KNOCHDHU 10
2013 vintage

PX sherry

Infrequent flyers. Knockdhu 10 Year Old 2013 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single Pedro Ximénez Sherry Puncheon #804975 bottled August 2023 by The Alistair Walker Whisky Co. for the Infrequent Flyers series. 640 bottles.

Nose: A deep, earthy, leathery nose, with abundant fruit notes, specifically ripe red plums and cranberries. Burnt sugar and milk chocolate make cameo appearances.

Taste: As expected, the PX sherry influence is prominent; a sublime combination of stewed raisins and sultanas, chocolate liqueurs and treacle toffee, with both cinnamon and allspice dropping in for good measure.

£73.84

AnCnoc Malt Whisky is produced at Knockdhu Distillery at Knock in the Highland whisky region. It was established by the Distillers Company Ltd. in 1893 to produce whisky for Haig’s blends of Scotch. Knockdhu has two stills with worm tubs and traditional dunnage warehouses where it matures both peated and unpeated AnCnoc whisky. Vintage releases include 1975 and 2000 whilst age releases include the 12 year old and 22 year old.

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)(European Import) $270.00 View

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

ralfy review 1009 – MacLeans Nose Blended Scotch @ 46%vol:

The 151st auction is now past the midway point, and with the amount of bids flying in there must be a fair few of you trying to soothe those post-festive blues with a special tipple.  Here are a few more highlights in this month which you might have missed.

Springbank 1966 Local Barley Cask #480 75cl

A bottling with legendary status this is the Springbank 1966 Local Barley Cask #480 75cl.  The Local Barley casks distilled in 1966 have been highly prized for a while now, and with good reason.  This particular beauty was aged solely in Bourbon wood and spent a mightily impressive three decades maturing into the fine specimen you see before you.

Ardbeg Special 1965 39 Year Old with Mini in Museum Case

A very special bottling this one, this is the Ardbeg Special 1965 39 Year Old with Mini in Museum Case.  This terrific expression is proudly displayed in a beautiful glass museum case. A very rare vatting of two exceptionally old casks, it is accompanied by a mini and a cleaning kit; so that you might have your whisky and drink it, whilst keeping it in pristine condition at the same time!

GlenDronach 1972 40 Year Old Single Cask #710

By this point I’m sure we’re all well aware of the quality of these releases, this is the GlenDronach 1972 40 Year Old Single Cask #710.  Many a sherried whisky drinker has had a revelatory experience with GlenDronach’s single cask releases, such is the depth of flavour and character they are imbued with.  This particular beast was distilled way back in 1972 and spent four whole decades in a single Oloroso sherry butt.

Glenesk 1971 30 Year Old Silver Seal Decanter 75cl

The word rarity is bandied around often in whisky circles but this, the Glenesk 1971 30 Year Old Silver Seal Decanter 75cl, certainly fits the bill. This one of one bottling from the now silent Glenesk distillery comes in a wonderfully crafted circa 1920’s crystal decanter with hallmarked silver top seal. It also comes with a certificate of authenticity and a crystal stopper. A truly unique release from the iconic indie bottler.We still have plenty of time left in the auction but now is definitely the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites and making bids.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

We are extending our special limited time offer of $79.99 CAD for orders placed before January 15th.  Whisky is available for pre-sale only at this time. Pre-sale is limited to British Columbia residents, with shipping exclusively within the province. Orders expected to ship February/March 2024.

LEARN MORE AND RESERVE WHISKY

STORY

Jason’s whisky-making dream took its inaugural steps in our original distillery, perched overlooking the picturesque Juan de Fuca Strait in Shirley, B.C. This vision expanded to our Sooke distillery, where Jason continued to craft exceptional whisky, using exclusively local B.C. grains. Our commitment to sustainability extends to our spent grain, which was repurposed as feed for local farm animals. Jason’s meticulous approach to aging whisky ensures that each bottle becomes a coveted collector’s item.

The excellence of Jason’s craft was acknowledged, with the debut batch of whisky claiming the “Best In Class” title at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)  and a Gold award in the “Merrit in Terroir” category.

PROCESS

This whisky was crafted in Sooke, British Columbia, using exclusively B.C. grain and traditional distillation techniques. The mash bill, consisting of rye, wheat, and malted barley, has been distilled in small batches and aged for a minimum of three years in premium American new white oak barrels. The robust and full-bodied flavour of this whisky comes from a combination of the mash bill, traditional distillation methods, the use of new American oak to age the spirit and the pure love of making whisky.

TASTING NOTES

Experience a deep and complex rye spice, complemented by notes of pepper, vanilla, cooked fruit, brown sugar, and a subtle hint of leather.

Credit: Rotorworx Aerial Media

DALMUNACH

6 YEAR OLD
THE WULVER

70CL | 60%

£49.95

WAS £59.95

SAVE £10

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The inaugural release from Speyside’s Dalmunach distillery bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. The first of three limited-edition releases, this whisky is rich and fruity with layers of orchard fruit, citrus and nuttiness.

A truly landmark whisky, the first official bottling of Dalmunach to be available outside the distillery is also the inaugural release in the Scottish Mythical Creatures series. Available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange, this collection of three limited-edition Dalmunach single malts draws inspiration from the legendary beasts of the Scottish Highlands. The first edition is named for the Wulver, a fearsome yet benevolent figure said to fish along the shorelands of the Shetland Isles.

After six years in American oak barrels, this seldom-seen Speyside malt has emerged rich and fruity with a palate coating texture and vivid notes of white fruit, citrus oil and nuts. A strong debut for Dalmunach and an excellent addition to any whisky collection.

Committee Release

8 Year Old

70cl | 50.8% ABV

Ardbeg 8 Year Old is a big, youthful, deliberately challenging Whisky that we think smoke-loving Islay fans will go wild for. Unmistakable smoky intensity. Charcoal and creosote. Curious hints of fennel and celery mixed with woodsmoke… Ardbeg 8 Year Old is guaranteed to provoke discussion.

£59.95

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NOSE

Intense with a burst of charcoal, creosote, tar and treacle toffee, with curious hints of something vegetal, like fennel, celery and green peppers. Once these subside, there are hints of milk chocolate, aniseed and woodsmoke. With a little drop of water, some more herbal notes appear, like fennel, coriander and lavender, along with some characteristic Ardbeg aromatic woodsmoke and a hint of fresh, salty sea spray.

PALATE

A distinctively peppery mouthfeel eases into a complex symphony of flavours; treacle toffee, aniseed, salted caramel chocolate, eucalyptus, menthol and briar wood, to name but a few. The ‘tingling’, peppery sensation on the palate continues, with the sweeter flavours giving way to more savoury notes like charcoal, smoked bacon, burnt toast and tar.

FINISH

The aftertaste is long and lingering, with a suggestion of peppermint and clove.

We wish you a very relaxed and happy 2024!!

Just a short message to wish you and your loved ones a very relaxed and happy 2024!! We are looking forward to this one, since it will be the year of the 15th anniversary of Maltstock! We hope you will be joining us in celebrating!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun

Maltstock Anniversary Monthly Prize Draw

Just like five years ago we have a treat for you! Our sponsors and supporter have given us some relaxed goodies which we can give away! We will do so by organizing a monthly Prize Draw! Entering this prize draw is very simple! The only thing you need to do is to buy a Maltstock ticket! All ticket holders that have bought tickets, during or before the Monthly Prize Draw will be eligible and entered into the draw. A monthly winner will receive a very special Maltstock goodie box full of… ehrm… ‘relaxed goodies’! Every month we will announce both the winner through social media and this newsletter, and feature one of the sponsors in this newsletter!

Of course terms and conditions apply, click here to find out about them. We’ve put all of you lovely ticket holders into our wheel of fortune and pressed start.

And this months winner is:

We will be in contact with you about your prize!

SMWS is relaxed club of passionate whisky enthusiast and proud sponsor of the Maltstock Monthly Prize draw! Become a member now and receive 20% discount with the coupon code PASSION20. For more information on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society go to www.smws.eu

So feel free to join the relaxed fun. Simply get your ticket here:

https://www.maltstock.com/shop

Grand designs

Glenfiddich Grand Collection blends invention and tradition through flavour

Worlds collide with remarkable results in this innovative single malt whisky collection. 

Glenfiddich 23 Year Old Grand Cru 40% 70cl

£280.00

Speyside’s Glenfiddich distillery might be steeped in tradition, but its whisky-making is as inventive as it comes. Take The Grand Collection. The innovative series spans four expressions, each one an amalgam of flavour.

As groundbreaking as it is delicious, the collection draws on Japan, France and Spain, imparting regional influence through exacting cask management. The results are impressive.

First up is Glenfiddich 23 Year Old Grand Cru. This vibrant bottling was made using French oak casks that previously held a very special type of sparkling wine. A luxuriously complex release, apple, honey and soft spices on the nose give way to a brioche-like velvety palate. An exceptional whisky indeed.

Find out more about The Glenfiddich Grand Series

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Nikka “From The Barrel” Blended Whisky (750ml) $74.99 View

94 points Whisky Advocate  For Nikka From the Barrel, it’s been a long road to Whisky of the Year. This Japanese blend made its U.S. debut in 2018, but its inception dates back more than 30 years. In 1985, Nikka Whisky Distilling Company’s blending team, led by Shigeo Sato, designed this whisky using both malt and grain whiskies produced at Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo Distilleries. When taking into account the full array of casks—bourbon barrels, sherry butts, refill hogsheads, and more—over 100 different constituent whiskies are enlisted. “From the Barrel” suggests barrel proof, but that’s not the case. The blenders made a conscious decision to bottle at 51.4% (derived from 90 British Proof) to deliver maximum flavor impact. They succeeded. Notably balanced and elegant, the colorful palette of whiskies combines for tremendous depth of flavor. Soft, sweet butterscotch and orange peel meet poached pears and stone fruits. Earthiness appears as dried autumn leaves, coffee, old oak, and tobacco. Among the tangle of spices, tasters identified chili pepper, allspice, cloves, and universally adored its ginger note. Finally, wisps of smoke and sea salt. Overall, it feels generously malty, with the grain whisky lending broad sweetness and supple mouthfeel across the long finish. Beyond its delightful flavors, Nikka From the Barrel presents some paradoxes worthy of contemplation over a glass. It is a classic, yet new to the U.S. It is typically Japanese, yet singularly magnificent. Jeffery Lindenmuth 

K&L Notes. The #1 Whiskey of the Year on Whiskey Advocates Top 20 list in 2018 is now being offered without an allocation limit for the first time thanks to our special relationship with the importer. The wonderful Nikka From the Barrel has been one of the most sought-after offerings from this special distiller based outside of Sapporo. It’s previously not been available in the US due to the USA restriction on the 500ml bottle size, but thankfully the owners designed a 750ml version for the US market. This is a blend of many of the Nikka whiskies we know and love dumped and mingled for further marrying in a large vat at the distillery, hence “from the barrel.” It’s one of the few higher proof offerings available from any Japanese distiller and has a unique character. While the Hibiki Harmony might be the most popular blended Japanese whisky available in the US, From The Barrel is easily the most flavorful. This is nicely aged Yoichi, Miyagikyo, Coffey Grain and Imported Malt further aged post blending and bottled at 102.8 proof. No wonder people are going rabid for the stuff, it’s absolutely delicious!

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