Limited edition Authors’ Series now available to order!

Introducing 4 new and highly limited releases from the much coveted Authors’ series!

The Authors’ Series is a range of limited edition and exclusive single malt whiskies created by the prestigious blenders and bottlers, Hunter Laing Ltd. Each whisky has been paired with a famous author, ensuring that the unique taste and character of the malt has been inspired by the author’s life and work.

Each bottle is presented in a brown leather box, embossed with gold medallic text, which adds to the luxurious feel of the product. The bottles are also individually wax sealed with a stylish monogram design.

View the full range here.

LITTLEMILL 1988 AUTHOR’S SERIES GUSTAVE FLAUBERT

This 26 year old Littlemill is from the limited edition Authors Series where the finest whiskies are selected from rare single casks. This single malt whisky is limited to 137 bottles and has been bottled at a cask strength of 56% volume. Bottled in July 2015 from a refill hogshead. Distilled in November 1988. Littlemill distillery was closed and destroyed in 1996 and this sort of release is something to get the heart racing!

Whisky Shop Tasting Notes
Honeyed flavours combine with wood spice and a herbal and savoury quality, cobnuts and popcorn lead to a finish of over ripened fruits, peach stone, toasted cereals and poppy seed.

£574 Click to buy

SPRINGBANK 1997 AUTHORS’ SERIES ALEXANDRE DUMAS

Single cask Springbank is a rare commodity these days so to find an expression that tastes this good is a joy. This single malt whisky is limited to 96 bottles and has been bottled at a cask strength of 56.5% volume. Bottled in November 2015 from a refill hogshead and distilled in April 1997.

Whisky Shop Tasting Notes
Rich, dry and moody with a peaty/turfy edge balanced with dark chocolate, dried fruits and a rum like sweetness plus lovely smoky moments the finish has lots of charred oak and smoke with rich fudge and molasses adding sweetness. A great Springbank

£550 Buy Now

ALLT A BHAINNE 1993 AUTHORS’ SERIES MARK TWAIN

Introducing a stunning 22 year old Allt A Bhaine from the limited edition Authors Series featuring products selected from rare single casks. This single malt whisky is limited to 196 bottles and has been bottled at a cask strength of 53.9% volume. Bottled in October 2015 from a refill hogshead. Distilled in May 1993

Whisky Shop Tasting Notes
Classic Speyside style with buttery toffee, honeyed cereal bars and fresh fruits of yellow plum and sharon fruit, water adds a light creamy coffee touch, (think tiramisu), a finish of soft oak and a sticky syrupy sweetness.

 £274 Click to buy

BEN NEVIS 1996 AUTHORS’ SERIES LEO TOLSTOY

This 19 year old Ben Nevis from the limited edition Authors’ Series combines some of the finest sweet and fruity flavours we have tasted this year. This single malt whisky is limited to 255 bottles and has been bottled at a cask strength of 55.5% volume. Bottled in 2015 from a sherry butt.

Whisky Shop Tasting Notes
Rich with grassy and cereal flavours from the outset, becoming earthy and mossy, (more Ben Nevis traits). Citrus fruits and some nutty toffee lead us on to a pleasant okay finish with a touch of pistachio nut salt tang.

Click to buy £270

Springbank 21 Year Old – 1992

Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bartels Rawlings Int Ltd

Bottled under the Highland Laird label this rather rare Springbank was distilled 11th December 1992 and aged for 21 years. Presented in an engraved wooden box along with signed certificate, only 240 bottles were filled, with very little staying within the UK. Distilled 11th December 1992 this beautiful cask strength limited edition bottling of Springbank is presented in an engraved wooden box along with signed certificate. Bottled 1st August 2014 at cask strength with only 240 bottles filled from the cask. Very little of this Scotch whisky stayed within the UK.

£235.00

Fraiser of Scotland outsells all other whisky brands at London show

One of Scotland’s newest whiskies has managed to outsell top existing brands at 2016’s world premier whisky tasting show in London. Fraiser of Scotland only launched last year, but managed to sell four times more bottles than any other brand in the show’s retail section.

Whisky Live London took place on the weekend of March 18, with over 2,000 visitors attending in two days. Over 100 whisky brands participated, the majority from Scotland, with other brands taking part coming from India, Taiwan, America and Ireland.

The strawberry-infused whisky liqueur is attracting attention thanks partly to the current trend in flavoured spirits, and the changing palate of the public.

Brand Ambassador Arafa Rashid, from Stirling, said: “There is, and always will be a place for the traditional whisky product. But, in the face of competition from other spirits such as gin and vodka there is an opportunity to take whisky-based products to a wider audience. Fraiser does this by adapting the recognised whisky taste in a way that even whisky purists enjoy.”

The drink was created by Master Blender John Smith, formerly Head Blender for Glenmorangie. John Smith learned and mastered his craft in the whisky industry over 35 years. He wanted to create a new flavour profile which would reflect the heritage of scotch whisky, and would offer a new taste experience appealing to both new and existing whisky drinkers.

Arafa added: “We are delighted by the success of Fraiser in London. It was described by one person attending the show as ‘Happiness in a glass’, and that’s the kind of reaction we get on a regular basis. Sales of Fraiser of Scotland are outstripping its more illustrious and traditional competitors at almost every festival we attend – including Glasgow Whisky Festival, Ooshka, Whisky Stramash and Drambusters.”

“Our aim is not to knock out the traditional whisky sector. We want to to complement it, and show that whisky can be enjoyed not just on its own or with water as we’re so often told. Our brand slogan is “How do you drink yours?” and for me that answer is – any way you want to!

Fraiser of Scotland

Twitter @fraiserliqueur and find us on Facebook – Fraiser of Scotland

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1 Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. First release bottled 2016.

Nose: Sweet toasted oak spices interwoven with roasted orchard fruits and dusted with cracked barley. Black vanilla pods, desiccated coconut and a gentle floral note add complexity to the ripe, fruit-laden nose.

Palate: An excellent example of the delicious BenRiach character. Creamy heather honey pours over a medley of apples, pears and apricots. Subtle notes of candied peel and fresh ginger give a delicate warmth and lead to a classic combination of vanilla, toasted coconut and sweet barley in the luscious, velvety finish.

John Duff commissioned the Elgin based architect Charles C. Doig to design Benriach Distillery which was duly established in 1898 just south of Elgin and complete with a siding connecting Benriach Distillery directly to the great North of Scotland Railway and the scotch blenders down south. But Benriach Distillery opened just as the whisky bubble burst and was forced to closed in 1900 and remained closed until 1965. Benriach’s maltings did continued to operate but finally closed in 1999. An iconic Scottish malt whisky distillery complete with a Doig pagoda roof over the malt kiln. The Benriach Distillery range includes limited releases of triple distilled, peated and un-peated single malt whiskies. Benriach Distillery participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

WORLD’S FIRST WHISKY SNIFFER DOG APPOINTED 

New breed of nosing expert joins whisky club as ‘Master Sniffer’   

It may sound barking mad, but the world’s first whisky sniffer dog has been appointed by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

A dog’s sense of smell is 50 times more sensitive than humans, so Golden Retriever Chaucer has joined the whisky club’s prestigious Tasting Panel in Edinburgh to help sniff out the finest whiskies for bottling.

The first whisky to be unleashed by Master Sniffer, Chaucer, is a pedigree single malt called ‘Barking Mad’, Cask D1.1. With notes of “malty biscuits” and “smoky meat”, ‘Barking Mad’ is available from 1^st April in limited quantities.

www.smws.com/barkingmad (website goes live at 00.01 on 1st April)

Twitter: @SMWSUK #barkingmad

Photography: Greg Macvean

Ireland

Green Spot “Château Léoville Barton” Finished Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Inspired by Jura

We’re always on the lookout for likeminded people with a passion for their craft to share our story with, and so we’ve partnered with Trakke, an independent Glasgow based designer with their own story to tell. We took them on a journey to Jura to seek out inspiration to create a bag inspired by our whisky and its island home.

Makers of bags and kit for everyday adventurers, Alec Farmer and his team at Trakke are as at home exploring the city, as they are the wilderness. And, much like a single malt whisky, their bags are designed to get better with age. So they had one thing in common with our whisky…but how else could Jura’s unique island character inspire a bag?

On our rugged West coast, the corner of the island which inspires our smokier drams such as Prophecy, Trakke were taken by a coloured dye produced by one of the island’s natural lichen; similar in hue to the colour of Jura Whisky. This would become the colour guide for the bag’s smoky waxed cotton.

Next Trakke ventured to the sweet side of Jura, akin to the sweeter taste of Diurachs’ Own. Over on the East coast, where the distillery is located by calm, sandy bays and palm trees, the team found the tall, copper stills which give our whisky its light and delicate spirit. These are proudly represented on the bag with copper rivets.

The bag is peppered with unexpected finishing touches, all nodding to its Jura heritage; the deer hide zip pullers to name just one, represent the island’s 5,000 strong population of roaming, wild deer, vastly outnumbering its 200 odd people.

That’s not all. Taking on the shape of a barley sack, the final touch is the bag’s 20 litre volume – the approximate amount of ‘Angel’s Share’ lost from a cask of Jura each year.

Whether commuting to work or out exploring the world, the highly functional bag is ready for all eventualities; waterproof, with side pockets that can be reached while you’re wearing it and a secure roll top closure.

The finished product tells the story of discovering the different sides of Jura in a way like no other. With each bag handcrafted in Trakke’s studio, just 130 bags are available worldwide, all individually numbered.

Will you be one of the few to get one for your own adventure?

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager

The Jura x Trakke bag is now available to buy from www.trakke.co.uk or at the Jura Distillery, £180.

Read more about Trakke’s journey to Jura here.
#JuraXTrakke

Our selection of the best new whiskies from The Whisky Exchange, including two major releases from Laphroaig and Lagavulin

LAGAVULIN 8 YEAR OLD 200TH ANNIVERSARY

£52.95

BUY NOW

Launched to commemorate Lagavulin’s 200th anniversary, this is a big, smoky whisky with delicious notes of sweet spice. Another top-class whisky from this ever-popular Islay distillery.

LORE

£77.95

BUY NOW

Lore is the latest whisky from Laphroaig – aged in a variety of casks, this is rich and classically peaty with a snap of chilli and a long, sweet finish.

THE GLENROTHES REBRANDS ‘ALBA RESERVE’ AS THE BOURBON CASK RESERVE 

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to announce the launch of the Bourbon Cask Reserve from award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes.

In a bid to be more transparent, The Glenrothes has renamed the expression ‘Alba Reserve’ as the Bourbon Cask Reserve. The name has been changed for the sake of simplicity and to aid consumer understanding.

The first certified kosher whisky from the highly-regarded Speyside distillery – Bourbon Cask Reserve is matured exclusively in American oak refill bourbon casks and laid to rest in the warehouse, allowing the whisky to pull the aromas and flavours embedded in the grain of the wood.

The Glenrothes’ normal wood policy uses a combination of Spanish and American oak, seasoned with sherry, bourbon and refill Scotch. Of those only bourbon is 100% kosher. Despite the level of residual sherry in The Glenrothes measuring no more than 1250 parts per million, sherry is not kosher. So The Glenrothes developed an expression to satisfy Orthodox Jewish whisky enthusiasts as well as other aficionados of The Glenrothes.

Bourbon Cask Reserve was authenticated by Rabbi Padwa of the London Beth Din in March 2009 and annually thereafter. A stamp from the London Beth Din certifying the whisky’s kosher status appears on the back label.

According to Doug McIvor, Spirits Buyer for Berry Bros. & Rudd; “The Bourbon Cask Reserve hits all the right notes. The most soft, succulent, sweet and satisfying Speyside single malt I have ever come across.” As ‘Alba Reserve’ it won a Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenrothes believe that maturity matters more than age; this is the philosophy that underpins the Vintages as well as the Reserve Selections. Each expression has its own unique personality, and this expression is described as “coconut and vanilla, rich and sweet.”

The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve 40% ABV Appearance:  Pale straw, clear and bright.  Bouquet:                 Fresh, floral, coconut, American oak vanilla. Palate:          Soft mellow, crème brûlée and berry fruits. Finish:           Smooth, sweet, medium length.

The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve is already available in the USA and will be gradually rolled out into key markets; it will be priced at £45 (€ 59, US$ 55, NT$ 2,600) per bottle.

www.theglenrothes.com 

Notes:

The Glenrothes was founded in 1879.

Only 3% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality.

Of the 22 Vintages released to date, 14 have entirely sold out.

The Glenrothes is an award-winning Speyside Single Malt Whisky of exceptional quality. A combination of many factors, including our unusually slow distillation process in tall copper pot stills, deliver our characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit. Further flavours are derived from our extensive knowledge of maturation in oak casks. Each expression has its own unique personality, underpinned by the distinctive, hallmark characteristics of the distillery – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite spicy finish all encased in the creamiest of textures and with a complex and well-poised balance.

The Glenrothes is only selected for bottling when it has reached its zenith of maturity; each cask is carefully checked, nosed and tasted many times. An age statement does not reveal the maturity of the whisky and so the Glenrothes is bottled only when ready, meaning mature and at its peak of perfection. Malt whisky matures at its own pace as shown by the two casks selected. 

Some of our recent awards and accolades for current bottlings:

The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve

• Excellent, Highly Recommended (92/100), Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
• Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010 

The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve

• Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015
• Double Gold, China Wine & Spirits Awards 2015
• Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015
• “Officially Amazing”, Guinness World Record holder for largest Burns Supper, 2015

The Glenrothes Select Reserve

• Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015
• Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015
• Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012

The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve

• Double Gold, WSWA 2015
• Recommended, Whisky Magazine, Issue 123, February 2015
• Difford’s Guide, Exceptional 5 out of 5 stars 2014

The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage

• Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011
• 93/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
• Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
• Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010

The Glenrothes 1995 Vintage

• Gold, Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit 2013
• Silver, International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2013
• 92/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

The Glenrothes 1988 Vintage

• Silver, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012

The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage

• World’s Best Speyside Single Malt. World Whiskies Awards 2008

Laphroaig lore now available to order!

Laphroaig Lore

It’s no secret that we love Laphroaig and when their latest premium release sample arrived at our door steps we were falling over ourselves to grab the first taste.It’s packed with that peat and smoke combination which comes as no surprise, but now there is more; a rich and complex sweetness that balances this dram in a way we haven’t seen from Laphroaig. Be the first to try this magical whisky!

£85 Click to buy

Laphroaig 25 year old

Matured for 25 years and bottled at cask strength, this was released in 2014 and is has been in high demand ever since. Newly distilled spirit has been left to mature in European Oloroso Sherry Casks, followed by ex-American Bourbon Barrels. Palate: There is a burst of peat at first, this yields to  sweet sherry and spiced apple, providing a deep and unique Islay experience.

£335 – Click to buy

Laphroaig 14 year old Old Malt Cask Selection

The Old Malt Cask range is a unique and limited offering from a family owned company, Hunter Laing.  Bottled from a single cask, no chill filtration, with a preferred strength of 50%abv, and of restricted numbers.  Each single cask bottle has been carefully and personally selected, to ensure a dram of the highest quality. One of only 228 bottles. Bottled at 50% volume. Drawn from a refill hogshead.

£132 Click to buy