Introducing Founder’s Highlights
Regular update
from Dan

This week marks the first in what will hopefully be a regular series of random thoughts, impressions and musings which my marketing team suggested is called “Founder’s Highlights”.

When the idea was suggested to me, I immediately agreed since – as anyone who’s met me knows – I love nothing more than sharing the ups, downs, joys and challenges of the amazing journey we’ve been on for over 10 years ever since I first had the idea to open a distillery in the Cotswolds.

September is always a busy month as the late Summer torpor gives way to the busiest time of year and the start of the “whisky season”.  Highlights of last week included an excellent “day in trade”, meeting with bartenders and shop owners in London with our brilliant new brand ambassador Katie.  It’s been too long since I last did this and there is truly no better way to spend your time as a founder  as it involves direct contact with customers and consumers, and also a chance to take the pulse of the market and understand whether our brand remains relevant (the answer to which I can happily report seemed to be a resounding “yes”!).

The second half of the week was spent in Edinburgh attending the annual Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Scottish Dinner at the Signet Library, where as Renter Warden I had the honour to personally greet over 200 guests representing the breadth of the whisky industry.  There were also visits to the new Port of Leith Distillery as well as the wonderful Holyrood Distillery.  Port of Leith – a 9-story purpose built vertical whisky distillery – is one of the few projects that is so ambitious as to make me feel comforted I’m not the biggest dreamer of them all.  Holyrood’s experimental quirkiness and use of novel yeasts and mashbills was equally fascinating and inspiring.

This week has been focused on finalising work on our exciting wetlands effluent management project, on reviewing business development and challenges faced in the difficult current sales environment, and lastly on reviewing our “wood program” for next year, i.e. the casks we’ll need to have on hand to fill the projected amount of whisky we plan to produce.  That is by far the most satisfying job as it’s all about the future, and the endless possibilities of the different whiskies we’ll be nurturing over the years to come.

I hope you’ve all had a good week and I promise that future missives will be shorter!

Cheers
Dan

AN ELEMENTAL CONNECTION

Our whiskies are elementally connected to the place from which they are forged, The Glenrothes Estate. The fresh spring water from the grounds of our Estate is naturally filtered through millions of years of rock as it makes its way to our distillery, resulting in water that is remarkably soft and free fro

m impurities. This water is fundamental to the elemental elegance that is the signature of our house style. Envoys of our Estate itself, The 18 and The 25 express the iconic experience of The Glenrothes.

THE 18

The 18 symbolises The Glenrothes’ unquenchable desire to learn and progress.

After 18 years of patient pursuit our whisky appears in a new state. Brighter notes become more subtle. A deeper fragrance blooms and lingers. Flavours unfurl with unexpected dimensions.

Our award-winning single malt has been re-imagined with an elegant new presentation. The iconic silhouette of the bottle remains but is now housed in a cylindrical cannister, a stylish nod to the oak casks in which the whisky has matured. It is etched with the topographic contours of The Glenrothes Estate, the source of our extraordinary spring water which is elemental to our smooth and fruity signature style.

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THE NEW 25

After nearly 150 years of whisky making on our private estate in Rothes, Speyside, we’ve learned true wisdom is knowing when to work and, crucially, when to wait.

Thousands of interactions over decades of lived experience creates in us the confidence to make room for beauty only time can touch. After a quarter century of waiting, the elegance of our whisky intensifies. Flavour and fragrance mingle and melt in sumptuous harmony.

Delicate Decadence born from the wisdom to wait.

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GLENGOYNE
30 Year Old 2022 Release

Highly sought after and regarded 30 year old single malt from Glengoyne, beautifully presented. Limited release matured in sherry cask, back in stock now. Glengoyne 30 Year Old Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in the finest sherry casks, limited release of 5,200 bottles. 2022 annual release.

Nose: Black cherry, sherry trifle, marmalade, tea rose, rum & raisin chocolate.

Palate: Burst of sweetness changing quickly to plum compote, cinnamon, cloves and tangy marmalade.

Finish: Soft oak dryness and cinnamon.

£999.00

Glengoyne Distillery was established as Burnfoot of Drumgoyne Distillery in 1833 by George Connel in the Highland whisky region although its warehouses rest across the road in the Lowland region. Re-named Glengoyne in 1905, its stills were increased from two to three in mid 1960s and since all the malt used is dried by hot air so all Glengoyne malt whisky is unpeated. With maturation in sherry and bourbon casks in addition to some Japanese and Scottish oak casks Glengoyne offers a range of distillery releases including Glengoyne 10 Year Old, Glengoyne 21 Year Old and Glengoyne 25 Year Old

Backcountry Camping 3 Pack (Russell’s Reserve K&L Single Barrel CN E and Faultline Blended Scotch) 3x 750ml $129.99 View

I don’t normally write in the first person here, but this pack contains 3 of my personal favorites to take camping – Bourbon (Russell’s specifically!) and Smoky Blended Scotch. If you’re hiking it in, you want bang for your buck and for the added weight. What could be better than high ABV spirits that punch well above their fighting weight in terms of price?

This pack includes one each of Russell’s Reserve “K&L Exclusive – Backcountry Camping” (Warehouse CN E, Floor 4) Single Barrel #23-0611 Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) and perhaps the greatest value on the booze planet: Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml), plus a non whisky bottling.

While the Russell’s is the undeniable cherry in this 3 pack and itself offers so much value in the Bourbon world, my hope is that lovers of booze in the backcountry (or anywhere for that matter) take note of the other two staples on our shelf that often find their way into my personal backpack as a singular luxury item when I seek the solitude of the great outdoors. – Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer P.S. And of course, you save 10 bucks over the combined retails of these 3 excellent bottles.

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

Over 25% Off a Stunning Cask from a Craft Distilling Pioneer

Clear Creek McCarthy’s 6 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel #367 Peated Single Malt Oregon Whiskey

(750ml) (Previously $110) ($79.99)

“This is an absolutely exceptional cask that captures the essence of McCarthy’s and turns everything up to the maximum without being overwhelming.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

One of the longest-running staples on our spirits shelves, the McCarthy’s Oregon whiskeys set the stage decades ago for the American craft distilling boom, but this is one of the first true cask-strength barrels we’ve taken in from this beloved brand. Crafted from heavily peated Scottish malt, it’s a shockingly complex and pure expression that pays tribute to Islay and to Steve McCarthy, the late visionary who started it all.

Clear Creek McCarthy’s 6 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel #367 Peated Single Malt Oregon Whiskey (750ml) (Previously $110) ($79.99)

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

Harvest Time.

The big news of the last few weeks has been the harvest of our extra special bere barley, the heritage grain that will form the backbone of our upcoming whisky production. It was a beautiful day on September 1st as the barley was harvested under a bright blue sky, with the sound of the sea just a stone’s throw away, the big yellow combine harvester trundling back and forth, bringing the beautiful golden grains one step further on their journey to becoming beautiful golden whisky.

Whisky Fest.

We might not have started production quite yet, but that didn’t stop us having a blast with our very first whisky festival taking place on Monday. We welcomed a steady stream of whisky fans to the distillery, including 4 of our cask holders, and enjoyed a day of drams with our friends from Island Spirit Whisky in Stornoway, delicious seafood from Lochmaddy Bay Prawns, a fantastic croft tour and talk with our very special neighbour, Donald, and a film screening of Whisky Galore in what is soon to be our production room. Our visitor centre team led hourly tours of the building, sharing our story so far and plans for the future, and all in all it was a really fantastic day that we look forward to repeating next year.

The finale of the whisky trail festival takes place on Saturday at Talisker in Skye, and we hope to see at least some of you there. Come and say hi in the North Uist Distillery yurt and enjoy tastings, perfect serves, and stocking up on your Downpour favourites.

Located in Forres in Morayshire, the Benromach distillery produces a traditional style of Speyside whisky, inspired by whiskies of the past. Benromach single malt has a fruity character, enhanced by the use of Sherry casks, and a delicate touch of peat smoke.

The Contrasts Collection is a series of limited edition releases that showcase Benromach’s diverse and innovative approach to whisky making. These small batch single malts offer a unique spin on Benromach’s signature fruity, smoky style.

KILN DRIED OAK

70cl | 46% ABV

This limited edition single malt was matured in kiln dried virgin oak barrels. This results in sweet malted biscuit aromas with lemon and apple. Creamy and fruity flavours, barley sugar, tropical fruit and wafts of bonfire smoke.

£59.95

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AIR DRIED OAK

70cl | 46% ABV

Matured in air dried Virgin Oak barrels, resulting in sweet vanilla fudge aromas with toasted cereal and citrus blossom. Smooth yet peppery notes follow, with vanilla, fresh peppermint, oak and subtle smoke on the finish.

£59.95

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Woodford Reserve Announces 5-Year Commitment to Buy Rye from Kentucky Farmers as Part of Research Project

NEWS ABOUT VAULTS MEMBERS’ ROOM RENOVATIONS

The renovation of our Members’ Room upstairs at The Vaults is progressing well and we can’t wait to see you again soon in the new space.

We will be ready to welcome you back from Tuesday, 26 September.

It has been great to host so many of you in the pop-up Members’ Room on the ground floor over the last few weeks. The team very much appreciates your feedback. Throughout September, you can continue to join us for drams, food from an adapted menu, or to pick up whiskies from the Bottle Shop from 5pm to 10pm, Wednesday to Friday and 12 noon to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday. Our Courtyard outdoor space will remain open, as will our pop-up Members’ Room on the historic ground floor of The Vaults. Our Live Music nights will continue to take place in the pop-up ground floor space on a Wednesday night.

We look forward to welcoming you to the newly refurbished Members’ Room upstairs from 26th September – click here to book your visit to The Vaults.

And don’t forget The Gathering is officially upon us! You are in for a treat as we have a PACKED calendar of tastings and events at our venues, partner bars, Members’ Rooms and more throughout the month. It’s a great time to get involved and make the most of your membership.

JOIN THE GATHERING

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

Tomatin – The Italian Collection Bundle 3 x 70cl Whisky

Located in the Scottish Highlands, not far from Inverness, the Tomatin distillery produces a range of traditionally rich, sweet and malty single malt whiskies. The Italian collection consists of three limited releases that are finished in Italian wine casks that previously held some of Italy’s most famous wines.

£199.95