Inspired by our latest whisky release, I left Harris for the home of sherry wine to wander around the towns and cities of Andalusia in south-west Spain.

It’s an incredible part of the world and the contrasts and comparisons with our island came thick and fast.

Steeped in history, the influences of religion run deep and their culture has been shaped by generations of conquests and conflict. Even the Vikings who left their mark on the village names of Harris have had a hand in Andalusian affairs…

The locals’ love of good food and drink, moreso when shared with friends and family, shone through, as did an approach to life lived at a more appreciative pace.

And then there was the music and dance, with the spirit of Flamenco flowing through their veins and a deep love of unaccompanied song and cèilidh-style celebrations…

While the jury’s still out on whether the Hebridean midge is worse than the Spanish mosquito, the weather is where we really differ however.

The sun-baked and summer-bleached colours of their landscapes could not be more different to our own, though both shared the same stark beauty.

Wherever you find yourself this weekend, seek out a bottle of The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured whisky and open to enjoy a taste of this wonderful corner of the globe, and its sherry region in particular.

We hope the rich, bold, and aromatic flavours will connect you not just to our home in Harris but to the men and women, from Jerez to Huelva, who helped us make it.

Slàinte / Salud!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

In the far south-western corner of Spain lies the ancient region of Andalusia. Here among hot and dusty hills of Huelva, the men and women of sherry-makers José y Miguel Martín ‘cooper’ casks with age-old craft and care before they are filled by their wineries in Jerez.

We first visited this historic part of world back in 2015 to begin our relationship with this highly respected family business. The ‘first fill’ Oloroso casks they select for us are now used to 100% mature our second whisky expression here in Harris bringing rich, bold, and aromatic flavours to our spirit.

Expect aromas of cinnamon, and cloves, alongside notes of charred oranges, white chocolate, green herbs, and hints of wood smoke. It’s an utterly delicious dram designed for drinking this coming season.

Order your bottle and open to discover more…

ORDER THE HEARACH OLOROSO

Whisky truly comes into its own in at this time of year as the nights draw in and spirits soar. The four bottlings in our new Winter Series are all about toasting the spirit of the ceilidh, a season of tale-telling, song-singing, and poetry. Dancing optional!

We’re releasing a limited number of Winter Series sets today, and you’ll also be able to purchase each bottle individually as we head through the season.

Don’t miss your chance to share the spirit of the season!

SHOP THE SET

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 547: Caol Ila 2012 for Whivie’s 15^th Anniversary

On October 28, 2009, Mark’s website and blog were born. That’s 15 years ago, and it deserves a celebration! Those who know Mark a bit might guess that he long hesitated between an Auchentoshan and a Caol Ila, but when this cask crossed his path about half a year ago, the die was cast. Very pale, clean, and maritime, it captivated him from the very first sip. Limited to 100 bottles. Here’s to the next 15 years!

Douglas Laing unveils Double Barrel India & Scotland

Douglas Laing is incredibly excited to announce their first-ever combination of Indian and Scottish Single Malt under the Double Barrel brand—a perfect marriage of expertly selected Single Malts from two very different continents, creating a unique Blended Malt Whisky with a flavour profile never seen before.

This exclusive offering has been bottled at 50% ABV, with no more than 2,000 bottles available globally, highlighting the premium, high-quality product that Douglas Laing strives to create with every release. This limited edition provides layers of extraordinary flavour by marrying tradition with innovation.

Double Barrel India & Scotland features a hand-drawn illustration presenting both countries’ national animals—a testament to the contrast created in this special bottle—depicting one half as a Royal Bengal Tiger, the national animal of India, and the other as a Unicorn, the national animal of Scotland. The Bengal Tiger represents heritage and culture, while the Unicorn symbolises strength and purity.

This release offers customers a rare, exciting, and truly unmatched Blended Malt Whisky. Expect to experience notes of citrus, spice, and barley that intertwine with deep, pronounced peat smoke—a truly special product that Douglas Laing are thrilled to release.

Key Details:

• Presented as bottle only with hand-drawn illustration
• 50% ABV
• No colouring or chill-filtration

Commenting on this unique bottling, Chloe Wood, Double Barrel Brand Manager, said:

“The Double Barrel brand has offered several unique bottlings to date, and Double Barrel India & Scotland only adds further quality to the range. This release, which combines four single casks—two from India and two from Scotland—creates a symphony of flavours, a tale of two distinct terroirs, and a dram to be savoured.”

Double Barrel India & Scotland will be available from specialist Whisky retailers globally, plus online retailers from October 2024. It carries a suggested retail price of £75.00/€89.00.

Double Barrel

Double Barrel is designed to pique the interest of Whisky enthusiasts searching for something truly unique.

The creation of Double Barrel is a manifestation of our commitment to captivating the discerning palates of Whisky enthusiasts in search of an unparalleled and genuinely unique experience. While the term “Blend” is applied out of necessity, it scarcely encapsulates the depth and complexity that define these remarkable creations.

This award-winning dram stands as a testament to the artistry of whisky-making, offering a rich tapestry of flavours that captivate the senses and elevate the Whisky-drinking experience to new heights.

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Welcomes Fall with New Whiskey Offerings

Fall Spiced “Bourbon 31” and Custom Halloween Bottles Promise No Tricks, Just Treats

FRANKFORT, KY (Sept, 2024) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is debuting scary-good whiskies this fall, with its first fall spiced Bourbon 31 Blended Bourbon and the ability to customize your own whiskey for your Halloween festivities through its J. Mattingly 1845 craft your bottle program. 

Bourbon 31 Blended Bourbon is a play on the brand’s Bourbon 30 Bourbon brand and this limited-edition release was created for the Halloween season.  Bourbon 31 is a blend of three whiskies which have all undergone J. Mattingly 1845’s Double Staving™ process and the blend consists of 51 percent Bourbon, 29 percent Light Whiskey and 20 percent Rye Whiskey.  Double Staving is a proprietary process used by J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery that gives the whiskey inside the barrels additional surface exposure to charred barrel staves to impart more flavor and color.  The Double Staved Classic Bourbon used in this blend has just scored a 96 from famed Whiskey Bible author Jim Murray. 

The Bourbon 31 Blended Bourbon was created by J. Mattingly 1845’s team of expert blenders to reflect the flavors typically associated with fall.  “When we blended these three whiskies, we were looking for a flavor profile that reflects flavors typically associated with fall, such as pumpkin and cinnamon while matching the light-hearted fun we’re having by changing the brand name from Bourbon 30 to Bourbon 31 to celebrate the Halloween season,” said Harry Richart, president, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. 

Tasting notes for this bourbon describe it as having a nose of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and walnut, with the flavors of brown sugar, cinnamon, and fall baking spices on the palate. On the finish, pumpkin bread, baker’s chocolate and seasoned oak are prevalent. 

Bourbon 31 is available online and at the J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, KY.  Suggested retail pricing is $60 for a 750 mL and it is 98 proof. 

J. Mattingly 1845 Custom Whiskey Program is the “Choose Your Own Adventure” of the whiskey world by allowing the buyer to choose between double staved™ bourbon, light whiskey or rye whiskey recipes, select their bottle shape, customize their own label, and even choose their own wax color from every color of the rainbow! This program is available online and in person at the Distillery and can result in some frighteningly fun labels and Halloween-themed wax colors. 

Pricing for the custom bottles start at $120 for a 750 mL bottle and shipping is available to 46 states. 

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery 

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2. 

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together father and son offer their proprietary double staving process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com. 

SAZERAC COMPANY AND BLOCKBAR TO HOST ONLINE AUCTION OF RARE AND COVETED SPIRITS WITH EVERY DOLLAR RAISED BENEFITING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR HURRICANES MILTON AND HELENE

Auction will be “no reserve” and feature some of Sazerac’s most-prized spirits including Double Eagle Very Rare, The Last Drop, BTAC, and a variety of complete sets of fan favorite bourbons such as Weller, E.H. Taylor, 1792 and more

LOUISVILLE, KY (October 24, 2024) – Sazerac Company today announces it will hold an online auction of some of its most-prized and highly-coveted spirits to raise funds for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene. In partnership with BlockBar, a global marketplace offering access to some of the world’s most sought-after bottles, barrels and casks, Sazerac will be auctioning a variety of individual bottles and collections from its top distilleries and brands, including Buffalo Trace Distillery, The Last Drop Distillers, Barton 1792 Distillery, and A. Smith Bowman Distillery. The auction can be viewed at BLOCK BAR SAZERAC HURRICANE RELIEF CHARITY AUCTION.

In late September, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm sweeping across the Southeast leaving behind catastrophic damage. The storm caused devastating floods in Western North Carolina and surrounding areas and led to the loss of more than 200 lives. Not long after, Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s Tampa Bay area causing flooding and widespread power outages.

“Our hearts go out to the families and communities affected by these devastating storms,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “Our goal is to help aid the Hurricanes Milton and Helene recovery efforts in cities and states most impacted by the storms. Every dollar raised will go directly to those in need.  We thank the American Red Cross for everything they do.”

“We are honoured to partner with Sazerac for this charity auction supporting the relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene,” says Dov Falic, Blockbar CEO & Co-Founder. “This represents a unique opportunity for our community to acquire exceptional bottles some of the finest spirits from Sazerac’s esteemed distilleries and brands, while also providing an opportunity for our community to make a meaningful impact during a time of need. We invite all whiskey enthusiasts and collectors to join us in this effort and help support those affected by the hurricanes.”

As part of the auction, a combination of rare and highly coveted Sazerac products will be available, including spirits sold individually as well as lineups of fan favorites sold as sets. To encourage maximum engagement from the worldwide spirits community, the auction will be run as a “no reserve” auction with the starting bid for each bottle or collection beginning at $100.

The full list of spirits available include:

Individual Bottles:

1. Double Eagle Very Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon
2. The Last Drop Release 28: Drew Mayville Signature Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys
3. The Last Drop Release 32: Louise McGuane 32-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
4. The Last Drop Release 33: 15th Anniversary 40-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Bourbon Sets:

1. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

1. • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
   • Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. Buffalo Trace Distillery Premium Bottle Collection: 

1. • Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel Bourbon
   • Blanton’s Straight from The Barrel
   • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. W.L. Weller Bourbon Collection: 

1. • W.L. Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection: 

1. • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. 1792 Bourbon Collection 

1. • 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Aged 12 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Sweet Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Collection

1. • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #1
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #2
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #3

The auction goes live October 24^th at 10AM EST and runs through November 1^st at 10AM EST. Details on the auction and how to bid can be found HERE. All proceeds from the online auction will go toward the American Red Cross to aid in their Hurricanes Milton and Helene disaster relief efforts.

About Sazerac Company

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world.

Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

About BlockBar

BlockBar enables the wine and spirits community to buy, store, sell, gift, and ship the highest quality wines and spirits, sourced directly from producers and authenticated via blockchain. Our team has access to the world’s most sought-after bottles, barrels, and casks, many of which are unique to BlockBar. These are released on the platform through various sales mechanics, with many including immersive events and unique experiences. Underwritten by the power of blockchain, BlockBar guarantees provenance and authenticity so users can safely build their collections. Despite its cutting-edge approach, BlockBar’s roots stretch back decades. BlockBar was launched in October 2021 by cousins Dov and Sam, who are an active part of the family-owned Falic Group, a network founded in 2001 that today comprises over 50 businesses including Duty Free Americas, the largest duty-free operation in the Americas.

Speyburn Whisky Unveils Brand Refresh

Speyburn single malt Scotch whisky has unveiled a brand refresh, marking the next exciting chapter for the 126-year-old distillery located in the iconic whisky region of Speyside, Scotland.

As part of a significant investment into the brand, Speyburn has introduced vibrant new packaging across its portfolio with a more premium look. Speyburn’s complete collection will carry the striking new design, initially rolling out across its widely distributed entry and mid-range products before being introduced across higher-aged expressions later this year.

Informed by consumer insight, both Speyburn’s primary and secondary packaging have undergone a refresh to replace the brand’s existing look. The new primary packaging labels highlight the flavour cues of each whisky with embossed labelling for a more premium feel, while Speyburn’s proprietary bottle remains. The distillery’s pagoda-shaped roof is also prominent on both the bottle and outer pack alongside the year Speyburn was founded, 1897, as a nod to the provenance of this iconic distillery.

The secondary packaging, with a bright, eye-catching colour palette, more prominent branding and graphics conveying key flavour attributes, allows for greater visibility on shelf. Illustrations at the bottom of the outer pack capturing the cask finish of each expression along with details of the cask finish story on the rear side of pack are sure to be welcomed by those new to the world of whisky and seasoned whisky enthusiasts alike.

To accompany the new look, Speyburn has also undertaken work on the pack copy, opting for a simpler tone which better communicates Speyburn’s accessible taste profile and makes decision making easier for consumers. The popular Bradan Orach has also been renamed ‘Speyburn Bourbon Cask’, with this new identity believed to better resonate with whisky fans and make it easier for consumers to navigate the brand’s portfolio.

To round off the refreshed collection, the revamp also sees a brand-new expression introduced to Speyburn’s portfolio, ‘Speyburn Rum Cask Finish’. In a first for the brand, Speyburn has rested its Scotch whisky in rum casks, for an innovative take on Speyburn while retaining the accessible flavour profile that this award-winning whisky is renowned for.

Jack Cook-Broussine, Speyburn Brand Manager, said: “We have introduced a complete brand refresh across Speyburn in line with our commitment to invest in this brand. Speyburn has always prioritised simplicity, taste and quality, so we wanted the new packaging and collection to reflect this. Having listened to our consumers, Speyburn’s new look will make it easier for shoppers to understand what we have to offer as well as attracting a new wave of Speyburn fans as we continue to grow this brand in markets around the world.’

Nick Cadbury, Creative Director at threebrand, the design agency behind Speyburn’s new look, commented: ‘The whisky category Speyburn targets is very competitive and has seen a visual transition from more contemporary design plays to attract a less experienced consumer. We aimed to take the core brand DNA and represent it with the right balance of accessibility, provenance and stand out. We’re very excited with the result.’

Speyburn is a classic single malt with a taste profile traditional of the Speyside region. The refresh follows on from the distillery permanently opening its doors to the public for the first time in 2023 as the brand continues to grow and enter new markets.

Ranging in price from £25 to £35, the refreshed Speyburn Bourbon Cask, Speyburn Rum Cask Finish and Speyburn 10 Years Old will be available from 23rd May 2024 in the UK via Amazon, and thereafter, there will be a phased global rollout.

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

(700ml)(European Import)

$195.00 View

David Othenin-Girard
K&L Buyer

While we’re committed to offering rare bourbon at standard mark up, we’re also not blind to the fact that the market is on fire for these special products. While our competitors charge north of $150 for the standard expression of Blanton’s, we’re still only asking $55. That’s while it can feel so hard to get some of these rare bourbons at K&L. So when the opportunity came up to purchase these re-imported stocks, I insisted that we do so in a fair an equitable way. Of course we could charge $400 a bottle for this special bourbon and likely still sell most of it, but it just goes against my ethos of what a great wine and spirits store should be for their customers. So while these stocks are above standard price for this US version of this product, they’re being offered at our standard mark up, well below market price. It’s a small price to pay for access to these special stocks, especially when considering what the market seems to be comfortable charging for the standard release. In any case, this is dang good bourbon and never disappoints. Like all Blanton’s it’s aged in the famous warehouse H and is the high rye mashbill. This bottle is drawn from barrel No. 397, which was dumped on February 7th of 2022 and bottled at 63.05%. Your bottle will almost certainly be different, so please be aware of the unique character of each barrel. The nose is absolutely explosive with rich aromas of caramel sauce, orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cherry compote and vibrant woody spice. The palate starts extremely sweet and creamy before the rye and barrel spice begin to wallop the mid-palate. The intense spice and old school woody character balances the heavy woody sugars perfectly and while exhibiting plenty of the Kentucky Hug that bourbon lovers enjoy, it doesn’t feel burn-y or ethanol like at all. The long chewy palate gives way to a rich oxidative finish full of nutty sweet chocolate and dried red fruits. A few drops of water add more fruit and tame the spice a bit, but I like this best right out of the bottle. There’s no question that the price of entry on this one is high, but if you’re prepared to spend this kind of dough on any other modern bourbon this should be a contender for top dog!

From Buffalo Trace Distillery, Blanton’s holds the distinction of being the world’s first regularly released single-barrel bourbon. This exceptional brand was launched in 1984 and named for the legendary leaders of that historic distillery outside of Frankfurt, Albert B. Blanton. The brand, which is produced and distributed by Sazerac at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is owned by the previous owners of the distillery, a Japanese company called Age International. Over the last several years, Blanton’s has become one of the most sought-after and inaccessible whiskies on the market. This, their rarest and most elusive expression, is previously completely unobtainable. For instance, in 2021 K&L was allocated a measly 3 bottles company wide. Now that new regulations allow 700ml bottles to be sold, another channel is open for us to obtain this special whiskey. Each barrel is different, bottled at full cask strength without chill filtration of any kind. Proofs range from 115-135 proof and cask numbers cannot be checked in advance of purchase. This rare expression is truly one of Kentucky’s finest.

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

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

This fourth release in the Harmony Collection, we focus on our own area of expertise and mastery which is represented by oak. Oak runs through every facet of The Macallan and our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.

LEARN MORE

The Good Dram Show – Episode 570 ‘Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2)’

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of releases in batch 2 of the Brave New Spirits Whisky Heroes Series. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 570 – Agent Ivy Takes On The Blazing Mutant..!

Filmed in The Revamped Study Nottingham

Featuring

Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Agent Ivy In Cadiz’ Blair Athol 2011 (13 year old) 55.9%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Gathering on the Seven Hills’ Glendullan 2009 (15 year old) 55.1%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – The Relic Of The Shore’ Inchgower 2012 (12 year old) 51.2%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) –Peatfire Paladin’ Caol Ila 2012 (12 year old) 53.6%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Blazing Mystery’ North British 2011 (13 year old) 58.6%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Rise of the Ardphroaig Mutant’ Ardmore 2013 (10 year old) 55.9%

BRAVE NEW SPIRITS