An ode to the Robert Louis Stevenson swashbuckler, Treasure Island is one of the Bay’s last hideaways and is home to Bender’s Whiskey Co. It’s also technically a San Francisco neighborhood. We’re sure somebody lives here, but it feels more hospitable to spirits than people.

Batch #5 is a blend of five-year rye and eight to nine-year corn whiskey, a portion of which was finished in Hoffmeister char 1 barrels. For this batch, we also lowered the proof to 90 which keeps the alcohol from overwhelming the palate, while bringing the flavor-forward when enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.

The rye gives the whiskey a sweet and spicy character with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses. The corn rounds out the palate with sweet overtones, extending the finish.

In 1815, Donald and Alexander Johnston began leasing nearly 1,000 acres of land on the island of Islay. Their intent was to use the land in order to raise and sell cattle and as a result, they began growing barley to be used as feed for their livestock. Following a particularly bountiful harvest, the brothers distilled the excess grains they had grown into whisky, and sold it to the inhabitants of the island. Soon thereafter, the brothers found it more profitable to distill whisky rather than raise cattle, and Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Distillery was born. For over a century, the distillery would remain in the hands of one of Johnston's descendants. In 1954, however, Ian Hunter passed away childless and bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, a secretary that had been working at the distillery for two decades. Hunter was incredibly protective of the distillery while he slowly revealed its secrets to Williamson after she had earned his trust, Hunter prevented a cooper who was employed at the distillery from publishing his memoirs because they described the workings of the distillery in too great a detail. Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is then malted at the distillery and smoked over a peat flame. Unlike other distilleries which source peat from the Scottish mainland, the peat used to smoke Laphroaig barley is made from the heather, mosses and lichens of Islay and adds a distinct iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been malted and peated, it is fermented before being twice-distilled through Laphroaig's copper-pot stills. The unique stills have an usually flat base and flat surfaces, which contributes to the overall intensity of the whisky. Described by Laphroaig's distillery manager, John Campbell, as the richest of the rich, Laphroaig Lore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky pays homage to the distillery managers of Laphroaig's past, the custodians who have encapsulated and continued the distillery's rich craft for generations. From the founding of Laphroaig, these custodians have each made their own mark, whether it was drying the malting barley at lower temperatures than most, using two sizes of spirit still, pioneering the use of ex-bourbon barrels, or reintroducing the quarter cask to Scotch whisky-making, says Campbell. Each of these decisions has made Laphroaig the unique, premium whisky it is today. We make the whisky we make because of what has been passed on down to us. Laphroaig Lore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged in a number of casks, combining the best of first-fill bourbon barrels, quarter casks and Oloroso Sherry hogsheads. As a result, the whisky has a rich, smoky aroma with notes of ocean spray and ash. The palate, which is filled with bitter chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel and roasted chestnuts, leads beautifully to a finish complete with malt grain, chocolate chip cookies, tropical fruit and, of course, lots of peat. It's our story, bottled. says Campbell. 

In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made history when they became the first reigning monarchs to journey across North America, traveling from Quebec City to Vancouver by train. Prior to their arrival, a local entrepreneur set out to craft a whisky that the King and Queen could enjoy in the privacy of their rail car. After sampling over 600 different blends of whisky, and scouring through hundreds of different types of glass, labels and bottles, the entrepreneur created what he believed to be the perfect whisky and called it Crown Royal. At the beginning of their journey, the King and Queen were gifted ten cases of the whisky from Canada to enjoy on their journey. The first release in Crown Royal's new Noble Collection, which honors the brand's regal roots, Crown Royal Cornerstone Blend Canadian Whiskey is crafted from three of Crown Royal's essential whiskies a spicy Canadian rye, a creamy coffey still whisky and a bourbon-style whisky matured in charred American white oak. Just as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth journeyed across Canada via railroad, Crown Royal Cornerstone Blend was transported to and from Crown Royal's storage facilities by train in D barrels (these barrels have already been used for several maturation cycles, rendering them essentially inactive), allowing the pure and exceptional flavor of the blend to shine through. As a result, Crown Royal Cornerstone Blend has a deep sunburst color, and an aroma of candied apples, malt grains and vanilla extract. The palate is filled with robust flavors of shaved nuts, oak, and orchard and tropical fruits, and leads to a memorably soft finish with hints of lemon tart, figs, honey and a woody spice. Try a brand new, noble Canadian Whisky today!

In 1895, Masataka Taketsuru the father of Japanese Whisky was born in the small town of Takehara, Japan. At the time, Masataka's family owned a sake brewery, and in preparing to carry on the family trade, Masataka studied chemistry and biology at Osaka Technical High School. After graduating high school, Masataka showed more interest in whisky than in sake and in 1918, he enrolled at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, becoming the first Japanese ever to study the art of whisky-making. While in Scotland, Masataka took chemistry courses during the day while apprenticing at distilleries at night, learning to distill and blend whisky first-hand at some of Scotland's most prestigious distilleries. In 1920, Masataka returned to Japan, and within the decade, had produced the country's first single malt whisky. In 1934, Masataka moved to the town of Yoichi and opened the doors to Nikka Whisky Co. In 1960, as the Yoichi Distillery was reaching capacity, Masataka began searching for another suitable location in Japan to open a second distillery. Following a three-year search, Masataka found a wide forest valley at the junction of the Hirosegawa and Nikkawagawa rivers. The localized humidity from the rivers and surrounding hills, together with the quality of water from Nikkawagawa River, created the perfect location for a second distillery, which he named Miyagikyo. Meticulously crafted at the Miyagikyo Distillery, Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky is a single malt made with 100% malted barley. Once the grains arrive at the distillery, they are milled and mashed before being distilled through copper-pot stills (sometimes called Coffey stills) that were imported from Scotland in 1963. As a result of their age and shape, the stills produce a whisky that is more flavorful and complex than modern column stills. Following distillation, the whisky is matured in traditional oak casks. Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky has an aroma of cinnamon, lemon and butterscotch, which gives way to an intoxicating palate filled with clove, coconut, orange marmalade and oak. The finish is soft, with hints of mint, grapefruit zest and potpourri.

The term "splinter group" means a subset of people who have broken off from the rest to pursue their own agenda. The Splinter Group as a company is a group of Napa Valley winemakers who have teamed up to finish classic American Whiskeys in ex-Wine casks. The Sinter Group was founded in 2013 by John Wilkinson of winemaker Bin to Bottle and Dave Phinney of Orin Swift Wines. They have since been joined by other experienced oenophiles (wine lovers) in the area, representing decades of experience. As non-distilling producers, they source their aged Whiskeys from established producers across the midwest and southeastern United States and then blend them on site in northern California. The married spirits are finally finished in first-fill Wine casks. They have completed four products to date, including an American Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye, and a Sweet Vermouth. Straight Edge Bourbon is a blend of Tennessee and Kentucky Bourbons aged five, seven, and eight years old. The net mash bill is approximately 70% corn with the balance 17% rye and 13% malted barley. The blend is then finished in local Napa Cabernet Wine casks brining a lush, ripe plum aroma and taste to the traditional Bourbon flavor profile. It has a nice balance and solid mouthfeel and is bottled at 42% ABV. The Wine cask finishing also deepens the color to an antique mahogany hue with hints of red. This Bourbon stands tall on its own as a flavorful sipping Whiskey taken neat or with a few rocks. 

Situated adjacent to the Burn of Rothes in the Speyside region of Scotland, The Glenrothes Distillery was founded by in 1879 by James Stuart, who had previously been employed at The Macallan Distillery. The distillery's history is marred by tragedy in 1897, construction workers who were attempting to expand its capacity started a fire that consumed much of the distillery's equipment and infrastructure. Twenty-five years later, a fire in the distillery's original warehouse caused the loss of 200,000 gallons of maturing whisky. Despite having lost ten copper-pot stills in various accidents since its founding, the Glenrothes Distillery is now a picture of tranquility. The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from plump, ripe Scottish barley, which is malted and fermented using water sourced from the Ardcanny and Brauchhill springs (the springs are situated adjacent to the distillery). Following fermentation, the grains are twice distilled through the Glenrothes' copper-pot stills. The stills, which were designed and fashioned to be exact replicas of the original stills installed in 1879, are incredibly tall and uniquely shaped, which contributes to the overall light and sweet flavor of the whisky. After distillation, The Glenrothes' stillmen remove the heads and tails of the distillate and preserve only the "hearts" for maturation (the hearts comprise less than 20% of the entire distillate). The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a blend of rare and limited vintages produced at The Glenrothes Distillery, each aged exclusively in first-fill ex-Oloroso Sherry casks custom-made in Jerez, Spain. These casks cost as much as five times their American ex-bourbon equivalents The Glenrothes Distillery's Malt Master, Gordon Motion, who hand-selects the casks for the Sherry Cask Reserve, believes they are worth it. The whisky has a complex aroma of lemon cake, Christmas cookies, fresh pear and vanilla, which leads to an equally bold palate filled with notes of gingerbread, oak, flan and baking spices. The finish, which is bitter and nutty, is complete with memorable notes of orange zest.

Elijah Pepper began distilling Whiskey at the dawn of the American Revolution and during the War of 1812, he built the first log cabin distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. Eventually, he passed the family business on to his son, Oscar, and then on to his grandson, James E. Pepper. Colonel James E. Pepper was one of Kentucky's first Bourbon aristocrats he raced thoroughbreds in the Kentucky Derby, traveled in a private rail car and made famous the Old Fashioned cocktail. Pepper Whiskey is an old fashioned Whiskey, made in the old time way from a formula used for more than 100 years by three generations of the Pepper family, wrote James, in an advertisement dated August 22, 1887. We claim not only to make the oldest but absolutely the purest and best brand of Whiskey made in America, and we invite comparison with any Whiskey of any age. In 1958, after the Whiskey industry fell on hard times, the James E. Pepper Distillery was forced to close its doors. During its tenure, Pepper Whiskey, or Old 1776 Whiskey as it became it known, was a favorite of Presidents Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant, and was preferred by Daniel Webster, a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts. Before re-launching this iconic brand, says Amir Peay, we did extensive research and spent years collecting and analyzing full, preserved bottles of original Pepper Whiskey. Peay even acquired a letter written by Pepper himself, detailing the exact mashbill and recipe used to create Old 1776. We wanted to pay homage to Pepper's legacy and do our best to recreate the original Pepper Whiskey something that was part of American history, he says. The high-rye mash bill, non-chill filtration and overproof character result in a Whiskey with spicy aromas of crushed pepper, tobacco, barrel char and licorice. The chewy palate is filled with more herbs and spices, particularly cedar, and leads to an exceptional finish with hints of black cherry, charcoal smoke and mild sweetness. "We used the same traditional methods that Pepper championed in order to restore these Whiskeys," says Peay.

Translated from Gaelic as the water of life, Usquaebach pronounced oos-ke-bah is the etymological root of the modern word whisky. With Usquaebach well face the devil, says Scottish poet Robert Burns in his famous 1791 work Tom OShanter. While the word itself was first trademarked in 1877, the blend used in Usquaebach Blended Scotch Whisky actually dates back to the 1700s, when traveling merchants and artisans would combine spirits from the highest-caliber single distilleries to create fiery, sophisticated blends consumed by people throughout the country's rolling hills. Usquaebach Old Rare Blended Scotch Whisky is crafted by Usquaebach's master blenders, who search for the very best malts and grains from Scotland's most reputable single malt distilleries. The blend contains 41 specially-selected single malts which are up to 20 years old 85% of the blend is comprised of such single malt whiskies, with the remaining 15% made up of blended grain whiskies (the blending has been done by the Laing family in Scotland for over 100 years). As a result, Usquaebach Old Rare Blended Scotch Whisky has noticeable aromas of coffee, tobacco leaf and white pepper. The palate is smooth, with notes of saddle leather and lemon curd leading to a long, complex finish with hints of seasoned oak, charcoal and fresh mint. Usquaebach Old Rare Blended Scotch Whisky was served at the 1969 and 1989 Presidential Inaugural Dinners (for Presidents Nixon and H.W. Bush). 

In 1876, John D. Willett one of Kentucky's original bourbon aristocrats transferred his interest in the Willett & Frenke Distillery to his son-in-laws, Benjamin Mattingly and Thomas Moore. Mattingly and Moore continued to operate the Willett & Frenke Distillery together until 1881, when Mattingly finally sold his stake in the company to a group of investors. Within a few years, Thomas Moore acquired complete control over the distillery and eponymously renamed it. Moore would continue to operate the distillery for another five decades, until he was ultimately forced to close his doors at the onset of Prohibition. Today, the Barton 1792 Distillery operates on the same site as the historic Tom Moore Distillery, and continues to use the same methods that Moore used over a century ago when distilling his own bourbon. 1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made from a mash of 75% corn, 15% rye and 10% barley. While the use of corn in the bourbon's recipe adds classic notes of butterscotch and roasted nuts, the heavy use of rye in the bourbon's mashbill yields a more complex and full-bodied whiskey. After the grains are harvested, they are mashed and fermented before being distilled through a copper-pot still. After distillation, the bourbon is aged in new, American oak casks in Warehouse Z on the distillery's estate in Bardstown, Kentucky. Warehouse Z is situated on the edge of a bluff and as a result, enjoys the intense heat and humidity that are ideal for maturing whiskey. In order to create this unique bourbon, says Ken Pierce, Barton 1792's master distiller, the finest barrels are selected and tasted from the best aging warehouses. Only those barrels deemed exceptional are then bottled individually, one by one. This preserves the distinct character of each barrel. Once the bourbon has matured for a minimum of eight years, it is brought to proof with water drawn from the Tom Moore spring. The iron-free, Kentucky limestone water the same water used by Moore over a century ago when crafting his own whiskey adds a subtle touch of complexity and depth to the bourbon. Like the standard issue 1792, the single barrel's nose is carried by sweet butterscotch notes, though a bit fruitier overall, with hints of ginger and Fuji apple. The palate is caramel-forward, with just a nip due to the rye, leading to a sweet finish tempered with warm bitter cloves. Previous limited edition releases from 1792 sold well and became scarce quite quickly, and we expect the same from this award-winning distillery's new single barrel release. Take home one of these limited edition bottles today!

Situated along the banks of the East River, Kings County Distillery is New York City's oldest operating whiskey distillery and the first distillery in New York City since Prohibition. Wedged between Williamsburg and Vinegar Hill, Colin Spoelman and David Haskell, the master distillers at Kings County, make hand-crafted bourbon, moonshine, and now single malt whiskey out of the 117-year old Paymaster Building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. A typewriter the two distillers found on the sidewalk in Williamsburg is used to make the labels that adorn their clear, flask-like bottles, while a hairdryer (made by Revlon) is used to affix each bottle seal. Handwritten scrawls on a chalkboard keep track of different batches, and mesh laundry bags are used as strainers. Kings County Single Malt Whiskey is just like a single malt Scotch except it's made in Brooklyn! The barley is sourced from England and Scotland before being malted with a touch of peat, and open-fermented. Following fermentation Kings County uses traditional Scottish pot stills to double distill the whiskey, which is then aged in their own used bourbon barrels, maturing anywhere from one and a half to four years. Kings County Single Malt Whiskey has an aroma of hay and peat, all the while carried by a palate of honey that leads to a finish of burnt orange peel. Kings County Single Malt Whiskey won the Gold Medal at the American Craft Spirit Awards in 2016, and Kings County Distillery was named ADI's Distillery of the Year in 2016 as well!

Situated in the Midlands region of Ireland, the city of Tullamore was ruled for centuries by Clan O'Molloy. On May 10, 1785, a hot air balloon crashed into the city and began a fire that destroyed over 100 homes, making Tullamore the site of the world's first known aviation disaster. Following the accident, the city adopted a phoenix (a phoenix is a mythological Greek bird that is reborn after it dies) rising from the ashes as its coat of arms, a symbol of its resilience and recovery. Tullamore DEW Distillery was founded within 50 years of the accident, and is situated at the very site where the hot air balloon struck a smoking chimney, which started the fire. Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey is made from three different grains, including malted barley, unmalted barley and corn. Once the grains are harvested, they are milled and mashed with hot water before being fermented in wooden washbacks. During fermentation, the grains' sugars are converted into alcohol, creating a strong yet sour beer called wash. The wash is then triple distilled through three copper-pot stills: a wash still, a low wines still and a pot still. Through each distillation process, the alcohol content and flavors of the whiskey are intensified. Tullamore DEW 18 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a triple pot-still distilled single malt whiskey. While the distillate that makes up the 14 year old Tullamore spends between five and seven months finishing its maturation in Madeira, Oloroso, and Port casks before being blended, this release is made from whiskey that have spent ten to twelve months maturing in their respective cask finishes after having spent the beginning of the aging process in American oak previously filled with bourbon. As a result of both the blending and aging process, Tullamore DEW 18 Year Old Irish Whiskey has an aroma of malt, oak, apples, and tobacco with a palate consisting of tropical fruit, vanilla, butter followed by a long sherry finish.

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the greatest Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third President of the United States in 1800. During his tenure, Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, dispatched Lewis and Clark westward in order to explore the remainder of the continent and repealed the Whisky Excise Tax. After Jefferson retired from public office in 1815, he often tended to the garden that he had cultivated on his Monticello estate. At the time, it was customary for wealthy farmers, including Jefferson, to distill the excess grains they harvested from their farms into spirits (George Washington was one of the country's largest distillers of rye whiskey). As a result, each farmer's spirits were unique and reflected the local terroir of their farm. The Jefferson's brand pays homage to Jefferson and the exquisite whiskey he distilled. Jefferson's Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish Bourbon was first aged in new American oak barrels for approximately eight years before being extra-matured in ex-rum barrels from Gosling's Family Reserve for an additional fifteen months. Gosling's is a high-caliber rum producer out of Bermuda that is particularly well-known for using ex-bourbon barrels to age their rum! These special barrels give Jefferson's Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish Bourbon its unique and robust characteristics. As a result of this unique aging process, the bourbon has an aroma of bananas, vanilla, and almond, leading to a palate of salt, spiced rum, maple, and dried fruits. The long finish leaves the taste of cereal grains lingering on the tongue. Pick up a bottle of this unique crossover spirit today!

Established in 1780, during the American Revolution, the Pepper family brand is the oldest brand of whiskey made in Kentucky. The brand was fondly called Old '1776', by its scion, the Colonel James E. Pepper. The award-winning 1776 label was launched in 2012 in partnership with other distilleries to revive the old brand and has since gone on to much acclaim in the world of whiskey.

Sensory Notes

Complex & Flavorful; notes of mint, cloves, eucalyptus, chocolate, & honey. Our most popular whiskey; a great sipper neat or on the rocks, and makes the perfect Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Awards / Accolades

2021 - Gold Medal; San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2020 - Best Rye Whiskey under $40 - Whiskey Critic, Fred Minnick Blind Tasting

2020 - 91 pts; International Wine and Spirits Competition

2019 - Double Gold Medal; San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2018 - Gold Medal; New York World Spirits Competition

Mars Shinshu is Japan's highest whisky distillery, at 798 meters -just over 2,600 feet- nestled between Japan's Southern and Central Alps. Mars Shinshu is owned by the Hombo family, who have been in the business of distillation for over a century. Whisky became a part of the Mars Shinshu production line up in 1949. In 1984, Shinshu decided to move their southernmost Kyushu distillery to the picturesque alpine Miyada village, where the high altitude and cool climate make for suitable conditions for whisky-making. The whisky is produced from waters that pass through granite rock, this water is high in natural minerals. This whisky is named after Kiichiro Iwai, known as The Silent Pioneer of Japan Whisky, and the former mentor of Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka and Suntory Whisky. Iwai sent Taketsuru to Scotland to learn the art of whisky-making. Taketsuru returned to Japan, presenting a whisky-making report- the Taketsuru Notes- to Iwai. Taketsuru was the first Japanese to learn the art of whisky-making. Mars Shinshu's whiskies continue to be some of the most inexpensive Japanese whiskies on the market, and they are full of high quality character and complex flavor. Iwai Tradition, is a blended whisky, comprised of both single malts, grains, and blended whiskies. The whisky is then aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-wine casks, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. Iwai Tradition is a special tribute to Iwai and Japanese Whisky. This is malt driven spirit is truly a reflection of contemporary Japanese whisky. Incredibly balanced, soft and layered. A blending of sherry, bourbon and wine casks with hints delicate hints of peat make for a harmonious whisky that would make Iwai-san proud.

The Volstead Act of 1920 which initiated Prohibition in the USA granted permits to six distillers in Kentucky to continue to bottle bourbon for medicinal purposes. Through one of these permits, Old Forester continued to be produced as medicinal whiskey on Louisville’s famed Whiskey Row. It is the only bourbon continuously sold by the same company that has been available for sale before, during and after Prohibition.

During this time, all whiskies had to be bottled at 100 Proof. With a barrel entry proof of 100, the “angel’s share” would have created a 115 proof whiskey after maturation. To pay homage to this era, Old Forester presents 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon at 115 proof to represent the rich flavor profile this bourbon had nearly 100 years ago.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: An intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness.

TASTE: Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar.

FINISH: Tart apple crispness gives way to a long smoky finish full of toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker sweetness.

Deep within the scenic Carlow countryside, sits the 18th century home of the Walsh Whiskey. The family owned and operated company was founded by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, previous owners of a ski chalet in France, in search of the perfect Irish whiskey with which to spike their famous coffee. Eventually, their search led them to the founding of their whiskey brand Irishman in 1999. Set out to rediscover Irish-style Whiskey as it was made 200 years ago, they initially contracted their distilling to Bushmills. After becoming successful they were eventually able to build their own distillery. The Walsh Whiskey ceremoniously opened in June of 2016, in the heart of Southern Irish farm country where they produce four versions of The Irishman, three Writer's Tears, and two varieties of Irish Cream Liqueur. The picturesque Walsh Whiskey marks the return of Whiskey distilling to County Carlow for the first time in over 200 years. With its three specially crafted imported pot stills built in the legendary Scottish Forsyths and two, forty plate column stills. They are the only independent Irish Whiskey distillery to produce the three styles of Irish Whiskey pot still, malt, and grain under one roof, in one still room. Walsh Whiskey has the capacity to produce 650,000 cases of Whiskey per annum. The Irishman 12-year-old single malt was released in 2013, and was a great success. It is a limited edition, with only 6,000 being made every year. The whiskey is triple distilled and aged in first fill, flame charred bourbon barrels. The Whiskeys that go into the Irishman 12YO are independently sourced, casks hand selected from a Northern Irish distillery. Bottled at 43% ABV this classic single malt has notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove on the nose, with a peppery, fruit filled midsection, and a malted oak finish. It was a Gold winner and Best in Class at the International Spirits Challenge 2013. 

Kikori was launched in the Fall of 2015 by Ann Soh Woods, an up and comer in the Japanese Whisky scene. Ann, founder and owner of Soh Spirits, is a bold spark of brilliance, with her fresh take on Japanese whisky. Her imaginative 100% rice based Japanese whisk(e)y -which she chose to spell with an e, to distinguish Kikori from other Japanese whiskies- won gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau didn't know how to classify it at first, but it is a whiskey. It is similar to its cousin Shochu -a Japanese alcohol distilled from rice or sweet potatoes- but is served at a higher 41% ABV than shochu's 25-35%. Wood's had a fascination with whiskey, and her frequent trips to Japan, roused intrigue for the rituals and traditions of Japanese alcohols. Rice is a huge part of Japanese culture. By distilling whiskey from this prominent grain, Woods seeks to capture the spirit of Japan. This is how the imaginative whiskey was born. Introducing bold ideas like these into such a male dominated old school market like the whiskey industry had its challenges. It is always assumed that I am a sales representative when I visit accounts, and it is always a pleasant surprise when they find out I am the founder. Said Woods in an interview with Munchies Magazine. Not to mention overcoming language and cultural barriers. Kikori is distilled in Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu, Japan, the birthplace of Kikori. When approached with the unconventional idea for her Japanese whiskey, distillers were skeptical, but the new drink has gained popularity. Woods depended on a master distiller for the formula, and it has become a success. Kikori states that the rice is sourced locally from the Kumamoto rice paddy. Located alongside the Iwase River, Kumamoto has a distinct volcanic rich soil. The signature rice is cooked in giant steel steamers, and distilled using pure mountain water, the rice ""has been cultivated in southern Japan for over 2000 years in the nutrient rich, volcanic soil of Kyushu Island. The rice grows in the rich volcanic loam formed through eons of lava flow and ash deposits. It's distilled with fresh mountainous waters that flow through ancient volcanic rocks that are millions of years old. The rice gives it a unique aromatic profile with a floral and fragrant aroma and a velvety smoothness to the palate. No coloring or sugar is added, and it ages in American, French, and sherry oak anywhere from three to seven years.

Here’s to the Smokeheads. The ones who reject the humdrum, and walk to the beat of their own drum. Relentlessly exploring. Pouring less boring. And loving. Every. Last. Drop.

Here’s to rule-breaking, breathtaking Islay single malts born of a simple ambition: to smoke tradition, and forge a new path. Whiskies for rebellious souls who refuse to compromise and whose restless spirit never dies.

With immense smoke and notes of sea salt and spice, this is a vigorous whisky that stands out from the crowd.

Our hero Islay single malt offers heavy woodsmoke and peat, through to honeyed sweetness, via salt, seaweed and spice. The Original Smokehead is an immense, life-affirming whisky that stands out from the crowd.

"Our family links to the whisky industry date back to 1824," says William Wemyss, the founder and CEO of Wemyss Malts, "when John Haig built his distillery on family land in Fife."Wemyss (pronounced "Weems") is the ancient Gaelic word for caves and stems from the rocky outcrop on which the Wemyss family home Castle Wemyss rests. Haig's distillery eventually became known as Cameron Bridge and in 1826, it became the first distillery to produce grain whisky using the column still method invented by Robert Stein. Today, the Wemyss family expertly blends some of the finest whiskies made across Scotland. "Our whiskies are chosen by a tasting panel" says Wemyss, "and the tasting panel comprises people who work in the business, members of the family, and most importantly, is chaired by Charlie MacLean who helps us select the industry's best whiskies to bottle under our brand." MacLean, who has been writing about whisky since 1981, was trained in "the sensory evaluation of potable spirits"by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute in 1992. In addition to being a visiting lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution, he is also a Councillor of Clan Maclean and was elected Master of the Quaich (Quaich is derived from the Gaelic word meaning cup), one of the Scotch industry's highest accolades, in October 2009. Blended with up to 16 different single malt whiskies to produce 3 signature styles of whisky named after their flavor profiles. 8YO Spice King is a Highland Island blend, bottled at an untamed 56% ABV, its spicy character, which takes over near the finish, is amplified by the strong ABV, but the whisky is led by smoky, sweet, zesty, earthy notes.

Almost two centuries ago, a small fishing port by the Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula was considered the whisky capital of the world. Passengers arriving by sea at Campbeltown Loch nestled between Macringan's Point and the rocky island of Davaar were greeted with the sails and masts of the herring fishing fleet and the smoking chimneys of nearly thirty different distilleries that called Campbeltown home. Two hundred years later, Campbeltown Loch is considerably quieter and only three chimneys continue to billow smoke each acting as a beacon for an industry that, at one point, dominated the peninsula. Campbeltown is home to the Springbank Distillery, which was founded in 1828, on the site of Archibald Mitchell's illicit still in Campbeltown (the distillery is currently owned by Mitchell's great-great-great-grandson). Springbank garnered such a great reputation for its premium quality whiskies, and by the turn of the century as worldwide demand for Scotch whisky seemed insatiable distilleries throughout Scotland began cutting corners and outsourcing parts of the distillation process. Springbank Distillery, however, remained true to its Scottish heritage and today, remains one of only two distilleries in Scotland to perform every step of the whisky making process from malting barley to bottling whisky on the same premises. After malting and lightly peating the barley (using locally cut peat), the distillers at Springbank mill and mash it in cast-iron mash tuns that are nearly a century old. The pure spring water used during the mashing process is sourced from Crosshill Loch, which in turn is fed by springs seeping from the northern slopes of 1,100-foot tall Beinn Ghuilean. After mashing the grains, the wash is slowly fermented over the course of 70 hours one of the longest fermentation processes in Scotland before being distilled. Because some of the wash is distilled twice and some is distilled three times, Springbank Whisky is said to be distilled two and a half times. Introduced in 2016, Springbank 12 Year Burgundy Wood is a special single malt, aged for 12 years in ex-wine casks from Burgundy, France. A limited 10,260 bottles were released. With mid-peaty notes, and flavors of French wine, this special release is bottled at a respectable 53.3% ABV.