Old Pulteney 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml)$159.99

Whisky Advocate: “Very mouthcoating in texture, with notes of dry vanilla, fat barley, coconut, citrus fruit, and pineapple. Long, intensely appetizing, dry salty finish. As an aperitif, or perhaps with seafood. (Vol. 16, #1)”

K&L Notes: Rated the #1 Whisky in the World by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible for 2012. Get it while you can because there’s likely to be a run on this once the word gets out. Aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, the 21 year has loads of dried apricots and a supple mouthfeel. The expression, which was created at the Pulteney distillery in Wick, Caithness, scored a record-equaling 97.5 points out of 100 and, in doing so, became only the third single malt to have claimed the title since its inception in 1994.

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Home of Jameson re-opens following €11 million investment 

‘Jameson Distillery Bow St.’ in Smithfield, Dublin to support Irish Whiskey Tourism Strategy aim of attracting 1.9 million whiskey tourists to Ireland annually by 2025 

Dublin, March 6^th, 2017 – Irish Distillers, Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has announced the reopening of the home of Jameson in Smithfield, Dublin, following a total investment of €11 million. The new look ‘Jameson Distillery Bow St.’ brand home, which was officially opened by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Dublin Central TD Paschal Donohoe today, will support the Irish Whiskey Tourism Strategy target of trebling the number of Irish whiskey tourists visiting Ireland annually, to 1.9 million by 2025.

As Jameson continues its phenomenal growth story, with 27 years of consecutive growth, the redeveloped Jameson brand home draws on cutting-edge technology to complement the historic surroundings of this iconic distillery and deliver an unforgettable storytelling experience. Three fully-guided tours are offered: ‘The Bow St. Experience’ tasting tour focuses on the stories of Jameson’s rich heritage and on-going innovations while ‘The Whiskey Makers’ and ‘The Whiskey Shakers’ experiences provide more in-depth whiskey and cocktail masterclasses, both including the opportunity to sample whiskey straight from a cask in the distillery’s new live maturation house.

Speaking at the opening of Jameson Distillery Bow St., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD said: “Each year, over 600,000 tourists pass through Irish whiskey visitor centres to experience first-hand the heritage behind this time-honoured spirit and hear the stories of established and emerging distilleries. The Irish Whiskey Tourism Strategy aims to treble this figure to 1.9 million visitors by 2025 and Jameson Distillery Bow St. will undoubtedly play a central role in delivering on this vision. Smithfield and its wider Dublin environs have a rich history and vibrant cultural scene which will also continue to attract and enthrall visitors from near and far.”

Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers said: “As the home of Jameson, Smithfield has an incredibly important place in our history. We’ve grown up on Bow Street and welcomed over 4 million whiskey lovers through our doors since the opening of the Old Jameson Distillery brand home in 1997. With this latest investment, we place storytelling at the core of the visitor experience, drawing on state of the art technology to bring the 230-year history of Bow Street to life, with a variety of tour options to cater for everyone – from those who may be discovering Jameson Irish whiskey for the very first time, to long-standing Jameson enthusiasts who are seeking to further their understanding of this much-loved spirit. The success of Irish whiskey is a success story for Ireland and we look forward to welcoming whiskey-lovers from across the globe and sharing our story with them.”

Ray Dempsey, who has been General Manager at the Jameson brand home in Smithfield since its opening in 1997, added: “We have had the privilege of calling Bow Street home since 1780 and we’re delighted with our new makeover. Visitors can look forward to immersive storytelling where they will be invited to touch, smell and most importantly, taste Jameson in the original Bow St. Distillery building. As Smithfield continues to experience a cultural resurgence, we’re incredibly excited to be part of this thriving community and look forward to being here long into the future.”

Construction work began in September and was led by BRC Imagination Arts, Dublin based firm TOTP Architects and Flynn Management & Contractors, with approximately 100 people employed as part of the redevelopment work. BRC Imagination Arts is one of the world’s leading experience design and production agencies specialising in the creation of next generation brand experiences. Founded in 1981, past clients of BRC include the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta; the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

To book tickets for the Jameson Distillery Bow St., visit http://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 27 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 5.7m cases in 2016. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 65 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Powers & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. In 2015, we completed a €220m investment which doubled our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier‐ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

www.pernod-ricard.com/

Macallan 25 Year Old “Distillery Bottling” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) – 3 available ($1,699.99)

Wine Spectator: “An intense candy treat of a whisky that announces itself with rose petal, honey and hard candy on the nose. On the palate this cycles through a number of candied notes-fruity for the most part, with cherry character, but including butterscotch and a slight pine forest flavor. The long finish serves as another tour of the palate, with a nutty element. Sherry casks.” (02/2011)

Ralfy eventually gets round to reviewing an over-processed official bottling with Ralfy Review 631 – Dalmore 15yo malt scotch @ 40%vol

Heeeeeeey you guys!!! I’m so excited for this video! Not only does it involve one of my favourite distilleries, but also involves one of my favourite whiskies, Stagg Jr. As the name would suggest, it’s the baby brother of the, George T. Stagg bottling. This one is a little younger but is still the rough cut Kentucky cowboy that wrangles herds of animals in the day and then dons a bottle of whisky with dinner, a true statement of intent if there ever was one in whisky. Bottled at 66.05%, uncut and unfiltered, it is a truly immersive product that folds you into the ideas of how amazing Bourbon really can be, or be it in it’s most extreme form. Enjoy! 

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday

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Announcing: Tamdhu Batch Strength #002

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled the second edition of its multi award-winning Batch Strength expression.

A Tamdhu for the Devoted Malt Fan

Batch Strength 002 is bottled un-chillfiltered at natural colour and at 58.5%. Each batch is unique and varies slightly in style and intensity.  As with every bottle of Tamdhu, once distilled it is matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry oak casks. Our oak is the finest in the industry, with a high proportion being first-fill and teeming with flavour.  Finally, patience is required to allow these fine casks to do their work, giving Tamdhu its deep colour and exquisite quality.

Continuing our success from Batch Strength #001 winning Speyside Single Malt of the Year, Whisky Advocate gave 92 Points to Batch Strength #002.

Tasting notes: Nose:  Warming golden syrup, brown bread with peanut butter, cinnamon, white pepper and cocktail cherries.  Palate:  Mouth coating sherry oak, lightly heated berries and creamy vanilla – adding water brings out cookie dough, gentle spice and fresh fruit. Finish: Spicy notes continue long into the finish with dried fruits, hazelnut and vanilla.

Back in Stock

Two of the most popular releases of the past year are now back on the shelves of The Whisky Shop. Released as part of the Experimental Series, Glenfiddich Project XX is a unique and daring expression from the Speyside distillery that sparked imaginations and tastebuds when it was released last Autumn, while December saw the debut of Glenmorangie’s Bond House No.1 Collection with the Grand Vintage Malt 1990, a malt that defied the odds of a tumultous harvest. Now is your chance to add a bottle to your collection before they are snapped up once again.

Next day delivery available on UK orders

Glenfiddich Project XX

Project XX (“twenty”) is the result of one of the most ambitious experiments undertaken by Glenfiddich. Bringing together 20 whisky experts from 16 countries around the world, each expert’s selected cask from the Glenfiddich warehouse was married together in a small vatting by Malt Master, Brian Kinsman.

The nose has the classic Glenfiddich fruitiness with apple blossom, ripe pear, oak, creamy vanilla and subtle spice. The palate is refined with candy floss sweetness, toasted almonds, cinnamon and rich vanilla oak. The finish is long and sweet with lingering oak.

£50 Buy Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 6th March

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990

This Highland Single Malt is the first release in Glenmorangie’s Bond House No.1 Collection. Distilled in 1990 from a problematic barley harvest the previous summer, the spirit produced defied the odds and proved sublime. The next quarter of a century saw the spirit mature in ex-bourbon casks with a small parcel in ex-sherry casks.

Presented in a stunning coffret, the nose offers heady floral and fruity notes with heather honey, freesia, orange blossom, pear and apple. Silky in the mouth, sweet notes of orange, puff candy, honeycomb and creamy vanilla run under zesty gooseberry and menthol. The finish brings more fruitiness with baked apples and pears with brown sugar, malty biscuit and a hint of cloves.

£500 Buy Now Only available while stocks last

Andy at Malt Box reviews the Glenfarclas 10yr old single malt @maltbox

https://youtu.be/nVlwzkBnnTg

Five of the best: Independent Whisky Bottlers

We’re very fortunate at The Whisky Exchange not only to stock a huge range of whiskies from independent bottlers, but also to work closely with our sister company, Speciality Drinks Ltd, which is an independent bottler itself. This lets us see the world of indies from a different perspective to most whisky shops.

The indies work in a very different way to the distilleries themselves, having the flexibility to bottle what they want, without being restrained by house style or tradition. If you want to explore the full range of whisky flavours, then you need to investigate independent bottlings.

Oliver Chilton, hard at work…

We recently invited Speciality Drinks Ltd product development boss Oliver Chilton down to Covent Garden to host a tasting. He poured whiskies from some of his favourite indies and told us a few stories about what happens inside the world of independent bottling…

Gordon & MacPhail

There aren’t many independent bottlers who can walk into a warehouse and photograph casks like these…

G&M is the oldest independent bottler still around, with a history going back to the early 1900s. Ollie pointed out that back in the 1950s and 1960s, it was the main bottlers of whisky from some of the best-known distillers in Scotland – way before Macallan was bottling its own, Gordon & MacPhail were sending the distillery’s whisky around the world.

We tried: Gordon & MacPhail Tormore 1996 20 Year Old Cask Strength Whisky Exchange Exclusive – fruit, custard and spice.

Morrison & MacKay

An ever-increasing range of whiskies

While it’s not as well known as some of the bottlers we heard about during the evening, Morrison & MacKay is increasingly making a name for itself. With a history of whisky production in the family – the Morrison of the name is one of the brothers who started Morrison Bowmore Distillers – the company started out as a producer of whisky liqueurs. However, thanks to having excellent access to casks, Morrison & MacKay has expanded the Carn Mor range and is starting to turn heads.

We tried: Carn Mor Caol Ila 2009 7 Year Old Whisky Exchange Exclusive – orchard fruit, maritime notes and loads of smoke.

Signatory Vintage

Edradour – home of some of the most impressive casks in Scotland

Ollie couldn’t choose which independent bottler was his favourite, but Signatory Vintage is in the top handful. Founder Andrew Symington has been choosing excellent casks for decades, and is dedicated to finding and making good whisky. If you pop into Edradour – Signatory’s distillery – you are just as likely to find him wearing a boiler suit and tinkering with a still as you are to see him in the shop, talking about his whiskies. With incredible stocks of great whisky and a dedication to bottling it, its releases are always worth a look.

We tried: Blair Athol 1988 27 Year Old Whisky Exchange Exclusive – toffee, lemon drizzle cake and spiced apples.

Douglas Laing

Fred Laing, owner of one of the finest moustaches in the whisky world

The final two bottlers we tried whiskies from are run by brothers – Fred and Stewart Laing. They split their family company in 2015 and Fred kept the original name. He now runs Douglas Laing with his daughter Cara, and while the company is best known these days for its range of blended malts – including Big Peat and Scallywag – it still bottles single malts under the Old Particular and Provenance labels. The Laing warehouses were always famously well stocked, and the gems that are appearing suggest that Fred definitely got his fair share when it came to dividing up the casks.

We tried: Glenrothes 2004 12 Year Old Old Particular – singed raisins, leather, and rum-and-raisin fudge.

Hunter Laing

Andrew, Stewart and Scott Laing with new employee Jim McEwan – next stop: their own distillery

Stewart Laing and his sons, Scott and Andrew, run Hunter Laing, and focus on single casks of whisky more than Douglas Laing. They kept the Old Malt Cask and Old & Rare ranges in the split of the company, and have added The Sovereign to the list, bottling single grain whisky as well. While Douglas Laing may have fancier packaging, Hunter Laing has a more traditional independent bottler approach, focusing on the whisky in the bottle. With a distillery being built on Islay – Ardnahoe – and Bruichladdich’s former master distiller Jim McEwan on board as an advisor, there are exciting times ahead for Hunter Laing.

We tried: Hunter Laing Cambus 1988 26 Year Old Sovereign – custard tarts, candied lemon and butter icing.

For more indies, head over to our 20 independent bottlers you need to know post.

Outstanding Quality and Remarkable Value Are The Hallmarks Of These Single Cask Expressions

Our “Old Particular” line continues to be a smashing success and with very good reason, as nowhere will you find mature single barrel selections at such amazing prices. As long as we can keep finding these amazing selections, we’ll keep selling them as they are among the best deals you’ll find in the spirits world today.

Most recently we’ve brought in a pair of 28 year-olds, one from Glenturret and the other from Strathclyde. Both are nothing short of mesmerizing, offering the wonderfully layered complexity that only mature whisky can deliver. Mind-bogglingly, both a priced under $100, If for some reason you’ve been on the fence about picking up one of our “Old Particular” bottlings, now’s the time to make your move, as if you love a classic, mature and perfectly appointed whisky this pair delivers in spades. Given these limited number of bottles available, it’s always best to put in your order early when it comes to “Old Particular.” Also, to learn more about these remarkable whiskies, check out David Driscoll’s recent blog post in Our Spirits Journal.

1988 Strathclyde 28 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

If there’s one thing we can help take credit for here at K&L, it’s been helping to remove the undeserved stigma associated with grain whisky in the Scotch industry. Maligned and misunderstood for years, it wasn’t until we started launching a number of 25-50 year old releases at ridiculously reasonable prices that hearts and minds began to change. When Nikka brought their delicious Coffey Still editions to the market and people saw just how fruity and delicious these corn and unmalted barley whiskies could be, we think grain whisky finally got over the hump. Crazily enough, today our single casks of grain whisky are some of the most anticipated by our customers. The 28 year old Strathclyde absolutely soaks up the vanilla from the oak barrel and brings loads of soft caramel along with it. At 58.2% there’s some power behind all that supple richness, which allows you to add ice or a bit of water.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 22, 2017

Strathclyde is one of the Chivas grain whisky components and as we’re discovering here with this single cask release, it shines pretty well on its own as well. Grain whisky isn’t just delicious and easy to love, it reminds me of why I like to drink in the first place. To be able to purchase 29 year old cask strength Scotch for seventy-nine bucks is fun! It takes the pressure out of savoring each drop, which is definitely what I would want to do if I were to have paid $200 or more. We’ve got more grains in store as the year goes on, but few that are this old and this well priced.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 18, 2017

I loved the the Port Dundas 26 single grain when we had it and at the time it was my favorite single grain I had tasted. Now I believe I will have to follow the example of my coworker Jeffrey and pronounce this my favorite single grain. The nose shows a fantastic complexity with the vanilla and spice notes being underpinned with a touch of lemon zest. Very soft and evolving palate that brings notes of fruit and creamy butterscotch lead to a long complex if subtle finish. The heat is definitely present here at the finish but a little water helps to calm it down and keeps helps highlight the length of the finish.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2017

This is one of the best single grain whiskeys that I have tasted. The nose is very expressive with vanilla , savory and spice notes. In the mouth it is very complex with a lot flavor offerings. What I tasted was a mixture of vanilla , caramel and spice with an interesting and enhancing hint of savory flavors. This bottle will be a lot of fun for lovers of single grain whiskeys.

1987 Glenturret 28 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

It’s rare to see a 25 year old whisky for less than $150 these days, and even when we do see the occasional bottle our first instinct is often to ask: what’s wrong with it? Understanding that natural reaction we had to ask ourselves: how will people respond when we offer them a 28 year old, single barrel, cask strength, Highland single malt for $99.99? We’re hoping you’ll be excited because we’re absolutely thrilled! Glenturret isn’t a household name among whisky drinkers, but for those in the know it’s part of the Edrington portfolio: the group that owns Macallan, Highland Park, and Glenrothes. Glenturret is also considered the oldest distillery in Scotland, having been founded in 1775, and today it’s the home of Famous Grouse: the world-renowned blended whisky in which it plays a large role. This 28 year old expression has reduced naturally down to a perfectly-drinkable 49.7% ABV and has the richness, oiliness, and concentration that only mature whisky can offer. It’s full of brandied fruit, resin, supple caramel, and creamy malted goodness. Despite its old age, the whisky is surprisingly lithe and light on its feet. By no means is this a heavy, full-bodied number, but rather a classic Highland whisky with plenty of barrel-aged complexity. For the price, it’s a no brainer.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 22, 2017

Man, this cask of Glenturret is just delicious in an old fashioned Scotchy way. It’s nothing more than sweet grains, sweet vanilla, sweet malt, and sweet oak from front to back and the creaminess from the 28 years spent in cask is apparent every step of the way. We sold out of our first Glenturret 28 year cask in about forty-five minutes last year. I’m hoping those of you who missed out that time can get a bottle this time around. It’s one of the better values I’ve ever come across in my ten year career.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2017

The pricing we are getting from Old Particular is almost bordering on the ridiculous at this point. I almost feel like I am in a time machine seeing 28 year old single malt for under $100. More importantly though is that it is very tasty. Soft and subtle on the nose with the fruit overlaying a touch of wood. The palate is light and delicate with notes of green apple, lemon bar, vanilla and spice. Surprisingly gentle finish, the heats starts slow and builds up but does not truly ever overpower. Delicious!

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2017

Another great older single malt from Old Particular. The Glenturret offers the delicate flavor profile of a mature single malt. I really liked the honey and wax aromas that were pretty and inviting. In the mouth the honey theme continues in a complex and subtle way that creates a delicious drink. Older single malts do not last long in inventory.