Get these whisky deals whilst you can!
The previous deals have expired and are now refreshed with new bargain tipples. Bag a bottle, or two…once they’re gone, they’re gone!
đ„Â Free delivery over ÂŁ99Â đ„
Though The Whisky Exchange was founded in 1999, the journey began in the 1970s when Sukhinder and Rajbir’s parents opened an off-licence in West London called The Nest. In honour of their family’s 50th anniversary in the drinks business, we are releasing a range of exclusives, including a whisky from each decade of the family’s history, from the 1970s to the 2010s.
Featuring a poem about the whisky industry and the family’s role within it on each label, the five-bottle series includes single malts from Caol Ila, Clynelish, Ardbeg and Linkwood, as well as a sherry cask-matured Speyside blended malt, all aged for between 21 and 50 years. Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange by Elixir Distillers, this series of collectible and drinkable whiskies is a result of delving into casks they had been nurturing for a special occasion just like this.
It is often forgotten that blended brands make up more than 90% of the global sales of whisky. It’s a phenomenal amount of market share, and it is fair to say that if we ceased creating malts tomorrow, within the week, whisky would be on its knees.
There are the classic names, Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker, Famous Grouse and many more, but there are some lesser known, wonderful blends on the market today.
Blended whiskies are often seen as the ‘Cinderella’ of the whisky world – certainly in the UK! They do all the work behind the scenes, keeping the industry ticking over and ensuring that everything is clean and tidy.
On the face of it, the Single Malts often take the glory and the limelight, being the sought after whiskies on the market. The ‘Ugly Sisters’, per say.
So, what is a blend, and how is it different to Single Malt?
The vast majority of whisky is made up of casks that have been vatted together to create a flavour profile. This goes for Single Malts too. Nearly all Single Malts are, in practice, Blends. The only difference here is that the whisky being used has all been created in one disitllery, hence the term ‘Single’ – this is a nod to the fact that one single distillery produced all the spirit.
With Blended Whisky, more than one distilleries products have been used. They are then combined with a product called Grain Whisky. Grain whisky was introduced to Scotch whisky production in the 1800’s when an Irishman by the name of Aeneas Coffey created the Coffey Still (now known as the Column Still) which was patented in 1831.
Grain Whisky is distilled to a higher abv than Malt Whisky, which strips more flavour from the spirit and allows the creation of a lighter, more consistent drink. The amount of Grain Whisky used in a Blend varies from around 80% for the mainstream names, down to 50% for some niche market and ‘Deluxe Blends’ (there is no legal definition of what makes a Blend ‘Deluxe’).
This allowed for the Scottish Whisky market to expand globally with consistent products and the creation of Blended Whisky was the true birth of our worldwide fame as a whisky producing nation.
Blended Malt
Blended Malt is kind of a hybrid between the two styles, Blended Whisky and Single Malt. Effectively this is a blend of Single Malts with no addition of Grain Whisky. This gives the producer the ability to marry together the flavour and mouthfeel of Single Malts and get the consistency and bulk volume of a Blended whisky.
The Future of Whisky?
With the prices of casks ever increasing and the tendency for these to be held for investment rather than bottling, Independent Bottlers are finding the release of Single Cask Single Malts every more challenging.
Many are now looking to create a consistent, Blended Malt to allow an affordable, yet top quality whisky to bear their name and help create a whisky to appease demand.
With Lady of the Glen, Dram Mor, Berry Brothers & Rudd, Mossburn and Little Brown Dog amongst the host of brands looking to branch into Blended Whiskies, expect to see more on our shelves. Grab one and enjoy!
So remember, the next time someone turns their nose up at your choice of Blend, remind them that their fancy Single Malt is probably blended too, and would undoubtedly not exist if you weren’t enjoying your Blended Scotch Whisky.
K&L Notes: This wonderful barrel of whisky was distilled on January 4th, 2016 at the original Clear Creek facility in Portland before being filled into refill Oregon oak at a filling proof of 55% ABV. Like all McCarthy’s Whisky, it was double distilled on small copper pots from heavily peated Scottish barley, fermented naturally, and bottled without the use of additives or chill-filtration. The barrel would have been transferred shortly after filling to the new Hood River distillery, where it aged for more than six years in the unique Cascadian climate. Harvested on August 29th, 2022, it rested in tank for an additional two months before bottling on October 10th, 2022. Hand-selected by K&L’s Spirits Buyers, this is one of the few true cask-strength single barrels ever to make it to our shelves and easily one of the most special. McCarthy’s does an incredible job to produce whisky of great complexity and maturity at a young age, and this is pushing the limits of the oldest we’ve ever come across. Showing powerful smoke and a zesty, cleansing oceanic character balanced by a sweet malty core, no Islay drinker will be able resist this special cask-strength single barrel from one of the America’s original craft distillers. A true gem by any measure!
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: February 22, 2023
This wonderful cask strength single barrel from the excellent Clear Creek distillery in Hood River, Oregon represents the legacy of one of the most important and skilled craft distillers in the U.S. Sadly, the legend himself Steve McCarthy passed away on January 2nd. His bold and innovative distillery would set the stage for a craft distilling revolution, and his exceptional single-malt whiskey has been sold at K&L since its release decades ago. His big idea was to take peat-smoked malted barley from the great malters in Scotland and distill this excellent barley on his tiny pot stills. Then he’d age it in Oregon oak. One of the founders of the American Single Malt category, we’ve always loved Steve and when he stepped away from the business, we knew he’d chosen an excellent steward to continue his legacy. Hood River Distillers has kept the brand going providing much needed capital and expanding their selection to include a 6-year-old offering. Now we’re finally able to select cask-strength, single-barrel 6-year-olds, and they’re just as amazing as you’d expect. This cask is one of the very last to be distilled in the original Clear Creek facility in Portland before the brand (and all the barrels) were moved to the new, larger facility in Hood River. While it was aged in fourth-fill barrels, the Garryana is still incredibly prominent yet exceptionally well-integrated.
Let’s taste it! The color is an attractive, deep gold. The nose is a perfect explosion of dense peat smoke, complex ocean character, dense herbal oak, and malty sweetness. With air, the complexity continues to expand into hints of salted fish, Sharpie marker, tanned hide, camphor, lanolin, citrus oil, and Velcro. On the palate, it’s exceptionally sweet with powerful lemon oils, licorice bark, sweet smoke, bunches of fresh green herbs, and an almost Ardbeg-like white smoke. With a drop of water, it adds a sweet, honeyed character, greengage, gooseberry, roasted espresso bean, still some Sharpie, and clean background smoke. On the palate, by contrast, more peat than before, a zingy ocean minerality, and some wildly exotic spices round out the long, satisfying finish. This is an absolutely exceptional cask that captures the essence of McCarthy’s and turns everything up to the maximum without being overwhelming. A fitting sendoff to the great man that captured our hearts and palates for decades. This one is for you, Steve. We love you brother.
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
Here at the distillery we’re getting ready for a new season of our own and as we prepare to relight our peat fire for the year and open our doors to the public once more.
Perhaps the only distillery tour in the world which combines Harris Tweed and jelly beans returns. Our tour diary is now open and bookings can be made online for the first time. Take a look behind the scenes, sample our new-make spirits, meet the distillers, and learn all about our story. Our shop also reopens on the 13th from 10am when we relight our peat fire for the year ahead. We hope to see you soon, a warm Harris welcome awaits…
Our casks and the Clisham hills covered in fresh snow.
We often think Harris is the most beautiful place on EarthâŠand then it snows and we know weâre right. Shona, Harry, Billy, and Domhnall were well-wrapped up from the cold at our Ardhasaig warehouses earlier this week. Our island elements and our people will weave together to make their mark on the whisky we make. Just what the results will be, only time will tellâŠ.
Snow clouds head towards Niseabost.
Itâs been a wonderful week of winter weather as spring tries to take hold but the snow still prevails. Hereâs a simple picture from Mairi on our team, captured on her regular morning stroll at Niseabost beachâŠ
Ireland is home to the world’s oldest licensed distillery, Bushmills, which was established in 1608. Many people believe that Ireland is where whiskey distilling as we know it today began…but let’s not get into that! Enjoy our selection of Irish drams below for this St. Patrick’s Day!
đ„Â Free delivery over ÂŁ75Â đ„
Smooth Ambler 6 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #24778 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
$54.99
Smooth Ambler is a relatively newâby whiskey standardsâ distillery born in the hills of West Virginia. They not only acknowledge but embrace their differences from Kentucky style bourbon as their “fiercely independent spirit.” This six-year-old- release is exclusive to K&L and features stocks from Indiana.
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
Join the ImpEx Team on Wednesday, March 15th for an ImpEx Distillery Deep Dive featuring Elements of Islay along with Ollie Chilton and Chanel Liquori from Elixir Distillers on Facebook and YouTube
EOI (Elements of Islay) is introducing its re-imagined core range of blended malt whiskies to the US this month.
The multi-awarded brand, which has won a loyal following over the years for its various limited batch editions, presents three core whiskies that each capture the essence of their origin: Islay.
The three expressions, Elements of Islay Cask Edit, Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask and Elements of Islay Sherry Cask are small-batch, expertly sourced, independently bottled whiskies; have no added color and are non-chill filtered.
Each expression is inspired by a different element of maturation and aimed at curious whisky drinkers who have a desire to experience, taste, and explore the unique flavors of Islay.
Oliver Chilton, Elixir Distillers, Master Blender comments, âImpEx Beverages has long been at the forefront of introducing innovative whiskies across the US and expanding the whisky audience, so we couldnât have chosen a better partner to launch the new Elements of Islay malt whisky range. The passion and expertise of the ImpEx team and their strong relationships with top retailers and bars across the country will help us ensure that whisky fans and people looking to discover the incredible category of Scotch Whisky will be able to enjoy Cask Edit, Bourbon Cask and Sherry Cask as much as we do.âÂ
Sam Filmus, President of ImpEx Beverages said, âHaving Elements of Islay for my personal enjoyment was a long-term dream of mine.   Working with Elixir Distillers to add this line to other exciting offerings they represent has become a passion project. Not only are we blessed enough to enjoy this whisky but also to represent it as the Exclusive US Importer where we can make this available to whisky connoisseurs across the country.â
Cask Edit is a union of two Single Malts aged in Bourbon and Sherry casks leading to the creation of an exceptionally peaty Islay whisky showing the perfect balance of drinkability and personality at 46% ABV. The whisky also lends itself particularly well in cocktails.
Bourbon Cask is on the bolder side and matured in first fill and refill Bourbon barrels then bottled at 54.5% to fully demonstrate the whiskyâs dominant Islay personality.
Sherry Cask offers a synthesis of flavor with notes of dried fruits, dark chocolate, lemon oil, and smoke. Bottled at 54.5%, it aims to challenge the status quo of what it means to be an Islay whisky.
The Elements of Islay Core Range is now available at specialty retailers near you! For more information on where to buy please email the office at Office@ImpExBev.com.
About Elixir Distillers
Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender, and bottler of fine spirits; seeking to combine aesthetically beautiful design with delicious, characterful spirits. Their expertise is primarily Scotch whisky, together with Rum, Irish, Japanese, and American whiskies as well as Tequila. Their core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland, and Black Tot which they export to more than 20 International markets. Every member of the Elixir Distillers team is a spirits enthusiast with immense product knowledge, looking to produce the worldâs next great drink.
About ImpEx Beverages
In 2008, ImpEx Beverages was founded with the vision to import premium and rare spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer.
Today, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers; importing Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, India, and New Zealand with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. ImpEx also features a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.
We added a new bottle to our catalogue last month and have been delighted at the success of the launch of the Friar John Cor, The Cask Strength Congregation Batch, Chapter 1. A dram that we are exceptionally pleased with, and which is receiving absolutely fabulous feedback.
The FJC was matured in a blend of Bourbon, Monbazillac, STR, and Sherry casks. The introduction of the Monbazillac casks gives a sweetness and complexity that complements perfectly the classic Lindores style. The bottles are now released into the wild, so visit our stockists page and see where your nearest bottleshop is to pick up a bottle!
Tours and events are filling up on a daily basis now, and we are looking towards a really busy season in 2023. Daily tours start again in April, so if you are planning a visit this year, it might be an idea to book.
The Legacy Bar opened on Friday 17th February for the first of our new monthly bar nights and it was a really cracking evening with a great crowd, some good drams and lots of impromptu singing; there will be a food truck each month, we will be serenaded by musicians or a DJ and once the weather improves we will move from the intimate space of the Legacy to the rather more accommodating area of the Courtyard Bar.
We have been welcoming lots of casks owners to the distillery as they finally get to bottle their private casks, which involves lots of filling and labelling bottles for the delighted owners.
We hope to see as many of you as we can at the distillery this season!
SlĂ inte
Drew McKenzie Smith
Managing Director of Lindores Abbey Distillery
& Custodian of Lindores Abbey
Amazingly, our distillery is coming into its sixth year of production, and is starting to show a little bit of wear. You cannot run a Ferrari without it going in for a major service every so often! And for lovers of obscure facts, especially the person who asked this question â the Lyne arms on our spirit stills sit at an angle of 27.5°!
Alongside essential maintenance, we are catching up with some campaign bottling. As I write, Lorena is nosing and tasting fifty cask samples for some exciting single casks. Amongst this little lot, in no particular order, you will find the following type casks, all filled with our new make spirit:
As with some of our oldest casks, they have a beautiful colour and nose, we are happy with how these turned out
We have also managed to get some of our product into new markets for Elliot and itâs great to hand Friar John Cor Chapter 1 over to Murray, and see the buzz happening around it in the UK. Itâs not going to sit on the shelf for long, trust me. In fact I think most shops are no longer taking pre-orders as itâs all sold â just fantastic news!
SlĂ inte
Gary Haggart
Distillery Manager
Lindores Abbey Distillery
Abbey Road
Newburgh, Fife KY14 6HH
United Kingdom
The Whisky Vault
Display and Protect Your Whisky Investment
The patented, bulletproof Whisky Vault is handcrafted in Taiwan and starting to protect some serious whisky investments. For example The Macallan Six Pillars which will set you back a small fortune. Or a group of Japanese unicorns, rising in price faster than any other collectible investment out there. Whisky as a collectible investment has now outperformed alternative investments like art and cars. The number one collectable comes in a bottle so why not protect them in style with the Whisky Vault.
Built to order, these custom displays are made with rolled steel plate, a 19 mm bulletproof window, machined aluminum tri-spoke handle and LaGard electronic lock system. Each vault is individually numbered with an etched logo plate and laser engraved number, making them one of a kind. Airbrushed artwork can also be done anywhere on the vault as an added feature making the vault an actual work of art.
The Whisky Vault is a functional conversation piece that should be in every home bar, office, game room and also perfect for restaurants and bars to securely display their top shelf scotch, bourbon, cognac and all other high end spirits.
Some clients even display artwork and collectibles, including the popular KAWSÂ vinyl toy collection.
With worldwide patents, the Whisky Vault is unique with a side access vault door and front window display.
Do you have a collection worth protecting? Contact the guys over at Whisky Vault and they will walk you through the best vault to protect your bottles. Having your own private museum to showcase your collection will no doubt be the talk of your next whisky tasting or poker night.
Prices start at US$3680 and go up from there. You just might be able to insure those bottles with such protection.
Mention Whisky Intelligence when ordering your vault and receive a special free gift.  www.whiskyvault.com.tw
