Glenfarclas Family Cask 1987
$660.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1966
$2,199.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1986
$704.99
Celebration of Cask Bowmore 1991
$382.49
G&M Imperial 1996
$179.99
This exciting KWM exclusive is the nest closest thing to an official bottling from the closed distillery. Bottled under Gordon & Maphail's Distillery Label range the whisk was matured in 1st Fill and Refill Ex-Sherry casks. We'd prefer to see it bottled at 46%, but Gordon & MacPhail only lightly chill-filter their malts, and it is excellent!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: fruit bomb, soft, delicate and layered; dried apricots, peach cobbler, stewed apples and poached pear; soft leather, building spices, creamed honey and building tropical notes.
Palate: very soft, smooth and silky; loads of creamed honey, vanilla and layers upon layers of fruit; more poached pear, stewed apples, mangos, papaya and melon; the spices building with some dried dark fruits: raisins and dates: with firm new leather; cardamom and ginger spices with some white pepper.
Finish: medium-long, drying and smooth; still very fruity and spicy, slowly fading out.
Comment: I sampled this 7 months ago in the UK and knew it was a winner... it is even better than I remember.
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: Delicate Sherry character with toasted malt and vanilla aromas. Tropical mango and pineapple notes mingle with hints of tangy citrus.
Palate: Cracked black pepper initially, followed by clove, cinnamon and orange flavours. Subtle Sherry influences are complemented by hints of charred oak. A liquorice undertone develops.
Finish: Medium in length with lots of fruit and spices.
About Gordon & MacPhail's Distillery Label Range: "In partnership with each respective distillery, all whiskies in our Distillery Labels range are uniquely labeled. In years gone by many of these unique designs were used 'officially' to bottle the whisky under license from the distillery. Today these trusted relationships with distillers enables Gordon & MacPhail to bottle whiskies at various ages, strengths and vintages - all with their unique distillery label."
About the Distillery (Courtesy of Gordon & MacPhail): ""Founded by Thomas MacKenzie, the building of Imperial Distillery coincided with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee no doubt an influencing factor in its naming. With a shaky start and history, Imperial Distillery started production in the summer of 1898 only to close a year later for over 20 years. Production did recommence in 1919 but, again, for only six years. The construction of Imperial differs from other Speyside distilleries as it was built of red Aberdeen brick with an iron beam and pillar framework to make it fire resistant. Imperial closed during the 1980's. It was purchased in 1989 by Allied Distillers who reopened the distillery in 1991. It was mothballed in 1998."
Maltbarn Tullibardine 1989
$359.99
Bottled at 51.1% after 27 years in ex-Bourbon Barrels.
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla
$462.99
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Cask. Bottled at 57.8%
From the Producer: “Manzanilla is very much like Fino sherry that is produced by the sea where the climate conditions are even more suitable for the growing of flor. Even though the maturing process is the same as Fino but the texture is lighter, more delicate with a touch of saltiness together with mineral flavours which are all the consequence of the stable and thick layer of flor and the sea breeze.”
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Chock-full of mystery aroma the same as Solist Fino with clear and charming honeydew melon. Complex and multi layer fruity flavour along with toffee, cocoa. The end of cider, coastal, light salty.
Palate: Balanced body. Slight salty intense plenty of sweetness with vanilla flavour. Orange, melon, mint are conspicuous with fresh fruit complexity.”
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 77.42
$159.99
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS
From the Northern Highlands, this 14-year-old whisky, at 58.4%, spent 13 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead and was then transferred directly into a Sauternes cask for the remainder of its maturation.
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
Outturn: 270 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "A slight artificial sweet and minty aroma greeted the Panel on the nose neat, like a juicy fruit chewing gum, mint toffees or kid’s orange flavoured toothpaste. With time turning deeper and richer and we got the satisfying scent of sweet porridge with orange, maple and pecan. The taste was both sweet creamy apple and oat puree, and eggnog with cinnamon, nutmeg and rum. Water added doughnuts, poached pears and marshmallows and the pleasant texture of yummy Portuguese custard tarts. After 13 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky directly into a Sauternes cask for the remainder of its maturation."
Drinking tip: "With a cup of coffee during coffee break"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 33.143
$188.99
"THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT"
DUE TO LIMITED SUPPLY THIS IS A LOTTERY BOTTLE. A RANDOM DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY, SEPT. 12TH. YOU MAY INDICATE YOUR INTEREST BY PLACING AN ORDER AND YOUR NAME WILL BE ADDED TO THE DRAW, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE BILLED UNLESS YOUR NAME IS DRAWN ON THE 12TH. YOUR NAME WILL ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE.
This 8 year old from Islay comes in at 59.9% and is from a 2nd fill butt
Flavour profile: Peated
Outturn: 582 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Big licks of maple bacon, sticky pulled pork over hickory smoke morphing into gooey treacle toffee, liquorice and violet. Crispy skinned fish with barbecue sauce and tropical fruit kebabs roasted over white hot coals. ‘Properly good smoke!’ one declared, he was right. Char-grilled pepper and sweet potato muddled gracefully with sun-dried tomatoes and garden canes. Water brought out a delicious feast of charred pork crackling served with a Bloody Mary. The morning after cure theme continued with more bacon, blood orange, BBQ sauce and red pesto all served in a smoky greenhouse. Wicked but very good."
Drinking tip: "After dark"