Single Malt Scotch

Here is why I like Wemyss Malts (pronounced weems) and why I think we should all support what they are doing. 1) They care about the TASTE of whisky and not where it was distilled or who made it, hence why they do not reveal the distillery names on the label. 2) They do not shy away from marketing blended or vatted malts, even though the current trend is entirely focused on single malts, because they believe they can make a better product by blending. To many 'blending' in the whisky industry is a dirty word, but the Wemyss family knows that blends ar... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City 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

Here is why I like Wemyss Malts (pronounced weems) and why I think we should all support what they are doing. 1) They care about the TASTE of whisky and not where it was distilled or who made it, hence why they do not reveal the distillery names on the label. 2) They do not shy away from marketing blended or vatted malts, even though the current trend is entirely focused on single malts, because they believe they can make a better product by blending. To many 'blending' in the whisky industry is a dirty word, but the Wemyss family knows that blends ar... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

When I was on Islay during Winter 2008 working on my distillery sabbatical, we worked on creating WAVES. Tuesday, January 12, 2008 was the day to "MAKE WAVES". This edition of WAVES was to be a combination of different vintages of Bruichladdich that were matured in Bourbon and Madeira casks and a wee bit of Octomore to give it a kick of peat. All of these casks were being warehoused in Port Charlotte. Andy Fisher (Warehousing Tech God!), Jim, Jim McEwan (Production Director) that is and I headed over to the Port Charlotte warehouse to evaluate casks f... Read More » 

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: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A perfect introduction to the Springbank range. Whilst bourbon casks are mainly used for maturation, allowing the distillery character to shine through, a number of sherry casks are also used for added body. The light colour of this malt belies the richness of its character. Whilst the nose suggests a wide range of aromas, from citrus fruits to pears and a hint of peat, the palate excites even further with touches of smoke, vanilla essence, nutmeg, cinnamon and the salty tang we have come to expect from Springbank. (Distillery Notes) "Gold color, fresh s... Read More » 

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

Want to enjoy a fantastic anytime dram for under $40? We do too! Time to try The Singleton of Glendullan 12 year old. This is a rich, elegant dram that is great for every day! It is a blend of both bourbon and sherry cask and is a classic Highland style whisky! (Susan Purnell, K & L Wine Merchants, Spirit Buyer) 

Inventory: Redwood City

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: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Here is why I like Wemyss Malts (pronounced weems) and why I think we should all support what they are doing. 1) They care about the TASTE of whisky and not where it was distilled or who made it, hence why they do not reveal the distillery names on the label. 2) They do not shy away from marketing blended or vatted malts, even though the current trend is entirely focused on single malts, because they believe they can make a better product by blending. To many, 'blending' in the whisky industry is a dirty word, but the Wemyss family knows that blends a... Read More » 

Inventory: 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

The Dalmore malts are not sweet, peaty, or soft. They are powerful, masculine drams distilled by a pot still with a special flat head to help add a more robust flavor. The 12 year is a medium to full-bodied smooth malt, golden in color. Half the blend is aged in sherry and the other half in bourbon. The nose is intense with sherry overtones and dried fruit. The taste is complex with touches of wood and a long, lingering finish with spicy notes. A fantastic whisky. 

Inventory: Redwood City

This is our staff choice from a peaty Highland whisky for under $40.00! Perhaps best known as the signature malt in the famous and distinguished Teacher's Highland Cream Blended Scotch Whisky, the Ardmore "Traditional Cask" delivers lovely Highland Malt flavor with a peaty twist. In fact, Ardmore has been producing 100% peated Highland malt whisky since 1898. This current release is matured for a final period in small, 19th century-style quarter casks like Laphroaig (also owned by the US company Fortune Brands) for a whisky with beautifully rounded flav... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

I fell in love with older Bunnahabhain on my trip to Islay in 2005. They have such elegance yet filled with incredible weight and complexity. Color: Rich golden amber Nose: Liquid caramel bubbling on the stove, banana cream pie, macadamia nut brittle and the blowing sea breeze coming off the Sound of Islay. Palate: It lies on your palate like heavy syrup that coats your mouth. The flavors are all creamy butter; toasted almonds and Brazilian nuts, fresh pipe tobacco and a sea brininess that is a classic taste of Bunnahabhain. The weight of the 18 year ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Wow, Wow, Wow, is this incredible single malt! So creamy and rich with lovely length! This is one of the best bottles of single malt that I have tried this year! Benromach "Origins" is a series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how subtle changes to the art of whisky making can help shape the character of the final single malt. Batch #1 starts with the barley component and is made with Golden Promise Barley It was distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2008. Matured in a sherry cask and has a phenol level only 4ppm. 50% ABV 

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The best Speyside single malt at this price! From the distinguished Speyside region, where the rivers Findhorn, Lossie, Deveron and Spey flow north to the sea, comes Tamdhu. Born of water from the clear mountain springs that flow unfettered over the peat, Tamdhu's distinctive flavour -- fresh, delicate and elegant -- sets it apart from other Highland malts. Tamdhu, whose name means "little dark hill" in Gaelic, also stands alone among Speyside distilleries as the only one to malt its own barley on-site, placing every aspect of production under the contr... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Island or more correctly named Coastal whiskies all have a common trait. The maturation takes place by the sea. The old dunnage warehouses literally reek of the briny sea air. Scapa is unique for an island whisky as its malted barley is entirely unpeated. The water is the secret of Scapa. We know how carefully this was selected by the complexity and considerable cost the founders went to. Orkney has literally thousands of burns (streams). Having decided on creating a ‘coastal’ single malt the distillery location had to be by the sea and like many disti... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

If you need that special gift for your single malt fan this holiday season, we have found the coolest, most interesting sampler yet produced in Scotland! Benriach malts are some of the least appreciated drams around because the distillery does very little publicity and is not well established, but anyone who has ever sipped their immaculate 20 year malt knows how magical these guys really are. The peated gift pack contains smokier versions of the 12 and 16 year, as well as 2 other special blends. We are excited that people can now finally sample these... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Tobermory is the only active distillery on the Isle of Mull. This single malt is distilled from unpeated malted barley and is light amber in color with fresh aromas of wheat and a touch of smoke. On the palate it is smooth and fruity with a nice rich finish. This is a great choice from someone who is just learning about single malt whisky! 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for just £511.19 in 1865! Since then, the Grant family has owned and managed the Glenfarclas Distillery. Their 10 year old is the perfect starting point for any single malt lover. We are currently offering it at the fantastic price of $39.99! Here are the distillery tasting notes: Colour: Vibrant straw-gold Nose: Tempting sherry-sweet malty tones combine with delicate smokiness, releasing subtle spices. Warming the glass reveals h... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

A one-off bottling to commemorate Talisker's founding in 1830. A malt of striking contrasts, this scotch whisky is soft and sweet at heart, yet austere and impressive. Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Light gold. Body: Medium. Palate: An immediate sweet flash of coconut soon becomes medicinal, then starts to smoulder. The smoke ignites into flame then starts to dry. Water calms this down and out come the maritime notes, alongside the embers of a now-dead wood fire. Finish: Becomes increasingly spicy approaching the big, maritime, robust and lingering ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

Special order only! Will take 3-5 business days before it can ship. This is spectacular whisky aged in bourbon hogsheads and then bottled at cask strength, all from the 1984 distillation. At 51% abv, the dram is a rich golden color, with a insanely complex palate that goes from smoky, to saline, with iodine, minerality, malted barely, and honey lingering in the background. Simply amazing. 

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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

The second 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 B Pauillac is aced in first growth Chateau Latour barrels and is a golden color with reddish hints from the wine residue. The palate shows dried red fruits and subtle sweetness, that mixes the richer flavors of the bourbon barrel and the chewiness of the tannic cabernet-based wine. 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

In July 1998, identically distilled whisky was filled into two different Sherry casks for full term maturation. One cask type had contained Olorosso, a dark, sweet sherry and the other Manzanilla, a pale, dry style sherry. This is a fantastic example of how cask can influence the taste of a whisky and how vastly different they can be! I find Bruichladdich to be the "chameleon" of whisky. It has the ability to take on the characteristic of any cask extremely well! Manzanilla is a bone-dry style of Fino Sherry from the Atlantic port of Sanlúcar de Bar... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

In 1994, Bruichladdich was closed down for good, the staff released, and the machinery left to the harsh Hebridean weather; there was scant hope of resurrecting it. Yet in 2001, under new vibrant and private ownership, following six months of stripping down every nut and bolt of the old Victorian machinery, the old lady danced again! This "Resurrection Dram" is the first spirit to run off those stills under the careful guidance of Jim McEwan and his team, made in the old fashioned artisinal way with a slow trickle distillation method. Aged in new oak ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. Please ship in the whole gift packaging with cardboard box!!!! Jim McEwan's Tasting Notes: Colour: Luminous Gold Body: Silken texture with remarkable finesse. Aroma: The initial aromas are very sweet - maple syrup, roasted cashew nuts in honey, marshmallows melting seductively over an open fire. It's absolutely delightful. The influence of over 40 years in oak does not lay heavy burden on the spirit, rather a vitality and crispness remains with bea... Read More » 

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Once sold out, more due back in stock the end of May. Guess who the "Guest Taster" was below? K & L own Spirits Buyer, Susan Purnell! Susan did a six weeks distillery sabbatical in Scotland this past winter and spent two weeks at Springbank. Distillery Tasting Notes: We said " Come on boys, we want a Longrow with the maximum smoke and peat, yet with balance and complexity and maturity" Frank McHardy said "B*st@rds! Do I look like Jim McEwan?" Stuart Robertson said "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" 6 months later, and after trying various combinations of ages, ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

K&L Staff Pick for a single malt whisky under $30! Nose Light, despite a charming smokiness. Incredibly clean. A soft citric background reveals young age. Palate; Intensely malty, fresh with increasing sweetness as the kippery peatiness gathers. Finish Echoing smoke and a delicious build up of cocoa notes. Long. Toasty. Highly satisfying with almost perfect bittersweet balance. Easily one of the best 8 Years Old on the market: very, very impressive and enjoyable." Jim Murray - Whisky Magazine 

Inventory: Redwood City

Michel Couvreur is a Belgian and an independent bottler of single malt scotch. His cellars are located in Bouze-les-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. Michel ages his single malts for years in sherry butts and then in demijohns or giant bottles kept in total darkness in the exceptional well-protected underground galleries of Bouze-les-Beaune. Vatted from 54 whiskies aged more that 12 years (12 to 27 years) in oak casks, this malt has a rich amber color, a nose full of dried flowers, tobacco leaf, Jerez wine and fat almond, and a powerful, fruity, long fini... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. If whiskey is made from beer, it only follows that if you start with great, complex beer then you'll get great, complex whiskey. So the boys at St. George started off with a smoky brown ale made with heavily roasted barley, which imparts a nutella like aroma. The beer then gets the small batch distillation treatment and is finally aged in oak French oak and Port casks to suffuse the dram with soft vanilla and cocoa flavors and add texture to the palate. 

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Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. 5 This is the classic Lowland malt, triple-distilled, light, but with plenty of complexity and character to in its own right. The distillery is just outside of Glasgow, hidden in a hollow between the river Clyde and the Kilpatrick hills. In 1984 it was acquired by a private company, Stanley P. Morrison as a Lowland partner for its Islay and Highland distilleries, Bowmore and Glen Garioch. 5 Stars - Highest Recommendation - Spirit Journal - F. Paul Pacult 

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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 Redwood City San Francisco

A malt whisky inspired by our travels to the forests of France. As you may know, we work with a small mill in France that makes some of the highest quality cooperage oak in the world. It was our workwith this mill that inspired an innovative idea that led to the creation of our malt whisky Oak Cross. At COMPASS BOX, we love the soft, sweet, vanilla-tinged character that aging our whiskies in American oak casks provides. However, our discoveries of the complex characters that aging with the best quality, new French oak provides have captivated us for... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 days to receive this product before it can be shipped. Cask #1522 COLOR: Light Gold. NOSE: Dried Heather, Peat, Mint and Butter Shortbread. PALATE: Very Smooth and richly Peated with Seaweed notes. FINISH: Creamy with gentle Smoke. 43% ABV 

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Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 days to receive this product before it can be shipped. Distillery of the Year 2007 - The Malt Advocate! Matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels, this whisky is then ‘finished’ in ‘Henriques and Henriques’ Madeira barrels, sourced from the semi-tropical Portuguese island of Madeira, hundreds of miles off the coast of north-west Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean. During this second period of maturation the whisky derives many interesting characteristics specific to the Madeira barrel. Color: Gold, Nose:... Read More » 

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God bless Andrew Symington and Iain Henderson for what they have helped to create at Scotland's smallest distillery. It is also the closest to a working 19th century farm distillery that use to be found all over central Perthshire. Just imagine, huge external worm tubs that condense the vapours form the stills. Also, the last open wort cooler left in Scotland. Well worth a visit to see all this Victorian equipment in action! The 10 year old is fruity-sweet and smoky on the nose with a light marzipan taste that comes through smooth on the long finish.... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Using pure spring water from the nearby Romach Hills and heavily peated Scottish barley, Benromach Peat Smoke is crafted by just two men at Speyside’s smallest working distillery. Benromach Peat Smoke uses barley malted to fifty-five parts per million. The resulting single malt delivers a seriously smoky character. It is complex, intense and challenging yet balanced with the fruity elegance of Speyside. UNDILUTED Colour: Light straw Nose : Sweet, burnt sugar aromas with wood smoke and a gentle phenolic / medicinal note. Hints of Granny Smith apples. Pa... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. Bourbon Cask, 55.9% ABV 

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Glenmorangie Lasanta is an elegant and full-bodied single malt whisky that has been extra matured in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks after a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon casks. Its luscious, soft mouth filling texture, and its deep, enticing, sweet aroma appeals to luxury spirit drinkers who like to experiment, and whose confident choices, warmth and passion inspire the mood of the group. Non chill-filtered and with an ABV of 46%, its key flavour notes are of toffee, raisins and walnuts. Aroma: Like the most delicious dessert menu imaginable, Lasanta ... Read More » 

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Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. Bourbon Cask, 53.6% ABV 

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The fourth edition in Edradours "Discovery Series." This heavily peated highland malt is a testament to the commitment to quality from one of Scotland's smallest distillers. Edradours peat seems less maritime driven than its islay cousins and the high quality sherry finish rounds out the smokiness perfectly. Very limited quantities so act quickly. 

Inventory: Hollywood

This is the 2008 US Open Winner and would make a great holiday gift for the golf lover out there! The "Link Series" associates this superb Single Malt with the art of Graeme W. Baxter, the world's leading Golf Artist. A fantastic collector's idea for any lover of the outstanding links courses all over the world! As for the whisky, yes, this is the first 15 year old in the "Links Series". It has seen additional cask enhancement in a Chateau Latour Bordeaux Cask, stunning! The fruit notes coming from this cask is mind blowing, juicy summertime berr... Read More » 

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Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 days to receive this product before it can be shipped. 

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Special order only! Will take 5 to 7 days before item can be shipped. The Macallan has extended its Fine Oak range of single malt Highland Scotch whiskies with the introduction of a 17 year old expression. The whisky continues the success of The Macallan Fine Oak 10, 15 and 21 Years Old, which the distillery introduced in November 2004 and Fine Oak 30 Years Old, just launched in June 2005. Since its introduction, The Macallan Fine Oak, a lighter expression of the traditional Macallan, has expanded the brand's audience in the U.S. and has received numer... Read More » 

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Special Order Only! Will take 3-7 business days to receive this product before it can be shipped. A single malt whisky from 1968 at $199.99! This is one of the best buys around and Miltonduff is a lovely, elegant style whisky that would suit anyone's palate! 

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In July 1998, identically distilled whisky was filled into two different Sherry casks for full term maturation. One cask type had contained Olorosso, a dark, sweet sherry and the other Manzanilla, a pale, dry style sherry. This is a fantastic example of how cask can influence the taste of a whisky and how vastly different they can be! I find Bruichladdich to be the "chameleon" of whisky. It has the ability to take on the characteristic of any cask extremely well! Oloroso is a dark-coloured, mellow, sweeter sherry. This particular type of sherry, for... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

The world's southern most whisky distillery opened in Dunedin in the late 1960's. The Willowbank distillery first produced two blended whiskies. Production ceased in 1997 and the distillery was dismantled in 1999. The New Zealand Malt Whisky Company then secured the remaining whisky stocks, still ageing in barrels. The Milford & Prestons brands were created to showcase these fine, limited edition whiskys. "Milford is a quality new world whisky almost indistinguishable in style from Scottish single malt," Robin Laing, WHISKY magazine 

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96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: "A new recipe, one that employs a higher proportion of Sherry-influenced whisky. Initial sniffings are briny, salty and cotton candy sweet; aeration adds scents of pastry, baked pear and butterscotch. Palate entry is rich, almost jammy and peppered with salty/winey flavors; midpalate explodes with deep tastes of maple, honey, brown sugar and toffee. Finish is long, nicely balanced between the sea salt and the sherry, and succulent." (05/03) 

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