Ralfy talks eggs and bar-time with Ralfy Review 642 – Isle Of Arran 14yo @ 46%vol 2017

Global Whisky Auctions – What’s to come in April.

In anticipation of the third Global Whisky Auction which will be launched on Friday 21st April, we would like to highlight some of our favourites bottles that will be going under the hammer. We have bottles from all over the whisky world which we know will satisfy many whisky cravings.

Starting with the Speyside region, we have some gems like the Macallan 1968 18-year-old, bottled in 1987. Matured exclusively in sherry wood, this old school Macallan, like many other 18-year-old releases from this great distillery, has recently seen prices climb higher and higher. Don’t miss out on this one. Get bidding when the time comes to add it to your collection.

The great old Speyside distillery of Glen Grant also features in our up-coming Global Whisky Auction with two bottles of 1956 distillation bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. This whisky was bottled in 2006 and would certainly be a great addition to any whisky collection.

Another distinctive bottle which will feature in our auction is a truly great whisky from the Highland Distillery, Dalmore. This release is the 40-year-old Astrum and with only 500 bottles released for the entire globe, this is a bottling which will interest the most discerning collectors. Distilled in 1966 and bottled 40 years later, this whisky was first matured in American white oak casks and then, for the final 18 months of maturation, moved into 30-year-old Gonzalez Byass Matusalem sherry casks. We anticipate a huge amount of interest in this fine bottle.

We are delighted to have a few highly-prized bottles from the world-famous, and now closed, Islay distillery, Port Ellen in the Global Whisky Auction. We have the first of the Diageo Annual releases from Port Ellen, distilled in 1983 and bottled at 22 years old. Also on offer is the 14th release which was distilled in 1978 and bottled at 35 years old. Port Ellen distillations always attract interest in the whisky world and enhance any whisky enthusiast’s collection.

Hopefully, your appetite has been whetted by this glimpse of some of the lots on offer in the third Global Whisky Auction.

Join us by logging on to our website and bidding on the bottles which will make a fantastic asset to your collection.

Remember the auction will be launched on Friday 21st of April.

Here’s to successful bidding!

There’s still time to add bottles to this auction. If you would like to sell a single bottle or an entire collection, please contact Global Whisky Auctions by email on info@globalwhiskyauctions.com or call us on 0141 248 7283.

https://youtu.be/DT_3YqvDpQY 

Morning, all! Lagavulin, such a distillery, such a history and such a loyal following. This bottle only builds on that really. If we ignore last years releases, which is hard to do, because they were amazing! Lagavulin’s regular releases look like so; 16 Year Old (Regular Bottling), Distiller’s Edition (Batch Bottling) and once a year, we’re given the 12 Year Old Cask Strength, which is rather mind blowing in itself. The Distiller’s Edition is a Pedro Ximinez Sherry finish, it doesn’t take away any of the smoke, it’s simply adding more complexity via some sweeter notes that aren’t typical for the regular 16YO. I love this whisky, not quite as much as the 16 or the 12, but it is still up there as one of my favourite Diageo bottling’s. Enjoy!

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A Quintessential Islay Malt From A Historic Distillery

Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch ($59.99)

“A lovely whisky and it very much speaks to the strength of what may be Scotland’s top producer.” – David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

The Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition is as about a picture perfect bottle of Scotch as you can find. Fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced it is a worthy holder of its illustrious 200th Anniversary designation. Made in homage to the famous imbibers tome “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland” by Alfred Barnard, this single malt manages to offer a glimpse into the whiskies of a bygone era while still conveying a unique modern style.

Every bit as good as, and according to many a palate even better than the coveted 16 year, this Limited Edition bottling can be had for a song when compared to malts of like quality and status. What’s more, it’s not often to find a bottle that has an engaging a history as it is delicious, but here you have it in the Lagavulin 8 Year Old. To learn more about this terrific bottling be sure to check out our recent Spirits Journal post.

Lagavulin 8 Year Old Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

Whisky Advocate: “Light in color it may be, but this is no wimp. The nose goes straight to the shore with mineral and salt, but its also sweet, which allows it to be fresh, lively, yet balanced. The palate delivers some menthol, bay laurel, more brininess, a hint of malt, and Parma violet. Everything remains very breezy, with peat smoke being blown from a kiln into salt-laden air. I prefer it to the 12 year old and the price is fantastic. (Summer 2016, Dave Broom)”

K&L Notes: The 200th anniversary bottling of Lagavulin is finally here! A limited edition eight year old single malt whisky that packs all the peat, smoke, salt, and classic Islay flavor of the beloved distillery into a younger, brighter, more assertive expression. Sure to sell fast and sure to be one of the more popular whiskies we sell this year! The special edition celebrates a visit to the distillery be Alfred Banard (author of the classic “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland”), where he recollected tasting a delicious eight year expression.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2017

This 8 year version of Lagavulin is even more quintessentially Islay than the 16. It’s fresher, livelier, peatier, and simply more dynamic on the palate. I also love that Lagavulin paid homage to the classic whisky travel book “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland” by Alfred Barnard, a writer who visited all 150 active distilleries in the UK back in the late 19th century. He specifically mentions an “exceptionally fine” Lagavulin 8 year expression, and it’s clear from tasting the modern rendition why he felt so strongly. It’s a lovely whisky and it very much speaks to the strength of what may be Scotland’s top producer.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2017

Absolute magic! I’ve always been a bigger fan of the out of control cask strength 12 year old over the (still wonderful) standard 16 year. To be able to get an affordable, if slightly tame version of that is an exceptional score! There’s just SO much going on here. This is real deal stinky briny, sooty oily Lagavulin. I’m not even going to bother attempting to describe this further, but this is without a doubt one of the best peaty whiskies on the shelf at any price. Forget the age and focus on the flavor. $60? Laphroaig Cask Strength and Ardbeg Uiggy have another for contender here for best bang for your buck peater in the store and I’m leaning toward the man in the middle. Good old laggy, lag, we don’t deserve you.

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

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Bowmore 20 Year Old

1996 vintage single cask hogshead bottled February 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for Old Malt Cask series. Peat, seaweed, shortbread, fudge and more peat! N. Butter shortbread with toffee and a touch of seaweed. P. Silky soft with fudge, dates and peat. F. Long and lingering with a late touch of peat. Bowmore Distillery was established by David Simpson in 1779 on the Isle of Islay. Situated by the shore of Loch Indaal it is amongst the oldest working distilleries on Islay and one of the oldest malt whiskey distilleries in Scotland. Bowmore Distillery continues to produce a proportion of its malted barley on its own traditional malting floors and malt kilns. Bowmore Distillery is a participant in Feis Isle, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music during which special bottlings. Popular official bottlings include Bowmore 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 25 Year Old.

$118.13

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Ralfy gets a bit upset with packaging !

Ralfy Review 641 – Isle Of Jura 21yo @ 44%vol

A long weekend whisky tour, full of whisky to sample, distilleries to visit, plenty of fun with hotels, lunches & dinners. Join Liz and Paul of MCLEANSCOTLAND on the exclusive whisky trip.

Thursday 31 August. We meet you at Inverness airport at noon. With your first Scottish dram in hand we drive to Speyside in time for a two course lunch with a drink included at The Delnashaugh Hotel. It’s then a short distance to Glenfarclas Distillery where you take a tour and taste. Glenfarclas was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to open a dedicated visitor centre in 1973. After your tour relax with a dram or three. Then on to Grantown on Spey, where you check in to The Garth Hotel. This evening we host a 3 course dinner with thee whiskies. Also this evening, Spud the Piper in full highland dress entertains you. In 2000 Madonna and Guy Ritchie came to Scotland for their wedding ceremony. Spud piped for her. On their arrival the press, asked him to play ‘Like a Virgin’ on the pipes. So he played for Madonna as she came down the steps of her jet. The next day he was on the front page of every paper known to man! We then introduce Robert Ransom founder of Angels’ Nectar “Blended by Angels, to be Shared with Friends”, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies are vibrant and fresh, just the way the Angels enjoy their drams. Relax with a presentation and samples from Robert.

Friday 1 September. After a sumptous highland breakfast we travel the short distance to Craigellachie, where we visit the Speyside Cooperage; the only cooperage in Britain with a visitor centre. An experienced Cooper will  show how Coopers still use traditional methods and tools. Although shipped across the world, many of the casks remain in Scotland, providing a vital ingredient in Scotland’s whisky making process. From here its five minutes to Glenfiddich Distillery, where we have arranged lunch. Then a half hour drive to Elgin where we visit Glen Moray Distillery, a private tour and taste, a French owned distillery, one of our favourites. A superb tour followed by drams, some direct from the cask. The shop has (in our opinion) the best value for money whisky to purchase anywhere! Ten minutes to the hotel, check in, relax, have a bite to eat. This evening at the hotel, we introduce Derek Hancock.   A Senior Executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports for over 40 years. Derek has travelled the world for over 25 years and has presented many master classes, tastings and high level presentations to customers in every continent. Let Derek escort you around the region and impart stories and insights into the distilleries, brands, drams and people who make this such a fascinating topic. Overnight Elgin.

Saturday 2 September. After breakfast we relax a while, then attend our very own MCLEANSCOTLAND whisky school with Vic Cameron. Vic (BSc DipDist)  has over 23 years experience in the distilling industry, working in a number of roles for Diageo. He has worked in production management at both malting and distilling sites. Vic is proud to have been the 4th International Malt Whisky Nosing Champion. He is now on the organising committee for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky school and also the Whisky Lecturer for the University of the Highlands and Islands. Starting at 10am, we break for refreshments at 11am, continuing after the break until 12.30.  This is a very informative humorous take on the whisky industry – with chocolates!  FREE time follows, allowing you a lunch break. You have a ticket for the Distilled whisky festival at Elgin Town Hall, running from 1pm – 5pm; the team behind the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings this event to the sampling table – the best Speyside whisky distillers (at least 50 of them) are uniting under one roof. But that’s not all. Speyside’s whisky distillers will be in good company as award-winning brewers, gin crafters, food producers and others, will be joining them. Overnight Elgin.

Sunday 3 September. After a deserved lie in, we transfer back to Inverness airport/railway station for 12 noon.

Included in this tour; Liz and Paul are your MCLEANSCOTLAND hosts, coach transport for 3 days, 3 nights en suite accommodation, 3 fully cooked Scottish breakfasts, lunch at Delnashaugh and Glenfiddich, 3 course whisky dinner, entry to distilleries as shown, ticket for the whisky festival, whisky presentations by Robert, Vic and Derek, whiskies as shown, extra drams on board the mini coach, plus – a take home 20cl bottle of superb Spey whisky. Cost  £715  per person sharing a twin or double room. Single extra £110

HAPPY EASTER!

…from Maltstock with love…

Maltstock shop

WAREHOUSE DISCOVERIES

We’ve been spring cleaning our warehouse and discovered the last few bottles from some exceptional casks. These sparkling single casks whiskies are limited in numbers and only available online.

Order now before they are gone forever.

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Browse on smws.com

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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