My colleague and friend David Othenin-Girard is out of town this week, so I’m here to tell you about his latest two Jefferson’s selections that have just landed in all of our retail locations. We’ve got a dynamite thirty dollar value with the “Very Small Batch” and a richer, more luxurious tasting option with the forty dollar Reserve. Those who have no problem buying one of each will find two completely different Bourbons here in terms of flavor profile and character. The “Very Small Batch” has a lovely grainy flavor to it, bolstered on the back end by notes of cinnamon and oak spice. Those who like something leaner to mix with, but without giving up weight or concentration will surely dig this. I have to think it would be a great rocks drinker or Manhattan mixer, especially if you’re like me and you don’t like adding sweet to sweet. I look for Bourbons exactly like this when shopping for my home bar. The Reserve can be your straight sipper as it’s sweeter, more lush on the palate, and softer on the finish. The DOG did a great job selecting these two and I’ll post his notes below:

Jefferson’s “K&L Exclusive” Very Small Batch Bourbon (750ml) $29.99 View

The wonderful Jefferson brand has a long history of bottling exceptional bourbon. Founded in 1997, right before the explosion in interested the American Whiskey category by Trey and Chet Zoeller, Jefferson’s has long been a leader in innovative new ways to create and offer ultra high quality bourbon drinking experiences for an affordable price. They’ve recently partnered with the exciting experimental distiller Kentucky Artisan Distillery to have a true home for this special brand. From their exceptional Presidential Select range to the unparalleled Ocean Aged at Sea expressions, they’re consistently offering exceptional quality for your dollar. The entry level Jefferson’s Small Batch is no exception. This is a single barrel blend of four different whiskies. Each tiny blended batch rests and mingles in a single barrel to allow the various components time to marry and then we select from a range of several casks. They’re always delicious but this barrel was particularly approachable. That’s exactly what the small batch does, offers an undeniably easy and pleasurable drinking experience that nearly any drinker can appreciate. Sweet easy barrel spice and soft sweet vanilla with a medium body and subtle candied citrus finish, make this special K&L Exclusive one of the easiest to get behind ever. Bottled at 41.15% ABV.

Jefferson’s “K&L Exclusive” Reserve Very Old Small Batch Bourbon (750ml) $39.99 View

While not labeled with an age statement, you can taste the extra richness in the Reserve “Very Old’ versus the standard “Very Small Batch,” especially when tasting side by side with our two recent single barrels. There’s a more concentrated note of charred oak and creme brulee in the Reserve and that sweetly-spiced vanilla character lasts long on the finish without ever becoming overly woody or dry. There’s a flurry of clove and charred wood on the entry and it morphs seamlessly into a supple and mouthcoating texture that all Bourbon fans should greatly enjoy. Bottled at 45.1% ABV.

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
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Maltbarn is a tiny independent bottler based in Germany. We love them, and here is why:

1) A pure love of honest whisky, no caramel colouring or chill-filtration (Not even finishing casks!)

2) Simple labels

3) All weird and wonderful old stocks

4) The owner keeps casks of whisky in a barn on his farm!

One of the smaller distilleries in Scotland, Glen Elgin got off to rough start at the end of the nineteenth century, will multiple closures and sales of the distillery. However, since the 1930s, the distillery provides a lot of malt to the classic White Horse blend (hence the limited visibility on the marketplace). This edition is a single cask pick, with a delightful pale amber hue, expect roasted vanilla and rich custard cream notes. This is a stunning whisky, and very little of it available in the country. This is available at the Web Exclusive Price of £149.95 Not one to miss!

Buy Maltbarn Glen Elgin Now

Tobermory distillery is an absolute favourite amongst the bar team at Milroys. The distillery has an non peated offering as well as its peatier big brother, Ledaig. It is on the idyllic Isle of Mull and represents the only distillery on the island. This smells incredible, it has the classic oiliness of the spirit along with green apple skin. On the palate it is like tarte tatin. Freshly baked pastry with caramelised pear and pastry cream. £134.95

Buy Tobermory 22 Year Old Now

Fettercairn (loosely translated as the foot of the mountain) is a classic Speyside whisky, with a light floral note. The distillery was established in 1824, a year after the Excise Reform Act, and was sold by the original owners to the Gladstone family. William Gladstone, as prime minister, was instrumental in the reforms of the latter half of the nineteenth century. This example is a single cask that has rested for a slow 29 years, which brings forth the nuttiness of the heavier style spirit, the perfect combination of spirit style and ageing potential. Only 3 bottles in store. £229.95

Buy Fettercairn 29 Year Old Now

Millburn was one of the smallest distilleries in the Inverness area. It is characterised by a light peatiness. Unfortunately the distillery did not outlive the tumultuous time of the 1980s in Scotland and closed back in 1985. Nowadays the site is used as a hotel. The small nature of the distillery at the time means incredibly limited casks that have matured on the market since. This single cask was distilled in 1971 and bottled in 1991. Expect the perfect balance of smoke, tropical fruit and leather notes. A great bottle for any collector… £309.95

Buy 1971 Millburn Now

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 177: Tomatin Legacy 

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a NAS release from Tomatin. Tomatin, deep in the Monadliath Mountains at a height of 315 meters, was founded in 1897. In 1906 it closed due to the Pattison Crash, but reopened in 1909. Between 1956 and 1974 the stills were increased from 3 to… 23! It became the largest producer of malt at that time. In 1986 it was the first Scottish distillery to be owned by a Japanese company, who reduced the stills back to 12. And it was positioned in the market as a single malt under that Japanese stewardship. The Legacy, which was introduced a couple of years ago and is now part of the core range, is an entry-level no-age-statement release to celebrate the legacy that the distillery brought to the town of the same name, providing employment and housing for the distillery workers and thus putting Tomatin on the map.

https://youtu.be/J3_bfFQEhL4

Five Questions with David Stewart – Malt Master, The Balvenie

David Stewart is malt master at The Balvenie, and has worked in the Scotch whisky industry for more than 50 years. We spoke to him about his career and his latest whisky, Balvenie 2002 Peat Week 14 Year Old.

David Stewart joined William Grant & Sons in 1962 as a whisky stocks clerk

1. How did Balvenie Peat Week come about?

We started some trials with peat in 2001 and did a small run of peated whisky for just one week a year. Peat Week is peated to 30ppm, which comes out at about 5-6ppm in the finished spirit. I didn’t want the peat to dominate, just give a soft, subtle smokiness in the background. It’s Highland peat, too, not from Islay, so it’s less seaweedy and more grassy and herbal. It will appeal to people who drink smoky whisky, and those who like Balvenie will try it and not be disappointed – it’s still got the DNA of Balvenie: honey, citrus and vanilla.

2. How long have you been working at The Balvenie?

I started off as a whisky stocks clerk in 1962 – I didn’t even know what a master blender was. I was brought in to do clerical work: stock ledgers, passing invoices, that sort of thing. Then they brought me into the sample room and I got more involved in the business. When I joined, there was no single malt whisky; it was all blended. I’ve seen how Glenfiddich has grown. The industry has contracted but at the same time, there’s a lot more interest. Twenty years ago, people didn’t really care what their whisky tasted like – they just bought a bottle and drank it.

Balvenie’s latest release: Peat Week 2002 14 Year Old, peated to 30ppm

3. Who do you admire in the whisky industry?

All the other blenders! Richard Paterson, Bill Lumsden, Colin Scott, Rachel Barrie, Jim Beveridge – I know them all. And the thing is, we all know what each other’s challenges are and we depend on each other. For example, we use 40 different malts in our blends; Diageo takes our grain which goes into Johnnie Walker, and we send tankers into their distilleries and take their new-make spirit away!

4. What does a typical day for you involve?

Well, I live in Glasgow; I’m not based at Balvenie, which shocks and disappoints a few visitors! I go up to the distillery two to three times a month and when I’m there, I’ll meet visitors or nose a whole vatting of whiskies. But normally, I go to our head office at Strathclyde Business Park and head for the sample room. And then there’s the travelling round the world whenever we do a launch.

5. What do you drink when you’re not drinking whisky, and what hobbies do you have?

I enjoy white wine, particularly from France or South Africa. I also like Guinness, and I really like golden rum, which is probably the closest thing to whisky. I’m a big Ayr United fan, too. I’m a season-ticket holder and I take one of my sons down to watch them. The only problem is they don’t serve Balvenie in the bar…

Balvenie 2002 Peat Week 14 Year Old is available to buy now from The Whisky Exchange.

https://youtu.be/7DFaGZkK7mI 

How often do you hear me talking about twenty-year old Bourbon? Never? Yeah, I thought so as well. I’m honestly perplexed that this product can actually exist, let alone having the ability to try and review it. 

At this point in the PVW range, we’re seeing and tasting things that are so unlikely to be released from any distiller. Not only do you have to consider the evaporation per year (8-12%) but also sitting in virgin oak for a minimum of two decades. Thankfully, utilizing a wheated mash bill has helped massively, although I would probably consider this the driest of the range so far but it also has some wonderful exotic elements of watermelon and clean citrus notes. A Masterclass in how to manage old bourbon of there ever was one. Cheers!

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THE KITCHEN AT ST GEORGE’S  IS NOW OPEN!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of The Kitchen, our new restaurant set in the grounds of St Georges Distillery, home to The English Whisky Co. We’ve created a relaxing and comfortable environment for you to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch or simply coffee or cake. In addition to our restaurant, we also have  outside seating on the terrace to enjoy those warm summer days. We are open 9am – 4.15pm seven days a week.

FIND OUT MORE

LEARN. TASTE. EXPLORE.  THE FULL ST. GEORGE’S EXPERIENCE.

If you’re visiting ‘The Kitchen’ why not make time to take a tour at the distillery or take a  walk down to the river and see more of what St. George’s has to offer.

BOOK A TOUR

Ralfy explores a peaty mid-highlander with Ralfy Review 684 – Ballechin 10yo @ 46%vol

New Releases

The new releases are coming thick and fast with three new single cask vintages from Glenrothes in Speyside arriving this week. Now available to order online, only a few hundred bottles of each have been produced, each one exclusive to the UK market.

Next day UK delivey available
We ship all over the world!

Glenrothes 1976

£1,000

 Glenrothes 2000

£100

Glenrothes 2006

£78

New & Limited Releases

Each year, whisky giant Diageo releases a series of rare and limited whiskies from their many distilleries. This year’s Special Releases includes collectable bottles from closed distilleries Convalmore, Brora, Port Ellen and Port Dundas, limited editions from Islay’s Lagavulin and Caol Ila, as well as rare bottlings from Blair Athol, Teaninich and Glen Elgin. There’s also a first for the Special Releases with a blended malt made from each of Diageo’s operational malt distilleries. Pre-order online now to avoid missing out.

Orders will be dispatched w/c 18th September Only available while stocks last

SPECIAL RELEASE 2017