An Astounding Exclusive Cask from an American Visionary
Virginia Distilling Co. Courage & Conviction “Cuvée Cask #1275” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength American Single Malt Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)
“… it’s difficult to express how special this barrel is. The closest comparisons are the truly wonderful malts from Kavalan.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Virginia Distilling Company is perhaps the most important name in domestic whiskey that you’ve never heard of. Founded by the late Dr. George Moore, this uncompromising distiller is “rightfully among the pantheon of great American single malt producers,” as our own David Othenin-Girard puts it. A leading light in establishing the standards by which this burgeoning category will be defined in the years to come, VDC has nonetheless flown under the radar of most American whiskey aficionados—until now. By utilizing a premium STR cask (shaved, toasted, and re-charred), they have crafted a profile that can most accurately be compared to the iconic Taiwanese spirits of the coveted Kavalan brand. The highly active cask results in a level of complexity virtually unheard-of in American whiskey, especially after a few drops of water. As David exclaims, “this thing is an absolute dream. Few craft (or industrial) distillers can match the quality and complexity that this special cask offers.” For collectors and connoisseurs who thought they’d seen the pinnacle of American whiskey, Virginia Distilling and the Cuvée Cask #1275 are ready to open a whole new paradigm. With extremely limited quantities available, swift action is highly recommended, as we don’t expect to see these casks again any time soon.

Virginia Distilling Co. Courage & Conviction “Cuvée Cask #1275” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength American Single Malt Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: The Virginia Distilling Co. is one of the country’s most exciting whiskey producers. Founded by the late Dr. George G. Moore in 2011, the Virginia Distilling Co. has worked within the burgeoning American Single Malt category and its best producers in the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission to define the category and create standards which will help future producers navigate the complexities of American whiskey laws. In addition to helping define the category, VDC is committed to producing exceptional single malts using the highest-quality ingredients that reflect the place in which they were distilled. Dr. George Moore liked to say, “Have the courage of your convictions.” But nothing about the malts he made lead us to believe that he was on the wrong track. Distilled on Scottish-built pots and aged in the highest quality barrels, this exceptional single cask was filled on April 30th, 2017 and dumped in July of 2021. The barrel type in question, their Cuvée Cask, is the same developed by Jim Swan for Kavalan in Taiwan, known as the STR—shave, toast, rechar. The resulting malt shows surprising depth at its age due to the excellent cask, spirit, and strong temperature fluctuations at the distillery. Robust and flavorful, few craft distillers are putting out more complex and complete products than Virginia Distilling Co.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 30, 2022

The Virginia Distilling Company sits rightfully among the pantheon of great American single malt producers, and it’s difficult to express how special this barrel is. The closest comparison is truly the wonde​rful malts from Kavalan, and indeed the barrel in question is the same style used at the famous Taiwanese distillery. There it is known as “Vinho Barrique,” but in Virginia they call it the Cuvée Cask. The two distilleries have very different climates—although both see extreme heat, Virginia has significantly more diurnal fluctuation as compared to the almost always humid and hot tropical warehouses in Taiwan. Nonetheless, a huge amount of extraction is achieved, and with the highest-quality malt and exceptional water, this whisky is sure to be considered world-class in no time. The color is auburn with flecks of polished mahogany. The nose has a purity rarely seen in American single malts or even in Scotland, with delineated apple and pear framed by sweet spices and dark cocoa. The toasted vanilla is evident as well, alongside some seriously appealing, earthy malt. On the palate, baked apple and cinnamon spice are paired with a rich, malty note that somehow powers through the dense, woodsy character created by the highly active STR cask. With a splash of water, this malt really starts to shine! Extremely pungent, dark plummy fruit now explodes from the glass. Sweet and savory espresso roast coupled with cherry compote ​emerges after the dark fruit subsides. On the palate, it’s dark chocolate and plums all day with a gorgeous baking spice that runs throughout. With a bit of water this thing is an absolute dream. Few craft (or industrial) distillers can match the quality and complexity that this special cask offers.

https://youtu.be/X_Muom77vB0

Matured for nearly a quarter of a century in ex-bourbon, then transferred into indulgent sauternes wine casks, Fettercairn’s light and mailable spirit has been growing on my radar since their first warehouse release.

Bottled as part of the Loch Fyne Fynest Series, these new, chunky single barrel bottles have already had some wonderful releases including Bunnahabhain, Glengoyne and now Fettercairn!

Cask strength, natural colour, non-chill filtered and showcasing a whisky that is growing in appreciation, this bottle has really struck me in ways that I didn’t think it would. Sauternes is a cask type that I’ve never loved, always found it a little flat and just generally sweet. This, however, is just a wealth of chocolate, roasted coffee and big tropical fruits (classic Fettercairn).

I’ve got this bottle open in The Whisky Shop Manchester, so if you want to try something different and fancy branching out, then why not try this?

THE EXTRAORDINARY SALE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY WHISKY

Ardbeg enthusiast buys one-of-a-kind 1975 Islay single malt for £16million

A one-of-a-kind 1975 cask of Ardbeg Islay single malt Scotch whisky, which survived the Distillery’s two brushes with closure, has sold to a private collector in Asia for £16million. The oldest ever released by Ardbeg, ‘Cask No. 3’ is incomparably precious, since little single malt was created at the Distillery in the 1970s and it was closed through much of the 80s and 90s.  Described as a “remarkable piece of liquid history” by world-renowned whisky expert Charles MacLean MBE, Cask No. 3 will be bottled over the course of five years for its owner, giving her an unparalleled vertical collection of aged Ardbegs, which cannot be replicated for at least a decade. To celebrate the half-century of patience and generations of Distillery workers behind this “vanishingly rare” whisky, Ardbeg will donate £1million to causes on Islay.

Far surpassing any previous auction records for a cask of single malt, Cask No. 3’s private sale is an extraordinary milestone in Ardbeg’s 200-year history. While the Distillery is famed for creating the world’s smokiest drams – and is among the most highly awarded of the smoky malts – its journey has often been turbulent. In the 1970s, the majority of its whisky was sold for blending. And since just a few casks each year were set aside for single malt bottling, stock from that decade has always been exceptionally hard to come by. Then through most of the 1980s, the Distillery was closed as its future hung in the balance. While Ardbeg re-opened for a time, it shut again in 1996 – some thought for ever. Saved from extinction the following year, the Distillery has since gone from strength to strength. Today it has a near-cult global following, has won countless awards and is enjoyed in the world’s most prestigious bars. But Ardbeg’s darkest days remain fresh in the memories of its fans even now.

CEO Thomas Moradpour said: “This sale is a source of pride for everyone in the Ardbeg community who has made our journey possible. Just 25 years ago, Ardbeg was on the brink of extinction, but today it is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. That is a reflection of generations of hard work: from those in the stillhouse who craft our smoky spirit, to the warehouse staff who care for our casks over decades, to teams around the world who build the reputation of our whiskies with fans, bartenders and collectors.

“While such a rare whisky is out of reach for all but one of our fans, we put the same passion and care into every bottle of Ardbeg as went into this exclusive single malt in 1975 – from flagship Ardbeg Ten Years Old, to limited-edition releases. Today, our new stillhouse is working at full capacity to make more Ardbeg available than ever, and whisky creator Dr Bill Lumsden is busy imagining many more surprising smoky releases for Ardbeg fans. Because when a business like Ardbeg gets rewarded for 50 years of patience, it gives us the confidence to keep investing in the future of our distillery, and in our island community. The journey continues!”

Created in a bygone era when the Distillery still malted its barley onsite, the smoky, balanced spirit of cask No. 3 was distilled on Tuesday, 25^th November 1975, and laid down to age in two separate casks – a bourbon and an Oloroso sherry. Those casks were patiently matured by generations of Ardbeg’s skilled warehouse workers over 38 years. Then Ardbeg’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, decided to marry the two casks, creating an even more extraordinary single malt. On 31^st March 2014, he transferred their whisky into a single refill Oloroso butt, selected to give only the subtlest of wood influence. There it has remained ever since. Today, more than 46 years after its story began, this single malt is a smorgasbord of sherried, smoky aromas and rich, elegant tastes.

Over the next five years, Ardbeg will continue to mature Cask No. 3 in a secure location on Islay for its owner Every year, she will receive 88 bottles from the cask. By 2026, this Ardbeg enthusiast will possess a unique vertical series of rare Ardbegs from 1975, aged 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 years old.

Dr. Bill

Dr Bill Lumsden, who will oversee the cask’s ongoing maturation, said: “Cask No. 3 is an extraordinary taste of Ardbeg’s past. Its aromas are nutty, herbal and smoky, while its tastes of tar, espresso coffee and spearmint have an astonishing finesse for a whisky of such age. So little stock survives from this era, that this cask really is one of a kind. And its complex flavours are testament to the extraordinary skill of the Ardbeg team who have cared for it over the decades. I look forward to exploring how it continues to evolve over the next five years.”

Industry experts hailed the sale as a demonstration of Ardbeg’s appeal, and the investment value of single malt Scotch. Author and world-renowned whisky expert Charles MacLean MBE said: “This truly unique whisky is a remarkable piece of liquid history – an evocative taste of what Ardbeg was like when it malted its own barley. Many old whiskies can go flat with age. But Cask No. 3 is a really lovely whisky, hugely complex, still having vitality after nearly half a century.”

On Ardbeg’s draw for collectors, he added: “The factors which make a particular whisky investable are threefold: rarity, flavour and variety. And collectors do love Scotch, because of the provenance and history. Furthermore, there is a keen interest in smoky Islay whiskies. And Ardbeg is particularly rare – there just aren’t many bottlings of this age out there. While £16million seems a breathtaking price for a cask of whisky, £36,000 per bottle is not unexpected for whiskies of that age and rarity.”

Becky Paskin, whisky expert and founder of OurWhisky, explained that the strength of Ardbeg’s following and the continuing maturation of Cask No. 3, further increased its desirability. She said: “Cask No. 3 is undoubtedly alluring, and not just because of its own rarity. It hails from a Distillery that has a reputation for creating beautiful liquid, commands a cult status worldwide, and has a firm place in whisky enthusiasts’ hearts. Of the many distilleries in Scotland which have a legacy, a history and a charm about them, Ardbeg is certainly one of those which could command such a high price for a vanishingly rare cask like this. What’s most fascinating is that the owner hasn’t simply purchased an Ardbeg cask, she has invested in a vertical series of bottlings from one single cask, which will develop and mature over the next five years. This is a rare opportunity to witness a cask’s development over time.”

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About Ardbeg Cask No. 3, 1975

Tasting notes

Colour: Deep Bronze

Aroma: Brazil nuts in toffee fill the nose, followed by linseed oil, a suggestion of flowering blackcurrants, sweet, aromatic peat smoke and a hint of tobacco. A splash of water brings forth even more complexity, with delicate lime and fennel.

Taste: Complex, rich and surprisingly elegant. A spearmint top note emerges with hints of lapsang souchong tea, some biscuit notes and gentle tar. Espresso coffee simmers alongside salted caramel toffee.

Finish: A sumptuous union of tar, smoky notes and oak.

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and its doors closed in 1981 for several years. Although they re-opened later that decade, Ardbeg shut down again in 1996. It was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a cult malt with a passionate following.

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 150,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, the previous Distillery Manager was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition.

Ardbeg’s barley

Ardbeg malted its barley onsite until 1981. Today its malt is produced by specialist maltsters in the Islay village of Port Ellen, where the barley is peated to Ardbeg’s exact specifications.

Auction records

The record set for a cask of whisky sold at auction in April 2022 has been widely reported at just over £1m. Meanwhile, in 2019, a bottle of single malt whisky was reported to have sold for £1.5million at auction.

Ardbeg’s Collectability

Rare Whisky 101 produces in-depth reports of the rare whisky market. In a recent report, its Collectors Ranking table shows Ardbeg as the second-most collectable whisky, equally weighting volume and value data for whisky sold in the UK at auction. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/intelligence

The Glenmorangie Company

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Two new rare single malt expressions from Badachro Distillery

Badachro Distillery has introduced two new limited edition whiskies to its Bad na h-Achlaise range of single malt whiskies.

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is limited to just 30 bottles, making it a true collector’s item. The intensely flavoured 57.9% spirit is bottled from individually nosed and selected Ruby Port casks, blending the purity of an unpeated Highland whisky with the depth and sweetness of fruity, first-fill ex-ruby port casks.

Joining it is the Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask expression. 1,900 bottles are available of the latest in the Highland distillery’s experimental cask series, which combines Highland whisky with the complexity and sweetness of fruity, first-fill, individually nosed and selected madeira casks.

Managing director Gordon Quinn said: “We’re immensely proud of our Bad na h-Achlaise whiskies, and are excited for single malt fans to raise a dram to these two new expressions.

“The Madeira Cask expression is a light and drinkable dram packed with flavours of red cherries, a hint of bitter chocolate and strawberry sherbets – while the Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength malt intensifies the popular fruity flavours of the regular strength variety.

“Experimenting with different casks allows us to highlight and amplify different flavours in our whisky, meaning each has its own, truly unique flavour profile.”

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is available only from www.badachrodistillery.com and the distillery shop in Badachro. 57.9% ABV, 70cl, £145.00 – limited to just 30 bottles.

Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask is available from www.badachrodistillery.com and selected stockists. 46% ABV, 70cl, £56.95 – limited to 1,900 bottles.

Badachro Distillery in the western Scottish Highlands is home to a range of uniquely handcrafted whiskies, gins and vodkas that have gained a reputation for bold, complex flavours that leave you coming back for more. It is known primarily for its Badachro Gin, Dancing Puffing Vodka and Bad na h-Achlaise single malt scotch whisky – as well as a variety of other stellar craft spirits.

The distillery is a true family venture – founded by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn who met at the Badachro Inn and married just 12 weeks later. After travelling the world together, the pair returned to Badachro to follow their dream of setting up a distillery.

Find out more about Badachro Distillery at www.badachrodistillery.com, or follow the distillery on Instagram (@badachrodistillery), Twitter (@badachrospirits) or Facebook (/badachrodistillery).

Picture caption: Badachro Distillery has introduced limited Madeira Cask and extremely limited Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength expressions to its Bad na h-Achlaise series of single malt whiskies.

A Must-Have for Any Serious Bourbon Fanatic
The Updated Epic Elijah Craig Pack (5x750ml) ($249.99)
Featuring extremely limited bottlings from a Kentucky bourbon icon…

Our bourbon aficionados know the Epic Elijah Craig 5-Pack as one of the must-have items each time it comes in stock. Now is the time once again, with one small addendum—this pack comes in updated form with three highly allocated Elijah Craig releases that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else, including the Toasted Barrel Bourbon, the Barrel Proof Batch A122 (the first release of 2022), and the Barrel Proof B522 (the most recent release). In addition, Craig fans and cocktail connoisseurs will get a bottle each of Elijah Craig Small Batch and Elijah Craig Rye to round out or re-supply their go-to bar stock for all the summer celebration that lies ahead in the coming months. As anyone who’s been in on this action before can attest, these packs sell out in a flash, so it’s best to lock down your order with haste.

The Updated Epic Elijah Craig Pack (5x750ml) ($249.99)

K&L Notes: ***ONE ‘UPDATED EPIC’ PACK PER HOUSEHOLD. This pack of Elijah Craig products includes five (5) bottles, all 750ml. One (1) bottle of the classic Elijah Craig Small Batch—perhaps the greatest value coming out of Kentucky. One (1) bottle of Elijah Craig Rye—again, just a powerhouse value for every day drinking. Then we get into the special items. One (1) bottle of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon. This highly allocated item is nearly impossible to find these days, and when we get it in stock it sells out immediately. One (1) bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A122—the first release of 2022. Finally, one (1) bottle of the just-released (hence the update!) Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B522. There is no better way to snag these three highly allocated items and restock your bar staples at the same time.

Red Wine Barrique

This is the very first limited edition for Mac-Talla reinforcing the ambition to show the diversity of this iconic island through a series of specially selected cask types and maturation styles. It was fully matured in French oak casks from the Bordeaux region in France, these 24 hand-selected barriques were previously home to prestigious wines, marrying Islay’s untamed smoky nature with the refined fruitiness and opulence of Bordeaux wines.

NOSE Summer berries with a herbal note and a hint of dry smoke.

PALATE Notes of juicy red fruits with cacao and a big waft of smoke

£68.00

Shop now

SINGLETON TASTING 
SOHO WHISKY BAR
18th July 2022 – 6:30PM

The Singleton is actually a threesome of single malts each with a growing family of expressions around a core 12-year-old. First was Singleton of Glen Ord, Diageo’s ‘green grassy’ malt from the Black Isle which was reserved for Asia. Then came two Speysiders – The Singleton of Glendullan (fruity, grassy) for the US and Canada, and The Singleton of Dufftown (nutty, spicy), which was kept just for Europe. Today all three are available globally in a bid to become the world’s number one single malt brand.

Jo Last will be coming in Milroy’s of Soho to take you through the following line-up:

Singleton of Dufftown 12
Singleton of Dufftown 15
Singleton of Dufftown 18 
Singleton of Dufftown 21
Singleton of Dufftown 25 

Buy Now

CAPERDONICH

18 YEAR OLD
PEATED

70CL | 48%

£110

WAS £120

SAVE £10

BUY NOW

A peated single malt from closed Caperdonich distillery, matured for 18 years in American oak barrels before being bottled as part of the Secret Speyside collection. The result is a bold and smoky dram with notes of orange zest, ginger and aromatic smoke.

 Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be reviewing a selection of bottlings from the popular Glengyle distillery, including a blast from the past!

https://youtu.be/IEaSc3fagms

Gordon & MacPhail welcomes Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers to Benromach

Ewan & Chris

28^th June 2022, Family-owned Scotch whisky specialist, Gordon & MacPhail, welcomed the prestigious Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) to Benromach Distillery this week.

For generations, the WCD, which holds a royal charter, has been at the heart of the industry, promoting spirits education, contributing to the development of the industry and supporting charities across the country, particularly those involving young people.

To celebrates 350 years of the company, the Master is visiting distilleries the length and breadth of the UK, to raise awareness of the work the WCD does and experience the best companies in the business.

Located in Forres, 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. This is an important stop on Chris Porter’s tour as he commemorates the significant role Gordon & MacPhail has within the industry.

The Master will also be collecting items for the Distillers One of One auction, an event which Gordon & MacPhail frequently donates to. The last auction raised over £2.5 million which was distributed across a selection of charities to help young people across Scotland.

Gordon & MacPhail also welcomed Lianne Williams, Deputy Director from Enable Works – one of the incredible charities supported by WCD which helps people with barriers to employment obtain and sustain high quality and rewarding careers.

Ewen Mackintosh. Managing Director. Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We were honoured to host the Worshipful Company of Distillers Master Chris Porter and Lianne Williams from Enable Scotland to Benromach.  As well as learning first-hand the traditional handcrafted methods at Benromach, we were pleased to share insights into Gordon & MacPhail’s approach to diversity and inclusion, recruitment and training of young people, as well as our work to support local charities and contribute to our community.”

Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said “We appreciate Gordon & MacPhail’s contribution, not just ‘in kind’ for the most generous donations and support to the One of One Auction, but also their consistent support to the work of the Scottish committee and annual dinner in September.

“It’s why I felt it so important to come here as Master. Not only to say a huge thank you to them, but to also recognise the impact their support, along with our many other generous donors is having on charities like Enable Scotland.

“I am so pleased that they are here today and can tell us, first-hand, of this impact. The three parties here today, Gordon and MacPhail, the Distillers Charity and Enable Scotland really shows what can be done when, together, our industry and our charitable aspirations deliver life-changing opportunities.”