ARMORIK GOES PEATED!

After many years of ageing, tasting, we are finally ready to launch… our heavily peated Whisky. We are improving our game with a new line of peated single malts named Yeun Elez.

The Yeun Elez range, just like Armorik is distilled, matured and bottled at the Distillerie Warenghem, in Brittany, France.

YEUN ELEZ

GI Whisky Breton Single Malt, 46%, 70 cl Un-chill filtered – Natural colour

Yeun Elez is a peated Breton Whisky, distilled from peated (50ppm) malted barley from Scotland. Breton Single Malt Whisky, it has been distilled and matured to highlight its delicate, elegant and fruity peat. The name Yeun Elez comes from an old peat bog located in the heart of the Armorique Natural Park, which is also home to many Breton legends (such as that of Tadic Coz represented on the pack).

The legend

Located in the Monts d’Arrée, in the heart of the Armorique Natural Park, the Yeun Elez is a swamp considered in Breton legends as the Gateway to Hell.

According to the legend reported by Anatole le Braz, it is the place where the evil souls who haunted the living were thrown into hell. Tadic-Coz, knew the secret and the ritual of locking the souls of ghosts in the body of a black dog. He instructed young Jobic to guide the dog towards the underworld gates. The latter, going from presbytery to presbytery, led the black dog to the rector of Commana. Together, at sunset, they threw the black dog into the Yeun Elez swamp, condemning the ghost to hell.

« We are entering the Yeun Elez, he said to Jobic. Whatever you hear, don’t look away. It is about your life in this world and your salvation in the next. »

A.Le Braz, La Légende de la mort en Basse-Bretagne, 1893.

Tasting Notes

Pale yellow with golden reflections.

Nose: Beautiful aromatic intensity, the peat is medicinal (camphor, cloves) but supported by fruity notes, bananas, cooked peaches, and pastry (cream pastry).

Palate: The smoke rounds the palate, citrus notes bringing freshness. Nice roundness with a hint of salinity.

Final: A lingering, iodized and spicy finish, ending with a warm wood fire.

Yeun Elez is the result of the distillery’s foray into the territory of peated whiskies. We offer you a peaty variation of our single malt Armorik: We use Scottish peated barley, water from our own source and our artisanal know-how. Using our traditional pot stills, we strive to create an exceptional single malt that reflects the Breton character.

DISTILLERIE WARENGHEM – ROUTE DE GUINGAMP – 22300 LANNION – FRANCE

TÉL. : +33 (0)2 96 37 00 08 WWW.ARMORIK.BZH

LAST ORDERS! VAN WINKLE TO LAUNCH ‘TEN TO TEN’ TAKEAWAY DRINKS SERVICE

Glasgow’s newest restaurant and go-to bourbon bar Van Winkle will launch a new takeaway drinks menu tomorrow, Friday 2 October, designed especially in response to the 10pm curfew.

The Ten to Ten Takeaway offer at the new Byres Road premises will let customers order a selection of drinks to take away just before the bar shuts for the night.

Between 9.30pm and 10pm only, anyone looking to enjoy a final nightcap back at home will be able to choose from a selection of cocktails, beers and wine and take a few refreshments with them to go.

Launched in partnership with Buffalo Trace – Van Winkle’s best-selling bourbon brand – the Ten to Ten Takeaway menu will include a range of mouth-watering Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare cocktails including an Old Fashioned, Bourbon Mary and Cowboy Shandy.

Van Winkle visitors will also be able to grab sealed containers of bottled and draft beer and choose from bottles of red, white and rose wine to take home with them.

Derek Mallon of Van Winkle said: “It’s fantastic to have opened our second branch of Van Winkle and to be up and running in the west end. With opening hours now limited to 10pm, we wanted to give customers the option to take a taste of Van Winkle back home with them. 

“People can enjoy an evening of food and drink with us before nabbing a night cap to go at last orders. Changing guidance means we need to act fast and continue to innovate so we’re delighted to launch our new Ten to Ten Takeaway service.” 

Van Winkle opened its second branch on Byres Road on Thursday 24 September, almost three years after it first launched opposite the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in the city’s east end.

Customers to the new west end spot have more than 50 bourbons to choose from, as well as a wide selection of American whiskeys, cocktails, beers and wine. The menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering wee plates, burgers and sandwiches, alongside a five-cheese macaroni and the Van Winkle buffalo chicken wings.

A perfect spot for dog lovers, Van Winkle also has a special nutritious dog-friendly menu, developed by BBC Scotland’s resident vet Ross Allan from Pets’n’Vets.

From Friday 2 October, Ten to Ten Takeaway is available from 9.30pm to 10pm each night for customers already eating or drinking in the bar. All takeaway alcohol will be sold in sealed containers and Van Winkle asks that customers drink responsibly and do not open their alcohol until they are home.

Van Winkle is located at 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow. It is open now for dining inside and out and available for takeaway and home delivery.

For more information go to: www.vanwinkle.co.uk

Address: 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TB

Facebook @VanWinkleBar / Instagram @VanWinkleGlasgow / Twitter @VanWinkleBar

TWO SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES AWARDED GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS AT THE 2020 NORTH AMERICAN BOURBON & WHISKEY COMPETITION 

Montreal (Sept. 24, 2020) – The North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition has published its results for the 2020 double-blind tasting competition.  Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky received a Gold award and Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky received a Silver award.

The NABWC promotes excellence in bourbon, whiskey, and moonshine through a double-blind competition and is based on a 100-point scale. The spirits are judged by styles and price categories, and this year’s competition was judged virtually in light of COVID-19.

For more information about the 2020 NABWC, visit http://whiskeycomp.com/.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

Oh it’s 5 o’clock somewhere! Time to get those weekend drams in and don’t forget to check on those bottles you’ve got your eye on. Our 112th auction ends in just 3 days. Have a great weekend from all of us here at SWA.

This 50-year-old single grain whisky is the first and only official bottling from North of Scotland distillery, which was operational for just 23 years, from 1957 until 1980. It has been matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks for five long decades, in which time it has developed a decadent profile packed with juicy blood orange, golden syrup and nutty notes, as well as a soft, baking-spice warmth.

A rare treat limited to just 1,500 bottles worldwide, this will not just convince newcomers of the heights single grain whisky can attain, but also hold its ground against the very finest whiskies in any collection

BUY NORTH OF SCOTLAND 50 YEAR OLD

SHOP OLD & RARE WHISKIES

Just landed: Macallan Edition No.6

Inspired by the River Spey, the sixth and final release in Macallan’s Edition series is crafted with a combination of American and European oak sherry butts and hogsheads to create a multifaceted experience with a deep and rewarding flavour.

Buy Now ›

Enjoy fresh fruits, nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, toffee and vanilla on the nose, followed by ripe plum, orange and cinnamon on the palate, soon developing into spicy fruits and creamy chocolate, with toasted oats in the finish.

Be the first to add this exquisite limited edition dram to your collection.

Macallan Edition No.6
£98.50

Buy Now ›

The Perfect Speysider at a Very Attractive Price
1994 Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)
“This is as quintessentially Speyside as any malt in our selection right now and offers an incredible value from a relatively rare distillery.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

The perfect complement to the Tormore 22 Year Old we offered earlier this month, the Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” is yet another remarkable find from the team at the Glasgow Whisky Company. While the Braeval name may be unfamiliar to many, we expect that to change, as they are crafting some of the brightest and wonderfully approachable Speysiders in the market today. Aged in bourbon barrels, this dram is a fruit-driven expression that is equal parts smoothly seductive and intellectually engaging. Rarely do we see single casks from Braeval, but when we do we snatch them up as quickly as we can, as they consistently capture everything we love about Speyside malts. At cask strength, you might think this 22 Year Old is a powerhouse, but it comes across as remarkably balanced and poised. Like the Tormore before it, we expect our small, exclusive allocation to disappear in short order. Similarly aged drams will set you back over $200, so finding one this attractively priced is always a huge win. If you are looking for a great, easy-going single malt with loads of personality, then you’ve come to the right place.

1994 Braeval 22 Year Old “Munros” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($109.99)

The lovely small batch bottlings in the “Munros” line up are selected by the small Glasgow Whisky Company and represent some of the best values in single malt Scotch today. This small outfit has become an increasingly important player in the sale and bottling of small scale lots of high-quality Scotch. The Munros line is a reference to Scotland’s 282 mountains over 3000 feet. Explorers across the UK have long considered climbing each peak a rite of passage and likewise the great malts represent the heights of achievement in the eyes of whisky lovers across the world. The Braeval Distillery (formerly Braes of Glenlivet) was built in the early 1970s to help sustain the growth of the popular Chivas Brand. It has yet to be sold by the owners regularly as a single malt, but we’ve had success with a few from various independent bottlers over the years. Here the malty fruity character of the spirit is heightened perfectly after over two decades in fresh American bourbon barrels. Like all the Munros, this is a small batch of sequential casks bottled without chill filtration or reduction of any kind. Expect a very easy drinking Speysider focused on fruity malt, vanillas and subtle spices. A gorgeous example of this unsung little distillery.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 31, 2020

Another young but well-liked distillery, this one is distinct across the Munros line in that it was aged in exclusively ex-bourbon barrels. The already clean and fruity style of the Braeval (previously called Braes of Glenlivet) works perfectly with the round subtle American oak and sweet flavors imparted by these great bourbon barrels. The color is pale gold. The nose has the perfect blend of yellow and orange fruits, hints of fresh apricots and mirabelle. Touches of roasted almond and toasted vanilla bean heighten the clean fruitiness perfectly. On the palate, lemon candies, white pepper, cherry pits, ground clove and tiniest hints of fresh bread yeasty quality. Certainly not a whisky that’s going to scare anyone away, as it’s round and approachable, but by no means one-note or boring. This is as quintessentially Speyside as any malt in our selection right now and offers an incredible value for a relatively rare distillery.

ralfy review 845 – Old Pulteney 15yo @ 46%vol: (2020)

Explosion of colour for the new Glencairn Glass range

to celebrate 20th anniversary

The world’s favourite whisky glass is now available in a new range of five different, red, green, gold, blue and black

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Glencairn Glass, the world’s favourite whisky glass, Glencairn Crystal Studio has introduced a new core range of coloured glasses.

Following the huge popularity of the limited edition black Glencairn Glass last year, whisky fans world-wide will now be able to purchase the Glencairn Glass not only in black but also in blue, red, green, and shimmering gold alongside the original clear glass.

Available both individually or as a full tasting set of six glasses, the new range of coloured glasses has been carefully selected and created to provide visual impact in the hand and on the bar. It has also been designed to be used in, and to enhance, the blind tasting experience by disguising the colour of the whisky.

This year the iconic Glencairn Glass celebrates its 20^th anniversary. Since its creation by the award winning Glencairn Crystal Studio in 2000, it has shot to fame as the definitive whisky glass around the world today, with over 3 million being sold each year, across 140 different countries in all seven continents including Antarctica.

Scott Davidson, New Product Development Director and son of Glencairn Crystal Founder, Raymond Davidson, commented:

“We were blown away by the massive success of our limited edition black Glencairn Glass last year which sold out almost immediately. So in response to public demand, our 20^th anniversary gift to loyal fans of the Glencairn Glass across the world is the introduction of this colourful new range, which is here to stay.  Not only are the coloured glasses a fun addition to any drinks cabinet, tasting your dram blind is the perfect way to develop your senses and to learn all about the wonderful world of whisky”.

The new range of coloured Glencairn Glasses can be purchased individually at £8 each, or in a presentation box featuring the full colour range tasting set of five glasses plus the original clear glass at £60. Available at The Glencairn Crystal online store and then also from other retailers later this year.

For more details about Glencairn Crystal Studio and The Glencairn Glass please visit: www.glencairn.co.uk and www.whiskyglass.com

Notes:

• The Glencairn Glass is endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association as the official glass for whisky.
• Please note that the new colour range of Glencairn Glasses are not available in hand cut crystal and cannot be personalised unlike the original clear Glencairn Glass.
• Visit the new Glencairn PodGlass Series: a series of insightful and informative podcasts created this year to mark the 20^th anniversary of the Glencairn Glass. Featuring Glencairn Crystal Founder, Raymond Davidson, and guest appearances by some of the whisky industry’s most renowned and respected names.

Heaven Hill Distillery Launches Season Two of “Tales from the Hill” Podcast

Season two gives listeners a behind-the-scenes adventure into how some of Heaven Hill’s most eponymous brands came to be. Each episode contains exclusive interviews from the people who craft Heaven Hill’s award-winning portfolio, including products like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Larceny. Celebrating 85 years this December, the largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery in America continues to shape the American Whiskey experience. Season one ended with listeners understanding how these great traditions are preserved and the future is pioneered. Season two brings listeners inside how the learned craft is put to use each day at Heaven Hill, as well as the impact on the communities it serves.BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery’s second season of the original podcast, “Tales from the Hill,” is now live. Tales from the Hill tells the intimate, in-depth stories of the people, places and products that have shaped Heaven Hill Distillery since 1935.

Listen to season two’s introductory episode and episodes one through three now, with new episodes available every Tuesday for the next three weeks. Learn more, subscribe, listen, and review here.

Where to listen: 

• HeavenHillDistillery.com/Podcast
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcast
• Smart Speakers (Echo/Alexa, Google Home, SonosOne)

Season two of Tales from the Hill was produced by CaskStrength Media and narrated by Mark Gillespie, host of the whiskey podcast, “WhiskyCast.”

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.8 million barrels aging in 60 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.