"Rites of Passage" - The new Independent Whisky Cask Bottlings from Epicurean Selection

Beer and Spirits
102

Any notes/info?!

103

Can’t wait!

104

I haven’t tasted them yet, so no notes, but here’s a peek at what’s coming:

  • 2008 Ardmore; lightly peated, 15 year in 1st fill Oloroso barrel, 54.3% - 221 x 700ml bottles

  • 2008 Ledaig 16 year in 1st-fill Madeira Barrique, 57.1% - 282 x 700ml bottles

  • 2011 Glenfarclas (Secret Speyside) 12 year in 1st fill Oloroso hogshead, 60.4% - 230 x 700ml bottles

  • 2003 Whitlaw (distilled at Highland Park Distillery) 20 year in 1st fill Oloroso barrel, 54.6% - 176 x 700ml bottles

Thank you everyone for the interest!

4 Likes
105

Very excited, thank you

1 Like
106

and already down to only the Mannochmore, which people are ill-advised to pass on.

1 Like
107

The Mannochmore is fantastic!

3 Likes
108

Got that right!

1 Like
109

Ardmore??? 1st Fill Olorosso? Say no more!

1 Like
110

Did you get to try these yet?

111

They just arrived at our warehouse in the last couple of weeks and we picked up a few bottles yesterday! Will taste this weekend and report. Thanks for the interest!

4 Likes
112

Checking back in on these - any tasting notes? Any idea when they will hit retail?

I’m sure glad they are already in the US…

113

Ive been slow getting notes out, sorry. Only tasted through the full lineup once, and want to revisit as we tasted from some partial fill bottles. So far, I really liked the Whitlaw and the Glenfarclas (Secret Speyside) and need to spend some time with the Ardmore and Ledaig. I’m on the road, but will try and get notes out this weekend.

They are all available now! Well, Skurnik has taken delivery of an order from us, and they have been entered into the NY system, at least. I don’t think Skurnik has done a full offer yet, though, and so I’ve only seen one store in Saratoga that has any.

Thanks so much for the interest and the nudge.

3 Likes
114

To all those interested in our “new” Rites of Passague, thank you for your patience. I have reason to believe these will all be available at/offered by K&L soon, as well as being available for order at Saratoga, for those on the east coast.

For my part, I love love love both the Whitlaw (Highland Park) and the “Secret Speyside” (Glenfarclas). The Whitaw is probably my favorite, but sherry lovers will certainy be drawn to the Speyside. I’ve come to enjoy the Ardmore more, but still struggle with the Ledaig, which is not a distilery I love in general. As always, though, everyone likes different things when it comes to scotch.

I hope some people will try them soon! Feel free to DM me with questions.

4 Likes
115

Looks like they hit the website today

2 Likes
116

Grabbed the last bottle (? - maybe they’ll be posting more?) of the Secret Speyside. Whitlaw looks to either already be sold out or perhaps not posted yet (it says “coming soon”), but also looks to be a bit out of my price range. Looking forward to trying the Speyside!

1 Like
117

I think it was just the NorCal store that showed stock, they might have more if/when the SoCal stores stock arrive

2 Likes
118

If they sell out, I have it on good authority that more is available. Our prices did go up somewhat with this round for a few reasons, none related to tariffs.

119

More up now (and whitlaw as well)

2 Likes
120

Hmmm. Looks as if they are calling it Orkney instead of Whitlaw. We’ll have to fix that.