United States – Kentucky
Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage #6 Aged at Sea Very Small Batch Bourbon (750ml) $82.99
United States
2015 Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $79.99
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
A SELECTION FROM OUR LOCAL DISTILLERY ‘SPRINGBANK’
Some rare and delicious Springbank whiskies – available to order while stocks last!
Plus, free postage on all orders over £75 delivered to the UK
Springbank 21 year old – 2015
Whenever you combine the words ‘collectable’ and ‘Springbank’ in the same sentence people start to get excited. The Springbank 21 year old needs no introduction and, to top it all, we’ve reduced the price on this cult favourite. Buying one to drink and one to collect never sounded so good.
Was £229
Save £50
£179 Click to buy
Springbank 16 year old Local Barley
The first in a series of annual releases distilled from barley grown locally around Campbeltown. Limited to only 9000 bottles. Tasting notes from our friends at Springbank: ‘Sweet and rounded with a very subtle peat influence combining with butter tablet, soft fruit and mineral notes.’
Springbank 15 year old
Looking for a fyne whisky to enjoy with a cigar? Then look no further! Scotland’s oldest family-run distillery has created a dark monster of a whisky which boasts flavours that make for the perfect cigar pairing. Get ready to enjoy notes of rich fruit and treacle!
Springbank 12 year old Cask Strength
Crafted using both bourbon (70%) and sherry casks (30%) and bottled at a cask strength of 54.1% volume. Tasting notes from our friends at Springbank: ‘Bold and beautifully rounded. Vanilla and pepper notes are present alongside stewed apples, pear drops, orange marmalade and tropical fruits.’
One of our most successful series of whisky casks ever is the selection of sherry-aged Glenlivet single malt from Signatory. Sadly, the last cask from this now-legendary stock is upon us and we’ll have to find a substitute on this year’s trip out to Scotland, but there was a nice little caveat to this final statement. Des McCagherty, the manager of Signatory’s warehouse, emailed us a few months back to tell us there had been a small mishap. Apparently they had forgotten to reduce the proof of the final Glenlivet whisky before bottling, meaning this last barrel would come in at full proof, cask strength.
Like a true gentleman, however, Des agreed to honor the original price. In celebration of that relationship, we’ve decided to pass that savings long to you. Whereas normally cask strength whiskies cost 25-35% more, we’re keeping the price at right at $89.99 – and at that price, these won’t last long. Enjoy the rich, decadent, sherry-matured flavor of this 19 year old Glenlivet in full glory!
1996 Glenlivet 19 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Signatory Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)
We’ve got another round of 19-year-old sherry-matured Glenlivet magic for you, but this time at cask strength! And the best news is: the price is still $89.99! Signatory actually made a mistake not proofing down the whisky to 46% ABV, but they were gracious enough to honor the same price given the mishap. That makes what was already a great deal an even better one! Dark sherry notes of fig, cake bread, baking spices, toffee, and cocoa swirl in a symphony of rich Oloroso flavor. That extra proof on the finish, however, makes all the difference and adds lift to an experience that would normally end with a soft whisper. Instead there’s a quick zip of peppery goodness, sealing the deal on one of the best single-malt deals we’ve ever offered. A mistake, of course, but we’re passing the savings on to you nonetheless! Cask-strength whiskies normally sell for an extra premium, but not in this case.
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
Rich Peat Edition of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky launched
Grantown-on-Spey based Highfern Ltd, have released a new heavily peated edition of Angels’ Nectar, their Angels’ share inspired whisky.
As the name suggests the Rich Peat Edition of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is heavily peated, and is described as oozing peat smoke, like the welcoming smoke from the chimney of an old bothy, after a long day on the hill. The smoke is followed by a subtle fruity sweetness akin to toffee apples and dark chocolate.
Created from a selection of Highland malts, the Rich Peat Edition has been bottled at 46% vol., and is thus stronger and more robust than the First Edition of Angels’ Nectar.
Like the First Edition, the Rich Peat Edition bottle features an Angel shaped fractal design, but this time the Angel is pewter in colour, is larger, and has been printed directly onto the bottle, for greater impact. Commenting on the new addition, Highfern Ltd founder Robert Ransom said, ‘Its great to see our range of malts expand. International interest in the Rich Peat Edition has also been particularly exciting. Our Dutch launch will take place at the Hielander Whisky Festival in Alkmaar next week, and we also have bottles on their way to Germany and South Korea’.
Notes for Editors: 1. Angels’ share – the traditional name given to the whisky lost to evaporation during maturation.
It’s a leap year which means there’s one extra day to indulge in your favourite drams. Happily we have seven new ones to choose from, so suit up and blast off into fabulous flavours!
CASK No. 112.10 A COMFORTING HUG IN A MUG
14 years old; refill barrel; 57.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
The nose balances sweetness (golden syrup, fudge) with vanilla and cereals – hints of cleaning cupboards disappear with water, leaving juicy tropical pleasures. The neat palate is lively and feisty – reduced it has delicious and comforting vanilla, marshmallows, strawberries and white chocolate.
CASK No. 1.196 SUNSHINE, MOTHERHOOD AND APPLE PIE
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.2%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The sweet, fruity nose (Turkish Delight, sherbet lemons, red lips, apples and pears) takes you to orchards and gardens. The palate is all sunshine, motherhood and apple pie – tart apple, sweet lollipop stick wood and Victoria sponge cake – easy and indulgent.
CASK No. 64.65 BITTER-SWEET AS LOST LOVE
14 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.3%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The nose offers salivating sweetness (toffee, marshmallows, Crunchie bars, maple syrup on ice-cream) and exotic fruits, which develop nicely with water. The bitter-sweet palate has lively, juicy fruits (kumquat, sherbet lemons, Caribbean punch), balsamic glaze, cinnamon, pickled ginger, vanilla and oak.
CASK No. 35.138 MISS AMERICAN PIE
20 years old; 1st fill toasted oak hogshead; 56.4%; Spicy & sweet
Cinnamon syrup over macaroons, liquorice, eucalyptus and American rye. Could music save their mortal souls from gingerbread laced with aniseed? Hints of dampened down bushfire smouldering with sweet perfume. Creamy coffee with orange zest on the day the music died.
15 years old; refill hogshead; 57.8%; Lightly peated
The nose has buttery cake mix, ginger biscuits, toasted tea-cakes and jam – but wait! – peat, wood-burning stoves and cockles in brine? The palate is smooth and sweet – but also peaty, salty, ashy and metallic – cooking burgers on a steam train shovel.
CASK No. 4.211 SUN, SAND, SURF AND SERENITY
24 years old; refill hogshead; 52.2%; Oily & coastal
Personality and character on the nose neat as well as on the palate. Aromas of barbecued langoustines, tarry ropes and ‘salty dog’ were followed by flavours of scallops wrapped in crispy pancetta whilst diluted a teasing perfumed smoke was released.
CASK No. 53.227 SWEET, SALTY AND SMOKY
18 years old; refill hogshead; 56.8%; Peated
Aromas of honeyed pork loin with lavender relish and mincemeat pie whilst the taste was that of broiled tuna steak. Water added a pork cutlet with a maple chipotle glaze and what seemed like a never-ending peat smoke/salty combo finish.
SPRINGBANK 2016 THE LOCAL BARLEY RELEASE
After a long wait the new 2016 local barley is about to hit the world with a limited world wide release of 9000 bottles. Cask Strength 54.3% Vol
What is the Local Barley some will ask naturally? Basically it’s a single malt made with locally grown barley around 8 miles from the distillery, Nothing unusual some might think, but given the distillery lies in the middle of Campbeltown it would be difficult to get it closer.
The water is from the old Springbank supply directly below the distillery.
The peat is locally cut something that’s not done as often these days due to the environmental impact caused by the mass whisky production carried out in and around Campbeltown over 200 years, today a small amount is taken to help maintain the peat fields.
Coal used in the heating of the Kiln is a truly rare commodity since the local mine closed in the 1960s, Springbank have a few tones held in storage to make the local barley.
Springbank is the only 2.5 times distilled spirit created through reduction rather than just simply cutting the liquid, It’s also bottled just yards from the still room and the bonded warehouses used to age the liquid.
NEW SPRINGBANK LOCAL BARLEY 16 YEAR OLD 54.3%
VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY 9000 Bottles world wide.
This new Local barley delivers on taste and quality that all those who love the iconic Springbank would ever want.
Early February 2016 Outturn Offerings
Cask No. 121.77 $160
Dunnage warehouse orange boxes
Highland, Island
The nose had elements of oiled wood, linoleum, balsa wood and orange boxes, plus various sweet treats (brown sugar, toffee, sweet fig, chocolate and crunchy-nut cornflakes). The unreduced palate had spicy samosa heat to liven up the mouth; flavours included nutty (toasted pistachio, almond croissant) and sweet (bonbons, marshmallows, dark chocolate orange, sweet pastry). With water, the nose found syrup sponge and sugared almonds, with some new complications joining in to draw out a broader character – dunnage warehouses, burnt sticks, tobacco and ham. The palate was now a sweet and juicy pear flan with burnt edges – pleasant and nicely balanced.
Drinking tip: Sunday afternoon – listening to your favourite music.
Colour: Marmalade sky
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 19 years
Date distilled: November 1995
Alcohol: 53.4%
USA allocation: 114 bottles
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
*President’s Choice*
Cask No. 28.26 $105
Pile-driver punch whisky
Highland, Southern
The nose hinted at paint and glue – water shifted this to fresh linen and warm photocopies; we didn’t find that in the taste. The rest of the nose had herbal, grassy notes (hay, thyme, cucumber) and fruity sweetness (brandy snaps, orange zest, peach stones, golden syrup, chilli marmalade). The palate had a pile-driver punch of spirity heat (even with water) but after a couple of sips we learned to take it on the chin – nice grassy, cereal notes, including popcorn, riverbank reeds and mint, then more of that fruity sweetness (mandarin, rhubarb and pineapple, with spun sugar, vanilla and pink Chewits).
Drinking tip: A good one to sip while watching action movies.
Colour: Golden sheen
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 10 years
Date distilled: March 2005
Alcohol: 61.4%
USA allocation: 78 bottles
Flavour profile: Young & spritely
Cask No. 100.12 $105
Trip to a shopping mall
Speyside, Deveron
On the nose, lemon, elderflower and tinned fruit salad gradually gave way to deeper notes of cashews, raisins, cinnamon, ginger and Buttercup cough mix. The neat palate had light spice and lots of sweetness (marshmallows, cherry lips, cola cubes, foamy bananas, Nutella and sticky toffee pudding). The reduced nose offered banana liqueur, red laces and rum and raisin ice-cream; some panellists were transported to a shopping mall (noodle bar, hairdresser and confectioner nearby). Oaky spice and vanilla began to show through on the reduced palate, along with butterscotch, banana chips, popcorn and toasted marshmallows – and a hint of Murray mints.
Drinking tip: To take on a city break, perhaps.
Colour: Buttercup gold
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 10 years
Date distilled: February 2005
Alcohol: 58.7%
USA allocation: 108 bottles
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
Cask No. 33.133 $110
Whipped with Happiness
Islay
This was a full Scottish Breakfast served in a leather armchair in front of a peat fire with aromas of fried eggs and bacon, grilled tomato, tatties, bangers, baked beans, sautéed mushrooms and black pudding. Wait until you try it. A sweet, smoky and savoury sensation! It has it all, everything you ever wanted in the right amount and in the right balance – ‘just throw away the cork’. If you want to add water; we were handed a vihta – a bunch of fresh birch branches to get whipped with in a Finnish sauna and the taste was bittersweet chocolate, mouth-watering and to die for.
Drinking tip: Makes every moment special
Colour: Polished cherry wood
Cask: Second-fill butt
Age: 8 years
Date distilled: May 2007
Alcohol: 60.5%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Flavour profile: Peated
Visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com
Benromach 35 Year Old
Demand for this bottling has been very high, most of our allocation has already sold out. We have very few bottles left in stock!
This 35 year old single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, is one of the oldest and rarest expression to be released from Benromach distillery. The whisky is housed in a beautiful bespoke decanter and encased within a simple, yet elegant wooden presentation box.
FEBRUARY OUTTURN: DISCOVERY DRAMS
What are you planning for leap day? We see it as the gift of an extra day’s dramming; a chance to break the routine and embrace the unconventional. Dare to try a dram that sounds a little bit out there. Tick something off your whisky bucket list. Whatever you have in mind, February’s 13 new single casks are a flavour adventure waiting to happen – where will they take you?
Young & spritely
10.87 Sea breezes over the vernal machair £59.40
70.13 Neat heat, turning mellow and sweet £47.50
48.71 An amazing technicolour dram £49.10
Spicy & sweet
B4.1 Comforting coconut, bountiful banana £65.00
NEW BOURBON DISTILLERY! Read about it on our NEW BLOG
Limited to 1 bottle per member and available by phone from 9am Friday 5 February (0131 555 2929), or in our Members’ Rooms from 11.30am
73.71 A scene from Madeira £51.10
46.36 Old Fashioned Manhattan £99.80
Spicy & dry
50.74 Lazing on a summer afternoon £129.40
Deep, rich & dried fruits
71.41 Curious and intriguing Exclusive to February offers More
Oily & coastal
42.17 Beachcomber’s dram £47.40
Peated
29.176 Splashing about in rockpools £76.20
Limited to 1 bottle per member
3.257 Jacobite trip to The Three Chimneys £69.20
Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).
Visit the Society 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
BOURBON LOVERS BOUND TO GO BANANAS
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottles 3-year-old sweet treat from US
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is showcasing its reputation for bottling an ever-changing spectrum of spirits and flavours by releasing B4.1 ‘Comforting coconut, bountiful banana’, a bourbon from a new distillery to the Society, based in Chicago.
As well as bottling single cask malt whiskies, the Society regularly explores different spirits such as rum and brandy. As with all of The Society’s whiskies, the releases are all single cask, limited edition releases and there only 114 bottles of its newest bourbon, B4.1 ‘Comforting coconut, bountiful banana’, available in the world.
From the Society’s Spicy & Sweet flavour profile, the 3-year-old bourbon was matured in a new charred oak cask which evokes a taste of coconut macaroons and Walnut Whips.
B4.1 ‘Comforting coconut, bountiful banana’ is the 16th bourbon the Society has released to date and goes on-sale this Friday 5th February.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Societyis an international whisky club which bottles the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whisky for its members. Membership costs £122 a year and is available at www.smws.com
To find out more about the distillery in Chicago, read this interview with its founder on The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s blog:
B4.1 ‘Comforting coconut, bountiful banana’
Flavour Profile: Spicy & sweet
Drinking Tip: Not a bad idea to try this with an ice cube or two.
Age: 3 years
Date Distilled: 11 May 2012
Outturn: 1 of 114 bottles (72 UK)
Cask: New charred oak
Region: Chicago
Alcohol: 62.6%
Bottle Price: £65
Colour: Fiery redhead
Full tasting notes:
The nose was welcoming, sweet and fruity – dried mango, corn candies, bubble gum, vanilla pastries and bountiful banana (banana chips, foamy banana, banana toffee); black pepper and liquorice in the background. The neat taste was ‘fierce’ and ‘explosive’, with quinine, tree bark and resins balancing coconut, cola cubes, red laces, cherry lips and Dandelion and Burdock. On the reduced nose, a charred element brought a frisson of danger and excitement to the sweet, homely aromas of white chocolate, toffee popcorn and pecan pie. The palate was more rounded and comforting – coconut macaroons and Walnut Whips fronting leather and willow twigs.
Only Society members can purchase bottles. To purchase membership for £122, please visit www.smws.com
Notes for Editors:
About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
