A true whisky masterpiece, bottled to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nikka. This very special Japanese single malt whisky was created using some of the oldest stock from Nikka’s portfolio, including a 1945 vintage malt whisky from the Yoichi distillery and Miyagikyo malt from 1969. A very rare and limited Japanese release.
If your New Year resolution is to enjoy more great whisky, then you’ve come to the right place. Let the January Outturn awaken your senses – new year, new whisky adventures!
CASK No. 41.76 SUNSHINE IN A GLASS
11 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
Aromas of lemon sponge cake, lemon sorbet and a light lemon linguine with the palate carrying on the theme; zesty lemon tart and caramelized lemon rice pudding. Water added to the lemon sweetness floral notes with a lip-smacking frozen sherbet cocktail.
CASK No. 36.101 DANGEROUSLY QUAFFABLE
18 years old; refill barrel; 57.9%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
Prosecco, sponge fingers in strawberry jelly, perfume and Mojito aromas. Water made it lightly floral (nasturtium), dusty (hay and sherbet lemons) and summery (Victoria sponge and fruit squash). Light and milky flavours – lemon meringue pie and a fruit smoothie.
CASK No. 26.117 SILKY SMOOTH SUNDOWNER
14 years old; 2nd fill Sauternes hogshead; 56.8%; Light & delicate
This is a ‘whispering dram’. Listening carefully we ‘heard’ gorse bushes on a cliff side and vanilla & Tonka bean scented candles. Diluted, perfumed hand cream and silky smooth on the palate. This whisky previously inhabited an ex-bourbon hogshead.
CASK No. G1.12 MOUTH-PUCKERING CITRUS AND PLEASANT SWEETNESS
23 years old; refill hogshead; 60.3%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
Delicate, yet lively, the nose has honey, vanilla, waffles and orange blossom, but mainly fruit (lemon drizzle cake, melon, tangerine, strawberry). The palate balances mouth-puckering citrus (lemon sherbet, lime zest) with crème anglaise and French fancies; dry woody spices to finish.
CASK No. 35.145 LOST IN THE DESSERT
24 years old; 2nd fill hogshead; 57.6%; Old & dignified
Which dessert were in? Apricot tart, lemon curd or spiced apple pie? Vanilla pods sprouted from the icing sugar as we passed dunes of coconut and Turkish delight. On the horizon… an oasis of green apple trees beside a lake of Manuka honey and cream.
CASK No. 42.21 PLOUGHMAN’S ON THE BEACH
9 years old; refill barrel; 59.4%; Lightly peated
Aromas of wet rope on a sandy beach, seaweed and Iberico ham made this a maritime, salty and slightly smoky experience whilst on the palate, a seafood barbecue. Water added smouldering tractor tires and a ploughman’s platter on the beach.
CASK No. 29.179 TARRY ROPES ON A WOODEN BOAT
16 years old; refill barrel; 51.6%; Peated
The nose is suffused with smoke, tar, seaweed and lemon squeezed scallops – plus toffee popcorn and Parma violets. The deeply satisfying palate has lavender, liquorice, wood embers, ash and tarry ropes on a wooden boat. Aromatic, invigorating and full of personality.
Today we’re thrilled to be able to share our limited allocation rare, one of a kind, & antique whiskies. See the entire list below, but first a bit about our new Bruichladdich acquisitions…
We’ve had a long and storied relationship with the wonderful Bruichladdich Distillery. They’ve gone through some serious changes in the last couple of years, but what counts for us, what has always counted most, is that the whisky is delicious. Bruichladdich has always produced exceptional single malt whisky, but none better than those made in the last 15 years by our friends Jim McEwan, Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin. Now Jim & Mark are gone, but the magnanimous Simon Coughlin remains at the helm to make sure the ship stays steady. And steady ahead they go, releasing a second batch of age stated 10 year old whisky that are even better than initial releases from a few years ago. These whiskies are a testament to the hard work that went into rebuilding that old distillery outside of Port Charlotte on the beautiful banks of Loch Indaal. Truly they are a tribute to that legacy and a triumph for all who may be lucky enough to taste them.
K&L Notes: Many of us at K&L feel that Bruichladdich’s post-2001 whiskies are some of the best distillates in the world. The quality of the spirit coming off their pot stills is simply jaw-dropping and we were excited to finally see what it can do after a decade in the barrel. After an ultra-successful initial 10 year old release, the age statements were judiciously removed in favor of focusing on flavor and perserving stock. Now we’re can finally sell and age stated Laddie Ten again. This time they’ve drawn exclusively from first fill bourbon, sherry, and French wine casks. The malt is ultra smooth, creamy palate with citrus notes, stone fruits, and the trademark saltiness that reminds us this is Islay whisky through and through.The 10-year is one of the most anticipated whiskies of all time and for about $60, it’s one of the best single malt deals in craft single malt. For those lamenting the rising cost of good whisky, make sure you take home the Laddie 10 and savor each drop. This is true handcrafted whisky.
Port Charlotte 10 Year Old “Second Limited Edition” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($64.99)
The 10-year-old benchmark for Bruichladdich’s peated whisky project, named for the famous distillery in the town of the same name, is back! Here we have the massive intensity of Port Charlotte framed in a very natural context. Tarry and phenolic, turning toward citrus and salt on the palate. The oily texture is lifted by a tartness that offsets the smoke nicely. A very exciting whisky for any malt lover. To be perfectly clear–I have never tasted such focus or purity in a single malt whisky. I can safely say that no whisky has ever tasted as much to me like the source from whence it came. The 10-year-old Port Charlotte literally tastes like a piece of malted barley that has just come out of the kiln. This whisky tastes like distilleries smell. It’s so bracingly clear that it’s almost like getting new glasses or contact lenses–every flavor just comes into an insane level of focus right from the first sip. Whether or not you like that flavor is up to you, but I got chills. A huge accomplishment. The Second Limited Edition was aged full-term in first fill bourbon, sherry, tempranillo and French wine cask and peated to 40ppm.
Octomore 10 Year Old “Second Limited Edition” Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($229.99)
This is the second 10 year old release of Bruichladdich’s well regarded super smoky malt. The small batch whisky is peated to an astounding 167pm and was distilled entirely in December 2005. This special spirit was rested for 10 years in Fresh Bourbon barrels and Gernache Blanc casks at their ancient stone warehouse in Port Charlotte before being bottled at 57.3% aclohol. The result is something completely other wordly and totally unique. Extremely limited.
JANUARY OUTTURN: EXPLOSIVE DIVERSITY
If your New Year resolution is to enjoy more great whisky, you’ve come to the right place. We’re kick starting the year with a bang. January Outturn brings explosive diversity, awakening the senses with 16 unusual and daring casks. New year, new whisky adventures.
Shop the new Outturn online now >
Need some help? You’ll find new reviews on our blog >
READ THE FULL OUTTURN ONLINE
or download a PDF to read offline
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 Classic Cask range of single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies are distinguished by their quality, taste and complexity. We are proud to offer Cask & Barrel customers SIX new single casks from The Classic Cask Collection. Including an exceptionally rare and delicious 21 year old from the Macallan Distillery and a young and smoky 11 year old from Port Charlotte, these six new casks are sure to impress and won’t last long!
Simply click on the year of the offering to the right to purchase online or click the SHOP NOW button below.
Words cannot describe the beauty of the Balvenie Set DCS Compendium Chapter 2.
We will however, give it a go:
Available at Whisky Galore at The Green Welly Stop
1 of only 6 sets available here in the United Kingdom.
The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two features five extremely rare single-cask single malt whiskies and highlights the complex manner in which different oak casks influence the flavour of The Balvenie during the maturation process.
David Stewart MBE pioneered double cask maturation, or finishing, during his career at The Balvenie and this chapter showcases his vast knowledge and understanding of this process. The whiskies in Chapter Two, range in age from 15 years to 43 years, with each of the casks chosen by David imparting their own distinct flavour profile to the final expression.
Each whisky in Chapter Two hails from a different cask style – including European oak Oloroso sherry butts, first fill American oak Bourbon barrels, a European oak port puncheon and a European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry butt.
The Balvenie Aged 43 years.
European oak Oloroso sherry butt – Filled 31st October 1972.
“ The 1972 refill sherry butt may have lost some of the flavours we expect from sherry casks, dried fruits and spice, but it really shows a unique character of the balvenie, spicy but less ‘winey’ sweet, more honeyed sweetness. Very few examples like this remain and I love it.” – David C Stewart
Tasting Notes..
Nose – Fragrant, floral and fruity, fresh pineapple juice and melons, a malty sweetness and soft oak vanilla.
Taste – A syrupy sweetness, with honey, butterscotch, vanilla toffee and delicate cinnamon spice.
Finish – Lingering with gentle waves of vanilla and subtle oak spices.
The Balvenie Aged 26 years.
First fill American oak bourbon barrel – Filled 1th May 1990.
“ Seeing the different effects wood can have is still a great pleasure for me. Distilled just six months apart we can showcase first fill American Oak and European oak with 1990 casks
David C Stewart Tasting Notes..
Nose – Rich and malty, sweet toffee, vanilla fudge with layers of honeycomb and a delicate spiciness.
Taste – Rich maltiness, honey maple syrup and citrus notes, ending in delicate cinnamon spice and subtle oak vanilla.
Finish – Rich with a creamy sweetness and gentle spices.
The Balvenie Aged 25 years.
European oak Oloroso sherry butt – Filled 3rd October 1990.
“ The first few months are when an oak cask gives the bulk of its colour and a good deal of the influence over the flavour of the liquid. When I feel like the oxygen, wood and time have done their jobs it’s time to move them to another cask.” – David C Stewart
Tasting notes..
Nose – Rich and deep, elegant oaky notes followed by sweet aromas of raisins, dates and gentle ginger spice.
Taste – Velvety smooth with sweet dried fruits, a deep nuttiness and sherry oak. Gentle warm spices and a touch of oak tannin.
Finish – Sumptuous with a sherried sweetness.
The Balvenie Aged 19 years.
European oak port puncheon – Filled 6th August 1997.
“ I remember this port puncheon; it was a cask we used to finish our 21 Year Old PortWood. I decided in 1997 to fill it with a new-make and to be fair I think we forgot about it after that. I noticed it again some years ago and I’m delighted I kept it aside” – David C Stewart
Tasting notes..
Nose – Creamy toffee notes of brown sugar, hints of dried fruits and delicate spices of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Taste – Warm and inviting, with prunes, plums and figs. Tropical fruit juice, sweet wood spices and dried.
Finish – Lingering with dried fruits, oak spices and sweet wine.
The Balvenie Aged 15 years.
European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry butt – Filled 25th April 2001.
“ This 2001 cask was a butt that held gorgeous Gonzales Byass Pedro Ximénez over several decades before it came to our cooperage. It is unusual in really showing the sweetness of the Pedro Ximénez and The Balvenie as a near liqueur. It reminds me of the freedom I’ve enjoyed in my role as I filled it without having to decide how it would be used or when” – David C Stewart
Tasting notes..
Nose – Deep and intensely fruity, peaches and mango, soft vanilla with layers of brown sugar and oak spices.
Taste – Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, a touch of spicy ginger overlaid with gentle oak tannins.
Finish – A fruity sweetness with gentle oak vanilla and spices.
The Balvenie’s david stewart is the longest serving Malt Master the industry has ever known. As he enters the twilight of his career, it’s important to David that he passes on his knowledge so others can follow in his footsteps.
For more information and where to buy click here
Shinshu Mars Komagatake 30 Year Single Malt Japanese Whisky (750ml)$1,799.99 View
This small distillery is located in the Japanese Alps and, at 800 meters above sea level, is Japan’s highest-altitude whisky distillery. Owners Hombo family have been distilling for over a century and added whisky to their portfolio in 1949.
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
The Classic Cask 23 Year Old Selection began with the acquisition of superlative casks of single casks of single malt Scotch whiskies from Speyside, the Highlands and Island distilleries and premium aged grain whiskies. All were matured in their original casks for a minimum of 23 years. The whiskies were judiciously blended and then married in vats for 6 months. The blend was returned to casks for additional maturation and finishing. The four finishes include Original Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso Sherry Butts, Caribbean Rum Barrels and Port Pipes. Each cask finish is sure to surprise and delight any whisky enthusiast.
$154.99 EACH
NEW YEAR PREVIEWS: JANUARY OUTTURN
As we count down the days until the New Year, we’ve released 5 new preview casks from January’s Outturn. Enjoy an interesting mix of mouth-watering flavours, unusual casks and the return of a distillery favourite. There are only a small number of bottles available from each of the preview releases. The full January Outturn will go on-sale 9am on Friday 6 January.
PREVIEW WHISKIES NOW ON-SALE
Browse all whisky on smws.com
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
It’s time to cheers for the New Year! Bring in 2017 with a clink!
Spend $150 or more and receive a complimentary set of Cask & Barrel Club snifters*
*Offer ends January 2nd or while supplies last.
