Killowen Distillery makes the list as the second highest ranked Irish Whiskey in The World’s Most Admired Whiskies 2024 

Killowen Distillery has just been ranked as number 37 out of 50 in the list of the ‘World’s Most Admired Whiskeys’

This is simply amazing news for us to be ranked so highly amongst thousands of distilleries, making us the second highest ranking Irish Whiskey in this list. This is all down to the Killowen Team and of-course the absolutely amazing people who enjoy Killowen on a regular basis. We always love to meet these folks and will continue to do our best for them.

We look forward to more brilliant whiskies in the future.

Thank you wholeheartedly to our  brilliant supporters.

See full list HERE 

Click here to purchase

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Johnnie Walker hits 100 in Thailand

The fascination with Johnnie Walker is not just its popularity in so many countries across the world, but the longevity of that popularity. This year Johnnie Walker celebrates 100 years of sales in Thailand – a momentous feat. So, what is it about this icon that still manages to excite Thai drinkers a century after it first reached its shores.

Inspired by our latest whisky release, I left Harris for the home of sherry wine to wander around the towns and cities of Andalusia in south-west Spain.

It’s an incredible part of the world and the contrasts and comparisons with our island came thick and fast.

Steeped in history, the influences of religion run deep and their culture has been shaped by generations of conquests and conflict. Even the Vikings who left their mark on the village names of Harris have had a hand in Andalusian affairs…

The locals’ love of good food and drink, moreso when shared with friends and family, shone through, as did an approach to life lived at a more appreciative pace.

And then there was the music and dance, with the spirit of Flamenco flowing through their veins and a deep love of unaccompanied song and cèilidh-style celebrations…

While the jury’s still out on whether the Hebridean midge is worse than the Spanish mosquito, the weather is where we really differ however.

The sun-baked and summer-bleached colours of their landscapes could not be more different to our own, though both shared the same stark beauty.

Wherever you find yourself this weekend, seek out a bottle of The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured whisky and open to enjoy a taste of this wonderful corner of the globe, and its sherry region in particular.

We hope the rich, bold, and aromatic flavours will connect you not just to our home in Harris but to the men and women, from Jerez to Huelva, who helped us make it.

Slàinte / Salud!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

In the far south-western corner of Spain lies the ancient region of Andalusia. Here among hot and dusty hills of Huelva, the men and women of sherry-makers José y Miguel Martín ‘cooper’ casks with age-old craft and care before they are filled by their wineries in Jerez.

We first visited this historic part of world back in 2015 to begin our relationship with this highly respected family business. The ‘first fill’ Oloroso casks they select for us are now used to 100% mature our second whisky expression here in Harris bringing rich, bold, and aromatic flavours to our spirit.

Expect aromas of cinnamon, and cloves, alongside notes of charred oranges, white chocolate, green herbs, and hints of wood smoke. It’s an utterly delicious dram designed for drinking this coming season.

Order your bottle and open to discover more…

ORDER THE HEARACH OLOROSO

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

This fourth release in the Harmony Collection, we focus on our own area of expertise and mastery which is represented by oak. Oak runs through every facet of The Macallan and our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.

LEARN MORE

Russell’s Reserve “The Last Chance” Pack

The final few bottles of the extremely delicious Russell’s 15-year release package, with the entire core line-up of world class whiskies from the Russell’s Line. The pack includes one each of the fabulous Small batch 10 year Bourbon & 6 Year Rye, Single Barrel Bourbon & Rye, K&L Exclusive Private Selection Camp Nelson E “Back Country Camping”, and of course the wonderful Russell’s 15-year. This will be the last chance to acquire a bottle of Russell’s 15 year online from K&L unless they magically find more stock for us.

(6x750ml) $650.00 View

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

Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® Inducts Five New Members

BARDSTOWN, KY.— The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® today inducted five Bourbon legends into its elite ranks including the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman, a veteran visitor center manager who elevated Bourbon tourism and three distinctive distillery founders, including one who began his career as a retailer and was honored for a lifetime of achievements.

The exclusive event, presented annually in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, was held at The Legacy at Log Still Distillery in Nelson County with more than 250 luminaries of Kentucky’s historic Bourbon industry in attendance.

Founded in 2001 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth, and awareness. It is the highest honor given by the signature industry.

KDA President Eric Gregory said, “Each year we gather with our most respected legends and champions to applaud the collective progress that the industry has made, largely thanks to the stars who have helped transform Bourbon into an economic engine and global tourism beacon for our state.

“Because of their leadership and dedication, Kentucky Bourbon continues to elevate communities across the Commonwealth and create places for visitors from across the globe to experience a taste of America’s only native spirit. We are incredibly grateful for this year’s inductees and thankful for their impact in helping Bourbon build Kentucky.”

This year’s inductees are, in alphabetical order (full bios, as provided by each inductee, are attached):

●     Elmer Lucille Allen, 93, Louisville. A pioneering activist, Allen broke barriers in the Bourbon industry as the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman – and possibly the entire American whiskey industry. Her work to bring opportunity to all Louisvillians didn’t stop when she left the company. Amongst her many accomplishments, she formed the Chickasaw Little League and led efforts to bring African American art and artists to the mainstream.

●     Dee Ford, 59, Louisville. An international beacon of Bourbon hospitality. Ford’s vision, experience and leadership have catapulted Angel’s Envy and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® into an international, bucket-list tourism attraction. Since 2014, she’s served as Chair of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Committee, earning the respect of her peers and sharing best practices that have leveraged hospitality to elevate Kentucky Bourbon on the global stage.

●     Ken Lewis, 71, Cincinnati, recipient of the prestigious Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. A spirits expert and groundbreaking policy leader, Lewis graduated college as a trained English teacher, but left shortly into his young career for the world of spirits retail. He championed efforts for Sunday sales and initiated litigation that allowed retailers to use credit cards for sales, eventually building The Party Source megastore, the first of its kind in the country. Learning the industry from the bottom up, Lewis brought innovation and entrepreneurship as the founder of New Riff Distilling in Northern Kentucky, paving the way for the craft Bourbon boom that now counts dozens of Kentucky distilleries.

●     The late Peter T. Loftin, 61, Miami. A preeminent innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Loftin founded the Bardstown Bourbon Company that transformed the landscape of custom whiskey production in 2014. He was among the first to take advantage of modernized Bourbon tourism laws in Kentucky, creating a world-class restaurant and bar that graciously features every distillery’s brand on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour as well as an enviable vintage spirits lounge. Along with the state-of-the-art distillery, this high-value Napa Valley-style experience greatly raised the bar for Bourbon tourism and collaborative distilling. He died peacefully at his home in 2019.

●     R.M. Corky Taylor, 75, Henderson, Ky. A respected businessman throughout the country, Taylor retired from an accomplished career in financial services and focused on a lifelong dream – to resurrect his great-grandfather’s whiskey company. Taylor and his son spent countless hours poring over family history to bring back the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., originally owned by Henry Kraver in Henderson. He built back the family legacy in Louisville along historic Whiskey Row, gaining national recognition – and national awards – by patiently waiting for his whiskey to age, living up to the original quality Bourbon standards his ancestor first set in 1889.

Candidates are nominated each year by the KDA and its member distilleries. A blue-ribbon committee including all living recipients of the elite Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award meticulously reviews and selects applicants in three categories: Industry, Roll of Honor, and Lifetime Achievement.

The 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® ceremony was presented by the Brindiamo Group. Additional sponsors include Bardstown Tourism, Blue & Co., LLC, Buzick Construction, Stedman Machine Company, and Vendome Copper & Brass Works Corp.

Bardstown Tourism was sponsor of the signature toast with spirits from the annual Bardstown Collection of hand-picked expressions from local distilleries celebrating the rich heritage of Bardstown and Nelson County.

Brook Forrest White, Jr. of Flame Run in Louisville once again crafted the elegant glass-blown awards incorporating Bourbon-inspired motifs such as amber colors, copper, and water. Kentucky Cut Stone in Lancaster, Ky., created limestone bases recognizing the rock’s importance as a natural filter for purifying water used in the Bourbon-making process.

Fred Minnick, Bourbon author and returning partner, live-streamed the induction ceremony which may be viewed online at @FredMinnick.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com. 

THE WHISKIES

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

Arran 2010 13 Year Old Small Batch Port Pipes

Distilled in 2010, then matured in ex-Port Pipes. This exclusive bottling has been hand-selected by their Distillery Manager, Stewart Bowman, from some of the most unique casks in Lochranza’s warehouses.

Bottled exclusively for the UK market.
Matured in Port Pipes.
Distilled in 2010.
Aged for 13 years.

£102.00

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

George Dickel 15 Year Old “K&L Exclusive 96.2 Proof” Barrel #06E31-13009 Single Barrel Tennessee Whisky (750ml) $54.99 View

Origin: United States| Type/Varietal: Bourbon | Alcohol Content: 48.1%

Ardbeg 17 Year “Committee Release” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

(750ml)

$179.99

View

First introduced more than a quarter of a century ago in 1997, Ardbeg 17 Years Old was one of the initial bottlings to emerge from the Distillery after a period of closure. This malt possessed a unique combination of delicacy and unmistakable Ardbeg character. It quickly captured the hearts of the Committee and set an extraordinary standard for the future of Ardbeg whisky production. When Ardbeg retired the 17 in 2004, no one expected that plans would quietly unfold for its triumphant return. Esteemed Master Distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden, meticulously recreated the original recipe, faithfully retracing each flavor note. The decision to bottle it at the original 40% strength was deliberate, preserving the essence of the past. Tasting notes from the distillery: “Distinctly balmy and medicinal, an enticing minerality bursts into sweet smoke and malted barley. Its peaty presence is undeniable, with hints of tar and oak. Bottled in honour of the folk who were there at the start, this was always a whisky destined to return in the end.”

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