Octomore Masterclass_08.4 Virgin Oak

This 8 year old Islay single malt from Bruichladdich’s Octomore range is the fourth release in the Octomore Masterclass series. Distilled in 2009 from that year’s harvest, peated to 170ppm, 20% of the spirit was matured for the full term in first-fill virgin oak casks, with the remaining 80% in first-fill American ex-bourbon casks before being transferred into the European virgin oak casks that had previously held Octomore 07.4. Bottled without chill-filtration or tinting at a cask strength of 58.7% abv and limited to just 12,000 bottles worldwide.

£150 Pre-Order Now
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 26th February

Dr Bill Lumsden and Brendan McCarron introducing their latest creation – Glenmorangie Spios

Glenmorangie‘s Dr Bill Lumsden – director of distillation and whisky creation – likes to experiment. While some of the distillery’s Private Edition releases – his yearly chance to showcase the whiskies he has been tinkering with over the past 20 years – have been weird and wonderful, some of the most successful have been based around a simple idea. The latest is definitely one of those: what happens if you use casks that used to hold American rye whiskey to mature Glenmorangie Original? The answer: Glenmorangie Spios – Private Edition No.9.

Rye spice

I don’t get on well with rye whiskey. I love it in cocktails, but on its own it’s got more punch than I usually want – the commonly cited rye ‘spice’. Spice is an imprecise word when talking about flavour and it always needs some clarification. Do you mean chilli heat, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, anise, musky leaves, pungent green hops, dried herbs or something else?

When it comes to rye, it’s a very specific character, sitting on top of classic American whiskey spice, the cinnamon and nutmeg notes that you find in almost every one. For me, rye whiskey’s spice combines the kick of cloves with anise and a selection of greener and more herbal notes, especially tarragon and mint – not what you might immediately think when told that a whisky is spicy.

Making Glenmorangie Spios

Back to Spios. Bill Lumsden was first introduced to rye whiskey back in the late 1990s by legendary whisky writer Michael Jackson. He was well known for championing lesser-known drinks and was a great cheerleader for rye. At the time, it wasn’t popular and production levels were incredibly low, so there weren’t many casks about – it took Bill a decade to source some to experiment with. Eventually he acquired enough heavily charred first-fill ex-rye barrels and the process of making Spios began.

Compared to the complex vattings and finishes that often pop up in the Private Edition range, Spios is simple – Glenmorangie spirit fully matured in ex-rye casks. They haven’t official disclosed the age, but adding up the various numbers Bill mentioned above, it comes out at around 10 years – the same age as Glenmorangie’s classic 10-year-old Original. If we want to see what rye casks add to the whisky, then how better than to compare the two?

Glenmorangie 10yo Original

Nose: Spring meadows and flowers up front, with Love Hearts, (restrained) Parma Violet sweets and candied lemon peel: fragrant and sweet. Richer citrus fruit sits in the middle – orange jelly and hints of wine gum – with a pool of creamy coffee and caramel underneath.

Palate: Cream and spice to start: clove and vanilla cream. Coffee and chocolate sit at the back, with orange- and lemon-creme-filled chocolates bridging the gap. Oaky spice develops, dry cinnamon and sweet nutmeg, with a touch of anise.

Finish: Lemon and orange oil fade to leave damp leaves and cinnamon-spiced cream.

Glenmorangie Spios Private Edition No.9

Nose: Herbs and toffee roll out of the glass: cloves, mint and spicy green leaves. Clove-studded oranges sit behind, doused with thick vanilla cream and toffee sauce. Hints of banana smoothie develop, stirred through with fresh mint and star anise. With time, fragrant pears and floral notes appear.

Palate: A big hit of spice kicks things off: cloves with a whack of cinnamon heat. Sour plums and baked apples roll through the middle, sat on a bed of leafy mint and tarragon. Warming anise notes build, along with creamy coffee sweets.

Finish: Clove, cinnamon, anise and mint floating on a pool of cream and coffee.

Side by side

Trying the two whiskies side by side, the progression is clear: the infamous rye spice is carefully layered on top of the classic 10yo Original. Like me, Brendan McCarron – Bill Lumsden’s right-hand man and the distillery’s head of maturing stock – isn’t a big fan of rye on its own, and he nailed it with his description of why this works: ‘Rye is so intense, so dry, so spicy. Just a little bit of that coming into the Glenmorangie house style is the way for me to enjoy rye.’

Glenmorangie Spios is available to buy now.

One of the hardest things to do as a retailer/importer is to temper your enthusiasm (I’m terrible at it) when making a large purchase. One question that often arises is how much of the pleasure we derive from tasting is due to the quality of the liquid itself, and how much it comes from the romance of travel? For example, I continue to buy cask after cask of available Bowmore because I will always think about our first night at the distillery in 2011 with Jamie MacKenzie (pictured here with David OG). It was a cold and foggy night and we were fresh off the ferry, our first visit to Islay. I’ll think about that wonderful memory each and every time I take a sip of Bowmore whisky, so that’s when I have to ask myself: does this latest cask of Bowmore really cut the mustard, or am I letting myself get carried away by sentimentality?

Which brings me the latest K&L single cask arrival: a heavenly 22 year old hogshead that was bottled for us by our friends at Sovereign. Let’s go down the list with what is yet another great deal from our direct barrel program (one that the current Pound/Dollar rate will make difficult moving forward): 1) The standard edition of Bowmore 25 year sells for about $400, while the standard 18 year comes in around $130. At full proof, this 22 year comes in at well less than the 25 and for only a bit more than the distillery’s 18 year old edition. That’s a great price. 2) Despite the isolated single barrel character, this whisky is incredibly balanced. You’ve got loads of vanilla, plenty of peat smoke, and a lovely, oily texture. You’d think this was blended into harmony, but it just so happens to taste that way right out of the cask! 3) Finding Islay whiskies with age in this market is getting harder and harder. We can get as much no-name Highland whisky as our customers can buy, but to secure barrels from the legendary peated whisky distilleries is becoming a tough task. I’m doing everything I can to lock down more supply, but the truth is it’s not something I can assume will continue with any frequency at this point. Needless to say, you can’t go wrong with a classic expression of Bowmore. This isn’t an anomaly in any way. It’s everything you hope it will be with no rough edges and plenty of richness to balance out the campfire notes. Plus, my colleague Alex thinks it’s one of the best whiskies he’s ever had. That’s saying something.

1995 Bowmore 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($139.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2018

As my colleague Alex said when I asked if he had tasted our sample bottle, “It’s one of the best scotches that has ever passed my lips.” I think that sums things up nicely. Especially when you consider the context. 22 years old, cask strength, single barrel, etc… I can’t argue. This whisky ranks. It’s loaded with citrus, fresh peat smoke, sugar candy and caramels. It’s a little salty. That classic brine character really shines through and complements the delicate fruitiness that lingers on the palate. Add in the complex herbaceous notes that waft in and out and you’ve got yourself a very complete, very balanced whisky. In short: you’ve got old Bowmore. I expect the only complaints we will register in the Spirits department on this one are about not having enough bottles to sell.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2018

This is one of the best expressions of Islay peat that I’ve ever tasted. The peat is subtle on this one, almost lost in the aromas of honeyed grains and marmalade on the nose. On the palate, the smoke shows up elegantly behind the rich creamy sweetness of the malt, eventually matching that intensity for a full proof, 51% abv masterpiece. The complex and delicious flavors stick around for an incredible finish.

Fall in Love this February

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, but before you write out your cards we’ve got some recent arrivals we’d like to introduce you too. Who knows – you may just find a new love!

Next day UK delivery available
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New Macallan
15 Year Old Fine Oak

Matured in the perfect balance of sherry and bourbon seasoned casks for at least 15 years, this single malt from The Macallan is part of the Fine Oak series of triple cask matured releases from the Speyside distillery.

The nose is full, with aspects of rose and cinnamon. The palate brings intense rich chocolate and a touch of orange and raisins, which linger on in the finish with dried fruits emerging.

£150 Buy Now

Holy Smokes! To peat or not to peat?

Really Great Smokey Scotch Whiskies

Big, Bold & Smokey

To peat or not to peat? Islay’s whiskies may be best known for their heavily peated single malts but distinct peaty Scotch whiskies can be found across Scotland. Mainland distillers Benromach, Benriach and Tomatin produced smokey batches. Meanwhile Ledaig, a peated style from Tobermory distillery, is quietly masquerading as ‘the new Ardbeg’.

Burns Night and drams

Liz and Paul headed north on the Wednesday (after a meeting in Perth with VisitScotland) up the A9 route, past Inverness and on to the Black Isle. First stop Glenmorangie Distillery, just to say hello, shop and shoot a wee video.     We were bowled over by  the enthusiasm that wee man  Aiden has for the distillery. Couldnee stop him talking, good to see youngsters in the business. Did we buy anything? Is the Pope a Catholic? From here a few miles up/down the road to Balblair Distillery. Arriving near closing time, we interrupted Distillery Manager, John MacDonald who very kindly took us along to the shop for a dram. It was John who gave Paul wee drams to take with him, driving a recent distillery tour for Ingvar Ronde.  John, has been in the whisky industry since leaving college. His first job at a distillery not too far from Balblair (could we have been there?) supposed to be a year out from studying  but ended up staying for 17 years!  Despite spending 17 years there, when the position of Balblair Distillery Manager came up in 2006, well, as they say “that’s history”. Tired now the castle called …staying the night in a Baronial Castle near Dalmore, food and drink followed to round off a good day.

Thursday just happened to be Burns day – so a distillery visit was called for. A wee drive found them in Dingwall, met by Michael (in an electric car) from Glen Wyvis Distillery, who then drove them to his distillery – this is another story, coming soon. It happened to be the very first day the distillery started to produce spirit – Burns day!  Good timing. Almost two hours later, on the road again, stopping at Dalmore Distillery, more “hello’s”, hands in pockets so as not to buy any bottles, they reluctantly returned to the car and headed north to Dornoch. Parking up and a donder into the castle hotel, meeting up as arranged with Phil Thompson, who then took the pair to the wee distillery, it is wee, but so interesting. A good chat and a bottle of gin later, they strolled along to the Carnegie Whisky Cellar to meet Michael Hanratty – an old friend. By now it was almost closing time for the shop, from here commenced a “lock in”. Liz and Paul were held prisoner for almost 3 hours, being force fed as many as ten whiskies, under much duress they agreed to sample these precious drams … er, departing with a bottle of Auchroisk 28 yo cask strength single malt, 56.8% distilled back in 1974. It’s hard being Liz and Paul.  Back at the pub (Eagle, Dornoch) drinks of a different kind appeared, Eric forced a gin on Liz, a whisky on Paul, before white wine and food completed the Burns Night!  Oh, and a couple of drams upstairs as a bedtime treat.

Friday, started slowly. Actually before leaving Dornoch, a session in the antique shop (aye, purchases!) then a drive down to the Storehouse for late breaky. On the road, just south of Inverness, another antique stop, you guessed it. Back in Perth, transfer bits and bobs from the truck to Lizs’ car, she back to Carnoustie, Paul to the pub. Rabbie Burns has a lot to answer for!

Paul of mcleanscotland.com and whiskytours.scot

Your personality in a whisky!

Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day with The Lover’s Blend. We have uniquely matched the profiles of a whisky with human characteristics; instead of peat think rogue or rule breaker.

Like crafting a love potion, you will take time to make sure every characteristic of your partner is captured on your ingredient list before blending those quantities together into your very own lovers blend to take home and enjoy together, in theory it should be your perfect whisky!

Package includes:

– Tour Scotland’s oldest distillery
– Visit our warehouse to see our Whisky sleep

– See the world’s largest bottle of Whisky

– Learn how to match Whisky with personalities

– Take home your very own blend to keep or enjoy!

£120.00 per couple

To Book Tel: 01764 656565 for further details please email enquiries@thefamousgrouseexperience.com

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The Famous Grouse Experience. Glenturret Distillery,

The Hosh, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4HA

1995 Bowmore 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

SKU #1330633 $139.99

We’re going back to the Bowmore well again this winter, albeit with an older cask (22 years instead of 20) for an ever better price ($139 instead of $149)!! Aged in a refill hogshead cask and bottled at full proof with no chill-filtration, this is yet another must-have Islay malt for peat fans who like a bit of richness with their smoke. What stands out immediately about this 22 year old Bowmore is the creamy texture and the sweetness of the malt. The initial palate sensations are sweet vanilla and soft, supple oak, before the phenolics kick in and couple with the salty brine, emblematic of a whisky clearly aged by the sea. The finish brings forward notes of ash and campfire smoke, smoldering embers intermixing with what’s left of the sweet malt character. With supplies of rare Islay casks dwindling on the wholesale market currently, we’re thrilled with the pricing and we hope you are as well. This Bowmore 22 year is representative of everything our direct purchasing program strives to achieve.

New Whisky Blog Series – Indy Scotch Whisky

Independent Scotch Whisky. The whisky industry’s worst kept, non secret. Big brands and distillery marketing dominate the whisky world. But one of the best and most interesting aspects of the Scotch Whisky industry, are the wonderful array of independent bottlers.

Here at The Whisky Barrel we are passionate in supporting the Indy Whisky scene. For more than 10 years we have been stocking and selling the wares of Scotland’s most renowned and established bottling companies, such as Gordon & MacPhail ​, Hunter Laing​, Signatory Vintage, Wemyss Malts, Morrison and MacKay, Cadenheads and more​. Even more recently, we have started working with new lines such as North Star Spirits, Creative Whisky Co​. Indy Scotch Whisky can offer a journey of discovery to enjoy a range of whisky characters or flavour profiles that offer something entirely different.  So, in this series of blogs we will take a closer look at gems that are Indy Scotch Whisky (#IndyScotchWhisky).

Independent Bottlings (IB) of whisky offers the enthusiast something far beyond the official distillery releases. Most notably, variety and a very keen price. With multiple new releases through the year, IB whiskies are often bottled from distilleries whose whisky rarely sees single malt status. They offer single casks, rare releases and experimental casks. But most of all they are some of Scotland’s finest scotch whisky.

The indy bottlers are free from the limitations and drive for absolute consistency of their core products that the distilleries need to adhere to. They give the customer access to a wider range of whiskies, styles and characters. And best of all, they tend to be excellent value. The warehouses of some of the indy bottlers are simply an Alladin’s Whisky Cave. Big hitters such Macallan, Highland Park, Springbank and Blair Athol. Lost Distilleries such as Littlemill, Imperial, Rosebank and Dumbarton. And unsung heroes such as Craigellachie, Clynelish and Ben Nevis.

But don’t be fooled by any misinformation that Indy Whisky is just bad casks cast aside by the distilleries. The wood policy of the likes of Morrison and MacKay is second to none. Gordon & MacPhail source new make spirit and nurture it themselves. Signatory Vintage run their operations alongside the fantastic Edradour Distillery. Each Indy bottler has its own exceptional pedigree in the whisky industry and serve only to release the best scotch whisky they can. We love them all.

Indy Scotch Whisky – Part 1.1 – Morrison & MacKay

This year we are taking a closer look at some of our Indy whisky bottlers. We’ll be starting with the wonderful Morrison & MacKay Ltd​ and their new venture with Aberargie Distillery. Keep an eye out next week for Parts 1.1 and 1.2 when we delve into the warehouses and distillery.