2009 Blair Athol 12 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$59.99 View

We have bottled many casks of very old Blair Athol over the years as it is a staple in the independent bottling market and the spiritual heart of the famous Bell’s Blend. The whiskies in the 20+ year range are generally very, very good. It’s hard to mess up Blair Athol after decades in cask. We are however extremely picky when it comes to young whisky from this famous Pitlochry distillery. The young whiskies can easily overpower their barrels and leave a bit of a funky note that certainly isn’t for everyone. However, when appropriately casked in an active sherry barrel, 12 years is just about right to create pure magic. That funky weight of the spirit is balanced beautifully with the citrus zest, dark cocoa, and roasted nuts of the sherry butt. We don’t get too many shots at full term sherry with extremely sharp pricing – but when we do, we rarely miss. 59% ABV and taking no prisoners, this is a serious malt for sherry fans to stock up on.

Welcome Back
Ben Nevis Whisky

Ben Nevis 10 Year Old

A highly acclaimed and much loved whisky, Ben Nevis has been hard to come by in recent years. But now the famed 10 year old is back and in the newly re-branded design for 2021. Ben Nevis 10 Year Old Highland single malt Scotch whisky from the distillery in Fort William with the highest water source in Scotland. A big full bodied highland malt.

Nose: abundance of character on the nose with floral, fragrant, honey, citrus fruits of orange and beeswax with elements of toffee and vanilla aromas.

Taste: initial spicy notes lead to energy of cereal flavours. Smooth creaminess of dark chocolate invites you to sample another drop.

Shop Now – £53 / €51* / $60* / c$76*

Ben Nevis Coire Leis

A new release to the Ben Nevis range for 2021. Non-age statement whisky named after a scenic region and route up the famous Ben Nevis mountain.  Ben Nevis Coire Leis Highland single malt Scotch whisky from the distillery in Fort William. A big full bodied highland malt.

Nose: a rich and warming character with toffee and honeyed vanilla, a light woody aroma finishing with barley sugar sweetness.

Taste: initial notes of fresh apricots followed by a malty sweetness leading to a smooth, creamy and woody finish.

Shop Now – £46 / €45* / $53* / c$66*

BEN NEVIS SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Ben Nevis Distillery is a Highland malt whisky distillery established by John McDonald in 1825 at Inverlochy just north of Fort William and rests at the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. A Coffey’s Still was installed in in 1955 and both malt and grain whiskies were produced simultaneously until 1981. The core range comprises Ben Nevis 10 Year Old, McDonald’s Traditional and single cask bottling are released from time to time. The distillery is owned by Nikka of Japan.

Glenglassaugh’s oldest release in their history, surviving its slumber all through the years of distillery closure and revival!

This is an extremely special and rare whisky aged for half-a-century and limited to 264 bottles at a strength of 40.1% abv. The elegant finish in Andalucían Pedro Ximénez casks adds a deep fruit and spiced oak complexity of fig and blackberry paired with a seductive sweetness on the palate of caramelised pear, cherries and almonds. The experience finishes up with refined oak, tropical notes and a gentle coastal breeze. If you’re looking for a spectacular whisky of a great age then look no further!

£5,500.00
Buy Now ›

Nose: blackberry, figs.

Palate: caramelised pear, almonds, refined oak, cherries.

Finish: oak, tropical notes, ocean breeze salinity.

It’s not every day you get to announce a 50 year old single malt, never mind one of the rarest expressions to ever arrive from the distillery. This Glengassaugh is exactly that. Only 264 bottles have been made, and it has been bottled at 40.1% abv. The expression has spent 50 years maturing in the distillery’s warehouses and has even survived the distillery closing down!

Thankfully its rest was undisturbed, and it got its due reward by being finished in none other than Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Andalucía, Spain. Now that’s what we call ending with a flourish! A special whisky from one of the most outstanding Highland distilleries, each bottle of this will have world-wide attention put toward it.

MACALLAN-1991 CASK ACHIEVES WORLD RECORD PRICE AT BONHAMS

The cask yielding 202 bottles sells for HK$4,464,000

The highest per-bottle price (HK$22,099) for any whisky cask at auction

Bonhams Fine and Rare Whisky Sale

– Sell-through rate: 88%

– Sale total: HK$24.5million, eclipsing the pre-sale high estimate

– Karuizawa and Yamazaki whiskies 100% sold

 Bonhams Hong Kong whisky sale year-to-date total (incl. wine):

HK$80.5milion – surpassing the same period in 2019 (HK$67million)

A cask of Macallan-1991-#21429-18/029/1
Distilled 12th December 1991 at the Macallan Distillers Limited, Craigellachie.

Sold for HK$4,464,000

Estimate: HK$3,200,000-4,000,000

Commenting on the result, Daniel Lam, Bonhams Director of Wine and Spirits, Asia, said: “In terms of both buying and selling, 2021 has been a strong and resilient market for whisky. Our year-to-date total has surpassed that for the same period before Covid in 2019. Cask collecting is fast growing as a trend and one which has become a Bonhams speciality. In 2019, we set a world record when we sold a Macallan 1989 cask for a per-bottle price of HK$17,103. The cask in this sale has achieved a per-bottle price of HK$22,099 – and a new world record – a very strong increase in just two years. Meanwhile, Japanese whisky continues to be a hotly-contested field, with Yamazaki and Karuizawa lots 100% sold in our sale. The announcement that the final editions of Karuizawa whisky will be released later this year has fuelled demand.”

Whisky casks hitting 30 years old or above are exceedingly rare in the current market. Distilled by Macallan in December 1991, this 1991 cask was re-racked in 2017 with sherry. Sherry is the preferred choice of wood to give whisky a unique impact of clove, resin, dried fruit and tannin – a sweet palate which most drinkers will find approachable. Its high alcohol content at around 51.5% ABV makes it a highly desirable choice for both long-term collecting and for eventually yielding around 202 bottles for enjoyment. 

Browse all results here:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27039/

Sale: Fine and Rare Whisky20 August 202120/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

Caol Ila 2000 20 Year Old Cask Strength
Connoisseurs Choice Batch 21/094

Rich vanilla aromas give way to sultanas and cured meats on the nose. The palate has black pepper intertwined with red apple and dark chocolate. A long and smoky finish with lingering citrus awaits in this wonderfully sherried dram reserved to 612 bottles at a strength of 59.6% abv.

Connoisseurs Choice rarely disappoints. Independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail are experts at picking up rare casks, and this 20-year-old single malt certainly no exception. From the Caol Ila Distillery, this cask strength whisky was filled into a first fill sherry butt back in the year 2000. It was bottled in 2021 and has yielded 612 bottles. Free from chill filtration, this has a natural cask-imparted colour and arrives at a warming 59.6% abv.

Rich vanilla aromas give way to sultanas and cured meats on the nose. The palate is one of black pepper, intertwining with red apple and dark chocolate. A long and smoky finish with lingering citrus awaits in this wonderfully sherried dram. An Islay that is just waiting to be enjoyed.

£161.00
Buy now

Springbank 15 Year Old 2003 vintage Rum Wood Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in fresh rum barrels. Limited edition of 9,000 bottles released in 2019.

£400.00

Springbank Distillery was established in 1828 in Campbeltown at the foot of the Mull of Kintyre on the west coast of Scotland. Springbank produces three different types of single malt whisky Hazelburn which is non-peated and triple distilled, Longrow which is highly peated and double distilled and Springbank which is medium peated and partially triple distilled having been distilled two and a half times. Barley is spread across traditional malting floors at Springbank where it germinates and is then dried on the perforated floor of the malt kiln. The Springbank 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old Local Barley and Springbank 21 Year old annual release are very popular whiskies.

2002 Linkwood 18 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

The splendid Linkwood Distillery is truly the unsung hero of the Diageo portfolio. While we wonder desperately why they won’t bother to sell it regularly as a single malt, we’re constantly reminded that the core blends represent the vast majority of their profits and this is such a crucial element in those products that risking their integrity by marketing a single malt version is not good business. We luckily have access to the occasional barrel from our sources in Scotland and we rarely say no to Linkwood. The distillery was founded in 1821, but didn’t start production until 1825. In 1971 a second distillery was built and operated on the same site and dubbed Linkwood “B”. The two distilleries operated concurrently until the late 80s when one or both were mothballed, but by the early 90s they were each running again. Both operated via steam heat together have a capacity of close to 2.5 million gallons per year. It seems that both distilleries continue to operate in tandem, with a total of 6 stills (3 wash and 3 spirit). Expect the classic Linkwood character, full of fruit, pure maltiness and the tiniest tingle of peat. Drops of licorice, heather, honey, citrus are welcome. At full strength it’s great, but could still stand to have a drop or two of nice spring water added to open up the rich inviting aromas of this special malt. An exceptional value and safe bet for that pure Speyside character. ***Originally sold incorrectly as “Old Malt Cask.” Same cask, different label***

$99.99 View

THE ENGLISH WHISKY MEMBERS CLUB

Love Whisky or know someone that does? Join The English Whisky Club!

As England’s oldest whisky maker, become a member of our highly sought after club to receive:

6 bespoke bottles a year delivered to your door

Discounts on future purchases from our online shop

Free distillery tours

Lots more member benefits…

Being a member means being part of our journey of discovery with new and rare whiskies.

Become a Member

As we experience a rather bizarre yet very much welcomed Indian summer here in Glasgow, we are buzzing to present to you our 123rd Auction! Sun cream lathered, shorts & t-shirts back out from storage and some sunset drams in mind. This chunky auction boasts thousands of malty wonders to wet your whistle!

Historical drammy delights are plentiful this month as we have another hide and seek champion from the dark depths of the SMWS Vaults. The SMWS 15.3 Glenfiddich 1978 is an old style, dark delight bottled in September 1991 after spending many years sleeping in the famous Leith Warehouse. This old-timer comes from the early days of SMWS and will make a best friend to any whisky lover.

As well as these regal gems we have a beautiful selection of exclusive cask strength delights from the “Manager’s Dram” range! These bobby dazzlers were never available to the public and were hand selected by distillery managers as the best single malts of the era! These special drams vary in age, strength and cask type. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one of these beauties it will be something to truly savour!

View Auction

We continue to celebrate recent awards within our portfolio

Reaching for the Gold!

The last 2 months have been filled with celebration as a long list of expressions across the #ImpEx portfolio were received in high regard!

The Whiskies of the World Awards 2021 WoWed us!

The ImpEx Collection 1999 21 yo Orkney Cask #58 (HHD)
Best of Show, Gold Outstanding

View more accolades for The ImpEx Collection here

Ohishi Sherry Cask NAS – Gold

The 2021 International Whisky Competition earned us some great recognition

TOP 15 Whiskies of 2021, 92.97 pts.
Kilchoman Machir Bay

Nose: Soft cooked fruits with strong peaty aromas.

Palate: Soft mixed fruits and vanilla with an intense sweetness.

Finish: A Classic Islay malt now showing the benefit of additional ageing. A long lingering finish.

Matsui Pure Malt Whisky
The Kurayoshi 18 Years
Best Japanese Whisky,
Best Pure Malt Japanese Whisky,
Best Japanese Whisky 18 Year Old,
91.77 Pts

Matsui Blended Whisky
The San-in Bourbon Barrel
90.67 Pts

Matsui Single Malt Whisky
The Matsui Mizunara Cask
Best Japanese Whisky
No Age Statement,
91.17 Pts

Matsui Pure Malt Whisky
The Kurayoshi 12 Years
Best Japanese Whisky 12 Year Old,
90.67 Pts

The 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge resulted in a bounty of accolades!

Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength
(Festive Edition 2020)
Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary
99 Points
Chairman’s Choice
Top 100

Kilchoman Machir Bay Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary 95 Points, Tried & True, Finalist
Kilchoman Sanaig 2020 Single Malt Whisky
Excellent 91 Points
Matsui  – Sakura Single Cask Whisky
Extraordinary 97 Points, Chariman’s Trophy, Top 100
Matsui – Mizunara Single Cask Whisky
Extraordinary 94 Points, Finalist
Matsui – Sakura Cask Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary 93 Points
Matsui  – The Peated Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary 93 Points
Matsui Shuzo – Umeshu with Whisky Fruit Liqueur
Extraordinary 95 Points, Finalist
Matsui Shuzo – Umeshu with Whisky Fruit Liqueur
Extraordinary 95 Points, Finalist
Matsui – Mizunara Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary 93 Points

Kurayoshi Sherry Cask Blended Whisky
Extraordinary 93 Points
Kurayoshi 18 Year Old Blended Whisky
Excellent 92 Points
Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Blended Whisky
Excellent 91 Points
Kurayoshi 8 Year Old Blended Whisky
Excellent 91 Points
Kurayoshi Blended Whisky
Excellent 91 Points

M&H Elements Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky
Excellent 91 Points
M&H Elements Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky
Excellent 91 Points
M&H Elements Red Wine Cask Single Malt Whisky

Excellent 90 Points

M&H APEX Dead Sea Small Batch Single Malt Whisky

Excellent 90 Points (Coming to the US in 2022)

Port Askaig 110 Proof Single Malt Whisky
Extraordinary 96 Points, Finalist, Top 100

GlenAllachie White Heather 21 Year Old Blended Whisky
Excellent 94 Points, Finalist
(Coming to the US in 2022)

GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Excellent 93 Points

GlenAllachie MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Year Old Blended Whisky
Excellent 93 Points, Top 100
(Arriving to the US in September)

GlenAllachie 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Excellent 90 PointsPenderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky

Penderyn Gold Range Peated 
Excellent 93 Points
Penderyn Gold Range Madeira 
Excellent 92 Points
Penderyn Gold Range Rich Oak 
Excellent 92 Points

Penderyn Dragon Range Celt 
Extraordinary 95 Points, Finalist
Penderyn Dragon Range Myth 
Excellent 92 Points
Penderyn Dragon Range Legend 
Excellent 91 Points

Now to the Spirits Business results in the 2021 World Whisky Masters & Scotch Whisky Masters! The GlenAllachie, Penderyn and Kilchoman impressed with high ranks.

2021 Scotch Whisky Masters results include:
GlenAllachie MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Year Old Whisky
Gold Medal (Arriving to the US later this year)
GlenAllachie MacNair’s Lum Reek 21 Year Old Whisky
Masters Medal (Arriving to the US later this year)
GlenAllachie 15 Year Old Whisky
Gold MedalKilchoman Loch Gorm 2020
Gold Medal
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Gold Medal
Port Askaig 100 Proof 
Gold Medal
(Available as 110 Proof in the US)

2021 World Whisky Masters results include:
Penderyn Icons Of Wales No. 7 – Rhiannon
Gold Medal (Arriving to the US in September)
Penderyn Gold Series  – Peated
Gold Medal
Penderyn Gold Series  – Rich Oak
Gold Medal
Penderyn Gold Series  – Sherrywood
Gold Medal

Penderyn Gold Series  – Portwood
Gold Medal
Penderyn Gold Series  – Madeira
Gold Medal
Penderyn Dragon Series  – Myth
Gold Medal

2021 is off to a winning start!  It’s because of friends like you that we are able to bring in these amazing brands! Lots more to come from us as the year drinks on!

 ImpEx Beverages Inc.
360 Swift Ave
Side B # 9
South San Francisco, CA 94080