ARDNAMURCHAN THE MIDGIE

Ardnamurchan distillery have combined with Smidge for this latest limited edition release, The Midgie Release! Ardnamurchan peninsula is the home to an abundance of spectacular wildlife but during the Summer one animal makes quite an appearance so the distillery have decided to celebrate one of Scotland’s national treasures, the midgie! ‘The Midgie Release’ has ben created by combining peated and unpeated Ardnamurchan matured in Bourbon, Sherry, Sauternes and Madeira casks then bottled at 48% vol, unchill filtered and at natural colour.

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This extremely rare single malt from Laphroaig Distillery on the isle of Islay was aged for 30 years in sherry casks before bottling at 43 % ABV.  The bottle comes in the original wooden box.

£1,350⁰⁰

Glengoyne Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 010

This Glengoyne dram is bottled at 59.5%, the same strength as it emerges from the cask, meaning it’s the closest thing to opening the cask personally. Matured in a combination of American and European oak, it creates a rich, indulgent and fruity whisky that truly brings the signature Glengoyne style to life. Notes of crisp apple, juicy blackberries and the decadent flavour of vanilla custard slices, complete with a long lingering finish that’s rich with honey and cut with refreshing citrus. Batch No. 010 marks a decade in the history of the Cask Strength series of limited annual releases. As Scotland’s slowest distilled malt whisky, drinkers are encouraged to enjoy this dram unhurried.

Glengoyne Cask Strength (59.5%) is available to purchase from Glengoyne.com. RRP £88.00

Glengoyne 15 Year Old

This truly special whisky is the perfect balance of bourbon and sherry cask maturation – the result is a complex dram that’s recognisably Glengoyne, but from a different perspective. Spiced dried fruits, vanilla, freshly baked crumble, cinnamon and a hint of tropical fruit gives the dram a clean taste with  a gentle sweetness. As Scotland’s slowest distilled malt whisky, Glengoyne 15 YO is a sweet, fruity Single Malt that’s made to be enjoyed ‘unhurried’ with your nearest and dearest.

Glengoyne 15 Year Old (43% ABV) is available to purchase from Glengoyne.com. RRP £92.00.

THE GLENLIVET UNVEILS A NEW ERA OF CASK CRAFTSMANSHIP

New release, The Glenlivet Caskmakers, adopts a pioneering method of cask craftmanship, as the celebrated single malt continues to honour its 200^th anniversary.

Iconic Speyside single malt, The Glenlivet, introduces its new release, The Glenlivet Caskmakers. This distinguished Scotch whisky is the result of a remarkable feat in craftsmanship in which two casks are uniquely combined to deliver a complex interplay of flavours.

Exploring a novel technique in cask construction, the process sees two hand-selected barrels meticulously deconstructed and recrafted – combining alternating staves of the two – to create one new, reconstructed cask.

These distinctive new casks, which unite ex-Spanish Sherry and freshy charred European Oak barrels, have been skilfully developed by The Glenlivet’s experts in collaboration with master coopers based in Jerez, Spain. The intricate craftmanship exemplifies The Glenlivet’s longstanding spirit of innovation and brings with it new depths of flavour.

Whisky enthusiasts tasting The Glenlivet Caskmakers will uncover notes of ripe orchard fruits, fresh honey, warming spices, and hints of charred pineapple. Thanks to the whisky’s painstaking craft, which sees a portion selectively finished in the bespoke casks, these flavours combine even more seamlessly, producing a single malt that not only stands as a testament to the art of originality but celebrates the power of collaboration.

Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master, comments:

“As we continue to celebrate our 200-year milestone, The Glenlivet Caskmakers embodies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of cask craftmanship in whisky making. This exceptional release, born from harnessing a complex new technique, not only honours our rich history but showcases our relentless drive towards innovation and excellence. Integrating this method of cask creation elevates the complexity of the whisky’s flavour profile and represents our dedication to constantly exciting whisky connoisseurs around the globe.”

The Glenlivet has pioneered two centuries of pushing boundaries in whisky, from its inception to this day, and remains committed to continuously setting new standards of excellence in single malts for the next 200 years.

The Glenlivet Caskmakers will be available exclusively in selected Duty-Free stores in airports and travel hubs around the globe from May 2024 for $225

Suntory “Yamazaki” 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky 

$199.99

93 points Whisky Advocate  The first thing you notice is the elegant fragrance of lychee, spring blossoms, lily, rosewater, and raspberry meringue. Deeper in, grassy notes with star fruit, kumquat, and kaffir lime leaves. The flavors offer perfection in their simplicity: silky honey, soft spices, crystalized pineapple, barley sugar, lemon, and orange. On the finish, the spices chatter on and on as the sweet citrus and honey fade in and out. One to cherish. (JM, Spring 2018) 

K&L Notes The Suntory whiskies are handcrafted at Japan’s oldest distillery, built in 1923 by the founder of Suntory, Shinjiro Toriiin. This 12-year was awarded a Gold Medal by the Beverage Tasting Institute in 2006. Medium-bodied, with scents of dried fruits and honey. Elegant, subtle and mellow on the finish, with woody spice.

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

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old

Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

 $189.99

Whisky Advocate  Fragrant and herbal aromas, with pine needles, basil, green bell pepper, pea pod, black truffle, peppercorn, and smoke from smoldering dry mosses and wood shavings. It’s very smooth and refreshing, with pear, peppermint, lemon, lime, green tea, kiwi, and herbal notes, finishing with chopped mint, more herbal layers, and gentle peppery spice. A unique composition and a quintessential Japanese whisky experience. (JM, Summer-2023) 

K&L Notes Suntory’s Hakushu, known as the “forest distillery,” was built in 1973 as a sister distillery to Suntory’s Yamazaki (previously the only Japanese single malt available in the United States). The facility is located at a high-elevation site next to the pristine waters of the Ojira River, which are used to dilute the whisky itself. Hakushu distillery uses different styles of oak barrel to age their single malt, but mainly hogshead, which, according to the distillery is, “suitable to the clear air and cool humid climate.” The 12-year old from Hakushu is lightly peated and very delicate in its flavor profile. The light and fruity style of the whisky is quite similar to the Yamazaki 12, but the smoke really makes up for any lack of richness. We’ve seen insane price increases over the last five years on Japanese whisky and inventory getting tighter and tighter, but for a limited time, we have Hakushu 12 in stock and available to sell, and at a fraction of the price you’ll see at many other retailers across the country.

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

ROYAL SALUTE MARKS A GOLDEN YEAR WITH INAUGURAL 2002 RELEASE FROM FIRST EVER VINTAGE SCOTCH COLLECTION

The master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, Royal Salute, has announced the launch of its 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release. This marks Royal Salute’s first ever vintage release, and the inaugural expression of a wider series of precious vintage blends. This new collection was created to pay tribute to the iconic characteristics of Royal Salute’s 21 Year Old Signature Blend, with each celebrating the unique character of 21 Year Old whiskies across the years.

Available in selected Duty-Free stores in airports around the globe, the 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release has been meticulously crafted and refined using exceptional 21 Year Old whiskies, all laid down in casks in 2002. Royal Salute has been renowned for commemorating significant milestones since its inception in 1953, when it was created to celebrate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To start this exclusive new collection, the Scotch has chosen to honor the year associated with her Golden Jubilee, a nod to its rich heritage and reflecting its commitment to celebrating moments of historical and cultural importance.

Expertly created by Royal Salute’s Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, the 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release is a perfect build on the classic and iconic 21 Year Old Signature Blend. Every element of this Vintage blend is the result of precise craftmanship and intricate experimentation, using only the finest 21 Year Old whiskies laid down in American oak casks in 2002. The hand-selected malts and grain whiskies ensure a delicate balance between the incredibly rich character of Royal Salute’s renowned style, with a smooth and sweet nature, offering notes of vanilla custard, honey and ripe plums, married with a clear influence from Longmorn Distillery with creamy toffee notes and a rich and elegant finish.

Speaking on the new collection and inaugural release, Sandy Hyslop comments:

“This remarkable new series is a true embodiment of Royal Salute’s commitment to craftsmanship and heritage. This is Royal Salute’s first ever vintage release, so to mark the occasion, for the first volume, I wanted to create a blend that truly heroes the character of our 21 Year Old Signature Blend, that has been loved across the world for the past 70 years. Working with high-aged whiskies demands meticulous attention and precision, so using whiskies laid down in casks in a single year was an additional layer of complexity but an incredibly exciting challenge.”

The exquisite liquid is wrapped in a beautiful bottle design that pays homage to the brand’s signature deep navy finish alongside vibrant orange cues to complement the original Royal Salute navy blue. The selected colour palette is seamlessly reflected onto the exterior of the box with a beautifully intricate illustration on the interior, elevating the overall design of the new release.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Vintage Blend 2002 Release is available in selected Duty-Free stores in airports around the globe from May 2024 at RRP from $234 USD. To discover more, visit www.royalsalute.com or follow @royalsalute.

AnCnoc (Knockdhu) “Rascan” 11.1 PPM Peated Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

(750ml) (Previously $80)

$29.99

AnCnoc Rascan is a beautiful Highland peater from the Knockdhu Distillery located in Banffshire. Since its inception in 1894, it has held close to its traditional methods of whisky production (read: never modernized). They still use a steel mashtun and wooden wash backs. Nestled amidst barley fields with an abundant supply of peat and pure springs, it is uniquely situated to create an old style of highland peated whisky. The stills remain identical to the original 1894 design featuring big fat bulbous pots with very tall necks that make for an elegant expression of malt and are perfect for lightly peated whisky. A combination of American and Spanish oak barrels aged within the thick granite walls of old school dunnage warehouses give a very classic wood profile. This release, named after the Rascan tool used in the early stages of traditional peat harvesting, is 11.1ppm and shows mellow gold with an inviting scent of honey, green apples, and citrus. The palate a delightful mingling of honey, vanilla, toffee, subtle spices and a hint of leather. The finish is a pleasant union of floral and smoky notes. Throughout CA this release will typically run you between 70-90 bucks, but we’ve managed to snag the remaining inventory in the state at an insane discount. This whisky has been moved into AnCnoc’s archives, so when this release is gone, it’s gone. 46% ABV.

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