BENRIACH LAUNCHES ITS FIRST GLENGLASSAUGH BOTTLING

THE BenRiach Distillery Company, which bought the Portsoy-based Glenglassaugh distillery in March, is today (29 August) releasing its first Glenglassaugh expression – a superb 30YO single malt.

Back in March, BenRiach’s MD and Master Blender Billy Walker said: “It’s our intention to bring this iconic distillery fully back to life by giving it the investment, commitment and care it deserves. I believe our whisky expertise, proven brand-building ability and strong routes to market will help take Glenglassaugh to the next level.”

The next level starts with this magnificent 30YO and Mr Walker’s tasting notes show how appropriate it is that this very special Highland single malt, at 44.8% vol, should be the very first Glenglassaugh to be released by BenRiach.

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Rich, complex and full with luxurious tropical fruits of peach, mango and banana, complemented with sultanas, sherry and gentle oak spice.

Palate: Sweet and soft with near perfect balance of fruit; mango, orange, figs and sweet sultana followed by a wave of sherry, toffee and ginger oak spice.

Finish: Warm, soft and gently spiced.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “We’re delighted to release our first Glenglassaugh expression five months after taking over the distillery. The 30YO is a great example of the unique Glenglassaugh character – complex fruit flavours, sherry overtones, spices and a lasting finish. It’s the first of a number of planned developments we have for our new brand which is in response to strong demand for Glenglassaugh in global markets.”

If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@glenglassaugh.com

Two images of the Glenglassaugh 30YO attached.

Early September 2013 Outturn Offerings 

Savoury smoke and spicy sweetness 

Cask No. 66.35                           $90

Highland, Eastern

The nose was a happy collision between savoury smoke and spicy sweetness – bacon frazzles, aniseed, clove, cardamom and spiced fruit and nuts. The palate seemed massive – intense smoke and flavours of tar, treacle, cough medicine and honey-glazed ham; also considerable sweetness, mineral notes and some herbal hints too – ‘absolutely amazing!’ We were led by the reduced nose to a barbeque – spiced pork belly, sweet and sour prawns and even barbecued bananas. The reduced palate displayed beautiful sweetness, reminiscent of liquorice allsorts and gummi bears, but still that dry, ashy smoke underpinned the whole delicious experience. A smoky highlander from Kennethmont.

Drinking tip: For the great outdoors – especially wild places

Colour: Jacobean oak                                                Date distilled: July 2002

Cask: Refill Sherry butt                                                 Alcohol: 58.2%

Age: 9 years                                                       USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Intense explosion of taste 

Cask No. 2.83                      $140

Speyside, Spey

The nose really grabbed our interest – so much in it – summer fruits, cherry Bakewell, apple and berry tea; maple syrup, toffee and Fry’s Turkish Delight; mulled wine, tobacco and old books. The palate was intense, sharp and tickly – tutti-frutti bubble-gum and apple sours crashed into darker, spicy flavours (chilli pepper, gingerbread, treacle scones) resulting in an explosion of taste. The reduced nose – simply amazing – fruit-punch, black-jacks, tea chests, foamy shrimp sweets, wax and shoe polish. The palate lost some intensity but retained the sweet complexity of toffee apples, cinnamon, blackcurrant and lavender honey. The distillery was once protected by two pistols!

Drinking tip: Let the children get excited about sweets – we have this!

Colour: Marmalade                                                     Date distilled: May 1993

Cask: Refill hogshead                                                  Alcohol: 55.2%

Age: 19 years                                                      USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Venus in Furs 

Cask No. 30.70                           $150

Speyside, Spey

The Panel drew images of a foxy silver haired lady; wearing a musty fur coat. On the nose the panel was pleasantly greeted with scents of a traditional perfume containing musk. Then with a gentle caress on our cheek with butter soft leather gloves. On the palette we found the rich flavour of well matured Dundee cake washed down with blackcurrant cordial. With water on the nose we found there was a medley of orange bitters mixed with dark chocolate’ high in cocoa content to the point of being almost gravelly in consistency. One panellist found themselves stuck in a hedge with hooves, horse shoes and fresh mud galloping away on the finish! It was almost all over too soon.

Drinking tip: Pre dinner drink whilst dressing up

Colour: Lime green                                                      Date distilled: December 1989

Cask: Refill hogshead                                                  Alcohol: 52.0%

Age: 22 years                                                      USA allocation: 60 bottles

Rite of passage 

Cask No. 127.31                         $95

Islay

Descriptors for the initial nose neat were nail varnish remover, window cleaner, fire lighter and gun powder. Deeper notes like the inside of a tea chest appear with time. The taste is challenging, salty and sweet – perspiration from the brow dropping into one’s eye and child hood memories of walking in brand new trainers on hot bubbling tarmac. Adding water reminiscent of a wildfire on a peatbog by the sea and freshly caught haddock seasoned with lemon and parsley. To taste like a good ‘Old Fashioned’ cocktail garnished with an orange slice and a lemon twist as well as sweet balsamic vinegar in the finish. This comes from the progressive distillers on Islay who reached the 10 year milestone this year.

Drinking tip: With or over Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream

Colour: Retsina Greek wine                                        Date distilled: June 2002

Cask: Refill barrel                                         Alcohol: 64.2%

Age: 10 years                                          USA allocation: 96 bottles 

Promises sweet indulgences 

Cask No. G10.3                          $165

Grain

The nose evoked a breakfast buffet – bran-flakes, porridge, honey, marmalade (lots of orange notes) and maple syrup on waffles. We also identified random hints of carrot cake, ginger nuts, faint perfume and laminate flooring. The palate was immediately attractive, promising sweet indulgences – butterscotch, toffee éclairs, orange creams and floral perfumes, with ginger, cinnamon and clove not far behind. The reduced nose was very sweet, just held in check by gentle spices. The palate was now a silky, velvety experience – millionaire’s shortbread, crème brûlée – liquid honey sunshine filtering through a filigree trellis of oak. This Gorbals-based distillery was built in 1927.

Drinking tip: We have a hunch this whisky would go with brunch – but it packs a punch so maybe with lunch – it could sooth away fears of the credit crunch!

Colour: Yellow gold                                                     Date distilled: June 1988

Cask: Refill barrel                                                     Alcohol: 59.6%

Age: 24 years                                                      USA allocation: 54 bottles

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at www.smwsa.com

Compass Box is a specialist Scotch whiskymaker. You will discover a world of small batch Scotch whiskies, made in a variety of styles to appeal to a variety of tastes.

Discounted Items

Compass Box Asyla, Grain and Malt Blended Scotch Whisky
Sweet, delicate and very smooth on the palate, with flavors of vanilla-cream, cereals and a subtle apple like fruit character. $54.99

Compass Box “Great King Street” Artist’s Blend Scotch Whisky
Its smooth to the palate with vanilla, tropical fruits and fresh toast. $39.99

Compass Box “The Spice Tree” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bourbon lovers take note; the nose shows caramel popcorn, brown sugar and butter,with a smooth palate of vanilla, spice and dark chocolate. $72.99

Compass Box “The Peat Monster” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
For those who love big, rich, peaty and smoky malt whiskies, this is your whisky. $64.99

Compass Box Orangerie Scotch Whisky Liqueur
Infused with Orange Zest, Cassia and Clove.It is soft and pretty, an after dinner drink. $49.99

About our D&M Buying Clubs

Here at D&M we are passionate about Single Malt Scotch whiskies . To help make our passions a little easier on your (and our) pocketbook, we have come up with a number of different buying clubs. The purpose of these clubs is to explore these wonderful beverages, trying new things, and to save money. Look around these pages to see what we’ve offered in the past, and what is yet to come. To sign up for a club, click on the desired link below, add the club to your cart and enter your contact information and credit card number during checkout. Your credit card will not be charged until your club items are mailed to you for that month.

American Whiskey
Single Malt Connoisseurs’ Club
Single Malt Aficionados Club

September Previews: Beautiful Landscapes Unfold

The gentle foothills of an Indian summer or perhaps the shady valley of the first frosty night – who knows what’s just over the horizon in September? Join us in climbing a towering peak of single casks, where the high vantage point will let you catch the first glimpse of next month’s beautiful landscape unfolding before you…

36.63 There is chilli in the fruit pie 

15yo Refill ex-bourbon barrel

Speyside Spey £49.20

The nose neat is a balanced combination of fruity and sweet aromas; apple and pear crumble, rhubarb and custard, apricot jam and strawberry and lime cider. The taste is a surprise like a chilli infused apple and pear pie, very strong ginger beer and tonic water. With a little time sweeter notes of orchard fruit yoghurt and fruit salad with double cream emerge… Buy

73.59 Beautiful landscapes unfold

14yo Refill ex-bourbon barrel

Speyside Deveron £48.10

A front note of lemon trumpeted a parade of fine aromas – beeswax, polished wood, pineapple, apple, pear and rose, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla custard and canvas. The palate had a definite ‘zing’ of lemon juice squeezed over apple slices or pineapple fritters, then toffee apples, Toffoes, spongecake and wood shavings… Buy

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.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this You Tube video

Port Charlotte Scottish Barley (50%)

New 2013 release made using barley sourced only from farms in Scotland.

Heavily peated spirit distilled at Bruichladdich distillery and matured in American oak casks.

Shop – $55.85

From Bourbon Country comes PennyPacker Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. New to the U.S. Market, PennyPacker is an American-made, hand-crafted Bourbon of high quality with a competitive price.  Three types of grain are used in the distilling process: maize, rye, and barley with Maize making up 70% (above average) of the product. PennyPacker is produced according to the continuous method of distillation, which guarantees PennyPacker’s invariable character and consistently high quality. This particularly distinguished bourbon whiskey is full-bodied, yet mild straight bourbon whiskey with a slight hint of vanilla and caramel.  PennyPacker is everything America stands for: from the Penny to Abraham Lincoln to the American Flag.  PennyPacker recently received 91 Points from The Tasting Panel Magazine.

Whisky Innovators Team Up to Unveil DELILAH’S Limited Edition whisky to
Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Legendary Chicago Punk Rock Whisky Bar
Unique Style of Compass Box Whisky is created; a Shot and a Beer, Please!

“Everyone who comes to Delilah’s knows you can drink your whisky any way you like. It’s a mutual perspective John Glaser and I share that inspired our collaboration,” said Mike Miller, owner of Delilah’s. I have a deep appreciation and respect for John’s philosophy and talents and am honored to mark twenty years of combining great music and great whiskies with a Compass Box whisky blended uniquely for us and our community.”

– Mike Miller, Owner of Delilah’s

Through a shared vision that a great whisky should be enjoyable to all, boutique Scotch whiskymaker and craft blender, Compass Box Whisky Co., and Delilah’s, Chicago’s legendary punk rock bar have collaborated to create DELILAH’S – a limited edition Compass Box whisky to celebrate the bar’s 20thanniversary. Only 6,000 bottles of this eponymous craft Scotch whisky will be available in select markets worldwide – 4,800 of them in the US – following its debut in Delilah’s bar in Chicago on 29th August 2013.

DELILAH’s is a combination of single malt and single grain whiskies aged in a mix of experimental new American oak barrels which give the whisky a delicious sweetness. Bottled at 40%, DELILAH’S has an intense richness yet is subtly complex with honeyed and seductive fruity notes and hints of cereals and vanilla cream.

“Mike wanted a Scotch whisky that, in his words, ‘thinks it’s a Bourbon,’ so we sourced some single malts aged in new American oak hogsheads, something that’s very hard to find in Scotland,” said John Glaser, Compass Box founder and whiskymaker.“The result is a Scotch with a big, luscious vanilla-oak character that has echoes of Bourbon flavor. This makes it dangerously easy to drink neat and perfect served as a shot with a beer—the way a lot of whisky is enjoyed at Delilah’s!”- John Glaser, Compass Box founder and whiskymaker Just as this commemorative whisky is a twist on more traditional Scotch, so Compass Box has used it to create a twist on the Mint Julep, the perfect refreshing way to celebrate summer and Delilah’s anniversary:

Delilah’s Julep
2 oz Delilah’s whisky
1/3 oz honey syrup
10 mint leaves,
Crushed ice
Fill glass with crushed ice, add whisky and syrup. Rub mint leaves around rim of glass before mixing in.

Delilah’s Anniversary Day – Thursday, August 29th, 2013 #DelilahsWhisky

In the spirit of Mike Miller and with the support of their local communities, a celebration dubbed “Delilah’s Day” will take place on August 29th at Delilah’s, unveiling its eponymous Scotch whisky along with artwork by eight local artists who have each created a one-of-a-kind piece inspired by their personal connections with Delilah’s. Their works will be on display at the bar through Thursday, 3rd October.

The evening would be incomplete without the music that made Delilah’s known as one of the best rock bars in Chicago and beyond. DJ and bar owner Casino El Camino from Austin, TX, a longtime friend and inspiration for Miller and his own bar, will be spinning throughout the night. Other DJs will include Jump Up! Records’ Ska, Reggae DJ Chuck Wren, and a visit from Fisto the Clown.

In addition to being served at the iconic bar itself, DELILAH’S will be available from 30th August for approximately £52 (70cl) at fine spirits shops in selected markets worldwide, but especially the USA. For more information on DELILAH’s, visit www.compassboxwhisky.com and www.delilahschicago.com
.
ABOUT JOHN GLASER – American ex-pat John Glaser started Compass Box Whisky Company from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000. Having started his career on a path to become a winemaker, then re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as marketing director for Johnnie Walker in London, Glaser has a unique perspective on both the creation and the marketing of Scotch.

Glaser established Compass Box based on his commitment to evolving practices in the industry to make great Scotch whisky more approachable and relevant to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most exciting whisky companies, re-establishing the standards for quality and style in the industry.

ABOUT COMPASS BOX (www.compassboxwhisky.com) – The Compass Box Whisky Company is a boutique Scotch whiskymaker and craft blender, started in 2000 by John Glaser. Compass Box produces and bottles a range of Scotch whiskies, available in over 25 countries around the world. A four-time winner of the Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year award, Compass Box is known throughout the whisky world for quality, innovation and passion for great whisky. The Compass Box signature range of whiskies includes Asyla, Oak Cross, The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree and Hedonism. They also produce limited release whiskies annually, and Orangerie, a Scotch whisky infusion. Their latest creation is a ground breaking range of Blended Scotch whiskies called Great King Street. The first is called Artist’s Blend.

ABOUT MIKE MILLER – Mike Miller has been theowner and operator of Delilah’s in Chicago since 1993. Writer, designer, film maker, teacher, spirits judge and world traveler, Mike let’s his interests and discoveries guide him and his business decisions – determined to offer to the world his vision of fun by bringing different elements of life and art together to create an ever-evolving canvas. Miller also plays pinball at and operates Bottom Lounge, a live music venue he opened in 2008 in Chicago’s West Loop.

ABOUT DELILAH’S (www.delilahschicago.com) – Delilah’s has been Chicago’s premiere cavern tavern since it opened in 1993. Delilah’s is open every night of the year and features nightly Rock and Roll DJs, local art exhibitions, film screenings and a world class selection of beer and spirits – including more than 600 whiskies! Delilah’s has been recognised internationally for its selection of whiskies, its juke box, its special custom whisky releases and for its overall atmosphere. Voted Esquire’s ‘Best Dark Bar in America!’ British beer and whisky writer Michael Jackson said “Delilah’s is the most important bar in America.”

ImpEx Beverages, Inc. is delighted to announce that the amazing Isle of Arran Distillery expression Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter II has arrived in USA!

Chapter II of The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a true contrast of light & shade hence the title ‘Angels & Devils’. The 1997 and 1998 hogsheads chosen provide the foundation for this whisky and add rich and satisfying depth.

Tasting Notes: Nose: Dried fruits, light spice and cigar box Palate: Dark chocolate and butterscotch Finish: Fresh citrus, Earthy, light twist of smoke

Here is the link for video presentation

RRP is $ 130.00

August Top Up: Mouth-watering Desserts

Lemon, rose water, ginger and white chocolate: the ingredients of a delicate summer pudding, perhaps?  Definitely worth an experiment in home baking- but also the key flavours of some terrific bottles we’ve just released for sale …

9.69 Turkish delight and fragrant Thai rice 

17yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £56.70 24 remaining… Buy

35.73 Pencil-chewing gingerbread men

20yo Second fill dump hogshead, £67.70 30 available… Buy

35.88 Velvety vanilla meets seductive citrus

17yo First fill ex-bourbon barrel, £53.90 40 available…Buy

48.36 Lemon sorbet garnished with a mint leaf

9yo First fill ex-bourbon barrel, £41.80 12 available… Buy

64.48 Burnt sugar and Snowballs

23yo Refill ex-bourbon barrel, £65.50 23 available… Buy  

77.31 White chocolate smeared on oak

9yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £45.00 12 available… Buy  

Last chance to snap up the August Offers!

August TRIO: 7.92, 29.121 & 30.77 for only £165

29 available… Buy

August PAIR: 9.73 & 30.77 for only £99

15 available… Buy

Browse August Outturn

*30.77 is exclusive to our August offers

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.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this You Tube video

• 1998 Arran 14 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (Pre-Arrival) ($89.99)
Our first attempt to visit the lone distillery on Scotland’s Isle of Arran was disastrous – a gigantic blizzard blew through the south of Scotland, completely shutting down the available ferry system and knocking out power for the entire island. Despite our desire to finally see one of the true up-and-comers of the Scotch industry, we were simply out of luck this year. That didn’t mean we couldn’t taste through casks, however. Luckily for us, the Arran rep was stationed at Glasgow when the storm hit and had samples pulled in anticipation of our appointment. We met up with her shortly after the storm and immediately fell in love with an ex-sherry hogshead that was as complex and delicious as anything we had ever tasted from the young distillery. The nose is all golden grains, brandied fruit, and malty goodness. The palate has a short burst of bright fruit before settling down into faint sherry and sweet barley. At cask strength the alcohol makes these flavors even more powerful, but water doesn’t hinder them in any way. Arran is easily the MIP of the malt industry – the most improved player. Recent releases have been top notch, especially for a producer that began in 1996. We have no doubt that this wonderful cask will make believers out of K&L customers as well. The richness of the finish lingers on forever, reminding for minutes how legit this whisky is. Of course, we knew that going in. That’s why we were willing to brave the blizzard. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1996 Bowmore 16 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($92.99)
This year we were lucky enough to secure two different Bowmore Casks for the Faultline selection. As I’ve stated previously, Bowmore is absolutely one of the finest distilleries in Scotland and finding casks like this at reasonable prices is just not normal. This lovely whisky comes from a refill sherry butt. This is a lovely contrast to our other Bowmore, showing much softer aromas of candied fruit, densely wafting smoke, but with a subtleness that is not seen on the Hogshead cask from 1997. This barrel perhaps captures the current distillery profile more precisely because of the sherry influence (limited as it may be) and will make any Bowmore lover happy. It may also provides an opening for none Islay drinkers to appreciate a smoky whisky that is fully integrated and approachable without to much of the medicinal side. Similar casks are currently selling in Europe for upwards of $150, so don’t expect this to be around forever.

• 1989 Cragganmore 23 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
Finally, the return of Cragganmore to the Faultline line up. One of our first bottlings was a fabulous 20 year old Craggy, from a hogshead. That was three years ago and we haven’t seen another Cragganmore from any of our suppliers since, so when this one popped up as a potential Faultline candidate we jumped on it. We were surprised again by both the quality and the incredible price! Cragganmore is distilled from very lightly peated barley. Over the course of 23+ years in a refill sherry butt, that subtle smokiness has morphed into what can only be described as quintessentially Speyside. Imagine a highland shrub recently in bloom after months of dormancy during the long cold winter. Imagine the honey bee attracted to the tiny purple flowers, returns to her hive, which is situated precariously on the outstretched limb of knobby oak tree. The honey slowly drips out of the dense honeycomb on to the damp reeds below. This tiny florally flecked speck of honey trap ped on a blade of grass flutters in the breeze to land on a damp stone on the banks of the river Spey. Droplets from the idly lapping river loosen the blade from its sticky perch on the wet stone, eventually releasing it into the meandering river as it twists toward the north sea. Now imagine yourself with a bottle of Cragganmore. You have a very good imagination…

• 1992 Longmorn 21 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($104.99)
Oh Longmorn, you elusive lovely creature. Last year, we bottled a Longmorn from a fresh sherry butt that was arguably our most positively received whisky of 2012. All the whisky geeks went mad and snatched up every bottle moments after it arrived. This year we return with another Longmorn of a similar price and aged, but this time it’s coming from a second fill butt. It’s not the sweet up-front style of last year’s, but instead a powerful whisky filled with fresh vanilla, dark dense fruit, and aromas of toffee and spice. This is a fabulously complex whisky with a roundness that’s undeniably pleasurable. Again don’t expect a redux of last year’s cask, but a special whisky that stands tall on it’s own merit. All lovers of this splendid Speyside distillery, located just south of Elgin, should buy now before the price goes up. A very welcome addition to the Faultline family.

• 1982 Miltonduff 30 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Singl e Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
This baby will be the oldest single malt whisky we’ve ever bottled under the Faultline label. Miltonduff is certainly rare on the market right now, although we find casks regularly, the quality is highly irregular. This cask was just transcendent in my opinion. Aged for 30 years in a bourbon barrel, we really get to the essence of Miltonduff. Exhibiting exotic wood notes and powerfully aromatic qualities of incense, gentian, and spice on the nose give way to intense vibrancy and life on the palate. While this whisky is mature, it certainly shows no sign of slowing down, layering on the aromatic elements as the whisky finishes. Sandalwood, cardamom, bay leaf, and subtle honeyed sweetness soften the powerful masculine quality of this special whisky.

• 1987 Mortlach 25 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($124.99)
Here is a fun whisky from the fabulous and sought-after distillery in Dufftown. We’ve already had great success this year with Mortlach from various bottlers, but this cask was just too good a value to pass up. What we have here is a total turnaround from the sherry monster that we bottled via Chieftain’s this year. Coming from a refill bourbon barrel, the savory quality of Mortlach is not framed by the sweet dried fruit of the sherry cask. Instead, the subtle influence of the bourbon barrels works to highlight the distilleries distinctive qualities. Just an all together stupendous value, if somewhat geared for the more expert drinker. The high proof will be a definite surprise for those not expecting it. I believe that many who liked our first Faultline – a Littlemill 21 yo – will enjoy this cask for its unflappable uniqueness and rich complexity.

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