate to talk about. No one was happy when Jim Murray named their now discontinued 21-year-old Whisky of the Year and rightfully so as it’s since become nearly impossible to acquire at the original price. Despite the awards and good will from the cognoscenti, Pulteney has remained a background player in the single malt world. Current owners ThaiBev, however, are looking to establish the Old Pulteney distillery in the very north of Scotland in its rightful place as one of the Highlands’ most well regarded malts. Part of that process is changing from the off-year expressions to the more familiar age offerings (12, 18, 25), but also by launching a seemingly secret single barrel program. Only a handful of shops have jumped on the opportunity to own a cask-strength single barrel from the odd little distillery in Wick. We’ve been lucky enough to be one of them. As with many Pulteney, the nose is pure salt, malt, herbal tea and cardamom. The palate is deep with roasted cocoa, fudge, and touches of anise, fennel and vanilla. But of course, with water this thing erupts. Now on the nose the ripest Bartlett pears – smashed, lemon peel, Mirabelle, dried apricot, salted butter on toast. The anise moving much more toward mint and fennel flavors and a long creamy texture is pointed with cotton candy, lemon oils and the tiniest hints of diesel smoke. Staunchly pleasing due to its exceptional purity and straight forwardness. The interplay between the malt, fruit and salt is quintessential Pulteney in my book. It might not be the most nuanced whisky we sell this year, but it may be the one you finish first. Too GOOD to put down!

70cl / 43% abv

This limited edition bottling from the world famous Johnnie Walker was never available to the public. The fifth release in The Directors Blend series, this expression was produced as a personal gift for esteemed friends of Johnnie Walker. This bottle was produced in 2012 and was the penultimate release in the series.

Littlemill 26 Year Old

1988 vintage single sherry cask exclusive to TWB. Just 150 numbered bottles. Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask refill sherry hogshead distilled November 1988 and bottled March 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. Selected and bottled Exclusively for The Whisky Barrel. Just 150 numbered bottles from this lost distillery.

Nose: A light gold whisky with a nose of vanilla custard powder giving way to apples, pears and slightly leafy notes of butterscotch coming through late. Taste: On the palate it has a creamy mouthfeel with butter shortbread at the start, followed by apple skins and a cinnamon note. Finish: The finish is long, dry and slightly fruity, with a hint of oak.

Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 to the west of Bowling by the north shore of the River Clyde and on the main road into Glasgow. Subsequent modifications during the 1930s resulted in a number of novel features including double ventilation towers which sat over a single drying kiln and pot stills with rectifiers rather than the traditional swan necks. The combination of pot and column stills in Littlemill Distillery was designed to produce malt whiskey which was expected to mature quickly. When production ceased in 1992 Littlemill Distillery was the oldest working malt whiskey distillery in Scotland. Closed in 194 and demolished in 2006 and now Littlemill is a lost Scottish distillery although the shell of the manager’s house remains.

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Wemyss Malts add two new Highland malt whiskies to their Family Collection range

Family run whisky makers Wemyss Malts have released two additional bottlings into its Family Collection range of blended Scotch malt whiskies and have named them ‘Blooming Gorse’ and ‘Flaming Feast’ after the flavours found in each whisky.

Both malt whiskies have been crafted from the family’s private collection of maturing whisky casks which were sourced by Isabella Wemyss and filled under her supervision. Years later, the mature whisky casks were selected by famed whisky writer Charlie Maclean and the Wemyss Malts team only when the spirit and casks had reached absolute balance and harmony, ready for crafting into exceptional blended malt whiskies.

‘Blooming Gorse’ is the third release of the Wemyss Family Collection range. It is a combination of two Highland single malts matured in a total of fifteen 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels and 1^st fill ex-bourbon hogsheads. Blooming Gorse is a malty and floral Highland Scotch whisky with the fresh notes of coconut, gorse flowers and vanilla. 6900 bottles have been produced.

‘Flaming Feast’ created as the fourth release of the Wemyss Family Collection range, is a combination of fifteen casks from two smoky single malt distilleries from the east Highlands and west coast, Inner Hebrides. Contrasting sweet and maritime smokes, as well as maturation in either 1st fill bourbon barrels or spicy de-charred and re-charred American oak casks lead to a mouth-watering and complex whisky. The 6000 bottle release of Flaming Feast is noted for a complex mix of sweet and savoury smoke, heather-honey and wood spice.

Each Wemyss Family Collection release focuses on a specific influence that impacts Scotch malt whisky, be it regional, spirit style or cask effect. For these two releases The Wemyss Malts blenders decided to focus on the Highland region for these twin releases, as whisky blender and Wemyss Malts brand manager Steven Shand explains:

 “The brief we set for these blended malts was to really illustrate the diversity of Highland malt whisky and show that there really is no one Highland regional style. Casks selected for the Family Collection are always very well balanced with active oak therefore the recipes were purposely kept simple. We selected casks from only a few single malt varieties for each blend to find complementing flavours that establish depth and complexity once combined and left to marry.”

Both blended malts are bottled non chill-filtered, in their natural colour and are 46% abv. They are presented in screen printed 70cl bottles with a striking charcoal and copper detailed gift carton.

Wemyss Family Collection; Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast will be available initially  to Wemyss Malts Cask Club members and then in June from selected retailers in the UK, EU and Asian markets with suggested retail prices of £46 and £48 respectively.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is family run company operated by brother and sister William and Isabella Wemyss. The Wemyss family Castle has been home to the family since the 1300s and is featured in the company logo.
• Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast join the Wemyss Family Collection range with previous releases being Vanilla Burst and Treacle Chest in 2017. Wemyss Malts craft blended malt whiskies such as The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney as well as Batch Strength versions and single cask whiskies.
• Wemyss blended malts have recently won double gold medals for The Hive and Spice King as well as ‘Best in Class’ for The Hive at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The latest release of The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney Batch Strength, Batch No.002 all received gold medal wins from the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include Lord Elcho blended Scotch whisky and Darnley’s Gin, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

The family opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife and in July 2017 also added Darnley’s Gin distillery to the site. www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com