The countdown to Christmas is on. Here’s a rundown of our inspiration for the perfect present, including our curated Christmas drinks gifts selection, new perfect measure sets and The Whisky Exchange e-gift card for those overwhelmed by choice.

The extremely rare Karuizawa 50 Year Old is now available exclusively from The Whisky Exchange, along with a duo of limited-edition single malts from Aberfeldy, finished in red wine casks from both the old world and the new.

Limited edition

ABERFELDY RED WINE CASK COLLECTION

A series of limited-edition single malts from Aberfeldy, crafted by master distiller Stephanie Macleod. Inspired by her love for fine wines, Stephanie has sought-out top-quality red wine casks from Napa Valley and Tuscany for the 2022-releases.

VIEW THE RANGE 

Just landed

NEW PERFECT MEASURE SETS

A range of new tasting sets have arrived, including a set of top-notch single malts from the newest Scottish distilleries, a taste of some of Speyside’s most popular whiskies, plus a selection of spirits exclusive to The Whisky Exchange.

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Register your interest

KARUIZAWA 50 YEAR OLD

The much-anticiapted Karuizawa 50 Year Old from Elixir Distillers is now available. This rare whisky was distilled in 1965 and aged in a solitary sherry butt before bottling in 2017 – only 318 bottles have been filled. Register your interest online by Sunday 4 December 2022 for the chance to purchase.

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Customer review

SCAPA 2003 19 YEAR OLD

“Lovely, just lovely. I’ve been a huge fan of Scapa ever since trying one of the mid-teens bottlings 10 years ago, and also love when Ballantines produced their heightened Scapa-based expressions. But this is beyond belief. Lovely Scapa minerality and tart apple nose, and so so well balanced.”

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Single Malts of Scotland Advent Calendar

This stunning set features 25 3cl bottlings from some of the most renowned and some lesser known distilleries from Scotland.

Since 2005, Elixir Distillers has bottled its best single casks under The Single Malts of Scotland range, showcasing each distillery’s distinct fingerprint at a precise moment of maturation. Each bottling has a unique cask number and is bottles, without chill -filtration or colouring, at the optimum strength to show off its individual character. The aim is to find and share drams that will create lasting memories through flavour.

From the rugged norther Orkney islands to the gentle malts of the southern Lowlands, they have dug deep into their rich stocks of whisky to find some of the world’s most lauded malts – including Islay’s famous Laphroaig, acclaimed highlander Clynelish and lost Speysider Imperial – while also shining light on some of Scotand’s hidden gems, including Linkwood from Seyside and Ledaig from the Isle of Mull.

Non chill filtered and natural colour

This set contains 3cl samples of the following whiskies:

A Highland Distillery 2008, 13yo, Cask #66, 54%

A Lowland Distillery 2007, 14yo Cask #77, 52.9%

A Speyside Distillery 1990, 31yo, Cask #210000002, 52.6%

An Islay Distillery 1993, 28yo, Cask #406859, 51.2%

Ardmore 1998, 23yo, Cask #750784, 47.9%

Ben Nevis 2012, 8yo, Cask #800214, 57.8%

Benrinnes 2006, 15yo Cask #800214, 56.2%

Blair Athol 2010, 11yo, Cask #302328, 54.7%

Bunnahabhain 2009, 12yo, Cask #42645, 56.3%

Caol Ila 2006, 15yo, Cask #307414, 53.5%

Clynelish 2011, 10yo, Cask #800289, 58.3%

Craigellachie 2011, 10yo, Cask #900093, 61.1%

Dailuaine 2009, 12yo, Cask #787, 54.9%

Deanston 2008, 13yo, Cask #182, 56.8%

Glen Elgin 2008, 13yo, Cask #803873, 52.4%

Glenallachie 2011, 10yo, Cask #900222, 60.7%

Glenlossie 2007, 14yo, Cask #8280, 59.8%

Glentauchers 2011, 10yo, Cask #900247, 63.6%

Highland Park 2011, 10yo, Cask #5, 50.9%

Imperial 1997, 24yo, Cask #203, 51.1%

Laphroaig 2014, 7yo, Cask #221, 61.8%

Ledaig 2005, 16yo, Cask #73, 53.8%

Linkwood 2008, 13yo, Cask #804632, 55.4%

Mannochmore 2010, 11yo, Cask #11274, 58.2%

Teaninich 2006, 15yo, Cask #303007, 57.9%

£249.00

Find out more

SMOKUS FRUTICOSUS

Why is this so ultra-rare? This is our very OWN creation, crafted using malt whisky casks from the islands of Islay and Orkney. Our expert Spirits Team have had some fun here, producing something wonderfully unique. The resulting whisky is sweet, rich and intensely smoky, as the medicinal character of Islay peat marries with the floral and earthy smoke of the Orkney Islands. The spirit of the season in a glass and sure to warm your heart, fingers and toes.

FRUITY FUN TIMES

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 955 Extras – Beginning your Whisky-Journey.

Musicians from around the world collaborate to create track 

inspired by The Cairn Distillery

The new song, featuring Scotland’s Admiral Fallow, is part of The Cairn Distillery’s goal to inspire visitors to pursue long-held ambitions

Three musical artists, Admiral Fallow from Scotland, Madeleine Roger from Canada, and Yu Tsan Pin from Taiwan, have fulfilled a shared ambition to collaborate with other artists internationally. The new song is inspired by a visit to The Cairn Distillery and its surrounding location in the Cairngorms National Park.

The Cairn Distillery, which opened its doors in October, is the first new distillery to be built in the Cairngorms National Park for more than a century. Its owners, Moray-based family business, Gordon & MacPhail, aims to build on their 127-year heritage of producing exceptional Scotch whisky and creating legacies that inspire future generations.

Cairns have inspired people to explore and discover new paths for millennia. To reflect that tradition, The Cairn Distillery aims to inspire – and facilitate – visitors to pursue a path they have always wanted to explore. To launch the initiative, The Cairn has worked with three artists who shared a goal to collaborate internationally and create a new track. The result is a song written by Admiral Fallow and Madeleine Roger, appropriately called The Cairn, which has been remixed by the founder of the Kind of Blue record label, Taiwan’s Yu Tsan Pin.

Admiral Fallow, Madeleine Roger, and Yu Tsan Pin met for the first time when they visited The Cairn when construction was near completion. Nestled on the banks of the river Spey on the northern frontier of the Cairngorms National Park, the distillery has been designed to reflect and respect its environment; a modern home for the ancient craft of whisky-making. From its sedum roof which encourages insect life to thrive, to the Caithness stone pathways, every aspect is designed to respect the natural shapes and colours around it.

Before, during and after their visit to the Highlands, the artists worked together to create the track which was written by Admiral Fallow, with lyrics co-written by Madeleine Roger, a singer-songwriter who hails from Winnipeg, Canada.

Singer-songwriter Louis Abbott, who formed the Scottish musical group Admiral Fallow in 2007, commented on the collaboration: “I’ve always taken inspiration from the landscape around me. This is a very unique collaboration for us, given that there’s a brand-new voice coming into the sound of music that we make. To work with Madeleine and Yu Tsan and show them one of Scotland’s best sites and take in the views, sounds and flavours of the Cairngorms National Park, there was a lot of pride in that, and we’re really pleased with the end result.”

Canadian songwriter Madeleine Roger, commented on her visit to the new distillery: “Everything was so beautiful, and I really tried to get a sense of the landscape: the way the buildings are made, the vast openness and the rocky mountains, and the way of life there. We each had a lot of time to ruminate on our observations about the area and then find something meaningful in that – and I really hope that sense of curiosity comes across in the song.”

Ian Chapman, marketing director of Gordon & MacPhail explained: “Having secured such a beautiful and awe-inspiring location overlooking the river Spey, we wanted to ensure our new distillery complements the majesty of the landscape.  We are delighted with the result, and we hope visitors leave feeling inspired. With that in mind we are thrilled to have worked with three incredible artists to create a new track to celebrate the opening of the distillery doors. I believe the song perfectly showcases everything we want to achieve here.”

The Cairn is open seven days a week all year round, visitor experiences start at £25, with three options available. With magnificent views of its stunning location just outside Grantown-on-Spey, each immersive experience culminates in a whisky tasting in The Discovery Room. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the room provides a stunning backdrop for visitors as they taste the future today: blended malt whiskies created to give a sense of notes, flavours and aromas that will be seen in the character of single malts that will be released from The Cairn Distillery in the 2030s.

Food is also exclusively available to those who take a tour at The Gathering which offers tapas-style plates of the finest Scottish produce designed as the perfect accompaniment to an experience like no other.

To book your trip to The Cairn Distillery, listen to the new track and watch a short film about how the collaboration came together, please visit: thecairndistillery.com/beacon-of-inspiration

Notes 

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 127 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

Tamdhu Distinction 2

Distinction II highlights the nuanced flavour of American Oak Sherry casks. The second bottling in its Quercus Alba Distinction series, Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky celebrate the art of ex-sherry cask maturation. The only distillery in Scotland to fully mature all of its single malt in Oloroso sherry casks, Distinction II shows off the complicated flavour of American Oak Sherry casks. Bottled at 48% abv.

£75.00
BUY NOW

Nose: malt, vanilla, spiced oak, orange peel.

Palate: dark chocolate and plum.

Finish: sherry, oak and figs.

If anyone remembers the Spirit of North of Scotland, we also a have a special treat, with the last ever remaining bottles now available.  We bottled the cask in two parts as we were unsure how the interest would be initially, but we were blown away by how quickly it sold out.  So, if you wanted one, or want another one, don’t hang about.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Ezra Brooks “Cask Strength” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #1225 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

The Ezra Brooks brand has seen a veritable renaissance over the years. Once relegated to the very dusty bottom shelves, the brand has garnered significant new interest thanks to the founding of a new distillery in the historic bourbon capital Bardstown, Kentucky. The excellent barrel is the first we’ve ever sold that was distilled at that new facility. Production is nearly identical to the previous sourced stock, but it’s inviting and unique character is undeniable. Enjoy this single cask, which is sold as “Cask Strength,” but cut to 120 proof, as its the first example of what will certainly become a historically important distiller for decades to come.

Ezra Brooks “Cask Strength” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #7851171 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 View

The old Ezra Brooks brand has seriously turned around its image over the last several years. What was once a staple of the bottom shelf has now become one of the most exciting brands on the market today. They’ve built a gorgeous new distillery on the outskirts of Bardstown and their parent company Luxco was recently purchased by Indiana distilling giant MGP. Now we’re seeing the first stocks coming from the new distillery being sold alongside the old stocks sourced from the Bernheim distillery in Louisville. Each barrel was hand selected by the buying team at K&L during their visit to the distillery in April of 2022. This barrel was sourced from Bernheim and distilled on November 21 of 2017. In quirky Luxco fashion, they list these barrels as “Cask Strength” on the label, but they’re all cut to 120 proof. This odd and frankly incorrect labelling does not preclude this whisky from excellence. Indeed, it’s extremely well balanced with unbelievable richness and endless complexity.

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

Our final collection schedule for 2022 has now been finalised. You can view the schedule and register your interest in a collection HERE

The deadline for requests is 12 noon on Monday 11th December 2022, after this time we will start working on the routes before contacting all customers with appointment details.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point.

Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis.

It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift. In addition a submission form and label should be completed. Submission forms can now be completed via your main accounts page.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

Dalmore King Alexander III, Pedestal Gift Tin

Six different cask finishes are exquisitely curated to create a one of a kind whisky with a rich and enticing flavour profile. This limited release comes with a pedestal gift tin.

£235.00

Tasting notes:
The Aroma: Red berry fruits and hints of passion fruit

On the Palate: Citrus zest, vanilla pod, crème caramel and crushed almonds

Finishing Notes: Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger