A Scotch of Extraordinary Pedigree
1989 The K&L Liquors’ 36 Year Old “Enviable” (Sideburns)
Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($199.99)
“Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time
the deal is even more impressive.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The wild success of the Sideburns 35 Year has rattled the cage of more than one large company in Scotland. If you haven’t seen my review of that product, I highly recommend taking a look here. The short version is this: we may be on the precipice of a new golden age of Scotch, and K&L is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market asymmetry. While our marketing of the previous batch was met with side eyes and raised eyebrows from the original owners of the stocks and trademarks, other suppliers with similar inventories saw it as a signal. This was an opportunity.

It would seem our prayers have been answered. Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time the deal is even more impressive. There are, of course, differences in the stock. This distillate comes entirely from November 1989 and was matured in refill hogsheads, rather than the first-fill sherry hogsheads of Batch #1. The proof is slightly lower, but still a robust 47-48% for a whisky of such advanced age. Remember, Scotch typically loses up to 1% ABV per year and enters the cask around 63%. So yes, older, slightly lower in proof, and without the fashionable sherry influence, yet 25% cheaper. If you ask me, old malt like this absolutely thrives in refill hogsheads. While I often insist on first or second fill for younger whisky, at this age the nuance of second or third fill can be profoundly beneficial.

In any case, if it’s not already clear, this malt is drawn almost entirely from one of Speyside’s most beloved distillers. Search “Burnside,” the Cadenhead/Springbank-owned blended malt, if you want clues to the source. We’re being intentionally careful about naming names, but suffice it to say this parcel comes from the cellars of one of the industry’s most powerful blending houses. Whether it was once destined as a top note for premium blends or simply forgotten stock, it now stands as perhaps the greatest value I’ve ever offered. Twice in six months. It really does feel like the start of something bigger.

— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

* This pre-arrival product is estimated to be available for pickup or delivery by 10/31/2026.

1989 The K&L Liquors’ 36 Year Old “Enviable” (Sideburns) Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($199.99)

Another incredible deal from the depths of Scotland’s vast blending apparatus. This is a completely different lot than the first Sideburns, but the exact same blend. Our friends at Cadenhead’s would sell this style of blended malt as “Burnside,” but rather than push our luck after Sideburns raised a few eyebrows, we’re offering this special parcel of 36 year old blended malt under the cheeky “Enviable” label. If you’re sharp with wordplay or familiar with Burnside, the reference should be clear. While we cannot state the distillery outright, this whisky is composed primarily of the famous malt produced in Dufftown under the William Grant system.

By strict legal definition it is simply another blended malt of considerable age, but in terms of quality it stands among the finest whisky being produced in Scotland today. The practice of teaspooning was developed within the blending trade to prevent competitors from capitalizing on a distillery’s name, adding a trace amount of another malt to obscure origin. With that in mind we’ll stay tactful, but even minimal research will point you in the right direction. There is no question that the whisky in this bottle represents extraordinary pedigree, and without that minute addition from a neighboring distillery its value would be many times what we’re asking. The quirks of the Scotch market can be remarkable, and moments like this are exactly where they benefit the drinker.

Purchase Here ➔

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

Today we launch AFICIONADO — a new collection of rare, hand-selected vintage single malt Scotch whiskies that celebrates the Art of Maturation and our commitment to exceptional quality. Positioned between our Mission Gold series and ultra-aged releases, AFICIONADO showcases long-matured expressions from some of Scotland’s most revered distilleries. Each whisky is bottled in small batches, at natural colour and without chill filtration, preserving the authenticity and character of every dram.

The inaugural releases include:

Mortlach – 34 Years Old (1989)

Bowmore – 34 Years Old (1990)

Imperial – 35 Years Old (1989)

AFICIONADO embodies the principles that have defined Murray McDavid since 1994: thoughtful curation, innovative maturation and a respect for Scotland’s distilling heritage.

READ MORE

March is all about new beginnings from a seasonal perspective, so it’s only right that we get into this month’s whiskies with the same attitude. Isn’t it time you got into the new stuff?

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

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

Glenallachie Sinteis Part 2 & 3

THE VIDEO

Glenallachie Sinteis Part 2 & 3 (sin-teesh) Meaning synthesis in Scots Gaelic. It’s impossible to not pay attention to anything that Billy Walker is doing. He’s the king of sherry maturation and, along with myself, a huge fan of virgin oak maturation. It wouldn’t be long until we saw a fusion of his two cask passions coalescing into some limited edition releases for us all to fawn over.

All natural colour with no chill filtration and bottled at cask strength, these bottles are some of the most wonderful colours I’ve ever witnessed, so dark, deep and ruby red. The exploration of virgin oak influences is something I’ve been waiting for from any distillery. It makes total sense to have Glenallachie lead the way with this, whilst still making everything still affordable to someone wanting to explore it. French virgin oak has made its way into many different brands over the years, whilst Scottish oak has only appeared a handful of times – ( Greg Glass project and Glengoyne.)

After a wonderful chat with Billy at HIDE in London, he told me that the spice profiles of both French and Scottish oak are rather similar, I’d still try to push for a full Scottish oak maturation release, even just as a single barrel – something fun. The rest of that chat will remain a secret, but you’ll see something rather fun in this series next year! Part 2: a combination of Scottish virgin oak and Oloroso sherry casks – Waves of salted butter, cola syrup and dried fruits. Part 3: a combination of French virgin oak and Oloroso sherry casks – a super fusion of French patisserie aromas and additional indulgence from Oloroso sherry.

Maker’s Mark Unveils 2026 Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release

LORETTO, Ky., Maker’s Mark, the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon, today announced the 2026 release of its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release—an expression inspired by the distillery’s operations teams who guide the bourbon’s journey from first fermentation to final bottling.

“From the beginning, Maker’s Mark has been guided by my grandparents’ pursuit of exceptional flavor and deep respect for everyone who makes our whisky—from our grain growers to those who barrel and bottle our bourbon,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director, Maker’s Mark. “We continue to honor our founders’ vision through the Wood Finishing Series, which showcases our innovative spirit, celebrates our quality and craftsmanship and recognizes the teams who make our whisky possible.” 

The Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series features one-of-a-kind expressions crafted using an innovative wood stave finishing technique that amplifies the distinctive characteristics of the brand’s signature bourbon. The Stewards Release (2026) opens with bright aromas evoking cherry pie and vanilla bean, layered with tasting notes of honey, toasted marshmallow and candied ginger, culminating in a vibrant finish marked by stone fruit and salted caramel.

“Consumers today want exceptional whisky, but they’re also interested in the values behind the brand and the people who make it,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, master distiller at Maker’s Mark. “Bartenders feel the same way. They want to know more about the process, the ingredients and the craftsmanship in what they pour. The Stewards Release brings that philosophy to life, inspired by the operational leaders at Star Hill Farm and the care that goes into every step of production.”

Marking the midpoint of a five-year journey, the Stewards Release (2026) is the third installment in the second Wood Finishing Series. Set to conclude in 2028, this series explores the people behind the proof and follows The Keepers Release (2025), inspired by the warehouse team who ensure every barrel of Maker’s Mark matures consistently to the founders’ taste vision, and The Heart Release (2024), inspired by the distillery team—the makers of Maker’s Mark, crafting its handmade bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky.

The Stewards Release will be delivered in two batches: one at 59.4% ABV / 109.6 proof, and the other at 56.65% ABV / 113.3 proof. Both will be available at U.S. retailers at a suggested MSRP of $74.99 beginning today. For more information, please visit www.MakersMark.com.

About Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. In 1953, founders Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. broke from tradition—burning the family’s 170-year-old recipe to create a bold, balanced bourbon made with soft red winter wheat for signature sweetness and creaminess. From the start, the Samuels went to remarkable lengths to craft uncompromisingly delicious bourbon—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Every bottle is still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose.

Staying true to its founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark has expanded its portfolio with award-winning, super-premium expressions, including Maker’s Mark 46, Cask Strength, and Cellar Aged, as well as Private Selection, the brand’s custom barrel program. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, its first-ever wheat whisky. Award-winning and the first to earn Estate Whiskey certification, Star Hill Farm Whisky inspired the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond its business, inviting farms, bars and restaurants to join the movement.

Maker’s Mark is proud to be both B Corp and Regenified Certified – milestones driven by the sustainability leadership at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which strives to be the most endearing, culturally rich and environmentally responsible homeplace in the world.

Learn more at www.makersmark.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

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

Glen Scotia Victoriana

Each cask of this Campbeltown Single Malt is selected for its rare character and exceptional maturity. Finished in deep charred oak before bottling straight from the cask, this non chill-filtered expression combines subtle wood and vanilla flavours with a full-bodied spicy fruit aroma.

Each cask of this Campbeltown Single Malt is selected for its rare character and exceptional maturity. Finished in deep charred oak before bottling straight from the cask, this non chill-filtered expression combines subtle wood and vanilla flavours with a full-bodied spicy fruit aroma.

The nose is elegant with oak and creme brulee notes leading to caramelised fruit and polished oak. The palate is sweet and concentrated with blackcurrant jam, subtle wood and vanilla, while the finish is clean and sweet with cocoa tones.

Note: If you add an engraving to your order, the message will be displayed on the back of this bottle.

£81.00

SHOP NOW ❯

“This whisky has it all, beautiful fruity notes typical of Glen Scotia with a wisp of smoke, also bottled at cask strength which heightens the spicyness nicely!” Lee, Trentham Store Manager

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

ralfy review 1121 Extras – Our tastes change faster with experience.

Loch Lomond Whiskies presents The Original Series

A trio of remarkable whiskies demonstrating flavour innovation at its finest

Loch Lomond Whiskies has announced the launch of The Original Series – an exceptional trio of single malt whiskies focusing on innovation in flavour through expert distillation and maturation.

Launching today (24 March 2026), The Original Series is a celebration of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique capabilities in flavour creation, using the Highland distillery’s remarkable Straight Neck Stills and traditional Swan Neck Stills and a range of cask finishes to create recognisable tasting profiles.

The Original Series combines one existing single malt from Loch Lomond’s award-winning portfolio, with the addition of two new expressions, never seen from the distiller.

Together the relaunched range offers three distinctive single malts – Loch Lomond The Original: Triple Oak, Loch Lomond Oloroso: Sherry Cask, and Loch Lomond Peated: Rioja Cask – all of which are expertly crafted by master blender, Michael Henry, whose signature on each bottle signifies the distillery’s personal assurance of quality.

The series embodies Loch Lomond Whiskies’ enduring quest to unlock new possibilities in flavour innovation and whisky creation, showcasing dual expertise maturation and distillation. Loch Lomond is the only distillery in Scotland to house both traditional Swan Neck Stills and its unique Straight Neck Stills, making it one of the most innovative and inventive in the world. Loch Lomond is also one of only four distilleries in Scotland with its own cooperage on-site, where the ancient craft of barrel repairs is not just preserved, but carefully passed down through generations.

The leading non-age-statement product in Loch Lomond’s new range, Loch Lomond The Original: Triple Oak is the same perfectly balanced expression and is now presented in a newly enhanced pack which details the impact of cask maturation on the spirit’s signature style of fruit, honey and soft smoke. This classic expression has been carefully matured in three types of American oak cask – first fill, refill and re-char – and showcases distillate from both the distillery’s straight neck and traditional swan neck stills. Loch Lomond The Original: Triple Oak has an RRP of £28 per 70cl bottle. It is now available to buy at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and will be rolling out in Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda from March 2026 onwards.

Launching for the first time is the new Loch Lomond Oloroso: Sherry Cask – an innovative Highland single malt that reimagines sherry-finished whisky. The single malt is expertly distilled in Loch Lomond Whiskies’ iconic Straight Neck Stills and finished for six months in certified Oloroso sherry casks. Marrying a fruit-forward distillate with an Oloroso sherry cask finish, Loch Lomond Oloroso: Sherry Cask imparts flavours of vanilla, raisins and brown sugar.

Crafted in a combination of Swan Neck and Straight Neck Stills before being finished for six months in the finest Rioja wine casks, Loch Lomond Peated: Rioja Cask showcases Loch Lomond Whiskies’ innovative approach and unrivalled capabilities in maturation. The new addition to the portfolio pairs a fruit and smoke-forward whisky with flavourful world-famous red wine casks from Spain to create impactful notes of honey, peach, pear and dark chocolate.

Loch Lomond Oloroso: Sherry Cask and Loch Lomond Peated: Rioja Cask single malt whiskies have an RRP of £31 per 70cl bottle and are now available to buy on www.lochlomondwhiskies.com before rolling out in retailers throughout 2026.

Each single malt whisky is bottled at 40% ABV and is presented in a newly enhanced outer pack carrying illustrations of the distillery’s namesake loch in hues of cobalt blue, burgundy and mauve.

Michael Henry, master blender at Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “At Loch Lomond, we respect but are not constrained by tradition, as we navigate our own path to freely explore flavour in our own way. This is what it means to be Scotland’s most agile and adept Scotch distillery.

“The release of The Original Series demonstrates our continued growth in non-age-statement flavour profiles, bringing three standout expressions to retail that showcase our award-winning craftsmanship and commitment to first-class distillation and maturation.

“As well as our unrivalled capabilities in flavour creation through our Straight Neck Stills, at Loch Lomond we also have the benefit of our on-site cooperage, which allows us to carry out barrel repairs and charring to exacting standards and make sure each cask is the right quality for maturing our single malt whisky.”

First opened in 1965, Loch Lomond Distillery has been quietly crafting whisky on the banks of the loch for more than 60 years. In the past decade, investment in whisky-making innovation and global marketing has propelled the brand to new heights. Now enjoyed by millions worldwide, Loch Lomond Whiskies is the fastest-growing top 25 single malt brand in the world for two out of three recent years (IWSR).

For more information, visit: www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

Tasting notes

Loch Lomond The Original: Triple Oak

Nose: Malty with golden biscuit and a light fruitiness.

Taste: Opens with sweet honey followed by smooth soft fruits of peach and pear, a delicate orange citrus note and creamy vanilla.

Finish: Medium finish with a hint of soft smoke.

Loch Lomond Oloroso: Sherry Cask

Nose: Notes of honey, vanilla and raisins.

Taste: Toffee sweetness develops alongside peach, orange and brown sugar.

Finish: Medium in length, smooth and rounded, with gentle spice and dried fruits carrying through.

Loch Lomond Peated: Rioja Cask

Nose: Aromas of woodsmoke, malty biscuit and redcurrant fruit.

Taste: Sweet honey and soft fruits of peach and pear combine with dark chocolate and a touch of orange citrus.

Finish: Medium in length, with lingering smoke and a gentle richness.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Scott (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

Last year, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.

Loch Lomond Whiskies was also named among Drinks International’s ‘The World’s Most Admired Whiskies 2025’, where it was noted as one of the most capable distilleries in Scotland.