Ireland
Green Spot “Château Léoville Barton” Finished Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View
K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
NEW TO THE PARTY
Wicked 87 Whiskey-in-a-Box – For all those times you wanted to bring a fifth of booze into the pool, and couldn’t because it was in a glass bottle, we now have whiskey in a box! Be careful with this version of ‘slap-the-bag’.
Wildcatter Straight Bourbon 8 Year – Here’s a new bourbon, and one with a decent age statement! It is receiving very favorable reviews despite the only published background being that the barrels of 8yr bourbon were procured on the open market. It is certainly one to add to any bourbon collection.
Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon – We always love being able to check out a whiskey as it tastes right out of the barrel. We often get to do this for our TPS Private Barrels, but that is often about it. Well, a huge thanks goes out to Bulleit for bottling and selling this cask strength selection! It’s rich and bold and packed with flavor. Best of all, you can proof it down to your liking!
KENTUCKY DERBY
This year Saturday, May 7th marks the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby. Stock up now on everything you will need to host an amazing Kentucky Derby Party. We have a large selection of officially licensed Kentucky Derby plates, napkins, cups, shirts, as well as the collectible OFFICIAL DERBY JULEP GLASSES! Supplies will go quickly, so don’t delay!
95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073
(859) 291-4007
Japan
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu “Malt & Grain” Japanese Blended Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View
Scotland
AnCnoc Cutter Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $64.99 View
Old Pulteney Clipper Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View
Ireland
Midleton “Dair Ghaelach” Irish Whiskey (750ml) $239.99 View
K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
ON TOUR WITH INGVAR RONDE & FRIENDS
Story and pictures by Paul McLean, driver/guide/tour manager. April 2016.
Day 1. We met up at Glasgow airport, happy smiling faces on each as they came through customs gate, I have met most of these guys on a previous tour last year. Luggage loaded off we went to Ardrossan, where we had arranged lunch (it was a late airport arrival), whilst the guys enjoyed lunch (and drinks) I ventured over to Asda for some goodies, amongst these Whisky & Haggis crisps. We were taking the 15.15 ferry to Arran – it was 20 minutes late departing, so upon arrival we were lucky to be third off but behind a large artic lorry. This turned off shortly to allow us to pass and I flew up to Arran distillery (we were late). Dropped off our group and drove doon to the ferry at Lochranza to check our last time to check in. This done, went back the mile or so and caught them up in the distillery, great tour by the way by Stewart Dunsmuir. On the ferry back to the mainland, a nice breeze, landing at Claonaig and a short drive to Tarbert where we stayed that night.
Day 2. Och an early start as we had the van in line at calmac Kennacraig for 06.20, taking the brand new ferry Finlaggan to Port Ellen. 2 hours later and off to see a wee bit of history: Kildalton Kirk derives its’ name from a stepson of one of the Macdonalds of the Isles. The Macleans and the Macdonalds fought over this land with the Macdonalds driving the Macleans out. Here endeth the history lesson, as usual there was the wee table with teas/coffee biscuits and cakes here with an honesty box. Due to a funeral staff at Bowmore were all out, so we switched the day around and took in Bunnahabhain distillery first. This was a great tour and taste and many thanks to Andrew Brown, Distillery Manager who took us around and, more importantly, set me up with wee drams to go! Over his 22 years at the distillery he’s worked every part of the Bunnahabhain and now enjoys day-to-day running of the distillery. Back to Bowmore and another distillery visit, I sat this one out as I needed to do some work for later on in this tour. Overnight Bowmore.
Day 3. An early start (again) as we depart at 8am for a visit to Bruichladdich arriving here at 8.20. The tour was taken by Allan Logan, a great first half hour just chatting about himself, his experience and tutor, the aims of the distillery etc, I learned a lot! I left Ingvar to it and went for my drivers cup of tea! Chatted to the girls in the visitor centre, learned a few more bits of knowledge, the tour group came in for their tasting, again, thanks Allan for the drams! From here to Ballygrant for soup and sandwiches, great whisky bar and a grand chat with Ewan on island whisky news. In line for the wee landing craft that is the Jura ferry. A short sail, a bumpy drive and an island distillery. Willie Cochrane started his career at the Jura distillery as a Mash/Still Operator in 1976, a week before our visit he retired! Graham took our tour, a new distillery manager who has been here many years, good tour by the way! More great drams before another road from hell journey to the ferry, I had planned getting back here early, we did. Drams and crisps (whisky and haggis) came out with some chocloates. On the ferry and back to Bowmore, day over, relax, dram and bed!
Day 4. Early start again, this time away doon to Laphroaig, where David took the tour, known him many years, tour in good hands I sat it out, did some work took some photos, drank tea (drivers share) and hung aboot. Joined them later at the tasting, am thinking they enjoyed that. A wee drive to Ardbeg, met Michael (Mickey) Heads who took the tour and a grand tour it was, relaxed, informative and – plenty of drams at the end, many thanks for my 6 driver drams! Still to sample these, saving them maybe? He sat with us for lunch chatting away, a great distillery visit. After a good fish pie and Irn Bru, I drove the wee distance for our final tour of the day, Lagavulin. Boy was this a goodun, Pinkie took us right to the warehouse for tasting, nae distillery tour. He then took the Michael out of all of us in his own strange but hilarious way, no one escaped his humour, but we did enjoy 6 great drams – and, aye, I got 6 wee pots to take away. The funniest visit on the island to be sure for all. After this, we stopped at the Machrie golf course for a peep, then the peat moss (Laphroaig) and a few drams at the Irn Bru Corner at the airport. I have named it so because we had a dram of Glen Marnoch here, with Irn Bru fudge, followed by an Edradour fairy Flag. This was voted by Ingvar as the best Edradour he has tasted! I have two bottles at home. Back at Bowmore – day ended.
Day 5. Left Bowmore at 8.30 for Port Ellen and our ferry to the mainland. On time and off at 12.05 driving for Inveraray. Brief stop here for butties and drinks before heading south to Loch Lomond. Stopping for a rendezvous at MacDonalds to meet lovely lady from Loch Lomond distillery, who handed me bottles of Inchmurrin, Glen Scotia and LL, pre arranged with a pal who works for them. Bottles on board we hit the road to Auchentoshan distillery. Iain McCallum took us around, shared drams at each step and warehouse dram. Once back in the warmth of the bar, more drams followed, a great final whisky tour for the group. We then took an hour and a half to reach the hotel in Edinburgh. Sad farewells and “see you again”’s I left my group here, but not before a very nice “thanks you envelope”, thank you all for this; Ingvar Ronde, Mats Rodenstam, Peter Rodenstam, Dag Lennartsson, Ingemar Nordblom and Hans Hulthén, I will have many happy memories of this trip. Drove home, awful traffic on the bridge, so pulled off for some grub, then home, arrived 9.15, tired but happy!
Once again Ingvar has entrusted us with his tour group, last year it was Speyside, what is it for 2017? Ireland? Thanks Ingvar, photos on the way over, see you soon.
PAUL MCLEAN www.mcleanscotland.com/ www.whiskytours.scot
You will find listed below 3 of our favourite Glendronach drams..
You can find our full range on The Spirits Embassy: Single Malts Direct’s brand new website.
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Glendronach 12 Year Old || £32.00 incl. VAT
This superb richly sherried single malt is matured for at least 12 years in a combination of the finest spanish pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons
Glendronach 18 Year Old || £61.00 incl. VAT
The famous Glendronach 18 year old, now renamed Allardice, is the third expression in the Glendronach core range. In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons.
Glendronach 21 Year Old || £85.00 incl. VAT
Matured in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ziminez Sherry Casks. In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons.
1995 Inchgower 20 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) SKU #1229464
Almost 100% of Inchgower’s single malt whisky production goes into Johnnie Walker and Bell’s blended whiskies, so the chance to taste a single, unblended cask of the Speyside facility’s whisky was something we were definitely interested in. This sherry-aged beast of a malt should attract the attention of Mortlach and Blair Athol fans who have feasted on the dark, dense, meaty flavors of heavily-sherried casks we’ve purchased in the past. The richness of the Oloroso density is buffered by a strong note of earthy, savory, almost sulfury intensity; a brooding character that becomes more and more powerful as the 57.5% ABV begins to cut through all that sweetness. It eventually reaches a crescendo and the nuttiness of the sherry appears to take you through the finish. It’s not Glendronach, it’s not quite Glenfarclas, and it’s definitely not Macallan; it’s just Inchgower. Welcome to the new king of sherry-aged monsters.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm – 2016 Release
Only £59.98 – Whilst stock last!
The 2016 release of Loch Gorm from Kilchoman distillery, matured for over 6 years in a combination of fresh and refill Oloroso sherry butts. First launched in 2012, the 2016 Loch Gorm is the oldest release of this series to date.
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Machir Bay is the flagship expression within the Kilchoman whisky range, and rightly so – it’s an excellent Islay malt. Created using a combination of ex-bourbon & Oloroso sherry casks, Machir Bay won the prestigious IWSC Gold Award – Best in Class, when first launched back in 2012.
Kilchoman Sanaig
Kilchoman Sanaig is the newest expression to be added to the Kilchoman portfolio and has been created from a combination of bourbon and sherry cask matured whisky. Sanaig is a small rocky inlet on Islay, located north west of the distillery.
Kilchoman 2009 – AW Exclusive Very Low Stock!
Our exclusive single cask has now become very low on stock and we don’t expect it to be around for too much longer! Don’t miss out on one of the best Kilchoman’s bottled to date! Don’t believe us, read the reviews here!
The casks for this 2016 edition of the sought-after Kilchoman Loch Gorm were selected from a combination of fresh and refill oloroso sherry butts over six years of age – the oldest release of Loch Gorm to date. Loch Gorm is prized for its combination of powerful rich flavours, spicy notes and peat smoke. This in demand expression has a beautiful balance of big, rich sherry flavours, smoke and softer fruits typical of this distillery. A must buy for any Kilchoman fan!
Kilchoman Madeira Cask
Introducing the first ever first fill Madeira cask release from Kilchoman. Bottled at 50% volume and limited to only 6100 bottles. Without a doubt one of the most in demand Kilchoman releases ever, in part due to its incredible rich flavours, having spent all of its life in first fill Madeira barrels. This allows rich sweet notes that combine beautifully with that peat smoke flavours Kilchoman is famous for!
Springbank 16 year old UK Exclusive – Fresh Sherry Cask
A brand new bottling of Springbank always brings some cheer, and this limited edition 16 Year Old Fresh Sherry expression is no exception. Drawn from a single cask, it has been bottled at a cask strength of 54.2%. The good news? We have a limited amount of stock available to purchase today! Please note this release is limited to one bottle per customer. (The bad news)
Springbank 25 year old
This whisky has been matured in a combination of sherry and bourbon casks before being married together in port casks. It has been bottled at 46% and is limited to only 900 bottles worldwide. Please note, this whisky is limited to one bottle per customer. Tasting Notes: Very well balanced with notes of toffee apple, brandy butter, liquorice, milk chocolate and honeycomb.
www.ralfy.com reviews a whisky which was discontinued and is now not discontinued because that situation was discontinued with Whisky Review 579 – Johnnie Walker Green Label re-reviewed 2016
