Writer’s Tears Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) ($39.99)

Whisky Advocate: “Like the Writers Tears reviewed in this issue, this is from an independent company linked to renowned whiskey maker Bernard Walsh. It is described as of a style popular in James Joyce’s Dublin (hence the name). Grain whiskey was a no-no at that time, so this uses no grain and is a mix of malt and pot still whiskeys. For its price and strength it is amazing a big-hearted and full-flavored whiskey with an oily, apple-y pot still heart and cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper spices. (DS, Summer 2012)”

K&L Notes: The elusive Writer’s Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey has been a darling of the whiskey cognoscenti for years. This unusual product from the Walsh Distillery in Carlow, Ireland has gained notoriety across the globe as one of the finest whiskies the Emerald Isle has to offer. It begins with single malt (likely distilled at Cooley Distillery in Louth) and single pot still whiskey (distilled at Midleton in County Cork), which are vatted together and aged in ex-bourbon casks. A true re-creation of a style of Irish whiskey not seen since the last century and named for the great Irish writers and playwrights of the 19th century who would have sought inspiration from a similar beverage in their time. The full-flavored, pure pot still whiskey and sweet floral single malt work magic together to create one of the most drinkable yet exciting whiskies of any kind. Lauded world-wide as one of the best whiskies available, it has been conspicuously unavailable in California until now. Winner of Gold Medals from the World Whiskies Award and listed on Ian Buxton’s 101 Whiskies to Try before You Die, and 93 points from Jim Murray’s “Whisky Bible”, Writer’s Tears is easily one of the highest ranking Irish Whiskey available at any price point. We’ve been lucky enough to grab an exclusive deal on the first few pallets to show up in CA, but don’t wait to try it as when it moves to normal distribution we’ll likely see a significant price increase.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2017

This should please people who are looking for an easy, soft and delicious whiskey. At first one smells beautiful and mouth watering vanilla aromas. In the mouth it is soft and easy with a creamy mouth feel.This is a fun whiskey to have for simple enjoyment.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2017

This elusive and quite wonderful little whiskey has been on constant request at the story for years. Actually, I’ve been telling people “No, sorry we can’t get that” every other week of so for over 7 years now! It’s one of those things that people fall in love with over there and don’t realize they can’t just pick it up when they get home. Well, the wait is finally over. This wonderful offering from the exceptional Walsh Distillery in County Carlow is easily one of the best values in Irish Whiskey. Hailing from Ireland’s historic east, this area is famous for whiskey and beer thanks to the incredible waters that bubble below the surface, but no large distillery has had a presence here for more than 100 years. In the 1800s, the Irish Whiskey industry was on fire. Consumption, production and exports, continued to break records despite social and political upheaval in Ireland. Funny thing about Irish Whiskey, because of the unique process of blending malted and un-malted barley and distilling in pot-stills, it was actually considered the top quality whiskey in the world pre-prohibition. That’s because then, and now, the majority of people didn’t want stinky peaty malty single malt from Scotland, but instead were looking for a whiskey that’s rich, smooth and easy to drink. Irish Whiskey was the best choice for most consumers before the controversial introduction of grian (column still) production in the 1830s.

Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon #L16H948

A rare 10 year old single barrel bourbon release from Michter’s, created from high grade American corn and aged for 10 years in fire-charred, new American white oak barrels. Produced in limited quantities, bottled at 47.2%.

£138.00

Lucky Bastard Straight Malted Rye Whisky Released

Saskatoon, SK, February 23, 2017 – LB Distillers is pleased and excited to announce the release of their first malt whiskies. Release number 1 is a Lucky Bastard Straight Malted Rye Whisky and release number 2 is a Lucky Bastard Single Malt Whisky. The whiskies will be available exclusively at LB Distillers and exclusively to our customers who entered the Lucky Bastard Whisky Lottery. Given the high anticipation and demand for the very limited supply of our whisky, we thought it best to have customers enter an email lottery allowing the winners a chance to purchase a bottle without having to stand outside in line during a Saskatchewan winter. To enter our Whisky Lottery for upcoming releases, please check out www.luckybastard.ca/whisky-lottery-1

Lucky Bastard whiskies will be bottled as Single Cask offerings in individually numbered bottles. Our first release is a STRAIGHT MALTED RYE WHISKY, distilled and barreled in 2012. This whisky was hand crafted in a very small batch using 100% Saskatchewan grown and malted grains. The mash bill of the first release is 67% malted rye and 33% malted barley. This whisky has aged four years in a charred American white oak barrel and has been bottled at 46% alcohol. It has not been chill filtered to retain all the amazing flavours. Our second release is a traditional SINGLE MALT BARLEY WHISKY, distilled and barreled in 2013. This whisky was also hand crafted in a small batch using 100% Saskatchewan grown and malted grains consisting of 100% malted barley. This whisky has aged 3 years in charred American white oak barrels and has been bottled at 46% alcohol and again it has not been chill filtered to retain all the amazing flavours.

Our whisky program is very diverse currently consisting of 23 styles of whisky each offering a unique experience. The mash bills (recipes) consist of different combinations of a variety of malted cereal grains, different roasts, and some have had local fruits and botanicals added to the initial fermentation. For our whiskies, we do only two distillations in our two copper pot stills. The first distillation is to strip the alcohol from the fermentation, the second to make cuts allowing us to capture only the crème de la crème of the spirit. We only distill to 75% alcohol allowing our spirit to retain all the wonderful notes and flavours of the grains, malt, yeast and esters created in the fermentations. Every barreling will also be unique depending on the style and flavor profile we desire; using once used bourbon barrels, new whisky barrels (with various char profiles), French oak, ex-sherry casks etc. Every release will be small batch, single cask bottlings and will be individually labeled and numbered.

LB Distillers was established in 2010 and opened its doors in 2012. Since that time, we have been handcrafting the world’s finest spirits and liqueurs using locally sourced grains and fruit. We believe in quality over quantity and we won’t bottle it until it is over-proof awesome.

For more information on our distillery and brands check us out online at www.luckybastard.ca

You can also contact Cary Bowman our president of good times at LB Distillers: cary@luckybastard.ca

Diageo, in partnership with Black Tomato, is launching a video series that brings together exclusive travel itineraries and two Diageo brands, Bulleit and George Dickel.  The trip will explore historic American whiskey brands, via the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience and George Dickel Distillery at Cascade Hollow, while exposing customers to the hidden wonders and luxurious hospitality of southern whiskey country.

Black Tomato brings to life the rich American Whiskey culture of Kentucky and Tennessee through new, immersive experiences. Cruise on Willie Nelson’s tour bus from Kentucky to Nashville and get a private tour of the elite Three Chimney’s Racing Stable. All this and more awaits on this lavish deep south adventure. To get a glimpse of this experience, check out these beautifully shot videos made by Studio Black Tomato.

Highlights of the trip include:

• Following an acclaimed lunch at Proof on Main, get chauffeured in a vintage American convertible for the Ultimate Masterclass in bourbon making, paired with a private tasting with the on-site whiskey guru at Stitzel-Weller distillery (Bulleit Frontier Whiskey)

• A hands-on distilling experience in the ‘still house’ for something truly unique and memorable along with an immersive, behind the scenes, all access VIP tour of the distillery

• Travel like a rock star from Kentucky to Nashville (and then on to Cascade Hollow a day later) in your choice of tour bus used by Taylor Swift, Lenny Kravitz, Willie Nelson or Tom Petty, followed by a personal songwriting and recording session with Grammy award-winning writers

• Behind-the-scenes tour, where you will taste the liquid at every stage of the intricate process that goes into making George Dickel Tennessee Whisky
• As evening creeps in at George Dickel, guests will take in the majesty of the mountains via a short private helicopter ride over Cascade Hollow to your final respite, the unparalleled Blackberry Farm, one of America’s most celebrated intimate luxury properties
• Prices range from $3,740PP to $9,538PP including accommodations, experiences, some meals, and transfers, excl. flights

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The Whisky Shop!

March 11th, 12-3PM:

St Patrick’s Day Tasting

Teeling Irish Whisky

For over 230 years, independent bottler Teeling Whiskey has brought choice and breadth to the Irish whiskey category through their small batch releases. Each small batch bottling is the product of hundred year old family traditions and modern innovation, melded together to create flavorsome, interesting, and consistently award-winning products.

Guests will be treated to a variety of expressions, with distillery

representatives and whisky experts on hand to answer questions.

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The inaugural Whisky Mafia post “5 Myths About Scotch Whisky Dispelled” can be read HERE

You can follow the Whisky Mafia on Twitter @thewhiskymafia

The Nth 2017 Master Classes Now on Sale

Universal Whisky Experience, 1621 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001

BULLEIT BOURBON UNITES LOCAL ARTISTS TO CELEBRATE LA’s TATTOO CULTURE

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Creates 35 Ft Tattoo Art Installation in LA 

FEB. 22, 2017 – LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Los Angeles will have a little more ink following the introduction of a new tattoo art installation at 3921 W Sunset Blvd. & Hyperion Ave. to kick off the Bulleit Frontier Works project. This is the first piece in a series of projects Bulleit will commission to celebrate and unite the thriving creative collaborator community in Los Angeles and beyond.

The tattoo, which features Bulleit Frontier Whiskey’s iconic label alongside dozens of LA-inspired tattoo designs, was crafted by 24 tattoo artists who are locals of the Los Angeles area. The artists who contributed are people who have made a serious impact on the LA tattoo community, including Kim Saigh, Charles Belñavis, Henry Lewis, Shawn Barber and Jason Schroder. Each artist was given a section of the installation’s canvas to design and as a result every illustration carefully portrays Los Angeles in a way that is unique and personal to each artist. The tattooists selected to be part of this collaboration have collectively been in the industry for more than 100 years and have drawn thousands of tattoos that have adorned the people who roam the streets of Los Angeles and cross the globe.

“Tattooing is an art form that takes years of practice to perfect,” says tattoo artist Christina Ramos. “I was honored when Bulleit approached me to help create this, as tattoos are so relevant in LA’s culture. Tattoos are typically permanent, lifelong commitments so when I was asked to be a part of this group I knew we needed to come together to create something special that really personified and paid homage to the soul of our city that would leave a lasting impression.”

The Bulleit Frontier Works sign, located in the Silverlake neighborhood, is an incredible mix of design and artistic ability that took the tattooists more than 90 hours to design and create. Flanking Bulleit’s bourbon logo are more than 24 separate etchings that were inspired by the Los Angeles vibe including favorite local food trucks, views of the LA skyline, depictions of the beach scene and tributes to the Los Angeles movie industry.

“Bulleit gave me a lot of creative freedom when designing my piece of leather for the installation,” said Nathan Kostechko, one of the tattoo artists participating in the collaboration. “The group of tattooists brought the project to life beautifully and I hope it makes people smile when they pass by.”

The Bulleit Frontier Works program will continue with another art installation in Los Angeles this spring before branching out to other cities around the country. The program aims to unite and celebrate the makers, artists and entrepreneurs who dedicate their lives to pushing the boundaries of the cultural frontier. Bulleit, a whiskey founded by Tom Bulleit who abandoned a successful law career to fulfill a lifelong dream of reviving his family’s century old high rye bourbon recipe, chose to launch in Los Angeles based on the relations made with bartenders, partners and friends who’ve embraced the whiskey so much that LA is now Bulleit’s bestselling market.

“From our partners at Coolhaus Ice Cream in Culver City to our friends at WeWork Santa Monica to dozens of bartenders we’ve known for years opening up fantastic new cocktail spots, LA is our kind of place,” said Bulleit Brand Director Ed Bello. “The kind of place where people who’ve been stirred by the frontier can unite to accomplish amazing things.”

To celebrate the installation, Bulleit will host the artists, press and members of the community at a private event thanking them for their support and appreciation of the tattoo industry. The event will allow guests to enjoy delicious Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye cocktails responsibly – a message also featured prominently on the sign.

About Bulleit Frontier Whiskey

The Bulleit Distilling Co. was founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, whose Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by a family tradition. Bulleit Rye, a straight rye whiskey, was added to the portfolio in 2011 to critical acclaim, and the brand’s third variant, Bulleit Bourbon 10-Years Old, was introduced in 2013. Bulleit whiskeys use a large amount of rye grain, which gives them their distinctive bold, spicy taste. Bulleit ranks as one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America, which Tom largely credits to word of mouth recommendations. In 2014, Bulleit broke ground on a new $115 million distillery located in Shelby County, Ky., anticipated to be operational by early 2017. Guests are invited to learn more about the past, present and future of Bulleit by visiting the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller in Louisville, Ky., a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com/.

About Diageo 

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.  Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com/. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.drinkiq.com/, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.  Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Glen Elgin 14 Year Old | Christmas 1990

A very rare and collectable bottle of Glen Elgin, released Christmas 1990 by previous owners, United Distillers. A 14 year old scotch that was only made available to staff & employees.

County Speyside Distillery Glen Elgin Age 14 Bottler Distillery Bottling Bottle Size 75cl ABV (Strength)43 Bottling Date 1990

£690.00

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Wednesday March 8th 11-3PM:

The Exclusive Malts 

Independent bottlers The Exclusive Malts bring their award winning and rare collections for one in-store tasting!

As an independent bottler, The Exclusive Malts works with a variety of distilleries to produce rare and award-winning drams from all over the world. As such, they’ve bottled 85 different distilleries so far and netted consistently high ratings and awards, the most recent being a 2016 “Best Blended Whisky” award from the International Spirits Competition. 

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