Celebrate the best of Scotland: taste and explore the soul of its spirit with this evocative diversity of new single casks. We sat down with our spirits manager, Euan Campbell, to unearth his favourite drams from this month’s Outturn – there are some fantastic bottlings to set you up for the perfect Burns Supper.

VIEW BOTTLINGS              READ 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 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

The Whisky Exchange Blog Review of 2018

Happy new year everyone. With a simple transition from Monday to Tuesday, the falling ball of fate has been triggered and it’s time for the yearly TWE Blog round-up of the year.

A Good Year for the Roses

While 2018 has been “interesting” for many reasons, in the whisky world things have rolled on as usual. Macallan opened its shiny new distillery, Jura, Glenrothes and Old Pulteney relaunched their entire ranges, our friends at Elixir Distillers announced their plans to build a distillery and Daftmill *finally* released a whisky.

Expect the next releases from Daftmill very soon…

Here at The Whisky Exchange, we had a lot of exclusives – more than 30 according to my big spreadsheet. We’ve had everything from rich and dark sherry-matured Old Pulteney and a 2000-vintage Caroni (both now long gone) to an incredible 1973 Speysider . Our second Black Friday whisky sold out in an hour and the final bottle of our Christmas Malt was bought, appropriately, on Christmas Eve.

You can find all of our current releases over on our Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange page.

We’ve got loads more to come in the new year, with the first three already raring to go, but we also teased one a couple of weeks back: Rosebank Jealousy. The 2018 release – Innocence – flew off the shelves, and we expect Jealousy to do similar. Set your alarms for Valentine’s Day…

Crawling to the USA

But it’s not all been about Scotch whisky. With a pair of exclusive American whiskies, another brace from New Zealand and a veritable polo team of Irish drams landing on our (virtual and physical) shelves through the year, there was some very tasty whisky from overseas – you can find them all on our Exclusive World Whiskies page.

When the winner of our Whisky of the Year turned out to be a whiskey – congratulations Michter’s Sour Mash from the USA – we weren’t entirely surprised: it’s been a year for great whiskies from around the world.

Everyday I write the book

Over here on the blog we’ve been busy. Newest addition to the team, Tom, survived his first Whisky Show, Caroline got to meet the man behind Johnnie Walker, and I found out I was wrong about sherry solera casks.

Jim Beveridge – master blender, Johnnie Walker curator and man with the best name in the drinks business

As ever, our most popular post of the year was due to Jim Murray, master of The Whisky Bible and judger of all things whisky. His list of winners emphasised again how good American whiskey is these days, although he did sneak in a nod to one of our favourites closer to home – congratulations to The English Whisky Company for its European Whisky of the Year award for The Norfolk Farmers.

In other “winning” news, let’s not talk about the World Cup ever again…

Pump it Up

We’re only on day one and already 2019 is looking to be busy. We’ve got The Whisky Show: Old & Rare in Glasgow in eight weeks – make sure you grab your tickets if you’ve not got them yet – a Royal Lochnagar ballot on behalf of the Prince’s Foundation live now, and we’ll be getting loads of great new releases up on the website over the coming months.

As ever, if there’s anything you want us to write about, let us know. But for now, thanks for reading and see you all, at least virtually, in the new year.

This year I have mostly been listening to the songs of Elvis Costello.

The Whisky Shop Dufftown New Year Update

This is a very brief update on a few items using our new format newsletter.

For those of you who mark this event we wish you all a very happy new year and all the best for 2019

Our new year sale started today, 2 January.  Here is the full list of our new sale items.

Preview Sale

Exciting Stop the Press News!!!

We are working on a brand new festival for 2019.  It will be around the second weekend in October each year (10 to 13 October 2019).  Put those dates in your diary.  We are not ready to tell you more than this at the moment but we wanted you to be amongst the first to know.  More very very soon.

The Whisky Shop Dufftown · 1 Fife Street · Dufftown, Moray AB55 4AL · United Kingdom

Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Our Remaining Exclusive Bottlings of 2018

We selected some truly great single malts and grains in 2018. From GlenDronach to Laphroaig; Dumbarton to Strathclyde

Here are a few of our excellent Exclusives which are running low on stock!

A Year of Whisk(e)y in Review

2018 has been a very exciting year for whisk(e)y at K&L. From our direct-import exclusives to rare one-off bottlings and everything in between, our shelves have been graced with an impressive bounty. With the year coming to a close, we thought it a perfect opportunity to revisit some of our top whiskey offerings of 2018. Whether you are a whiskey maven from way back or are just beginning to explore, the selections below are sure-fire winners and welcome additions to any collection.

Top Collectibles

The Scotch boom continues to plow full steam ahead with age-statement bottlings garnering the greatest attention. The confluence of demand and the inherent scarcity of these bottlings have driven prices sky high. Thanks to our close relationships with the distilleries and bottlers, we’ve tracked down more than a few of these collectibles at unbeatable prices.

1996 Linkwood 21 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $129.99 View

1996 Bowmore 22 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 View

2005 Highland Park 12 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Refill Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $159.99  View

Glengoyne 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $299.99 View

1965 Carsebridge 52 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) $349.99  View

1984 Caol Ila 34 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $375.00  View

Old Particular

Our “Old Particular” portfolio continues to be a resounding success. With the proliferation of no-age-statement whiskies, it’s been a boon to have a seemingly unending source of single barrel exclusives that not only carry their age, but also come in a breathtaking range of styles and expressions. Consistently among the top bargains in the market, “Old Particular” is the go-to for scores of whisky lovers.

2010 Glen Garioch 8 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $49.99 View

2006 Balmenach 11 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $54.99 View

2007 Benrinnes 11 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $54.99 View

1995 Loch Lomond (“All Malt”) 22 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View

1994 Miltonduff 24 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $129.99 View

Bourbon

When it comes to spirits in America, bourbon continues to reign supreme. Tried and true brands are snatched up with abandon, while a stream of new distillers continue to enter the market. It truly is the golden era of bourbon. Our buyers David Othenin-Girard and Andrew Whiteley have worked tirelessly to seek out the finest expressions available while leaving the others on the cutting room floor. Below is a small sampling of the fruits of their labor.

Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Elsewhere $32) $29.99 View

Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $34.99 View

Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #0755 (Warehouse H, Floor 7) Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View

Smooth Ambler “Big Level” Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View

Booker’s “Kitchen Table 2018-4” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Little Book 2018 Release “Batch #2 – Noe Simple Task” Blended Straight Whiskey (750ml) $79.99 View

Japan & Canada

For the discerning whiskey drinker, Japan and Canada continue to be a go-to source. Japan’s top expressions stand shoulder to shoulder with Scotland’s best, while Canada continues to be a driving force of innovation. No matter how you cut it, the whiskies from these countries have rightfully earned their place on the international stage.

Lot 40 Single Copper Pot Still Canadian Rye Whisky (750ml) $31.99 View

Helios Distillery “Kura The Whisky” Rum Cask Finished Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Nikka Coffey Still Japanese Malt Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Nikka “Taketsuru” Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Suntory “Hibiki Japanese Harmony” Japanese Whisky (750ml) $64.99 View

Whistle Pig “Farmstock” Rye Crop No. 002 Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 View

Whistle Pig 14 Year Old The Boss Hog 5th Edition “The Spirit of Mauve” Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml – 1 bottle limit, ships as 1.5L) $499.99 View

Raasay While We Wait 2018- £53

Raasay Distillery has now launched Raasay While We Wait 2018 – the fourth expression to date of the brand’s independently bottled single malt – which was created as a representation of the flavours that drinkers can expect from future Raasay scotch whisky. The release of Raasay While We Wait 2018 begins the countdown to 2020 when the first ever Raasay single malt in Scotch whisky history will be released. Designed as a peaty and fruity single malt, each iteration of Raasay While We Wait has been crafted through the vatting of two malts from a single Highland distillery – heavily peated at 45ppm and unpeated – matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Tuscan Montechiari wine casks.The team at Raasay Distillery are keen to push the boundaries of the spirit, exploring the effect that different finishing times and casks have on the flavour profile of the spirit.

The Tweeddale: Grain of Truth – £50

Heritage brand The Tweeddale has now added a new single grain whisky to its repertoire – Grain of Truth. The Tweeddale was first blended in 1820 in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, and later continued by Richard Day from 1895 to 1940. In 2009 Alasdair Day – great-grandson of Richard Day – decided to recreate The Tweeddale and to continue Richard Day’s eminent legacy. Grain of Truth represents Alasdair Day’s latest effort to create a memorable, rich and complex single grain whisky, based on traditional Victorian craftsmanship with innovative maturation techniques. Grain of Truth possesses an uncommon composition of 50% wheat and 50% malted barley. The spirit was matured in bourbon barrels and finished for nine months in fine Oloroso sherry hogsheads imbuing the whisky with rich and warming honey and orange notes on the nose. This evolves into touches of dark chocolate and cognac on the palate, which is balanced by Oloroso, orange and dark chocolate notes, with a dry and spicy finish. Grain of Truth is delicious neat, on the rocks or with a mixer.

Also, if you are compiling a ‘Things to do for Burn’s Night’ guide please see the below suggestion from Raasay Distillery. 

Isle of Raasay Distillery’s Burns and Whisky Weekend package – £339

The Isle of Raasay Distillery is hosting a Burns and Whisky Weekend a stone’s throw away from where the poet, Sorley Maclean, was born. The offering includes a two-night stay for two including all meals, checking in Friday 25th January and checking out Sunday 27th January 2019. Guests will dine at the distillery on Friday evening and enjoy a hearty lunch on Saturday before an exclusive whisky tasting and warehouse tour with the distillery’s co-founder, Alasdair Day. The weekend will finish in style with a traditional Burns supper on the Saturday evening, featuring traditional Scottish dishes, from traditional haggis to rhubarb cranachan with homemade shortbread and whisky fudge. Please see more information here

Well what a year…

It is that time of year again when I am asked to write a few lines about the year that was 2018…oh and what a year.

At the beginning of the year Jim Murray voted “The Norfolk – Parched” best single malt whisky in Europe (the 4^th time we have won the accolade). A lovely start to 2018 – well done the distillers David and Steve.

This exciting win was closely followed by Breckland Lodge, the lovely hotel owned by my wife’s family, burning to the ground, caused by a little over zealous use of a blow torch by one of the roofing contractors. The devastation was complete. Standing watching the flames with nearly 100 staff, who of course had very real concerns for their future was a moment I shall never forget.

In March it snowed and then it snowed some more. I learned a lot about staff loyalty over those few days. On day 2 of the snow, the first waitress to arrive had walked 3 hard miles to get to work; it is moments like that that you realise what a great crew you have working for you. Excitingly the big Land Rover was put into action ferrying staff around for a couple of days after this, so the walk didn’t have to be repeated.

In April, the youngest member of the family, Alfred, turned two. His birthday is on April 1^st and there are times one feels he is trying hard to ensure we remember he was born on April Fools day – he is already proving to be the joker in the family! A note to all – don’t wait until your forties to have children, I swear I’m too old for the job some days! J

May saw the Royal wedding, which seemed to cheer the nation up quite a bit and we got to release one of our rare Royal bottlings. Once again it sold out rather quickly. I am always tempted to do more but get reined in by our distiller, who rightly thinks it is better that a limited edition is very limited. Whilst the big 5 drinks companies seem happy to have 50,000 bottles in a limited edition, we think a tenth of this is probably closer to the public’s perception of limited. Your thoughts on a postcard please.

June is a good month at the distillery, the lawn between the distillery and the restaurant is filled up with visitors most days and the 10 acres of walks down to the river start to get used in earnest. It is lovely to see so many visitors using the place. My mother’s retirement project is the development of these acres into an interesting and pleasant place to play. With this in mind, more sculptures have been installed, lots of new trees have been planted and more areas are now mowed to allow picnic space etc. Whilst we don’t allow dogs in the restaurant, we do allow them on the lawns and river walk and in the outside seating areas.

July always seems to be a quiet month in the world of whisky, so time is spent planning new projects – and this year’s was the building of Warehouse 4. Space for another 4000 casks of whisky.. All a bit of a rush to see if we can get a grant out of Europe before the door is shut permanently. The design looks good and the planning department seem enthusiastic – phew.

August resulted in one of my more surreal moments. I visited Stringfellows to discuss our whisky, having met the owner a few weeks earlier. Rather too sensibly I visited before opening time. So, sitting in the famous gold throne drinking a mug of tea with Scott Stringfellow and his lovely mum I got to watch the first act of the night. I am not sure drinking tea with someone’s mum is how everyone experiences Stringfellow, especially as I didn’t know where to look most of the time. A night I shall not forget.

September and it is back to work in earnest with export markets growing and an extraordinary growth in enthusiasm for our Nog and PX. I already know we aren’t going to have enough to make it to Christmas – this is a nice problem. It is also the anniversary of The Kitchen, our distillery restaurant. We celebrated by handing over the kitchen to the famous chef Richard Bainbridge and his crew who cooked a superb meal for our members and other guests. Richard did an amazing job resulting in a great night for all.

October: We sadly have to say goodbye to Julian, who has commendably run the new shop and restaurant since it was built. We wish him well in his new role and welcome Lee to take over and hopefully do the job so well, I feel redundant. Mike our head of Sales has done a great job this year and this month we see orders going to most corners of the globe, as well as increasing sales in the UK. Please do email us if your local wine / booze shop doesn’t stock our whisky. We will try to make it happen.

November: Wow – Christmas has started already. Web orders quietly ramp up and by the middle of November you are all proving to be very loyal customers – thank you. Most days we have 2 people just packing orders. The Christmas decorations go up and the nights draw in. I like this time of year as I get to light the fire in the evenings and mow the lawn less often. Breckland Lodge re-opened this month, completely re-built and lovelier than ever, what a relief; definitely worth a visit if you need somewhere to stay or eat locally.

December – here we are again, kids only have a few days left of school and the online orders are slowing down. Christmas parties are happening in the restaurant and there is a sense of relief and jubilation that the year has gone by without too many snags. Oh and you won’t believe it but the Jim Murray voted The Norfolk – Farmers best single malt whisky in Europe for 2019. The 5^th time we have won!

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting us and to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Andrew Nelstrop