K&L Exclusives: A Pair of Intriguing Indiana Rye Discoveries
“These two exceptional casks of rye whiskey really took me by surprise.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Even with all the outstanding exclusive single barrels we bring in, it’s still a rare treat to find a straight rye that impresses us as much as these two casks from Clyde May. Distilled at the famed MGP facility in Lawrenceburg, they’re excellent examples of this renowned Indiana distillery’s signature rye profile, yet they each offer a distinct character all their own.

Clyde May’s “K&L Exclusive” Batch #913 Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)

K&L Notes: A renowned Alabama moonshiner who perfected the art of distillation and became infamous for his apple-flavored whiskey, Clyde May’s story is one of the most interesting and intriguing in the whiskey world. The modern version of his recipe has been produced legally since 2001, but along with that the company has been buying and bottling straight bourbon for some time now. Like so many of the other independent bottlers of American whiskey, they’re working primarily with the great distillery in Lawrenceburg. While many of our bottlers have lovely bourbons from the excellent distillery, it’s in fact the rye whiskey that makes MGP/Lawrenceburg/Ross & Squib distillery so special. They are exceptionally suited to distilling top-notch rye and have been for many decades. Now Clyde May’s is offering us single barrels of the truly delicious Straight Rye whiskey for the first time ever. These stocks are distilled from the classic 95% rye/5% malt mashbill that MGP made famous. These excellent barrels were distilled on Valentine’s Day of 2017 and bottled on September 15th, 2022 at a wonderful 104 proof.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 20, 2023

These two exceptional casks of rye whiskey really took me by surprise. There are so few people offering single barrels of great rye whiskey right now and finding two such high quality yet distinctly different barrels was what really intrigued me about these stocks. Let’s taste! Wow! this barrel is so pungent and open, it’s hard to believe its only five years old. Big notes of sweet oak, dark baking spice, gorgeous citrus oil, sweet herbs, cracked black pepper, subtle dried fruit. On the palate, it’s punchy and dense with big, sweet spice and a tense, heady, herbal character. Expect the richer softer side of rye offering tons of dense baking spice balanced with sweet oak and dried fruit. Not too peppery or dark and surprisingly bright with lots of citrus and pungent poached pear. A very vibrant and exciting new barrel.

Clyde May’s “K&L Exclusive” Batch #914 Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 20, 2023

This cask is the more herbal, rich, earthy side of MGP rye. If you like the dilly, minty side of Indiana rye, this is the one for you. Let’s taste! Oh, a big oily spice, wild yellow flowers, exotic bark, crushed rock, and sweet vanilla bean. Hints of dill and wild herbs, dark peach compote, tanned hide, gravel, and caramel candies. On the palate, red fruit, licorice, herbal tea, mint, and dried grass. This one is balanced between wild exotic flavors and dark herbal rye. It’s a stark contrast from the sweet, rich notes of the other cask and a welcome departure for those who like a bit more dense dark character in their ryes. This is really solid stuff and hopefully most people will get to try one of each.

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

EXPLORE
NEW POSSIBILITIES

It’s the start of a new year…

For us at Compass Box, that means taking every opportunity to try new things. To ask questions, challenge and experiment. To follow our curiosity.

If you’re feeling curious too, read on for new ways to explore and enjoy our core range, and a glimpse of a compelling new creation…

DELOS

Escape to a new island paradise

Coming soon, the second in the series from The Extinct Blends Quartet. Inspired by a lost Compass Box blend, Delos is a soothing whisky with sumptuous, exotic flavours. Offering a moment of sanctuary in each sip.

FIND OUT MORE

THE SPICE TREE GIFT SET

A guaranteed treat for whisky lovers

Complete with a beautiful, limited edition gift box and two specially laser-etched glasses, this treat is a much more indulgent way to experience The Spice Tree, a rich whisky with intense baking spice flavours.

BUY THE SET

THE MALT WHISKY COLLECTION

Three award-winning whiskies, each with a story to tell

Explore the world of Scotch whisky and find the limitless possibilities within. Features miniatures of The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree, and The Story of the Spaniard. Gift it to a friend and inspire their journey into whisky.

BUY NOW

Our mailing address is:

Compass Box Whisky Co.
Chiswick Studios
9 Power Road
London, EnglandW4 5PY
United Kingdom

Phil will return next week……….

GLENALLACHIE INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE CUVÉE WINE CASK RELEASE

The Speyside distillery combined Scotch whisky aged in casks sourced from four European fine wineries

The GlenAllachie Distillery, spearheaded by Scotch whisky icon Billy Walker, today introduces their latest new product innovation: The GlenAllachie 2012 Vintage Cuvée Wine Cask Finish.

The 9-year-old (UK RRSP £53.99) marries single malt finished in casks that previously held four types of premium European red wine: Languedoc, Recioto Della Valpolicella and two undisclosed Premier Cru Classés.

A French term, ‘Cuvée’ is used in the wine sector to reference a blend that typically comprises more than one variety of grape.

The Speyside-based distillery has applied the description to whisky “by combining single malt matured in wine casks from multiple wineries.”

To accompany the launch campaign, the brand is hosting an exclusive tasting event at luxury department store Harvey Nichols in Leeds today (24^th January).

After primary maturation in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, the spirit underwent over 20 months of additional aging in the various wine barriques within the distillery’s on-site warehouses.

The casks were expertly obtained from four fine wineries located in world-renowned regions in France and Italy by distinguished whisky maker, Walker, thanks to his exceptional network of connections with niche producers.

Billy Walker

A member of Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame, the esteemed Master Distiller, known for his flair for wood innovation, celebrated reaching a half century’s tenure in the Scotch whisky industry last year.

After Walker determined the finishing period had delivered optimum influence, the whisky was skilfully blended to form the Cuvée Wine Cask Finish.

The Languedoc casks are said to impart notes of “red fruits, sweet spices and garden herbs”; whilst the Recioto Della Valpolicella, produced in Verona, Italy, contributes “ripe cherries, coconut shavings, liquorice and raspberry coulis”; and the Premier Cru Classé wood brings “blackcurrant, espresso coffee and wild truffle” to the table.

Bottled at 48% ABV, the 2012 Vintage bronze liquid is presented without added colouring and unchill-filtered; a philosophy the distillery proudly adopts across all its products.

Remarking on this first launch of 2023, Walker reveals:

“As an impassioned wine enthusiast, devising a Cuvée has been nothing short of a dream project. I’m fortunate to have longstanding relationships with premium wine producers across Europe which has opened doors for us to create a whisky with intricate charm.

“As a blender at heart, identifying wine styles that would sit well together and capture distinctive qualities presented an enjoyable challenge. They say, ‘never mix grape and grain’, but I say this marriage is a match made in heaven.”

The GlenAllachie 2012 Vintage Cuvée Wine Cask Finish (UK RRSP £53.99) will become increasingly available over the coming weeks from global specialist retailers.

TASTING NOTES

The GlenAllachie 2012 Vintage Cuvée Wine Cask Finish – 48% ABV

• Colour: Golden Bronze.
• Nose: Bursting with orange blossom, espresso, maraschino cherries and honeysuckle, with hints of candied stone fruits, hazelnuts, lavender and cinnamon.

• Taste: Waves of dark chocolate, red currants and burnt coffee beans, followed by crystalised almonds, blackberries and orange zest, with ginger and liquorice on the finish.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts over a half-century’s tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2023 stands at an eye-watering £2.7m/$3.3m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4million to around 800,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Instagram – @theglenallachie_

Our January ENDS TONIGHT!

Looking to expand your whisky collection? Head to our January auction to see what your missing.

Auction closes from 8pm (BST) Tuesday 31st January

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

Flora & Fauna 
Find a wide range of Flora & Fauna bottlings in this month auction!

Macallan – Boutique 2016 & 2017 
The Boutique Collection is a limited edition that celebrates the opening The Macallan Boutiques

Interested in Selling Whisky?

📆   We are already collecting for our next auction
🌍  Global Audience
✔    0% Sellers commission
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📱   WhatsApp   +447775923053
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📧   Email  info@speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

4.9 / 5 | 473 reviews Powered by

Dalmore 30 Year Old 2022

A stellar dram matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished for two years in rich tawny Port pipes. This 2022 bottling of The Dalmore 30 Year Old single malt has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished for two years in tawny port pipes, which previously held Graham’s 1982 Single Harvest Tawny Port. Presented in a stunning bottle, with a abv of 43.2%.

£4,500.00
BUY NOW

Nose: stewed apples and plums, treacle and ginger.

Palate: dark berries and cherries, port wine.

Finish: espresso, soft liquorice, orange and dark cocoa.

Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Chichibu “Limited Edition” Blended World Whiskey (750ml)

SKU #150604390 points Whisky Advocate

$199.99 View

 Blended from imported whiskies along with Chichibu, the component whiskies in blue label are at least 10 years old, but often much older. The aromas tease with barley sugar, smoked venison, aromatic pan-roasted spices, peppercorn, and smoked paprika. Pepper and root ginger pummel sweet orange flavors of sherbet and Creamsicle. The citrus sweetness sees off the hefty spices, leaving the mouth awash with creamy orange peel notes and tropical fruits. (JM, Winter 2020) 

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

NEW ADDITION: A CASE OF SIX NATIONS | £375.00

It’s kick-off time for both the Six Nations Championship rugby competition and new explorations into flavour. The Six Nations is the annual rugby tournament between Europe’s finest, find inspiration from the participating countries within this captivating case featuring six bottlings from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy. Who will you be cheering for?

Scotland | 1.274 | A snow melt waterfall | Young & Spritely

England | 137.16 | Soft, sphagnum peat moss | Peated

Wales | 128.25| Radical juice | Sweet Fruity & Mellow

France | 70s Chart Topper | Cognac

Italy | B7.3 | Penne pasta arrabiata | Bourbon Whiskey

Ireland | 150.3 | Conversation lubrication | Sweet Fruity & Mellow

DISCOVER MORE

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

‘Fortune Favors the Brave’ so you don’t want to miss out on this incredible Single Malt from Scotland’s first and last mainland Whisky distillery!

Wolfburn Appoints ImpEx Beverages as its Exclusive US Importer

January 2023 – Wolfburn’s Thurso Distillery has been producing world-class spirits by hand, using only the finest ingredients, and without haste since its resurrection in 2013. Its smooth and warming flavor stems from the unhurried way in which the spirit is made. Long fermentation is followed by gentle distillation before the spirit is laid down in the best quality Oak casks. Their warehouses are beautifully dark and cool, providing the perfect environment for the spirit to mature into its signature Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Commencing in 2023, Wolfburn has appointed California based ImpEx Beverages as its Exclusive US Importer representing the brand’s four core expressions and periodic limited releases.

Northland represents the first chapter in the history of Wolfburn. Bottled at 46%, unchillfiltered, with no color added; this expression is fully matured in American Oak casks.

Aurora is a beautifully sherried whisky made from spirit laid down in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks bottled at 46%, unchillfiltered, with no color added.

Morven is a lightly peated whisky made from malted barley infused with smoke during the drying process. Bottled at 46%, unchillfiltered, with no color added; this special Single Malt is matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and quarter casks.

Langskip represents the very best of Wolfburn. Bottled at 58% and fully matured in first-fill Bourbon casks. It’s a sweet, balanced, and beautifully easy-drinking dram.

When asked of the new partnership with ImpEx Beverages in the US, Co-Founder Harry Tayler said, “ImpEx is a leading distributor of independent whisky brands and we are absolutely delighted to be partnering with them. Our brand has seen stellar growth across the globe in recent years, and we are hugely looking forward to it being accessible to whisky lovers in the United States.”

“Our passion is our whisky,” added Wolfburn Brand Ambassador Mark Westmorland. “ImpEx shares that passion, and with their key team members being Keepers of the Quaich, we are tremendously excited to be sharing our story – and of course our award-winning Single Malts – with new fans and followers across the USA.”

Sam Filmus, President of ImpEx Beverages said, “It’s an honor to represent this delightful range of Single Malt Scotch here in the US. Everything at Wolfburn has been done with purpose and it shows through with each of their expressions. Their craftsmen breathe new life into its history with each drop produced and we look forward to seeing the delight on the faces of US consumers as they savor the moment”

Wolfburn will be available at specialty retailers across the US. For more information on where to find this fantastic line ‘from the far North’ please reach out to our office at Office@ImpExBev.com.

ABOUT WOLFBURN:

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded just to the west of Thurso by William Smith in 1821. In its day it was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, producing, according to HMRC records, 28,056 “gallons of proof spirit” in a single year. Taking its name from the stream that provided the water – the Wolf Burn – the distillery operated until around 1870. The reasons for its closure are lost in time, but by 1877 the newly produced Ordnance Survey maps showed it being in ruins.

In 2011 plans were laid to resurrect the old distillery. Construction began in 2012 and in January 2013 the new Wolfburn Distillery commenced production, thereby becoming the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. Situated 300m from the site of the original distillery, the new Wolfburn operates in much the same way as the old: craftsmen use traditional methods to produce fine spirit, which is laid down in best quality oak casks to await the day when it is bottled as single malt scotch whisky. Wolfburn’s single malt scotch whiskies are now available in 35 countries globally.

ABOUT IMPEX BEVERAGES

In 2008, ImpEx Beverages was founded with the vision to import premium and rare spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer.

Today, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers; importing Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, India, and New Zealand with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. ImpEx also features a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

In case you might have missed it, check out Harry Taylor with the ImpEx team discussing Wolfburn on our last Distillery Deep Dive of 2022 where we spoke about brands Past, Present, and Future… An ImpEx Carol