We’re excited to showcase some of our favourite releases in this month’s top picks. Whether you’re on the lookout for that perfect last chance gift, or searching for a relaxed summer sipper, we’ve got you covered with a raft of whiskies.
As supplies of The Hearach single malt dwindle, it’s time to replenish global stocks with some fresh batches. Our small-batch system now brings you Batch No. 13, 14, 15, and 16, each accompanied by their own flavour notes from one of our fellow islanders.
For Batch 13 we travel north to the neighbouring Isle of Lewis and the village of Lemreway for a tasting with John Maywaters…
“I get aromas of fresh cut grass and then the smoke from a garden bonfire. There’s a sweetness like fresh fruit salad topped with condensed milk. Then I’m reminded of early October-time and preparing ingredients for our Christmas cake and mincemeat. The first sip is very light, well-rounded, with great mouthfeel, and a slight saltiness on the lips. There’s a nice bit of ‘zing’ and those fruit flavours again, with a hint of butterscotch. The finish is long and lingers nicely. It’s what a Harris dram should be…”
Williamson 10 Year Old 2013 Oloroso Finish Berry Bros Milroy’s Exclusive 57.1% ABV
We teamed up with fellow London drinks merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd for our latest exclusive bottling: a 10 year old Oloroso-finished single malt from Islay. While we can’t say exactly which distillery it comes from, those in the know will recognise the ‘trade name’ of this iconic producer. The ashy, smoky spirit pairs indulgently with the rich dried fruits from the cask, for a mouth-watering, sumptuous dram. We’re proud of the spirits we bottle exclusively, and this one is a bold, invigorating stand-out.
Tasting note:
Nose: The peat smoke is immediately apparent, along with figs, dates, prunes, and a hint of meatiness from the Oloroso wood.
Palate: Commanding and pronounced, dark chocolate and beeswax jump out from the fruity tobacco smoke.
Finish: Baking spices linger on.
57.1% 70cl
£87.50
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B524” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
750ml $69.99
The old stalwart from Elijah Craig released originally more than 10 years ago has become a standard barrier for the category. Heaven Hill does three small batch cask strength releases of their finest well aged stock a year and while they’ve recently deviated from the previous 12-year-old standard, the whiskies are no less impressive at 11 or 13 years old. In fact, some of these slightly younger batches will remind you very quickly that older isn’t always better in bourbon. Clocking in at a modest 11 years and 2 months, you’d be hard pressed to perceive the slightly lower age statement had it not been disclosed. Dense, big and powerful, this extremely well-made bourbon is the benchmark for quality and price in the industry. Clocking in at an inviting 130.6 proof, every single lover of full-strength bourbon will be satisfied after just one sip of this excellent new batch.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 19, 2024
As Heaven Hill’s competitors continue to increase the prices of even younger casks strength stocks, Elijah Craigs full bore explosiveness and everyday consistency offers an respite from madness elsewhere in the category. And while the taters and flippers might skip this batch because it doesn’t show the big age statement, the rest of us proper drinkers will be quietly enjoying another excellent batch of ECBP. It’s difficult to point to a better bourbon on the shelf under $70 from any producer and as long as you’re initiated into the cask strength club, there’s little risk of not liking this one. Let’s have a taste. The color is a typical deep auburn (1.5). The nose is extremely approachable right off the neck pour but absolutely loves air. Dense caramel sauce, brown sugar syrup, deep roasted oak spice, candied almonds, toasted vanilla bean. Keeps opening and giving with air and time. This is some of the bourboniest bourbon I’ve bourboned in some time. Behind the sweet sugar and oak, flecks of cinnamon, ancient furniture, varnish and stewed plums. On the palate, it’s got surprising lift and gorgeous fruitiness up front. The supple texture is the hallmark here and the dark woody character of the nose does not translate into bitterness or harsh tannin. That said a beautiful building spice takes over after the surprisingly refreshing front and warms the entire body perfectly. This is just really solid in every way. It doesn’t color outside thelines, but honestly we never asked it. It’s an absolute joy to drink and although it’s completely familiar in everyway it’s still exciting from the first nosing to the long lingering finish. Anyone who poopoos this batch for not being 13 years old hasn’t given it a fair shake.
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
Highland Park 21 Year Old Isle of Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(750ml)
$299.99
The good news: This is one of the best Highland Park whiskies I have ever tasted. The bad news: it’s the new release for Travel Retail (formerly Duty Free). It’s lush, well-balanced, and very complex. Well-defined notes of toffee, candied fruit, and roasted nuts are accentuated by background honey, chocolate mousse, and smoke. Here’s the icing on the cake: it’s bottled at 47.5%, which really allows the flavors to shine. If you’re going overseas, consider tracking down a bottle. (JH, Summer 2008)
K&L Notes
In 2009 Highland Park 21 was named “World’s Best Single Malt Whisky.” It’s taken 10 years, but Gordon Motion, Master Whisky Maker at HP has deemed a selection of 21-year-old casks good enough to match and maybe even surpass that quality marker. This limited batch is created from 15 hand-selected casks. Six are first-fill sherry European Oak, four are first-fill sherry American oak, and five are refill casks.
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
Whisky tasting blends science and emotion. On one side, there’s the precise analysis of individual flavours; on the other, the appreciation of the overall experience and the feelings it evokes. Balancing these two aspects can be challenging.
The SMWS Tasting Panel walks the line between these two areas by combining accurate assessments with creative descriptions. One-of-a-kind single malt whiskies, with their distinct and sometimes unconventional flavours, offer a unique appeal. Our goal is to enrich your whisky experience by marrying science with storytelling.
Where will your whisky journey take you? Explore our exceptional single malts and see how they shape your sensory experience, or dive into Kami Newton’s latest article on the science and emotion behind whisky tasting.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information
This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!
Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video
Reload on Blanton’s Best-Selling Collectible Treasures
The coveted single-barrel special editions back in stock…
Two of the most coveted and best-selling bourbon rarities in recent years, Blanton’s Gold and Straight From the Barrel bottlings, are always at the top of any bourbon enthusiast’s wish list. After a historic offering just over a year ago, you now have another opportunity to restock your bar or add these iconic bottles to your collection for the first time. Please note, these are European import bottles, making a unique journey from Kentucky to Europe and back to the States. Truly remarkable times!
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)(European Import) ($195.00)
K&L Notes: From Buffalo Trace Distillery, Blanton’s holds the distinction of being the world’s first regularly released single-barrel bourbon. This exceptional brand was launched in 1984 and named for the legendary leader of that historic distillery outside of Frankfurt, Albert B. Blanton. Over the last several years, Blanton’s has become one of the most sought-after and inaccessible whiskies on the market. This, their rarest and most elusive expression, was previously completely unobtainable. For instance, in 2021, K&L was allocated a mere three bottles company-wide. Now, thanks to new regulations allowing 700ml bottles to be sold, another channel opened up for this special whiskey. Each barrel is different and bottled at full cask strength without chill-filtration of any kind. Proofs range from 115-135, and cask numbers cannot be checked in advance of purchase. This rare expression is truly one of Kentucky’s finest.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: December 20, 2022
This review is drawn from barrel #397, which was dumped on February 7th, 2022 and bottled at 63.05%. Your bottle will almost certainly be different, so please be aware of the unique character of each barrel. The nose is absolutely explosive with rich aromas of caramel sauce, orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cherry compote, and vibrant woody spice. The palate starts extremely sweet and creamy before the rye and barrel spice begin to wallop the mid-palate. The intense spice and old-school woody character balances the heavy woody sugars perfectly, and while exhibiting plenty of the Kentucky Hug that bourbon lovers enjoy, it doesn’t feel hot or ethanol-heavy at all. The long, chewy palate gives way to a rich, oxidative finish full of nutty, sweet chocolate and dried red fruits. A few drops of water add more fruit and tame the spice a bit, but I like this best right out of the bottle. There’s no question that the price of entry on this is high, but if you’re prepared to spend this kind of dough on any other modern bourbon, this should be a contender for top dog!
Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)(European Import) ($195.00)
K&L Notes: The rare Blanton’s Gold has become beloved by connoisseurs and collectors world wide. The ultimate single-barrel bourbon that launched the entire category, Blanton’s has become one of the most asked-for and hardest-to-obtain bourbons on the market today. We’ve found some limited stocks of European-bound product that would otherwise have not been available. The famous “Gold” Blanton’s is so named for its unique golden horse and golden writing. Bottled at a perfect 103 proof, the Blanton’s Gold ramps up the complexity considerably from the standard release without the heat that the Straight From the Barrel offers. This is the perfect whiskey to offer nearly any bourbon lover if you’re looking for a special bottle that they’ve never had. It’s a true Kentucky benchmark and should be considered one of the truly great whiskies on the market today.
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
Clynelish, a release distilled back in May 1972, and aged for 50 Years. We can’t remember any 50YO Clynelish around, is this the first?
135 Bottles. 58% abv. Highland. Cask: 5335. Refill American Hoggy
Tasting notes:
Nose: Fresh apple aromas combine with walnut and subtle ginger spice. Sicilian lime comes to the fore alongside subtle aged leather.
Taste: Smooth poached pear flavours give way to apricot and banana. A hint of vanilla develops with pineapple and mature oak.
Finish: Full and long finish with lingering citrus zest.
TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom
We will be selling this product for £3750 (£3125 ex VAT). For this product we are offering free international delivery.
The 2024 Tsukruiwake Selection features four boundry-pushing single malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries exploring artisanship through diversity of making. Raw ingredient selection, peating levels and fermentation, distillation and maturation techniques are expertly balanced by Suntory blenders to explore the full range of expressions of what a single malt can be.
The Yamazaki Golden Promise is composed from Golden Promise barley. First grown in Scotland in the 1960s, this varietal is revered for its flavour and malting characteristics. Combined with aging in American Oak casks, the nuances of the Yamazaki base are accentuated through a malty and rich character, with sweet, fruity and citrus notes.
Islay peat imparts one of scotch whisky’s most distinctive flavours, venerated globally for its distinctive smokiness. The Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt balances the smoky quality with a characteristic sweetness, borne from the unique water and maturation processes that define Yamazaki whisky. This marriage of traditions is especially present on the nose, where gentle smoke meets a hint of biscuit.
Through years of experimentation, our blenders have discovered the secret to the treasures of Mizunara casks: time. A long maturation period imparts unmistakeable spiciness and notes of sandalwood and aloe upon the Yamazaki. As a result, Yamazaki Mizunara Aged 18 Years is a pleasingly complex, rich and elegant whisky, where fruit, spice and wood notes engage to inspire the senses.
The Hakushu Peated Malt Aged 18 Years exemplifies the art of marrying ingredients, techniques and terroir. Throughout their long history of using peated malt, House of Suntory blenders have harnessed Hakushu’s climate to unveil intricate layers of flavour from the peated malt’s robust smoke character. Long maturation catalyzed by Hakushu’s exceptionally pure water reveals a wave of clean smoke, deepening into herbaceous mineral notes and undertones of ripe apples.
Please contact our Prestige Team on prestige@whiskyshop.com for more information on purchasing this product. Please include your name, telephone number, delivery destination and the name of the product.
Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯
This release comes from Convalmore Distillery
Distilled: 15th October 1975
Bottled: 16th December 2021
Cask Type: Refill American Hogshead
Cask No: 2564
Outturn: 138 bottles
Tasting notes:
Nose: Orange sherbet and lemon peel give way to subtle notes of rhubarb. Rose petal aromas develop with lime bitters and mature oak.
Taste: Lemon drizzle cake flavours combine with orange oil and toasted almonds. Honeysuckle leads to soft herbal notes and brown sugar.
Finish: Full and creamy finish with lingering citrus and vanilla pod.
TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom
