Ultima 01 – 18YO Rye

Our first Ultima Series release was an 18 Year Old Rye.  From the same generation of the popular single cask Rye’s that were released from Shelter Point several years ago, this is now an 18 year old and the extra time in the barrel has only enhanced this wonderful whisky. Bottles were made available to Whisky Club members earlier this week and the response was fantastic. We only have a few bottles left. We are in the process of bottling Ultima 02 so club members should look out for details soon. The Shelter Point Ultima Series is only available to Whisky Club members. Always single cask, always cask strength, it is the ultimate Shelter Point.

Shelter Point Whisky Club

If you like the sound of the Ultima releases or are thinking of a special gift for a whisky lover, the Shelter Point Whisky Club is an opportunity to sample some unique expressions from Shelter Point. With three bottles coming to you through the course of the year it’s a great way to experience the range of our whiskies.

The second bottling has recently been sent to all members. This was a special whisky aged in a seaweed and peat smoked barrel. We’ve had great feedback from those who have sampled it.

Join the Club now

SHELTER POINT DISTILLERY

 4692 Regent Road, Campbell River, BC, V9H 1E3

Rarities and Exclusives: Can’t Miss Bourbon and Scotch Bottlings

Three of today’s exclusive Scotch selections are among the finest we’ve ever brought in, and that’s a long list. The Ardmore and Glengoyne stand out not only for their layered, cask-strength complexity but also for their incredible value among their peers. The Highland Park 19-year-old is in a league of its own, competing with bottlings priced at multiples of this rate. Along with this trio, we have a first look at the highly allocated High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12, as well as a special Russell’s pack offering access to some of their most coveted bottlings.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

OLD PERTH SOLERA

Old Perth Solera – a whisky like no other – crafted using a solera system that harks back to an era of sherry maturation that is seldom seen today. The solera system, commonly used in sherry production, involves fractional blending – a perpetual cycle of maturation that enriches the whisky with each pass. At Old Perth, this system combines ancient ex-bodega solera butts that have matured traditional styles of sherry for nearly 70 years with quality second fill Oloroso sherry butts. The solera butts used to create Old Perth Solera are not just any casks. Originating in Jerez, these ex-bodega casks once held Oloroso sherry – a dry, nutty, and complex sherry with subtle fruity undertones. After maturing sherry for around 70 years, these precious casks have spent the last two years in our solera system, adding to their already rich history. These huge casks can hold 680 litres, and their delicate nature presents challenges. At this age, the casks require extra care, and their tendency to leak results in higher-than-expected losses. However, the unique whisky they produce is more than worth the effort.

OLD PERTH SOLERA

Cask type: Bodega sherry butts
Colour: Deep Crimson
Nose: Spent matchsticks with intense fruity notes and sticky syrup
Palate: layers of treacle, old book pages, sticky dried fruits & a lasting sweet finish
ABV: 57.6%
RRP: £65

Available from select retailers. Click here to see a list of our stockists.

Buy Now

Diageo Creates the Diageo Luxury Group to Unite Its Global Luxury Spirits and Experiences for the First Time

The Diageo Luxury Group brings its luxury offering, from rare and exceptional spirits to brand homes, into one new division.

New division will oversee management of the Diageo Luxury portfolio, creation of the luxury innovation pipeline of products, development of the private client business and luxury spaces and experiences at Diageo’s pinnacle brand homes.

Spearheaded by Managing Director Julie Bramham, former Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker.

12th November 2024: Announced today, the Diageo Luxury Group is a new global division which unites Diageo’s luxury assets into one portfolio including key luxury brands Brora and Port Ellen, iconic Scottish brand homes including Johnnie Walker Princes Street and luxury wine business Justerini & Brooks.

The new division will be responsible for chartering luxury strategy and accelerating the growth of brands that retail at $100 and above, in partnership with their respective brand stewards globally. This is the fastest growing price tier in international spirits since 2020¹, underpinned by long term consumer trends, like a growing interest from young and diverse consumers² and the growing desire for intangible experiences in luxury³.

Led by Julie Bramham, former Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker, who is also responsible for shaping and delivering the marketing transformation agenda at Diageo, existing colleagues within marketing, sales and commercial teams have been aligned under new strategy and leadership, as the Diageo Luxury Group aims to become the number one luxury spirits company in the world⁴.

The Diageo Luxury Group will focus on key influential cities around the world, Global Travel and the market of Great Britain, the home of Scotch Whisky. The news comes as Diageo Great Britain simultaneously launches the Diageo Luxury Company (DLC), a division within the home market. Operating within a broader price point of £30+, the DLC will focus on locally relevant luxury brand building and memorable consumer experiences, working with brands including Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, and Cîroc.

As overseers of some of the world’s most famed distilleries, brand homes and luxury spirits experiences, a trusted private client offering, and an extensive network of luxury experts, craftspeople and drinks industry talent, the Diageo Luxury Group will encompass:

• Diageo’s 15 brand homes and distillery visitor experiences, including Johnnie Walker Princes Street – which has welcomed over 1 million visitors from 141 countries since it opened three years ago.
• In Scotch alone, Diageo’s access to over 10 million casks from over 30 distilleries, approximately half of the total number of casks currently resting in Scotland. These include ‘ghost’ stocks from Port Ellen and Brora, appointment-only, luxury distilleries, and icons of the whisky world which have been meticulously re-envisioned and restored to their former glory.
• Shaping the future of Justerini & Brooks, one of the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchants, including a luxury shopping destination at 41 Burlington Arcade and its outstanding portfolio of whisky and wine. Celebrating its 275th anniversary this year, it has become a symbol of quality.
• Relationships with an exclusive community of global clients, who enjoy extraordinary access to Diageo’s exceptional product offerings and its otherwise unattainable experiences.
• One of the whisky industry’s most established and diverse cask ownership programmes, Casks of Distinction, which offers access to purchase individual casks of rare Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s stocks. Only a small number of fully mature casks are selected and sourced from a range of some of Scotland’s most historic distilleries. Diageo will soon be announcing the second iteration of ‘The Twelve’ by Casks of Distinction, single cask offerings that will never be repeated or created again.
• Further transformational and iconic collaborations to come across trade partners, brand and innovation pipelines.

Julie Bramham, Managing Director, the Diageo Luxury Group, said “We are privileged to hold Diageo’s finest assets in our possession – a collection of exceptional brands and talented individuals that allow us to combine heritage with a forward-thinking drive. Bringing the breadth of our luxury offering together, alongside a focus on expansion of our luxury-based experiences, has Diageo incredibly well-placed to deliver for our clients and customers. I look forward to an exciting future.”

Luxury International Spirits is a $12.7B category (IWSR 2023CY), growing twice as fast as IS overall and the fastest growing price tier within IS since 2020 in both volume (12% CAGR) and value terms (18% CAGR).

[1] IWSR 2023

[2] Kantar, Diageo Brand Guidance System 2024

[3] Bain Altagamma 2023

[4] Per IWSR, market share of Prestige and Prestige+ International Spirits

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Booker’s “Beam House Batch” #2024-02 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View

This limited-edition release aged 7 years, 2 months, and 29 days in charred oak barrels.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Arran 18 year-old scotch whisky is a wonderfully balanced expression of Arran Single Malt which displays the tremendous depth of character of their Distillery. Caramelised citrus and tropical notes on a background of toasted oak have created an intense, well rounded dram with charm and personality. A luxurious mix of their finest aged Sherry Casks, this fully mature expression of Arran Single Malt is exceptional.

£120.00

Tasting notes:

Nose: Orchard fruits with syrup and toasted oak

Palate: Caramelised orange, dark chocolate, baked peaches

Finish: Sweetness, Spice, Citrus, Baked peaches.

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

Maker’s Mark Names Master Distiller

The Iconic Kentucky Bourbon Continues to Lead in Pursuit of Better Flavor and a Better World with Key Appointments

November 2024 – Loretto, KY. – Maker’s Mark, the iconic Kentucky bourbon driven by the pursuit of better flavor and a better world, has announced Dr. Blake Layfield as the brand’s next Master Distiller and Beth Buckner as lead blender.

“Visionary leadership has been a critical and consistent factor in the success of Maker’s Mark, from the moment Bill Sr. and Margie Samuels decided to create something completely different in the bourbon category 70 years ago,” said Rob Samuels, eighth generation whisky maker and managing director, Maker’s Mark. “Blake embodies the brand’s commitment to culture, quality and a higher purpose, and I am thrilled he and the Maker’s Mark leadership team are guardians of the brand’s legacy and vanguards driving the brand forward.”

In this key leadership role, Blake Layfield will oversee the consistency and taste vision of Maker’s Mark bourbon, as well as new product innovation. In addition, Layfield will advance the many environmental and agricultural initiatives on Star Hill Farm, home to the Maker’s Mark distillery – enhancing flavor through nature and leading the industry to a more sustainable future.

Since joining Suntory Global Spirits from Diageo in 2019, Layfield has held a series of R&D and quality leadership roles in Kentucky, serving most recently as senior director of innovation, blending and quality for Maker’s Mark.  Layfield holds a doctorate in Food Science from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC and a General Certificate in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. He is also Co-Chair on the Research Committee of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and serves on the board of the James B. Beam Institute at the University of Kentucky.

Layfield will continue to be supported by the talented Beth Buckner in her role as lead blender, a critical position as the brand continues to innovate to deliver incredible experiences for consumers. Buckner began her tenure at Maker’s Mark in 2013 and her exceptional palate, creativity, and leadership qualities led to her significant role in the development of the acclaimed Wood Finishing Series. Buckner leads the brand’s push for innovation and the complex, fine art of blending.

Continuing to oversee all operations is Kim Harmon, general manager at the distillery. She joined Maker’s Mark in 2019 as director of safety and sustainability, and among other achievements, was instrumental in Maker’s Mark’s B Corp certification in 2022 – a milestone achievement within the industry. Harmon’s career, with tenures at Heaven Hill and Suntory Global Spirits, can be characterized by exceptional vision and a highly effective and collaborative leadership style. She also exemplifies the Maker’s Mark culture of pursuing perfection, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com

About Maker’s Mark®   

In 1953, in Loretto, Ky. Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. While he developed the bourbon, his wife Margie Samuels ideated the bourbon’s name and label, standout bottle shape, iconic and signature look that still involves hand-dipping each bottle in red wax to this day. Together as co-founders, Bill and Margie transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon continues to be crafted in the same, purposeful way.

In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker’s Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, and Maker’s Mark Cellar-Aged, all Double Gold winners of the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as Maker’s Mark Private Selection: the brand’s custom barrel program.  Maker’s Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.

WE MAKE OUR BOURBON CAREFULLY. PLEASE ENJOY IT THAT WAY.

As we hear and heed warnings about high pressure over Greenland and cold Arctic air tumbling towards our island, it’s clear seasonal change is afoot.

Officially, the season really should begin on the 21st of December with the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. But, our Irish and Swedish friends will tell us that November 1st was the day that matters, farmers far and wide would point to Martinmas on the 11th as the marker, and meteorologists will insist that December is the date for your diary.

Here in Harris it’s probably a more phenological and gut feeling thing, as we witness nature’s fading, bemoan the local ferry delays, and realise that the dark nights are well and truly here. So, we’re declaring it now. Light the fires, get the drams in, and let winter begin!

Wherever you are in the world reading this, we wish you a fine season ahead and invite you to read on to discover ways to keep your hearts warm and island spirits high as it all unfolds…

Have a great weekend from all of us here in Harris!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

Our historic single malt whisky takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for a native of Harris. Like many words in our language, it can sometime be a little tricky to trip off the tongue. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to pronounce our whisky’s name, let our islanders help you out with a wee film we made. Once you’ve got the hang of it, try it out with friends, family, bartenders, and in your favourite spirits stores this winter…just say The Hearach!

WATCH THE FILM ON VIMEO

When the weather outside is frightful, there are few things more appealing than the prospect of a fireside dram, particularly if you’ve just escaped inclement island weather. The Hearach single malt was made for drinking, and the elegant, complex flavours captured in every glass promise a perfect pour at this time of year.

Gentle aromas of peat smoke give way to notes of toasted malt in your glass as flavours of apple, wildflowers, spice, clotted cream and candied sweets unwind. It’s a true Outer Hebridean whisky and full of local character. Simply order your bottle online or from your nearest stockist, and open to discover more…

DISCOVER THE HEARACH SINGLE MALT

The second expression of our whisky-making brings plenty of warmth to the proceedings this season, thanks to its connections to southern Spain. The Oloroso First Fill Cask Matured single malt draws wonderfully rich, bold, and aromatic flavours from sherry butts sourced from this special region of Andalusia.

The results bring a fine array of winter spices and woodsmoke to the dram, alongside festive notes like cloves, dried oranges and white chocolate. If you’re looking for something which captures a sense of an island Christmas, the one’s for you and yours…

It’s a delicious dram designed to be enjoyed with friends and family so order yours and open to discover more…

DISCOVER THE HEARACH OLOROSO CASK

Old Elk “Rum Cask Finish” Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) (Elsewhere $100) $20 View

According to the distillery: “Finished in 14-year-old Barbados rum barrels, Rum Cask Finish offers a harmonious balance of richness and complexity. It features aromas of allspice and a bold, complex flavor profile, ending with tobacco and overripe pineapple.”

Booker’s “Master Distiller’s Batch” #2024-03 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

This #2024-03 rendition is the third in Booker’s Master Distillers Batch series. It aged more than 7 years in new white oak barrels and was bottled at 103.3 proof.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Aultmore Distillery

Bacardi Invests in Future of Premium Scotch Whisky With Multi-Million Pound Distillery and Warehousing Investments