While the recent spate of insanely hot weather might suggest otherwise, Fall is, in fact, just around the corner. And for those of us in the booze business that means it’s time to shift things into high gear. To that end, we’ve been bringing tons of new items and setting up tasting events we’re sure you’ll be thrilled about. Without further ado, let’s see what’s new to the K&L shelves this week…

OLD PARTICULAR RIDES AGAIN!

Old Particular continues to be one of the most exciting brands at K&L. But then, how could it not be? With everything the seasoned whisky lover looks for (quality, price, rarity) they count among the best finds in the spirits world today. Queued up here are a pair of very attractively priced 25 and 20 year old gems from North British and Tamdhu. As you’ve come to expect, they deliver on every level with wonderful rich tones that are aptly counterbalanced by surprising freshness and vivacity. These are glorious bottlings that should go double for what we have them.

1996 Tamdhu 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive Old Particular Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

Tamdhu is a classic Speyside distillery that has seen its stock rise over the last few years as its recent owners have rebranded the whisky and focused on the heritage of the facility. Originally founded in 1896, the Highland whisky has long be renowned for its classic Scotch whisky profile and that reputation is on full display in this single cask 20 year old expression from our Old Particular label. Light, fresh, clean, and sweetly aromatic with distinct cereal and honey notes, the finish is fully of toffee with cinnamon and clove spices that dance gingerly at cask strength. Those in search of value need look no further.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2017

This is one of the chunkier single malts I’ve had in some time in terms of sheer barley and grain flavor with potent oak maturation. It’s so concentrated and rich that the profile comes across as almost herbaceous, but after about five seconds that sensation fades the whisky gives way to total decadence with huge toffee and vanilla flavors, baking spices, and more sweet stone fruit on the finish. The cask strength proof is really an asset in this case, adding potency and power to what is a massively expressive malt.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 05, 2017

What a refreshing whisky. Classic, understated but hugely flavorful. It has a fresh and bright feel; it’s sweetly honeyed with a spritz of citrus on the nose. Touch of spice on the palate up front with gobs of caramelized sugar on the back end. The finish is clean and pure vanilla and cinnamon sugar. Rocking good on its own or for a highball. And like nearly all of our cask selections, this clocks in at a full proof of 54.1% giving you tons of flexibility to drink as you please.

Chantel Fleming | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 02, 2017

I found this Scotch to absolutely delicious. The nose gave me a pleasant malt aroma with a little bit of honey. The took me a few moments to wrap my head around what I was tasting. At first I tasted an herbal note, but then this amazing burst of lush fruit came forward! It reminded me of Juicy Fruit Gum, with vanilla, a hint of lychee and caramel. It finished really pleasant and clean, and what a fantastic value for a 20 year Scotch!

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 02, 2017

On the nose, there are aromas of freshly squeezed apples with cracked wheat, wild honey, and floral notes. On the palate there is sweet honeyed cereal, barley, vanilla toffee and baking spices like clove and cinnamon. This is very intensely flavored and complex with a wonderful round texture that will have your palate begging for another sip.

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2017

I saw the price of this whisky and had to do a double take…$79.99…and 20 years old! This is so pure; it has so much freshness and primary character but with the supple texture and complexity that only time can endow. A classic highland malt with everything you want from a whisky in this genre but at a price that is just simply unheard of in this day and age. Isn’t it nice to be able to drink 20 year old, single cask scotch every night of the week…

1991 North British 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)

Just outside of Edinburgh sits the North British grain distillery, a facility that uses unmalted grains like corn and wheat and distills them on a column still to produce grain whisky–one of the more misunderstood personalities of the whisky universe. Most of you have had grain whisky before, you’ve just had it in conjunction with single malt whisky in expressions like Johnnie Walker or Chivas. Grain whisky is what’s ultimately combined with single malt whisky to create “blended” whisky (hence the name). What hasn’t been clear to most drinkers until rather recently, however, is how wonderful grain whisky can be on its own, especially when aged twenty years or more.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2017

Well this is just everything you could ask for in a Scotch whisky, right here. It’s potently rich and full of vanilla, brimming with sweet oak, and punchy on the finish. It’s like the buttery icing on a chocolate cake and then the oak takes over and the finish turns woody in the best possible way. This almost tastes like something in between Scotch and Bourbon. Oh….and it’s 25 years old, full proof, from a single barrel, and less than $75. Swoop in quickly before the masses seal the fate of this hot deal.

Chantel Fleming | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 03, 2017

Seriously, where has this whisky been all my life, or at least my life beyond the age of 21? It was no surprise that this Scotch is as fantastic as our previous releases of North British that flew off the shelves almost as quickly as they arrived. I tasted toasted cereal, honey and sweet cream; it finishes with juicy nectarine, marzipan, and a touch of vanilla and soft salt. A beautiful and delicious 25 year expression!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 03, 2017

I thought I had missed the boat completely on the North British for the year. Turns out Driscoll was hiding another great cask of single grain. The nose is pretty and sweet, full of honey, sweet cream butter, and maple coated pancakes. The palate really pours it on and shows wonderful cereal notes to boot. Breakfast in a bottle. The finish is clean and smooth, like French Vanilla ice cream. A little water will open up this bottle in a big way.

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2017

Every time these bottlings come through our inventory I wonder when the main stream masses will catch up to the insane value of single grain whisky…The fact that we can still offer bottles like this in the era of Yamazaki 12 year being all but impossible to get and Macallan 18 year costing $250 is just insane. This is packed full of rich, creamy, golden fruit, toasted grains, butterscotch, sweet spice and burnt brown sugar. Such an unctuous and satisfying drink…and man the price just can’t be beat.

JOHN J. BOWMAN VIRGINIA WHISKIES

The A. Smith Bowman Distillery was founded on the Bowman family’s Sunset Hills Farm in Fairfax County on the day after prohibition’s repeal. The farm and the 4000 acres around it, had been operated as a dairy and granary by Bowman during prohibition, but excess grains could be stored indefinitely as Virginia Bourbon Whiskey. The first whiskey was warehoused in 1937. Abram Smith Bowman and his sons, Abram Jr. and Delong operated the only legal distillery in Virginia at the time and built the famous local brand Virginia Gentleman. The Bowman’s eventually acquired the entire 6000+ acres of forest and farm land around the distillery, making it one of the largest privately held properties in the DC Metro area. Eventually, Abram sold the land to a real estate developer, but 60 acres including the distillery were ultimately transferred to his sons ownership where they produced bourbon until 1988 when the facility was moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Sazerac Company bought the facility, now in a former cellophane factory in 2003 and created an experimental micro distillery program there.

The whiskey is actually distilled from a blend of the two Buffalo Trace bourbon mashbills twice distilled in Frankfort Kentucky before being trucked to Fredericksburg for a third distillation. The final distillation occurs in an unusual hand built pot still with a refractor ball and a coiled lyne arm the juts straight out of the still. The resulting whiskey is bold an flavorful yet soft and ultra smooth thanks to the third distillation. The A. Smith Bowman distillery has been winning awards for years, but their tiny capacity has prevented it from becoming a well known national brand. We’re excited to have a little bit to share with all of you.

Bowman Bros Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Elsewhere $40) – $29.99 John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon (750ml) – $49.99

A DINNER WITH MASTER DISTILLER DON LIVERMORE OF HIRAM WALKER

For all you NorCal drinkers, Hiram Walker’s master distiller Don Livermore will be in town next week and since he’s an incredible wealth of whiskey information, as well as a real character, I thought it might be nice for about twenty of you to get into a room with him and pick his brain while drinking Lot 40 and perhaps even a rare bottle of the new 12 year old cask strength he might be smuggling in his suitcase. I’ve set up a nice dinner menu over at Donato in Redwood City and this coming Tuesday night at 7 PM you can dine with Don and drink Canadian rye for a mere $40. Book yourself an intimate evening with one of the industry’s serious distillation brains! We’ll be in the private front room by the main entrance for this one.

A Special Lot 40 Whiskey Dinner w/Distiller Don Livermore @ Donato, Redwood City, Sept. 12th, 7 PM

And don’t forget that we’re tasting the new cask strength limited edition Machir Bay tomorrow in Redwood City starting at 5 PM with the gang from Kilchoman, free of charge!

That covers it for this week, but make sure to check the Spirits Journal for more updates you won’t want to miss.

David Driscoll & David Othenin-Girard

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 176: Invergordon 29 Year Old 1989 for MMM

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, bottles a single grain under Mark & Manny’s Malts. Invergordon was founded in 1959 and is the only grain distillery not to be found in the Lowlands. The owners are Whyte & Mackay who also own Dalmore which is only the proverbial stone’s throw away.  Mark & Manny discovered an exceptional bourbon cask of grain whisky from 1988 and after a brief encounter with the liquid decided on the spot that they wanted to bottle this for MMM. It is just shy of being thirty years old. It appeared in our Galaxy Series and got the Moon on the label.

https://youtu.be/ZSHA8wyAhhY

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The 5 Best Whisky and Film Moments

Some drinks are simply synonymous with a big-screen moment and with the person drinking them. The freshly poured, ice-cold Martini for James Bond. The Dude’s White Russian in The Big Lebowski and the stain it leaves on his beard and clothes is the perfect match to his deadbeat character. Hannibal Lecter’s Chianti reminds us of this sophistication and taste (the book went one better – Lecter’s original wine choice was the even-more upmarket Amarone). Here are our top-five whisky moments in film and TV:

1. Johnnie Walker Black – Blade Runner

Harrison Ford’s character in 1982 cult classic Blade Runner would have looked weird drinking anything but whisky. The futuristic glasses and bottles that closely resemble a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label are as much a futuristic prop as it is a reminder that this detective reluctantly came out of retirement has his work cut out for him. Something tells me it would have be jarring to see this noir detective tackle a case with a beer in hand. For fans eagerly looking forward to the 2049 sequel, early shots and trailers suggest that this trend is set to continue…

Johnnie Walker Director’s Cut – hopefully coming soon…

33 Year Old Highland Scotch – Inglourious Basterds

In one of the more tense scenes of this excellent film, Michael Fassbender is posing as a spy, speaking fluent German to a Nazi major. When he lets his guard down – and exposes himself as a spy – by ordering glasses using a British three-finger gesture rather than the German version, the only thing more British and patriotic than Fassbender’s accent is his quote:

‘There’s a special rung in hell reserved for people who waste good scotch. Seeing as how I may be rapping on the door momentarily…’

[drinks his Scotch] 

‘I must say, damn good stuff, Sir.’

Everything about his delivery is almost comically English and makes for a memorable quote, not least because of his choice of drink. It’s a classic Scotch moment.

3. Glendronach & Dalmore – Kingsman: The Secret Service & The Golden Circle

I learned recently that the director of The Kingsman, Matthew Vaughn, is a big fan of whisky, so I’m confident that this wasn’t a crude product placement; instead an inspired choice of vintage 1962 Dalmore (one of the most expensive whiskies ever released) to set the tone of the opening scene in the first film – WARNING: contains spoilers, language, violence and very expensive whisky:

The new film is hitting our screens at the end of September and this time Vaughn has got in touch with Glendronach. Master blender Rachel Barrie has put together a special 1991 vintage bottling to celebrate the launch of the movie and reports from the launch earlier this week are excellent. We’ll have it at The Whisky Exchange soon – sign up for an email alert when it arrives here.

The new Glendronach 1991 Kingsman – coming soon…

4. Lagavulin 16 – Parks and Recreation

The tie-in has become so classic that the folks behind Lagavulin have since placed Nick Offerman (the actor in Parks and Recreation) at the centre of their latest marketing efforts: who can forget the Whisky Yule Log stunt.  I’m curious whether or not this started out as product placement or was just an organic piece woven in by the writers, but either way it doesn’t matter because Lagavulin 16 as a drink dovetails perfectly with the no nonsense Ron Swanson. His dislike of white spirits (‘clear alcohol is for rich women and people on diets’) and his love for whisky (‘nectar of the gods’) chimes perfectly with every other facet of his character. I’m sure that this whisky and TV moment has put Lagavulin 16 on the map.

5. Suntory Whisky – Lost In Translation

No list about whisky and the big screen is complete without a mention of the infamous ‘Suntory Time’ scene in Lost In Translation. The clip below speaks for itself, but for me it’s one of my favourite ways that whisky has ever been worked into a script. Bill Murray’s character is forced to decipher the cryptic messages of the director and his translator, attach pseudo-Western suave to this commercial he would much rather not be doing. It’s a really amusing scene and made all the more relevant by the number of celebrities we now see endorsing whisky brands.

Hamish’s Top Pick: Glenallachie 25 Year Old

One of only 187 bottles filled from a refill barrel, this 25 year old Speyside single malt was distilled at Glenallachie distillery in February 1992 and bottled in July 2017 by family-run independent bottler, Hunter Laing & Co. of Glasgow, as part of their Platinum Old & Rare Selection of single cask expressions, free from chill filtration and artificial colouring at a cask strength of 49.3% abv.

£185.00 Buy Now

Ralfy visits the eastern highlands of Scotland with Ralfy Review 682 – Glencadam 14yo (sherry finish) @ 46%vol

BACARDI CONTRIBUTES UP TO $100,000 TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY 

– $50,000 Donated to Southern Glazer’s Fund –

Coral Gables, Florida, August 31, 2017 — In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s impact and devastation in parts of Texas, Bacardi U.S.A, Inc. announced today its contribution of up to $100,000 to support its business partners and others affected by the storm.

In an effort to provide immediate assistance to Bacardi USA business partners and their families at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Bacardi USA will immediately donate $50,000 to the Southern Glazer’s Fund, a relief fund for employees in the Texas-area.

“While we do not have offices directly impacted by the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we do have 300 people in our extended family within Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits who are directly affected,” says Pete Carr, Regional President for Bacardi in North America.

Bacardi USA has donated $50,000 to the Southern Glazer’s fund with a commitment to match up to an additional $50,000 of Bacardi employees’ contributions to the Southern Glazer’s fund, the American Red Cross, the Houston Food Bank/Feeding Texas, the Houston Humane Society or the Salvation Army.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the distributor for the Bacardi portfolio in more than 40 markets across the United States.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ^® rum, GREY GOOSE^® vodka, DEWAR’S^® Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE^® gin, CAZADORES^® 100% blue agave tequila, MARTINI & ROSSI^® sparkling wine, and other leading and emerging brands. For additional information, visit wwwbacardiusa.com

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR WHISKY LOVERS FROM ANGELS’ SHARE GLASS

Festive whisky-filled baubles, glass Angels, whisky water droppers and miniature sets are among the range of Christmas gifts available from Angels’ Share Glass.

There’s something to suit everyone’s taste and the gifts will especially be welcomed by whisky enthusiasts.

• Glass Baubles  

New for this year are the firm’s latest innovation – whisky-filled coloured glass baubles.

These offer a change to the hand blown decorated glass baubles with a whisky quote inside which are popular with customers during the festive period.

This time, instead of a quote, 50ml of whisky has been sealed within the hand-made bauble which comes in a boxed set featuring four colours and four whiskies.

And unlike the firm’s signature line of whisky Angels, these are made for drinking as the cork which seals the Whisky inside is removable.

They will be make an exclusive addition to any Christmas tree and are ideal for a lovely gift or treat.

The baubles, which cost £48 a box, are hand-made and each is filled with a different malt from Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range.

The colours are Orange (filled with Big Peat); Green (Timorous Beastie); Red (Scallywag) and Mother of Pearl (Rock Oyster).

The original individual baubles are also available from £10 and customers can choose from a range of famous whisky quotes or decide on their own personalised message.

SET OF FOUR 

• Miniature Sets

One of the most popular products sold online is the Whisky Miniature, Mini Dropper and Glass Set.

Priced at just £25, this is a fantastic collection which gives someone a unique piece of Scottish glassware along with a taste of whisky.

The set is presented on an oak whisky barrel stave and features a single malt or scotch whisky miniature along with a special mini version of the firm’s award-winning water dropper plus a classic mini Glencairn Glass.

There are six whisky miniatures to choose from, ranging from a 12-year-old Deanston to a Robert Burns Single Malt, and the set comes presented in a beautiful gift box.

For the perfect gift to suit all budgets go to – www.angelsshareglass.com/products/whisky-miniature-mini-dropper-and-glass-set   

• Whisky Angels

The signature line of whisky angels are a perfect Christmas gift for whisky fans and anyone who loves beautiful hand-made creations.

Each angel is carefully crafted by hand in Scotland and a dram of whisky is expertly captured inside the glass via a secret method.

There are a wide range of angels, which stand around 70mm high, to choose from including Birthstone/Anniversary Angels and the new collection of Clan Angels.

The Copper Heart Angel is always a popular choice for a Christmas gift while the poignant Poppy Scotland Angels include a 50% donation to the charity.

Prices start at £30 and the Angels, which come in an attractive box, can be engraved with a small inscription if required.

Reviews for Whisky Angels bought as Christmas presents include:

“Purchased a beautiful personalised angel as a Christmas gift. It was ready in no time and is absolutely stunning!”

“We gave our son this special angel for Christmas. Not only did he spend time in Scotland but he really enjoys good whisky. He really enjoyed hearing the story of the Angel’s Share and shared the story with his neighbours who also enjoy fine whisky.”

For more details, www.angelsshareglass.com/collections/angels

• Whisky Water Droppers

The award-winning Whisky Water Droppers come in a variety of designs – all handmade in Scotland.

They allow whisky lovers the chance to add water to their dram with fine control – one drop at a time.

And there’s even a short You Tube video demonstrating exactly how they work.

We’re feeling nostalgic with the release of new bottling 73.83 – not only does this whisky evoke wonderful memories of childhood, it takes us back to 2002 when the Society established its branch in Australia, and this cask has been bottled specially to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Reminisce about the good old days with this selection of casks picked by the Tasting Panel.

The nose regaled us with honey nut breakfast cereal, toffee, Crunchie bars, marzipan and sweetie tobacco (shredded coconut), with added floral hints. Then it suffused our gobs with a warm golden glow – pickled ginger, black bun and fudge; ‘honey on a razor strop’ and ‘chewing twigs on a heathery hillside’. The reduced nose had us weeping over childhood memories of McCowan’s Highland Toffee, Daim bars (‘Dime’ in those days), syrup of figs and oiled cricket bats. The reduced palate was rather deep, dark and mysterious, but rich and sweet (apricot Danish, yum-yums, treacle toffee, dried fruits). Thumbs up all round.

SPICY & DRY

73.83

Anzac biscuits and cricket bats

15 Years

The reduced nose had us weeping over childhood memories of McCowan’s Highland Toffee, Daim bars (‘Dime’ in those days), syrup of figs and oiled cricket bats.

DISCOVER MORE

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

Ralfy avoids the main-stream media with Ralfy Review 681 – Tomintoul 14yo @46%vol (2017)

Spirit Works “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel #14-0084 Rye Whiskey (750ml) $54.99 View

2002 Balvenie 14 Year “Peat Week” Vintage Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $99.99 View

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA

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