GlenDronach Single Cask #658 Exclusive to The Whisky Barrel

GlenDronach 25 Year Old 1993

Here is a big head’s up. We’re delighted to be bringing you an exclusive single cask expression of Highland malt whisky from one of our favourite distilleries.

Bottled March 2018, single sherry butt #658 yielded 557 numbered bottles.

HOW TO ORDER

We appreciate the high demand for GlenDronach, especially single cask vintages. Therefore we will be selling on a first-come-first-serve basis only.

SALES START

11-AM GMT / 7-PM HKT / 7-AM EDT on FRIDAY 6th April 2018

There will be a maximum order limit per customer, multiple orders will be cancelled

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY

TO RELEASE A NEW BOURBON DESIGNED BY FANS 

Over 100,000 Crafted their Perfect Bourbon 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 27, 2018) It seems when you leave it up to bourbon fans to “craft their perfect bourbon” they unanimously agree, wheat recipe is king! In November 2015, Buffalo Trace Distillery launched its “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” website, in a lighthearted attempt to teach people about bourbon. The interactive experience allows fans to choose their bourbon recipe, warehouse placement, age, and proof.  In just over two years, 100,239 bourbon drinkers completed the process of “crafting” their perfect bourbon.

And what did fans choose?  The overwhelming number of them chose a wheated bourbon recipe aged for eight years. Most chose for their barrel to mature on the top floor of the bourbon warehouse and ultimately be bottled at somewhere between 90-99 proof. So in response, Buffalo Trace Distillery will be releasing a new edition of W. L. Weller Bourbon called “CYPB,” short for Craft Your Perfect Bourbon.

As directed by fans, this bourbon will be made from a wheat recipe, aged eight years on the top floors of the warehouses, and bottled at 95 proof. Although very limited, one batch of this new bourbon will be released each year, beginning this summer. The recommended price is $39.99 for a 750ml bottle.

“Although we certainly didn’t set out to produce a new bourbon based on this ‘Craft Your Own’ experience, the results are overwhelmingly consistent, so why not give whiskey drinkers what they want?!’” explained Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “We’re thrilled how so many fans have interacted with the website, and we hope more will try their hand at crafting their perfect bourbon.”

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Maker’s Mark Keeneland bottle will be released this Friday, April 6th at 8:00 am. UK Athletics has partnered with Maker’s Mark and Keeneland with a goal of raising $2 million for the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS) through the companies’ own contributions and a portion of the proceeds of sales of special commemorative bottles of the distillery’s handmade bourbon. The 2018 Keeneland bottle features the 1997-1998 men’s basketball national championship team, which earned the moniker “Comeback Cats” during an incredible run through the NCAA tournament.

WHAT: 2018 Maker’s Mark Keeneland Bottle Release
WHERE: The Party Source
WHEN: Friday, April 6th at 8:00 am
COST: $56.99
LIMIT: One bottle per customer

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

A True Gem from and Underrated Islay Distillery
2005 Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old “Old Particular” Whisky ($49.99)
“Pure unadulterated goodness.” – Andrew Whiteley, K&L Assistant Spirits Buyer

The newest edition to our “Old Particular” program hails from the long underrated Islay distillery Bunnahabhain. Bunnahabhain is a bit of an outlier which it comes to Islay malts, as unlike some of its neighbors, it doesn’t lean on an abundance of peat to get its point across. On the contrary, Bunnahabhain plays more on its subtle oiliness and sea-side influence. The resulting scotches are slyly seductive offering up delightful notes of stone fruit, fresh cereals, sea-salt, and vanilla. Today’s featured bottling, the 12-Year-Old “Old Particular” Single Barrel, is no exception with an elegant and graceful approach that belies cask strength potency.

For those who are inclined towards refinement above bombast, this 12 Year-Old is a sure-fire winner. As with all of the bottlings in our “Old Particular” program, the value here is pretty impressive. The standard Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old will set you back over $50 and is watered down to 46.3% ABV. Our exclusive single cask version clocks in at an impressive 58.4% ABV and is priced at only $49.99. Add all this up and you have a value that will have scotch mavens running. When it comes to classically-styled Scotch that harkens to the days of old and shows the mild side of Islay, you won’t do much better than this delightful single malt.

2005 Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($49.99)

Islay’s mysterious unpeated whisky (although peated versions do exist) is Bunnahabhain, the oft overlooked and underappreciated distillery just north of Caol Ila near Port Askaig. Having changed hands once again recently, now owned by the South African group Distell, Bunnahabhain has been long overdue for a makeover, but it appears that time is here with excited new releases like the 13 year old PX edition coming down the pike in 2018. We’re always on the hunt for a good cask of fruity, salty, easy-to-drink Bunnahabhain and when we can get 12 years of maturity at full proof for fifty bucks, we’re going to take that deal over and over again. Brimming with fresh stone fruit on the nose, pears and peaches, this light and airy malt packs plenty of punch on the palate at 58.4% ABV. The oak spices come through on the malty finish, bookending a classically flavored malt from front to back. The price and provenance should be enough for most malt lovers to take the plunge, but if you still need reassurance, let us help you: it’s really good!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 22, 2018

Not a sherry bomb like the 14-Year-Old that blew us up earlier this year, but a fruit bomb instead. Classic malty notes and brimming with apples and stone fruits, this gem has it all for the bang up price of $49.99! This is the kind of deal that makes me excited to come to work everyday. There is an awesome honeyed complexity to this that makes the nose more intriguing than I would have expected for what seems like such a straight forward whisky. No peat on this Islay expression, just that lovely sea spray, a long finish thanks to the full throttle cask strength. Pure unadulterated goodness.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 22, 2018

We bought this Bunnahabhain barrel when the pound/dollar ratio was a bit stronger than it is currently, hence why we can offer something from Islay at 12 years old, full proof, for a hair under fifty. Those looking for something smoky or out of the ordinary, this one’s not for you. There’s nothing more than classic Scotch whisky goodness to be had in this bottle, lots of creamy vanilla, fruity malt notes, and a lot of pop on the finish due to the bolder proof. The deal is what makes it so compelling. The regular Bunnahabhain 12 is over $50 when it’s watered down, so to get a full-throttle, single cask version for less is a rare treat indeed!

INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN 50 YEARS OLD:

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN THE MODERN ERA

March 27th, 2018 (New York, New York) – The Macallan, the world’s most admired single malt Scotch whisky, unveils a new and remarkably rare limited edition single malt whisky – The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 release. A peerless single malt that has slowly matured over five extraordinary decades, The Macallan 50 Years Old reflects The Macallan’s journey of discovery in the modern era. It is a whisky defined by years of dedication and craftsmanship which reveals the unrivalled commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been known since it was established in 1824.

The Macallan 50 Years Old was created at a time when the distillery had the future in mind. By increasing the number of curiously small stills that help to concentrate the ‘new make’ spirit, the foundations were established all those years ago to ensure the full-bodied, rich and fruity flavors that are characteristic of The Macallan today. Acquiring a robust elegance from these curiously small stills, the spirit was then laid down in a single European oak Sherry butt from Spain and left to mature slowly and quietly for fifty long years. During these decades of slumber, the ancient wood shaped the spirit – delivering the greatest contribution to the character, natural color, distinctive aromas and full flavors at the heart of this single malt.

The Macallan 50 Years Old is testament to the exceptional oak casks, which have been sourced, crafted, toasted and seasoned under the watchful eyes of The Macallan’s masters of wood and delivered through the years to the exacting specifications of generations of master distillers.

A rich and complex whisky presenting sweet oak vanilla and blackcurrant characters with a beautiful, vibrant amber natural color. Wood vanillas open on the nose with a hint of spice before ripe blackcurrants and an earthy tone combine, with a background of subtle peat. The palate leads with flavors of sweet oak vanilla, fudge and toffee, soon making way for black peppercorns to provide a gentle warming, with deep sweetness joining from orange peels and figs. The finish is an incredibly viscous mouth coating, which is long and slightly dry from the subtle peat notes.

Nick Savage, Master Distiller at The Macallan, said: “After being left to mature for half a century, this wonderfully rare single malt is full of rich flavor and beautiful natural color. Coveted by whisky connoisseurs and collectors around the world, The Macallan 50 Years Old is an incredible addition to our expanding range of unique, mature whiskies and marks another pinnacle of The Macallan whisky makers’ art. With a finite volume of only 200 individually numbered bottles worldwide, this highly limited 2018 release will likely be in very high demand.”

Bottled at an ABV of 44% The Macallan 50 Years Old is presented in a solid oak box featuring an etched face inlaid with a matte gold badged age statement. The bottle label is reminiscent of the 50 and 25 Years Old bottling’s of yesteryear. This 2018 release will be available starting in April 2018 and is limited to 200 bottles worldwide, with only 35 bottles allocated to the USA, at a suggested retail price of approximately $35,000.

For further information visit us.themacallan.com

Whisky Makers Notes:

Color: Vibrant amber

Nose: Wood vanillas open with a hint of spice. Ripe blackcurrants and an earthy tone combine, with a background of subtle peat

Palate: Sweet oak vanillas, fudge and toffee coat the mouth from the start. Distinct black peppercorns follow to provide a gentle warming, with deep sweetness joining from orange peels and figs

Finish: Incredibly viscous mouth coating, which is long and slightly dry from the subtle peat notes

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s finest single malt whiskies.  The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way.  From the spiritual home of Easter Elchies House; curiously small stills giving richness to the pure spirit; finest cut of the distillation, to exceptional oak casks which account for up to 80% of the final flavor in the whisky; natural color and finally peerless spirit, The Macallan itself.

Wood sits at the heart of The Macallan. The vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest. For more information on The Macallan, visit us.themacallan.com. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Power-Packed and Potent: A Whistle Pig to Remember

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 118.2 Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey 
“Of the four exclusive Whistle Pig barrels we’ve purchased over the last four months, this expression is the biggest, boldest, and most complex.” – David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

When it comes to artisanally-crafted rye whiskey you simply won’t do much better than Whistle Pig. Since its founding in back in 2007, this Vermont-based distiller has quickly become the go-to choice for rye aficionados from around the globe. There are plenty of reasons for this, but chief among them is the raw potency these whiskies possess. These are no-nonsense bottlings that beautifully highlight the robust, spicy character of Rye while at the same time offering unparalleled smoothness. As the distillery puts it, they are a linebacker and a ballerina all rolled into one.

Hence, we jumped when we were given the opportunity to secure four exclusive casks from Whistle Pig and offer them over the course of the winter. The first three casks came and went in a flash, but don’t fret if you haven’t had a chance to enjoy one of these beauties. The fourth, and arguably the best, has just arrived. Power packed at an impressive 59.1% ABV, this 10-year-old expression is not for the faint of heart. With a modest splash of water it really begins to shine, revealing a delightful melange of sweet and savory flavors including vanilla, graham cracker, dill, and freshly cracked black pepper. For those who love deeply complex and layered whiskies, this 10-year-old rendition is right on the money. As with the previous casks, we expect this fourth installment to sell in no time, so don’t delay in securing yours today.

For more on this singular bottling, check our our recent Spirits Journal post.

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 118.2 Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($89.99)

This is the fourth and final cask from our Winter edition single barrels of Whistle Pig 10 year and this particular cask comes in at over 118 proof and packs a big dollop of both sweet and savory spices in addition to all the rich oak flavors and vanilla. With dill, pepper, and sweet baking spices on the finish, this 59.1% beast of a whiskey brings the power and the punch for those who like their rye potent. It starts with rich and decadent aromas of vanilla and sweet oak, but it ends with a fireworks display of savory and herbaceous splendor.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 19, 2018

Of the four exclusive Whistle Pig barrels we’ve purchased over the last four months, this 59.1% ABV expression is the biggest, boldest, and most complex. There’s an equal amount of big sweet vanilla, dill, and peppery herbaceous character in full effect. The near-120-proof heat makes this whiskey a powerful beast to deal with, and there’s a lot to unlock with a few drops of water. There’s a graham cracker finish that bolsters the clean rye flavor with beautiful balance, making this easily the best rye whiskey in the store right now. It’s quite special.

We’re really excited to be stocking this latest series of blends launched by Berry Bros & Rudd. Four different styles released for the first batch of ‘The Classic Range’ – Sherry, Speyside, Peated and Islay. BBR are known for bottling very good whisky, the presentation is sophisticated & stylish and the price point is beyond excellent! The liquid inside is said to contain some very high quality malts. What’s not to love!

Buy Now

Who can resist the alluring charms of these April Outturn preview bottlings? Five sultry single casks that deliver a voluptuous sensory experience. Each whisky comes from a different cask type, giving a great diversity of sweet flavours to explore – kissed brandy snaps and Belgian waffles, toffee and honeycomb, crème caramel and maple syrup, all make it extremly hard to resist.

A great opportunity to buy before next month’s First Friday but be quick to order, only a limited number of bottles are available ahead of the full Outturn release on Friday, 6 April at 9am.

 ALL PREVIEWS

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

The Girvan Patent Still Single Grain Whisky is produced at the Girvan Distillery in the Lowlands, and the whisky is typically used in the creation of Grant’s blended Scotch, and sold to other blenders. The 25 year old was the first whisky to be released in the Girvan Patent Still range, the first range of single grain Scotch whisky, and is a marriage of whiskies aged in first and second-fill bourbon casks with some whisky aged in sherry wood and virgin oak.

£199 Buy Now

Exclusive Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask lands in World of Whiskies at Heathrow Terminal 5 

Loch Lomond Whiskies has created an exclusive Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask bottling in partnership with World Duty Free.  Just 278 bottles of the 10-year-old Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask will be available exclusively at World Duty Free’s World of Whiskies store, located in Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

On the nose, the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask is fruity and sweet with a hint of spice. The palate offers layers of sweet vanilla and barley sugar, while the lemon and lime finish delivers a citrus edge, giving way to maple syrup and a mild oak spiciness.

This non-chill filtered Single Malt Scotch Whisky was distilled in the Loch Lomond Distillery’s unique straight neck pot stills in January 2008 and bottled at cask strength – 57.1% ABV – in February 2018.

Loch Lomond Whiskies’ partnership with World Duty Free – who own and operate the specialist World of Whiskies stores – and Heathrow, follows on from successful sales of Loch Lomond Group’s Global Travel Retail (GTR) Scotch whisky range at World of Whiskies outlets in airports throughout the UK.

André de Almeida, Managing Director of Global Travel Retail at Loch Lomond Group, said: “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to create this limited edition Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask, which will be exclusive to World of Whiskies in Terminal 5.  This is a great example of a trinity project between Loch Lomond Group, World Duty Free and Heathrow.”

Kathryn Kindness, Commercial Category Manager from World Duty Free, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this unique, limited edition Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Single Cask bottling to our World of Whiskies customers at Terminal 5.  Travellers won’t be able to get their hands on this in any other location in the world, so it will be the ideal addition for their collections or to purchase as a special gift.”

Chris Annetts, Retail and Service Proposition Director, commented: “We are delighted to offer Heathrow passengers this unique and exclusive British product. Whisky is loved the world over and this additional cask adds to our fantastic range of distillations to suit every taste.”

Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond Whiskies can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire on the banks of Loch Lomond, were built in the 1960s and are among only a few in the industry to maintain an onsite cooperage. The malt distillery at Alexandria also features a unique combination of traditional swan neck and distinctive straight-necked pot stills, enabling it to produce a diverse range of flavour profiles.

For further information, visit www.glenscotia.com 

Notes 

Retail price: £59 per 70cl bottle 

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772.  In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

• Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has been awarded Gold Medal status at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Other expressions in this collection are Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old, Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Signature, Loch Lomond Single Grain and the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan collection.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards
• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook facebook.com/lochlomondwhiskies