The Latest from the Elements of Islay
This year’s Whisky Show has been a rather busy time for us. Not only did we have a show to put on (it went very well, thank you for asking – our writeup of the weekend is over here) but … Continue reading >>
TOP PICKS
• 1997 Glenlivet 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Sherry Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($75.99)
Although we didn’t advertise it at the time, we actually selected this first-fill sherry barrel of Glenlivet from Signatory as part of our 2012 trip. We thought the whisky was simply outstanding, a shining example of what the classic Speyside distillery can accomplish when one fantastic barrel is isolated from the rest of the batch. What we wanted to do was wait until this cask hit its 16th birthday, then bottle it immediately. You could tell it was right on the cusp of greatness, but it just needed an extra year. While the standard Glenlivet expressions are soft and supple on the palate, they rarely exhibit the amount of fresh sherry influence that this 16 year old barrel exudes. The result is a whisky that’s more like Macallan or Glendronach than what we think of as Glenlivet. Toffee, raisined fruit, baking spices, and cocoa came blasting out of the glass when we first pulled the sample straight from the barrel. This whisky was a beast! Since we kne w that a cask of Glenlivet would encompass a larger tent of customers than some of our more esoteric selections, we thought that proofing the whisky down to 46% might be a good idea in this case. (Not really – WI) After tasting it we knew this was the right move. The spice and heat turn into creamy, unctuous sherry, melting over the palate at a slow crawl. While the whisky isn’t at full proof, it is still non-chill filtered and from one single barrel. For the price, it’s hard to find a single fault with this single malt. (David Driscoll)
• 1995 Miltonduff 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)
Miltonduff was all over our trip this year, whether in its normal single malt form or under the name Mosstowie, referring to a separate whisky made on site using a Lomand still. While we skipped the Mosstowie (those Lomond stills are hard to work with no doubt) we could not pass up the opportunity to buy delicious, cask strength, 18-year-old whisky for this price. Miltonduff might be familiar to some as it is the key ingredient in the famous Ballantine’s blend. It is this particular whisky that makes me believe the Ballantine’s 17-year could actually be rated as Jim Murray believes it should be. Altogether more typically a Highlander than Speyside (if these regional descriptions mean anything to anybody any longer), it’s a powerhouse. Phenolic and earthy, there’s this sort of flinty aroma, it’s not sulfur, but more struck flint on iron. Sparks! There’s some herbal extract (Indian ginseng), floral remedies (crushed flowers) and an oily texture. If someone were using heavy machinery (like a license plate printing press) nearby while you were nosing this whisky you probably wouldn’t notice. An intense, powerful and unusual whisky that makes you pause for a moment before filling your glass again. And you will fill it again. (David Othenin-Girard)
• Talisker 18-year-old Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($129.99)
93 points Whisky Advocate: “A sophisticated and refined Talisker, if that’s not an oxymoron. But this is certainly true when compared to the 10 year old. This 18 year old is deeper too, with less of the fishnets, more of oak boat docks. Less lemongrass, more fruit gum drops. There’s still that knock-out punch on the finish. There’s a fine line between polishing the rough edges of a beautifully powerful whisky and ripping its heart and soul out with a knife by dumbing it down. This whisky has not crossed that line. A fabulous whisky! (Vol. 14, #3)” K&L Notes: Limited to quantity on hand. This lovely 18 year old is always out of stock, so strike when the iron is hot! Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Amber. Nose: Rich and fruity — Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel — with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness. With water maritime characteristics emerge — dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and the smokiness of an un-struck match. Body: Full. Pleasant, smooth. Palate: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar and toffee. Finish: Medium length. Talisker’s characteristic chilli ‘catch’ in the finish is subtly present in the aftertaste
BACK IN STOCK
Scotland – Single Malt Scotch
• Ledaig 10 year old Isle of Mull Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($49.99)
• Talisker 18-year-old Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($129.99) 93 points Whisky Advocate: “A sophisticated and refined Talisker, if that’s not an oxymoron. But this is certainly true when compared to the 10 year old. This 18 year old is deeper too, with less of the fishnets, more of oak boat docks. Less lemongrass, more fruit gum drops. There’s still that knock-out punch on the finish. There’s a fine line between polishing the rough edges of a beautifully powerful whisky and ripping its heart and soul out with a knife by dumbing it down. This whisky has not crossed that line. A fabulous whisky! (Vol. 14, #3)” K&L Notes: Limited to quantity on hand. This lovely 18 year old is always out of stock, so strike when the iron is hot! Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Amber. Nose: Rich and fruity — Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel — with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness. With water maritime characteristics emerge — dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and the smokiness of an un-struck match. Body: Full. Pleasant, smooth. Palate: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar and toffee. Finish: Medium length. Talisker’s characteristic chilli ‘catch’ in the finish is subtly present in the aftertaste.
United States – Bourbon and Rye
• Balcones Baby Blue Texas Corn Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($44.99)
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
Highland Park Toast 40 Years of Linn
A press release lands on our doormat with a small bottle. Not an unusual occurrence; but this is a far from usual bottle, as it contains no less than Highland Park 40 year old. I first tasted this whisky as … Continue reading >>
Joe Ellis has been reviewing whisky every Wednesday for a whole year! He’s decided to celebrate by reviewing the Glenfarclas 25 Year Old!
www.ralfy.com has a shot of malt-momenting with Whisky Review 403 – Strathisla 12yo
Good afternoon Society Members,
I hope you are all well. Just sending a quick newsflash with the latest news here at Springbank…
Springbank Gaja Barolo now available
The newest addition to the Wood Expression family is now available for purchase. The Springbank 9 year old Gaja Barolo is bottled at 54.7% and there are only 11,000 bottles available. The first 4 years were spent in refill Bourbon casks and the final 5 were in refill Gaja Barolo casks. The retail price for this bottle is £58.00 but you will receive your 10% Society discount making it £52.20 for Society members. I tasted it yesterday and it was deelicious!
The tasting notes for this bottling are:
Colour: Golden honey
Nose: Initial aromas of liquorice are followed by poached pears, chocolate, cream and marzipan. Springbank’s traditional earthy and coastal influence qualities also make an appearance.
Palate: There is no mistaking the red wine tannis from the Gaja Barolo casks, complemented by earthy and woody notes. Swedish lingonberries and rhubarb crumble give the whisky some sweetness and a touch of sea salt comes into play.
Finish: This is like a raspberry ripple ice cream but combined with peat and spices and a medium dry finish.
New Society bottling – due for bottling mid-November
The new Society bottling is due to be bottled mid-November and will be available for release by the end of November. As mentioned in the last newsletter, it will be a Springbank 12 year old Fresh Port and the price will be £55.00.
Also mentioned before, as there are only going to be 300 bottles from this cask it will be limited to one per person to begin with to keep it fair for all members. The reserve list is filling up very quickly but there are still a few bottles available so if you have not reserved your bottle yet and would like to, please get in touch with me soon.
New merchandise available
We have recently received a number of new items of merchandise into the Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop Campbeltown:
•Copper Decanter – £180.00
•2014 Springbank Calendar – £6.50
•Springbank Glencairn scented candle (Citrus Delight – Chocolate/Orange scent & Cedar Surprise – Cedar/Pear scent) – £9.00
•Springbank golf towel in a range of different colours – £10.50
•New golf ball and golf tee sets – £10.50
•Wooden barrel 6 coaster set – £10.50
•Wooden barrel savings bank – £12.50
•Wooden barrel pen holder – £9.00
•Scarf with the Springbank Tartan – £12.00
•New colours of the popular men and ladies Glenmuir polo shirts – £30.75
Also newly introduced to Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop Campbeltown is the shop exclusive bottlings which are only available if you visit the Campbeltown shop. The first release was a Springbank 10 year old which was matured in 100% bourbon casks and was bottled at marrying strength (49.7%). This proved to be very popular and flew off the shelves so we now have the second batch available in store which is bottled at 49.3%. The label for each release will feature a different photo from Springbank distillery.
If you would like more information on any of the above products then please call or email the shop directly on 01586 55 1710 (ext 1) or shop@wmcadenhead.com.
I will be out of the office from 5pm this evening until Wednesday morning so will be able to reply to your emails from Wednesday onwards.
Kind regards,
Mairi Paterson
For the Springbank Society
To join the Springbank Society please contact them at society@springbankwhisky.com
The Macallan 1824 Series and Macallan M
We’ve alluded to the Macallan’s recently released 1824 Series a few times in recent blog posts, but we’ve not really had a chance to sit down and properly dig in to what the range offers. With the top of the … Continue reading >>
We are down to the last 4 bottles of HH509!
Now would be a good time to snap up one of the last 4 remaining bottles of the legendary French Oak Cask HH509. Whisky legend Jim Murray named HH509 amongst his top 6 whiskies of the year in the 2013 Whisky Bible after it scored a record breaking 96.5/100. This is an incredible result when you consider that the highest score he has ever awarded a whisky is 97.5/100.
Only 501 of these bottles were made and when the last drop is gone, this legendary whisky will be lost forever.
This is your last chance to own a piece of Tasmanian whisky history.
Click here to purchase your bottle of HH509 before it is too late.
New Arrivals and Old Favorites Back in Stock at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)
Laphroaig Cairdeas Port Wood Edition Single Malt Scotch 102.6 Proof – $79.99 (6 bottles in stock, extremely limited!)
Old Pulteney Navigator Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof – $49.99 (12 bottles in stock)
Bruichladdich Rocks Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof – $38.24 ON SALE! (10 bottles in stock)
AnCnoc 22 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof – $128.99 (4 bottles in stock)
Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits
631-941-4458
Benriach was founded in 1898 by John Duff, who also had founded Longmorn distillery next door. The clarity of the water and access to the Great North of Scotland Railway prompted the decision for the location. The distillery closed in 1900 after just two years of production, following the Pattison Crash and it remained silent until 1965, except for its floor maltings, which continued to supply Longmorn distillery through out the period of closure. The floor maltings were closed in 1999 after 101 years in production, although they remain in good working order and could be used again. It ceased production in 2002, but was bought in 2004 by a private group who commenced production once again.
