The online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky is here

After many months of preparation and a hugely enjoyable run-through with our pilot group, we’re delighted to announce that the course is available to buy. You can now earn your SQA-certified whisky diploma – our highest award – from the comfort of your own home. Over three weeks, you’ll discover a world of knowledge from the in-depth material, allowing you to better appreciate your favourite drams and get more from every drop. 

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GORDON AND MACPHAIL

One of the largest and oldest Independent Bottlers in the world, Gordon and MacPhail have a selection of whiskies that are the envy of most in the trade. We are delighted to have some of their unique bottles available from the Connoisseur’s Choice and Distillery Label ranges. Offering a wide choice of whiskies from a range of distilleries and cask finishes at great prices, they are certainly worth a look if you are wanting something with a difference.

K&L Exclusive: Unbeatable Pricing on a Sublime, Age-Stated Scotch

1997 Hector Macbeth (Glenfiddich) 23 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel

Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($129.99)

In yet one more stroke of inspired wheeling and dealing, our spirits buyers have managed to secure another rare cask of sublime, aged malt from the much-beloved Hector Macbeth label. This 23 Year Old follows in the footsteps of other stupendous offers from this bottler and is a slightly deeper and richer expression of the same incredible Glenfiddich juice that made up the previous bottlings. For our Scotch aficionados who got in on those whiskies while supplies lasted, they know just what’s in store for them here. While you’d expect to splash out a couple hundred dollars (at least) for such an age-stated single malt bottling under the marquee label for which it was originally distilled, you can get your hands on the same spirit for just over the century mark from Hector Macbeth. Countless whisky fans have discovered the joy (and incredible bargains) that these “teaspooned” malts bring to the table, and this one is no different. We’ve taken in a painfully small quantity, so anyone looking to score a well-aged Scotch at a steal needs to act with utmost urgency before supplies disappear.

*This item is expected to arrive for pickup or delivery by late summer 2021

1997 Hector Macbeth (Glenfiddich) 23 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($129.99)

We’ve had a consistent run of excellent casks under the Hector Macbeth brand over the last few years. This lot of ’97 teaspooned hogsheads from the Glenfiddich distillery have been consistently exceptional. Many people loved last year’s expression, which had spent over three years in an old sherry barrel, but others missed the purity and malty complexity of the unadulterated Wardhead that we’d bottled each of the previous two campaigns. Those whiskies, sold to our bottler under the Wardhead brand, were all distilled in February of 1997 and declassified by the distiller to be sold off to blenders. The Scotch industry is full of these unusual quirks and part of the industry’s charm is the complicated relationships between various distillers, blenders and bottlers. In the end, even a great brand like Glenfiddich, the world’s best selling single malt, needs occasionally to generate cash flow in the moment. That’s why they’re willing to sell off tankers of their prized spirit under a different name, but we don’t really care what it’s called or that it’s listed as blended malt. All that matters to us is that it’s absolutely delicious. This bottling has a similar profile to previous casks in this lot, but here with more depth and richness. Expect orchard fruit, sweet malt, honeysuckle and pink peppercorn. Delicious and complex with a vivid delineated fruit that seems to be a hallmark of these gorgeous old ‘Fiddichs.

Exclusive to Global Travel Retail, explore a collection that fuses the passion behind The Macallan whisky making with innovative art, music and culture.

EXPLORE THE SERIES

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies,

Craigellachie, Moray AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

Diageo becomes first ever official spirits sponsor of the National Football League

The multiyear sponsorship will include brand-specific programming throughout the NFL calendar

MEET HEAD BREWER
NICK BLAKE

We want to introduce a special guest joining our next Adventure in Deliciousness. Head brewer Nick Blake from Big Smoke Brew Co. is a fountain of knowledge on the subject and the creator of award-winning beers, as you’ll discover when you come along to our online event on June 27th.

You could say whisky actually starts out life as beer before additional processes take them in different directions, and as distant cousins they get on marvellously. Nick, our founder John Glaser and our whiskymaker James Saxon will be exploring the exciting reactions when the two are sipped together.

Grab your drinks ready for the adventure

In the UK, you’ll be able to pick up the beers we’ll taste direct from Big Smoke Brew Co. – shop for their Shadowlands, Pilsner and Secret Machine. They’re offering a special pack for the occasion too. For those outside the UK, stock up on a stout or porter, a hoppy pilsner and an IPA or double IPA. No strict rules though – go for what you fancy!

Wherever you are, you can buy our Malt Whisky Collection gift pack at our web shop. With Father’s Day around the corner, why not order one for Dad and invite him to the event too?

Not signed up yet?

Registration for the event is free – just head over to:
pleasedrinkcreatively.com

Nick is as passionate about beer as John and James are about whisky, so it’s going to be a great conversation.

Share & Enjoy!
The Compass Box Team

L – R back row: Ben White, Nick Ravenhall, Nick Stagg, Alex Ravenhall L – R front row: Francesca Roffe Ridgard, Tamsin Gayle

On Wednesday 16th June, New Zealand brothers Alex and Nick Ravenhall, commonly coined the Whisky Smugglers, swam across the Channel from Dover to Calais with a team of four other swimmers to raise money for Sea Shepherd New Zealand. Partnering with London’s Bimber Distillery, each swimmer transported a dram of whisky, which was then blended back into a cask and will be sold as limited-edition whiskies later this year.

The team completed the arduous swim in an amazing 12 hours and 58 mins, the second fastest team this season, alongside swimmers Ben White, Tamsin Gayle, Francesca Roffe Ridgard and Nick Stagg. The Maori brothers founded Whisky and Waves, an ocean awareness campaign, to call attention to how vulnerable the earth’s beautiful waterways are. The pair felt a special calling to work with Sea Shepherd on this project, whose charity work includes protecting Maui’s dolphins, endemic to New Zealand.

The brothers now based in the UK both work in the new world whisky scene. Nick is the Managing Director for Edinburgh’s innovative Holyrood Distillery, whilst Alex is Head of Events for Atom Brands which includes the famous independent whisky bottling brand Boutique-y Whisky Company.

Ewelina Chruszczyk, Director at Bimber Distillery commented: “Bimber are delighted to be collaborating with Whisky & Waves on their latest charity swim. Whilst our distillery has its historical roots in mainland Europe, our home is very much England – and as such, crossing the channel with our single malt in tow is a perfect expression of both our journey and of the universal language of the shared love of whisky.” 

This Summer, the pair will undergo at least two more swims in some of the UK’s most treacherous waters, including the The Corryvreckan. Both swims will be completed with smuggled whisky with the intent to release further fundraising bottlings for Sea Shepherd.

New Single Cask Single Malts from the Highlands to the Islands

Because of the excellent relationship we’ve built over the years with the world’s best bottlers, we get access to some of Scotland’s greatest casks and continue to find incredible barrels that blow away the competition in terms of value and quality. Our access to these casks is aided by expanded regulations which allow for the importation of the ever-so-slightly smaller European-style bottles. This has allowed us to access more bottled stock, which we are able to offer at a significant discount from where you’d see these exceptional malts on the European market.

Hunter Laing Old & Rare

Old Malt Cask

Redacted Bros.

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

Laphroaig 16 Year Old

A limited release of the iconic Islay single malt aged for 16 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Pre-order now available. Over time, the whisky’s smoky flavour softens on the senses and is beautifully married with sweet vanilla notes enhanced with ageing in American Oak.

Preorder Now

Tasting notes:

Colour: Deep Copper

Nose: Sweet leather, oaky spices, vanilla and wood character with gorse flowers and heather fragrance, roasted chestnuts with rich maple syrup, a touch of black pepper.

Palate: Sweet with treacle and caramel, Manuka honey and thyme but also intense wood smoke, creosote, lots of floral notes of heather and bergamot, and a chili mouthfeel.

Finish: Long lasting, smoky, sweet and salted seaweed, medicinal character.

A Virtual Tasting of Murray McDavid with Dean Jode, Head of Whisky Creation 7pm Saturday 26th June

£30.00

A Rare chance to try these hand selected cask releases from some of Scotlands finest distilleries from Murray McDavid Independent Bottler.

During the event Dean Jode of Murray McDavid, alongside Inverurie Whisky Shop owner Mike Stuart, will guide you through 6 wonderful, hand-picked whiskies from the range, including a cracking 30 Year Old from the now closed Cambus Distillery

Dailuaine 12 Year Old Sauternes Finish

Blair Athol 12 Year Old Oloroso Finish

Craigellachie 12 Year Old Tawny Port Finish

Cambus 30 Year Old Limousine Oak

Safe Haven 6 Year Old PX Finish – A Mystery Malt!

Peatside 6 Year Old Blended Malt

Our packs can be collected in store or sent across to certain European countries so that you and your friends can join us from your own home, using the Zoom platform. Join us on a voyage of extraordinary discovery as we welcome this fantastic range to Inverurie Whisky Shop.