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The Grand Whisky Auction ENDS TODAY!
There are 2600+ lots to browse and bid on this month with one of the highlights being Ben Nevis Butt!
Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?
T.+44 (0)1463 210 427 – sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com
Dailuaine 25 Years Old Mission Gold Aberdeen Whisky Shop Exclusive
This unique malt was bottled exclusively for our shop. Distilled in 1997 at Dailuaine Distillery, known for its oily, orchard fruit-filled spirit and aged in a bourbon hogshead for two decades before finishing in a compact bourbon cask from Koval Distillery. This is an unprecedented example of Koval cask maturation. Never before has an older single malt rested for so long in those small casks. Nearly six years in the bourbon cask resulted in a wonderful balance between elegant old spirit and vibrant American oak. Bottled by Murray McDavid at natural cask strength without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.
NOSE Poached pears, grilled apple and baking spice.
PALATE Green orchard fruit, fresh nuts and mellow oak.
FINISH Warming malt, herbal, gentle sweet spice.
Only 137 bottles were produced.
£180.00
A TALE OF TOKYO
70cl | 46% ABV
A Whisky born out of Master Distiller Dr Bill Lumsden’s obsession for the culture, fashion and food of Japan. The contradictory and multi-faceted nature of Tokyo inspired Dr Bill to reflect it into a Whisky.
After a decade of searching, Dr Bill finally managed to source some casks from one of Japan’s most sought-after trees, Mizunara oak. The result is a Whisky designed to bottle some of the wonders of Tokyo – multi-faceted, contradictory and always surprising!
Aged in Mizunara, Bourbon and Sherry casks. Dr Bill says: “This liquid is crazy. Its flavour notes are insane, dissonant and impenetrable.”
£74.95
TASTING NOTES:
NOSE
Pungent and herbal, with hints of incense and toffee, along with a curious herbal top-note, like saddle-soap or beeswax, followed by wood resin and a touch of cedar wood.
TASTE
A peppery mouthfeel leads into the flavour of chewy oak, fennel or vetiver root, ground white pepper, tangy oranges, bitter cherries, almond and wood resin.
Redacted (Thompson) Bros 8 Year Old “SRV5” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $49.99 View
Redacted (Thompson) Bros 6 Year Old “TB/BSW” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $54.99 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
Welcome to a slightly different episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at the component parts, so to speak of the Filey Bay IPA Finish. Episode 531 – The Unbearable Symbiosis of Being…!
Filmed in The Study Nottingham
Featuring
The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery:Filey Bay Flagship 46%
The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery: Filey Bay IPA Finish 46%
Wold Top Brewery: Scarborough Fair IPA 6.0%
Wold Top Brewery: Barrel Wave IPA 9.1%
www.woldtopbrewery.co.uk
Bladnoch Distillery Launches Brand New Peated Collection of Lowland Whiskies
With Fire Comes Smoke
BLADNOCH DISTILLERY, SCOTLAND – Bladnoch Distillery, the historic 206-year-old ‘Queen of the Lowlands’, are delighted to announce their new Peated Collection, a celebration of Bladnoch’s innovation and approach to whisky making. This year, Alinta (previously the only peated expression by Bladnoch) is joined by 4 new peated whiskies to create a collection for those who love a dram with some fire.
Alinta, derived from indigenous Australian languages, evokes images of “fire” and “flames” and was the first peated whisky to be added to the Bladnoch range since the distillery was taken over by David Prior in 2015. Alinta is uniquely crafted using a combination of PX Sherry and ex-bourbon casks and evokes the notes of campfire embers found in each sip, completely different to anything that had previously been released by Bladnoch Distillery, and not particularly emblematic of the typical Lowlands style of whisky.
Joining Alinta to create Bladnoch’s Peated Collection are four new whiskies made with peated barley: Alinta Reserve, and the three Single Casks, each showcasing distinct flavours and characteristics. Dr. Nick Savage, Bladnoch’s Master Distiller, hand selects each cask, ensuring only the highest quality and most unique casks make it into this exclusive collection.
Dr. Nick Savage
Speaking about this collection, Dr. Savage commented, “The Bladnoch Peated Collection has been inspired by our 2009 stocks, which are uniquely 100% peated. Lowland single malt is not traditionally peated, however, the launch of Alinta had such an amazing reception from everyone. I wanted to extend this limited but unique peated section in our portfolio for those who enjoy the smoky styles of Bladnoch. Our peated collection is an annual celebration of the extremely unique and rare 2009 stocks at Bladnoch.”
The Alinta Reserve, a limited batch release of only 2,000 bottles, will be selected annually by Dr. Nick Savage. For the inaugural 2023 batch, 100% first-fill Amontillado Sherry Hogshead casks were chosen, providing a well-balanced experience of smoky campfire and white chocolate.
The Peated Collection Single Casks are created using Bladnoch’s 2009 maturing stocks, which are exclusively 100% peated and exceptionally rare. Each year, Dr. Nick Savage will access these exceptional 2009 stocks to select and release three single casks, showcasing the rarity, scarcity, and uniqueness of Bladnoch’s peated history. For the three single casks of the first Peated Collection Dr. Nick Savage has selected Rum, Bourbon, and Sherry Hogshead casks.
The Sherry Hogshead expression packs a punchy ABV of 58.3% and is limited to just 262 bottles. The nose of this whisky is reminiscent of polished oak with nuances of nutmeg and dates. On the palate, you’ll discover bonfire smoke along with plum jam and the finish leaves you with the comforting taste of a Bonfire Christmas cake, a truly exceptional and indulgent experience that perfectly embodies the spirit of Bladnoch’s Peated Collection.
Next in the Single Cask line-up is the 2009 Rum Cask edition of the Peated Collection where there are 248 bottles available. Here, the nose introduces notes of sugar cane, enriched with a floral and herbal body, setting the stage for an extraordinary tasting experience. As you explore the palate, you’ll uncover the flavours of marshmallows on a campfire combined with apple pie. The finish is subtly dry, offering a delightful mouthfeel with the lingering sweetness of smoke.
Finally, the 2009 Bourbon Barrel is a celebration of rich, smoky flavours that will delight the senses and this Single Cask expression is limited to 231 bottles. The nose reveals notes of smoky vanilla custard and on the palate, you’ll find toasted vanilla pods with the warmth of sandalwood. The finish is a perfect blend of sweetness and smoky warmth.
Each of the Bladnoch Peated Collection whiskies, as with all Bladnoch’s whiskies, are created without chill-filtration and with natural colour. Alinta Reserve will be available through markets including the UK, Germany, Taiwan, Australia and Korea; The Bladnoch Peated Single Casks will be available in the UK only through Bladnoch’s website.
The Peated Collection will be available to purchase online from Monday 23rd October: https://uk.bladnoch.com/pages/the-peated-collection
Link to images here.
Tasting Notes
Bladnoch Alinta
ABV: 47%
Nose: Smoky ice cream, delicate floral with sweet oak
Palate: Campfire smoke, almonds, raisins with a white chocolate body
Finish: Long with a sweet smoke
RRP: £80
Bladnoch Alinta Reserve
ABV: 46.7%
Nose: Walnuts with smoky dried apricots
Palate: Smokey white chocolate buttons with walnuts and hints of herbal pinecones
Finish: Sweet with delicate smoke warmth
RRP: £120
Bladnoch 2009 Sherry Hogshead
ABV: 58.3%
Cask number: 53
Nose: Polished oak with nutmeg and dates
Palate: Bonfire smoke with plum jam
Finish: Bonfire Christmas cake
RRP: £200
Bladnoch 2009 Rum Cask
ABV: 54.1%
Cask number: 2009003
Nose: Sugar cane with a floral and herbal body
Palate: Campfire marshmallows with apple pie
Finish: Slightly dry mouthfeel with sweet smokiness
RRP: £200
Bladnoch 2009 Bourbon Barrel
ABV: 55.9%
Cask number: 63
Nose: Smoky vanilla custard
Palate: Toasted vanilla pods with sandalwood
Finish: Sweet with smoky warmth
RRP: £200
About Bladnoch Distillery
Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately-owned Scotch Whisky Distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, it is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’ Hand crafted using only the finest local ingredients such as the pristine water from the River Bladnoch that flows alongside the distillery and British barley to create a rich, flavourful whisky that is best savoured. Bladnoch Single Malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.
This legacy brand has been revived by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage, formerly at The Macallan, and owner David Prior, a whisky connoisseur who is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch Whisky distillery. Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in the iconic distillery.
For more information and the latest on their range of award-winning single malts, visit www.bladnoch.com
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves to Launch in October
The first release within Yellowstone’s new Special Finishes Collection will be the latest full-time member of the Yellowstone brand family
ST.LOUIS (Oct. 9, 2023) – Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves – the first release within the brand’s Special Finishes Collection and the latest inspiration from Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam – is set to hit retail shelves in October. Aged four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Toasted will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750-ml bottle.
Yellowstone Toasted starts with the brand’s traditional bourbon mash bill, which is then stave finished. Beam, a seventh-generation master distiller, hand-selected a combination of five different staves – high toast, American oak double-toast, vanilla, rick house and spice rack – to get the desired flavor profile.
The resulting bourbon features a nose of toasted caramel and vanilla with hints of fall spices and cinnamon; a medium body with notes of walnut, toffee, black tea and white pepper; and a crisp finish highlighted by cocoa, tobacco and oak.
“The Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection is a great way to honor more than 150 years of bourbon heritage while still keeping things fresh and exciting,” said Beam. “I began experimenting with toasted barrels in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with Yellowstone Limited Edition releases and again more recently with distillery-exclusive Yellowstone Toasted Single Barrel. My experience helped in crafting what stave flavors to use and at what percentage to get the right flavor profile for Yellowstone Toasted. I can’t wait for consumers to try this latest full-time member of the Yellowstone Bourbon family.”
Yellowstone Toasted packaging features the brand’s iconic bottle and Roosevelt Arch artwork, as well as a more prominent version of the Yellowstone brand name and a Special Finishes Collection call-out. The bottle’s brown top-wrap helps to differentiate Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon from other Yellowstone variants.
About Limestone Branch Distillery
Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. Stephen is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family – Beam and Dant. In 2015, he brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family. The distillery is now home to Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Minor Case Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin. For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or https://www.instagram.com/yellowstonebourbon/
A treasure trove from our friends at Dramfool features a pair of stunning Caol Ila 14-year-old single casks, as well as “secret source” 17-year-old Islay, the source of which is actually readily apparent by sorting out the anagram in the whisky’s “Red Bag” moniker.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313329 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View
The first pair of Caol Ila casks in Dramfool’s new Middle Cut private cask line is a doozy. We’ve partnered with Dramfool to be able to give our customers one of the coolest Caol Ila tastings you could ever hope to put together. Four sister casks of Caol Ila in total will be coming to K&L. All four were born on the 4th of July, 2008. In April of 2021 all were reracked into the freshly emptied barrels of the Jim McEwan Signature Series from Dramfool for extended finishing. These compelling casks were part of the legendary Jim McEwan’s retirement plan — the choicest of barrels from Bruichladdich’s early revival days personally selected and owned by Jim himself. This year’s pair of Caol Ila casks, bottled at 14 years old, were finished in McEwan Release 1.2 and 2.2. Barrel #313329 was reracked into release 2.2 — the Port Charlotte release that had been aged in 1st fill Bourbon Barrel (from Beam). The result is a smokier and sweeter version of Caol Ila thanks to the additional Port Charlotte influence and an extra bump from what is effectively a super high quality, now second fill, bourbon barrel.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313321 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View
These two casks of Caol Ila from Dramfool mark the start of something truly special. Not only are they the first full private casks they’ve sold as an exclusive to a retailer, they are part of an amazing set with a compelling cask history. They provide a rare opportunity to build both a horizontal and vertical tasting from a single set of casks. There are four sister casks in total coming to K&L between this year and next year that were all distilled on the 4th of July, 2008 at Caol Ila. In April of 2021 all four casks were reracked into the freshly emptied Jim McEwan Signature Series 1.x and 2.x releases where they will sit untouched until bottling. This year’s pair comes from the 1.2 and 2.2 releases. (Next year will see 1.3 and 2.3 finished versions hit our shelves). This Caol Ila cask (#313321) was reracked for finishing into JMSS 1.2 – the stupendous cask of Port Charlotte aged in a first-fill Bordeaux barrique that personally belonged to Jim as part of his retirement nest egg. If you know anything about Bruichladdich’s wine casks, you know this was surely a 1st growth property, although they won’t confirm which one! The Port Charlotte’s influence on the cask both pulled out the most intense red wine notes and left behind an extra smoke component for it to carry into our Caol Ila. The result is mature Caol Ila with an extra robust smoke profile and mellow red fruit to complement the naturally sweet ripe stone fruit and malt of Diageo’s famous Port Askaig distillery.
2006 Dramfool 17 Year Old “Red Bag” Bourbon Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $399.99 View
Islay’s easiest anagram. This epic cask was distilled March 9, 2006 and bottled April 24, 2023 at 17 years old. It’s old school South Shore goodness from one of the world’s most sought after distilleries. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.2% ABV without color or chill filtration.
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
We are delighted to introduce the third release in the Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and travel exclusive Green Meadow. Created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, the third release of the Harmony Collection celebrates the lush and fertile lands of Scotland, which connect all those who have stood upon them for generations.
This special single malt exudes notes of fresh citrus, vanilla and almonds. A single malt reminiscent of wild meadow. Green Meadow will be available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from February 2024. There will be limited availability worldwide.
The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie,
Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000
New Cask Collection No.71
Our 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour…
Single cask whiskies are understandably lauded for their nuance and subtlety; singular expressions of distillery character, a particular cask type, and the idiosyncrasy of maturation. Yet at its heart, Scotch whisky is a potent spirit, embodying strength and warmth. The exceptional quality of Scotch whisky is that such a strong, high-abv drink can exhibit a myriad of tastes and aromas from all areas of the flavour wheel. As independent bottlers, we seek to harness the power of the cask, and restrain it in smartly presented 700ml glass containers.
A. D. Rattray’s 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour. The subtle quirks of single casks remain, but the overarching quality throughout this selection is a certain strength of character. Major contributors to this style include the spirit itself and its method of distillation, fresh, high-impact wood, and of course Islay peat. All feature prominently in this collection.
