Released from the vault!

If you haven’t heard – there’s a craze called ‘Pokemon Go’ that’s taking the country by storm. The general goal of it and Pokemon overall is to….’Catch’em all‘. Obviously some are harder to ‘catch’ than others. With that in mind – we are releasing into the wild – some of Park Avenue Liquor Shop’s classic exclusive single malt scotches. You do not need an App or smartphone to ‘catch’ these – You just need contact us. There are different quantities of these bottles available – so act fast if you see something you need for your collection. Please contact the store with any questions.  Cheers!

Jonathan & Eric & Marlon

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 212-685-2442

jonathan@parkaveliquor.com

eric@parkaveliquor.com

whiskyconn@gmail.com  (Marlon)

www.parkaveliquor.com

Some of the Park Ave Liquor Shop’s ‘Exclusives’ from long ago have escaped.

The following items are recent escapees from the Park Avenue Liquor Shop’s ‘Vault of Exclusives’.

Each item listed is very limited so please contact us to make sure it is still available. 

Compass Box: “Monster” – Cask Strength Non-chill filtered.

$160/btl

With a name like “Monster” – this one could actually BE a Pokémon!

When the Park Ave collaborated with CB Master Blender John Glaser on an exclusive – we repeatedly sent back concept samples with the direction to make it peatier each time. That is, until we received a sample that John labeled as, “Monster”. The store loved it ~ as remarked on the back label  ~ and the bottling served as inspiration for the brand’s current “Peat Monster’ statement.
Gordon & MacPhail: SPEYMALT from Macallan 1993, 9Year Old – Oak Cask

$125/btl

These exclusive bottles are marked as being Speymalt’s very first importation into the USA.

“Speymalt” is the special name created by Gordon & MacPhail for all of its Macallan private bottlings. Only Macallan whisky can be used under the Speymalt moniker. So this is your chance to get the first Speymalt to come to the United States.

Gordon & MacPhail: Tomintoul 40 Year Old 1967, Cask #644 (Oak)

$1,000/btl

If our exclusive bottlings had an All-Star team – the one would be the starting pitcher…and clean-up hitter.

This one first hit our shelves in 2008 and has a finish that is still lingering. Perhaps that’s why no other bottle gets asked about like this one. We’re still amazed we got our hands on this cask. (Only 240 made) 

Montgomeries: Macallan 13 Year Old 1989, Bourbon Cask

$95/btl

“One of the best examples of a Bourbon cask Macallan I’ve ever tasted.”

– Jon Goldstein (Guy who really likes scotch and has opinions)

Old Malt Cask: Ardbeg 27 Year Old 1972, Matured in Sherry Cask, No chill

$2,500/btl

Full disclosure: THIS IS NOT ONE OF OUR EXCLUSIVES.

How it snuck into the vault no one remembers. That being said, this is our LAST BOTTLE is probably one of the oldest Ardbegs you’ll find in the market right now.

If you want one you’ll most likely need to jump into your DeLorean and push the Flux Capacitor until you hit 88mph. (Only 144 made)  

Four Roses: Single Barrel – Private Selection

OESQ = 10 Year Old ~ 120.4 proof OBSQ = 8 Years & 6 Months Old ~ 107.2 proof OBSO = 10 Years & 1 Month Old ~ 110.4 proof

$150/btl each

Once again this offer is while supplies of each item listed lasts. We cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors. Please contact the store with any questions. PS: Hi Russia!

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 |  parkaveliquor.com

www.ralfy.com re-visits a trusty old friend with Whisky Review 594 – Springbank 10yo scotch (re-reviewed 2016)

Blog; whisky tour in the Highlands & Speyside –

We took two whisky loving Canadians on tour, starting from the Edinburgh hotel at 08 am on Saturday morning. Och another early start, but that’s fine, am used to it. We drove north over the Forth Road Bridge and on into highland Perthshire, taking our time, but hurrying up, to Inverness. Still a way to go, as our first appointment was with a few Dalmore drams. A distillery tour and tasting was happily received by our two whisky fans, even though it was no in production – but this meant photos allowed anywhere! King alec is my favourite dram there, but as driver … say no more, it hurts! Lunch was taken at the Storehouse doon the road, a meeting with some drams at Glenmorangie came next. I do need point out, the young guide got a few things wrong, but here main problem came when asked how they clean the stills out, she said they were sent away to be cleaned by power jets, oh dear! From here we headed back at an easy pace, to Inverness, where we all stayed overnight. I did introduce them to an excellent whisky bar here by the river, a good local pub and another – Irish bar. I left them to enjoy the city while I went away to my hotel and did some work (thanks Liz). Even on tour I cannee get away from work, Liz see’s to that.

Sunday, a day of rest? Don’t think so. Leave Inverness and call in to Culloden Battlefield, walk the moor that Bonnie Prince Charlie and his troops did, discover the “well of the dead”, take time to tour the museum and watch the provocative movie. From here to Clava Cairns, or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava – a group of three Bronze Age cairns dating back about 4,000 years. The cemetery was used in two periods. At around 2000 BC a row of large cairns was built, three of which can still be seen today. Cawdor castle, Macbeth was born about 1005. Macbeth was crowned High King of Scots at Scone outside Perth, with his Queen. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth during the spring of 1606. Although the murder of Duncan takes place in Inverness Castle, it is often associated with Cawdor Castle. The truth is, Cawdor Castle was not built until the late 14th century, therefore it is impossible for King Duncan to have lost any blood or Lady Macbeth much sleep in this particular house.  Whisky today? To be sure, we always have excellent drams in the car for our stops during the day, I drove long the Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit and called in at Fiddlers, met John whom I know (owner) told him my guest had a birthday, we (I was a driver again, damn!) enjoyed almost 2 hours of personal attention, many drams including a 40 year old, gifts and presents courtesy of myself and John, she went away happy and – tiddly! Returning a final time to Inverness.

Monday: We left Inverness at 10am, driving south to Tomatin. The  Taste of Tomatin tour – an in-depth tour, a tutored nosing and tasting of 6 different whiskies, including two distillery exclusive single cask expressions. I think they enjoyed that!  While they toured I enjoyed the “drivers share” a cup of tea and shortcakes, I did enjoy my chat’s with the girls here, especially young Nicole, whose whole family work here, including cousins, uncles, dad, granny used to. 2 hours later they appeared looking really happy. From Tomatin to Aviemore for lunch picking up Liz at the station.  We departed for Glenfarclas Distillery. This is one of the few privately owned distilleries and one of 3 Grant Family distilleries in Speyside. It’s hard for us to say, but it’s one of our favourites, as most of them are!  They produce excellent drams and bottles. From here around 35 minutes’ drive to Cardhu where we all fed the hairy coo’s.  Another great whisky day ends, guests happy and smiling, Elgin overnight. Liz and myself stayed up in Lossiemouth as usual, we use a nice wee apartment there as a base (office away from home).

Tuesday: We left Elgin at 9.15 heading south to Dufftown, booked on the 10am Balvenie Distillery tour, superb, we know, we have done it many times. The best way to get to know The Balvenie is at the distillery. Tours are very personal each is limited to a maximum of eight people. Bottling your own Balvenie in Warehouse 24 costs £25 (is not a full size bottle, but it is worth it). Only 6 people were on the tour and as usual, it was excellent, thank David (Muir) for your help and see you next month. We took lunch locally at Glenfiddich Distillery, this allowed our guests to see the fabulous ladies bathrooms at the distillery. The Macallan Distillery called our names at 3pm for the 6 Pillars Tour. After a thorough immersion into the world of The Macallan, they enjoyed an experience/nosing and tasting of Macallan whiskies as well as the rich new make spirit. We did call into a fab whisky bar en route to the hotel, where we met up with our other tour that was in, Derek was driving this one, great – we had everyone in the bar on tour with us, a mcleanscotland bar! Elgin again that evening. Liz and myself enjoyed some great food in Lossie and at the apartment a good selection of drams were consumed.

Wednesday: We departed Elgin at 9am to Dalwhinnie Distillery to call in for drams (tour not included), 6 Dalwhinnie drams including a dram from the £350 bottle, then down to Pitlochry for free time, lunch and Edradour Distillery. We saw Andrew wandering doon so hailed him, all hello’s and intro’s, as he guided us to the shop/bar, then introduced us to several drams (not me!!!) and spent maybe 40 minutes with us, before back to the shop for purchases, an good Edradour for Liz, an Imperial for Gary. Thanks Andrew.

From here we take a scenic route back to Edinburgh, dropping our guests at their Edinburgh hotel. Took Liz home and got back myself into the second half of the Euro Cup Final, Liverpool lost out! Another good whisky tour done and dusted.

Written by Paul McLean, http://www.whiskytours.scot/

Irish Whiskey Appreciation Course – CHQ

Wednesdays at 7.00pm from 5th October 2016 The CHQ Building, IFSC, Docklands, Dublin Tel: 01 612 5540 Email: chq@mitchellandson.com €160 per person

The aim of our ’Irish Whiskey Appreciation Course’ is to explore and understand the vast array of Irish Whiskeys on offer today in Ireland. The course will provide an opportunity for whiskey drinkers of all levels to explore Irish Whiskey with a strong emphasis on tasting, so as to gain an appreciation for the vast array of flavours available in the Irish Whiskey Industry today. We will taste 6 whiskeys per class, with the possibility of a few special extras.

Course Content:

Session 1 (Wednesday October 5th) Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Session 2 (Wednesday October 12th) Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Session 3 (Wednesday October 19th) Single Grain Irish Whiskey/ Independent Bottlers

Session 4 (Wednesday October 26th) Blended Irish Whiskey

To reserve your place on this course or for more information, please contact our CHQ shop on 01 230 2301, send us an email at mark@mitchellandson.com or click here to book online.

Distillery Focus Glengyle Distillery home of Kilkerran Part 1

This is the first part of the main release whisky due on August 12th 2016

KILKERRAN 12 YEAR OLD 46%Vol

What we call Campbeltown today was indeed called Kilkerran, and if my history is correct the Loch was also named Kilkerran town loch.

While the stock is not due in the store for sale until August 12th we wanted to give you a little more information about the distillery ahead of the open day tasting here in London, Campbeltown and Edinburgh.

Glengyle distillery was founded in 1872 by William Mitchell who’s family was well known in the town for another distillery you might have on your radar; SPRINGBANK, anyone know it?! Between 1872 and 1919 the distillery like so many others operated quite well as a private concern until it passed into the hands of West Highland Malt Distilleries Ltd who ran the site until it closed a few years later in 1925.

The distillery became a garage around 1929/30 not quite what the founders had in mind but this did protect the site in many ways. In 1941 the site was purchased with a view to return the site into a fully operational distillery, sadly it never happened even when it was purchased again in 1957 when talk of distilling emerged, still no sign of a distillery.

After a while talk of distilling stopped until Hedley Wright the owner of Springbank decided to purchase the land and buildings with the view to opening the distillery once more, this seemed only fitting given it was his own family’s distillery back in 1872. Once the site was in the hands of the family again no time was wasted in planning the new oldest distillery in Scotland the first to open this millennium.

First things first, where will they get the stills from? The answer came via a now defunct distillery called Ben Wyvis. The stills arrived in Campbeltown then it was a case of some re-shaping before installing, more equipment was installed until finally the work was done for the rebuilding.

The first distillation of the new spirit took place on March 25th 2004 with a plan to release a series called ‘Work In Progress’ when the liquid reached 5 years old.

Check back with the next Newsletter due August 12th for the rest of the story behind Scotland’s oldest new distillery.

Cadenheads Whisky Shop & Tasting Room 26 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7QF

Tomatin Cù Bòcan 1988

Limited Edition!

Tomatin have released a new beast from their Cù Bòcan whisky range. This 1988 vintage release was created by marrying a refill hogshead and a refill sherry butt, both distilled 2nd December 1988. What makes this slightly different is that these casks previously held a popular, heavily peated whisky from Islay…

Genlivet Cipher

On the back of Alpha released back in 2013 – Cipher is the latest limited edition single malt whisky from Glenlivet. Complete with black attire stealth uniform – no tasting notes, no cask info – it’s up to you to decode the whisky riddle???

Scotland

Glen Moray 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)  $36.99

United States

John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon (750ml)  $49.99 

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Russell’s Reserve K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #175 Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ( $59.99) Everything we love about Wild Turkey Bourbon is alive and well in this 2016 release of K&L exclusive single barrel Bourbon. The sweet baking spices and bright vanilla tones on the nose carry over to the palate that pops at 55% and lifts the richness beyond just the standard toasted oak profile. There’s a flurry of cinnamon, creme brulee, and vanilla bean on the initial sip and that harmony carries through to the finish. It’s always easy to tell a bottle of Russell’s Reserve from the other Bourbons we feature for that reason. There’s a freshness to them, a certain joyfulness, and it’s alive and well in this whiskey: K&L Exclusive single barrel #175.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

THE WHISKY SHOP PARIS

Johnnie Walker Salon Privé

With the launch ofthe website for The Whisky Shop Paris, we can’t help but rave about our French store’s incredible range. Today we take a look at the Johnnie Walker range available in the luxurious and elegant Salon Privé, hosted by the iconic brand.

Worldwide delivery available from whiskyshop.fr

Blue Label Willow The Whisky Shop Paris Exclusive

This exceptional expression embodies the know-how of the Walker House. Presented in a porcelain bottle, the limited edition Willow pack features a finely detailed illustration in blue ink by Good Wives and Warriors artists.

Stretching around the four sides of the bottle, the work celebrates the unique adventure of the Johnnie Walker blend, pioneering whisky from Scotland to conquer the world. On the front, the Striding Man tees off at Gleneagles, inviting us to relive the adventure by discovering every continent, portrayed with originality by the two artists.

The prestigious Blue Label, the gem of the Walker House is presented here at Cask Strength. Bottled at 55.8% abv, the limited edition Willow offers a powerful and intense taste. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a big flavoured whisky that reflects the Walker family’s belief that neither whisky age alone, nor whisky from a single location, is enough to achieve the creation of an unrivalled masterpiece today.

€460 Buy Now

Private Collection 2015

The second in the series of annual, limited releases, from John Walker & Sons. The Private Collection 2015 Edition showcases the craftsmanship and innovation of John Walker & Sons blended Scotch Whisky. Master Blender Jim Beveridge handpicked just 29 casks from irreplaceable bespoke and experimental stocks to create this unique blend.

Only 8,888 decanters of the John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition were made. Each of these striking dark red glass decanters is individually numbered, with a distinctively bold design that echoes the famous Johnnie Walker slanted label.

€809 Buy Now

Blue Label ‘Year of the Monkey’ Limited Edition

With only 750 individually numbered bottles produced of this limited edition, Johnnie Walker celebrates the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Monkey. Blue Label is one of the best blends and certainly the most famous in the world. This bottle is full of character, delivering a powerful bouquet in several strata, a deep richness on the palate and the smoke, which combines honey and fruit, before a gentle finish.

€225 Buy Now

Rye Cask Finish

Johnnie Walker has not finished surprising us! Jim Beveridge has carefully selected first fill American oak barrels and at least 10 years, which are added a finishing cask Rye Whisky. The result, bottled at an unusual strength of 46% abv, is different from other Johnnie Walker expressions, finding a power approaching a single malt. This expression is available exclusively at The Whisky Shop.

The nose is decidedly exotic: vanilla, rum and brown sugar. The palate is frank and direct, with notes of candied papaya and mango, but also sweet spices to finish with white chocolate. The Rye has really left its mark on this whisky! The finish is long and straight, revealing spicy and sweet touches, between fruit and caramel.

€60 Buy Now

Since its original debut in the U.S., the Hibiki 12 has symbolized excellence in not just Japanese whisky, but whisky as a whole. Blended to a seamless perfection, the flavors of vanilla, sweet malt, and butterscotch have enticed drinkers around the world like a siren, hypnotizing whisky fans with its haunting beauty. A perfectly assembled blend of malt whiskeys matured 12 years or longer and mellow grain whiskies of the same age; it also includes some whisky from casks formerly used in long-term aging of Japanese plum liqueur – this helps bring out the sweet floral notes on the nose and palate for which Suntory whisky is known. Adding venerable malt aged more than 30 years further brings out the bouquet and adds body to the palate. Unfortunately for those of us who value its quality, the demand for the 12 year has become unsustainable and in 2015 Suntory announced it would be discontinuing the expression, replacing it with a younger blend called the “Harmony,” (which are also excited to present in today’s offer). We were lucky enough to grab one last curtain call before they pulled the plug on the 12 and we don’t expect it to last long. If you like the Hibiki 12 year as much as we do, it’s time to load up your reinforcements.

Suntory Hibiki 12 Year Old Japanese Whiskey (750ml)$99.99 View

Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whisky (750ml)$62.99 View

K&L Wine Merchants http://www.klwines.com/

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA