The whiskies just keep on coming!  Amongst the latest new arrivals are the (very!) long awaited Bowmore Tempest 4, Batch 2 of the fabulous GlenDronach Cask Strength plus a plethora of delights from Dewar Rattray.

You can see some of these new whiskies & vodkas below and for the full selection check out our New Products section.

Finally, the Glory of the Grain tweet tasting we partnered on with the Whisky Wire was a very enjoyable event.  The Nikka Coffey Grain and the Invergordon 1965 45 year old were the favourites but all the whiskies were well received and you can read Kieran Smyth’s report on the tasting here.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

NEW PRODUCTS

BOWMORE 10 YEAR OLD TEMPEST BATCH 4

This series of small batch cask strength releases from Bowmore have proved immensely popular and number 4 has finally appeared in all it’s new, repackaged glory. Coming in at a strength of 55.1%, it’s delicate smokiness and coastal saltiness made this the dram of choice at the recent Bowmore tweet tasting

Buy Online: £ 49.99

GLENDRONACH CASK STRENGTH BATCH 2

It’s GlenDronach, it’s cask strength (55.2%), it’s been matured in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks, and it’s lush – what more do you need to know???

Buy Online: £ 49.99

LONGMORN 1993 19 YEAR OLD

Another great whisky from the reliably good independent bottlers Dewar Rattray. As soon as we tasted a sample of this Bourbon matured Longmorn we knew we had to stock it. The enticing nose draws you in and on the palate we found it was multi layered with notes of citrus, lemon meringue, melon and vanilla. Mmm…

Buy Online: £ 65.99

Loch Fyne Whiskies Stocks Macallan Amber and Macallan Sienna 

Macallan Sienna

43%abv

£64.90 inc vat £54.08 ex vat

Macallan Amber

40% abv

£44.50 inc vat £37.08 ex vat

Best regards,

Loch Fyne Whiskies

david@lfw.co.uk

The new Glenrothes Vintage 2001

A NEW CENTURY IN THE MAKING.
It may have taken 12 years but we’ve finally judged an expression worthy of our vintage label and fit to mark the turn of the century. Laid down in 2001, it has been chosen for its wonderful length and depth, displaying soft but stimulating and conversational properties. Something, which we are sure will get even the most regular Glenrothes enthusiasts talking.

FIND OUT MORE 

1997 Glenlivet 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($66.99)
Although we didn’t advertise it at the time, we actually selected this first-fill sherry barrel of Glenlivet from Signatory as part of our 2012 trip. We thought the whisky was simply outstanding, a shining example of what the classic Speyside distillery can accomplish when one fantastic barrel is isolated from the rest of the batch. What we wanted to do was wait until this cask hit its 16th birthday, then bottle it immediately. You could tell it was right on the cusp of greatness, but it just needed an extra year. While the standard Glenlivet expressions are soft and supple on the palate, they rarely exhibit the amount of fresh sherry influence that this 16 year old barrel exudes. The result is a whisky that’s more like Macallan or Glendronach than what we think of as Glenlivet. Toffee, raisined fruit, baking spices, and cocoa came blasting out of the glass when we first pulled the sample straight from the barrel. This whisky was a beast! Since we knew that a cask of Glenlivet would encompass a larger tent of customers than some of our more esoteric selections, we thought that proofing the whisky down to 46% might be a good idea in this case. After tasting it we knew this was the right move. The spice and heat turn into creamy, unctuous sherry, melting over the palate at a slow crawl. While the whisky isn’t at full proof, it is still non-chill filtered and from one single barrel. For the price, it’s hard to find a single fault with this single malt. (David Driscoll)

1995 Imperial 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
This may be a first (and hopefully not a last!), but we’ve got a lovely Imperial from a great supplier that’s even CHEAPER than the last cask of Imperial we purchased. I’m not going to read too much into this, but single malt prices seem to have come down for the first time in my nearly 10 years of doing this. Maybe we just got lucky, or maybe we’re making better friends, but this is just a screaming deal. We purchased an octave from Duncan Taylor in the 2011 campaign and sold it readily for $100. Now we’re looking at an equivalently aged cask for nearly $30 less! We’re talking about a closed distillery that’s rather well regarded. It’s just shocking. What’s even more unusual is the quality of this cask. This lovely whisky shows all the complexity expected from this high quality facility. On the nose: a freshness that alternates between grassy fields and forest floor. The wood does not hinder the spirit in the slightest and a lovely, comforting grainy quality is evident, alongside the fresh foliage and subtle grass. Sweet herbs (maybe dill or mint), navel orange pith, and a textural richness that’s surprising considering the lighter aromas. Long, lengthy, rich, even borderline-syrupy. This is sure to be a classic and maybe even collectable at this price! (David Othenin-Girard)

1995 Miltonduff 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)
Miltonduff was all over our trip this year, whether in its normal single malt form or under the name Mosstowie, referring to a separate whisky made on site using a Lomand still. While we skipped the Mosstowie (those Lomond stills are hard to work with no doubt) we could not pass up the opportunity to buy delicious, cask strength, 18-year-old whisky for this price. Miltonduff might be familiar to some as it is the key ingredient in the famous Ballantine’s blend. It is this particular whisky that makes me believe the Ballantine’s 17-year could actually be rated as Jim Murray believes it should be. Altogether more typically a Highlander than Speyside (if these regional descriptions mean anything to anybody any longer), it’s a powerhouse. Phenolic and earthy, there’s this sort of flinty aroma, it’s not sulfur, but more struck flint on iron. Sparks! There’s some herbal extract (Indian ginseng), floral remedies (crushed flowers) and an oily texture. If someone were using heavy machinery (like a license plate printing press) nearby while you were nosing this whisky you probably wouldn’t notice. An intense, powerful and unusual whisky that makes you pause for a moment before filling your glass again. And you will fill it again. (David Othenin-Girard)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Hooker’s House Rye 750ml ($35.99)

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

THE GLENLIVET MAKES WHISKY HISTORY WITH LAUNCH OF MYSTERY CAMPAIGN

The Glenlivet, the world’s No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is pioneering an innovative approach to flavour with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha; a new, mystery expression released without cask information or tasting notes.

Presented in a black bottle to preserve the mystery, consumers are encouraged to let taste and smell lead their experience of The Glenlivet Alpha. Connoisseurs of the range will be able to identify its signature style but also discover a new flavour palate due to the inclusion of never-before-released spirits.

The Glenlivet Alpha launch will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign that will see consumers exploring The Glenlivet’s complex flavours through multi-sensory experiences both online, through http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and the brand’s Facebook page, and offline. The campaign will help to generate discussion and a deeper understanding of The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all.

The campaign will bring The Glenlivet Alpha to life with a launch film, advertising, in-store activity and a global media launch event in London. Additional films, which explore the roles of sight, smell, taste and feel on flavour perception, will be hosted on The Glenlivet’s digital social media platforms and will link through to online sensory challenges that allow consumers to gradually unlock the secrets of The Glenlivet Alpha. Sensory experts including taste visualisation specialists, Greyworld, will also be working with the brand on the campaign.

In June, the mystery behind The Glenlivet Alpha will be revealed by Master Distiller Alan Winchester in a global broadcast to The Glenlivet fans on http://www.theglenlivet.com/ and on the brand’s Facebook page.

Nikki Burgess, International Brand Director for The Glenlivet, says: “The Glenlivet is famous for its smooth, full bodied flavour and with the launch of The Glenlivet Alpha we’re excited to be exploring this in an original way. This is the first time anyone has launched a ‘blind’ whisky in this way and we are confident that this innovative campaign will excite whisky drinkers and help them to truly appreciate single malt and understand the flavours they taste in The Glenlivet’s award-winning range.”

With only circa 3,500 bottles worldwide, The Glenlivet Alpha will be available in USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Andorra, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, India and South Africa and will retail at $120.

The Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in the Livet valley and offers a variety of expressions, all boasting its signature smoothness and floral, fruity profile.

The Glenlivet has been the biggest contributor to volume growth in the single malt category over the last five years, adding more than any other Single Malt brand*. The release of The Glenlivet Alpha continues the brand’s legacy of innovation and reinforces its position as ‘the single malt that started it all’.

*IWSR 2011 

Notes 

Follow The Glenlivet on Twitter via the handle @The_Glenlivet and stream the campaign through #Alpha 

Facebook application: https://www.facebook.com/theglenlivet/app_406821989412224 

The Glenlivet Alpha YouTube video and embed link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOvsNoC-2YU&list=UUVnO1IwQ0pn6-pMrfks8TfA&index=1 

The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet. 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

NEW PRODUCTS IN THIS WEEK

Just arrived –

Talisker Port Ruighe, named after the old Gaelic name of Port in the Isle of Skye. The distillery has been using Port Casks to age its whisky as far back as 1898 and this new Malt is a toast to the Scottish merchants who braved the high seas to bring back the newly discovered Port Wine from Portugal.

BUY NOW – £44.99

The Macallan 1824 Series is a new range of single malts which showcase the very best of The Macallan, built on the principle of natural colour.
Macallan 1824 Amber 40%,

BUY NOW – £51.00

Macallan 1824 Sienna 43%,

BUY NOW – £77.00

Macallan 1824 Ruby 43%

BUY NOW – £137.00

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2

70cl / 55.2% Vol

Towards the end of 2012, GlenDronach Distillery released a cask strength edition, which was designed to supplement the core range of 12, 15, 18 and 21 year old vintages. With the popularity of Batch 1, Batch 2 has been bottled and is now available via our online whisky store.

If the previous batch has anything to go by, this is sure to be another great tasting dram.

Bottled at 55.2% vol.

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2 Official Tasting Notes

Appearance: Rich golden amber with a crimson heart.

Nose: Wonderful rich aromas of honey drenched raisins and sultanas. Candied ginger and orange peel are spiced with a beautifully delicate back note of warm oak.

Palate: A perfectly balanced traditional sherried character. An explosion of chocolate coated raisins and zest of orange, mellowed with sweet warm oak spices, hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared almonds.

Finish: A uniquely balanced classic finish.

£49.75  (£41.46 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY

MILTONDUFF EDITION

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky range inAsiaand the No. 1 in Global Travel Retail, is launching Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition – one of an innovative and exclusive collection of whiskies from the first limited edition series in the history of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.

Over 40 different malt and grain whiskies, sourced from all overScotland, are blended together to produce Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.  Specially created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, each edition in the Signature Distillery series aims to showcase the unique influence of one of the major signature malts that provide depth to Ballantine’s 17 Year Old – Scapa, Glenburgie, and Miltonduff – by accentuating their contribution within a limited edition blend.

The latest edition in the series, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition is a blended Scotch whisky that highlights the role of the Miltonduff single malt.

Miltonduff malt forms the foundation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, bringing power to the blend, its character complementing the other fingerprint malts perfectly.  The cinnamon spiced notes bring warmth to the blend and its floral character balances the fruity sweetness of other malts.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition brings the unique qualities of the Miltonduff malt to the fore while staying true to Ballantine’s signature style.

The presentation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition reflects the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old bottle, with added inspiration from the warmth of the tasting notes: elements of orange inspired by the sweet and fruity notes on the nose and a subtle rose sheen representing the hint of cinnamon spice that comes through in the background of the blend.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, says: “The Miltonduff Edition is an excellent addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. It’s ideal for those looking to explore Ballantine’s 17 Year Old on a deeper level as it offers whisky drinkers a unique insight into the role that the Miltonduff malt plays in the much revered Ballantine’s 17 Year Old blend. It also showcases the excellent work of our Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, a man who is a world-leader in the art of blending.”

The Signature Distillery series plays a pivotal role in telling the story behind Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and will continue in 2014.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Miltonduff Signature Distillery Edition is available now in limited quantities, with an RRP of $75 USD*.

Notes

*RRP inAsiaDuty Free.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition tasting notes

Nose: Rich fruity and sweet. Flavours of peaches in syrup, juicy sweet orange and creamy soft toffee with a hint of toasted almonds.

Taste: Sweet scented floral flavours. Extremely smooth with milk chocolate flavours and hints of cinnamon spice, cloves and liquorice root in the background.

Finish: Very long, warm and sweet.

About Miltonduff Distillery

Located in one ofScotland’s foremost whisky producing regions, Speyside, Miltonduff is set in the fertile valley known as the ‘GardenofScotland’, an area that has attracted many brewers and distillers over the centuries, due to the ready availability of the finest barley and the quality of theBlackBurnRiver’s water.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia, No. 1 Scotch whisky inEuropeand the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

This is just a quick note to say that I’ve made a 27yo Longmorn available on my online shop at http://www.whiskybroker.co.uk/acatalog/Longmorn.html. It is a single cask bottling at cask strength 53.8%, and is priced at £55. The cask only yielded 191 bottles, so I don’t imagine that they will be available for long, but in any case, I will be making the bottles available to my trade customers from Monday 13^th May, so if any are still available then, they will be likely to rapidly disappear.

If you’d like a bottle, but don’t want to pay high postage costs, you can select “hold for collection” and I will set the bottle aside for you to add to an order at a later date, to reduce the postage per bottle.

Many thanks to everybody for your continued support. As a small but growing business, we greatly appreciate it.

Martin Armstrong

www.whiskybroker.co.uk

May Update: Treasure seekers
Treasure seekers….members have been snapping up these precious and rare gems..

1) 121.59 Vanilla candles on a polished table
14yo Refill ex-bourbon barrel, £49.40
14 available…  Buy

2) 1.171 Orchids in an old wardrobe
28yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £88.30
24 available…Buy

3) 59.43 Caramel Swirl Ice-cream
29yo 1983 30th Anniversary Bottling, £137.20
33 available…Buy

4) 4.175 Suspicious skulkers on the cat-walk
13yo First-fill ex-bourbon barrel, £58.80
16 available…Buy

5)  7.83 Fresh, airy and sherbety
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £69.10
13 available…Buy     
    
Pearls of WHIS-DOM
Tasty TRIO: 53.184, 64.43 & G7.4 for £184
10 available…Buy

Island PAIR: 53.184 & 4.175 for £118
10 available…Buy

Packing CASE Offer: TRIO + 77.32, 7.83 & 3.198 for £364
4 available…Buy 
    
May Outturn

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 http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.