anCnoc Vintage 1975 is here…

Our eagerly anticipated  Vintage 1975 is now available.

This exclusive single malt was drawn from just three casks at our picturesque Knockdhu Distillery in Huntly.  Distinguished by its amber tone, anCnoc Vintage 1975 is neither chill-filtered nor coloured and is bottled at its natural cask strength of 44.2% ABV.

Only 1590 bottles of this Vintage are available in global markets including the UK, USA, Russia and Canada with a recommended retail price of £300 per bottle.

Find out more about anCnoc 1975 Vintage

Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml ($24.99)

For three long years, David Othenin-Girard and I have been trying to create an inexpensive, delicious, value-driven, yet simultaneously interesting expression of blended Scotch whisky that we could feature under our Faultline label. There were many times when we thought we were close, but either the quality of the whisky or the cost of the barrels proved prohibitive. We didn’t want to make a $25 bottle of whisky just for the sake of it. If we were going to do it, then we were going to it right. Finally, after working on and off with the Laings for a year-long blending process, we hammered out a profile we were happy with. Big smoke, Ardbeg-like peat flavors, and a kiss of sweet grain was our goal and we definitely achieved it in this bottle. Unlike most big brand blends, there are no coloring agents or sweeteners in the Faultline Scotch, just a pale straw colored liquid that bursts with character and, due to the heavy malt content, finishes with richness and weight. We wanted to make sure that, upon launch, there would be absolutely nothing on the market that could match the quality of flavor, price, beauty of design, and bang for the buck. After three long years, we think we’ve done it. For $25 you get one helluva bottle of Scotch. Smokier than Johnnie Black, more complex than Chivas, and less expensive than both of them. Plus, it’s an assertive 100 proof. Try it in a cocktail, pour it over ice, add in soda water. It’s the real deal. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Patrick Cu | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2015

If someone is looking for our best value in Scotch whisky, there’ll be no hesitation on my part in recommending this. There are flavors of vanilla, malty grains, and a gentle touch of peat in the background. This is easy drinking, versatile whisky. How the hell is it $25 while being so good and 50% ABV? I have no idea, but enjoy it while it lasts.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2015

I usually only like blended Scotch that costs more than the single malts I drink, so this was a revelation. I don’t know if it is the hint of high quality peat, the extra concentration and kick from the higher proof, or the lovely sweet malty character of this blend that make it so satisfying. My father has often said that he “likes to drink expensive booze like it was cheap”- if you do too, this is a great scotch for you. It is not expensive- it just tastes like it is! For me it is the best value in Scotch in the store.

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

DISTILLERY PROFILE

GLEN GRANT Est 1840

This iconic distillery was established in 1840 by James & John Grant who where manages of a distillery called Dandelaith, It did not take long for Glen Grant to become a favourite of whisky drinkers and blenders alike due to it’s rich smooth malt.

Around 1861 electricity was installed at the distillery making it the first to adopt this new technology, the Grant brothers innovated whisky production pushing towards its well deserved reputation at a fast pace.

Another distillery was built across the road from the original in 1897 only to close in 1902, this was common practice when a distillery demand outstripped supply only to settle back as more distilleries opened across the Speyside region and Scotland in general.

The capacity of this distillery runs around 6.000.000 litres with over half that amount going into blending because it’s such a great malt to give a fantastic middle palate to any blend.

It’s no surprise to customers who visit the shop that I champion this great dram given I can’t think of one vintage I don’t like!

If you enjoy visiting distilleries then this has to be one of the first on a list of Speysiders to enjoy a look around.

COMING SOON

Now for the big news of the coming season.

March – April is going to be a busy time with the whisky pixies in Campbeltown as they start the Spring bottling run. We have over 20 new products this season from the Cadenhead’s Authentic and Small Batch ranges including…

• CREATIONS BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY 23Y/O 54.3% This is one for lovers of Islay
• NORTH BRITISH DISTILLERY 1985 29Y/O 46%
• STRATHMILL DISTILLERY 1995 19Y/O 46%
• ALLT-A-BHAINNE DISTILLERY 1992 22Y/O 52.5%
• GLENALLACHIE-GLENLIVET DISTILLERY 1992 22Y/O 48%
• GLENDULLAN-GLENLIVET DISTILLERY 1996 18Y/O 55.6%
• GLENROTHES-GLENLIVET DISTILLERY 1990 24Y/O 55.7%
• (SHERRYWOOD)
• MILTONDUFF-GLENLIVET DISTILLERY 1994 20Y/O 51.5% This is going to go down well in London for all those who loved the 2014 20 Y/O and the small batch 19 Y/O 46%Vol
• SINGLE CASKS AT CASK STRENGTH
• ARRAN DISTILLERY 1996 18Y/O 50.9%
• NORTH PORT (BRECHIN) DISTILLERY 1977 38Y/O 48.4%
• ROYAL BRACKLA DISTILLERY 1984 30Y/O 54.1%
• TEANINICH DISTILLERY 1983 32Y/O 47.5%

With the older malts stocks are very limited so only 1 bottle limits might apply to allow as many as possible a chance to get a chance.Oh by the way we have some peaty beasts for you also including the London Exclusive in May and a rather enjoyable Islay, Irish & Campbeltown in March

Until then have a great time and above all else keep laughing even through this dreadful time leading to the election! Can we really take much more of that?

For the 1000’s who still have tasting room tickets don’t forget from May we go permanently to 2 nights a week for the Trip Night tasting events, We will also be hosting a number of special tasting events as soon as we can allocate a day or two we will let you know via the newsletters and our web site.

We will give you more detail as soon as the tastings and out turn’s are confirmed in a few weeks and by then the rest of the range to come.

Stephen – Cadenhead’s London

Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop & Tasting Room
26 Chiltern Street
London
W1U 7QF

Tel: 020 7935 6999

“Teeling’s World’s Best Grain Whiskey Comes to America”

Unique bottling of Irish Single Grain Whiskey is launched

The US whiskey industry is known for its corn/grain based whiskey but the current world champion of this category comes from Ireland. The innovative Teeling Whiskey Company, who have already released their award winning Small Batch Rum Cask finished Irish whiskey to critical acclaim, are now launching their new Single Grain Irish whiskey into the American market. This release is to help drive the selection and breadth within Irish whiskeys at a time of growing interest in the United States for more innovative, unique and flavorsome Irish expressions.

Teeling Single Grain is one of only a handful of single grain bottlings in the world. The whiskey is made by combining unique ingredients, with maize/corn dominating and uses modern column distillation to produce the whiskey, which is exceptionally clean and smooth with a touch of sweetness. Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, commented, “It’s a little known fact that the majority of Irish whiskey sold is actually Grain whiskey so we feel it is interesting to have expressions of Single Grain whiskey in its own right. Our Teeling Single Grain is representative of our aim to help drive the expansion of the Irish whiskey category through unique bottlings and expressions.”

The new whiskey has not gone unnoticed. Teeling Single Grain Irish whiskey was recently awarded World’s Best Grain Whiskey at the World Whiskey Awards for 2014. First held in 2007, the World Whiskies Awards, run by Whiskey Magazine, search for the very best whiskies in the world. This competition saw more than 300 whiskies put through their paces with three rounds of rigorous tastings, to win the coveted title of the “World’s Best”.

The Teeling family whiskey heritage dates back to distilling in Dublin in 1782 and Walter Teeling who set up a distillery in Marrowbone Lane in the Liberties. Jack and his brother Stephen, Sales & Marketing Director, are just the latest generation of Teelings involved in the Irish whiskey industry. While initially starting out as an Independent bottler their aim is to bring Teeling Whiskey home by establishing the first new whiskey distillery in Dublin in over 125 years.

Teeling Single Grain Tasting Notes:

Color: Naturally dark copper ‘berry’ red

Nose: Spicy with fruit notes intermingling with an underlying sweetness

Taste: Strong spice at the start evolving into rich red berries, fruit and tannin on the finish

Finish: Dry finish dominated by wood and spice

The depth of character in Teeling Single Grain is from the maturation in the California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. This creates the deep amber color and contributes to the spicy notes and lush red berry and grape flavors.

Like all Teeling whiskeys it is bottled at 46% with no chill filtration allowing for all the natural flavors of the whiskey to be retained. Teeling Single Grain will be available nationally with an SRP of $49.99 for a 750ml.

World’s Best Grain Whiskey 2014 – Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey – Judges Comments

•     Good balance of sweetness and dryness providing a framework for their flavours to emerge – Ian Wisniewski
• Custard, brûlée, gentle warmed oak and candied, dried fruit. Tropical, almost leathery. Juicy and full mouthfeel, grain flavours layered with sweet plum. Lengthy finish – Seáneen Sullivan
• Sweet, rich, mellow with soft spices on the nose. Buttery, butterscotch, excellent maturity. Long lasting finish and perfect balance between sweetness and dryness. – Ludo Ducrocq

http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/teeling-single-grain.22228.html

About the Teelings:

The Teelings have being crafting Irish whiskey since 1782 when Walter Teeling had a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in The Liberties of Dublin. At this time there were over 37 different distilleries in Dublin alone in particular centralized in the industrial engine room of the city: The Liberties; the Coombe, Newmarket and Smithfield.

RARE CASK RESERVES GHOSTED RESERVE

Rare Cask Reserves Ghosted Reserve is the first release from the ghosted casks series. This rich, creamy masterpiece offers notes of almond oil and zesty citrus fruit. Blended from a combination of whiskies from long closed distilleries Inverleven and Ladyburn, which have been closed since 1991 and 1975 respectively.

One of only 4100 individually numbered bottles were created, and only 1200 are available to purchase in the UK.

£350 Buy Now

When Brian Kinsman, Master Blender, was given access to the Grant family’s private collection of unique and revered whiskies, he was given free rein to create truly individual expressions, which together are known as William Grant & Sons Rare Cask Reserves.

“Rare Cask Reserves Ghosted Reserve bears testament to the vision and skills of the five Master Blenders who came before me. This exceptional release is a whisky that gives me enormous personal pride. I see it as truly a high point of what blending can bring to the finest whisky, and a spirit that would win the deepest respect of our founder, William Grant.”

The Arran Malt Comes of Age

Since its founding 20 years ago, the Isle of Arran Distillery has been laying uniquely complex malts down to mature. As the distillery reaches its twentieth birthday, the Arran Malt is coming of age with its first limited edition bottling of the Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt.

This latest edition is the final bottling in a trilogy of 16, 17 and 18 year-old Arran Malts which have been released in the count down to this landmark bottling.  Bottled at 46%, it is distilled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring for a pure yet complex palate.

Aged in the finest Sherry casks, this un-peated malt is a perfect example of the fresh character of Arran in all its maturity. Gold in colour and with a delicious aroma of toasted almonds, honey and spice, this highly anticipated bottling delivers a luxurious palate of ginger and caramelised brown sugar.

Water releases subtle flower notes and rich Seville orange marmalade. The finish, reminiscent of toasted brioche and toffee apples, rounds off the most mature expression of The Arran Malt to date.

James MacTaggart, Master Distiller at the Isle of Arran Distillery, says: “This is a very special bottling for us, not only being the most mature Arran Malt yet but as the first release in our our twentieth year. It represents the very best of our whisky, with the depth of aroma and flavour for which Arran Malts have become known around the world.

“So with only 9,000 bottles released worldwide, we don’t expect the 18 Year Old Arran Malt to be around for long.”

This latest limited edition of The Arran Malt will be available in specialist whisky retailers and a small quantity will be available directly from http://www.arranwhisky.com/ from Monday 16^th March 2015.

Notes:

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

CÙ BÒCAN SINGLE MALT  SCOTCH WHISKY

limited VIRGIN OAK edition

Cù Bòcan is matured in a combination of Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon casks. This exclusive limited edition showcases the influence that Virgin Oak has on our lightly peated single malt. Clean and zingy with hints of smoke and warm spice, this fully matured Virgin Oak limited edition will not disappoint!

Cask Type: Matured in Virgin Oak casks
Strength: 46% alc./vol.
Distribution: Worldwide except USA
Price: RRP £49.99 per 70cl bottle

KEY POINTS

Fully matured in First Fill Virgin Oak casks. Only 6000 bottles available. The only peated whisky distilled and matured at Tomatin Distillery. Non chill filtered. Natural colour. Striking bottle design and presentation packaging. Part of a trilogy; Sherry, Virgin Oak & Bourbon editions

TASTING NOTES

AROMA Lively citrus fruits – lime juice and lemon sorbet. Oak driven flavours of vanilla, coconut and candy floss soon emerge with rosewater, red berries, fresh pear and pineapple in the background.
PALATE Warm pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Baked apples with cinnamon and toffee and just a touch of smoke.
FINISH Clean and zingy with pleasant spice.

SPRINGING WITH ANTICIPATION

Will there be sun on daffodils for St David’s day? Opinion is divided but the weather is set to improve and the first buds are visible: still tightly furled but with a promise of spring colour just around the corner. We can’t control the blooming but we can bring fresh vibrancy to winter-dulled senses. Giving in to anticipation, we’ve selected three vigorous bottlings from our March Outturn for early release. Don your tweeds and head out for a rainy walk with 3.239, Acrylic paints and petrichor. Or visit a Scottish links golf course on a fresh, sunny, spring morning with 48.52 Teeing off. Whatever your pleasure, be sure to order before spring has sprung…

Light & delicate

48.52

Teeing off

Sea breeze entwined with warm malt biscuits and spicy crisp beef Szechuan style. The taste neat was charred steak in pepper cream sauce. Water added the freshness of a sunny spring morning and the flavours of a warm chicken Caesar salad.

13 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £44.70

Juicy, oak & vanilla

7.112

Gooseberry fool and biscuits

Sea breeze entwined with warm malt biscuits and spicy crisp beef Szechuan style. The taste neat was charred steak in pepper cream sauce. Water added the freshness of a sunny spring morning and the flavours of a warm chicken Caesar salad.

11 years old
First fill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £49.50

Lightly peated

3.239

Acrylic paints and petrichor

Sea breeze entwined with warm malt biscuits and spicy crisp beef Szechuan style. The taste neat was charred steak in pepper cream sauce. Water added the freshness of a sunny spring morning and the flavours of a warm chicken Caesar salad.

16 years old
Refill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £60.00

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

Famous CITYSCAPES HONOURED with LIMITED EDITION DESIGN

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ CITIES Collection

Diageo GTME, February 23rd, 2015; Following the success of its 2013 JOHNNIE WALKER^® BLUE LABEL™ Skyline Collection range, Diageo Global Travel Middle East has today announced a partnership with internationally renowned artist, Jeff Nishinaka, to release a new series of limited edition design travel exclusives for 2015 featuring handcrafted designs of some of the world’s most famous cityscapes – the JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Cities Collection.   

Each edition is engraved with a Jeff Nishinaka handcrafted design, bringing to life the cityscapes of some of the world’s most iconic travel destinations.  

The first edition in the collection celebrates the unique character and culture of Dubai. Dubai is a city of firsts, a global icon and a luxury travel destination – and the perfect skyline to form the first of the JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Cities Collection. 

The design for each edition has been brought to life by internationally renowned paper sculptor Jeff Nishinaka. His meticulously handcrafted sculpture was inspired by the unique character of the city and mirrors the rare craftsmanship that lies at the heart of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL. Jeff’s art is brought to life on each individual bottle as a celebration of the art of the master blender, whose skills have been passed down through 190 years of unbroken blending heritage and excellence.  

Only 1500 bottles of the JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Cities Collection, Dubai Edition, have been produced, with each bottle individually numbered.  

Peter Fairbrother, Global Marketing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME), said: “With the increase in international travel the world has become a much smaller place and we get many more opportunities to visit beautiful cities, rich with character and experiences.  With this exclusive limited edition range we wanted to capture the essence of some of these great cities, creating a unique, premium gift or collector’s item that would be a memento of a special destination.” 

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL is a blend of truly rare character, delivering a deep, rich flavour with layers of honey and fruit and an incredibly smooth, endless finish. Only one in 10,000 casks drawn from the four corners of Scotland contains whiskies of sufficient character demanded to create this peerless blend.  Crafting the intense and complex flavours that define this remarkable Blended Scotch whisky takes masterful skill and determination – characteristics that have shaped JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL for almost two centuries. 

The Dubai edition of the JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL Cities Collection will be available from February 2015 exclusively in travel retail at a recommended price of $258 USD (or local equivalent) for a 1 litre bottle. 

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. 

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. 

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. 

The JOHNNIE WALKER, BLUE LABEL and KEEP WALKING words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trademarks ^© John Walker & Sons 2015.

Bruichladdich Octomore 6 Year Old – 2007 

Single Cask 16736 / Rest & Be Thankful

Not so often do you see an independent release of Bruichladdich Octomore but here we have just that. The Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Company have released this 6 year old Octmore which was distilled in 2007 at the Bruichladdich distillery. Laid to rest in a cask that previously held Sauternes wine, this heavily peated Islay Single Scotch malt whisky has been bottled at cask strength, a whopping 63.0% vol!  Rest & Be Thankful bottlings are bottled in their purest form, non chill filtered and contain no colour or additives.

Very Limited Stock!

£180.00

(£150.00 ex vat) 

Click here to purchase Octomore Rest & Be Thankful