Direct-Import Exclusives – Classic Single Malts At Very Attractive Prices
“Both Benrinnes and Longmorn make classic Highland Scotch and these two specimen are as classic as they come.”
– David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer
The most recent additions to our “Old Malt Cask” line-up are sure-fire winners on every level. Coming from Longmorn and Benrinnes these are classically styled Highland scotches that are so attractively priced that it’ll be next to impossible to pass them up. The Benrinnes 19 Year Old is a fruity, flashy, and friendly version that also offers a good dollop of richness and spiced complexity. We sold a similar bottling from Signatory for $100, so the sub-$70 price tag makes this malt all the more attractive. The Longmorn 20 Year Old for its part is a glorious rendering from this Highland stalwart. Noteable for its broad palette of flavors, it offers an array of vanilla, butterscotch, mellow oak, and subtle fruit notes. Other scotches of a similar age and profile will easily cost 30% more elsewhere, making this a stunning value. We continue to be thrilled to be able to offer these direct import exclusives as they are among the best finds in the world of spirits.
To learn more be sure to check out our recent Spirits Journal post.
1997 Benrinnes 19 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)
There are few things more pleasing to the K&L staff than a new single cask exclusive from Benrinnes distillery, a Johnnie Walker producer that has become the darling of the sales team over the last few years. While typically not sold individually as a single malt whisky, the Highland producer makes one of the fruitiest, friendliest, and easy-to-love profiles in all of Scotland, one that offers a straightforward creaminess and a somewhat decadent finish despite its standard hogshead barrel maturation. The nose is a heavy dollop of toffee and fudge, but the color is a golden straw. There’s no sherry influence to this single cask noticeable from the appearance, yet the flavors are rich and heady. The palate offers an initial burst of herbaceous spice, but that quickly oozes into sweet custard, chocolate with nuts, and candied tropical fruit finish with hints of macaroon cookies. The best part about this cask of Benrinnes, however, is its ridiculous price. Our last cask of Benrinnes 20 year from Signatory sold out quickly at $100, yet here we’re offering a near 20 year barrel of a similar quality for only $69.99. We can thank the drop in the Pound/Dollar ratio for the extra discount, and our spirits team for passing along that savings to you!
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017
I’d say not only is Benrinnes my favorite Highland distillery in Scotland, I’d say it’s also one of the most consistently wonderful. Not only is the malt deliciously sweet, so are the people who work there. Because Benrinnes isn’t sold as a single malt brand, the distillery isn’t open to the public, but when we popped by a few years ago to visit they were so welcoming to us and gave us the full tour. The whisky is used almost entirely for Johnnie Walker, but we’ve been lucky to sneak a few casks over the years. The tall pot stills allow for a round and rich spirit that stands completely on its own, without the need for sherry maturation or peat. This is a supple, round, and dangerously drinkable whisky that we will buy every single time we get the chance. This new OMC expression drinks very much like our 20 year Signatory selection from Benrinnes, but for about 30% less the price.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017
This is a single malt for someone looking for something that is pretty, subtle and easy. It has a nice soft and delicate nose with hints of malt and bees wax. In the mouth this theme continues with malt and honey flavors. This cask is on the light side with lots of nuance and beauty. I tasted this with not added water.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2017
I am always excited when I see a new bottling from Benrinnes, being introduced to them when I started at K&L opened my mind up to what truly elegant single malt could taste like. For those seeking the lighter more refined and subtle side of a bottle here is a truly delightful offering. Very light nose of vanilla and early orchard fruit lead to a long and lean mid-palate with vanilla, very light milk chocolate, some grassy notes and a touch of sweet custard. The finish was classic Benrinnes for me being long with some heat and spice that fade to a nutty aftertaste and just seem to go on forever.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 10, 2017
An easy and generous whisky. The nose is full of vanilla and toffee and offers a slight hint of dried hay. Cream and sweet pudding combine with cornbread and baked granola on the palate to offer a heady beer-esque flavor. The finish is long and slightly lingers with a slight nuttiness. An all-around pleasureful dram.
1996 Longmorn 20 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)
Longmorn is one of the stalwarts of the Scottish Highlands, a distillery that produces one of the most consistent and classically-flavored single malts in the business. Within the industry itself, it’s a whisky heralded for its value and its ability to play well with others in a blend. There is only one widely-available officially branded version of Longmorn, which is why we often jump at the chance to snag a mature single cask when available. Known for its rich and creamy texture, flavors of honey and sweet malt, and a buttery, biscuity finish, few single malts showcase such an inherent consistency from barrel to barrel and batch to batch. This particular 20 year old single cask we selected in Scotland last year is a straight-down-the-middle expression of everything we love about Longmorn. The first sip offers sweet malted vanilla, supple oak flavors, and a butterscotch richness that coalesces into two decades worth of smooth, integrated, creamy single malt maturity. At 100 proof, the higher ABV lifts all that viscosity and adds a bit of spice on the back end that helps to balance some of the sweeter notes. This is a classic Highland whisky in the style of Glenmorangie 18, but with the grace and elegance of an Oban 18. The bigger difference here, however, is the fact that the Longmorn is two years older, higher in proof, 30% cheaper, and more intriguing than either of those two whiskies on the whole. You can thank our continued Brexit pricing for the deal!
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 15, 2017
Longmorn is such a dependable whisky that I would probably buy a cask untasted and unseen if pressed. Luckily, I don’t have to, but it’s rare that I taste an example that disappoints. This 20 year old is a carbon copy of some of the Signatory 20 year casks we did a few years back, but the Brexit pricing of the Pound nets us a serious discount here. This is honeyed, butterscotch-laden, creamy Highland malt at 100 proof that drinks beautifully both neat and on the rocks. As long as I can keep getting barrels like this for sub-$100 a bottle, expect the good times to continue rolling. This is a hot deal.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2017
This bottle is just straight up yum, I pretty much liked everything about it. The nose was an almost perfect sherry nose for me, starting with a slightly oxidized floral note that quickly developed into a rich creamy almond. Although the taste was definitely rich this was not an overly decadent whisky, rather it has plenty of caramel, and butterscotch with vanilla and almonds while maintaining an elegance and length. Soft and creamy with a little water added this has low heat and is oh so very tasty.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 12, 2017
I tasted this offering with and without water. With water the flavors are more subtle and nuanced, and without water fuller and more pronounced, as one would expect. Usually I enjoy cask-strength malts with water because it softens and opens them up. This bottle is an exception to the rule. There is a nose of sweet caramel, malt and a hint of vanilla. In the mouth is round with a malt and caramel flavors and a hint of spice.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 10, 2017
Sweet bourbon vanilla, a little salted caramel, a touch of brine like a fino sherry. This 20 year old is mellow and easy. It has a great creamy palate and a lovely bready note. It’s a bit like an older Oban, but without any trace of peat. This is a drinker’s whiskey. Pour it at the end of your workday when you don’t need to impress anyone but your own taste buds and marvel at the quality that can be had for a mere 80 bucks. As always, drink it however you like it, but I think the 100 proof mark is just perfect for something neat.
