An Inimitable Dram That’s a Feast for the Senses
Ardbeg “Corryvreckan” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Elsewhere $82) ($59.99)
“The Corryvreckan will take over a room. It’s a massive powerhouse of a whisky.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

When it comes to “peat monsters” the Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt takes top prize. However, don’t let this color your interest in peated whisky if this is your first foray—it’d be a missed opportunity to experience the smokey, savoury, rich cinnamon and vanilla spice notes that will surely mesmerize your senses on so many levels. In fact, the heavy smokey aspect typical of this style should really entice you to give this core Ardbeg bottling a try. If smoke is your thing, the Corryvreckan hits the bullseye. All the right elements fall into place—near top of its category for quality, very consumer-friendly pricing, not to mention an exhilarating feast for the palate. This is a must-have in the K&L Scotch whisky inventory, and at a near market low price, it should be part of yours as well.

Ardbeg “Corryvreckan” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $82) ($74.99)

96 points Whisky Advocate: “Part of the permanent Ardbeg range since 2008, Corryvreckan is created from a blend of standard Ardbeg and Ardbeg aged in virgin French Limousin oak casks. Smoky bacon and seaweed, plus dark berries, prickly spices, walnuts, lemon, and sweet peat on the nose. Sweet and savory on the palate, with more lively spice, woodsmoke, phenols, and licorice. The finish is lengthy, with peat, sea salt, pepper, and black coffee. *Editors’ Choice* (GS)”

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 28, 2021

The Corryvreckan will take over a room. It’s a massive powerhouse of a whisky. Scorched earth, sea spray, and roasted nuts mesh with fruit compote, dark roast coffee, lovely oak spice and sweet vanilla. It’s one of the most distinct noses in all of Scotch and something that you likely love or hate. If you haven’t had this staple in a long time, it’s worth a revisit. If you’ve never had it before, caveat emptor, it is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t love smoky whisky, this isn’t your dram. If you do, nothing else will likely suffice when the craving strikes. Ardbeg is one of the few major Scotch distilleries that hasn’t skyrocketed their prices in recent years, and with its ravenous cult following and exceptional quality, it has arguably one of the best excuses to do so. Fortunately, for now it remains one of the best deals available in any core brand lineup.

Our choice picks of some of the best new whisky in 2021…

Tomatin 25 Year Old

1994 vintage single sherry butt for the Hunter Laing First Editions series. Just 402 bottles from the Highland distillery. Tomatin 25 Year Old 1994 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single sherry butt #18213 bottled 2020 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the First Editions series. 402 bottles. A nose of plums, salted caramel, and chocolate. The palate is smooth, with hints of chocolate, nuts, red apples, and moss. The finish is long, with lingering oak.

Shop – Tomatin 25 Years Old Sherry Butt

Tomatin Distillery was established in 1897 and operated with two stills until 1956 after which there were frequent and numerous additions culminating in 23 stills in 1986 making Tomatin the largest distillery in Scotland at that time. However, eleven were subsequently closed and it is currently equipped with twelve but operating with eight. Tomatin Distillery is a Highland distillery situated close to the Cairngorms National Park and, sitting at an altitude of 315m, it is the third highest distillery in Scotland. The official range includes Tomatin 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and the peated Cu Bocan range.

https://youtu.be/ajC79V1CGoM

A rather cool video this week, courtesy of friend of the show, Mark Littler!

He’s sent us this bottle of 1980’s Yamazaki 12 Pure Malt to examine, quite a contrast to the current bottle that’s on sale. Big on exotic fruits, this could honestly be one of my favourite noses ever on a whisky. But how does it taste? How has living in a bottle for nearly four decades impacted it?

Mark’s investment video – https://youtu.be/2wjr9fUlueA

Current Yamazaki 12 Review – https://youtu.be/8lKKglIPu4k

The Malt Cask’s Blog Post –

CUTTY SARK BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY AND OUTSIDE TV EMBARK ON NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP EMBRACING “THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE” 

Louisville, KY (June 2, 2021) — Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky, a bold spirit known for challenging conventions, is thrilled to announce a trailblazing media sponsorship with Outside TV, the leading multi-platform channel for the adventure sports and outdoor lifestyle category. The multi-pronged partnership includes the launch of the “Spirit of Adventure” Campfire Contest series, a high-impact brand awareness campaign aimed at engaging consumers with prizes such as a dream adventure trip package for two people; alignment with notable athletes from the adventure sports spaces; exclusive events and more.

 “We are thrilled to be partnering with Cutty Sark on the Spirit of Adventure campaign,” said Chad Johnson, vice president of sales & video partnerships at Outside TV. “This partnership touches all facets of the Outside TV brand along with a tie back to Cutty Sark’s adventurous history, creating an exciting consumer journey and many opportunities for brand engagement.”

To celebrate adventure and exploration, like those endeavored by Cutty Sark’s iconic clipper ship namesake, each of the three “Spirit of Adventure” Campfire Contests will focus on a different adventure sport and offer prizes such as a dream expedition trip and exclusive adventure lifestyle gear. To further amplify each contest, Outside TV will align Cutty Sark’s campaign with prominent adventure athletes including legendary mountain biking brothers Cam and Tyler McCaul.

“Since the brands’ inception in 1923, Cutty Sark has been an adventurous hero of a spirit made for mixing with mates – similar in notion to this campaign concepted by the Outside TV team,” said Jason Schladenhauffen, president and chief executive officer for 375 Park Avenue Spirits, the U.S. importer for the brand. “The blended Scotch whisky is intended to be shared with great company while dreaming of, planning or embarking on the next great adventure. We’re thrilled to honor and bring this spirit of adventure to life for explorers with our partners at Outside TV.”

Launching in time for Father’s Day, the first contest features mountain biking brothers Cam and Tyler McCaul and offers participants the chance to win their dream adventure trip with their dad. To enter, participants must simply upload a video describing their dream adventure to outside.tv/cuttysark by June 30^th, 2021. One grand prize winner will receive an adventure trip package for them and their father (two people total; valued up to $5,000); additional prizes for first place include exclusive gear from Marzocchi, Bell, Addidas, Fox and more adventure lifestyle brands.

 The “Tells Us Your Dad’s Dream Adventure and You Could Live It Together” is the first in a three-part contest series created in partnership by Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky and Outside TV. Details for the remaining two adventure-themed contests will be unveiled over the coming months.

For more information, please visit www.outside.tv/cuttysark.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not increase chances of winning. Contest submission phase begins at 12:00AM ET on 4/1/2021 and ends at 11:59PM ET on 6/30/2021. Includes 3 submission phases. Open only to legal residents of 50 US/DC who are 21 years or older. Outside.tv account required to entire. Click Here for Official Rules, including how to enter, prize details and restrictions. Void where prohibited.

About Cutty Sark

Created in 1923, CUTTY SARK Scotch Whisky was named after the legendary three-mast tea clipper, one of the fastest of its days. Smuggled into the US during the Prohibition by the notable Captain Bill McCoy, this iconic Whisky was an instant hit thank to its light and smooth taste profile. With such a unique maritime and historical heritage, CUTTY SARK is an inspiring Whisky and celebrates the spirit of adventure in its new communication campaign. Today, the brand is exported around the globe, offering the best experiences for those with adventure in their DNA. For more information: www.cuttysark.com

About 375 Park Avenue Spirits

375 Park Avenue Spirits specializes in the premium- to luxury-spirit categories and our portfolio includes numerous expressions from leading international producers.  Founded as Luctor International, LLC in 1981, 375 Park Avenue Spirits joined the Sazerac Company in early 2015 to act as an independent, yet fully integrated sales and marketing affiliate. The company is known today for creating an environment of growth for supplier partners in the domestic market for renown brands like Van Gogh Vodka from Holland, Sobieski Vodka from Poland, Cutty Sark Blended Scotch, J.P. Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Paul John Single Malt Whisky from India, Scapegrace Gin from New Zealand, Novo Fogo Cachaca and many others. For more information on 375 Park Avenue Spirits, please visit www.375park.com.

About Outside TV

Outside TV is an award-winning multi-platform channel for adventure sports and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. With original content and captivating storylines, Outside TV’s programming inspires and encourages active participations in the outdoors through sport, travel, fitness, food and more. It’s now easier than ever to live the adventure through Outside TV with delivery over traditional, OTT, CTV, FAST and digital devices including the free Outside TV App. For more information, please visit http://www.outsidetv.com/.

BOWMORE-35 YEAR OLD-1964 TOPS BONHAM

BOWMORE-35 YEAR OLD-1964 TOPS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE

View the catalogue and full list of results: Bonhams : Whisky Sale

Bowmore-35 year old-1964. Sold for £19,642.

A bottle of Bowmore-35 year old-1964 was the top selling lot at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Tuesday 1 June. Distilled and bottled by Morrison’s Bowmore Distillery, it was bottle number 26 of 99 from cask 3709. It sold for £19,642 having been estimated at £10,000-14,000.

Other highlights included:

• The Macallan Select Reserve-52 year old-1946. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd this was bottle number 1053, was accompanied by a Certificate of Guarantee, and came in a wooden presentation case. Sold for £14,640. Estimate: £10,000-14,000.

• Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Two of Diamonds. One of the 54 bottles in the famous Full Card Series from the tiny Hanyu distillery which closed in 2000. Sold for £14,640. Estimate: £12,000-15,000.

• Bowmore-38 year old-1957. Bottle number 264 of 861 it was distilled and bottled by Morrison’s Bowmore Distillery. Sold for £10,980. Estimate: £10,000-12,000.

Sale: Whisky
Location: 22 Queen Street Edinburgh
Date: Tuesday 1 June at 11.00

Link to catalogue and full list of results: Bonhams : Whisky Sale

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

Ledaig 12 Year Old 2008

Bottled for the Connoisseurs Choice series by Gordon & MacPhail.

Double matured in hermitage wine casks giving this peated Tobermory a sweet zest with creamy fruits. Ledaig 12 Year Old 2008 vintage peated Island single malt Scotch whisky distilled at Tobermory. Double matured in Hermitage wine casks. Bottled 2020 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series.

Shop – Ledaig 12 Year Old Hermitage

Tobermory Distillery was established by John Sinclair in 1798 and is situated in the harbour town of Tobemory on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. Equipped with four stills fitted with unusually twisted lyne arms to create a light and fruity Tobermory malt spirit. The distillery produces an unpeated single malt whisky called Tobermory and a peated single malt whisky called Ledaig. In addition to the core range which includes the Lediag 18 Year Old some excellent young aged Ledaig is available from independent bottlers including Signatory.

OUR MALT OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE

Tomatin 2006 Fino Cask UK Exclusive

Enjoy June’s Malt of the Month with a free Tomatin Branded Glass with each bottle purchased.

Bottled exclusively for the UK, this limited edition is a vatting of two casks (39350 & 39351) which were distilled at the Tomatin Distillery on 10th November 2006, and moved to the finest Spanish Fino Sherry butts on 12th November 2015.

Fino’s bright flor and nutty flavours along with Tomatin’s malty backbone and fresh fruits are in perfect harmony.

Notes of baked apple and almond cake, toffee sauce and lemon are followed by some more savoury flavours of freshly baked sourdough, olive oil and baking spice resulting in a silky yet fresh finish.

£75.00 / £85.00

Shop now

New Releases – Infrequent Flyers – Single Cask Expressions from Alistair Walker Whisky

The Infrequent Flyers range is a series of single cask Scotch Whiskies sourced from across Scotland, and bottled by the Alistair Walker Whisky Company. Each Whisky is bottled without chill filtration, with no added colour, and usually at cask strength. Each single cask bottling is a unique expression that yields a very limited number of bottles – once they’re gone they’re gone!

Shop Infrequent Flyers

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 390: Caol Ila 3 Year Old 2018 ‘One Day Old’ The Whisky Jury

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a whisky that is one day old! The Whisky Jury – a Belgian independent bottler – has spoiled us in the past with lovely single casks. For the 14th release he selected a first fill quarter cask that was filled with Coal Ila spirit on the 9^th February 2018 and bottled on the 10^th February 2021. Hence the funny tagline ‘one day old’. Only 152 bottles were available at the very fair price of 49 EUR and hence they flew off the shelves. Mark feels lucky that he was able to get a bottle.

https://youtu.be/cs8t8M9GMh0

COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION WITH A WORLD’S FIRST FOR WHISKEY

-Blacks Launch 18 Year Old Single Malt with Irish Rum Cask Finish-

Just as 18 is a monumental age in a young person’s life, opening the doors to adulthood, it also holds a very special significance in the whiskey world, indicating a level of maturity and commitment to patience and craft.  For whiskey connoisseurs, in order to curate the perfect collection, they are constantly on the hunt for that special spirit which is rare and unique – a one of a kind.  The newest addition to the Blacks Brewery & Distillery portfolio, 18 Year Old Single Malt with Irish Rum Cask Finish, answers this brief.

Over the years Blacks have become accustomed to setting the industry trends and securing their place in history books with a number of firsts.  Located on the Wild Atlantic Way in Kinsale, Blacks are Ireland’s first co-located brewery & distillery. In 2018, husband and wife duo of Sam and Maudeline Black launched Ireland’s first-ever spiced rum, Blacks Spiced Rum, made entirely from start to finish in Ireland. Continuing to expand their offering Blacks Golden Rum hit the shelves and in 2020 took home the coveted gold award at the World Rum Awards.

With one simple mission, to escape the mundane of the mass market by producing beers with passion, personality and lots of hops, while also pushing the boundaries of flavour when crafting their range of award-winning spirits, Blacks are once again bringing us a world’s first.

Securing a limited amount of aged Single Malt that would complement the characteristics of their rum casks, which previously held their award-winning liquid gold, Blacks began the process of maturing a single malt whiskey with a unique twist.  After continuous sampling and endless hours of profiling, in April 2021 this treasure had reached peak maturation.

It is a whiskey lover’s dream come true! A world’s first for Irish Whiskey – an Irish Rum Cask finish. There are only 563 bottles of this limited edition 18 Year Old Single Malt, each individually numbered. For many whiskey collectors their collection remains unopened for many years, and so with every purchase Blacks are providing these whiskey fanatics with a free 20ml spirit sample so that they can also sip and enjoy this new Irish spirit.

Speaking in relation to this exciting new launch, founder Sam Black commented, “The idea stemmed from our desire to push the boundaries for Irish spirits and continue to bring about new and innovative releases.  We are very familiar with this rum cask style here at Blacks, but it is something completely new to even the most renowned whiskey connoisseurs.”

Presented in a bespoke treasure chest style box, this cask strength beauty comes in at 56% ABV and will transport you to a world never explored before by a whiskey drinker.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Opens with confected aromas of vanilla maple syrup, sticky toffee pudding and candied fruit. Slight hints of coffee beans are set aside by the oak wood undertones before being reminded of banoffee pie and tropical desserts.

Palate: A velvet soft, toffee rich mouthfeel gives way to notes of caramel coated nuts and butter baked biscuits. Sweet malt and rum spices then demand your attention, as exotic fruit notes push to the forefront of your palate.

Finish: An amazingly complex finish with lingering nutmeg spices and dried sultanas fading out before being left with the oak wood undertones that characterised this whiskey for the first 18 years of its life.

Retailing at €500 per bottle, this matured one-of-a-kind whiskey is available exclusively through the Blacks online store, www. blacksbrewery.com/shop/

To find out more about Blacks award-winning spirits and craft beers, or for more brewery and distillery offers and exclusives follow Blacks online at Facebook/BlacksOfKinsale, Instagram/blacksbrewery and Twitter @BlacksBrewery