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 Redwood City San Francisco

Named for Europe's largest whirlpool, this whisky is available for a limited time and in a very limited quantity. Like the whirlpool, Ardbeg Corryvreckan is heady, intense and powerful. Its finish is long and deep, leaving the sipper with a lingering, mysterious and enticing taste. ORDERS SOLD INTO THE NEGATIVE CAN NOT BE HONORED 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

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

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

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: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Once again, Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan brings us another masterful bottling, blending legendary names from both the wine and whisky worlds. This peach colored Highland Park expression has more smoke than the distillery bottlings do and when married with the exquisite claret influence of the Chateau Lafite barrels, the enhancement is truly marvelous. Subtle hints of peat mark the entry before giving way to dried cherries and red fruits. The mid-palate shows honey and then an earthy note before finishing rich and long, yet completely dry. There is no k... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

We've dropped the price again on what the Malt Advocate named as the best value of 2010. 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 membe... Read More » 

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

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

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

Yet another amazing barrel from our friends the Morrisons at A.D. Rattray. For all the fans of the legendary Aberlour A'Bunadh, of which we sell about a case a week, this is an older, richer, more expressive version of what a full-throttle Aberlour can offer you: a nose full of malted cereal and grains, vanilla, and heather, followed by sweet barley flavors on the palate. The color is light and the elements are balanced, but at cask strength, this is not your everyday Highland softy. The character of the whisky is interesting and beckons futher tastin... Read More » 

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

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 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

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

This is replacing the 1987 Vintage! We have it at a fantastic price! Whilst predominantly sherry casks and refills it has some influence of second-fill bourbon casks giving a deep and rounded flavour and enhancing the deliciously creamy texture. Appearance: Pale golden, clear and bright Bouquet: Medium full, fruity with a high note of vanilla Palate: Full, citrus, orange zest Finish: Long, rich medium sweet (Distillery Tasting Notes) 

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

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: 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

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

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

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Malt whiskies matured 12 years or longer are perfectly matched with mellow grain whiskies of the same age to create this Hibiki offering. Also included is some whisky from casks formerly used in long-term aging of Japanese plum liqueur, which helps bring out the sweet floral notes on the nose and palate that Suntory whisky is known for. Adding venerable malt aged more than 30 years further brings out the bouquet and adds body to the palate. 

Inventory: Redwood City 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 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: 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

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

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is a velvety-textured single malt whisky, for confident, colourful, dynamic luxury spirit drinkers who like to take the lead. A mature Glenmorangie that is transferred from the original ex-bourbon cask and then extra matured or “finished” in port pipes, shipped from the ‘Quintas’ or wine estates of Portugal. Maturation in the ruby port pipes develops The Quinta Ruban into a voluptuously smooth spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours that engage the entire palate and envelope it in an intriguing balance of smooth... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

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

Relentlessly battered by the turbulent sea, Lagavulin is birthplace to Scotland's smokiest malt. The Lagavulin Distiller's Edition finished in Pedro Ximenez casks offers a distinctive and distinguished dram, full of peat and brine, with the rich influence of the sherry wood shining through. The palate is full and rich with a sweet entry until the peat attacks. It then finishes with coffee and vanilla tones with a glimmer of fruit and pepper. 

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

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: Hollywood 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 San Francisco

The 15 Year Old is Highland Park's newly released single malt, winning fans everywhere. Standing guard at the most western edge of the Orkney Islands, the "Old Man of Hoy" always catches the last of any setting sun. Evening's glow on this towering rock stack casts a warm, golden light that slips slowly down - a perfect mirror of the color and taste of Highland Park 15 year old. Color - Naturally clear, bright and fully golden Palate - Rich and full with an exotic, aromatic spiciness that is surprisingly sweet Finish - Rich, long medium sweet then medium ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood 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 San Francisco

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 » 

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The new vintage of Glenrothes is exactly what we all were hoping for: full-bodied palate, rich caramel and sherry notes, hints of citrus, and a sweet finish. It's the perfect middle ground between the luscious and dark 1991 and the more simple Select Reserve. Another fine release to add to what is already one of the most outstanding single malt line ups in the business. Worth every penny. - David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

We only got a few bottles! BUY, BUY, BUY, ASAP! "I really like this whisky. Drier, less toffee and fruit, more dried spice and oak when compared to the standard Oban 14 year old. A beautiful combination of rich, nutty toffee balanced by polished oak, salt, pepper, seaweed, distant smoke and dried fruit. Somewhat oily in texture. Wonderful depth too! An improvement on what is already the biggest selling Diageo single malt scotch in the U.S. Very exciting and dynamic." (John Hansell) Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 91 Points 43% ABV 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

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 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

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

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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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: Redwood City San Francisco

This whisky follows the formula of 10 years in bourbon and 2in sherry, but the sherry barrels used for the final aging are very different than those used in the Lasanta. First of all these are Pedro Ximenez barrels - the sweetest and richest of sherries. Second, they are custom made for Dr. Lumsden - they are not simply used PX barrels. Dr. Lumsden has spanish oak barrels made and then toasted on the inside. He then requests that they be filled with PX sherry for one year so that the charred wood soaks up all the flavor. The result is an aging vehicl... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The "Fine Oak" line of Macallan single malts have been matured in both traditional European oak sherry casks, and the very popular American oak bourbon casks, before being married together by the Whisky Maker, Robert Dalgarno. The use of two types of maturation casks allows Macallan to deliver a new style and flavor to their single malts. Color: Pale Straw. Nose: Complex, with hints of fruit and heather honey. Palate: Soft, with a maltiness, balanced with oak and fruit. Finish Lingering with hints of oak and fruit. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

97 points from Jim Murray's 2010 Whisky Bible and the #3 overall Whisky of the Year. Does the first Indian single malt to hit the U.S. shores actually live up to the hype? In my opinion, yes! This is a fantastic blend of grainy sweetness, rich barrel vanilla, and smokey peat all wrapped into one unique and interesting whiskey. While the Amrut "Fusion" incorporates elements from both Islay and Speyside, it really tastes like neither one. There is a more rustic character that stands apart from the smooth and polished Scottish malts, but yet the dram i... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Wow, this is as bizarre as it is wonderful! An unbelievable rose-red color with a fresh red fruited nose showing hints of baking spice and vanilla, this whisky was aged orginally in bourbon and then enhanced with assorted and undisclosed wine barrels, making its recipe a total secret. The initial sip shows a bit of caramel and sweetness, but then the red fruit kicks in again and flushes it out all the way to the finish. Bottled at 51.1%, adding a drop of water only enhances the aromas and flavors. This is one of the most fascinating whiskies I've had... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

A captivating single malt whisky for the sophisticated luxury spirits drinker who enjoys delicious extravagance and sensual pleasures. With a tremendous ‘gourmand’ appeal, The Nectar D’Òr is Glenmorangie’s delicious, complex base spirit that, after a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, is then extra matured in specially hand selected Sauternes wine barriques. This makes it rich and sumptuous with a heady, luscious, beguiling spectrum of aromatic patisserie desserts that helps create a memorable occasion whenever it is enjoyed. Non chill-filtered an... 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: Redwood City San Francisco

Very limited and at a special price also. Get it while you can! The Distillers Edition of the Classic Malts of Scotland brings a new dimension of taste and exploration of the enjoyment of Single Malt whisky. The Western Highland style of Malt is epitomized by Oban's gentle sweetness and surprising richness of palate and finish. The peatiness of the Islands it faces across the Firth of Lorn is softened by the influences of the Highlands at its back. To underline its sea-laced flavors, Oban's Master Distiller has chosen Montilla Fino. This dry, delicate... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City