ralfy review 1114 – Lindores Friar Jon Cor Chapter Three @60.2%vol:

Jura 12

Know your loved one enjoys whisky, but not sure what to gift them for Valentine’s Day? Jura 12 Year Old – the UK’s number one ^[1], award-winning Single Malt ^[2] – makes finding your perfect match easy.

Each bottle features Jura’s pioneering taste scale, designed to take the guesswork out of gifting by clearly showing the strength of its three key flavours (rated from 0–6): ripe peach (4), bright citrus (3) and lightly toasted walnut (3). It’s a whisky designed to help you discover what you love – before you’ve even cracked open the bottle.

Crafted since 1810 at Jura’s beachside distillery, it’s a dram made for slowing down and enjoying unhurried moments with loved ones.

However you toast your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day,  Jura 12 Year Old fits the bill – enjoy it neat, or in a Jura Scottish Island Iced Tea:

• Add 40ml Jura 12 Year Old, 50ml peach tea, 15ml lemon juice and 10ml sugar syrup to a shaker with cubed ice.
• Dry shake, then wet shake, and fine strain into an Old Fashioned glass or Jura tumbler filled with fresh ice.
• Top with ginger ale and garnish with a sprig of thyme and a slice of apricot.

Pick up Jura 12 Year Old from ASDA, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco and specialist retailers including Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, RRP £41.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old

For the one who loves to discover something new, Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a refined escape to brighter, more tropical flavours.

Shaped by over 200 years of whisky-making expertise, Fettercairn’s pioneering copper cooling ring creates an exceptionally smooth Highland Single Malt. Expect vibrant layers of mango, passionfruit, Madagascan vanilla and soft spice, brought together with effortless elegance.

For an evening to remember, why not try the Fettercairn 1824 Martini? Ideal for candlelit dinners or a celebratory toast for two. To make it at home, simply combine:

• 37.5ml Fettercairn 16 Year Old
• 12.5ml kumquat liqueur
• 10ml Fettercairn honey syrup
• 15ml lemon juice
• 4 dashes banana & coffee bitters

Shake briskly with ice, fine strain into a chilled Champagne coupe, then top with Crémant sparkling wine. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist for a final touch of finesse, and serve well chilled in your most elegant glassware.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old is available from a range of retailers, including The Whisky Shop, RRP £87.

[1] Nielsen 2022, by Volume and Value [2] World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026

CELEBRATING THE BICENTENNIAL YEAR

OF AN ICONIC HIGHLANDS DISTILLERY!

Rooted in the Valley of Forgue near the boundary between the Highland and Speyside regions of Scotland and along the Dronach Burn, The Glendronach was founded by a partnership of local farmers headed by James Allardice in 1826 as one of the country’s first licensed distilleries. Allardice was an early pioneer in the use of fine sherry cask maturation to impart richness, complexity and intensity in its whiskies Over the last 200 years, while The Glendronach’s ownership has changed several times, that sherry-rich character continues to distinguish its offerings. Today, as part of the Brown-Forman portfolio and under the skilled guidance of Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie, the company crafts a broad portfolio of offerings that harmoniously marry robust Highland spirit with a combination of Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks to create the complex depth and flavor for which The Glendronach is so well known. In honor of this being its bicentennial year, we are delighted to cast our spotlight on our current collection of releases from this iconic distillery.

Cheers!

SHOP GLENDRONACH

Little Book “Edition II: The Infinite” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $219.99 View

Josh Gelfand ~ Seeing an official release of an “infinity bottle” is still a fairly new concept in the bourbon world. The practice, much like a personal solera, involves a never-ending bottle or barrel that is partially emptied and then topped back up with new whiskey. The spirit is constantly evolving while always retaining some portion of the original liquid. Pour some out, top it off, lather, rinse, repeat. I have one at home, I started one at a former bar I lead that is still going strong eight or nine years later, and I encourage any whisk(e)y fan to try it as a fun experiment and a living ledger of your liquid legacy. Here we have the second edition of the legendary Noe family’s take on the concept. This blend brings together some of grandfather Booker’s bourbon, some of father Fred’s, and some of current master distiller Freddie’s. The combination differs from the first edition and offers a tasting of both the Noe family’s lineage and the history of the Jim Beam company in a single, stellar bottle. Blending young and mature whiskies can be tricky. Older liquid can overwhelm with woody tannins, while younger, brighter spirit can overpower the more rounded notes of age. This one comes together beautifully. It is deep, robust, and far spicier than expected, especially considering Booker’s typically high-corn mashbill. Cinnamon leads the nose, followed by dense wet oak, burnt caramel, stewed peaches, and a potpourri-like bouquet. On the palate, it moves gracefully between sweet and dry, opening with rich blackstrap molasses and dried plum before shifting into weathered mahogany and leather. The finish brings black cherry compote and dense barrel char, with baking spices weaving from start to finish. A small splash of water unlocks fresh roasted peanuts and blackberry jam, along with softer spices and a note of toasted pumpernickel, a welcome settling of the 120.4 proof. Overall, this is a dense, spicy, and complex bourbon that celebrates the infinite legacy of three generations from one of Kentucky’s most important bourbon families. 

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

Edinburgh’s Whisky History by Iain Russell (Part 2)

The inimitable Iain Russell discusses Edinburgh’s Whisky History, this time chronicling the Blenders, Brokers, Brands and Bars. See how many of the names you know and catch up with Part 1 here (on distilling) if you missed it.

📖 Read the Post

Welcome this week’s episode of the show which is goverend by the random nature of chaos theory! Which is a bit of a fancy way of saying that it’s a random selection! The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 622 – A Philosophical Episode of the Show.! Filmed in The Study Nottingham 

Featuring

Carn Mor Strictly Limited Inchgower 2016 (5 year old) 47.5% Carn Mor

Dewar Rattray ‘Individual Cask Bottling’ Arran 2011 (5 year old) 57.3% A.D. Rattray

Thompson Brothers Balmenach 2013 (10 year old) ‘Sherry Train’ 48.5% Thomson Brothers Distilling

Chorlton Whisky Glen Ord 8 year old 58.6% Chorlton Whisky 

Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Warehouse Reserve Deanston 2008 (16 year old) 49.8% Woodrow’s of Edinburgh

Douglas Laing Provenance Bowmore 2015 (8 year old) 46% Douglas Laing

Disclaimer The views, thoughts, or opinions expressed during this episode are solely those of the individual involved (me) and do not represent those of my employer. Music Krepuskule – Betrayal  Filmed & Edited by Chris Goodrum

International Beverage invests in new US hub to manage distribution of premium spirits portfolio in North America

Global spirits business International Beverage has today (Tuesday 3^rd February 2026) announced the establishment of a new international spirits hub in the US, as it moves to roll out ambitious plans for its portfolio of premium spirits brands in American markets.

Based in Manhattan, New York, the new hub marks the first time the business has owned and managed its own US route to market for over a decade.

Peter Powell, having previously served as the company’s Regional Sales Director UK, France & Germany, will take the lead role of Regional Director of North America. He will be supported by a team of newly appointed staff, spanning sales, marketing and finance, with the recruitment process of these roles now underway.

The majority of the company’s global portfolio – including PRAKAAN, The Cardrona, Balblair and anCnoc single malt whiskies, Phraya Rum and The Reid Vodka – will now be managed in-house from the New York hub. The business will be supported by leading US alcohol importer MHW.

The announcement follows on from the company acquiring full ownership of Greater China-based Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB) in January 2025. These investments are part of International Beverage’s global growth strategy, which is driven by a plan to secure greater control of brand sales and marketing strategies in key markets.

In the USA, operations are set to run across both on-trade and off-trade channels with a focus on continuing to establish a solid market presence, whilst building foundations for sustainable growth and expansion in the years ahead.

Commenting on today’s news, Peter Powell said: ‘Our global sales strategy is tightly focused on building bespoke plans for every brand, in every market, matched to the specific needs of our trade customers and consumers in those markets. With the launch of our new spirits hub in the US, our business will have a base to deliver these finely tuned and highly effective plans in market. This is especially important for us in 2026, as some of our brands prepare to celebrate milestone anniversaries throughout the year. Whilst the global spirits industry continues to face many challenges, I’m very excited to be part of a dynamic new office, a talented new US team, and an exciting new phase of growth for our brands’.

To apply for one of the new roles, please visit www.interbevgroup.com

 Applications are now open for 4 US-based roles within International Beverage:

• 2 x Sales Ambassadors
• Channel Marketing Manager
• Office Manager/Finance Manager

About International Beverage

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Limited Company. The premium spirits company’s portfolio is led by a range of high-quality brands including Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Hankey Bannister Blended Scotch Whisky, Caorunn Gin, PRAKAAN single malt whisky and Phraya Rum from Thailand, Larsen Cognac, The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky and The Reid Single Malt Vodka.

A certified Great Place to Work, International Beverage’s success is shaped by its 700-strong team based across the business’ network of nine global sites spanning the UK, France, New Zealand, and Greater China following the company’s recent acquisition of Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB). For more information, please visit www.interbevgroup.com/.

Three-Day Event Celebrates America’s Native Spirit; Online Bidding for Auction Available

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2026) — The inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration (KBCA) will convene Feb. 13–15, 2026, bringing bourbon enthusiasts, collectors and philanthropists to Louisville for an unprecedented three-day celebration of America’s native spirit. Timed to President’s Day Weekend and aligned with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the event honors Bourbon’s enduring role in American history while supporting the Bob Woodruff Foundation, benefiting veterans, first responders and their families.

Anchored by one of the most comprehensive and prestigious public bourbon auctions ever assembled, the newly released auction catalogue features once-in-a-lifetime bottles, full barrels and immersive bourbon experiences donated by iconic distilleries, private collectors and industry leaders. Featured lots among the newly announced offerings include:

• The Brown Family Decanter (Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon)
• Parker’s Heritage Collection Blend of Mashbills Bottle
• Willett Family Estate 10 Year Single-Barrel Bottle

“The KBCA was created to honor bourbon’s place in our nation’s story while using its power to do impactful work,” said Andrew Varga, founder of KBCA. “Hosting this inaugural event in Louisville on President’s Day Weekend, during America’s 250th anniversary, allows us to unite extraordinary bourbon, meaningful experiences, and a shared purpose: supporting the veterans, first responders and families served by the Bob Woodruff Foundation. This weekend represents the very best of Bourbon Country.”

The three-day event consists of:

• Friday, Feb. 13 – Grand Reveal Tasting at the Frazier History Museum, celebrating the kickoff of Bourbon Season with rare pours, curated tastings and bottle sales.
• Saturday, Feb. 14 (afternoon) – The Blind Leading the Blind, an interactive tasting brunch at Watch Hill Proper,
• Saturday, Feb. 14 (evening) – The signature Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration Gala at Omni Louisville Downtown, an evening of fine dining, storytelling and the live auction benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
• Sunday, Feb. 15 – The Final Pour, including an exclusive tour of the Louisville Water Tower and a bourbon-forward lunch at Savor at RiverHouse.

Proceeds from the auction support the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which has invested more than $189 million in programs providing mental health care, housing assistance, employment services and long-term support for the military community and first responders.

Tickets for in-person events are limited. Collectors and bourbon enthusiasts unable to attend in Louisville may participate virtually via the official auction platform.

For tickets, event details, and auction catalogue, visit www.KYBCA.com and follow KBCA on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

The Quiet Splendor of Komagatake
Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740 Japanese Single Malt Whiskey (700ml) ($179.99)
“An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye-opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.” —David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Mars Shuzo is the quiet giant of Japanese whisky. The best kept secret in the whisky world are the two exceptional distilleries, Komagatake and Tsunuki. While both have been available on occasion in single malt form, they are almost never seen in the US as single casks, and typically a single barrel of either commands a significant premium. The company can trace its roots to the origins of Japanese whisky through their founder, Kiichiro Iwai. Just like Suntory, Hombo Shuzo was there from the start. It was in fact Iwai who enlisted Masataka Taketsuru to travel to Scotland in order to learn the age old techniques for making the worlds most complex whisky. Upon his return, Hombo was not able to construct the distillery, so Taketsuru-san took the plans to Suntory.

But in 1949, Kiichiro Iwai would complete his dream of building pot stills and distilling Hombos own malt whisky. And while Iwai-san represents one of the three pillars of Japanese whisky, their modern commitment to the category rests squarely on the shoulders of one great man, Kazuto Hombo. Hombo-san is a true lover of the finer things, and his love of whisky kept the wonderful old stills running. His belief that Japanese whisky would one day be a worldwide success is singularly connected to the construction of the Nagano plant where the original stills were moved, and while Hombo-san was ahead of his time, the plant would see very little production over the next 30 years. He was ready when the whisky boom began and production restarted in 2014.

Now Komagatake is making some of the world’s best whisky. Stylistically, the distillery offers an elegant and refined malt, but this single cask is truly superb. Peated to 20 ppm, you might expect something very smoky and forward, but instead you have an elegant, ultra complex expression of malt that is on par with the very finest available anywhere. Let’s dive in! One of the old single casks out there. The color is a shimmering yellow gold (0.5). The nose is an explosive mixture of maritime flavors and sweet orchard fruit: oyster shell, yuzu peel, galangal, creosote, white ash, pear preserves, licorice root, salted grilled lemons, and lanolin. The palate is razor sharp and chiseled, with a big citrus note and a strong saline character up front, followed by similar white ashy smoke, which does not dominate whatsoever the fresh, juicy fruit: greengage, apricot, green grapes. It absolutely adores water, softening the smoke and reminding me of a well matured, less tarry style Caol Ila. An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye-opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.

— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740 Japanese Single Malt Whiskey (700ml) ($179.99)

This singular cask from Mars Komagatake offers a direct link to the origins of Japanese whisky and one of the category’s most important pioneering producers. Crafted by Hombo Shuzo, a family owned company founded in 1872, Mars traces its whisky lineage to the earliest era of malt distillation in Japan, long before Japanese whisky achieved global acclaim. Hombo was among the first producers to seriously pursue domestic malt whisky, helping establish the foundation of what would become a national tradition. The Komagatake distillery was founded in 1985 high in the Japanese Alps of Nagano, chosen for its pristine mountain water, cool climate, and dramatic seasonal temperature swings. These conditions proved ideal for maturation, allowing whiskies to develop remarkable depth and structure even at younger ages.

Like much of the industry, Komagatake experienced periods of dormancy during market downturns, but its revival in 2011 marked a pivotal moment in the modern resurgence of Japanese whisky. Today, Komagatake is widely regarded as the spiritual and technical heart of Mars, producing some of the most authentic and characterful single malts in the country. This single cask, bottled exclusively for K&L at natural cask strength and limited to just 160 bottles, is not only exceptionally rare but historically significant. As the very first Komagatake barrel selection in K&L’s history, it stands among the finest examples of Japanese whisky available anywhere in the world.

Purchase Here ➔

— Also Available Exclusively at K&L —

Mars Tsunuki 8 Year Old K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Cask #T326 Japanese Single Malt Whiskey (700ml) ($189.99)

This exceptional single cask from Mars Tsunuki represents a crucial chapter in the long and often storied history of Japanese whisky. Produced by Hombo Shuzo, a family-owned company founded in 1872, Mars traces its whisky lineage to the very beginnings of malt distillation in Japan. Long before Japanese whisky gained international fame, Hombo was quietly experimenting with malt production, helping lay the technical and philosophical groundwork for the category.

While Komagatake Distillery serves as the spiritual heart of Mars, Tsunuki represents its future. Established in 2016 in Kagoshima at the tropical southern tip of Japan, Tsunuki was built firmly in traditional practice, drawing on the region’s warmer climate and abundant natural resources to explore a different expression of Japanese malt whisky. But because it was yet to be defined, the distillery offered Mars a chance to push the boundaries of what’s possible. This heavily peated single cask is a perfect example of the courageous potential of this special distillery.

Distilled in 2017 from barley peated to 50 ppm and aged high quality first fill sherry hogshead. This is rich sherry and peat at its very finest and a style almost never seen in Japan. Aged in the hot, humid dunnage style warehouses at Tsunuki for nearly 9 years, it was bottled at natural cask strength without chill-filtration. A total of 236 bottles, this release stands as a bold statement of intent for the distillery and for Mars as a whole.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 17, 2025

The wonderful Tsunuki distillery is truly a pilgrimage worth taking for any lover of great whisky. I’ve made the trek twice, and along with Kanosuke, it stands as one of the crown jewels of the recently anointed Kagoshima whisky trail. Visiting this historic property can be deceiving, as you might expect a new distillery to feel new, but its actually the longtime home base of Hombo Shuzo’s historic operations. The reception center is literally Hombo-san’s family home where he grew up, and the site also includes the old, now defunct grain stills that were crucial to the success of Hombo Shuzos shochu business. The beautiful property also features World War II-era dunnage warehouses, where this special cask was aged. The selection of this barrel represents one of my favorite cask-picking experiences in nearly twenty years of doing this. After a beautiful tour with chief distilling manager and blender Tatsuro Kusano, we retired to an elegant tatami-adorned washitsu tucked behind the visitor center.

There was an impressive lineup of casks waiting for us, and every single one was a joy to taste. We initially selected a beautiful medium-peated Komagatake, but the others were almost impossible to separate. After plenty of hemming and hawing, I mentioned to Kusano-san that many of our customers are obsessed with heavily peated, heavily sherried malts, a style we see less and less out of Scotland, and wondered if Tsunuki had ever gone in that direction. His eyes lit up, he raised a finger, and said, “I’ll be right back.” He sprinted across the campus to his blending room and returned with two samples dark as night. It felt like I’d spoken and the whisky gods had answered. The cask was everything we hoped for, a big, bold, unapologetic beast with deep barbecue intensity. Fittingly, Kusano-san is a huge fan of American-style barbecue, so if you ever visit the distillery, that’s the perfect omiyage.

I just about started crying and was so honored and grateful that this generous colleague had gone the extra mile to find something so special for us. It’s not only these experiences that put Tsunuki at the top of my list, it’s the incredible whisky they continue to produce every single day. We bought two more barrels this October and hopefully many more to come. The barrel rested for another year after selection and only grew more compelling over time. During bottling, the distillery even sent us a photo showing thick, opaque fatty oils suspended throughout the whisky and asked if we wanted it filtered. The answer was an emphatic no. Keep every bit of that cloudy magic.

I won’t bother with a formal tasting note here, because if you haven’t already grabbed a bottle, you’ve probably already missed the boat. But if you love the great sherried beasts of Islay, this magical cask will absolutely knock you out for the count.

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

£31.00

Personalise one of Scotland’s favourite whiskies for a gift that’ll go down famously! This blend is crafted from the finest malt whiskies, such as The Macallan and Highland Park, married with exceptional grain whiskies, for the smoothest possible taste.

The nose opens with candied fruits and all butter shortbread with a touch of citrus peel. The palate brings a soft cinnamon and ginger spice with hints of oak and delicious dried fruits, before a smooth and balanced finish.

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯