Lochlea Harvest Edition 2nd Crop

Maturation has been in a combination of STR Casks, 1st Fill Bourbon, Ruby and Tawny Port casks, before bottling at 46% abv, and free from colouring or chill filtration.

£51.50
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Lochlea Harvest Edition 2nd Crop Description

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The difference between spring & winter barley

The main difference between winter and spring barley is when they are sown. So, winter barley is sown in the winter and the spring barley is sown in the spring. However, in the Scotch whisky production process, there is also a key difference in terms of spirit yield as Vic Cameron explains here.

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Savvy Craft Bourbon Buys

Here’s a trio of our favorite hidden gems to add a curveball or three to your regular whiskey rotation. Each of the selections below boasts top-tier pedigree (two from MGP and one from Heaven Hill) and is the result of meticulous barrel selection by some of the finest palates in the game.

Smooth Ambler 6 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #24778 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)

K&L Notes: Smooth Ambler, born in the hills of West Virginia, is relatively new by whiskey industry standards. They not only acknowledge their differences from Kentucky-style bourbon but embrace them as their “fiercely independent spirit.” We’ve been buying single casks from the little distillery for many years, but they’ve only recently been able to provide us with Indiana bourbon of more significant age. We selected this cask more than a year ago and luckily bottling wasn’t completed until after the cask’s sixth birthday. While of course, age is just a number when it comes to bourbon, these whiskies do seem to turn a corner at the six-year mark, and this cask is no exception. Offering a powerful bouquet of aromas ranging from spicy to nutty, the Old Scout always delivers an incredible experience.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: March 08, 2023

This fun little barrel of Old Scout offers a lot of character and some serious intensity. If you like a nice, spicy bourbon, this is the barrel for you. Let’s taste it. The nose is a mixture of sweet barrel, fresh cut oak, toasted nuts, and dark roasted grains. Subtle, sweet, stewed fruits and an unusual maple wood character really take the nose outside the standard MGP profile. Maybe it’s the extended time at the West Virginia warehouse facility, but this definitely doesn’t smell anything like most of the MGP we get. On the palate, we’re getting more familiar character with sweet corn, big toasted vanilla, and a powerful spice character. Lovely balance between the intense oak spice and the sweet grainy character—ultimately it succumbs to the power of the wood and gives way to a long rich minty, peppery finish. An intense and complex barrel that takes the MGP thing in a truly new direction!

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 28, 2023

Time and again, these Old Scout single barrels offer incredible value and distinct character in a world flooded with six-year bourbon. This one especially creeps up on you, starting with an unassuming nose of charred sugar, subtle sandalwood, peach skin, and pleasant baking spice. The first sip, however, grabs your attention instantly with sweet grain, apricot, vanilla, heavy caramel, and some serious heat. Cracked pepper, candied ginger, and cashew create further depth, keeping your taste buds thoroughly engaged. The addition of water reveals softer fruit—banana and papaya—as well as Brazil nuts. While I normally prefer these at full strength, I actually enjoy how a dash of water gives it a rounder mouthfeel and expands the flavor. It doesn’t feel diluted at all; instead, the texture feels settled and full, removing the hard edge that can be so polarizing in these cask-strength offerings. If you’re looking for something complex and refreshingly different, I definitely recommend picking this up. Remember to give it plenty of air and see if you like it better with a splash of water.

Smoke Wagon “Uncut – Unfiltered” Batch #183B Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($64.99)

K&L Notes: The Nevada H&C Distilling Co., home to Smoke Wagon Bourbon, is one of the early wave of craft distillers who nabbed a good contract from the excellent distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Twelve years later, these guys are sitting on some really top-notch straight bourbon, but no one seems to know anything about them. The distillery is in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. They’ve released a range of excellent bourbons at various price points, but we’re only now getting access to the very best juice. The Uncut is their flagship product and represents the oldest and finest stocks (which are not allocated for single barrels by owner Aaron Chepenik). Each batch is carefully blended for a powerful, rich, complex bourbon character that’s become a staple of many whiskey lovers’ home bars… when they can find it. This tiny bottler in Nevada is definitely one to keep an eye on.

John E. Fitzgerald “Larceny A123” Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

93 points Whisky Advocate: “Larceny’s first barrel proof release of 2023 makes a big splash with a bold whiskey that stands among the best bottlings in the series. The nose is layered with sweet cinnamon, oranges, cloves, and a sweet nuttiness. This never hides its proof but is well integrated from its nose through the long finish. On the palate, the nuttiness is even more evident with pistachio ice cream, toasted walnuts, pecan pie, and butterscotch. (SE)” (03/2023)

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

We are delighted to announce that we have won top prize with a Gold accreditation from the Green Tourism Awards!

This recognises our ongoing commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of sustainability at Glengoyne Distillery.

The Green Tourism Awards are acknowledged worldwide as an indicator of good environmentally friendly practice.  They are a hallmark of green achievement.

Read on to find out what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact and support our local community.

GLENGOYNE WETLANDS

We were the first distillery to adopt a wetlands facility to manage 100% of the liquid waste we don’t need. The liquid makes its way through a series of twelve pools; each is thick with reed beds. This slows down the flow and removes anything that would harm the delicate balance of the local burn.

The water is then safe to rejoin the burn, which winds its way into the river and on to Loch Lomond. Less waste. Less energy. More wildlife.

The wetlands cut our waste by around 25% – and because the process uses gravity, it only takes a 1.5KW pump to send the spent lees on their way. What’s left of the solid waste is then harvested sustainably for enough energy to power 354 homes each year.

Eleven years on from the introduction of the Glengoyne Wetlands, biodiversity is alive and well at the Glengoyne Distillery.  Our wetlands are made up of 12 individual cells which are home to 14,500 plants of 20 varieties and provides a haven for local wildlife today.

Like our namesake geese, we also harness the power of the wind to help us reach our destination by sourcing 100% of our electricity from turbines.

So, with every sip of Glengoyne, we continue our journey as we raise our glass to a greener and more sustainable future.

Learn more about the Glengoyne Wetlands

PLAN BEE

Honeybee populations are declining rapidly – which is bad news for the environment. That’s why we’ve got two beehives at the Distillery.

Plan Bee’s idea is simple: rent beehives to businesses across Scotland and help the honeybee population recover – one hive at a time.

We’ve installed two hives in the distillery grounds, contributing to healthier, more varied plant and animal life. Not to mention a delicious pot of honey or two.

STRATHBLANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Our Glengoyne Distillery volunteer group was out in force last month at Strathblane Wildlife Sanctuary, removing seed heads from ragwort and clearing bracken from around young Scots pine trees to allow them breathing space to flourish.  The Sanctuary is a beautiful place, and a well-used resource for the local community.

GLENGOYNE PACKAGING

The Glengoyne collection is made with 100% recyclable and locally sourced packaging.

Most of the material used in our packaging originates from our home country, in many cases right next to our distillery. The only exception is our corks and capsules which come from Europe. To top it all off, we’ve removed all plastic, metal and magnets from our packaging.

The beautifully crafted wooden boxes of our Fine & Rare Collection, including Glengoyne 25 and 30 Year Old, have been carefully designed to allow easy second use by its owner. Each box features personalisable plaques, peelable labels and removable inner fitments to allow the box to be used as a luxury storage cabinet once the whiskies inside have been savoured to their very last drop. This is the first packaging solution in the industry which actively promotes reuse rather than recycling and we are thrilled to lead this innovation.

Explore the Glengoyne Collection

We are proud to integrate these environmentally-friendly practices into the daily operations at the Distillery for the sustainability and future of our environment, without compromising any quality in our whisky.

Visit the Award Winning Distillery and see how Glengoyne is crafted

A Smoking Hot Summer

Its only halfway through summer, but a little much needed recent rain turned our thoughts toward those cold winter nights. We thought we’d share a little of our barrel smoking process that we use to create our award winning Smoke Point.

In Smoke Point we have created a whisky for you to enjoy that captures the spirit of the island campfire and brings the best of Vancouver Island to the canon of smoky, peaty whiskies. We start by collecting driftwood from the shore, and other woods from the farm are smoked, with a little bit of local peat added to the mix as well. This smoke is then piped into the barrels allowing the smoke to infuse into the wood, ready for our spirit to extract the flavour.The rich smoky flavours carry a salty tang and hint of iodine from the seaweed and salt on the driftwood that balances perfectly with the sweet creamy mouthfeel of this award-winning whisky. Experience campfire, cigar smoke and oak on the nose. Chocolate, fruit, and toffee on the palette, finishing in a delicious combination of creme brulée and salty graham cracker.

Shop Now for Smoke Point

Beachfire At Sunset

On a hot summers evening you want something long and cool, but still with the that campfire smoke tang. We were inspired to create the ‘Beachfire at Sunset’, a refreshing cocktail that lets the best bits of the Smoke Point shine through.

Beachfire at Sunset recipe:
1oz Smoke Point
1oz Aperol
2oz Soda Water
Ice

Enjoy!!

Tour the Northwest Whisky Trail

We believe this is the world’s first-ever international whisky trail, encompassing some of the ‘world’s best’ whisky distilleries across the Canadian Province of British Columbia, and the American States of Washington and Oregon. Make sure Shelter Point is your first stop along the way! Find out more here

Chris Read spent some time talking to CBC radio in their feature on the Northwest Whisky Trail, you can listen to it here.

The 10 Year Old available in a store near you…

Our 10 Year Old has made it out to a selection of private liquor stores. It took longer than we planned but bottles of the 10 Year Old are now available in select stores across BC. We will be happy to help you find a store near you that has stock, however as there is only limited availability we also recommend calling the store in advance to avoid disappointment.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: ROYAL SALUTE BECOMES FIRST SCOTCH WHISKY ON RECORD TO SUMMIT EVEREST

Image courtesy of Suze Kelly Adventure Consultants.

Adding to a year of momentous celebrations, Royal Salute – the master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky – has released images of the moment a $25,000 flagon was successfully carried to the summit of Mount Everest. It marks a world first for whisky, as the first bottle of Scotch recorded as having ever reached the summit of the highest Earthly point.

In a true journey of celebration, this ascension mission was accomplished on Tuesday 23 May 2023, almost 70 years to the day that legendary conquerors Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first scaled the 29,030ft mountain and placed the Union Jack at the top. News of the feat reached Britain on the dawn of 2 June 1953, adding to the extraordinary heritage of that significant day which also marked the Coronation Day of Queen Elizabeth II and the origin of Royal Salute, which was created in Her Majesty’s honour and gifted to her that morning.

Seven decades later, Royal Salute continues to mark significant milestones. The flagon was carried by Ang Dorjee Sherpa – a Nepali born Everest guide who has braved the treacherous slopes more than 20 times – and accompanied by intrepid mountaineers led by Guy Cotter in support of the Everest70 celebrations. The expression selected for the anniversary expedition was a Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition; a coveted release announced in April this year.

A limited release of just 500 flagons, the Edition is a luxurious blend of over 53 rare malt and grain whiskies, reflecting the year Royal Salute was first crafted, resulting in a beautifully rich expression that has delicately sweet and playfully spicy notes. It is housed in a precious Dartington crystal decanter that withstood the extreme conditions of the mountain throughout the gruelling expedition to protect the rare and prestige Scotch.

On receiving news of the safe and successful ascent, Royal Salute Global Marketing Director Mathieu Deslandes said “Conquering Everest is a remarkable achievement; to have Royal Salute accompanying these brave climbers to the top of the world fills me with immense pride. Uniting with our partners to celebrate 70 years of shared anniversaries pays homage to the impressive comradery of the climbing teams in 1953 and 2023, while raising money for such a worthwhile cause. This is a new moment in our history that we will always remember and be proud of.”

Upon leaving Nepal, the record-breaking flagon of Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition will be taken to London where it will be auctioned to raise funds for The Himalayan Trust – a charity set up by the late Sir Edmund Hillary. Interested bidders are invited to formally submit a pre-bid via email, ahead of the live Everest 70 auction on Thursday 15^th June. Pre-bids can be sent to The Himalayan Trust UK via events@himalayantrust.co.uk, using the subject “Everest 70 auction pre-bid”. Alongside your pre-bid (in GBP), bidders must include their full name and contact details. 100% of the proceeds go directly to The Himalayan Trust UK (registered charity number 1000153) to support its work in transforming the education and improving health for Nepal’s mountain people.

This expedition would not have been possible without the support of Lisa Choegyal, Adventure Consultants New Zealand and Himalayan Guides Nepal. For more information on the anniversary expedition and details on the auction, please visit royalsalute.com or follow @royalsalute on social media.

The Killowen Update 🗞️🗞️

It’s been a wonderful, hectic but fun time for the distillery of late. The small team has been torn between visitors tasting events, whiskey releases and whiskey festivals, it hard to pick the best moment of the past few weeks, but these are some of them.

AWARD

Founder & Distiller Brendan Carty won ‘Distiller of the Year’ at the Belfast Whiskey Week awards ceremony among some stiff competition. None of this is possible, if not for the wonderful support the distillery gets from those wonderful folks who appreciate and understand what we do.

BELFAST WHISKEY WEEK 2023

After promising to cut down our participation in events this year (thanks to exhaustion) somehow we got roped into 5 events which enabled us to hang out with many Killowen supporters, these guys are our heroes so the festival was a brilliant success.

BOTTLINGS

Two private bottlings that where arranged years ago, sold out successfully before advertisement namely Belfast Whiskey Week & Barry Chandler’s Stories & Sips group.

NEW STILL

Our new still is finally commissioned, up and running. Being an exact replica of our previous spirit still the spirit tastes as beautiful as before.

KILLOWEN KULT

These guys are having fun as usual and we love them, many have already availed of exclusives and discount offers which will continue. Sadly their social media groups are closed to new membership. Although they are an independent group over a third of them have received Kult cards funded by the distillery. These cards will come available again soon.

The Kult have kindly agreed to allow another 10 members in who avail of a special offer on the USA website folsomwinespirits.com

We love the Kult – thanks for all your support as always.

KILLOWEN IN THE DEAD RABBIT, NEW YORK 

Did you know that Ireland’s Best Poitín – Pangur Irish Poitín – Winner of Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition – is in the World’s Best Bar – The Dead Rabbit, New York City.

Why not pop in if you are in the city and try it in their Seanchaí Cocktail?

Thanks for reading.

Brendan Carty
AKA Distiller of the Year 2023 🏆

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Gold and Silver Award Winners

 We are excited to announce that we have been awarded three gold medals and 2 silver medals at this years The Spirits Business World Whisky Masters 2023.

Our Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky, Founders Choice and Oloroso Single Cask all won Gold.

Cotswolds New Char Virgin Oak Single Cask (which was a limited edition) and Hearts and Crafts – Banyuls Cask both won silver.

These prestigious accolades are a testament to our dedication to crafting exceptional whiskies. It’s an honour to be among the best in the industry, and we’re grateful for the continued support.

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TRUCKS UNVEIL SCOTLAND’S FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC TRACTOR UNIT TO TRANSPORT COUNTRY’S BIGGEST EXPORT

Pilot programme from Chivas Brothers and Volvo Trucks will see CO₂ emissions cut by 155 tonnes per year

Chivas Brothers, one of Scotland’s leading Scotch whisky producers and makers of Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet, has today announced the delivery into service of Scotland’s first on-road all-electric tractor unit in partnership with electromobility market leader Volvo Trucks.

The truck is a Volvo FM Electric 6×2 tractor unit pulling a tri-axle box van trailer and operating at up to 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Specified for the purposes of transporting Scotland’s biggest export, Scotch whisky, the truck is capable of hauling approximately 24 tonnes of whisky per journey and will cover between 250-300 miles per day, clocking up at least 62,000 miles per annum.

It forms the basis of a first-of-its-kind pilot programme, to be managed by McPherson’s, Chivas Brothers’ long-term haulage partner, designed to push the truck to its full capabilities and help the industry understand how electrification can benefit heavy trucks in the future. This truck alone will cut Chivas Brothers’ carbon emissions by 155 tonnes per annum, part of the business’ commitment to reducing its overall carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, and further contributing to Scotland’s own goal to achieve net-zero status by 2045.

The pilot is expected to run for an initial two-year period, from which the truck’s range, uptime, safety and operational ease of use will be assessed to determine the viability for a wider rollout across Chivas Brothers’ transport fleet in the future.

“We are a proudly Scottish business and feel a deep responsibility to further the sustainability agenda, not only in whisky but for Scotland at large. While it is a true first for both, enabling us to progress towards a sustainable future for Scotch, innovating in electrification stands to benefit industries well beyond our own,” said Jean-Etienne Gourgues, chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers.

“We passionately believe that creating the highest-quality whisky should not mean compromising on sustainable and responsible business practice,” added Jean-Etienne. “This pilot will show us what is possible through long-term collaboration with partners who recognise the importance of our sustainability vision and remain steadfast in innovating to realise our shared success.”

“Chivas Brothers and McPherson’s are setting a fantastic example by becoming early-adopters of a new generation of heavy truck which meets the demands from society for dramatic cuts in CO₂ emissions,” said Neil Park, Managing Director of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland. “It’s our mission to support customers in making the switch to electrification, and we are looking forward to growing this collaboration together.”

“Scotland’s whisky industry is hugely important to our economy, especially in rural and island communities. It is also innovative and creative, and this ambitious project is a prime example of the continued progress that our beloved whisky sector is making to achieve net zero emissions in their operations by 2040,” said Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon.

“Whisky is enjoyed by millions across the globe, but it is crucial that we work toward ensuring that the future of our most popular export is both carbon neutral and sustainable. I hope that companies across all sectors will be inspired by the bold approach shown by Chivas Brothers and Volvo Trucks. Similar bold and urgent action will be needed across all sectors in order to secure a net zero future for Scotland,” Gougeon added.

This is a milestone in Chivas Brothers’ net-zero journey, which implements innovative technologies to drive sustainable change. The producer has already rolled out other sustainable transport solutions across its operations, including a fleet of six circular bio-gas trucks and 19 site-based shunt vehicles, approximately half of which are currently trialling hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.

The all-electric tractor unit will operate from the nearest McPherson depot, situated adjacent to Chivas Brothers’ world-class Kilmalid facility. It is due to embark on its inaugural journey this coming week.