Join the world's finest malt whisky club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Find your nearest branch

Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.

Please submit your press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes or comments.

Springbank Ballot! – Scotch Whisky News

2 Great Bottles now open to Ballot Entries

Springbank have announced their latest release, which includes the highly sought after 21 and 18 Year Old expressions.

Our Ballots are now open for both these fantastic releases.

HOLD ON!!

Both Ballots are open until 10pm on Thursday, 11th August so please read the updated rules of entry.

You must be signed up to our Loyalty Scheme to Enter

Entry to the Ballot is only accessible by redeeming Loyalty Points

Each Ballot entry is 20 points

These points are NON-REFUNDABLE, and entries are only restricted by the number of points that you have

Please note that purchases take 10 days to transfer into points, therefore new purchases will not earn points for this ballot

You can earn points via other means – full details are available via our Loyalty Page

We only have two bottles of each bottle available for the Ballot

The rest of our allocation will go on sale only in store at 10am on Thursday, 11th august

View Ballots

BALLOT INFO Springbank 18 Year Old 2022 70cl

BALLOT INFO Springbank 21 Year Old 2022 Release 70cl

Abbey Whisky “Low stock on this award winning dram!” – Scotch Whisky News

SOLD OUT!

Adelphi Tasting – 6:30pm – Milroys Soho 31-08-22 – Scotch Whisky News

Adelphi Tasting – 6:30pm – Milroys Soho. 31-08-22

Our Adelphi tasting event takes place at the tail end of Summer, it’s the perfect event for those new and experienced whisky fans to discover the range and quality that Adelphi are renowned for in the whisky industry.

The company was founded by Donald Houston and Keith Falconer, based in Charlestown Fife, named after a distillery that closed in 1902 called Adelphi

The company has now built its very own distillery on the estate called Ardnamurchan established in 2014.

The distillery is named after the estate, with a capacity of 450.000 litres per year, this is now seen as a small outturn but more importantly allows them to concentrate on the best possible distillate from the stills.

Alongside distilling they also bottle from across Scotland, with some outstanding single cask single malts that are taste forward and non-chill filtered, this will give you natural colours from the casks.

Tonight’s event is about discovering what taste will suit you! We all enjoy a whisky that gives us a familiar taste we naturally gravitate towards, lets see if you are missing out on something you might have overlooked in the past.

Tonight’s ambassador is Connal Mackenzie.

Buy Now

Dalmore 2008 13 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice The Whisky Shop Exclusive – Scotch Whisky News

Dalmore 2008 13 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice TWS Exclusive

The initial impression is fruity…a whisper of shortcrust pastry. A soft texture and a sweet taste overall, with a surprisingly spicy savoury finish – Charles MacLean, Whiskeria Summer 2022.

From the world-acclaimed Connoisseurs Choice range comes this Dalmore single malt whisky, independently bottled by Gordon & MacPhail exclusively for The Whisky Shop. Distilled in 2008, this expression has spent 13 years in a refill bourbon barrel before being bottled in May 2022 at 57.2% abv without chill filtration or added colouring. Highly limited, just 256 bottles have been produced.

“A mellow nosefeel, with light prickle. The initial impression is fruity – fresh apple, pear in syrup, fruit salad, a suggestion of raspberry jam – beneath this is a whisper of shortcrust pastry. A soft texture and a sweet taste overall, with a surprisingly spicy savoury finish. Little change with a splash of water, the finish now slightly tart.” – Whiskeria, Summer 2022

£140.00
BUY NOW

 

The Good Dram Show – Episode 473 ‘Glencadam, Nc’ Nean & Tomatin’ – Scotch Whisky News

Welocme to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some relatively recent releases from Glencadam, Nc’ Nean and Tomatin.

https://youtu.be/YXVvA-okOJU

Whisky.Auction reunites historic John Walker & Sons records with the Diageo Archive – Scotch Whisky News

Whisky.Auction reunites historic John Walker & Sons records with the Diageo Archive

The world-famous Diageo Archive is home to a new piece of Johnnie Walker history thanks to the work of auction house Whisky.Auction and willing donator Andrew Welford.

An historic ledger detailing the transfer of shares in the John Walker & Sons company during World War II was brought to the team at Whisky.Auction by Mr Welford who was looking for advice on the book’s significance and whether it was of value to anyone. Eagle-eyed auction director Isabel Graham-Yooll recognised the historic importance such a record and knew the value this could bring to the Diageo Archive.

She explains: “This is one of those artefacts that holds so much value to a company archive, but little value to an individual, and so it felt right to reunite the ledger with the company owners. We often see old documents and labels from private individuals coming up at auctions and sometimes they simply need to find the right home rather than make money.”

Diageo Archive Manager Christine McCafferty comments: “I was so pleased that this book has been reunited with our Archive collection for John Walker & Sons, which is our pride and joy. I cannot thank Andrew enough for his kind donation and Isabel for seeing the value of having items like this kept within the business which created them. It helps us to build a full picture of our story to date, and we certainly hope to find some interesting stories buried in the pages.”

The ledger was delivered to the Diageo Archive by Andrew Welford who, alongside Isabel Graham-Yooll, was given a tour of the archives and saw the book laid down in its new home.

Scotch Whisky Auctions “The 134th Auction is now Live!” – Whisky Auction News

Our 134th auction is now up and running with a veritable feast of special drams available.  To ease your scrolling burden we’ve taken the liberty of picking out a few highlights from this month’s offerings.


Ben Nevis 1926 63 Year Old 75cl

Described by the distillery as the “peak of their achievement” this Ben Nevis 1926 63 Year Old 75cl is a bona fide collector’s item and will be highly coveted.  After a whopping 63 years in cask the angels had greedily devoured most of the whisky by time it came to be bottled, leaving a miserly 96 bottles.  This, however, has only increased the exclusivity of this marvelous dram from the rarest of casks.

Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release 75cl

Another old-timer this one, the Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release 75cl.  The rather flowery description from Macallan exclaims this expression to be “an outstanding example of how perfect harmony can be created through the mastery of wood and spirit”, and who are we to disagree?  An extraordinary dram for sure, and a credit to any collection.

Highland Park 21 Year Old Single Cask ‘Best Spirit in the

An unusual one now, the Highland Park 21 Year Old Single Cask ‘Best Spirit in the World’ Celebration Bottling.  This one-off expression was bottled in celebration of Highland Park 18 Year old being awarded best spirit in the world in 2005 and given to Highland Park staff.  This particular bottle was originally gifted to ex-Highland Park Whisky Maker Max McFarlane himself, as evidenced by the accompanying hand-signed letter.  One for the Orkney afficionados amongst us.

SMWS 27.40 Springbank 1964 31 Year Old

Finally, a rare find from the vaults of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the SMWS 27.40 Springbank 1964 31 Year Old.  A maiden showing at auction for us this one, and a mighty fine bottle it is too.  Distilled before the moon landing and bottled over 3 decades later this is a magnificent example of whisky-making from arguably Campbeltown’s biggest hitting distillery.We’re lucky to have some absolutely fantastic bottles in the auction this month, but don’t despair if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank as there are plenty of bargains to be had too.  Happy bidding everyone and best of luck in the auction!

Samaroli for The Whisky Barrel Caol Ila on sale now 🏁 – Scotch Whisky News

Samaroli for TWB

 

Caol Ila 9 Years 2013 Vintage ‘Lords of the Isles’

Caol Ila 9 Years

2013 vintage matured in a single hogshead cask. 490 smokey numbered bottles .

Buy Caol Ila £120 / $118* / €118*

World renowned Scotch whisky bottler Samaroli has selected a single hogshead cask bottled July 2022 to mark our 15th birthday. The label, in typical Samaroli fashion, depicts Islay’s Lords of the Isles and the Paps of Jura, synonymous with the view from Caol Ila’s famous Still Room.

Register Your Interest: Macallan Reach with The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Register Your Interest: The Macallan Reach

A spectacular 81-year-old expression from The Macallan – the oldest whisky released by the distillery to date. Distilled in 1940, this spirit aged through the hardships of the Second World War. The Whisky Shop has secured one of these amazing rare bottles; now on display in our flagship store in Piccadilly. Get in touch by clicking the link today to begin the conversation on how you may be able to secure this spectacular Macallan.

Register Your Interest→

The Macallan Reach

The single malt is presented in a beautiful decanter that is cradled by a bronze sculpture of three hands. The hands in the sculpture represent Kirsteen Campbell (The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker), Allan Shiach (the former Chairman of The Macallan), and the distillery staff who tirelessly worked in 1940 to create this inspiring dram.

A K&L-Exclusive, Sherry-Aged Best Seller is Back in Stock – Almost Scotch Whisky News

A K&L-Exclusive, Sherry-Aged Best Seller is Back in Stock
Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)
“Whatever is going on in that cave in Bouze, it’s working like a charm, because this batch tastes better than ever.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

In their constant search for the world’s most unique and compelling spirits, our buying team routinely discovers truly stupendous offerings exclusive to K&L. Back in stock is one of our best-selling K&L favorites over the years, the Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky. What’s truly remarkable is where this inimitable dram comes from—a deep, dark cellar in the heart of Burgundy. The late Michel Couvreur arrived here in the 1960s and set about acquiring impressive stocks of new-make, single-malt Scotch and cultivating one of the most well-sourced sherry-cask regimens in the whisky world. Now produced by his long-time apprentice, this peated K&L Exclusive is, as spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard declares, “one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market.” For any lover of incredibly expressive sherry-cask whisky, this is a must-try bottling that will leave you stunned, thrilled, and totally addicted to the Couvreur style.

Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

K&L Notes: The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that we had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This innovative Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the ’60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of Pinot Noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself, selecting his own sherry butts to ensure the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jaw-dropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: DO NOT cut the hard wax seal—use a wine opener to go through it.)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: July 28, 2022

A new batch is upon us, and while the last exhibited more wild Islay character, this one offers more dense sherry influence. The peated element is less forward and acts as a subtle ballast to the powerful, nutty dried fruit and tense spice complements. While most whisky companies count on consistency, Couvreur’s ethos brings the artist’s touch to table. Whatever is going on in that cave in Bouze, it’s working like a charm, because this batch tastes better than ever. The magnificence that is Michel Couvreur has always been clear, but it wasn’t until we stepped into the special cave, carved out of the rock, in Bouze-lès-Beaune that you can fully appreciate the incredible endeavors taking place at this fine producer. While this is by definition not scotch, because it is aged outside of the country, the old-school practices utilized here are unusual back in Scotland. The fact that these guys literally drive to Jerez to pick out fresh sherry casks (from Equipos Navazos no less) is totally unique in modern times. In fact, no producer of malt whisky is getting access to fresher barrels, and the modern industry rarely fills barrels of this quality. Despite not being able to use the famous category designation, this is undoubtedly one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market. Stupendous depth and complexity even at 86 proof, and while the sherry is toned down from the standard version, a subtle fino/amontillado quality exists in the background. This is pointed by a fabulous, smoky sweetness, which hints at the source whisky. Maybe an island somewhere, maybe a drop of Islay. Wldly high-quality whisky with a French sensibility and a truly unique gem.

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


Powered by WordPress