What if we told you that peated Scotch whiskies aren’t all they seem?We’ve always had a fascination with the things you can uncover through blending. Sometimes we blend to build and combine flavours, other times we use blending as a tool to unlock the secrets hiding within different parcels of whisky.

In the world of peated Scotch malt whisky, intensity of smokiness tends to dominate the discussion. What is often overlooked is the inherent sweetness of peated malts, hidden behind the bonfires. We have long believed there is more to the story than smoke alone. A hint of honey, a flash of fruit – there have been signs of sweeter delights hiding in plain sight beneath the sootiness. Our experiments with sherry and wine casks have unearthed extra dimensions to Islay malts.

We can now reveal the curiously sweet Secrets of Smoke.

For Secrets of Smoke, we allow those wine casks to crack the smoky outer shell and release the unexpected sweetness at the core of peated whiskies. Palo Cortado sherry-seasoned butts enhancing the toffee apple qualities of malt whisky from the Caol Ila Distillery. Refill red wine barrels tempt bright cherry notes from the depths of The Peat Monster, our own assemblage of Islay malts. And those Marsala barriques bring blueberry flapjack flavours to the surface of malt whisky from the Laphroaig Distillery.

Taste beyond the smoke screen.

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Willett 8 Year Old Wheated “2024 Release -Fall Release” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(750ml)

$215.00

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For years, Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, run by the Kulsveen family, has been bottling fantastic whiskey under their numerous labels; Willett being just one of the expressions (along with Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum, etc.). Willett Distillery was actually founded in the 1930s by former Bernheim superintendent Thompson Willett, but subsequent generations of the family would become disinterested in bourbon until the distillery finally closed. Evan Kulsveen, who married Willett’s daughter, purchased the abandoned site in 1984 with plans to reopen his father-in-law’s once-great operation. Almost thirty years later, his son Drew has built one of Kentucky’s most sought-after producers.

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

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blend

THE REVIEW

Living Souls are a new kid on the block with indie bottlings, and what a way to kick it off! A 40 year old blended whisky with an absurdly affordable retail price of £120.

I’ve got no information about the contents of this blend, just that it was all recasked into a sherry butt in 1998. However, the depth of flavour in this liquid is something to rival and indeed beat, most of the classic ‘premium’ blended whiskies.

Moving from tropical fruit, herbaceousness, waxiness, gentle sherried aromas, and a little blast of peat smoke… maybe. If you’re looking for something quite special and quite affordable, this is the only thing you should be looking at if you want an insane age stated whisky.

Diageo Unveils The YunTuo Single Malt Whisky Distillery in China

ERYUAN, 15 NOVEMBER 2024, — Diageo, the world’s leading whisky producer and premium beverage alcohol company, today unveiled the YunTuo 云拓Single Malt Whisky Distillery in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province, opening an exciting new chapter for Chinese whisky and further cementing Diageo’s position as a whisky leader in China.

With an investment of US$120 million (RMB 800 million) that will span nine years, the YunTuo云拓Single Malt Whisky Distillery is Diageo’s first whisky production site in China and represents the Group’s ongoing commitment to provide Chinese consumers with the finest products and contribute to the sustainable and innovative development of China’s beverage alcohol sector.

“This stunning new distillery marks a significant milestone for Diageo in China and reflects our confidence in the future of Chinese whisky,” said Debra Crew, Diageo’s CEO. “We are proud of the leading role we have played to grow whisky in China with our iconic brands. Our ambition is to combine our global heritage and whisky making craftsmanship with deep local insights to create the highest quality China-origin single malt whisky that will fire the imagination of whisky enthusiasts worldwide and place China firmly on the global whisky map.”

The name ‘YúnTuò’ 云拓 expresses the brand’s natural surroundings and vision; ‘Yún’ (云) meaning ‘clouds’ and synonymous with ‘Yunnan’, evokes a highland of unparalleled natural beauty. ‘Tuò’ (拓) meaning ‘exploration’ captures the brand’s spirit of enterprise and innovation to explore new frontiers in the art of whisky making.

At 2,100 metres above sea level, the distillery benefits from a temperate climate, rich biodiversity and natural resources, including access to fresh spring water that feeds the region’s pristine Erhai highland lake. This unique terroir will provide YunTuo 云拓 with abundant raw materials to innovate, such as Yunnan oak for cask maturation, and other local ingredients.

Drawing on Diageo’s 200 years of whisky heritage, YunTuo 云拓 will be crafted by a team of remarkable young talents led by Distillery Head Jiao Changyi, who will in time become the next generation of Chinese whisky masters. This journey of creativity and exploration will be supported by globally renowned whisky legends Jim Beveridge OBE, Master Blender Craig Wallace, and Master Distiller Andrew Millsopp, who will bring their rich experience and knowledge to the process.

Designed by award-winning architects OLI, the state-of-the-art distillery incorporates local cultural elements and blends seamlessly into its surroundings, complementing the area’s natural beauty. The distillery also features a visitor centre which will immerse whisky lovers and tourists in an interactive Chinese whisky experience including a holistic tour of YunTuo’s 云拓 production, craftsmanship, tasting, gifting and cultural elements, and culminating in the centrepiece 29 metres high whisky barrel tower decorated with 1,000 original used whisky barrels from iconic distilleries around the world. The visitor centre will in time become a popular tourist destination which will contribute to the development of the local tourism economy.

Reinforcing the Diageo Spirit of Progress sustainability action plan’s commitment to grain-to-glass sustainability, the YunTuo 云拓 distillery is 100% carbon neutral thanks to sustainable production technologies such as highly efficient electric boilers, and the sourcing of renewable green energy. All production water is recycled for industrial purposes, maximising water use efficiencies and reducing waste.

Diageo has established a local Community Fund to promote inclusion and diversity around the distillery, and a new community centre is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Partnering with the Tourism Association in nearby Dali, the Fund is also supporting business and hospitality skills training for young adults under Diageo’s Learning for Life programme, improving local employment opportunities for over 600 graduates.

Debra Crew concluded, “The beauty of Eryuan has inspired us to build this wonderful beacon of local whisky culture that will make YunTuo the pride of Chinese whisky and a jewel in our global whisky portfolio. We look forward to an exciting journey filled with adventure, exploration and discovery.”

To find out more about the Distillery please visit: https://youtu.be/q6w5fVo09RM

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). 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.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

More Orkney than ever

Edrington’s Highland Park is stepping into the light with a new look for its existing range of 12-, 15- and 18-year-old award-winning single malt whiskies, inspired by the natural beauty and creative spirit of its home in Orkney.

Rolled out globally from October 2024, the reinterpreted design marks a new dawn for the centuries-old distillery, as it celebrates the many ways in which its unique Orkney provenance and community inspires it to make a different kind of whisky.

Highland Park was founded 226 years ago in Orkney, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It’s a place that’s not only renowned for its craft heritage, wealth of neolithic art and visionary adoption of renewable energy strategies, but also its awe-inspiring natural environment, defined by dramatic coastlines, long summer days and spectacular sunsets.

The warming waters of the Gulf Stream create a temperate climate that’s ideal for the long aging of whisky. Trees find it difficult to grow in Orkney’s windy weather, meaning the islands’ peat is infused with floral heather, rather than woody roots. This peat is used to create a distinctive whisky with a subtle hint of aromatic smoke that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

It’s this unique natural and cultural context that gives Highland Park both its distinctive ethos and its distinctive award-winning flavour.

The new packaging design pays tribute to Orkney’s ethereal light and invigorating climate in its fresh, bright and contemporary colour palette, while nodding to Highland Park’s unique flavour with heather-flecked labels bearing the updated logo. The brand’s dedication to craft and creativity is celebrated in a subtle wood-grain pattern inspired by its dedication to using the finest sherry-seasoned oak casks, while its distinctive glass bottle shape has been updated to allow the natural colour of the whisky, derived entirely from the cask, to shine through. Further celebrating the whisky’s unique provenance, a “Product of Orkney” icon has been proudly cut into the glass.

As part of the redesign, Highland Park is also launching new packaging across the global travel retail exclusive editions of 14-, 16- and 18-year-old whiskies that tell stories of the land, sea and sky of Orkney, with packaging featuring subtle bands of colour inspired by each strata.

Highland Park’s Global Brand Director, Paul Condron, said, “For Highland Park, everything comes back to Orkney, from how we craft our whisky, to how it gets its distinctive taste, to the incredible community of people, who do things their own way. We’ve been here for more than 200 years, and the beauty and creativity of our island home continues to inspire us, as well as the unique flavour of the local heathered peat, which, with the new packaging design, is now celebrated, front and centre. We’re excited to share this new design direction for Highland Park, which truly reflects the freshness and modernity of our Orkney home.”

Highland Park’s Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, said: “Our 12- , 15- and 18-year-old whiskies sit as the heart and soul of Highland Park. It’s Orkney’s heathered peat that gives us our subtly smoky flavour and it’s as unique as the place it’s made. We know that’s what our community really love about Highland Park. With the packaging update, we have a great opportunity to celebrate a new look, whilst continuing to share the distinctive, consistent whisky we’re famed for. It’s a flavour that just can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.”   

As part of Highland Park’s continued commitment to sustainability, the redesign will see the new bottles contained within 100% recyclable cardboard cartons, made from FSC-certified forests.

Available online at www.highlandparkwhisky.com and at the Highland Park Store in Kirkwall, Orkney, Highland Park 12-year-old has an RRP of £46, Highland Park 15-year-old, an RRP of £95, and 18-year-old a RRP of £140.

As winter creeps in, the most of us on the distillery team are lucky to be able to work indoors much of the time. The Spirit Hall is lovely and warm when the bright copper stills are in full swing and the peat fire in the public areas keeps hands and hearts warm.

Of course, there are always deliveries to the courtyard and casks to transport as the weather does its worst but the shelter of the warehouse office or staffroom is usually never too far away.

So, we spare a thought for our fellow islanders who work outdoors on land and sea, from fishermen and salmon farmers to crofters and Calmac ferry folk, at this time of year.

And then there’s the delivery men and postwomen who help keep our island spirit flowing from Harris to the wider world and our distillery supplied with everything we need to make our whisky.

So, here’s to all the hard working people of the Outer Hebrides helping to make these islands and our communities what they are, particularly as the days darken.

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

The Hearach single malt is our first historic release and every drop has been proudly distilled, matured, married, and bottled here in the Isle of Harris. Made by one of the youngest teams of home-grown distillers in the country, from the softest of Scottish water, it’s a delicious dram designed for drinking.

Uncork the stopper to enjoy an elegant and complex Outer Hebridean whisky full of character which, just like the island, reveals itself over time. Expect hints of peat smoke, apple sauce, and toasted malt in your glass as flavours of wildflowers, spice, clotted cream and candied sweets unfold.

Buy your bottle online or from your nearest stockist, and open it to discover more…

BUY YOUR BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH

Exciting news for our friends across the pond as The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured officially arrives stateside… Look out for it on shelves near you this week and find your nearest stockist in the USA with our online stockist map.

Rich, bold, and aromatic, our new expression of The Hearach celebrates the connections between the sherry region of Spain and our Outer Hebridean spirit making. So, from Jerez to Harris, we invite you to explore the scents and sensory experience of The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured single malt this season.

It’s a delicious dram made to be enjoyed so order yours and open to discover more…

BUY THE HEARACH OLOROSO

Whiskies to Fall For: Introducing Our 2024 Autumn Line-Up

The wait is over! We’re thrilled to introduce the Murray McDavid Autumn 2024 Release – a collection designed to captivate and warm your senses as the temperatures drop. This season, we’re proud to unveil 17 exceptional bottlings that celebrate the rich diversity and artistry of Scottish whisky. From rare single malts to unique single grains, our new range embodies the heart of the Art of Maturation.

READ MORE

Warm up your glass, embrace the season, and let the Murray McDavid Autumn Release take you on a delicious journey of inspired Scotch whisky. Here’s to celebrating autumn, one remarkable dram at a time!

Sláinte,

The Murray McDavid Team

Orphan Barrel (Port Dundas) “Muckety-Muck” 26 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Port Dundas closed in 2010, but small stocks still remain. The first single grain Scotch in the Orphan Barrel line, which seeks to highlight stocks of closed distilleries that remain in Diageo system. The distillery was established in 1810 and became a key component in the Johnnie Walker Blends for centuries. Per the producer: “The aroma starts with a burst of caramel and notes of baked sugar backed by the taste of crisp fruit and light toasted oak. The fruit forward flavor is blended with hints of butterscotch vanilla which carry through to the finish.”

(750ml ships as 1.5L) (Previously $230)

$139.99

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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 Whisky Bothy – THREE Best Value Scotch Whiskies for 2025

HOUSE OF HAZELWOOD & HEDONISM WINES UNVEIL
THE ULTIMATE WHISKY FOR HEDONISTIC PALATES

The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, available exclusively
to pre-order from Hedonism Wines now

Bottle shot of The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, available exclusively from Hedonism Wines

House of Hazelwood and the purveyors of fine spirits, Hedonism Wines, have come together to create whisky’s answer to the definition of Hedonism: The Pursuit of Pleasure, a 52 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky.

In a literal ‘pursuit of pleasure’ the Hedonism team travelled to House of Hazelwood’s Speyside home in search of the perfect blend. Drawing on whisky from deep within the Gordon family’s private collection,

a panel of Hedonism’s finest experts spent days with House of Hazelwood whisky makers sampling hundreds of parcels of whisky in search of finding the components to create the ultimate blend.  The result is The Pursuit of Pleasure, a 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in a combination of American White Oak and European Sherry Casks. ​

For almost one hundred years, generations of the Gordon family have carefully laid down stocks of whisky for special occasions and consumption. The result is they have accumulated the greatest inventory of rare Scotch Whisky in the World, which is today is known as House of Hazelwood.

Eilidh Muir, whisky blender for House of Hazelwood, at a blending session with the Hedonism team at their London store in Mayfair. (credit: John Paul Photography)

The Hedonism team spent time working hand-in-hand with Eilidh Muir, Blender and the House of Hazelwood team to perfect the blend. From visiting the private dunnage warehouses to sample directly from the cask to holding blending sessions allowing the team to directly input into the final recipe.  The result is a truly hand-selected limited edition bottle that is not only a delicious addition to any spirits cabinet but also a true collectors’ items, never to be repeated.

“To be invited to sample whisky from the family’s private collection is every whisky connoisseur’s dream”, said Tom Olive, Assistant Spirit Buyer from Hedonism. “Our aim was simple: to produce a blend of pure indulgence. The result is a whisky that can be described as “decadence decanted”. This whisky is dense on the nose, with sticky jam sweetness, offset against leathery tannins and orange zest. The smoking charcoal balances the sweetness, with a barley sugar character making its way through.” 

To celebrate the launch, House of Hazelwood and Hedonism Wines, held a bespoke six-course tasting dinner at the Michelin-starred HIDE restaurant, part of the Hedonism Group. The menu, which was created by chef Ollie Dabbous, paired each course with a House of Hazelwood whisky to reflect the flavours presented within this hedonistic blend. The dinner marks the start of an exciting partnership with HIDE to host House of Hazelwood consumer events within the coming months.

Commenting on the partnership with Hedonism, House of Hazelwood Director Jonathan Gibson, said:

“Making a truly exceptional whisky takes decades of patience but thanks to our extensive aged stocks the journey from cask to bottle can be navigated within a matter of months. Given the breadth and depth of our stocks which spans every corner of Scotland, our bespoke blend offering allows us to work closely with partners and private individuals to uncover whisky stocks and flavours to create something truly special that match their creative vision.”

With just 72 bottles of The Pursuit of Pleasure available exclusively from Hedonism, this limited edition is on pre-order from 21^st October. 

House of Hazelwood – The Pursuit of Pleasure – Tasting Notes and Product Details 

The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, xx% ABV, 72 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £4,000 

Presenting The Pursuit of Pleasure, a collaborative endeavour in the alchemy of blending with Hedonism Wines, a 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in a combination of American White Oak and European Sherry Casks. ​​

Nose: The nose is dense, the sticky jam sweetness almost palpable. Saddlery workshops cut through the sweetness, with hints of furniture polish and leather apparent, before a zingy zest of burnt orange takes the floor. ​​

Palate: The palate is lively, with more sweetness echoed in an effervescent barley sugar character. Light oak and vanilla make wonderful bedfellows, setting the scene for a long, lingering finish of gently smoking charcoal embers upon a barbecue. ​

About House of Hazelwood

For almost one hundred years, generations of the Gordon family have carefully laid down stocks of whisky for special occasions and personal consumption. This rare collection has become known as House of Hazelwood, after the family’s Dufftown home – Hazelwood House.

Today, the House of Hazelwood collection has grown to become the greatest inventory of aged Scotch whisky held anywhere in the world. Spanning seven decades and every corner of Scotland, the diverse whiskies held in cask tell stories of remarkable places, lost ways of working, first casks, last casks, the ambitions and achievements of several lifetimes – none of which will be repeated.

The House of Hazelwood inventory is held in several carefully selected warehouses across Scotland, with fresh stocks laid down each year. Prior to bottling, a small proportion of the stocks are held in traditional dunnage warehousing near Dufftown in Speyside, from where they are carefully monitored and sampled ahead of release.

Website: www.houseofhazelwood.com

Facebook & Instagram: @HouseofHazelwoodScotch

 About The Hedonism Group

The Hedonism Group is a unique collection of Mayfair dining and drinking establishments which encompasses Hedonism, the original namesake wine & spirits store on Davies Street; the Michelin-starred HIDE restaurant on Piccadilly; renowned cocktail bar, The Bar Below; Hideaway, an all-day boutique café at 100 Mount St; and finally, The White Horse, a London wine bar, tucked just off Shepherd Market.

Hedonism Wines was founded in 2012 as an emporium of fine wines and spirits. The dedicated team of passionate enthusiasts work tirelessly with customers to find sought after bottles, including some of the rarest in the world.

In April 2018, in partnership with renowned chef Ollie Dabbous, HIDE and The Bar Below opened on Piccadilly. In just 6 months, the restaurant went on to achieve 1 Michelin Star; an accolade it has retained for the last 6 years. Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, seven days a week, HIDE showcases the best of seasonal ingredients with much of the menu made in-house, from charcuterie, bread, jams, juices & pickles. In addition, the extensive wine list reflects the cellars of Hedonism, with well over 5,000 bottles on offer.

Website: https://hedonism.co.uk/

Facebook & Instagram: @Hedonism Wines / @hedonism_wines