New in stock…

Ardbeg 1991 23 Year Old Directors Cut 53.1% | 70cl

Tasting Notes.

Nose: Opens sweet and vanilla’d – developing to liquorice – soft chewy tar & peated malt.

Palate: Still sweet – builds to rock pools & a warming smoked quality & chimney soot.

Finish: Long & lingering – still sooty & beach bonfire ashes & sweet cigar smoke.

Tasting notes by Douglas Laing.

Price: £408.33 ex VAT
£490.00 inc VAT

Glen Ord 1992 21 Year Old Directors Cut 52.1% | 70cl

Tasting Notes.
Nose: Interestingly herbal – spiced – sugar sweet & barley’d.

Palate: Juicy – still herbal & spiced – now with coconut & chocolate.

Finish: Long & intriguing – replicates the palate & muscovado sugar?.

Tasting notes by Douglas Laing.

Price: £95.83 ex VAT
£115.00 inc VAT

Littlemill 1988 25 Year Old Directors Cut 56.2% | 70cl

Tasting Notes.
Nose: Full of character. Opens with sweet barley, ripe bananas, burnt sugar & caramelized apples.

Palate: Lively with chewy vanilla & stewed rhubarb & freshly baked croissants with warm butter.

Finish: Lingering with hints of coconut cream, buttered toast & sweet, ripe summer fruits.

Tasting notes by Douglas Laing.

Price: £137.50 ex VAT
£165.00 inc VAT

• 1988 Balmenach 25 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($149.99)
  One point we’ve stressed over and over again to our single malt customers is the need to be open-minded when it comes to finding value. So many enthusiasts lament the end of any affordable value at the higher end of the market, when in reality it’s still there — it’s just hiding under an unassuming name. In this case, that name is Balmenach: a Speyside distillery known more for the Deerstalker label than for its own eponymous selections. We all oohed and ahhed in unison while tasting this whisky from cask at the Signatory warehouse. The aromas were full of ripe stonefruit and salty caramel and it smelled as if a rich palate might be soon to follow. Indeed. The flavors were actually quite woody, but never over done, as the oak melded with the fruit and became almost toffee-ish on the finish. There’s something special about that Signatory warehouse in Pitlochry; the way in which unpeated, light, and fruity whiskies have a way of transforming in to a seamless nectar. We’ve seen it with our previous Ladyburn and Glenlochy casks, and we’re witnessing it again with this hogshead of Balmenach. It’s not quite as evolved as those other two, but man is it tasty. This is fun, fruity, rich, mature, and pleasantly supple single malt whisky. It’s a 25 year old single cask of Speyside goodness for a very fair price. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1997 Dailuaine 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)
  Dailuaine is a lovely little whisky. I don’t love it any less now that I’ve been chased off the distillery grounds. In fact the whole complex is very unusual. When we were there this year it seemed as though an endless amount of construction was at a standstill. This is also where Diageo has their “D00ark0m Grains” processing facility, which turns the spent barley into pellets for animal feed. The dark industrial dreeriness of this distillery, hidden in a hollow not far from the hill of Rinnes, totally flies in the face of the wonderfully fresh and vibrant malt that they produce. We were actually considering bottling this at 46% because we really liked how it took water, but when we saw how reasonable the cask strength price was we decided to give you the option at home. This has a very classically Dailuaine nose of fresh malt, white pepper, and green apples. It’s very off the oak and on the malt. On the palate, the pomace nature continues, with a rich oily maltiness that gives it length. Slight hints of brown sugar, almond, and vanilla pop up with water. That big malty side is tamed perfectly with the addition of water and brings out more subtle aromas on the palate. Now we have some exotic barks, subtle herbal notes, and some baked apple qualities. All in all this is a really fun whisky at an absolutely unbeatable price. (David Othenin-Girard, Spirits Buyer)

• Cedar Ridge K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Iowa Bourbon 750ml ($59.99)
  Amid all the controversy in the craft whiskey market these days (e.g. sourced whiskey, label laws, ridiculous prices, and all too often poor quality) a choice few distillers have sat quietly back and focused on producing excellent quality product and trying to sell it for a relatively reasonable price. Cedar Ridge is heading for that select group. Founded in 2005 by Jeff & Laurie Quint, they distill all their products in an 80 gallon European pot still. Their bourbon was released in 2010, the FIRST Iowa Bourbon (wow) to be released since prohibition and they’ve been aging stocks for over 7 years now. The mashbill is 75% corn, 10% rye and 15% malted barley and Cedar Ridge fills 53 gallon new charred Missouri Oak barrels. This is, for me, is one of the few bourbons wholly produced by one of the new wave of craft distillers to rival the quality of the industry leaders in Kentucky. It is one of the first craft distilleries to offer us bourbon over 4 years old in single full size barrels at full strength. The nose is all sticky caramel and spice. Hints of cinnamon covered apples, dried underbrush, and sweet oak. Textural nuance at the full 57.9%, showing a medium to full body that turns up the spices and sweet grain notes on the tongue whiles balancing with a mild drying oak and a great rich cocoa finish. There is no question that the little distillery in Swisher, Iowa is one to watch.

• Cut Spike Nebraska Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)
  At first we couldn’t believe our mouths. We knew that Cut Spike single malt had just taken Double Gold honors at the 2014 San Francisco Spirits competition (the highest possible honor), so obviously other people thought it was good, too. But after tasting so many mediocre American attempts at single malt whisky, we had become accustomed to the idea that the Scottish style of distillation would never be recreated here at home. There would be spin-offs, and experimental gasps at greatness, but that supple, malty profile would simply be something we needed to import from abroad. Then the folks at Cut Spike sent us a sample of their two year old Nebraskan single malt whisky made from 100% malted barley on a pot still crafted in Rothes, Scotland. Fermented at the brewery next door to Cut Spike in La Vista, the malt was matured for two years in new American oak with varying levels of char. The result is an incredible hybrid: soft, barley and vanilla-laden whisk y that tastes somewhat like your standard Scottish single malt, but has its own unique character simultaneously. It’s the kind of whisky that you taste once and enjoy, but then the next day suddenly crave intensely. It impresses you instantly, yet doesn’t really reveal its full character until weeks later. The new oak blurs seamlessly into the malty mouthfeel, adding a richness on the finish normally not tasted in standard Scottish selections. Cut Spike is a major accomplishment for American distillation, pure and simple.

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

BENRIACH RELEASES BATCH 11 OF ITS SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS 

BenRiach has today, 14 August, released the latest batch, its eleventh, of single cask bottlings. 

It comprises fourteen superb casks that were bottled in July and all are available as of today, ideal for leisurely summer tasting. 

Ranging from 37 to 9 years old, the much-anticipated release demonstrates a hugely eclectic range of expressions for which Elgin’s award-winning BenRiach is renowned, with astonishing variety across the fourteen casks. These include whiskies in the traditional, classic Speyside style, peated expressions and wood finishes such as Dark Rum, Tawny Port, Madeira, Virgin Oak, Pedro Ximenez Sherry and a Marsala wood finish. 

All fourteen casks have been hand-selected by BenRiach’s Managing Director and Master Distiller Billy Walker who described them as “absolutely special” and added: 

“Wood Management is one of the most important factors in ensuring excellence of quality during maturation. The most important factor is to use top-quality casks – Bourbon barrels, Hogsheads and ex-Wine Seasoned casks – and there is a role in the maturation process for all of these casks. Getting the wood right can be expensive but it’s one of the things I’m most proud of since we took over BenRiach.” 

And what an amazing range there is in Batch Eleven. 

The oldest, 1976 #529, at 44.2% vol, is Sherry Cask Matured and finished in a Bourbon barrel. Fresh crisp oak and cereal combine with sweet plum syrup, developing to an elegant, soft tropical fruit and toasted coconut finish. 

Meanwhile the youngest, 2005 # 3781, at 58.7% vol, a Virgin American Oak Hogshead, offers floods of sweet peat reek in rich caramelised apple and pear, softening gently to dried apricot and desiccated coconut. 

And a third which suggests it will be much sought-after is the 1998 cask # 5171, at 57.9% vol, a triple-distilled Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish in which vibrant oak spice, orange bitters and dark chocolate give exceptional depth, with stewed barley and orchard fruits softly rolling though the long, ever-changing palate. 

Other expressions in the range boast the taste of “Demerara and boiled sweets”, “luxurious chocolate and roasted coffee beans”, “rich Tarte Tatin” and even “fairground candy apple”. 

The cask details are as follows:

1976 cask # 529 /  37 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 44.2% vol. 

1976 cask # 5463 /  37 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Peated, Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 51.9% vol.

1977 cask # 7114 / 37 years old / Hogshead / 48.3%vol. 

1977 cask # 1891 / 37 years old / Dark Rum Barrel / Dark Rum Finish / 43.2% vol.

1978 cask # 5469 / 36 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 41.7% vol. 

1984 cask # 488 / 29 years old / Hogshead / Peated / 51.1% vol. 

1984 cask # 4051 / 29 years old / Tawny Port Hogshead / Peated, Tawny Port Finish / 50.3% vol. 

1994 cask # 1703 / 20 years old / Tawny Port Hogshead / Tawny Port Finish / 55.6% vol. 

1994 cask # 5626 / 20 years old / Madeira Hogshead / Peated, Madeira Finish / 53.2% vol. 

1996 cask # 7176 / 18 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 52.4% vol. 

1997 cask # 4435 / 16 years old / Marsala Hogshead / Marsala finish / 56.1% vol. 

1998 cask # 5171 / 16 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / Triple Distilled, Pedro Ximenez Sherry finish / 57.9% vol. 

2000 cask # 38131 / 14 years old / Bourbon Barrel / 59.3% vol. 

2005 cask # 3781 / 9 years old / Virgin American Oak Hogshead / Peated, Virgin American Oak finish / 58.7% vol. 

Keep an eye on our website, www.benriachdistillery.co.uk, and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

Springbank 21 year old single cask “Renegade” is now available to order at Loch Fyne Whiskies!

Specially selected and bottled by Mark Reynier, the former owner of Bruichladdich Distillery.

Springbank aficionados will know that a 21 year old Springbank of any form is rare enough at the moment, but this incredibly unique bottling goes a step further and offers an opportunity to taste the influence of different maturation environments.  This single cask of Springbank was matured for 13 years at Springbank and then moved to the warehouses at Bruichladdich for the remaining 8 years of maturation.  With Bruichladdich being much more exposed to prevailing Atlantic winds and foreshore influences than at Springbank’s warehouses in Campbeltown, some additional “maritime” influences have been imparted to this already exceptional whisky.  To add to its wonderfully complex style the whisky has been matured in a glorious sherry hogshead, resulting in a richly flavoured rare gem.

Springbank whisky is widely classed as one of the most collectable single malts in the world and this limited edition offers collectors an exciting opportunity to add to their collection.

One of only 219 bottles ever produced.
Drawn from sherry hogshead number 118.
Bottled at 46% volume, non-chillfiltered and with no added colouring. 

Click here to buy – £250

Congratulations to OLD PULTENEY, Gordon Hynd and team of Inverhouse Distillers, winners of this year’s The SPIRIT of WHISKY FRINGE Award. Over the three days of Whisky Fringe, all 1300 visitors had the chance to vote for their favourite whisky, from those sampled. Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage, a lightly peated, limited edition, was clearly voted the outright winner.

As always, commiserations to the runners up. Both the Glenglassaugh and the Ben Nevis are superb and highly recommended, while the new Highland Park Dark Origins was extremely well received. Thanks to all the exhibitors for participating and thanks to all the customers who voted.

1st PLACE

~ OLD PULTENEY 1990 Vintage ~
The Spirit of Whisky Fringe 2014

“If a cask is missing a certain zing or surprise, we use as many different oak casks (including different oak species) to produce some truly unique and truly outstanding whiskies; Exclusive Malts in Exclusive Casks Creating an Exclusive Range.”

Introducing the new and limited BenRiach single cask Batch 11 range! 14 unique and individual expressions covering a spectrum of natural colours and flavours! Each expression is very limited and all orders will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

 The Whisky Shop
Tel 0141 427 2919
info@whiskyshop.com
http://www.whiskyshop.com/

We create a whole variety of whisky products, all made here in the Highlands of Scotland. All our frames and wooden products have a unique look due to the ageing of the wood, charring and materials used in production. Using the menu to the left please browse through what we have to offer… hopefully you’ll find something you like! All our products are so good we have some of them in our own house, and often find it difficult to part with some of the products we create.

http://www.whisky-on-tour.co.uk/

AUGUST UPDATE: HIGH CLASS LUXURY

This rare dram from a recently closed distillery in the deep southwest took us (aromatically speaking) to a hunting lodge: lots of waxed wood, polished leather, tobacco, bookcases and gun cabinets. We also found attractive toffee, crushed nuts and spicy apple pie. But what will you find? Hurry and get one of the last few bottles before they’re gone…

NOW AVAILABLE BY THE BOTTLE

Deep, rich & dried fruits

50.55 High class luxury

LOW OUTTURN: only 70 bottles!

23 years, refill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £94.90

BACK IN STOCK: LAST FEW BOTTLES

Young & spritely

13.46 Something sweet for a beekeper

8 years, refill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £55.70

Lightly Peated

29.157 Heidi’s Holiday to Islay

17 years, refill ex-sherry butt

BUY £62.40

Browse Full August 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

Port Ellen 31 year old Platinum Selection Old and Rare

This Port Ellen Expression is one of the rarest of its kind.

Distilled in September 1982 and bottled in July 2014 at a natural cask strength of 45.9% volume. This 31 year old Port Ellen is one of only 29 bottles filled from a Refill Hogshead.

Each bottling of Old & Rare has been matured to perfection, so due to the angels’ share there are comparatively few examples to emerge from each cask. Presented in a highly distinctive squat bottle, each expression comes beautifully packaged in a specially crafted wooden box.  The personal tasting notes of our expert “nose” are included to complement the views of each individual taster. It goes without saying that each expression remains without chill-filtration or colouring.

£1200 – click here to buy