Macallan Speymalt 1974
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Macallan Speymalt 1974 Single Malt Scotch 43.0% ABV. Speyside whisky from Scotland, Gordon & MacPhail bottling Sherry Cask matured.
Glencadam 43 Year Old 1972 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask hogshead #7820 bottled December 2015 bottled by Signatory Vintage for the Cask Strength Rare Reserve Collection. 95 numbered bottles. Glencadam Distillery is a Highland malt whisky distillery established in 1825 in the city of Brechin. Equipped two stills Glencadam is one of Scotland’s smaller distilleries and its award winning malt whisky is unpeated and unchillfiltered.
Hello there…
Well, this is unusual, isn’t it?
Not only is this a “mini” newsflash but the bottle I’m writing to tell you about is not even a Springbank product!
As many of you will know, our sister distillery Mitchell’s Glengyle is releasing it’s first core product, the Kilkerran 12yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky. I have included some product information below and a lovely picture of the bottle. I think you will agree that it looks stunning.
From tomorrow (Friday 5th) this lovely whisky will be available from our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop and elsewhere in the UK a week later (Friday 12th). Unfortunately, due to the fact we anticipate a high level of interest, our shop will not be able to facilitate reservations or pre-orders for this bottling and as such I ask that you be prepared to pay for your bottle upon ordering it. Release dates for other countries and markets will vary. Please contact you nearest stockist or retailer to find out when the Kilkerran 12yo is available near you.
The Kilkerran 12yo will be available for £35.00 in our Campbeltown shop.
You can contact our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop by calling +44 (0)1586 551710
or send us an email: shop@wmcadenhead.com
Important: This will not be available to order through me, nor can I pre-order or reserve you a bottle as this is not a Society bottle. Furthermore the Society discount is not applicable when purchasing this product as it is not a Springbank product.
Kilkerran 12yo has been matured in a marriage of bourbon (70%) and sherry (30%) casks and is bottled at 46% ABV. Like the Work In Progress series – and all releases from Glengyle’s sister distillery Springbank – the whisky has not been chill-filtered and no caramel colouring has been added. The whisky is double distilled in the traditional Scottish style and is produced from lightly-peated malt at around 12-15ppm.
Please visit the Kilkerran website for all the information you need: http://www.kilkerransinglemalt.com/
Find us on Social media:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KilkerranSingleMalt/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Springbank1828
Instagram – Search Springbank Whisky (@springbankwhisky1828)
And finally, I probably should mention that tonight the majority of the staff, including myself, are attending a ceilidh to celebrate the launch of the Kilkerran 12yo and as such I am not convinced many of us will be in a fit state to work on Friday morning… 😉
In all seriousness though, most of the office staff are taking Friday afternoon off so don’t be too alarmed if you have to wait until Monday to secure your bottle.
You will hear from me soon, I am planning on sending you all a regular Society Newsflash(!!!) in around a week or so.
Speak soon.
Slainte,
Nathan
The Springbank Society
Couvreur – A K&L Direct Import Feature
Just outside the town of Beaune – the spiritual capital of Burgundy – is the sleepy hamlet of Bouze-les-Beaune: a collection of old stone dwellings that looks much like every other small village in the area. As you make your way there, through the well-known communes of Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton, you see signs pointing the direction to every producer in the area. Burgundy is one of the most highly-regarded wine regions in the world, if not the most. Yet, amidst the rolling hills of chardonnay and pinot noir vines sits one of the most unsuspecting collections of Scottish single malt in existence; a veritable treasure trove of mature whisky aging in top-quality sherry casks. If you can find the unmarked home, adorned barely with an address, you’ll likely be invited inside. The parlor is very unassuming. It seems like nothing more than a rustic French home – a classic milieu for the many winemakers in the region.
Not many Americans have heard of Michel Couvreur, and even fewer know that he passed away a few years back after more than five decades in the whisky world. Within the booze business, however, he’s a bit of a legend. A Belgian-born wine lover who moved to Burgundy for the wine trade, yet vacationed in Scotland where he developed a taste for sherry-aged single malt. Believing he could possibly improve upon the quality of his beloved whiskies, he built an expansive cellar beneath his house and travelled through Jerez in search of the finest old sherry butts. He then contracted new-make spirit from his favorite Scottish distilleries and aged the whisky in his own private cave.
Michel Couvreur K&L Exclusive Overaged Peated Malt Whisky (750ml) ($82.99)
The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that David and I had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This crazy Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the 60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of pinot noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself; selecting his own sherry butts to insure only the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jawdropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: do NOT cut the hard wax seal, tap it so that it breaks)
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 14, 2014
The magnificence that is Michel Couvreur has always been clear, but it wasn’t until we stepped into the special cave, carved out of the rock, in Bouze-Les-Beaune that you can full appreciate the incredible endeavor in process at this fine producer. While this is by definition NOT scotch, because it is aged outside of the country, the old school practices utilized at here are unusual back in Scotland. The fact that these guys literally drive to Jerez to pick out fresh sherry casks (from Equipos Navazos no less) is totally unique in modern times. In fact, no producer of malt whisky is getting access to fresher barrels than these guys. Despite not being able to use the famous moniker, does not preclude this from being one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market. Stupendous depth and complexity even at 86 proof, while the sherry is toned down from the standard version a subtle fino/amontillado quality exists in the back ground. This is pointed by a fabulous smokey sweetness, which hints at the source whisky. Maybe an island somewhere, maybe a drop of Islay, wildly high-quality Highland whisky with a French sensibility. A truly unique gem.
Jean-Arnaud Frantzen has been working at Michel Couvreur for eighteen years and he couldn’t be happier. He adores single malt whisky and its potential for greatness when you have respect for its process. He’s carried on in Michel’s absence and continues to build relationships in Spain where he travels frequently in search of the finest barrels. Unlike Scottish producers, he drives the butts back himself so that they are as fresh as possible, thereby eliminating the need for sulfur and inoculation. Couvreur has always been just as interested in the sherry itself, rather than just the whisky that was aged inside its former receptacle. “Every wine has its own story and each cask is different,” Jean-Arnaud said. “We prefer to only use old casks, in which the sherry has sat for thirty to forty years.” Because of the Scotch Whisky Association’s strict rules about single malt classification and labelling, Couvreur has always had a difficult time calling itself what it is: Scottish single malt whisky (or sometimes blended single malt whisky) aged in France. Today, many of the labels simply say “malt whisky” without any other designation. While the industry has sought to protect itself (and consumers) from imitators and frauds looking to capitalize on Scotch whisky’s reputation, Couvreur is not a threat. In fact, his whiskies are so good and so innovative that they serve as inspiration for many of Scotland’s best producers. Because the cellar is located in the heart of French wine country, Jean-Arnaud and his team treat whisky like French wine – they’re looking for nuance and delicacy, not big alcohol and power.
While there we let Jean-Arnaud know we were looking to do a custom cuvee with Michel Couvreur, something rich and supple on the palate, but with peat. Within a few months we had a real winner on our hands: the “Overaged” Peated malt whisky, a marriage of single malts all over the age of twelve. The whisky has been so popular over the last few years that we’re now on our third batch and, personally, it’s my favorite by far. The sherry flavor is bright and fruity rather than savory, and the peat smoke is oily and phenolic, like something in between Lagavulin and Bunnahabhain. It’s simply tremendous stuff. This year we decided to add a customized blend of the decadent “Blossoming Auld Sherried” malt whisky, a a recreation of the legendary malt whiskies of the Victorian Era – a time when Sherry and Scotch were both kept on hand in the cellars of England and Scotland’s great estates and drawn for consumption as needed. Matured in one single butt of the freshest possible Montila Morales casks, this whisky is redolant of that great wine of Jerez in a way that’s simply not available in modern bottlings. This ultra saturated butt from a solera started in the 1950s at Toro Albala is one of a kind and Couvreur is the only producer allowed to buy from the venerable Bodega. Getting to work directly now with the estate is a huge win for us and for serious fans of sherry-aged single malt who shop with K&L. Working directly now, we’ve been able to negotiate pricing that makes these whiskies even more attractive to consumers in the know. If you’re a fan of smooth, rich, supple, and complex malt whiskies, then you owe it to yourself to try one of these royal blends. In the world of sherry-aged Scotch, Michel Couvreur is king. – David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
Michel Couvreur K&L Exclusive “Blossoming Auld Sherried” Malt Whisky (750ml) ($219.99)
Michel Couvreur established his business selling Burgundy wines in the early 1950s in Scotland. In 1978, French friends suggested that he add a top quality Scotch to his portfolio, which began Couvreur’s interest in the whisky industry. He believes that the oak whisky is aged in has an outsized influence on the character of the finished product. He also strongly prefers Sherry casks for the maturation process, and has gone to great lengths to source what he believes are the finest casks from Andalusia. The Blossoming Auld Sherry is a recreation of the legendary malt whiskies of the Victorian Era. An era when Sherry and Scotch were both kept on hand in the cellars of England and Scotland’s great estates and drawn for consumption as needed. Matured in one single butt of the freshest possible Montila Morales casks, this whisky is redolant of that great wine of Jerez in a way that’s simply not available in modern bottlings. This ultra saturated butt from a solera started in the 1950s at Toro Albala is one of a kind. Couvreur is the only producer able to buy from the venerable Bodega and they receive the choicest butts delivered still wet to the cellars in Burgundy. The casks was kept in medium humidity for the majority of it’s maturation before being moved to the wettest part of Couvreur’s cellar where extractive atmosphere is at a maximum. Age is inconsequential in terms of the quality here, but it is indeed older than all but the most expensive of Couveur’s offerings. A Triumph.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 22, 2016
The first time I tasted the Blossoming Auld Sherry was at a wonderful little bistro in Levernois outside of Beaune called Du Bord De L’Eau. After a wonderful meal at this exceptional casual restaurant, the director of Couvreur Jean Arnauld suggested we finish the night with a taste of something special from his exceptional collection. We could have taken the exceptionally expensive vintage offerings, but he recommended this special little treat. From the moment I put my nose to the glass I was transfixed. Of course, I know Couvreur’s style and what to expect, but this was unlike anything I’d yet come across. It was truly like diving head first into the finest Sherry, but at 90 proof!!! The nose exhibits an intoxicating bouquet of plum preserves, old exotic wood, fresh leather, tobacco and the intricately carved wooden pipe to pack it. The palate is SO smooth. When someone says they like something “smooth,” it’s such a vague notion, and difficult quality to guarantee in a product, but THIS is what they’re talking about. The density of the fruit remains on the palate, but it’s pointed with wonderful dried citrus and sweet herbal notes. This is the real deal, and while not inexpensive, it out-performs its price point by a mile and then some. Imagine having a bottle of sherry that never goes bad, which you can sip by the ounce and clocks in at 45%! You’d never stop, so you know, you shouldn’t. We’re the exclusive source for this product in California and will likely buy the entire US allocation of 20 cases.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 20, 2016
While the Blossoming label is not a custom one like the peated blend we make with Couvreur, this particular batch of the Blossoming Auld Sherried was bottled specifically for us and shipped as part of our exclusive order. It is utterly divine. It is the softest, smoothest, more concentrated sherry-aged whisky on the shelf by far. Its like the sherry and the whisky have fused to become one perfect entity. As we know from our visit, Couvreurs specialty is sherry. They select their own butts from Jerez personally and have connections going back to the 1960s. The result of that sherry is on display here.
GLEN GRANT ADDS THREE NEW PREMIUM SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES
AND UNVEILS NEW PACKAGING DESIGN
Award-winning Glen Grant launches new premium quality whiskies: 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered and 18 Year Old
LONDON, 14th June 2016 – Award-winning single malt Scotch whisky, Glen Grant, today announces the launch of new 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered and 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whiskies whilst unveiling a new contemporary brand identity with packaging and logo redesign. The introduction of three unique and unmatched expressions to Glen Grant’s existing portfolio aims to reaffirm Glen Grant’s position as a leading player in the luxury whisky market and answers the surge in global sales of premium single malt Scotch whisky.
Launching in June, the new 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered and 18 Year Old expressions will allow consumers to enjoy the unfolding layers of mature and beautifully intricate taste and aroma that is achieved only through Glen Grant’s unique distillation process.
Glen Grant 12 Year Old is a remarkable single malt Scotch whisky. With a bright, golden colour and pleasant aromas of orchard fruit, almond and citrus, this exceptional whisky delights the palate with exquisite and delicate notes of apple pie crust and caramel and finishes with lingering fruit and subtle hints of spice.
The 12 Year Old Non Chill-filtered, which will be exclusively available to travel retailers, delivers a full and creamy mouth-feel, with an aroma and flavour that, is unmistakably Glen Grant. With its signature bright, golden colour and a sweet, welcoming nose, this beautifully crafted whisky offers notes of toffee and rich fruit, and a pleasingly long, nutty finish with subtle bursts of spice.
The rarest in the new collection is the Glen Grant 18 Year Old. This unrivalled single malt Scotch whisky matures for at least 18 years in the highest quality, handpicked oak casts, which creates a radiant golden colour and seductive floral and oaky aroma. Deeply layered and complex, this rich and vibrant whisky delivers beautifully intricate flavours of malted caramel, vanilla, and raisins and lingers with a long, sweet and pleasantly spicy finish.
The latest packaging features a new colour palette, allowing the consumer to easily identify the different dram varieties. The 12 Year Old and 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered feature a striking bronze label and casing, while the 18 Year Old is enclosed within a superior frosted-blue gift box with luxurious silver hues, reiterating its premium status.
The new Glen Grant logo, the Grant family monogram, stands proudly on the front of each bottle – with the letters ‘J’ ‘R’ and ‘G’ delicately intertwined in a timeless design. ‘J’ for James ‘The Major’ Grant and ‘R’ for his first wife Rose, reminding consumers of the deeply rooted family heritage which helped to produce one of the world’s finest single malt Scotch whiskies.
Melanie Batchelor, Global Vice Press President of Spirits at Gruppo Campari, commented: “We are delighted to launch our new range of aged products and unveil our brand new, contemporary logo and packaging. Glen Grant has made a significant investment in its production within the worldwide luxury whisky market to meet the increased consumer appetite for premium whisky with a rich background. We are extremely proud of our new look which perfectly represents the passion, craftsmanship and family heritage of Glen Grant, while staying true to our Scottish heritage. We are confident that through our unique quality and history, our new aged range of products will prove extremely popular with our consumers.”
Glen Grant’s new packaging will be rolled out across all Glen Grant products from June. The new 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky will be available to purchase from June at the Whisky Exchange, whilst the new 12 Year Old Non Chill Filtered will be available from June to purchase from duty free and travel retailers. The new 18 Year Old expression will be available from June to purchase from Tesco.
About Glen Grant:
Glen Grant’s story began in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside – Scotland’s premier region for whisky production; by brothers John and James Grant. Still produced in Rothes today, Glen Grant is currently the world’s number 5 selling single malt Scotch whisky and holds a range of prestigious industry awards, including being awarded Jim Murray’s Best Single Malt Scotch: 10 Years and Under for four years in a row and Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks) for 2016.
The elegant and seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned, is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and revolutionary purifiers that James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founder James Grant, was one of the first to introduce over a century ago. Still used to this day, this lasting legacy continues to distinguish the brand.
Today, Dennis Malcolm, the multi-award winning Glen Grant Master Distiller, directs and presides over the amber liquid. Born in the grounds of Glen Grant in 1946, he has worked for Glen Grant for over five decades, with an uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. Dennis’ unmatched Scotch whisky experience ensures that every expression in the Glen Grant range makes the absolute best of the complex alchemy of spirit, wood and time.
The complete Glen Grant range includes the refined Major’s Reserve, 5 Year Old, 10 Year Old, 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered, 18 Year Old and a selection of limited edition bottles; each with their own distinct flavour and aroma that perfectly captures the spirit of Glen Grant’s heartland.
Glen Grant became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The ABV of each Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky differs between each expression and consumers are encouraged to always drink responsibly.
ABV of Glen Grant single malt Scotch whiskies
The Major’s Reserve – 40% ABV
5 Year Old – 40% ABV
10 Year Old – 40% ABV
12 Year Old – 43% ABV
12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered – 48% ABV (Travel retail exclusively)
18 Year Old – 43% ABV
About Glen Grant 12 and 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whiskies:
Glen Grant 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky
The new Glen Grant 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky will be available in online at the Whisky Exchange at the recommended retail price of £37.40.
The 12 Year Old malt bears the same bright gold hue as is synonymous with the Glen Grant range. Orchard fruits combine with hints of almonds and citrus to create a lingering fruit finish which is enhanced by subtle hints of spice. The ABV is 43%.
Tasting notes:
Colour – Bright gold
Aroma – Honey, pear and apple with hints of almonds and citrus
Taste – Apple pie crust, caramel and vanilla
Finish – Lingering fruit with subtle hints of spice
Glen Grant 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered single malt Scotch whisky
The new Glen Grant 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered single malt Scotch whisky will launch only in duty free and travel retailers at the recommended retail price of £37.00. The ABV is 48%.
The 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered offers a unique aroma of butterscotch and vanilla, mixed with hints of almond and clove spice. This results in a long, fruity and nutty finish, leaving a taste of toffee apple combined with rich, complex fruit.
Tasting notes:
Colour – Bright gold
Aroma– Butterscotch with vanilla, almonds and clove spice
Taste – Toffee apple with rich complex fruit
Finish – Long, chewy with a fruity and nutty finish
Glen Grant 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky
A very limited number of bottles of the new Glen Grant 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky will be available online at the Whisky Exchange at the recommended retail price of £110.
A very limited number of bottles of the new Glen Grant 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky will be available.
Glen Grant’s 18 Year Old expression is rich and floral on the palate; its oaky overtones combined with baking spices to deliver the delicate aroma of malted caramel, with a sweet nutty finish. The ABV is 43%.
Tasting notes:
Colour – Bright gold
Aroma – Rich and floral with oaky overtones and hints of baking spices
Taste – Malty caramel, delicate, dried raisins and vanilla
New Releases
We have some spectacular new whiskies that have just come through our shop door. With some new releases from GlenDronach and Longmorn, as well as a 21 year old release from the now lost Caperdonich distillery, we can’t help telling everyone we know!
GlenDronach 12 Year Old Sauternes Finish
Longmorn Distiller’s Choice
Caperdonich 21 Year Old Old & Rare
Loch Fyne Whiskies
tel: 0141 427 2919
Ezra Brooks® Launches New Seasonal Variant and Updates Packaging
Brand Releases Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream®
(St. Louis) July 22, 2016 – Luxco announces a new look for iconic brand Ezra Brooks® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the launch of Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream®. The brand, which dates back to 1957 and has been a part of Luxco’s portfolio of whiskeys since 1993, will continue to provide four variants for consumers with a taste for adventure.
“The domestic whiskey category continues to grow rapidly – more than four percent in the past 12 months – and the Ezra Brooks brand is keeping pace with this growth*,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “This is the perfect brand family for anyone who enjoys bourbon, as the Ezra Brooks family of bourbon offers a few choices on proof and flavor profiles.”
The brand is also launching the new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream, available seasonally in the fall and winter. This creamy addition to the family of products offers a buttery, caramel and toffee flavor with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. It will be available in 750ml bottles, at 25 proof with a suggested retail price of $12.99-$14.99.
Ezra Brooks’ new look includes a new corked bottle with a premium matte-finish closure capsule. In addition, a higher end label offers the bottle a craftier look and feel. The brand has recently earned top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, taking Gold for Old Ezra Seven Year and Silver for Ezra Brooks Black Label and Ezra B 12 Year Single Barrel in 2015.
Ezra Brooks is aged the old-fashioned way and then charcoal filtered for an unmistakable flavor. The brand family – all offered in 750ml bottles and ranging in suggested retail prices of $11.99 to $26.99 – includes:
n Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 90 proof and offering a mellow flavor with hints of spice and chocolate and a smooth finish.
n Ezra Brooks Blended Whiskey, bottled at 80 proof and offering a genuine Kentucky sour mash recipe with a light, warm finish.
n Old Ezra Seven Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 101 proof and aged a full seven years for a buttery long finish and deep, rich taste.
n Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream, bottled at 25 proof and offering a rich caramel and toffee flavor with a smooth, creamy finish.
For more information about Ezra Brooks, please visit http://www.ezrabrooks.com/
*Source: NABCA and DISCUS 9L R12 through December, 2015
About Luxco
Luxco, Inc. is a leading producer, importer and marketer of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, where it is headquartered, it is owned and operated by the Lux family. Its portfolio of brands include: Juarez Tequila & Triple Sec, Pearl Vodka, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Arrow Cordials, El Mayor Tequila, Ezra Brooks & Rebel Yell Bourbons, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, St. Brendan’s Irish Cream, Salvador’s Cocktails, Yago Sant’ gria and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company, visit http://www.luxco.com/.
DALRIADA BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
NATURAL COLOUR
Scotland Grindlay are delighted with their new offering DALRIADA. A full bodied Blended Scotch Whisky at NATURAL COLOUR. DALRIADA Scotch Whisky Blend at NATURAL COLOUR is a well-rounded, smooth blend with a high Malt content. Scotland Grindlay are pleased that DALRIADA at NATURAL COLOUR has received such a warm reception from the Marketplace.
DALRIADA BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY NATURAL COLOUR
For more information, contact http://www.scotlandgrindlay.com/
www.drinkaware.co.uk
