New Riff Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View
New Riff Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View
New Riff “Single Barrel” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99View
Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) $79.99 View
ARDBEG TRAIGH BHAN – THE NEW 19 YEAR OLD RELEASE INSPIRED BY ISLAY’S SINGING SANDS
-Ardbeg adds new 19 YO whisky to its range-
In September of this year, smoky malt whisky lovers will have the chance to experience Ardbeg’s latest permanent release – Ardbeg Traigh Bhan (pronounced ‘Tri-Van’). This rare 19 Year Old single malt is inspired by the heavenly vista of Islay’s Traigh Bhan – known locally as The Singing Sands – and will be made available in annual small batches.
The captivating place to which this bottling owes its name has white soft sands that sing beneath your feet. But alluring as this beach is, it can also be treacherous. Bathing is ill advised in the seemingly tame crystal waters where jagged, volcanic rocks pierce the sands along the shore.
A perfect reflection of the place that inspired it, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan is seductively smooth on the nose, before sudden, intense and rugged flavour notes come to the fore. Its exquisite taste crescendo is a rush like a surf of salt, smoke, sweet and sour.
This is the first time in 20 years that Ardbeg will release an aged whisky that is a permanent expression, produced in a single batch each year. To mark this occasion, each annual batch of Traigh Bhan will feature a unique code on the carton, bottle and foot label. With subtle differences in flavour profiles each year, Ardbeggians can research their batch code at Ardbeg.com for more information on their whisky’s story.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, said: “A new, permanent aged Ardbeg is a rare occurrence, and cause for celebration. We hope that, by slightly tweaking the batch recipe year-on-year, Ardbeggians can have some fun exploring the finer details of this ever-changing dram. As far as taste goes, this 19 Year Old whisky plunges the palate into notes of smoky pineapple and aromatic wood smoke, with a sweet mouthfeel of smoked chilli chocolate and paprika. The intense notes then peter out through a long, smoky finish.”
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan will be available from Ardbeg Embassies and www.clos19.com from September, RRP: £169.
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NOTES:
Tasting Notes
Age: Guaranteed 19 Years Old
ABV: 46.2%
Matured in: American oak & Oloroso sherry casks
Colour: Bronze
Aroma: Gentle ripples of smoky pineapple, soured cream and wood smoke make for an irresistible nose. Newly planed oak and supple dark leather sing to your soul as sweet toffee and liquorice draw you in.
A splash of water releases a surge of unexpected notes. Struck flint, herbal pine resin and coal tar effervesce towards citrusy lime sherbet and subtle, yet sweet vanilla cheesecake.
Taste: The peaty power of this alluring spirit is undeniable, as it plunges your palate into its smoky depths. An intensely salty mouthfeel drifts into sweet and sour notes of smoked chili chocolate and paprika. Waves of toasted oak and roasted tea leaves emerge, before subsiding to reveal fresh peppermint fondant and salted white chocolate.
Finish: Firm but gentle, soothing wood smoke carries into a length, lingering finish – resonating far beyond the glass.
RRP: £169
Ardbeg:
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.
Ardbeg Committee:
The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.
Awards:
Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100. Most recently, at the 2019 World Whisky Awards, Ardbeg Ten Years Old triumphed in the 12 Years and Under category, and Ardbeg Corryvreckan in the Non-Age Statement section. In the International Whisky Challenge 2019, Ardbeg was named Distillery of the Year and Ardbeg An Oa took home three awards, including best Islay malt. Meanwhile, Ardbeg Uigeadail was handed a rare platinum medal by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019 (SFWSC) – an award reserved for a handful of spirits, deemed near the pinnacle of achievement.
The Glenmorangie Company:
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.
Responsible Drinking:
Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.
WHISKY ILLUMINATI LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SOLARIA SERIES
The three-part release of the Solaria Series follows the inaugural Candlelight Series launched in 2018
Whisky Illuminati, an independent bottler specialising in premium single cask Scotch whisky, today unveils what it believes to be an industry first with the launch of the Solaria Series: a three-part bottling of five Speyside single malt whiskies.
Offering something genuinely unique to whisky enthusiasts, the Solaria Series will give consumers the opportunity to explore how Scotch whisky evolves in the cask over time, thanks to its three-part bottling which will be released over the next four years. Following the first edition (1:3) release in 2019, there will be a second release in 2021, with the final batch set for release in 2023.
In edition one of the Solaria Series, only 150 bottles from three of the Sherry Butts, 120 from another lower fill Butt and 100 from the Hogshead will be released. The remaining whisky will stay in the cask for a further two years before Edition 2:3 is released, followed by Edition 3:3 in 2023.
The Solaria Series comprises five single malt Scotch whiskies from Speyside distilleries:
Each release was matured in first-fill Spanish Oak Sherry Butt casks, with the exception of the Solaria Series from Craigellachie Distillery, which was matured in a first-fill Spanish Oak Sherry Hogshead cask.
Described by Whisky Illuminati co-founder, Keith Bonnington, as a “rare first for the Scotch whisky industry”, each of the 2011 Vintage Single Casks bottled as part of the Solaria Series were hand selected by a panel of experts with over 200 years of industry experience.
Bonnington noted: “This is a unique opportunity for whisky drinkers to buy into a developing cask of single malt Scotch whisky, and to fully appreciate how the character evolves in the wood over a period of four years.
“We selected 100% first fill ex-Sherry Casks from Spain to mature the new-make spirit, with the aim of drawing out maximum impact from the wood to deliver the depth of flavour and colour desired over time.”
Bonnington added: “Our policy of bottling at natural cask strength without adding colour or chill-filtering means that each whisky is bottled at between 63% and 68% alcohol by volume, exactly as they appear right now in the cask. To fully enjoy the multitude of complex flavours, gradually adding water to taste is encouraged.
“How they develop in the oak over the duration of the three releases is completely in the hands of mother nature and that anticipation of their natural development is what makes this series so exciting.
“What is certain, is that these 2011 Vintage casks are made from the highest quality European oak, sourced from one of Spain’s finest Sherry Bodegas, and I’m confident that the whisky will develop and mellow marvellously over the next few years”.
The launch of the Solaria Series follows Whisky Illuminati’s inaugural Candlelight Series, which was released in 2018 to high acclaim from many leading whisky writers and experts², and sold internationally in markets including China, Taiwan, South Africa and the United States.
The Solaria Series will be available to purchase from select specialist whisky retailers this month, August, including Master of Malt and Selfridges, at a UK RRP of around £120 each. Buyers of the first release will automatically be offered the opportunity to purchase the second and third editions upon release.
Whisky fans interested in learning more about the Solaria Series and future releases can visit www.whiskyilluminati.com or contact info@whiskyilluminati.com to find out more.
Notes
¹ Solaria Series distilled at ‘Artis Secretum’ has been named such due to sensitivities around the rights to the brand name. From one of Speyside’s most revered distilleries, this translates into ‘trade secret’ in Latin.
²Receiving a score of 95.5 out of 100, Jim Murray’s ‘Whisky Bible 2019’ described the Glentauchers 1997 from this series as the ‘reason whisky was invented’, stating: “The interplay between the complex layering of malt and the breathtakingly varied oak tones is the reason whisky was invented”.
About the Solaria Series
Named as such after the process of drying the oak staves in the direct heat of the baking Spanish sun, prior to being filled with the highest quality Dry Oloroso sherries.
Solaria Series distilled at Royal Brackla Distillery
Tasting notes
Solaria Series distilled at Aultmore Distillery
Tasting notes
Solaria Series distilled at Glentauchers Distillery
Tasting notes
Solaria Series distilled at Craigellachie Distillery
Tasting notes
Solaria Series distilled at ‘Artis Secretum’
Tasting notes
About Whisky Illuminati
Whisky Illuminati is an independent whisky bottler which seeks to produce exceptional Scotch whisky which can be enjoyed by consumers and whisky aficionados the world over.
A panel of industry experts, with over 200 years’ experience, rigorously assess whisky samples from distilleries across Scotland to select the best possible casks to take forward for maturation and bottling.
Whisky Illuminati is not constrained by age or popularity of particular distilleries, instead it’s driven by a desire to uncover hidden gems often found at the back of the warehouse and brought to market under an innovative ‘series’ with a compelling story.
Whisky Illuminati is bottled under The Whisky Cellar Ltd, which was formed in 2017 and incorporated in Edinburgh by drinks industry professional, Keith Bonnington. The company is launching a second brand in late-2019, The Whisky Cellar ‘Private Cellars Selection’, hand selecting from a broader spectrum of single casks for global release under a standard brand livery. These include a South Africa exclusive release of bottlings of single malts distilled at Laphroaig (2004), Linkwood (1993), Fettercairn (1996), Tomatin (2008) and Miltonduff (2009) distilleries.
Whisky Illuminati released four Single Cask Scotch Whiskies in 2018 in its inaugural Candlelight Series, distilled at Mortlach (1998), Linkwood (1998), Clynelish (1997) and Glentauchers (1997).
For more information, visit www.whiskyilluminati.com.
The Chancellor’s Cask
On the 13th of May, we were delighted to welcome back The Right Honourable Kenneth Clarke MP to the distillery. He first visited on the same date in 1994, during his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer, at which time he filled a fresh sherry hogshead. On the return visit 25 years later, along with local MP Douglas Ross and Lord and Lady Cope of Berkeley, he checked the progress of the cask and agreed it was ready for bottling.
The bottles are now available exclusively at the visitor centre, priced at £300. The profits from this very special bottling will go to The Salvation Army, the charity of Mr Clarke’s choice. Please note that like the Distillery Exclusive, these can only be bought in person.
We are pleased to announce the release of a new Distillery Exclusive, selected for the first time by Archie Jackson, Assistant Distillery Manager. This special bottling has already won Gold in the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge. Having worked at Glenfarclas since 1983, Archie knows a good cask when he finds one – and for this he chose a fantastic 2008 first fill sherry butt, which gave us 656 bottles at 64.1% alcohol by volume. Bottles are currently available at the visitor centre and are priced at £100. Please note that this bottling is strictly limited to one per visitor and is only available to purchase in person – it can not be shipped.
The very last release in the limited edition Viking Legend series has been revealed and you can pre-order your bottle at Loch Fyne Whiskies now!
Highland Park
Valfather
£60
The very last release in the acclaimed Viking Legend series from Highland Park, Valfather continues the celebration of Orkney’s Norse history in a collaboration with Danish (and bona fide Viking!) designer Jim Lyngvild.
This is the third and final release in the series of limited editions that began with Valkyrie and Valknut. Bottled at 47% abv, this expression is made with 100% refill casks.
The latest limited edition from Highland Park has arrived and it is the third and final release in the acclaimed Viking Legend series. Discover ‘the Orkney Malt with Viking Soul’ and pre-order your bottle of Valfather now!
Highland Park Valfather
£60
A Truly Unique and Attention-Grabbing Single Cask Exclusive
Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Single Barrel “#143-A” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($139.99)
“The inherent quality seeps from the glass.” —David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer
When it comes to luxury bourbon, one name that needs to be on everyone’s radar is Hillrock Estate. This remarkable distillery, built under the guidance of the late, great Dave Pickerell, is redefining how whiskey is made. Crafted using the solera method, this Bourbon blends several different whiskeys at different ages in a network of casks, not unlike a fine Oloroso sherry. The resulting spirit is nothing short of sublime. Calling this single barrel exclusive complex doesn’t do it justice, as it unfolds with a mind-boggling array of scents and flavors. Not a single expense was spared in the crafting of this singular spirit, and it shows. Its unique style, coupled with the mellowing influence of the sherry casks that finish this spirit, results in a whiskey that’s all but impossible to resist. While the Hillrock name may be new to many, it is bottlings such as this that will earn them cult status in no time. We couldn’t be more thrilled to offer such a distinctive (and delicious!) cask. Add this beauty to your collection, and you’ll be a whiskey champion.
The Hillrock Estate is a historic farm in the Hudson Valley. The Victorian house that sits at the apex of the site overlooks the gorgeous Berkshire mountains in the distance and fields of grain that once produced more than half of the nation’s Barley and Rye stocks. In the 1800s, the Hudson Valley was home to over 1000 farm distillers who converted their crops to spirit form when the selling season was over. Jeff Baker, who owns the estate and established its successful sustainable beef operation, tapped the illustrious Dave Pickerell to build a truly world-class distillery on the exceptional property. Their dream of producing a true estate made whiskey was made possible by the ingenious incorporation of a Solera aging system. This continuous aging process allows for the estate to gradually move from sourced spirit to own distilled stocks while continually improving quality and the average age of the product. The complex system begins with four-year-old straight bourbon sourced from high quality established distillers before seeing time in American Oak, Port, Madeira, and Cognac barrels. The final stage of the process is a long finishing step in very old Sherry casks, which offer an incredible mellowing effect. By the time the whiskey has reached this step, the average weighted age is close to ten years, and it will include much older whiskeys in the blend. We’ve loved the Hillrock from the start, but jumped at the chance to offer their excellent product at full strength.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 19, 2019
There are few American whiskies that transcend the category’s gruff persona. Sure, there are expensive whiskeys made at craft and industrial distilleries alike, but only a tiny handful capture that nuanced space that could be considered “luxury.” The Hillrock Estate achieves that feeling without even trying. They’ve put so much time, money, energy, and thoughtfulness into these products — the inherent quality seeps from the glass with almost perfect restraint. Dave Pickerell (RIP) had a field day making Hillrock. I’d never seen him more proud or excited about one of his products than when he talked about Hillrock. But nothing about the story explicitly implies that it’s a luxury product. After all, the “Estate” is actually a farm, but the quality derives directly from a commitment to produce the absolute best regardless of cost. That is a true luxury. Almost no craft producers have achieved such an innovative and well-polished product, so when we had the chance to buy this little cask, we knew we wanted to pick a good one. After many rounds of samples, we found one that captured the incredible intrigue of their standard release, yet turned up the volume to a different level. The wine cask influence, something I’m generally opposed to in bourbon, is so well integrated and built around such a high-quality product that you almost can’t pick out their specific complexities. The nose is a powerful bouquet of hardwood, spice box, roasted nut brittle, caramelized stone fruit, hints of graphite, dried leaves, and white pepper. On the palate, sweet black cherries, fresh tobacco leaf, roasting baking spice, wild honey, and burnt orange peel. Big, bold spice coming out on the finish, which is powerful but not at all hot. The whiskey is like an Hermès tie. It’s not flashy or loud but exudes elegance, class, and above all, good taste. Few American whiskeys can match the quality that is being produced at the little farm upstate, but we’re extremely excited to see the incredible things they’ve got planned and proud to partner on this special cask.
Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 14, 2019
Our friends at Hillrock pull off a very cool way of making a cask strength bourbon. They use the Solera method, which is traditionally done in Spain and Portugal. One transfers a liquid from barrel to barrel, older vintages into younger vintages, etc., the oldest mixtures being in the barrel right “on the ground.” In this case, you wind up with a great mixture of 4-year-old to 13-year-old wonderful whiskeys blended. A whiff from the glass expresses a mixture of earth, vanilla bean, and cinnamon. There’s a nice touch of heat with a complex blend of wood spice, sweet corn, and caramel. The finish is long and smooth with notes of butterscotch and brown sugar. If you are looking for an adventurous and fun gift for the bourbon drinker in your life…look no further!
Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019
A wave of sticky nectars and brown sugar rushes from the glass, betraying the decadence therein. Looking past that, however, one finds subtler aromas akin to fine Armagnac, and perhaps a whiff of flor as though from serious, aged sherry. Stewed peaches, cherry compote, and crème brûlée achieve an effortless harmony without feeling too heavy. A youthful undercurrent of sweet corn and fresh grass does remind you that this is, in fact, bourbon, but one could easily mistake this for fine brandy. Be sure to pick up this one-of-a-kind bottle before they’re gone.
Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019
What a standout! This is one of the most polished cask strength bourbons I have tasted in some time. The aromas of spice cake and dried fruits abound with an underlying subtle grain note. The average aggregated age of 13 years gives this a distinct creaminess on the palate and subdues all of the heat from the high proof. This is a superb single cask that could reach cult status down the road.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019
The uniqueness of this bottling should not go overlooked. First, the solera method bourbonwhat? Secondly, a private barrel of solera method bourbonhuh? Hillrock uses older sourced stock and combines with distillate they are making themselves in their solera style system; over time, the average age gets older and older in the bottle. From what I hear about this K&L selection is the juice is around an average age of 13 years. The nose is sweet and fun, albeit a little hot- giving off notes of French Toast and brown sugar, oak, bakers chocolate, and dried plum. The heat does not translate to the palate and is texturally very pleasant. There’s a good depth of flavor with notes of cherry pit, brown sugar, anise seed, and raw almonds. The finish tapers off quickly, but you are left with a single, long, spiced cherry flavor. This would make a great gift to any bourbon lover and worth trying since the expressions will only get older with time.
Jura Two-One-Two has just landed at Loch Fyne Whiskies, and it’s a real belter. Learn more about this fantastic new expression from the Island distillery.
This limited edition single malt from Jura celebrates the small island community which has a population of around 212 islanders.
Distilled in 2006, this first release in the annual series was matured for 13 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Chinkapin oak casks, a type of oak native to eastern and central North America.
70cl / 47.5% abv
We’ve had some rather excellent whisky arrive at The Whisky Exchange in the last fortnight – not only have we seen the next wave of our 20th anniversary exclusives hit shelves, but a limited-edition from Jura, a heavily-sherried Strathisla and more. Saluti!
Kilchoman 11 Year Old
Single Cask TWE Exclusive
£99.95
Aged in a single ex-bourbon cask for the entirety of its 11-year maturation, this sweet, smoky dram blends notes of citrus, smoked almonds, bacon and butter cream. We’re thrilled to add it to our line-up of 20th anniversary exclusives.
Jura 212
Limited Edition
£88.95
Limited to just 6000 bottles worldwide, the ‘212’ in this bottle’s name refers to the 212 residents of the isle of Jura. Aged for thirteen years and finished in North American Chinkapin Oak casks, the 212’s character is dominated by sweet fruits, fresh citrus and just a touch of toasted oak and spice.
Highland Park 2001 G&M
Connoisseurs Choice TWE Exclusive
£130
Another exclusive bottling to celebrate 20 years of The Whisky Exchange, this cask-strength Highland Park has aged gracefully in a first-fill bourbon cask, resulting in ripe tropical fruit notes to balance its gentle smoke, a flourish of menthol and some malty, milk-chocolate notes.
Caol Ila 2005 G&M
Connoisseurs Choice TWE Exclusive
£93.95
Classic Caol Ila citrus fruit and smoke lead the charge in this single refill sherry-cask matured Islay, accompanied by sweet vanilla notes and darker, earthier flavours of cocoa and coffee – yet another great dram bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange’s 20th anniversary.
Strathisla 2003
15 Year Old Sherry Cask
£94.95
Single-cask Speyside matured for fifteen years in a single, first-fill sherry cask. Expect classic Strathisla flavours dialled up to eleven – rich toffee, stewed fruit and heaps of rich sherry character. One of just 960 bottles.
