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Equinox & Solstice Autumn 2024
Our Equinox & Solstice Autumn 2024 edition launched recently—an 11-year-old Caol Ila single malt packed with salty sherry, deep smoke, and a savoury finish. Due to a technical glitch, it was briefly out of sight on the webshop, but it’s back now. Grab a bottle while you can!
1986 Redacted Bros (Thompson Bros) 38 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $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
The Distillers One of One ® Auction Returns in 2025:
A Whisky Industry Collaboration of Creativity, Craft and Charity
One of the most exciting events in the global Scotch Whisky calendar, the Distillers One of One ® Charity Auction, in partnership with Sotheby’s, will be returning to Hopetoun House in Scotland for its third instalment in one year’s time, on 10th October 2025.
This special event, which sees collectors of fine and rare whisky from around the world gather for the opportunity to own a truly unique piece of liquid history, has so far broken 37 auction records globally: 19 in 2023 and 18 in 2021.
Unlike other auctions in the rare spirits categories, 100% of the hammer price from the auction goes directly to charity, principally to the Youth Action Fund, with £4.3million raised so far to help transform the lives of disadvantaged young people in Scotland.
With over 35 confirmed donors so far, including some exciting new entrants (full list below), collectors from around the world are already anticipating the reveal of the 2025 lots. The lots themselves are created from across the breadth of the Scotch Whisky industry, with 43 donors having taken part to date. Each lot is a coveted, one-of-a-kind creation that has never been available previously, and is often created in partnership with an artist or master craftsman to ensure a truly spectacular final product, offering a unique opportunity for not only collectors of ultra rare whisky, but collectors of art and luxury goods as well.
“For Suntory Global Spirits, the Distillers One of One ® is not just a highlight of our calendar, it’s an opportunity to unite in a shared purpose,” says Cain Hayward-Hughes – Senior Global Creative Manager Prestige Malts at Suntory Global Spirits. “There is something truly special about coming together with our peers to craft these unique expressions. It is a singular opportunity to showcase the rarest and most valuable of whiskies, and to celebrate our industry — all while improving the lives of those who most need support and encouragement.”
Bidders from 21 countries globally have participated so far, with the vast majority of lots being won on the day by buyers who were present at Hopetoun House, to experience the groundbreaking auction in person.
With over 2,000 young people having been engaged through the programme so far, and over 1,380 whose life chances have been transformed, The Distillers One of One ® demonstrates the power of what can be achieved when the industry and its associates collaborate.
“We’re thrilled that over thirty-five companies have already confirmed their participation in the 2025 Auction, reflecting both the success of our past Distillers One of One auctions and the dedication these brands have to supporting our charitable cause,” says Beanie Geraedts-Espey, MD of Distillers One of One. “We’ve had a glimpse of some of the lots in progress, and we’re incredibly excited – and deeply grateful – for the remarkable thought, craftsmanship, and time poured into these extraordinary creations.”
Key returning sponsors for the 2025 auction include Glencairn Crystal, Mclaren Packaging and Simpsons Malt.
About the Distillers One of One ® Auction
The Distillers One of One® Auction is a biennial series of ultra-rare whisky auctions. The Auctions have raised a total of £4.3 million for charitable purposes since 2021 and uniquely, 100% of the fundraising goes to grant making, with 90% of that amount going to the Youth Action Fund and 10% going to The Distillers’ Charity for its general charitable purposes.
With a total of eighty-one unique lots created across the past two auctions, the Distillers One of One® has earned its reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for collectors. Each lot is imbued with the spirit of craftsmanship and exclusivity, representing the pinnacle of Scotch whisky. No two bottles are the same, and no lot will ever be recreated – a powerful draw for the most discerning collectors.
The Distillers One of One is a trading name of The Distillers’ Ventures Limited, a company registered in England & Wales under company number 13264121 and registered office at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT
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Current confirmed donors for Distillers One of One ® 2025:
Adelphi – Ardnamurchan
Arbikie Distillery
Artisanal – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Atom Brands – That Boutique-y Whisky Co.
Bacardi – John Dewar & Sons
Ballindalloch Distillery
Beam Suntory
Berry Bros & Rudd
Bladnoch Distillery
Borders Distillery
Brown Forman
Campari – The Glen Grant
Coachbuilt
Diageo
Gleann Mòr
Greenwood – Ardross
House of Hazelwood
Hunter Laing – Ardnahoe
Ian MacLeod
InchDairnie
International Beverage – Old Pulteney
J & G Grant – Glenfarclas
La Martiniquaise – Glen Moray
Lindores Abbey
Livingstone
Loch Lomond Group
Morrison Distillers
Pernod Ricard
R&B Distillers – Isle of Raasay
Remy Cointreau – Bruichladdich
The Last Drop
Whyte & Mackay
William Grant & Sons
Young Spirits – Ferg & Harris
One of One® and Distillers One of One® are registered trademarks of The Distillers’ Charity
About The Distillers’ Charity
The Distillers’ Charity (registered no. 1193683) is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. The Charity’s vision is to make a difference especially to young people, and those within the distilled spirits trade, helping them to reach their full potential, improve their life chances and make a positive contribution to their communities. Distillers’ Charity mission is manifested through three distinctive grant-making areas:
About Sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits achieved a record total of $159 million in 2023, surpassing the previous record total of $158 million in 2022. Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private collection of wine ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction (The Macallan 1926, sold for £2.2m), in addition to the highest total ever achieved for a charity wine auction (Hospices de Beaune) and a charity spirits auction (The Distillers One of One®).
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* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s apps for iOS and Android.
When our forest king emerges from the trees, take note of his crown of oak.
It’s a crown we gave him to honour the transformative influence that wood has over our realm of flavour, and the magic of metamorphosis he brings to our blending table. His crimson touch is magisterial. Powerful. Yet balanced by a benevolent generosity that says ‘what’s mine is yours – enjoy…’
So, will you do him the honour?
Crimson Casks is our exploration of the impact that sherry-seasoned casks have on high quality malt whiskies.
We work with our partner in Jerez, taking American oak butts and precisely seasoning them with Oloroso sherry for a very particular wood interaction that creates a spiciness and generous intensity. We blend these sherry-influenced parcels with red wine-influenced whisky from The Glen Moray Distillery and our Highland Malt Blend in custom oak French barrels. Crimson Casks delivers notes of chocolate fudge cake and plum jam, followed by rich cherry, toffee and oak. These rich flavours are undercut by clove and cardamom.
With Crimson Casks, we set out to highlight sherry-seasoned flavours within Scotch, the complexity and nuance of these flavours, without becoming a ‘sherry bomb’
Explore the transformative influence of sherry with a bottle of Crimson Casks, available to shop now.
200 Years Of Imagination
We’ve teamed up with Fettercairn Distillery to launch a new film celebrating the distillery’s 200th anniversary
Titled 200 Years Of Imagination, the film features renowned Scottish chef Julie Lin, regular Whisky Magazine contributors Kristiane Sherry and Abbie Moulton, Peter Gilchrist of Tenement Kitchen, and bar specialist Simon Smith. Of course, no Fettercairn feature would be complete without appearances from distillery manager Stewart Walker and master blender Gregg Glass.
The film explores Fettercairn’s legacy, evolution, and some of the stories and people behind the past two centuries of single malt Scotch whisky, delving into the spirit’s history, craftsmanship, and innovations.
Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the film now. We’d really appreciate it if you’d like the video and leave a comment with your thoughts!
Suntory “Yamazaki” 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $159.99 View
The first thing you notice is the elegant fragrance of lychee, spring blossoms, lily, rosewater, and raspberry meringue. Deeper in, grassy notes with star fruit, kumquat, and kaffir lime leaves. The flavors offer perfection in their simplicity: silky honey, soft spices, crystalized pineapple, barley sugar, lemon, and orange. On the finish, the spices chatter on and on as the sweet citrus and honey fade in and out. One to cherish. (JM, Spring 2018)
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
Adam finally gets to try the full lineup of Turntable’s excellent blended Scotch whiskies. Plus our local members can come and try them right now in store!
MOSSBURN CASK COLLABORATION SERIES CONTINUES
WITH MOSSBURN 12 YO DOMAINE DUPONT CALVADOS CASK FINISH
The latest expression in the series celebrates the decades-long friendship
between the two producers with a whisky of elegance and intrigue.
Mossburn Distillers & Blenders Ltd today announces the release of a limited edition bottling of 12 year old Mossburn Speyside blended malt finished in Calvados casks from the renowned Domaine Dupont, a family producer with a history dating back to 1887. This expression builds on the success of the first Cask Collaboration Series that launched in 2023 with Mossburn Foursquare.
Mossburn and Domaine Dupont have worked together in many guises for several decades but this is the first time a collaborative bottle has been produced. The exclusive expression celebrates that longstanding friendship whilst embracing the modern world of whisky with this rare finish in Calvados, the French apple cider brandy.
The spirit started life as a classic expression of Speyside Malt Whisky, first aged for more than 12 years in ex- bourbon casks before re-aging in French oak barrels that previously held Calvados and Pommeau. It is released at batch strength, 57.2% abv.
Domaine Dupont is in Normandy, France, and is famous for making Calvados, a type of apple brandy, for which it is world-famous and highly decorated. The distillery can be traced back as far as 1887 as a farm and cider house before a focus on Calvados began in the 1980s. Etienne Dupont learned his craft in the cognac region before combining his new ideas with old expertise and even older orchards to produce a range of brandies that are truly refined and highly regarded across the world.
Whiskymaker, Neil Macleod Mathieson, comments: “When looking at collaborative efforts, one likes to turn to one’s oldest friends. Daving worked with the Dupont family for 30 years and admired the deft touch with which they introduce oak to their Calvados, I was sure this would allow us to use their locally coopered casks to great effect on a Speyside malt finish, emphasising its typical heathery and floral notes. Even before casking, we were imagining Autumn days and spiced baked apples – what a treat.”
This release is the second in the annual Cask Collaboration Series for Mossburn Distillers & Blenders, that will see Mossburn blend and finish a different Scotch each year in a special cask finish using barrels sourced from a distinctive world-renowned distillery across different spirit categories.
12 Year old Mossburn Speyside blended malt in Domaine Dupont Calvados casks
Tasting note:
Nose: The nose carries an immediate honied florality with baked red apples coming through. A touch of vanilla cream, pink peppercorn and some oaky spice sitting in the background.
Palate: Light, well rounded and initially delicate on the palate, more weight, length, and a touch of fire kicking in later. The casks have added a subtle undertone of apple sweetness which marries well with the heathery cereal notes of the whisky and matches the light ginger and spice coming from the oak.
Finish: Finishes with complexity and some apple crumble notes of toasted hazelnuts, sultanas and toffee brittle.
RRP: £65/ 80 EUR/ $90 USD
Stockist details: Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange
ABV: 57.2% abv batch strength
Treatment: No chill filtration. No colour added
No of bottles:
UK 1,400
US 2,580
Rest of Europe 3,540
Mossburn Distillers & Blenders is an independent bottler and blender and the whiskymakers behind Torabhaig Single Malt, set on one of Scotland’s most dramatic locations, the spectacular rugged coastline of the Isle of Skye. They also produce Caisteal Chamius blended peated scotch.
Mossburn Speyside Gold Medal 2023 IWSC.
WHISKYLAND CHAPTER FOUR BENRIACH 33 YEAR OLD
This is a single, refill sherry hogshead of Benriach 1991, aged for 33 years and bottled at natural cask strength of 55.9%.
One of Whiskyland’s most sparse and haunting landscapes is the Plainoak Desert. Many wanderers have lost their minds staring into the vast, fathomless bungholes that dot this stark tundra.
If you venture into the Plainoak Desert, be sure to bring the following kit:
4 pipettes, a broad variety of tasting glasses lashed about your neck with lanyards, dram tokens from Whisky Festivals gone by that you can cast into the depths of the bung holes in a vague hope of shattering their psychic grasp upon your feeble mind, a teaspoon, unread of copies of Whisky Magazine from the early 2000s, a pair of rugged canvas sandals and two bottles of this Benriach 1991 for company – ideally three!
A 33 year old Benriach fully matured in a refill sherry hogshead and bottled at a very healthy cask strength of 55.9%. This is also a relatively low outturn cask with a yeild of just 118 bottles, which has resulted in a beautifully concentrated and syrupy whisky with a layered, complex fruity profile. One for hardcore Benriach fans that lust for this distillery’s notorious fruitiness.
