Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Marking the beginning of a new era following 180 years of production at Glenfarclas distillery since its establishment in 1836, this 40 year old release is presented at a strength of 43% abv in a striking wooden box that recreates the iconic warehouse doors.

The nose offers a sweet fruitiness with Turkish delight and freshly ground java coffee beans. The palate has light heather honey spread on buttered toast before a sherry power creeps to the back of the mouth releasing chocolate, raisins and sultanas, ending in a sweet, crisp finish.

£695 Buy Now

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES MASTERCLASS WITH COLIN DUNN

We’re extremely excited to have Colin Dunn join us to taste this year’s selection of Diageo’s Special Releases!

For 2016 they’ve included an extraordinary range, featuring a well-aged grain whisky and a number of whiskies from now-closed distilleries. In total, the complete set is valued at £6,700!

– Tasting Lineup –

Port Ellen 37 Year Old 1978
Brora 38 Year Old 1977
Cambus 40 Year Old 1975
Glenkinchie 24 Year Old 1991
Linkwood 37 Year Old 1978
Mannochmore 25 Year Old 1990
Auchroisk 25 Year Old 1990
Cragganmore Limited Release
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 200th Anniversary Edition

THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER
AT 7.00PM

– Tickets £60 –

BOOK NOW >>

VENUE

THE STUDIO
7 CANON STREET
BIRMINGHAM B2 5EP

PLEASE ARRIVE FROM 6.45PM FOR A 7.00PM START

We’ve been waiting for just the right day to release the last two whiskies from our most recent container of Scotch whisky. The drizzle is finally coming down outside, the Fall weather is beginning to encroach, and the time is right for ultra-mature, warming and robust Islay whisky. The island of Islay is the spiritual home of whisky. It’s Scotland’s Mecca for single malt pilgrims who travel around the world to visit the legendary whisky locale. But no one wants to think about sipping an old, complex, and smoky glass of 35 year old Caol Ila when it’s 92 degrees outside and the sun is shining. You drink old Caol Ila when the skies are grey, the air is crisp, and you need that bit of Islay warmth to lift your spirits after a day of winter weather. Islay itself is a region weathered by the elements. It’s windy, and rugged, and heavily shaped by the surrounding sea. Over time, that environment has shaped both its residents and its whiskies as well. After spending decades in oak barrels, these two Islay whiskies are finally ready to show you their splendor. Those looking to get an early start on the holiday shopping season will want to act quickly. Ultra-mature Islay whiskies are enough of a rarity these days as is, let alone at reasonable prices like these. The weakened British Pound definitely helped us work down the costs. When you deal with merchants like us who buy direct, you get the benefit of the currency exchange (so long as they pass it on to you like we do). In this case, you can enjoy true single malt luxury for prices that are much more reasonable than what the general market is currently offering. Quantities are extremely limited, however; especially in older casks like these where the volume has evaporated over time. If you or a loved one is a fan of Islay whisky, you won’t want to miss these.

1987 Bunnahabhain 28 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $199.99 While peated whisky fans will fawn over the 35 year old Caol Ila we’re releasing in tandem here, the Bunnahabhain 28 year is the whisky for those who love nuance and restraint. There’s no heavy smoke to be inhaled in this jewel of a single malt. There’s little smoke, whatsoever, actually. This ancient Islay whisky has everything we love about the standard Bunnahabhain 18, just with an additional ten years in wood and a drinkable cask strength proof of 49.1%. There’s that earthy, resinous stonefruit on the palate that we love so much; a creamy and supple texture that haunts your senses. The salted caramel comes in later, washing over the back of the mouth like a wave off the coast of the sea nearby the distillery. Considering the standard edition Bunnahabhain 25 was released earlier this year for a whopping $900 per bottle, our direct import program comes out looking great with this release. For $700 less you get three additional years and an unfiltered, undiluted purity. Fans of Islay whisky will be thrilled with the complexity and the value. Fans of whisky in general should consider grabbing more than one of these. Unfortunately, however, the older the cask, the more the evaporation. There’s less than 200 total bottles of this beauty. We recommend grabbing one quickly.

1980 Caol Ila 35 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $349.99 We’ve bought a number of amazing Caol Ila casks over the years, some at just five years of age and others at more than thirty, but there are two things we can say about this particular cask of Caol Ila: we’ve never had one this old and we’ve never had one this well-priced considering the market. Experienced whisky drinkers compare old Caol Ila to old Port Ellen, that elusive and rare Islay distillery now selling for thousands of dollars per bottle. While Diageo just released the 11th edition this past year, a 35 year old cask strength expression of pure peated splendor, it will run you at least three grand. With this cask strength Caol Ila, we’re offering you a whisky that’s just as delicious (if not as rare) for about ten percent of that price. If you’re looking for decadent Islay goodness, you’ve got it all here. It’s oily, resinous, round on the palate, thick with brandied fruit, but oh so ashy, smoky, salty, and peaty. It’s sweet and then it’s savory. It’s bright, but then it’s heavy. It’s easy to drink, yet utterly complex. It’s the entire package and it comes just in time for the holidays when gifts like this are greatly appreciated by savvy drinkers. We’ve waited until the end of our most recent container to release this beauty to the world. There are less than 130 bottles available at 56.3% cask strength. Don’t let our reasonable price fool you: if you or someone you know likes smoky whisky, this is about as high end as it gets.

David Driscoll

K&L Spirits Buyer daviddriscoll@klwines.com 650-556-2736

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com

Talisker 30 Year Old

One of the oldest official bottlings from the only distillery on the Isle of Skye, this Island Single Malt has been matured for three decades before bottling. The Clark Kent of the distillery, this expression is a more mild-mannered Talisker than we’re used to, but still with plenty of personality and unmistakable distillery character.

The nose has a smooth hint of peat on the morning sea air, the palate brings salted caramel with lingering black pepper and citrus before a long and salty finish with charred oak staves.

£330 Buy Now

We’re thrilled to announce after a decade in the making English Whisky finally has clothing worthy of the contents.Be the first to get your hands on our all new ‘Classic’ and ‘Peated’ expressions.

The new packaging emphasises the hand crafted nature of the whisky, its Norfolk provenance and the English heritage which provided the inspiration for the new design.

The English Original 700ml 43% ABV

A gentle aroma with hints of vanilla and tropical fruits. Like a soft whipped vanilla ice cream. Melts on the palate. Slightly nutty with a long malty finish. The finish is clean, dry and slightly salty.

THE ENGLISH SMOKEY 700ml 43% ABV

A gentle aroma with hints of vanilla, aniseed and ginger, a creamy palate, a little peat initially and then the smoke bomb! The finish is long, spicy and smokey.

GOLDEN DECANTERS LAUNCHES FIRST COLLECTION OF THE

FINEST SINGLE CASK SCOTCH WHISKIES

London – October 18th, 2016. Julia Hall Mackenzie-Gillanders and Ann Medlock, Owners, today announced the launch of Golden Decanters, independent curators of exceptional and distinctive single cask whisky, bottled for collectors globally.

By leveraging its status as an independent bottler Golden Decanters is able to explore Scotland’s exclusive and finest distilleries, tasting some excellent casks of single malt. It acquires only a small number of the best tasting casks, to bottle a limited edition collection of distinctive and singularly great single malt whiskies.

Golden Decanters’ inaugural collection is diverse in age, flavour and hue, taken from four of the finest casks of single malt Scotch whisky. The casks are from the distilleries of Glenlivet in Speyside, Bowmore in Islay, Ben Nevis in the Highlands and Auchentoshan in the Lowlands.

“Our two year journey has taken us across Scotland, tasting hundreds of the best single malt whiskies,” said Ann Medlock, Owner. “As independent curators we were able to select the finest casks from each distillery, basing our decisions on what tasted exceptional. Not just our own taste, but also that of industry experts to corroborate the selection.”

“Once the whiskies were selected we commissioned iconic Scottish designers Timorous Beasties to design the etched bottles and carved oak presentation boxes, creating works of art, both inside and out,” said Julia Hall Mackenzie-Gillanders, Owner. “The result is a collection of four single cask whiskies that looks and tastes spectacular. This is proving extremely attractive to collectors and investors around the world, with pre sales already accounting for nearly 10 per cent of this first release.”

“The first Golden Decanters’ selection showcases outstanding single cask malts from Scotland’s four leading whisky regions,” said Charles MacLean, the well-known independent whisky expert. “I enjoyed all of them hugely and can say without hesitation that they all merit their place in this exclusive collection.”

The cask in which the whisky matures is recognised as the single most important factor in terms of the final aroma and taste. Single malts seemingly identical on paper have different tastes and Golden Decanters has embraced this fact, conducting extensive sourcing and tasting of single cask whiskies over a two-year period, to deliver some of the finest Scotch whiskies available today. The collection is less about the age of the whisky or which distillery is in fashion, rather each bottle combines exceptional taste from four different Scottish regions with a striking and elegant design.

Golden Decanters has created something unique which portrays the traditional icons of Scotland in a modern and refreshing manner, which is reflected in all aspects of the collection, from the names of individual whiskies through to the bottle and presentation box designs. The collection comprises:

– The Tight Line (34 Year Old, 41.8%) from the Glenlivet distillery in the River Spey Valley, famous for its fishing.

– The High Drive (26 Year Old, 46.8%) from the Bowmore distillery in the Isle of Islay, an area with a long history of stalking and shooting.

– The Golf Widow (22 Year Old, 59.8%) from the Auchentoshan distillery in the golfing country of the Scottish Lowlands.

– The Highlander (19 Year Old, 55.5%) from the Ben Nevis distillery in the Scottish Highlands, the home of Highland cattle.

The first release from Golden Decanters is limited to 180 sets of four bottles. The set is available to purchase at The Conran Shop, Hedonism and direct from Golden Decanters.

This is what is being said about Golden Decanters –

“An excellent assembly of whiskies representing the major distilling areas of Scotland, presented with style. A must for the serious collector.” Private Client, Edinburgh.

“The Golden Decanters set gives the buyer a wonderful opportunity to experience four very individual and above all, excellent-quality whiskies whilst being immaculately presented.” Hedonism.

“An exquisite collection of the finest single malt Scotch whisky, with each individual bottle capturing the essence of Scotland’s finest regions. The passion for whisky behind Golden Decanters is evident in the detail and dedication to this limited edition collection. Each bottle has been incredibly hand etched and the collection is truly a work of art. The ultimate gift, a unique sensory experience, and it tastes great too!” The Conran Shop. 

About Golden Decanters

Launched in 2016, Golden Decanters is an independent curator and bottler of some of the finest single cask Scotch whiskies, continually exploring Scotland’s oldest and most exclusive distilleries to offer limited edition collections to collectors, connoisseurs and investors globally. The first collection comprises four individually selected single malt whiskies, representing the finest flavours sourced from four different Scottish regions.

Golden Decanters plans to release future limited edition collections, once further sourcing of single cask malt whiskies has been completed.

http://www.goldendecanters.com/

We brought in some new spirits that might be the perfect ‘Boo-ze’ for your Halloween celebration. (or if you just like good spirits.) Today we bring you some fun and interesting new bottles that have landed on our shelves.  Feel free to contact us about these or any other products you might be interested in. Have a spooky and safe Halloween everyone!

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

The Flaming Lips: Brainville Rye

(FEW Spirits)

This Rye is a custom blend born from a collaboration between rock legends the Flaming Lips and FEW distillery (Evanston, IL). What we know about this 5,000 bottle limited edition is that it has a mash bill containing rye, corn and barley that was aged in custom barrels where it aged while listening to Falming Lips albums. (yes, true)

The label was created by Justin Helton of Status Serigraph, who has designed materials for Phish, My Morning Jacket, Ween, and The Black Keys. $112/btl

Colkegan: Single Malt Whiskey

(Santa Fe Spirits) 

Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey is made entirely from malted barley, carefully distilled, aged and finished in various oak casks to enhance the complex flavors. The barley base employs a smoked malt that substitutes southwestern mesquite for peat. The result is a smooth, mellow, mysteriously balanced whiskey with a hint of smoky complexity unique to Santa Fe Spirits. The distillery is located 7,000 feet above sea level in the high desert and utilizes a climate-controlled barrel warehouse with temperatures ranging from freezing cold to swelteringly hot, as well as humidity levels ranging from bone dry to unbelievably damp. Their strict regimen of climate changes yields a spirit with amazing complexity unrivaled by more temperate warehouses.  $55/btl

Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey (Splinter Group Spirits)

Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey is a blend of five, seven and eight-year-old bourbons from Kentucky and Tennessee (approx 70% corn, with the balance made up of  rye and wheat). Once blended, it is finished in ex-Mercury Head barrels, a high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Orin Swift Cellars. Straight Edge is bottled at 84 proof using water from the master distiller’s ranch, 2,000 feet above sea level in Alexander Valley ~ home to three aquifers with pristine, crystal clear water. Straight Edge Bourbon has an intriguing aroma with brown sugar, maple, caramelized oak, exotic spices, orange peel and campfire. The palate is velvety smooth, rich and packed with flavors of brown spice, honey and intense caramel. $60/btl

Taking the Arran Waters:

Second release in history-inspired Smugglers’ Series from the Isle of Arran Distillery 

Now in its 21^st year, the award-winning Isle of Arran Distillery continues to celebrate the whisky-making heritage of its island home with the highly-anticipated second release in its Smugglers’ Series.

The Smugglers Series’ honours the tradition of the illicit whisky trade that operated from Arran and up the Clyde to Glasgow. Each release is ‘smuggled’ in unique packaging reminiscent of the hiding places used in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Smugglers’ Series Vol. 2 ‘The High Seas’ is presented in packaging that mimics a beautiful hardbound book, complete with a cut-out compartment that conceals the bottle.

This dram is a powerful marriage of whisky matured in the finest rum casks with time-honoured peated spirit and a rich layer of first-fill Bourbon barrel adding sweetness and fruit.

The use of rum casks in the maturation process serves as recognition of Arran’s importance, in years gone by, in the trade of diverse, black market liquor. The resulting liquid is complex, full of character and a perfect tribute to these independent characters of Arran.

James MacTaggart, master distiller of the Isle of Arran Distillery said: “Smugglers’ Vol.1 ‘The Illicit Stills’ was a tremendous success, selling out within days.

“There is a real desire for whisky with a story, something the Smugglers’ Series has in abundance.

“As the first legal distillery on the island in over 160 years we draw a great deal of inspiration from Arrans whisky-making heritage and are delighted to be able to share it through this, the second bottling of the Smugglers’ Series.”

The iconic citrus notes of the Arran Malt are at the fore of ‘The High Seas’, mingling with scents evocative of the outdoors, a touch of seaweed and a hint of coastal character. Refreshing hints of sherbet and spearmint lift the warming flavours of Bramley apple and marmalade. A drop of water reveals a layer of sweet honey dew melon and pear drops.

With a subtle smokey finish, this non-chill filtered malt is an Arran dram of true unbridled character, reminiscent of the trade which gave rise to the illustrious reputation of ‘the Arran Waters’.

Bottled at Natural Cask Strength 55.4% abv, Smugglers’ Series Vol.2 ‘The High Seas’ is a limited edition release of 8,700 bottles worldwide.

It is available online at arranwhisky.com and at specialist whisky retailers.

UK RSP £86.99

Notes:

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007), Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.) Distillery Visitor Experience of the Year (2014, 2015)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die

Ian Buxton

Published by Headline in hardback on 24th November 2016, priced £13.99

Third edition, fully revised and updated. Witty, focused, practical guide to some of the world’s finest whiskies.

101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die is a whisky guide with a difference. It is not an awards list. It is not a list of the 101 ‘best’ whiskies in the world in the opinion of a self-appointed whisky guru. It is simply a guide to the 101 whiskies that enthusiasts must seek out and try in order to complete their whisky education.

Avoiding the deliberately obscure, the ridiculously limited and the absurdly expensive, whisky expert Ian Buxton recommends an eclectic selection of old favourites, stellar newcomers and mystifyingly unknown drams that simply have to be drunk.

The book decodes the marketing hype and gets straight to the point; whether from India, America, Sweden, Ireland, Japan or the hills, glens and islands of Scotland, here are the 101 whiskies that you really want. Try them before you die – Slainte!

Ian Buxton

Ian Buxton is a former Marketing Director of Glenmorangie and has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. He now runs a successful consultancy business. He was elected a Keeper of the Quaich in 1991, the highest honour of the Scotch whisky industry, and is a member of the international tasting panel for the annual World Whisky Awards and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Twitter: @101whiskies