THREE JAPANESE BOTTLINGS BROUGHT TO LIGHT

After our thrilling discovery of a first bottling hiding in the warehouse last week, we thought we’d better go back for a closer look. It turned out to be a great idea because we found three exquisite Japanese malts lurking in the shadows! Even more exciting, 120.8 A surge of sweet peat had been exclusive to our venues on its original release and has never been sold around the UK. Prepare to snag yours from 9am sharp on our sales line (0131 555 2929) – even limited to one bottle per member, these divine drams won’t be hanging around for long…

Sweet, fruity & mellow

124.5 Juicy fruits and spicy oak £275

23 years old
First fill ex-bourbon hogshead
Only 18 bottles found!

The nose has attractive wood aromas and attractive fruits (tutti-frutti, pineapple, lemon) plus coconut, honey and vanilla. The palate is full of juicy fruits, and vanilla…

Old & dignified

116.20 Fascinating complexity and finesse £296

26 years old
Virgin oak puncheon
Only 30 bottles found!

Fascinating nose – model-making, lacquered wood; crab boxes and lapsang souchong in a diesel truck; vanilla, coconut, honey and embers…

Peated

120.8 A surge of sweet peat £160

13 years old
Second fill hogshead
Only 24 bottles found!

Salt and pepper cashews, smoked vanilla and pickled ginger with a wave of delicate incense. Roast pork, peppered mackerel and pungent peat smoke (also cloves, cinnamon, star anise). With water, the peat really surged…

Browse New Outturn >

Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at 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

THE GLENROTHES VINTAGE RESERVE LAUNCHES IN UK 

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to announce the UK release of Vintage Reserve from award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes.

Vintage Reserve is the expression that best epitomises The Glenrothes Vintage Single Malt philosophy of bottling whisky only once it has reached the peak of its maturity. Vintage Reserve marries together a good many carefully selected Vintages from the last three decades.

The combination of Vintages aged in a variety of casks creates a balanced whisky with mature experience and vibrant youth: the most venerable constituent brings mellow oak and dried fruits. The younger Vintages add soft, mature, sweet vanilla; the more youthful Vintages add exuberance and lemon citrus notes.

Malt Master, Gordon Motion has hand-selected the very finest casks to create the Vintage Reserve, using character and flavour as his guide, not a pre-determined age. Gordon Motion’s flavour notes appear on the front label: “Mellow, soft fruits, citrus and honey.”

Ronnie Cox, The Glenrothes Brand Heritage Director, states: “This is our most complex Reserve to date. Unlike other malts that bottle by age, we choose whiskies that represent the best of a particular year and marry them together when they are ready. That is in contrast to many distillers who bottle simply based on the age of a whisky. The emphasis is on the quality, taste and flavour of the whisky – not the age.”

The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve 40% ABV

Appearance:  Brassy gold.

Bouquet:                 Unusually fragrant, soft in style, wafts of mature citrus and honeycomb accompanied with characteristic red fruits.

Palate:          Very soft silky/creamy mouth-feel. Red berry fruits swirl and dominate with time over the nebulous nuttiness.

Finish:           Mid to long citrus and honeyed vanilla and the faint reminder of 1st fill sherry casks.

The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve is now available at The Whisky Exchange and Gordon & MacPhail with a recommended retail price of £39.99

For more information about The Glenrothes, visit www.theglenrothes.comor contact Maxxium Customer Services on +44(0) 1786 430 500 for further information.

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.

Owned by Berry Bros. & Rudd Ltd, the wine and spirit merchants established in 1698, The Glenrothes is an award winning Speyside Single Malt Whisky of exceptional quality from the town of Rothes in Speyside -Scotland’s whisky heartland.

Established in 1879, the Glenrothes is a pioneer in Scotch Whisky. All our single malt is vintage malt. When we say vintage, we mean whisky distilled and put in cask in a single year. When judged to be at its peak of maturity, character and flavour, then we carefully marry selected vintages together as Reserves, or bottle them individually as Single Vintages.

At The Glenrothes, maturity matters more than age. 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, 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, 2015The Glenrothes Select Reserve

• Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015

• Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012
• Scotch Whisky Master, The Spirits Business Masters 2008
• Best in Class, World Whiskies Awards 2008

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 Alba 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 Select Reserve

• Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012

• Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015

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

Kilchoman’s 5^th Edition 100% Islay is a vatting of ex-bourbon barrels filled in 2009 and 2010.

First released in 2010, the 100% Islay range is only lightly peated, compared to Kilchoman’s Machir Bay and Loch Gorm.

The annually released, limited edition bottling, is produced solely from barley grown at the distillery. Kilchoman remains the only Scotch whisky distillery to produce single malt using these traditional Farm Distillery methods.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director, says: “There is a clear difference between the 100% Islay range and other releases, the lighter peating level and maturation exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels gives the whisky a beautiful fragrance and balance. When we first set out to build Kilchoman the ambition was to produce a single malt from barley grown on the distillery farm to give complete control and traceability, we also wanted to echo how whisky was once made on Islay and across Scotland.  We are incredibly proud to continue these traditional practices”.

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years. Kilchoman is the only independent Islay distillery.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 5^th Edition is bottled at 50% ABV and is now available from ImpEx Beverages at a recommended retail price of $100/bottle.

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 100% Islay 5^th Edition Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky

Colour: White wine Nose:  Light, fresh and clean with peat smoke in the background.

Palate:  Light, fresh and well balanced with peaty smoke and sweetness coming through on the finish.

Finish:  Finish:  Long, clean and sweet with soft peat smoke.

Visit us at www.impexbev.com

1995 Craigellachie 18 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)

It wouldn’t be a whisky season without some big rich sherried malt to round out the selection. Craigellachie is becoming a serious force now that the owners have finally decided it should be marketed as a single malt. This exceptional distillery was almost exclusively reserved for the blends until very recently, but the heightened profile means that procuring more in the future might become more difficult. That’s why we knew we had to jump on this spectacular sherried ‘llachie. This has everything you want in a sherried malt and nothing that you don’t. It starts with a slight flintiness (don’t worry it’s not sulfur, just a spark on the front), this quickly blows off to reveal a magnificent bouquet of dried cherries, fudgy cacao nibs, roasted coffee beans, and freshly polished sandalwood. The dark aromas translate well to the palate, but never go bitter and the malty spirit adds lift and sweetness. Here is a truly balanced sherried malt like none other on the shelf right now. Sure we all sometimes love a big hammer of sherry right in your sensory organs, but sometimes you want the sweet velvety caress of that special wine from Jerez. Balanced, yet not lacking depth or power in anyway.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2015
For fans of sherry-aged single malts the Craigellachie 18 is an absolute bargain. It is mouth-filling, with rich and round flavors. In my tasting notes I wrote “Wow.” For fans of Macallan 18 who want to branch out and try a similar yet different whisky.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 25, 2015
This massive cask is definitely one of my favorites from this year. Craigellachie is a wonderful and under-appreciated distillery that’s only now getting recognition as a true Scottish Blue Chip. Its OB 17-year offering has recently won Speyside whisky of the year and this 18-year-old first-fill sherry version is another example of why the distillery is so well regarded by those in the know. Here we have some really classic sherry aromas, some fudge, wisps of gun smoke, dark dried plummy fruit. The palate dries up nicely (this is definitely Oloroso, not PX), but still brings out some Christmas cake and other dense fruity/spicy aromas. A real winner and an absolute steal considering where other malts in first-fill sherry are fetching these days.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015
For those who enjoyed the sherry casks we once were able to secure from Glendronach, this is our current replacement–and it’s far less expensive. Lovely richness, cakebread and spice, good weight on the palate. It’s a solid 18 year old sherry-aged whisky for an outstanding price.

Crafted only from handpicked Spanish oak casks, which previously contained sherry. The Macallan’s casks are amongst the most precious and scarce used in single malt whisky. The rich, ruby colour distinguishes this as a classic Macallan whisky, and it is the interaction of spirit and wood which delivers this vibrant colour. The intensity of Rare Cask’s character was made by The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno.

The Taste:

Silky smooth with lots of the rich, dried fruit flavours expected of The Macallan. Lots of dried fruit and raisins, with toasted oak, vanilla and a chocolatey sweetness. A full and warming finish with light citrus notes.

£200 Buy Now

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Shinshu Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Japanese Whisky 750ml ($54.99)

• Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whiskey 750ml (Ships as 1.5L) (1 bottle limit) ($59.99)

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

FIRST & LAST DROPS

“Stop press!” came the lunch-time call. The press may be a metaphor these days, but the excitement is real. “There’s a first bottling in the warehouse… and it’s Japanese!” A moment of silence is followed by hubbub in the office. “Oooh the one from the Coffey still” said one, and “Where was that hiding?” said another. We may never know its journey, or that of the bottles found with it – but it’s unlikely to happen again, so hurry and order yours now to get the last drops of Tongue tingling intensity!

FIRST (UK) DROPS

Spicy & dry

G11.1 Tongue tingling intensity!

Japanese Grain Whisky
Re-charred hogshead
Only 42 bottles found!

£125.00

112.8 “Vegetarian!”

14 years old
Refill, ex-bourbon barrel
Only 20 bottles found!

£63.50

Sweet, fruity & mellow

48.46 Exploding flower

12 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Only 72 bottles found!

£43.80

LAST (UK) DROPS

Sweet, fruity & mellow

46.25 Soft, elegant and intensely creamy

£77.60

Light & delicate

55.28 Dainty, measured and delicate

£42.40

Spicy & sweet

46.28 Booze Soaked Fruits

£51.80

Browse New Outturn >

Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at 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

NEW ARRIVALS: MALTBARN

MORE INDIE BOTTLED SCOTCH FROM GERMANY!

You can probably remember our excitement when we received our first shipment of Malbarn single cask Scotch whisky back in May. Needless to say they have been very popular! Naturally we have been eagerly awaiting the next release of casks and we haven’t had to wait long – in a bid to lift our spirits following the end of the sunny spell, they arrived.

This release has some real gems including the ever popular Clynelish, a full-on Miltonduff and even the return of our favourite from the previous batch, the Dailuaine 1996.

Have a browse of the selection, and if you’re in the neighbourhood, pop by our whisky bar where they will all be open to purchase by the dram! Happy hunting.

Miltonduff 1989, 25 Years Old, Maltbarn, 51.2%

This is a full-on Miltondufff with a funky aroma that is reminiscent of frying bacon in a private library! The palate is malty, almost Marmite like, developing into notes of prunes macerated in golden rum. The finish lingers with a charred oak profile and a hint of Bovril. Weird but delicious!
156 bottles from an ex-Bourbon cask.

£122.50

Clynelish 1997, 17 Years Old, Maltbarn, 48.6%

We all know it is physically impossible for a Clynelish to be anything other than excellent, and this 17 year old from Maltbarn is no exception to the rule. Classic waxy fruit notes dominate the nose, leading to a creamy palate of sherbet lemon and cloudy apple juice. The finish is long and succulent with a hint of coastal salinity.
152 bottles from an ex-Bourbon cask.

£99.95

Linkwood 1998, 16 Year Old, Maltbarn, 49.3%

A classic Linkwood with notes of star anise, lime flavoured boiled sweets, greengages and treacle, leading into a waxiness with the addition of water. The palate is silky with well integrated oak and a flavour profile of ripe apples. Those boiled sweet notes return on the finish with undertones of freshly cut hay.
205 bottles from an ex-Bourbon cask.

£90.50

Glen Spey 1988, 26 Year Old, 43.6%

This Glen Spey has powerful liquorish notes on the nose chased by fennel, a yew tree glade, all butter fudge and assertive juniper. The palate is smooth with the sweet return of that fudge, with a hint of sea salt and a little more liquorish. The finish is full of cracked black pepper, barley sweets and a slight herbacious quality. Superb balance!
101 bottles from an ex-Bourbon cask.

£126.95

Dailuaine 1996, 18 Years Old, Mlatbarn, 48.7%

This is one of those estery malts on the nose: kiwi, pear drops and granny smith apples. Spearmint and white pepper on the palate with a soupcon of sweetness. The long finish is minty with poached pears stealing through.
159 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£94.95

Cornelia Parker – Blue Luna, 2015

Single malt Scotch whisky, includes a series of 6 lithographs and a photographic print. £1000 plus VAT (strictly limited to first 5 customers)

We thought you may like to know that we currently have a half price offer on our forthcoming edition by Cornelia Parker.

For this McLean’s Artist Malts commission, Parker has been intrigued by whiskies maturation process, how time and more specifically the moon cycle can effect the spirit. In a continuation of Parker’s lunar series, this latest work “Blue Luna” is very much a time orientated piece. Currently you do not get to see the spirit but an empty vessel. For Parker’s whisky remains in the cask in the highlands of Scotland. Blue Luna will be bottled upon a blue moon on the 31st of July 2015, a rare event of two full moons in a single month. The total age of the whisky is stipulated on the label by full moon cycles rather than years – the final colour, nose, taste and alcohol volume of Parker’s whisky will be unknown until this special date. As well as this fine whisky filling the empty vessel, the piece will be accompanied by a photograph by Parker taken during the Blue Moon on the 31st July 2015. How this photograph looks is also dependent on many unknown particulars; location of the artist, weather, and equipment will be significant to the outcome. What we do know is that the accompanying photograph is as mystifying as the whisky itself.

As with all of our editions a printed element is produced by one of the world’s most respected print houses, Poligrafa Obra Grafica. Cornelia Parker’s bottle will be accompanied by six lithographs listing each and every full moon that has influenced the spirit whilst in the cask since August 1997. Upon payment you will receive the signed series of 6 lithographs. The entire completed artwork  including the whisky is due for delivery in September. This offer is set at £1000 plus VAT and is limited to the first 5 customers. Once sold out the edition will return to £2000 plus VAT. Please contact us on email for any further information.

A new single cask release from Arran distillery. This special Island single malt scotch whisky was distilled on the 19th July 1999 and aged for 15 years in single bourbon cask #88. 204 bottles filled in 2015, 56.9% vol.

£66.90