El Maestro Oloroso
$79.99
El Maestro Sierra was founded in 1830 by master cooper José Antonio Sierra, who ran a prosperous barrel-building business called La Merced. Recognized as one of the top coopers in the area, he longed to become involved in the Sherry trade itself. Eventually, he set about building a small winery to make the best sherries possible. As the sherry business was, and remains to this day, dominated by aristocratic families, the idea of a humble worker joining their ranks was met with open disdain. After many hardships he was able to establish and grow his business, becoming one of the most respected almacenistas (stockholders) of high-quality sherry. It is still run by his descendants, located in a privileged part of Jerez on top of the hill, exposed to the cool Poniente winds which nourish the elegant wines. As a reminder of the bodega’s struggles, the labels depict a hunting scene with a hare being chased by the nobles, alluding to José Antonio Sierra’s struggles in founding the artisanal house in a social climate dominated by the aristocrats of his time.
El Maestro Sierra was passed down through the family and protected by the legendary Doña Pilar Pla Pechovierto from 1976 until her passing in 2020. She was a brave and resolute woman who inherited the business after the early death of her husband, Antonio Borrego. Pilar managed to drive the business forward despite the prevailing machismo of the time. El Maestro Sierra became the first and is still one of the few bodegas run entirely by women. When her husband passed away in 1976, she resisted the intense pressure to sell and kept the winery going through tough times by selling wines to the locals in jugs. In 1997, while the men were away from the Consejo Regulador, she was stealthily able to obtain the first bottling permit for an almacenista house, which was forbidden until that point. Pilar was an extraordinary individual with a singularity of purpose: to maintain the grand estate of El Maestro Sierra. Because the wines have remained virtually unmoved due to the slow business in the following decades, the stocks at El Maestro Sierra are some of the oldest and most undisturbed in Jerez.
The tradition is continued by Pilar’s daughter and current owner, Dr. Carmen Borrego Pla, and Capataza Ana Cabestrero; aided by long-time family friend and consultant master Capataz, Paco Salas. Dr. Borrego Pla, a historian and expert in the History of the Americas at the University of Seville, has published many books and papers relating to Andalucia’s role in this grand history and continues to be one of the region’s foremost cultural historians.
Cragganmore Distillers Edition
$109.99
This is Cragganmore draped in Port. Port-seasoned American Oak, that is. It lends a slightly jammier edge to one of Scotland's most iconic single malts.
40% abv
Whisky Sponge Highland Malt 1993 No.59A
$324.99
Distilled in 1993, this mystery Highland Single Malt as filled into a Refill Hogshead, where it matured 28 years before bottling at 44.7%. 87pts Whiskybase
Producer Description
"Made from a secret, ancient family recipe handed down since the primordial era, this delectable Cream Of Sponge features only natural highland ingredients, tinned fresh at unreduced strength without any additives or colouring. Full of vitamins, minerals, vegetable emojis and famed for the waxy residue it leaves on your tongue. Please sup your Cream Of Sponge responsibly, in the manner of an ancient, wizen Druid sooking it painstakingly by the thimbleful from a wooden spoon..."
Whisky Sponge Ardmore 1997 Ed.76
$469.99
This 1997 vintage Ardmore was matured 24 years in a Refill Bourbon Hogshead before bottling at 52.4%.
Producer Note
"Since the dawn of creation, conscious beings have been asking themselves one thing: why does Ardmore taste like the smelly matter you find in Scottish farmyard...? The answer to this question has eluded the greatest scientific minds in the cosmos. Mayans, Vulcans, Time Lords, Vogons and David Attenborough have all tried, and failed, to discover the pungent truth. All we can do is play Sponge scrabble and ruminate deeply and profoundly, on the sheer number of silly toilet-centric words you can invent in association with Ardmore and all its bum-scented glory. Please enjoy this extremely classical 25 year old Ardmore that has been matured full term in a withered old refill hogshead and bottled at natural cask strength, thus retaining its maximum dung-addled distillate potency."
Jura 14 Year Old
$84.99
A recent addition to the Jura range, this 14-year-old has been matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Rye barrels. Expect a bit of spice, salinity, and nuttiness on this one.
40% abv
Heartland Stickleback Red
$15.99
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dolcetto are blended together to create a bright yet full-bodied wine that is perfect for everyday occasions. Each variety is individually fermented on the skins for 5 days before it is pressed to enhance the aromatics while softening the naturally present tannins. Maturation in 2–3-year-old oak barrels rounds out the rich and savoury character of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Dolcetto and a splash of Lagrein add spiciness and vibrant tannins that complete the wine. Perfect for your Sunday night roast dinners, grilled dishes, cured meats, and aged cheeses.
Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisk
$121.99
This English single malt has been matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon before bottling at 59.1%. Non-chill filtered. Natural colouring.
Producer Description
"Belonging to our Cask Expressions Collection, our Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky is created from select first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels in which our rich and fruity single malt spirit has been patiently matured. These premium American oak barrels are ideal for ageing whisky and impart delicious notes of vanilla and honey. This sweet and malty cask strength expression is a whisky for purists and a wonderful expression of our distillery character."
Born Brewing ARM Candy Milk Stout 4-pack
$18.99
6.5% ABV.
La Venenosa Sierra Volcanes Raicilla
$122.99
This Raicillo is the work of Arturo Campos and is made using the Agave strain maguey Cenizo. After harvesting the Agave, it is roasted in a traditional pit oven using black oak. It is then twice-distilled in small clay pot stills.
The La Venenosa range of Mexican Spirits was originally selected by Chef Esteban Morales, with the goal of finding the best spirits producers and bringing their little-known productions to a broader market.