We’re very pleased to present the 2025 Victoria Whisky Festival. The Victoria Whisky Festival will run through Thursday the 16^th, Friday the 17^th, Saturday the 18^th and Sunday the 19^th of January 2025 at the 5-star Hotel Grand Pacific located on Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. To order tickets please contact Frank Hudson at info@victoriawhiskyfestival.com

With the goal of bringing you the highest quality spirits at the best possible prices, this selection wows with both value and rarity. Featuring single barrel Scotch and Bourbon from some of the world’s most historic and renowned distilleries under the K&L Exclusives label, a 12-year-old single malt from Suntory, and a bottled-in-bond 16-year-old from quintessential American distiller Hotlings, these bottles are highly collectible and completely gift-worthy—especially for those who seem to already have it all!

2008 Port Dundas 15 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) $54.99 View

2007 Glengoyne 16 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (700ml) $109.99 View

Blue Run “K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $139.99 View

Suntory “Yamazaki” 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $159.99 View

2005 Secret Orkney (Highland Park) 19 YO “Signatory” K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A63 #28 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $179.99 View

Hotalings 16 Year Old “Old Potrero” Bottled In Bond Single Malt Rye Whiskey (700ml) $179.99 View

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

Douglas Laing’s Gift Guide

Big Peat Anniversary

This exceptional Islay Whisky Blended Malt, matured in hand-selected Red Wine Casks, is more than a bottle – it’s a story. Presented in a beautifully crafted, gift-ready carton, it’s designed to delight with 15 discoverable insights about Big Peat, the Isle of Islay, and the artistry behind this unique Whisky. Whether for seasoned collectors or first-time Whisky explorers, it’s the ultimate way to share the spirit of Islay.

Discover Remarkable Regional Malts – limited-edition whiskies celebrating Scotland’s finest regions. Thoughtful, unique, and gift-ready, they’re perfect for sharing the warmth of the season.

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THE MACALLAN
A NIGHT ON EARTH JEREZ

70cl | 43% ABV

A Night on Earth in Jerez is inspired by New Year’s Eve in the home of Sherry wine, Jerez de la Frontera. Here, the celebration goes by a different name – Nochevieja, the “Old Night” – and is full of meaning and tradition. This limited-edition release is matured in exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks, and evokes the nostalgic flavours of home to make it the perfect gift for someone you love. This limited edition single malt whisky was created in collaboration with acclaimed Jerez-born artist Maria Melero.

£104.95

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TASTING NOTES:

Nose
Honey coated Pestiños, sweet raisins, cinnamon, anise, rich oak & vibrant citrus.

Palate
Sweet pastry, white grapes, honey glazed almonds, vanilla, balanced spices and hints of fresh rosemary.

Finish
Sweet, vibrant and warming.

ralfy review 1085 Extras – Recalibrating our ‘malt-mission’ for another year.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Announces

New Board Officers & Directors

2025 BOARD READIES SIGNATURE INDUSTRY FOR GLOBAL GROWTH, CHALLENGES

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) today announced that Ken Lewis has been elected Chair of the 144-year-old non-profit trade group that unites, promotes, and protects the signature Kentucky Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling, will begin his term as Chair beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and will serve through December 2025. He succeeds Jessica Pendergrass, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill Distilleries, who is finishing her second turn as Chair.

“It is an honor to serve as Chair of the KDA. I’m proud to have been a part of all the work KDA has done over the years to grow our industry into a $9 billion economic engine,” said Lewis, who retired this year as President and CEO of New Riff and is now its Operating Owner.

“As I enter this new leadership role, I have eyes wide open to the opportunities and challenges our industry will face in the coming months and years. We’ve always found success when we work together as one distilling family, and I look forward to building upon that legacy.”

KDA President Eric Gregory, who is finishing his 17th year leading the historic organization, said he looks forward to working alongside Lewis and the entire Board as they continue to build upon the strategic plan to strengthen the KDA as the Worldwide Voice for Bourbon™.

“We are blessed to have a visionary and engaged Board of Directors that has perfectly positioned the KDA and our members to confidently advocate for Kentucky Bourbon and American Whiskey on a global scale,” Gregory said.

“This coming year will bring many opportunities and challenges for our signature spirit. With Ken leading our dynamic Board of Directors, we are poised to elevate Kentucky Bourbon even further across the world, both as a leading beverage and a thriving tourism behemoth.”

Alongside Lewis, the Board also named Gigi DaDan, General Manager of Louisville Distilling Co., as Vice Chair; Kaveh Zamanian, Founder, Whiskey Maker & CEO of Rabbit Hole Distillery, as Secretary; and Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus at Brown Forman Corp. as Treasurer.

Other Board officers include Pendergrass as the Immediate Past Chair; Wally Dant, President and Distiller of Log Still Distillery, representing “Proof” level members; and Jeremy Buchanan, CEO and Owner of Hartfield & Co., representing “Craft” level members.

Other Board members for 2025 include:

·     Bardstown Bourbon Co.: Mark Erwin, President and CEO

·     Castle & Key Distillery: Will Arvin, Co-Founder

·     Diageo North America: Antoine Smith, Vice President of Distillation and Maturation North America

·     Four Roses Distillery: Ryan Ashley, Chief Operations Officer

·     Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.: Robert G. Downing III, Senior Corporate Counsel

·     Lux Row Distillers: Erika Lapish, Vice President of Human Resources

·     Michter’s Distillery: Andrea Wilson, Chief Operating Officer & Master of Maturation

·     Suntory Global Spirits: Crady deGolian, Director of Public Affairs

·     Whiskey House of Kentucky: David Mandell, Co-Founder and CEO

·     Wild Turkey Distillery: Marco Barassi, Campari Government Relations and Sustainability Director, North America

·     Willett Distillery: Britt Kulsveen, President

·     White Dog Trading & Storage: Tyler Harris, President

About Ken Lewis: 

Ken Lewis of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a spirits expert and groundbreaking policy leader, Lewis graduated college as a trained English teacher, but left shortly into his young career for the world of spirits retail. He championed efforts for Sunday sales and initiated litigation that allowed retailers to use credit cards for sales, eventually building The Party Source megastore, the first of its kind in the country. Learning the industry from the bottom up, Lewis brought innovation and entrepreneurship as the founder of New Riff Distilling in Northern Kentucky, paving the way for the craft Bourbon boom that now counts dozens of Kentucky distilleries.

New Riff Distilling joined the KDA in 2014 and became a Heritage member in 2024. Lewis has served on the KDA Board since 2020 and this year served as the Vice Chair. Since 2022, he has served on the KDA’s Government Affairs Advisory Group and the KDA’s Bourbon Trail PAC Committee. He also has served on the Boards of Directors at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, and MeetNKY.

“This coming year will bring many opportunities and challenges for our signature spirit. With Ken leading our dynamic Board of Directors, we are poised to elevate Kentucky Bourbon even further across the world, both as a leading beverage and a thriving tourism behemoth.”

— Eric Gregory, KDA President

 Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

The Bourbon State: Challenges Mount Amid Record Production & Landmark Barrel Inventories

Bourbon Industry Breaks Barrel Records As It Fights Headwinds That Could Disrupt Trajectory

FRANKFORT, KY.— The looming return of retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskey is threatening the unprecedented growth of the Commonwealth’s signature distilling industry, which is now aging a record 14.3 million barrels of Bourbon, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm globally that the threat of returning retaliatory tariffs on spirits – which have swept Kentucky Bourbon into trade disputes unrelated to whiskey – will disrupt growth, cost American jobs, jeopardize investment, and hurt local economies across the Commonwealth.

The European Union is set to reinstate tariffs on exports of American spirits at a crippling 50% rate in March if nothing is done. Retaliatory tariffs from the E.U. and other countries have cost Kentucky Bourbon a half-billion dollars in exports since 2018.

“Bourbon continues to drive Kentucky’s economy as our homegrown industry is generating more jobs, more payroll, more tax revenue, more tourists and more distilleries in more counties than ever before,” said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“But we are up against a triple threat of back-breaking tariffs, snowballing taxes and shifts in consumer trends that have slowed sales. If tariffs targeting American Whiskey are levied, distillery workers, farmers, truckers, coopers, hospitality staff and entire industries that depend on Bourbon will suffer.”

Gregory said the KDA understands that trade is a complicated issue and tariffs are an effective tool in some circumstances. “However, as proud American manufacturers, we are concerned about the potential retaliation that could impact our products,” he said.

“As the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon, it’s the KDA’s job to make sure decision-makers across the globe understand the far-reaching impact of the Bourbon economy and how American jobs would be lost if we continue to get dragged into unrelated trade wars.”

The new numbers released are based on inventories reported as of Jan. 1, 2024. Submitted to the Kentucky Department of Revenue for tax purposes, the numbers represent all distilling companies in Kentucky, the vast majority of which are KDA member distilleries.

As the barrel inventory has skyrocketed, so have the taxes on those aging barrels – more than doubling in the last five years alone. Since 2009, taxes on aging spirits have soared more than 450% and continue to escalate at an unsustainable rate.

To counteract the mounting tax issue that puts distillers at a competitive disadvantage, legislators passed a law last year that will phase out the barrel tax over 20 years, while protecting funds for schools, fire departments and EMS districts, and giving local governments time to plan and diversify their tax bases.

“With an eye on building a strong Kentucky for generations to come, we are grateful that the pro-growth Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 5 to put our signature Bourbon industry on a level playing field with all other states and countries that do not levy such a discriminatory fee,” said Ashli Watts, President of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Newly-elected KDA Board Chair Ken Lewis said the industry will have to carefully navigate tariffs, taxes and other challenges in the coming years to ensure growth is sustainable for all distilleries, both large and small.

“We’re eager to continue telling the story of Kentucky Bourbon and find solutions with governments around the world that will protect jobs, investments and livelihoods back here at home,” said Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling and a recent inductee into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame®.

“Global trade has helped spirits of all kinds reach new markets, and while international Bourbon curiosity has grown tremendously, it’s not the only spirit people are turning to,” he said. “As governments work through disputes, the Bourbon industry wants to do all it can to keep spirits out of the line of fire.”

Gregory said inflation and changing consumer trends also have implications for the future. “It’s no secret that our industry is experiencing a slowdown in sales and still working to recover from the pandemic and the last round of tariffs. We are clawing back, but all these challenges are real and come with success.

“Kentucky Bourbon has gone global, more barrels are aging than ever before, and distillers have big plans for the future,” Gregory said. “The one thing we know is that at every turn in history, good things follow when Kentucky distillers are unburdened and allowed to focus on making great whiskey.”

“We are up against a triple threat of back-breaking tariffs, snowballing taxes and shifts in consumer trends that have slowed sales. If tariffs targeting American Whiskey are levied, distillery workers, farmers, truckers, coopers, hospitality staff and entire industries that depend on Bourbon will suffer.”

— Eric Gregory, KDA President

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

Our December 2024 Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from 7pm (BST) Friday 20th December until 7pm (BST) Sunday 5th January 2025.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Bowmore – 52 Year Old (ARC-52)

Springbank – 50 Year Old (Millennium Limited Edition) 75cl

Lagavulin – 12 Year Old (White Horse, 1970s)

Karuizawa – 35 Year Old (1981) Single Cask #8223

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Earlier this year we were delighted to welcome our friend Olivier Arnold on another visit to the Isle of Harris where he spent time in our Ardhasiag warehouses sampling spirit.

After much enjoyable deliberation he eventually selected the cask #1612 to create the very first Swiss Single Cask release for his home country. He tells us…

‘Over 8 years ago, the foundation stone was laid for our joint journey with the Isle of Harris Distillery. The launch of the first Swiss Single Cask marks another milestone in our collaboration and we are both proud and humbled to be part of the history of the distillery. We’re delighted to be able to contribute to the goals and sustainable success of the Isle of Harris’ distillery in this way.’

This Hearach Single Cask offering has been bottled at 60.7% ABV with a total of 249 bottles and has been exclusively made for Orakei boutique distributors and importers.

This special dram was officially launched during the Whisky & Music Festival in November and is now available in Switzerland via www.harrisdistillery.ch and with selected Swiss retailers for CHF 134 per bottle.

ORDER IN SWITZERLAND