Celebrating our enduring desire to seek out the world’s finest oak to craft our exceptional casks in which we mature our spirit, the collection celebrates a journey that takes us across continents, cultures and terrains.

Each expression is a new chapter in our continuous quest for discovering excellence – a story that begins in the forests and cooperages of distant lands and culminates in a singular, rich, sensory Macallan experience. As a result, this unique quartet of whiskies reveals the true influence of our hand-picked, sherry seasoned oak casks in the superlative quality, natural colour and full flavours at the heart of The Macallan single malt whisky.

The Macallan Quest Collection, which was created exclusively for travel retail, has now been made available to buy as a complete set from The Macallan Online Shop, whilst stocks last. Start your journey today.

BUY NOW             DISCOVER MORE

The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,
Easter Elchies, Craigellachie AB38 9RX Scotland

The Macallan Quest Collection is also available at select airports around the world.

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 7

This Speyside single malt is the 7th release from The GlenDronach Cask Strength series. Matured in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks from Andalucia, the Master Blender has selected the ideal marriage of these casks to create this limited edition, bottled without chill-filtration at a natural cask strength of 57.9% abv.

£69 Pre-Order Now
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 18th June

The BenRiach Batch 15

The latest batch of single cask releases from The BenRiach distillery is now available to pre-order. Aged between 9 and 26 years, each one is limited to just a few hundred bottles. These releases are always highly sought-after by collectors so pre-order now to avoid disappointment.

From £79
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 18th June

CRAIGELLACHIE GORDON & MACPHAIL SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 19YR

TPS PRIVATE BARRELWhile visiting the Gordon & Macphail Headquarters in Eglin, Scotland we had the pleasure of entering their Liquid Library. G&M has the most prolific catalog of liquid Scotch history on the planet. After sampling through Single Malts of old we were presented with the opportunity to select an exclusive cask of our own. Ultimately we decided on a Craigellachie 1997.This 19yr expression, Cask No. 118, distilled November 11, 1997, bottled in September 2017 is unchill filtered, natural color, from a refill American Hogshead. The nose displays elderflower, exotic fruit, and citrus peel. The palate brings light pepper, a bouquet of orchard fruit, banana, citrus, a touch of toasted oak, with a balanced creamy mouthfeel. This is a true crowd pleaser, whether you’re a connoisseur, or just making your entry into the fabulous world of single malt.

For a limited time, we are offering this exclusive at $15 off!

thepartysource.com
95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073
 (859) 291-4007

Macallan 26 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish, Darkness! 47.3%

FATHERS DAY WEB EXCLUSIVE

Buy Now

Finished for three months in a specially coopered quarter-size fresh Moscatel Sherry cask.

Bottles released – 94.

Bottle size: 50cl

Alcohol: 47.3%

Buy

In the new era of the bourbon boom, the entire industry is trying to distinguish themselves from the competition. This creates an incredibly dynamic and ever changing marketplace, one where the big producers struggle to stay relevant, while smaller producers struggle to find stocks that can viably compete. The only possible trajectory of that situation is the creation of something new – as the industry loves to call it “Whisky Innovation.” This is by no means a new trend as big companies have large R&D departments that are equally devoted to trying to predict the next trends as well as shape them. For a long time, this meant new whisky “flavors” artificially created in the lab to appeal to a certain demographic or profile.

But the explosion of craft distillers, the demise of brand loyalty, and the general proliferation of knowledge/interest about what consumers are actually drinking has led to a new phase in the future of whisky. It also strikes fear in the hearts of some purists out there, who have a strong argument to make about the centuries of whisky production that has preceded today. There’s a reason for some of the practices that have been adopted industry-wide, while other standards from eras past have been dismissed in the name of efficiency. Many craft distillers have ignored or otherwise altered industry standards in an effort to differentiate themselves, while several big producers have destroyed thousands of gallons of perfectly good stock trying to emulate some of the successful experiments of the craft side.

Many of the very best products in the innovation category take perfectly good whiskey and add something extra that turns it into GREAT whisky. Other experiments are simply the result of good sense, good taste, and some really good luck. Here are some of our favorite, non-traditional whiskies from producers both big and small that are reshaping the future of whisky as we know it.

Barrell “May 9, 2018” Infinite Barrel Project Cask Strength American Whiskey (750ml) ($59.99)

This is a blend of Tennessee whiskey finished in Amaro barrels, 100% Polish Malted Rye finished in PX Sherry Casks, Tennessee rye finished in Curaçao barrels, Indiana whiskey, and Irish whiskey. Aged in a semi-solera and filled with anything and everything once it’s bottled, no whiskey like it will ever exist again. One of 3096 bottles. This tastes just as outrageous as it sounds and represents one of the most successful new styles of whisky on the market. The flavor profile is somewhere in between American Craft whisky, Speyside sherried malt and classic Kentucky rye. It’s sounds disjointed and unsatisfying, but the solera aging and expert blending have the opposite effect. Round, complex and well put together, it’s truly something unique in the sea of new and derivative whisky offerings.

Smooth Ambler “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #10108 American Whiskey (750ml) ($39.99)

Our first single barrel of the 107 proof American Whiskey iteration of Old Scout has arrived. Spicy and bold on the palate with rich vanilla on the finish, the extra proof and concentration of the individual cask stands out immensely from the standard Smooth Ambler edition, making this barrel a lovely little anomaly. Fans of youthful, yet robust higher proof Bourbons will definitely want to try a bottle.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 17, 2018

The Old Scout people have blended together an interesting and delicious whiskey. The nose has a lot of vanilla notes with a background of caramel. In the mouth it is full bodied with a soft and creamy mouth feel. There is a beautiful long, sweet toasted sugar finish. It is 107 proof and I tasted this whiskey with water.

High West “Yippee Ki Yay” Whiskey (750ml) ($79.99)

96 points Wine Enthusiast: “Attention wine lovers: this fab bottling with the cowboy label is made with a blend of straight rye whiskies finished in two wine casks, formerly holding vermouth and Syrah. The result is a deep ruddy amber hue and a strikingly concentrated flavor profile. Look for warming layers of caramel, toffee and espresso, drying to leather, zingy orange peel and spice. Sip or mix into Manhattans or any drink including sweet vermouth. (KN)” (07/2016)

K&L Notes: Another winner from David Perkins and the gang at High West, the new “Yippee Ki Yay” takes rye whiskies from Barton and LDI distilleries and finishes the blend in both Syrah and vermouth barrels for a completely unique experience. The color is an unusual beautiful ruby red. Aromas of fresh cinnamon stick, crushed blackberries, and cassis, with dried herbs in the background. The palate has big, bold punch of cinnamon spice and blackberries on a foundation of vanilla and caramel with rye spices on the finish.

High West “Bourye” Bourbon-Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

96 points Wine Enthusiast: “The 2017 limited edition release of this bourbon-rye blend, all a minimum of 10 years old, perfectly balances sweetness and spice. Rich caramel and brown sugar lead on the nose and palate, finishing with clove, nutmeg and cinnamon sizzle, plus a hint of orange peel. (KN)” (07/2017)

92 points Whisky Advocate: “Straight bourbon and rye whiskeys aged from 10 to 14 years, this nicely balances its dry oak, almost cedary, aromas with bourbon sweetness and a rye finish. The initial hit of orange peel, caramel, and vanilla flan yields to a spicy finish of lemon zest, peppercorns, and ginger. (JL, Summer 2017)”

K&L Notes: High West’s latest batch of Bourye, a marriage of bourbon and rye adorned with the elusive jackalope – a cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope – is back for another limited run. The Park City, Utah outpost only releases the Bourye when they have sufficient quantities of the necessary ingredients, which are getting more and more difficult to secure in today’s market. This latest batch is bottled at 46% ABV and consists of rye and bourbon whiskies aged 10 to 14 years from MGP Distillery in Indiana, formerly known as LDI and Seagrams. Considering that a simple ten year old American rye whiskey seems to be worth its weight in gold, the fact that High West has included casks of a much older heritage is no simple task. The balance between both the richness of the bourbon and the spiciness of the rye is quite wonderful here. There are no rough edges, the flavors meander from mellow oak to toasted vanilla, all with a backbone of peppery rye goodness. We never have the Bourye in stock for long and we’re always handling questions about when we’ll get more. David Perkins continues to captivate us with his American whiskey blends, now considered the gold standard of the industry.

That’s it for this week, but stay tuned for the next edition of the Whisk(e)y News!

David Othenin-Girard
SoCal Spirits Buyer
davidgirard@klwines.com@klwines.com
323-464-9463
http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com
http://onthetrail.klwines.com

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

TOP-RATED IRISH WHISKEY

Some of our favorite Irish Single Malt Whiskeys recently received top scores from Jonny McCormick in Whiskey Advocate and we’re passing the love on to you. Enjoy generous discounts on these products now through Father’s Day!

The Whistler Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey 7 yr.
$49.98 was $63.98

“This dials up the aromas so high it could freshen up a stadium.  After a riot of bright fruits, paradise slice, nutmeg, cinnamon, dates, and raisin, the palate becomes awash with apple and rose hip, though the strength makes it a wild ride, the tongue is conquered into submission.  Diluted, it shines with vanilla sponge cake, plum, malt, and spicy nutmeg.  Beautiful whiskey just needs to be pegged back a bit.” 89 points, JM

The Whistler The Blue Note Single Malt Irish Whiskey 7 yr.
$43.98 was $52.98

“Voluptuous, fruity nose of lemon meringue pie, Conference pear, and fudge, with floral notes balanced by aromatic spices. The flavors are focused around orange, pear, and lemon, infiltrated by caramel and hectored by some abiding spice notes of ginger, clove, and pepper. Late gains made by hone and nougat at the end. Lemon sherbet and aniseed frame the conclusion. Superb sourced single malt from Bann Distillery.” 91 points, JM

The Whistler Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10 yr.
$44.98 was $59.98

“The Cooney family opened the Boann Distillery in Ireland’s Boyne Valley in 2016. A little maturity and oloroso finishing fills this whiskey with a more sophisticated air, bringing red fruits, pecan cookies, orange, apple, pear, and some dry, peppery spices. The palate has good weight and a lovely balance; caramel sweetness, orange, crystallized pineapple, butterscotch, and pepper, with a hint of bitter lemon on the finish.” 90 points, JM

Precision distilled single malt whisky

Smouldering with smokiness, perfectly balanced with oaky sweetness, Ailsa Bay is sheer pride and precision in a bottle, making it the ideal gift for this Father’s Day. This Lowland single malt is one of our Customer Favourites, and it’s not hard to see why!

Next day UK delivery available
International shipping

Ailsa Bay

With exacting precision, Ailsa Bay takes distilled whisky craft and innovation to a whole new level, perfectly balancing smoke and sweet flavours through a new-age maturation process known as ‘micro maturation’ or ‘cask starting’.

In this unique process, perfected by experimental Master Blender Brian Kinsman, the single malt is first aged in small traditional bourbon casks (sourced from Tuthilltown Spirits in New York) for six to nine months, to rapidly and intensely mature. The liquid then spends several years in virgin, first-fill and refill American oak casks to develop its multi-layered flavours.

The nose has fresh wood smoke, with notes of smouldering damp heather and an extinguished bonfire. A wave of oaky sweetness and hot buttered toast follows, with an intriguing hint of caramelised apple. On the palate an immediate punch of peat is quickly balanced by a burst of vanilla oakiness. The flavour meanders between smoke, fruit, creamy toffee and back again. With every sip the complexity of the whisky deepens as layer upon layer of flavour is revealed.

£60 Buy Now

With summer almost upon us, June Outturn uplifts the spirits with a sparkling selection of emerald gems.  Surprise and delight the senses with seven new brilliant bottlings.

CASK NO. 37.98  A TRIFLE CITRUSY

15 years old; refill hogshead; 56.5%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

Lemon cheesecake and boozy trifle joined vanilla custard and elderflower cordial with a finish of Turkish delight and muscovado sugar.

CASK NO. 5.59  CHILI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

16 years old; 1st fill charred red wine barrique; 58.2%; Spicy & sweet

This whisky, previously in a 2nd fill bourbon hogshead, had a peppery chilli heat neat, turning to cinnamon and apple hot cross buns with water.

CASK NO. 7.122  HOLY MOLEY!

25 years old; refill hogshead; 56.3%; Spicy & dry

A Manhattan cocktail alongside maple syrup and chocolate fondant pudding on the nose neat whilst sweet and spicy as well as thick and creamy on the palate. Diluted, aromas of chocolate marshmallows and blood orange and a remarkable experience to taste.

CASK NO. 107.13  ANDALUSIAN GAZPACHO

10 years old; refill Oloroso butt; 65%; Spicy & dry

SPEYSIDE FESTIVAL BOTTLING – SPECIAL LABEL!

ONE BOTTLE PER MEMBER

The engrossing scent of an Andalusian gazpacho followed by figs, almonds, dried fruits, olives and plenty of red wine made us all lick our lips to try it. Big, chewy and meaty!

CASK NO. 35.196  A MOROCCAN ‘SNAKE CAKE’

14 years old; refill Chardonnay barrique 58.2%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Polished wood and a glass of well-aged Shiraz followed by orange olive oil cake. Diluted a little spicier and sweet nutty flavours developed.

CASK NO. 53.248  SLAPPED BY POSEIDON’S GLOVE

11 years old; refill hogshead; 56%; Lightly peated

ISLAY FESTIVAL BOTTLING – SPECIAL LABEL!

ONE BOTTLE PER MEMBER

Salty sea spray smacked the face like a slap from Poseidon’s glove. Smoke, thick tar and lobster nets permeated our senses and strong herbal notes stirred from the depths.

CASK NO. 3.308  A MARITIME MEANDER

13 years old; 2nd fill hogshead; 57.9%; Peated

ISLAY FESTIVAL BOTTLING – SPECIAL LABEL!

ONE BOTTLE PER MEMBER

A maritime meander by the seafood shack, beach bonfire burnt sticks and trawlers in the harbour led to lashings of smoke, ash and tar, burnt cork and salted liquorice – enough to satisfy the socks off any peat-freak.

SMWS Canada

45 Year Old Single Malt Introduces Scottish Folklore Whisky Series

EDINBURGH — Thursday 31 May 2018 – Scottish whisky specialists Cask 88 have launched the first in a series of single cask whisky bottlings inspired by legends of Scottish folklore, starting with the fearsome Cù-Sìth to represent a venerable 45 Year Ben Nevis 1972 Single Malt.

Intended to bond the stories of Scotland’s unique history with the very finest expressions of its spirit, the Cask 88 Scottish Folklore series launches with a bottling inspired by the Cù-Sìth, a terrifying large hound, with a murderous bark, said to stalk the Highlands of Scotland. The whisky typifying this formidable beast is a 45 Year Old Ben Nevis 1972 Single Malt (70cl; 43.2% ABV; £650 RRP) aged in a sherry hogshead, of which only 228 bottles are available. This first bottling will be available from the Cask 88 online bottle shop from 31 May 2018.

The Cù-Sìth is a terrifyingly large hound, said to roam the Highlands of Scotland and prey upon weary travellers. Legend tells that anyone with the misfortune of hearing the beast bark three times will be transported to the underworld. European Sales Director Jonny Fowle, also whisky tastings and event organiser Wandering Whisky, said “The bold spirit of the Ben Nevis, which has matured for four and a half decades in the Scottish Highlands, is matched only by the equally indomitable spirit of the legendary Cù-Sìth. Both have drawn upon the region to develop in character and repute throughout the ages, making for a fine match.”

Cask 88 have worked closely with art historian and Celtic Revival specialist Dr Frances Fowle (co-curator of the Celts: Art and Identity exhibition, British Museum, 2015-16) to understand the history of the Cù-Sìth legend and its place in Scottish folklore. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Cask 88 team to bring Celtic myths to a wider audience. Local legends, rather like Scottish whisky, are part of our cultural identity,” said Dr Frances Fowle. “Stories have been passed down from generation to generation, sometimes in poetry and song, and often accompanied by a drop of fine whisky. In the Hebrides the more superstitious members of the community lived in fear of the Cù-Sìth, a large black ‘fairy dog’ who roamed silently across the landscape on winter nights.”

The Cask 88 Scottish Folklore Series will consist of six unique, single cask expressions, with each expression dictating the myth or legend it embodies. Each release in the Cask 88 Folklore series will feature a mythical beast who has roamed the highlands, stalked the lowlands or inhibited the islands. “We intend to create a fantastic collection of some of the finest Scottish whiskies, selected to represent the breadth and depth of Scotland’s world renowned culture and heritage, while playing our part in ensuring these enchanting myths and folktales endure for generations to come,” said Jonny.

The first bottling in The Cask 88 Scottish Folklore Series: Cù-Sìth is available for purchase from the Cask 88 online bottle shop from Thursday 31 May 2018, and in person from Cask 88 Sales Representatives globally.

For more information, visit: https://cask88.com/scottish-folklore-series-whisky/

Tasting Notes:

Nose

This whisky’s aroma instantly flaunts its forty five long years of maturation. A nutty character alongside the rich sweetness of rum molasses are followed by luxurious notes of rich dark fruit and cherry.

Taste

The indulgent richness of this cask’s dark and dried fruit character continue on the palate, but with the balance of citrus zest. This develops with notes of dark chocolate journeying into a mixture of tobacco leaves, dried herbs and a subtle oakiness.

Finish

Four and a half decades maturing in a single cask provide an incredibly long and complex finish, dancing between bitter chocolate, dry tobacco and sweet cherries with cinnamon and winter spice.

A rare single cask whisky with an incredibly rich and developed character.

Notes to Editors:

About Cask 88

Founded in 2007, Cask 88 is now internationally recognised as one of the world’s foremost whisky experts, selling old and rare casks and bottles from world-renowned distilleries. An extensive inventory and expansive global network provide an unparalleled selection of fine whiskies, which attracts a wide clientele from London, Hong Kong, Beijing to New York. Cask 88 believes that buying vintage whisky should be fun and offers clients the opportunity to select, purchase, label and package their own exclusive whisky drawn from the finest Scotch casks.

cask88.com

Follow Cask 88 on Twitter: @88Cask                        

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