2009 Royal Brackla 15 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare” Single Manzanilla Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $150.00 View

Royal Brackla is a historic Highland distillery founded in 1812 near Cawdor Castle by William Fraser. Its enduring legacy was cemented in 1835, when it became the first Scotch distillery to receive a Royal Warrant, granted by King William IV, a distinction that permanently shaped its identity and name. From that point forward, Royal Brackla was recognized as a whisky of exceptional standing, long associated with quality and consistency. For much of its history, Royal Brackla’s spirit was prized primarily for blending, and today it remains a key component of Dewar’s, reflecting its importance within the Bacardi portfolio. While the distillery has experienced periods of closure and modernization over the years, its elegant, structured Highland style has remained intact. Official single malt releases have historically been limited, making independent and single cask bottlings especially compelling opportunities to experience one of Scotland’s most historically significant and quietly distinguished distilleries. This is the first Royal Brackla we’ve ever come across aged in a Manzanilla sherry butt. This beautiful, unique butt is truly special. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.7% in July of 2024, it was filled in March of 2009. One of the youngest malts we’ve ever seen in the Old & Rare collection, it absolutely deserves the moniker. An exceptional cask by any measure.

1993 Linkwood 30 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare Platinum” Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $450.00 View  

The rarity and quality of an old Linkwood of this nature cannot be overstated. Linkwood is a quietly revered Speyside distillery founded in 1821 on the outskirts of Elgin. It earned an early reputation for producing one of thes region’s most elegant and aromatic spirits, a character that was reinforced after a major rebuilding in 1872 under William Smith, son of Glenlivet’s George Smith. For most of its history, Linkwood’s whisky was destined almost entirely for blending, most notably as a key component in Johnnie Walker, where its refined texture and floral complexity were highly prized. As a result, official single malt releases have always been limited, with independent bottlings providing rare glimpses into the distillery’s true personality. Today, under Diageo ownership, Linkwood remains one of Speyside’s great hidden gems, producing a malt defined by finesse, balance, and remarkable aging potential. For those in the know an old Linkwood of this caliber is a true treasure, perhaps that’s why competitors over seas are happy to sell this same bottle for nearly twice the price we’re asking. This special barrel was filled in April of 1993 and bottle 3 decades later in September of 2024 at a natural cask strength of 50.2% abv.

1990 Bowmore 32 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare Platinum “Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1.5L) (Elsewhere $5000) $4,000.00 View

Bowmore is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, founded in 1779 on the island of Islay, and remains a cornerstone of peated malt whisky. Located in the seaside town of Bowmore, the distillery draws strong influence from its coastal setting, shaping a style that balances maritime character, refined smoke, and long aging potential. Over centuries, Bowmore helped define what Islay whisky could be, bridging power and elegance in a way few distilleries have matched. Today, under Beam Suntory ownership, Bowmore continues to produce benchmark single malts, with its older and rarer releases standing among the most sought after whiskies in the world. This incredibly unusual rarity represents an outstanding expression from the old distillery. Distilled in 1990 and filled into a excellent 2nd fill hogshead, it was aged for more than 32 decades on Islay before bottling at full cask strength in 1.5L magnum bottles at a full cask strength of 59%. This exquisite rarity traders for over $5000 in other markets and K&L currently has the best price world wide. This is a benchmark bottle which represents which would be unmatched in any collection.

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

Each of us experiences flavour through the lens of our own memories. You’re influenced by where you grew up, your hobbies and travels and by the foods you love.  With this in mind, it makes complete sense that our bottles only give you a hint of what to expect with their Tasting Notes and flavour profiles. The rest is left for you to uncover.  Our February Outturn is live and waiting. Which whisky will be your number one?

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

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

ralfy review 1114 Extras – How to access a difficult malt.

Elijah Craig Honors Its History and Builds for the Future

Long before Elijah Craig became known as the Father of Bourbon, he was a preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur with a spark for building what didn’t yet exist. Paper mills. Wool mills. And a new way of aging Whiskey.

In 1789, Elijah Craig stored his Whiskey in charred oak barrels, a technique that was not common practice at the time, but essential to Bourbon as we know it today. Some say the barrels caught fire by accident. Others claim it was intentional. Either way, the flavor told the story: deeper color, richer taste, unmistakable character. A true American original.

More than two centuries later, that same spirit of discovery lives on, not just in our barrels, but in the people who craft, innovate, and push us forward. The brand stands as the #5 Super Premium Bourbon by volume in the United States and this year, Elijah Craig’s inaugural Barrel Proof Rye expression was named Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year. Behind those milestones is a culture of shared commitment across distillation, warehousing, marketing, innovation, and every role in between.

From meeting new Bourbon-lovers as the Official Bourbon of the PGA of America, to giving back to the causes that matter to its consumers, the brand continues to grow its presence and support its community with purpose. Through a partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies, Elijah Craig is supporting academic research that helps shine a spotlight on critical voices and stories from throughout Bourbon history. Additionally, over the past six years Elijah Craig’s Old-Fashioned Week has raised more than $600,000 in total donations for charitable causes, including the Southern Smoke Foundation, which supports food and beverage workers nationwide by providing direct funding to individuals rebuilding from natural disasters, seeking emergency medical treatment, and recovering from accidents or other crises.

Whether it’s honoring where the brand got its start or investing in what comes next, Elijah Craig’s rich legacy stands strong. With every barrel, every program, and every person behind it, Elijah Craig continues to prove that the pursuit of mastery is never finished. It’s an ongoing journey we all share in when we Thrive Together.

Invergordon Chapter 7 Single Cask Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50 Year Old · 1974 Vintage

£349.95

Distilled at Invergordon — the Highlands’ only grain distillery and a cornerstone of Scotland’s blending tradition — this single grain whisky was laid down in 1974. After maturing for 50 years in a single cask, it has developed exceptional depth and refinement. Bottled at natural strength, it displays the elegance and complexity that only half a century can bestow. This is a rare opportunity to experience a genuine piece of whisky history.

Rich aromas of dried tropical fruit, vanilla, and polished oak, accented by hints of coconut and aged leather.

The palate is silky and multi-layered, offering honeycomb, caramelized nuts, and spiced orchard fruits, all harmonized by gentle oak tannins.

The finish is long and refined, with lingering notes of toffee, nutmeg, and soft tobacco leaf.

Glenrothes 24 Years Old

This single malt from Glenrothes Distillery in Speyside region of Scotland was distilled on the 27th of May 2001. It was fully matured in refill ex-Bourbon hogshead for 24 years before bottling on the 12th of November 2025. Notes of gooseberries and plums, green tomatoes, curry spices and melon. Bottles by Fragrant Drops at natural cask strength, natural colour and no chill filtration.

£145.00

Distillery Corner: Tamnavulin

In this episode of Distillery Corner, Kirsty and Vic explore Tamnavulin. Owned by Whyte & Mackay, Tamnavulin is used for blends but has also released some approachable, great-value single malts of late that deserve a closer look. As Vic explains, good whisky doesn’t need to be expensive and this is a distillery well worth trying.📖 Read the Blog​ | 🎬 Watch the Video

Our newest ‘Heresy’ releases are something you don’t see every day. Teaspooning is the widespread industry practice of adding a tiny amount of single malt into another (traditionally around a teaspoon’s worth) resulting in a blended malt that can never be bottled as a single malt bearing the distillery name.

But why would we bottle this kind of whisky? For the full details, you’ll need to read the feature from our whisky quality manager, Julien, but we’ll leave you with one thought: if this were one of the only ways to try offerings from this particular distillery, wouldn’t you want to see what they were like?

READ THE FEATURE

If you’re unfamiliar with our ‘Heresy’ range, it’s what we call our boundary-pushing small-batch releases. They’re bottled in a clear glass bottle.
Expect the unexpected!

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

The Good Dram Show – Episode 621 ‘Glen Scotia’

Welcome to the first viewers choice episode of the show for 2026. A big thanks you to Andy Holbrook and Dave Croft for the Glen Scotia Samples. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum. Episode 621 – There’s A Theme Developing Here..!  Filmed in The Study Nottingham.

Featuring

Glen Scotia ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival’ 2024’ 9 year old 56.2%
Glen Scotia ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023’ 11 year old 54.7%
Glen Scotia Seasonal Release 2022: 12 year old 54.7%
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No2: The Dragon 14 year old 56.8%
Glen Scotia Exclusive Cask: Invererity Morton 2017 (6 year old) 57.4%
Glen Scotia ‘Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025’ 9 year old 54.3%

www.glenscotia.com

Jan Damen, Saltire Rare Malt European Sales Director

SCOTTISH WHISKY AWARDS BEST NEWCOMER MAKES SWEDISH DEBUT WITH FIRST ONLINE TASTING

Fresh from being named Best Newcomer at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards, Saltire Rare Malt will host its first-ever Swedish tasting on Tuesday 17th February 2026, marking another important step in the independent bottler’s expanding European journey.

The online tasting introduces Swedish whisky drinkers to Saltire Rare Malt, the Falkland-based independent bottler through a curated six-dram tasting pack and guided live session. Hosted by Klaus Bitschnau, Founder and Chief visionary officer of Whiskykalendern & Whiskysnack and Jan Damen, Keeper of the Quaich and European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt, who will introduce the brand, its philosophy and the stories behind each cask.

The tasting pack contains six 5cl samples from the Saltire Rare Malt range – each a minimum of 14 years – alongside a sixth dram from sister brand The Falkland Collection, a small-batch single malt whisky – tasting packs as well as Saltire Rare Malt’s full range of whiskies are available now through the BeMakers platform.

The Saltire Selection

• Dailuaine 14yo – 1st Fill Bourbon Hogshead
• Royal Brackla 16yo – Cask Strength, Refill American Oak
• Tanmavulin 17yo – 2nd Fill ex-Oloroso European Oak
• Speyside Distillery 18yo – The Cigar Malt, 1st Fill PX Hogshead
• Ardmore 14yo – 2nd Fill ex-Marsala Barrique
• The Falkland Collection – Speyside Single Malt, ex-Oloroso Butt

The tasting will take place online from 7-8pm (CET). Access details will be shared directly with customers who purchase the tasting pack.

Commenting on the Swedish debut, Jan Damen European Sales Director for Saltire Rare Malt said: “Sweden is an important and exciting market for Saltire Rare Malt. The depth of knowledge and curiosity among Swedish whisky drinkers makes this the perfect place to introduce our approach to enjoying whisky. It’s a real honour to have an expert like Klaus involved, we’re in for a fun night!”

Headquartered in Falkland, Fife – where Scotch whisky was first recorded in 1494 – Saltire Rare Malt has seen rapid growth across Europe, with strong momentum in markets including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Poland. The Swedish tasting represents the next phase of that expansion as the company moves confidently into 2026.

Founded by lifelong friends Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, and guided by internationally respected whisky writers Hans and Becky Offringa (The Whisky Couple), Saltire Rare Malt continues to build its reputation through thoughtful maturation, limited releases and an unwavering focus on quality.

Saltire Rare Malt Tasting Pack & Online Tasting
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Online | 7-8pm (CET)
599 SEK (incl. VAT)

About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

W: https://www.saltireraremalt.com/
I: https://www.instagram.com/saltireraremaltwhisky
F: https://www.facebook.com/people/Saltire-Rare-Malt-Whisky/61554723364117/

About The Whisky Couple, Hans & Becky Offringa:

Hans Offringa is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. An inductee of the Whisky Hall of Fame, a Kentucky Colonel and a Keeper of the Quaich, Hans is a judge at the Scottish Whiskies Awards and the World Whisky Awards and serves as Director on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.

Becky Lovett Offringa is a Keeper of the Quaich and co-author of numerous whisky books. Becky is a well-respected judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. She also is a Member on the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. Becky and Hans, internationally known as ‘The Whisky Couple’, are trusted partners of the Saltire family.