Win a bottle of Kilchoman 

AW Exclusive – Single Cask Whisky!

We recently launched our very own cask of Kilchoman! The response and feedback by customers, whisky writers and blogs worldwide has been incredible! Obviously we agree wholeheartedly with everything that has been said, it’s a fantastic dram…

Anyway… We thought it was only fair to share the love so we’ve decided to give away a bottle of this stunning Islay whisky to one lucky winner!

It couldn’t be easier to enter… all you have to do is head across to Facebook and ‘like’ the Abbey Whisky page – ‘Like and share’ the competition post and answer the following question…

Which distillery on Islay has the following slogan on the front of their whisky bottles? –

“Islay’s Farm Distillery”

Competition closes 23.59 (GMT) on Tuesday 21st October 2014. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and revealed on Wednesday 22nd October 2014.

After reading just a few of the wonderful reviews below and you just can’t hold off any longer – don’t fear! – head across to our online whisky shop and pick yourself up a bottle or two… Be quick though, only 270 bottles were filled from single cask 285/09…

A little bit about Kilchoman Distillery and also our exclusive single cask release… (Kilchoman cask 285/09)

Established in 2005, Kilchoman distillery holds true to tradition, it’s one of only a handful of distilleries to still practice floor maltings; they even grow their own barley! We’ve always greatly admired Islay’s farm distillery and what it stands for, so to team up and release this wonderful dram makes us incredibly proud indeed!

Kilchoman Cask #285/09 has been matured for over four and a half years in a fresh bourbon barrel before being transferred to a Pedro Ximénez cask for a further four months maturation. The PX finish on this release works a treat, softening things down a little but still allowing the dram to hold the traditional taste & characteristics you would expect from a Kilchoman whisky of this age. A perfect combination.

Bottled at cask strength, 58.3% vol with 270 bottles filled…

For full T&C’s head across to our whisky blog here

Good luck – Sláinte

Great King Street – Glasgow Blend New Release! After more than a year of creation and well over 100 different recipes, we are delighted to announce the release of the second permanent whisky in our Great King Street range: Glasgow Blend. For those of you – like us – who really liked both Great King Street Smoky and Sherry Experimental Batches last year, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ve settled on a recipe that combines the best of both!

Glasgow Blend offers a rich vein of peaty-smokiness underpinned by sherry cask-aged whiskies, full of dried fruit and wine character. The palate is full and round, with a sweetness typical of whiskies from our company. In his 1930 book ‘Whisky’, Aeneas MacDonald mentions that Glaswegians historically preferred fuller and more flavourful whiskies than people in other parts of the world. So what better name for a whisky such as this? Glasgow Blend is made from a high proportion of Highland and Islay single malts – around 67% – combined with 33% Lowland single grain whisky. It is matured in a combination of sherry, American and French oak casks. Bottled at 43%, quite simply there is no other blended Scotch whisky quite like it. Contact your local retailer now for a bottle or, alternatively, just pick one up from our UK-based web shop*.

“Above All, Share & Enjoy!”

* Great King Street Glasgow Blend is available now in the UK and Europe, and in the next month or so in Canada, South Africa and Asia. It will be released in the US on 1^st November 2014.

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR DRAM

— Ardbeg – the first distillery in space – has returned home after three years in orbit — 

ISLAY, SCOTLAND – As part of a pioneering research experiment, a vial of Ardbeg re-entered the earth’s atmosphere, on September 12, 2014, after nearly three years orbiting the globe aboard the International Space Station.

For the first time, the expedition will allow scientists to decipher the impact gravity has on the whisky maturation process. Having blasted off from earth in 2011, the spirit, from the island of Islay in Scotland, has been on a galactic journey – one destined to change the whisky industry forever!

Specially designed for the mission, the vial of Ardbeg has been orbiting the earth’s atmosphere at 17,227 miles per hour, 15 times a day for 1,045 days. At the same time an identical vial had a slightly easier journey, having been housed at Warehouse 3 at the Ardbeg Distillery on Islay to act as a control sample.

Now the two samples will be reunited in a laboratory in Houston, Texas for an experiment researchers believe could change the future of whisky production. Scientists will compare the two samples, examining the interaction of the Ardbeg-crafted molecules with charred oak to document what differences occur between earth whisky and space whisky.

It is the first study of its kind.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, will lead the research, working alongside Ardbeg’s space partners – US-based space research company NanoRacks LLC.

Considered one of the leading innovators in the whisky industry, and a chemist by trade, Dr Lumsden explained: “Ardbeg is known for taking risks in its development of some of the most coveted whiskies in the world, so it is fitting that it is the first distillery ever in space. We are now close to the end, close to finding answers to something previously unknown, which is truly exciting.

“This is one small step for man but one giant leap for whisky, and the team hope to uncover how flavours develop in different gravitational conditions – findings which could revolutionise the whisky-making process.

“We hope to shine new light on the effect of gravity on the maturation process but who knows where it will lead us? It could be to infinity and beyond!”

The single malt has landed back on solid ground in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz-U rocket, and is now on its way to Houston to begin the analysis of its space odyssey. The final white paper with the full research findings will be published in 2015 once all testing is complete.

To celebrate Ardbeg’s journey – where no whisky has ever gone before – the distillery has released a new expression of their peatiest single malt: the sold out, highly sought-after Supernova. Fittingly named after a super bright explosion of a star, Ardbeg Supernova 2014 is bottled at 55% ABV and is available as of September from local Ardbeg embassies in Alberta and from provincial liquor stores in BC, MB,SK, ON, NB, NS, and NF later in 2014. 

Mission control has called Ardbeg home with what could be the most gravity-defying new knowledge the whisky world has ever known. 

About Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’, ‘Best Islay Single Malt’ and the ‘Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013.

Responsible Drinking

Ardbeg advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers

 Visit our Airport stores: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick North and South, Heathrow T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5,
Manchester T1, Newcastle and Stansted.

Pre-order collections are available at all our stores, and at Aberdeen and Heathrow T3
(from main World Duty Free stores).

www.worldofwhiskies.com

Please drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk

All featured items are subject to availability.
Prices are correct at time of going to print and are available exclusively after security control.

anCnoc Vintage 2000 is here

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is proud to announce the release of Vintage 2000, another remarkable single malt in the line of exclusive vintage releases from Knockdhu Distillery, celebrating the art of whisky-making with a modern twist. It has become a tradition at anCnoc to annually offer vintage releases from consecutive years to the most dedicated whisky fans around the world.

Only 1,000 cases of anCnoc Vintage 2000 will be made available in select markets from September 2014. The whisky was selected and bottled with the most discerning whisky drinker in mind and will offer a wonderful insight into the distillery style and the impact of on-site maturation in a combination of Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels.

anCnoc Vintage 2000 has been bottled non chill-filtered, at its natural colour and at the premium strength of 46% ABV.

Hot copper in colour, the whisky is dark and masculine on the nose. A surge of ground Oriental spices, burned vanilla and unrefined cocoa beans gradually relaxes its grip and subtle aromas of lemon grass, orange peel and fragrant cut flowers come to life, unmistakably highlighting the provenance of this remarkable Vintage. On the palate it is smooth but firm-structured, envelops the mouth in creamy vanilla, spicy sherry notes, pralines and silky tannins. Lively citrus follows shortly after leading to a long, balanced finish, finally revealing a whiff of wood smoke.

anCnoc Assistant Brand Manager Stephanie Bridge commented:

“The unique taste profile of the Vintage 2000 is set to be a hit with malt enthusiasts everywhere. Releasing the next Vintage in the anCnoc collection marks the end of a very exciting spring and summer for the brand. I’m confident that the exclusive expression will be a welcome addition to anyone’s malt collection.”

anCnoc Vintage 2000 will be available in the UK, Sweden, Japan and Russia, to name but a few markets, at a recommended retail price of £55.

Notes 

• anCnoc [a-nock] Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at Knockdhu Distillery in the village of Knock near Huntly
• The distillery was established in 1894 and is considered one of the most enchanting in Scotland
• The distillery uses traditional production techniques including a time-honoured method of condensing distillate in worm tubs
• Core expressions of anCnoc include a 12 Year Old, anCnoc 16 Year Old and anCnoc 22 Year Old
• In 2012 super premium anCnoc 35 year old was launched across selected markets worldwide to much critical acclaim
• In 2014 anCnoc launched the Peaty Collection, a selection of peated single malt whiskies from Knockdhu Distillery. To date, the Collection consists anCnoc Rutter, Flaughter, Tushkar (Swedish exclusive) and Cutter, all named after traditional peat-cutting tools.

Newly arrived to the Shop

Prichard’s Distillery Single Malt Whiskey

Price $49.99

“With the same focus on quality as all our spirits, Benjamin Prichard’s Single Malt Whiskey has been reviewed with great acclaim. Steeped in Celtic origins, Benjamin Prichard’s Single Malt whiskey is distilled according to true Irish traditions; its rich malt flavors truly reflecting the character of the finest single malt whiskies. This superb whiskey has been distilled in our traditional copper pot stills and aged in our small, fifteen gallon barrels.” – The Distillery

IT’S TIME TO KICK BACK AND RELAX WITH ONE OF OCTOBER’S SEVEN SENSATIONAL BOTTLINGS, SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

THE CLOCK IS TICKING!

Bottle notes are below; for full tasting notes please visit http://www.smws.ca/

Also, be sure to sign up for November’s tasting on Friday, November 7th at The Strath in Victoria (by phone at 250-370-9463 or in person at 919 Douglas Street). The tastings always sell out, so don’t delay.

Old & dignified

Cask No. 41.47 Art in a bookshop café

24 years old; refill hogshead; 46.4%

An ever-changing nose that suggests paintings in a bookshop café, fruit falling in orchards, lots of sweet delights (heather honey, chocolate gateau etc) and pepper. The palate delivers beautiful sweetness (toffee, butterscotch, caramel shortcake) with poster paint, chewed pencils and pot-pourri.

Spicy & sweet

Cask No. 48.39 Red liquorice shoelaces

10 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.4%

Fruity to start with apricots and orange oil followed by ‘Rice Krispie cakes’. In the taste a Thai green curry with lemon grass, coconut milk and coriander. With water aromas of Refreshers and the flavour, red liquorice and ginger nut biscuits dipped in tea.

Young & spritely

Cask No. 76.109 Sinfully seductive

8 years old; 1st fill barrel; 59.5%

The nose is attractively perfumed and sinfully seductive – floral notes, cereals, vanilla custard and fresh, clean fruits. The palate has iced donuts, dried fruits, lemon sorbet, pears and blossoms (an evocation of Spring); but also subtle woody spice and salty leather.

Spicy & dry

Cask No. 73.61 A work of art

24 years old; refill sherry butt; 57.2%

We are in a carpenter’s workshop restoring antique mahogany furniture. Elegant woody aromas are mixed in with the smoke of a Cuban cigar. The taste is sweet with a surprisingly dry finish. Water brings out a bag of nuts and a glass of Oloroso Dulce Sherry.

Peated

Cask No. 3.210 Sooty and sweet

17 years old; refill hogshead; 58.9%

Sooty, with burnt streaky bacon, then tide-line tar, sea-shells, beach pebbles, plastic rope. A sweet and very smoky taste, with liquorice, mixed herbs and lime marmalade.

Peated

Cask No. 66.46 ‘Pretty Woman’ in a new Maserati

11 years old; refill sherry butt; 56.7%

The nose has plum, dark cherry, smoky ribs and wood and leather (Julia Roberts wearing Pretty Woman boots in a new Maserati). The palate, apart from a baseball bat in the mouth, has tar, smoke, toffee and chicory coffee; fantastic intensity.

Peated

Cask No. 29.135 Fisherman’s Friend & aniseed lozenges

17 years old; refill barrel; 60.7%

Salty fish boxes, seaweed, beach bonfire, medicinal and wet sand neat on the nose, the taste a smoldering charcoal barbeque with langoustines being grilled. Adding water a doctors bag, salty old ropes and sweet brown sugar as well as emptying last night’s catch with a Fisherman’s Friend in your mouth.

http://www.smws.ca

News release from Gordon & MacPhail 

Historic whisky releases mark new era for family firm

A unique and historic series of whiskies is to be launched by single malt specialists Gordon & MacPhail to celebrate the steady transition of the family-owned business to the next generation.

Four extremely rare Speyside whiskies chosen jointly by members of the third and fourth generations of the Urquhart family will be released under the prestigious Private Collection Ultra label this autumn.

The whiskies are:

• A 61 Year Old Linkwood, the oldest ever released, from cask No.279 of Linkwood in the company warehouses, selected by retired director Rosemary Rankin and her son Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of UK Sales

• A 62 Year Old Glenlivet initially matured in first fill Hogshead before being transferred to another first fill Hogshead in January 1969, selected by retired Managing Director Ian Urquhart, his son Neil, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Logistics and Facilities, and daughter Jenny Houldsworth, who is a Non-Executive Director of the company

• A 63 Year Old Mortlach from the company’s last cask of 1951 Mortlach, selected by retired Joint Managing Director David Urquhart and his twin sons Stuart, Gordon & MacPhail’s Whisky Supply Manager, and Richard, Export Sales Executive

• A 57 Year Old Strathisla, the oldest ever released, selected by current Managing Director Michael Urquhart and his daughter Laura Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail Brand Manager

Rosemary, Ian, David and Michael are the daughter and sons of Gordon & MacPhail pioneer George Urquhart, who succeeded his father John in the business and established its reputation as custodian of some of Scotland’s rarest and oldest single malt Scotch whiskies.

Michael Urquhart, who will retire as Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail this autumn, said: “The release of the four whiskies marks a historical period of time for Gordon & MacPhail. Our business is built on a foundation of the long term vision and of the handing down of knowledge and expertise, along with stocks of maturing whiskies, to future generations.

“Embracing this philosophy the Executive Directors, members of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family and the whole team at Gordon & MacPhail, look forward to continuing to release single malt whiskies of the highest quality for whisky drinkers around the world to enjoy.”

The four whiskies in the Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Ultra are presented in beautifully-designed decanters, individually numbered, with the whisky details engraved and in-filled with silver colour. A silver-plated neck collar and stopper adorns each decanter.

Wood, metal and glass are combined in a striking and innovative way to protect and display the whisky; the decanter nestles in a glass-bottomed pack, revealing a hint of the whisky colour.

A series of four books by whisky writer Jonny McCormick, one for each of the whiskies, tells the story of Gordon & MacPhail and the whisky and regales the reader with tales of origins and ancestry, of people, place and belonging.

Mr McCormick said: “It has been a privilege to sit down with each of the four members of the third generation and their children already working in the business.

“As well as revealing a good deal about themselves, they gave some powerful insights into what has made this family business such an extraordinary success for more than 100 years.”

Fifty-five decanters of Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Ultra Linkwood 1953 will be released for sale worldwide; sixty-nine of the Glenlivet 1952; sixty-one of the Mortlach 1951; and sixty-one of the Strathisla 1957. The UK recommended retail price will be £6,250 for each decanter (prices may vary in export markets because of duty and import taxes).

About Gordon & MacPhail 

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned Scotch whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with “new make” spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; an honour that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery and re-equipped it before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998. A four star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world famous Malt Whisky Trail.

In 2010 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 70 Year Old Mortlach, distilled in 1938. They followed this up by releasing a 70 Year Old Glenlivet in 2011.

Gordon & MacPhail is proud of its Moray roots and the company, its directors and its staff play an active role in their local community by supporting local charities and sponsoring local events.

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($99.99)
• The Lost Distillery Company “Gerston” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($64.99)

• The Lost Distillery Company “Gerston Vintage” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($299.99)

• The Lost Distillery Company “Stratheden Vintage” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($299.99)

• Berry Bros & Rudd Blue Hanger 7th Release Blended Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($99.99)

• Macallan 62 Year Lalique Decanter Single Malt 750ml – 1 available ($31,999.00)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Henry Mckenna 10 Year Old BIB Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml ($26.99)

United States – Single Malt Scotch

• Clear Creek McCarthy’s 2014 Release Oregon Single Malt Whiskey 750ml ($54.99)
  Whisky Advocate: “3 year old peated malt whisky, aged in Oregon oak. Rich nose of peat—burning leaves, a touch of sweet diesel—and fresh oak. There’s no stinting on the peat; it’s young, it’s in your face. Whiskey to stand toe-to-toe with Portland’s hopped-to-blazes beers. Not just peat: creamy malt makes a solid floor and an exit that may be the most complex part of the experience. Refined for a 3 year old. Limited annual release. (Vol. 22, #4)” K&L Notes: The new Fall 2014 release of McCarthy’s is here! Highly anticipated and sure to sell fast. Whereas the last batch carried more new oak richness and little smoke, the peat is back this time around, but with another dose of big oak. Both are equally in check and work together quite lovely. One of the best batches we’ve tasted yet. Much improved over the last one for sure.

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