Single Malt Scotch

The Glenlivet was the first legal distiller in Scotland (1824) and the only one allowed to be called 'The Glenlivet'. What Grande Champagne is to Cognac, the glen of the river Livet is to Speyside - the most famous speyside highland malts. 

Inventory: Hollywood

Gold Medal 2007 International Wine & Spirit Competition. The Glenfiddich 12 Year is distinctively fresh and fruity with a hint of pear on the nose. The palate for this single malt is characteristically sweet, with undertones of butterscotch, cream, malt and a hint of oak. It finishes long, smooth and mellow. See for yourself why this is one of the world's most popular single malts. 40% ABV 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This 10 year old malt epitomizes the taste of Islay; rich, smoky and peaty. It is the most distinctive of all malts, called 'the ultimate single Islay malt. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation The Balvenie Doublewood is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt - the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour. Nose: Sweet fruit and oloroso sherry notes, layered w... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

93 points from the Malt Advocate! World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray in his 2008 edition of The Whisky Bible. From the distiller: "AROMA - Exceptional balance and depth. At full strength, the aroma is a beguiling mix of toffee and chocolate sweetness, cinnamon spice and medicinal phenols. Fresh citrus and floral notes of white wine are evident, as are melon, pear drops and a gentle creaminess. There is also the fresh phenolic aroma of sea spray and smoked fish. Hickory and coffee emerge later as the most volatile top notes fade. With water, the depth... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Lagavulin was established in 1830 and has the driest start of all single malts. Full amber in color with adominant sherry nose. Full-bodied yet smooth. The dryness is offset by the sweetness of the sherry character. Salty notes and a huge powerful peaty finish. A connoisseur's malt, and with consistently high marks from Michael Jackson. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

There is a dark place on Islay, high above the Ardbeg Distillery, called Airigh Nam Beist (pronounced "arry-nam-bayst"), which in Gaelic means "shelter of the beast." No more fitting name could have been bestowed on such an eerie place; this is where - legend has it - something other-worldly lurks, lying in wait. So what measures can be taken to protect local and visitor alike? If you find yourself straying this way, then pray equip yourself with that traditionally reliable antidote to sheer terror - the stiff drink. A travelling man could ask for no bet... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Described by Paul Pacult as: 'simply the best 12 Year Old single malt around', The secret of The Macallan lies in defiant adherence to traditional methods and ingredients. The continued use of finest Golden Promise barley and the insistence on sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain are just two of the pre-requisites for perfection. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

There's only one thing you need to say about this bargain-priced dram from the Isle of Orkney's finest producer Highland Park - you really get your money's worth of whisky. The straw colored spirit is soft, elegantly sweet and gentle on the entry. It gives way to notes of dried fruits and hints of caramel on the finish. It has all the grace of the 12 year, despite its younger age, and is one of the most easygoing whiskies we've tasted all year. Every staff member who has tried it has reserved at least one bottle for themselves, so you're going to hav... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

2009 World Whiskey of the Year. F. Paul Pacult's List of the Scotch Whiskies to be Drinking in 2007. Ardbeg Uigeadail (pronounced Oog-a-dal) takes its name from the brooding, mysterious loch that provides the peat-laden water for Ardbeg. It is a special vatting of casks matured in bourbon barrels and many older sherry casks. The older casks bring luscious, sweet, raisiny tones to the unique Ardbeg taste. Only a few bottles available! Michael Jackson's tasting notes: "Nose: Intensely smoky. Dry, clean, tangy smoke. Like standing downwind of the barbecue w... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A very special Glenlivet. The bouquet is remarkably flowery, clean and soft. The taste is light-bodied with a delicate balance between sweetness and malty dryness. Flowery, peachy, notes of vanilla with a restrained, long gently warming finish. 90-95 points and Highly Recommended, Wine Enthusiast: "Lovely, expansive bouquet includes scents of malted barley, baking spice, hearty spirit, toasted marshmallow, honeysuckle, fresh honey and dried citrus peel. Palate entry is firmly structured, moderately grainy sweet and features integrated flavors of hone... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

This western highland malt is said to have been originally founded in 1794. Oban is a true classic with an amber color, an assertive, round nose and a rich smooth, slightly viscous body. On the palate, it is dry with malty and fruity undertones. It has a wonderful smooth and aromatic finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Limited to quanity on hand. We can't honor bottles sold into the negative. This lovely 18 year old is almost out of existance. Get it while it lasts! Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Amber. Nose: Rich and fruity – Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel – with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness. With water maritime characteristics emerge – dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and t... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Selective maturation in new Limousin oak casks, usually reserved for wine, has added delicate overtones of the spices highly prized in fine wines, while perfectly complementing the subtle elegance of the original malt," explains Jim Cryle, Master Distiller at The Glenlivet Distillery. The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve has an intense and sweet aroma with hints of citrus fruit and cedar wood. The taste is well structured with an interplay of fruits and spices. This is a beautifully balanced, rich and mellow whisky with a long creamy finish that ... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

Two hundred years ago, malt whisky was carried through Scotland in small casks that were easily transported on the backs of packhorses. As transportation methods improved, Scottish distillers turned to more economical larger casks, which became today's uniform standard for maturation. Until now. Realizing that using the original small cask maturation process would be an innovative way to add new character. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is handcrafted to deliver a new expression of Laphroaig's powerful, smoky flavors with smoother, creamier and more complex ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

A wonderful award-winning Island malt bottled at above average strength with a comforting smooth afterglow. Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Brilliant gold. Nose: Peat-smoke with sea-water saltiness, the liquor of fresh oysters, a citrus sweetness. Body: Full. Palate: A rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of pepper. Finish: Huge, long, peppery finish with an appetising sweetness 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This is our staff "Best Buy" in our Bruichladdich line up. We choose to sell it at this great price of $39.99 because we believe that EVERYONE should have a bottles of this lovely dram! The Rocks is a very approachable dram and would be great for someone just starting in out in the whisky world or if you are looking for an every day "Laddie". Of course all of Bruichladdich single malts are non-chill filtered with no caramel or sugar added. So what you get is what comes straight from the cask! (Susan Purnell, Spirits Buyer, K & L Wine Merchants) The ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt whisky from the essential Islay distillery, Lagavulin, on Islay’s rocky south coast. Eighth of a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks. Vatted from refill American Oak casks, each at least 12 years old. Available in limited quantities worldwide. An elegant classic; massive smoke and purity of flavour supported by complex aromas and delicious sweetness. Less rich and plummy than the 16 year old yet every bit as refined, with all the hallmarks and a fine, complex no... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

John Ramsay the Malt Master for Glenrothes has taken great care to pick out the finest casks from different years to create the "Select Reserve". It is the first non-vintage expression from Glenrothes. Unlike the vintages, which run out quickly the "Select Reserve", will be available on a continual basis. The youngest whisky is from 1998. This is the perfect Glenrothes to enjoy all year round. 40% ABV Here are the tasting notes from the distillery: Appearance: Pale golden Nose: American oak vanilla and coconut, hints of plums Palate: Full malty fl... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Very Limited! We can't honor bottles sold into the negative! Octomore is a farm, near Port Charlotte, two miles from the Bruichladdich distillery. It is also the name of a truly exceptional new malt the worlds most heavily peated whisky ever. Octomore has been peated at a staggering 140 ppm. This is more than two-and-a-half times more than standard Ardbeg, the highest of the other Islay distilleries. Dubbed the "Usain Bolt of the Whisky World." Achieves incredible balance despite the incredible levels of peat thanks to Bruichladdich's distinctive n... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Pronounced "a-boon-arh", which means "the origin" in Gaelic. Made the way whiskey was produced in the 1800's, a'bunadh from Aberlour is not chilled-filtered and is bottled at cask strength 59.5%. Slowly matured in rare Oloroso sherry butts, this malt is filled with rich, smooth, complex flavors. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Balvenie Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 15 year old single malt which is drawn from a single cask of a single distillation. Each cask forms a limited edition of hand-numbered bottles - there will be a maximum of 350 bottles from any one cask - so each bottle is unique and unrepeatable. Each cask is subtly different, however, The Balvenie Malt Master selects for bottling only those casks that have the essential characteristics of The Balvenie Single Barrel - particularly honey, vanilla and oaky notes. If you are looking for a Balvenie ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Named one of the Best Ten American Whiskeys by critic Michael Jackson for 2004/2005 and rated an incredible 96 points in Jim Murray's 2008 edition of The Whiskey Bible, the McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey from Clear Creek Distillery is a small batch beauty you won't want to miss. Made in the tradition of Islay Scotch, this heavily peated whiskey resembles Scotland's Lagavulin in its intensity. Its foundation is imported Scotch peat-malted barley fermented into a wash by Widmer Brothers then distilled in Holstein pot stills. The whiskey is then aged... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

The Glenrothes Distillery was founded in 1879 in Speyside, the heart of the Scottish Highlands and heartland of malt distillation. Their 1991 Single Cask is autumn gold in color with a rich berry fruit aroma accented by hints of vanilla and white chocolate on the nose. The palate is soft, with flavors of coconut, vanilla and butterscotch that finish with a lingering vanilla sweetness. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Laphroaig Cask Strength has just been named "The Best Scotch Whisky in the World for 2005." Rated 8 3/4 by Gavin Smith of Whisky Magazine: "Nose: Fresh, mild antiseptic, subtle peat smoke; Palate: Complex. Smoked haddock, cut plug tobacco, burnt newspapers, but buttery, sweeter cooked fruit notes predominate; Finish: Chewy toffee drying out to oak; Comment: A fine robust dram with lots happening. Laphroaig at its best." 55.7% ABV 

Inventory: San Francisco

TOP OTHER WHISKY - 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.The smooth, honey taste of this 18-year old Japanese Single Malt Whisky, handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery will enchant any single malt lover. Full-bodied with spicy cherry-like notes, it smells of toffee and has a lovely, long, dry finish. Double Gold Medal Winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold Medal Winner, Beverage Tasting Institute. 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

93 Points - The Malt Advocate Glenmorangie Original is an inviting single malt whisky, acclaimed and appreciated by luxury spirit drinkers around the world. The original expression of Glenmorangie’s elegant, floral spirit that is renowned the world over for exquisite finesse and alluring complexity, Glenmorangie The Original is the intriguing marriage of delicate spirit and long, slow maturation. The taste characteristics from the first-fill bourbon casks that permeates the majority of the aged spirit, coupled with the increased proportion of our ‘desi... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Highland Park, one of only two distilleries in the Orkney Isles, is the world's most northerly whisky distillery. It was founded in 1798 by Magnus Euson. Until it was licensed in 1825 its production was illicit and Euson was assisted in evading the excisemen by a kinsman who was a Kirk elder and hid the contraband under the pulpit. By the 1880s Highland Park had an established reputation and at one time both the King of Denmark and the Emperor of Russia declared it to be the finest whisky they had ever tasted. Highland Park has been described as the gre... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Like all of the Classic Malts Selections Distiller's Edition, this Talisker has been double-matured in a second cask after the original maturation period (in this case in an Amoroso Sherry cask). The experience is older, sweeter and richer than the regular bottlings. This Edition has a very special bitter-sweet harmony where the peat softens on the palate to a rich, sweet, juicy fruit finish. Strength: 43.8% ABV 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: "CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation. The opening inhalation offers deep aromas of nutmeg, oloroso Sherry, dark toffee and black pepper; further aeration stirs up thrilling scents of chocolate- covered cherries, tobacco smoke, sea brine, paraffin, praline and cedar box—a textbook Islay/sherry perfume. Palate entry is winey, concentrated and stunningly Sherry-like; at midpalate the taste profile expands to include dark honey, butterscotch, old oak, vanilla extract and cocoa bean. Concludes delicately and as sweet as honey.... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Highland Park 18 Year Old is an exceptionally fine whisky that builds on the world-class reputation already enjoyed by the 12 Year Old. All the Orcadian hallmarks of Highland Park are here - the smokiness, the peat, the heather-honey - plus it has gained a glorious richness and spiciness through its longer cask maturation. Its elegance and smoothness make the 18 year old a delight to the malt whisky connoisseur. F. PAUL PACULT'S LIST OF THE SCOTCH WHISKIES TO BE DRINKING IN 2007: 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Macallan's benchmark excellence is nowhere more evident than in the 18 year old. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Silver Medal Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold Medal International Spirits Challenge and Gold Medal Beverage Tasting Institute. This 12-year old single malt is medium-bodied with aromas of dried fruits and honey. Delicate and mellow tasting with a lingering, woody finish. Handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

An updated version, but apparently identical in taste to the last batch according to my recent phone call with Master of Whisky Stephen Beal. Double matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry with lots of sweetness on the entry before the peat kicks in. Always a masterful malt. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

One of the most revered Islay malts married with perhaps the most beloved wine in all of France: a young Laphroaig whisky meets the decadent Chateau Margaux. The color is a delicate amber and rose tint, but that's where the delicacy ends. Big smoky flavors dance with iodine, seawater, saline notes, and seaweed with rich meaty flavors on the finish and hints of dried red fruits - this is as Islay as it gets without succumbing to the heavy influence of peat. A second taste allows you to prepare yourself for the flavor onslaught and see past it into the ri... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 is a limited-edition expression of the Nadurra range. A unique approach to single malt, the new offering was created using a single-source of grain -Triumph barley- which is no longer used at The Glenlivet distillery, making this a truly special addition to The Glenlivet portfolio. The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 joins the range of ‘nadurra’ (Gaelic for ‘natural’) whiskies that is testament to the innovation and craftsmanship in distilling which continues to define malt whisky to the world. The new offering was disti... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Bowmore 18 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky has just been voted the "Best in Show Whisky" at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, one of the foremost drinks competitions in the world. It was also awarded a Double Gold medal. Twenty-four top judges, from across the American drinks industry, blind-tasted all the Scotch whiskies, from the youngest to the oldest, but conclusively agreed that Bowmore 18 Years Old, from the small Hebridean Island of Islay, was ‘simply the best’. The Competition’s Executive Director Anthony Dias Blue said, "A bril... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Strength: 43% ABV Appearance: Pale straw. Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist's mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old-fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness (lychees?), a trace of olive oil, and after a while pot pourri or scented hand-soap. Body: Firm, smooth, light to medium. Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Clynelish is one of the Northern Highland's most underappreciated distilleries. This 11 year old unchillfiltered example captures the essence of the distillery perfectly. The nose is honeyed with a touch of salt and spice. On the palate, there is honeycomb, orange marmalade and summer flowers with a restrained oakiness and a hint of smoke. Very well balanced and well priced. Don't forget to add a touch of water or this unchillfiltered malt will keep all its secrets locked away. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A great deal in bargain single malt. The Auchentoschen stands out in the fact that it's triple distilled, and therefore a lighter and more gentle dram, in the tradition of the Lowland malts. This is smooth, gentle, with subtle sweetness, and honey notes on the palate. A great sipper for an afternoon, or to initiate the new whisky drinker into the fold. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Crafted from pure mountain water flowing 2,000 feet above sea level, Dalwhinnie embodies the gentle spirit of the Highlands, offering delicate floral aromas, whispy hints of heather, and a soft subtle finish. The distiller's edition is matured in oloroso sherry casks to create a spicy, peaty malt with sherry sweetness and a dry finish. The nose shows fresh sherry embraces the maltier, more honeyed aspects of Dalwhinnie. Peaty and surprisingly, still heathery. Spicy yet grapey. The palate has a big, spicy buzz, followed by an impressive build up of ver... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Special Price on this fantastic single malt of Isle of Arran. The 10 year old starts maturing in Bourbon casks. Woodford Reserve Bourbon is one of the sources for Bourbon casks to Arran and is very similar to Arran as a distillery in the US. Then at Gordon Mitchell's discretion, Distillery Manager at Arran, the whisky is moves to refill sherry and for the last year of it's life finished in fresh sherry casks. It is medium Amber in color and there is a lot of rich oil in the whisky. Crème brulee, caramel, citrus notes, fresh apple and pear on the nose... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

As the eye takes in the dark, russet colour of the 15 Year Old, the nose anticipates the rich sweet smell of the sherry casks used to mature this age of Springbank. The anticipation is rewarded as you remove the cork and allow the sherry aromas to drift out. However the sweet nose on this dram only begins to suggest the full range of flavours which emerge on the palate; dark chocolate, figs, marzipan, brazil nuts and vanilla all mingle to DRAMatic effect! Warming and elegant on the finish. (Distillery Notes) 46% alc/vol 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

An extraordinarily stylish and complex double-matured expression of Caol Ila; the Moscatel cask wood not over-evident; richly flavoured yet also drying and finely balanced. Brilliant, clean and refined with great balance. The nose is wonderfully concentrated pure, clean Caol Ila – peaty and medicinal, with rich fruit, spicy and fragrant. With water, the fragrant smokiness comes singing through. The palate: sweetness and maltiness strike first, then are quickly overwhelmed by peat smoke and intense, clean, crisp flavours. Caol Ila’s signature smoky bo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Limited discounted price, limited to quanity on hand only! Buy Now! This is a very special whisky for me. Why, you might ask? Well, let me tell you. When I was on Islay during Winter 2008 working on my distillery sabbatical, we worked on creating PEAT. On Friday, January 15, 2008, Jim, Jim McEwan that is, Allan Logan (Assistant Distillery Manager) and I spent the morning developing the new PEAT bottling. Jim had samples drawn of 2002 Octomore from fresh bourbon casks, 2002 Port Charlotte from sherry cask and bourbon cask. So, we created samples ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Special discount price is limited to quanity on hand only. We can't honor bottles sold into the negative. The distillery is located in the capital of Islay on the shores of Loch Indaal. Founded in 1779 it is the oldest on this majestic and windswept island. It is one of an ever-decreasing handful of distilleries that still produce their own floor-malted barley. The company, now owned by the Japanese distilling giant Suntory, donated their No.3 warehouse to the community for a swimming pool, with the water heated by the distillation process. Dive headfi... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Ledaig is created in the only distillery on the island; the Tobermory distillery, founded in 1798. The distillery is also home to the world famous Tobermory single malt. White it has its trademark un-peated malted barley taste, the Ledaig brand represents the peated side of single malt from the island. Ledaig’s character owes it’s quality to many sources: the traditional 18th century distillery, the maturation for the full 10 years in superior oak wood casks (laid in ancient vaults that ensure each year passes without so much as a whisper or movement ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

A golden amber color, with a slight rose tint. This independent bottling of Caol Ila is powerful with rich toffee and spicy notes on the palate. Besides the color, the red wine influence from the Ridge Zinfandel casks also shines through in the nose, where dried red fruits intermix with subtle chocolate flavors. The flavor profile is very complex for such a young Islay malt, but the price tag is very low for something so interesting. This is one of the most exciting whiskies we've found in a while. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The first in the new line of Bruichladdich 16 year old whiskies that have been aged in bourbon casks and then finished in a particular Bordeaux wine cask. The Cuvee A Pauillac is aced in first growth Chateau Lafite barrels and is amber, almost rose like in color. The entry entices instantly with red fruit and a touch of sweetness, with a long, lingering finish that is characteristic of quality drams like a 16 year old Bruichladdich. 

Inventory: Hollywood

Tasting Notes From The Distillery: Colour: Bright Gold The Nose: A fresh summer-like medley of floral and sweet spice aromas enhanced by gentle notes of toasted oak. The Taste: Smooth and silky with the sweetness of soft fruits and honeyed flowers balanced by a dry oak finish of considerable length with notes of ginger and hazelnuts. Bottled April 2007 Batch Number 0407 59.7% ABV 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco