GlenAllachie 1990 Cask 2517 50th Annv
$449.99
One of six single cask releases bottled in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Scotland's younger distilleries. The brand has finally been given center stage under the direction of former BenRiach owner, Billy Walker. Billy comes armed with some of his most loyal team from the old distilleries and decades worth of distilling and blending experience. It doesn't hurt that his purchase of the GlenAllachie distillery included maturing stocks of approximately 40,000 barrels of whisky. A very special half dozen of said casks were chosen for bottling to commemorate the milestone. And all are spectacular.
54.6% abv (500 ml), natural cask strength, uncolored, non-chill filtered.
GlenAllachie 1991 Cask 100285 50th Annv
$409.99
One of six single cask releases bottled in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Scotland's younger distilleries. The brand has finally been given center stage under the direction of former BenRiach owner, Billy Walker. Billy comes armed with some of his most loyal team from the old distilleries and decades worth of distilling and blending experience. It doesn't hurt that his purchase of the GlenAllachie distillery included maturing stocks of approximately 40,000 barrels of whisky. A very special half dozen of said casks were chosen for bottling to commemorate the milestone. And all are spectacular.
55% abv (500 ml), natural cask strength, uncolored, non-chill filtered.
Highland Queen 46 Year Single Malt
$1,399.99
An undisclosed, 46 year old Highland Single Malt, bottled by Highland Queen. Distilled in 1971 on th 8th of December 1971 and matured in a sherry cask. It was bottled on the 7th of July 2018 at 46%. 315 bottles released globally, only 4 are coming to KWM.
We were planning to open this one at the now postponed KWM Rare & Old Whisky Festival. Hopefully we can reschedule it soon!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: deep, dark and very enticing; the heavily sherried aromas were wafting out of the glass while I let it sip and open up; Eatmore, dark chocolate coated espresso beans, pedro ximenez sherry and maple syrup with stewed dark fruits and dark Christmas cake; antique-y: like an old home library with plush leather chairs; nutty with loads of tobacco, dark sugars and spices.
Palate: big, rich and very sherried; still antique-y: more leather, stewed dark fruits and tobacco; Demerara sugars and Russian coffee; Nocilo (walnut liqueur) and candied nuts; Eatmore and dark chocolate covered espresso beans; more PX Sherry and maple syrup, also fruit compote; late spices and oak tannins, but still fresh and far from bitter.
Finish: big, bold and sherried; a lovely long lingering mouth feel with more Demerera sugar, Christmas cake, sherry and nutty tones; soft old leather, fruity tobacco and spices.
Comment: the aroma from this fine old malt is spectacular, I could nose it all night; classic, elegant, old school sherry; chocolate, leather tobacco and fruits.
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: fruity with ripe peaches, vanilla, toffee, milk chocolate and a hint of lemon.
Palate: again a lot of fruit with spices, liquorice, aniseed and milk chocolate.
Finish: long with aromas of coffee, oak, cinnamon and black pepper.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.231
$291.99
SUBLIME SERENITY
This 20 year old from Islay was matured in a refill barrel and comes in at 48.5%
Flavour profile: Lightly peated
Outturn: 228 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "We were on deck, soaking in the sun while cruising along the south coast of Islay spotting, in the distance, the peat smoke billowing from the pagoda roof all mixing with the salty sea air. Can it get any better than this? Yes, wait until you try it. A delicate balance of sweetness and smoke enhanced by a mineralic note yet a creamy texture so often found in Pouilly-Fume wines from the Loire Valley. Carefully adding a drop of water we indulged in fragrant ripe strawberries with sugar and fresh mint then covered with Chantilly cream, and on the palate soft sweet smoke."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 5.62
$144.49
CRUMBLED SWEETS IN A LEATHER SATCHEL
This 17 year old Lowlander spent 15 years in ex-bourbon wood before being transferred to an Oloroso hogshead for the remainder of its maturation, and comes in at 58.8%.
Flavour profile: Sweet & spicy.
Outturn: 240 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "We were taken back to our childhoods with the familiar smell of lunch boxes and new leather satchels containing the crumbled remains of mint chocolate, parma violets and cherry cake. The sweet smell of desserts bellowed from the kitchen, as tins of fruit salad were prized open and mixed with thick cream. Gooseberry tart was fresh from the oven and issued an irresistible aroma of fresh pastry. The palate carried the spicy kick of horseradish sauce with sultanas and treacle before veering towards rum and raison ice cream sprinkled with chilies. The finish introduced wood and tobacco with sweet plum and marzipan that faded into the floral tones of rose water. After 15 years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this whisky to an Oloroso hogshead for the remainder of its maturation."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 30.100
$204.99
AN ABUNDANCE OF FRUITCAKE
This 20 year old Speysider is 56.5% and was matured in a 2nd fill sherry butt.
Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits.
Outturn: 636 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "A comforting fragrance filled the room as frankincense and cinnamon blended with toasted malt loaf and cherry bakewell tarts to give a heavy sense of sweetness. Then strawberry jelly gave way to raisins and sticky dessert wine accompanied by weighty Madeira cake. Water encouraged an even darker temperament as prunes, dates and Pedro Ximenez sherry paved the way for fruitcake and mince pies with brandy butter. We finally moved on to the palate, undeniably smooth with a mouth-watering juiciness encased in chewy toffee and caramel with brazil nuts and chocolate nibs. Battenberg cake and butter icing brought more sugary delights before we rounded up with stewed pears and plums covered in dark chocolate sauce."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 48.97
$105.59
More stock available at the Sale price!
1950s ICE CREAM PARLOUR
This 10 year old Speysider comes in at 58.3% after maturing in a refill barrel.
Flavour profile: Sweet & spicy.
Outturn: 192 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "The nose wafts warm, welcoming vanilla aromas – like a 1950s ice cream parlour, with strawberry milk shake, fudge and chocolate profiteroles – someone is chewing Dentyne (subtle cinnamon) and the bar stools are covered in leather. The palate has sweetness, depth and good viscosity – toffee, brown sugar and white chocolate, with gentle chili and old-fashioned gobstopper mouth-etching spice. The reduced nose finds biscuit tins and caramel apple granny cake, and then light liquorice and anise make an entrance. The palate has become wonderfully sweet and accessible as that early vanilla returns to vanquish any chili; sweet cinnamon, clove and dry oak leave haunting tingles."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 51.12
$263.49
PASTRIES AND SWEET TREATS
This 15 year old Irish whiskey was matured in a 1st fill barrel and comes in at 58.9%.
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla.
Outturn: 216 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "A first sniff promises much - milk chocolate caramel shortbread, indulgent apple and apricot pastries, turning malty with dried flowers and gentle herbs (chamomile). Sweet and spicy (ginger and white pepper heat) to taste, then pineapple, vanilla, butterscotch and milk chocolate. Add a drop of water and the aromas are crème brulee, icing sugar, vanilla, a hint of lemon and then dried fruits (apricot, mango). It becomes slightly winey, bitter and savoury. The taste is of sweet tea (not tannic), spicy heat, vanilla, caramel, chocolate and fizzy orange drinks. There’s a hint of herbs and a waxy mouth coating."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 13.56
$120.69
THE DARK SIDE OF THE MELON
This 9 year old Highlander was matured in a refill barrel and comes in at 60.7%.
Flavour profile: Spicy & dry.
Outturn: 186 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "Green aromas of ripe melon and freshly cut grass advanced towards the floral feelings of marigold, clover and spice-laden frankincense. Suggestions of cedar beckoned a woody tone that teased with sweet cereals and bread dough to conceal a palate that deployed an altogether darker strategy.
The first sip conveyed fresh ginger and a viscous texture that coated the tongue like thick oil. Citrus skin provided a lift towards ice cream cones dipped in muscovado sugar before we headed into unlit territory. The spiciness of mince pie mix blended with bitter chocolate and thick cut marmalade on rye bread before a woody finish gave way to tobacco in a soft leather pouch."