The Top Whisky Discoveries of the Year – K&L California Discovery News

The Top Whiskies Discoveries of the Year

Our spirits team is always on the hunt for new and exciting discoveries to take your bar or collection to new heights. From a pair of highly distinctive Japanese whiskies from a beloved yet rarely seen brand, to a trio of Speyside K&L exclusives at jaw-dropping pricing, you can’t go wrong with any or all of these one-of-a-kind winners.

Michel Couvreur “Overaged” 12 Year Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $80) $57.99 View

Belgian Michel Couvreur was an independent bottler of single-malt Scotch. After his death, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. The cellars are located in Bouze-lès-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. There, Michel aged his single malts for years in sherry butts and then in demijohns (giant glass bottles) kept in total darkness in well-protected underground galleries. Vatted from 54 whiskies aged 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, plus a powerful, fruity, long finish. What a fantastic accompaniment to smoked salmon when served over ice. It is also perfect as a dinner digestive served at room temperature.

Nikka “Yoichi” Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View

94 points Wine Enthusiast

‘This elegant single malt from Nikka bears a dark, vibrant gold color, with smoke and caramel aromas. On the palate, look for well-balanced notes of citrus peel, cedar and oak, and a gentle waft of smoke. An astringent sensation on the finish sets the mouth watering, leading to a full-bodied, almost oily texture. Recommended for sipping neat. (KN) ” (2/2013)

92 points Whisky Advocate

” Yoichi age statements are gone for now, but if the whisky stays this good, I can live with that. Black earthy peat, smoldering fires, a turned-out pocket of briny seashells, whole lime, lemon twist, sugared orange, ground ginger, and licorice. Silky smooth, with light, fruity sweetness developing into tangy Spangles, kiwi, and lime juice. The smoky peat is the weft woven through the fruit structure’s warp. The finish is insanely long: menthol, peat, and leather. (JM, Web-2016)”

K&L Notes

Winner of the Whisky Advocate’s 2016 “Japanese Whisky of the Year” award, Nikka’s latest release from Yoichi distillery no longer carries an age statement, but it does bring a classically Japanese whisky profile back to the market. All the delicacy, grace, and subtle complexity is alive and well in this release, buried deep in a whisper of malt for those who take the time to let it be heard. The first sip is almost ghostly, but it’s the second and third return that yield the slightest hint of peat smoke, the creamiest of malts, and the lovely roundness of sweet stone fruit. This is textbook Japanese whisky: a flavor reserved so as not to overwhelm potential food pairings like sushi or other delicate offerings, yet a wonderful depth of flavor done with the slightest of hands. Yoichi is located on Japan’s Hokkaido island where such food pairings are prevalent. It’s definitely a single malt with a sense of place. The gentle smell and flavor of the sea linger long on the finish. This whiskey meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky” defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 45% ABV.

Nikka “Miyagikyo” Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View

Nikka’s Miyagikyo distillery is back on the market with a fantastic new offering that doesn’t disclose the age, but has no problem disclosing serious flavor. The sherry integration of the whisky is utterly marvelous. It’s clearly marked by classic notes of fudge, fruitcake, and toffee, but all three profiles are so harmonious and fluid that it’s difficult to hold on to them for more than a second. Nikka’s whiskies are always delicate, and this malt is no different. The beauty is what stuns you, rather than the power or the concentration. The finish is a wonderful symphony of toasted almonds, cherry, and Oloroso richness. The new Miyagikyo should captivate an entirely new following for Nikka’s second distillery. This whiskey meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky” defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 45% ABV.

Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) $159.99 View

Heaven Hill makes some of the most sought after whiskey in Kentucky. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Barrel Strength releases are highly allocated and nearly impossible to find at MSRP. Here you’re getting a bottle of Barrel Strength B522 and Toasted Barrel plus the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye. If you add up all of the MSRPs this bundle not only gives you access to the hard to find items, but saves you $20 bucks over buying all 4 bottles separately. Hard to argue with that. Restock your bar with two of the best staples coming out of the Bluegrass State and sock the fancy stuff away for a rainy day. If you’ve got a Bourbon lover on your holiday shoppnig list this year – they’re sture to be thrilled with this box.

The Essential Hart Brothers Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Collection (3x700ml) (Previously $285) $184.99 View

This is a unique opportunity to snag three excellent Speyside Single Malts with compelling profiles at a steep discount over MSRP. With a new container of Scotch inbounding to our warehouse anyday, we need to make some serious space fast! While we don’t typically run ‘sales’ like this, the savvy Scotch drinker won’t blink at picking up these beauties for their daily drinking needs or thoughtful holiday gifting that is right around the corner. This 3-pack includes two different bottlings of Benriach – one 12 year old expression aged in a choice sherry butt and bottled at 58.2% ABV – the other a 15 year bottling aged in Port Pipe and bottled at 56.5% ABV. The 3rd bottle in the pack is a scrumptious Longmorn 10 Year old, also in Sherry Butt at a robust 56% ABV. The combined regular retail value of this pack is $285. If you choose to stock up the bar with these excellent whiskies in this one time offer all three can be yours for just $185!

1994 Tomatin 26 Year Old “Dramfool” Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $229.99 View

Jim McEwan’s fingerprints are all over this bottling. It would never have existed without him and his relationship with Dramfool. The legendary whisky maker became Dramfool’s defacto consultant when he choose Bruce and Colin as the bottlers of his personal casks – the extremely sought after Jim McEwan Signature Collection. While Bruce and Colin won’t bottle anything they don’t personally love, they do send some samples to Mr. McEwan for his 2 cents. In this case – that 2 cent investment paid massive dividends. Two 1994 distilled 26 year old casks of Tomatin (#6422 and #11210) were sent to Jim for his thoughts on a special ‘dueling cask’ release and while both casks were delicious examples of older malt from this little Highland distillery, they only offered subtle differences. With half a measure of both casks left in his glasses, McEwan, relying on his nearly 60 years of whisky making experience, blended the two together and making something that is truly more than the sum of it’s parts. This 2 cask vatting jumps out of the glass with dessert fruits in syrup, toasted granola, sweet wine, and creamy malt. Dramfool, being a small and nimble operation, then took the opportunity to bottle a very small number of bottles from each cask before vatting, and then bringing those casks together for the primary bottling. If you’re looking for a great bottle of Scotch, try this. If you want to test your blending chops, grab the single casks and have at it.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

‘Spirit of’ North of Scotland 1973 Aged 48 Years – Scotch Whisky News

‘Spirit of’ North of Scotland 1973 Aged 48 Years

£58.00

Single Cask Bottling. 25.0%vol. Natural Colour. 70cl

Description

We found this 48 Year old cask to have dropped significantly in strength so decided to bottle it (although not as a ‘scotch’).  At 25.0% it makes for a perfect ‘every day’ dram.  It is a single grain bottling and only half the cask has been bottled so far (in 2021).

North of Scotland was a family run Distillery that produced both Malt and Grain Whisky.  It is now closed having been active from 1957- 1980, making this an extremely exclusive bottling.  Their product went into many famous blends such as Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s and Teachers.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this grain, and we can’t wait to showcase it at some events soon

50 bottles released 10/12/21

 

Whisky of the Month: Benromach 21 Year Old – Whisky Exchange News

BENROMACH

21 YEAR OLD

70CL | 43%

£125

SHOP NOW

A softly smoky single malt from Benromach which has been matured in first-fill sherry casks for 21 years. The palate offers notes of subtle spice, cinnamon, Seville orange, raspberry and honey. Matured in first-fill sherry casks for 21 years, this Benromach single malt offers notes of cinnamon, Seville orange, raspberry, honey and soft smoke throughout the palate.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 492 ‘Lagg Distillery’ – Scotch Whisky News

Welcome to the first episode of the new year and it’s only fitting to take a look at a brand new distillery, that being Lagg on Arran. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 492 – A New Year & A New Distillery…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Tasting Notes 

Featuring Lagg Distillery Peated Spirit Drink 63.5%, Lagg Distillery Inaugural Release Batch 1 50%, Lagg Distillery Inaugural Release Batch 2 50%, and Lagg Inaugural Release Batch 3 50%

https://www.laggwhisky.com/

Low ABV Cocktails – Not Quite Dry January

Mince pies, cake, roast turkey, port, Buck’s Fizz, roast potatoes, Champagne… December brings with it a host of delicious, indulgent treats. I can’t remember the last Christmas that didn’t end in me being so full that I questioned my sanity at having taken a third helping of roast potatoes before I had pudding, but I digress. It makes sense, then, to exercise a little restraint once the new year rolls around.

Many of us will be starting off the year by cutting all alcohol from our diets for 31 days and providing our livers with a bit of respite, but there are some who choose to follow the old ‘everything in moderation’ method instead. Not completely cutting anything out of our lives, but not overindulging either, which is why I’ve tracked down some of the best low-ABV cocktails to enjoy this year.

Grapefruit SpirtZ – Spritz it up

Most famous for its regular appearance in beer gardens across the country during summer, the classic Aperol spritz is a tasty cocktail that’s easy to make, and even easy to add flair to. This grapefruit spritzer is a refreshing twist on this timeless low-abv cocktail.

Ingredients

135ml grapefruit juice
15ml Aperol
225ml tonic water
Grapefruit slices for garnish.

Method

Fill a glass with ice, add the grapefruit juice and Aperol then fill to the top with tonic water, add a slice of grapefruit to garnish and enjoy!

Americano – Bittersweet Symphony

Low-ABV cocktails don’t have to compromise on flavour or sophistication and the Americano is proof of this. Made with both Campari and sweet vermouth, this bittersweet, aromatic cocktail is perfect for happy hour, or accompanying a creamy pasta dish, such as carbonara.

Ingredients

45ml Campari
45ml sweet vermouth
225ml Club Soda

Method

Add Campari and sweet vermouth to a highball glass before filling the glass with ice, then top up with club soda, stir and enjoy.

Mimosa – Light and bubbly

A staple at brunch, the Mimosa is a well-known low-ABV cocktail with just two ingredients – Champagne and orange juice. But I like to be different (and grew up in an orange-free home), so here is a pomegranate-based version of the classic Champagne cocktail.

Ingredients

125ml Champagne
15ml pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds to garnish

Method

Pour the Champagne into a flute, then top up with pomegranate juice, garnish with pomegranate seeds and enjoy!

Floppy Disk – Retro Fun

Some of you may remember floppy disks, the predecessor to the memory stick that was immortalised in the save symbol on Microsoft. This next cocktail is a version of Jenner Cormier’s low-abv cocktail of the same name, from Bar Kismet in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ingredients

225ml grapefruit juice
225ml sparkling water
15ml Cynar
15ml dry curacao
10ml mezcal
Grapefruit slice to garnish

Method

Add all ingredients except sparkling water in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a slice of grapefruit

Find more cocktails over on The Whisky Exchange’s cocktails page >

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Low ABV Cocktails – Not Quite Dry January

ARRAN DISTILLERY 25 Year Old (2022) Bundle atThe Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News

Arran 25 Year Old Island single malt Scotch whisky. 2022 limited release of the oldest Arran whisky to date. Matured in ex-Sherry and Bourbon Casks. Release of 3,000 bottles.

This bottling is being sold as a bundle which includes:

1x botte of Arran 25 Year Old (2022)

1x bottle of Arran 10 Year Old Core Release

1x bottle of Arran Quarter Cask Core Release

1x bottle of Arran Machrie Moor Peated Cask Strength Core Release

MAXIMUM 1 SET PER CUSTOMER.

Buy – Arran 25 Years Bundle – £500 / $502* / €565*

Nose – Rich oak with a gentle nutmeg note. Sweeter aromas of baked ripe figs, sultanas and black cherries.

Palate – Fruit cake with toasted almonds and cinnamon. The juicy zestiness of oranges and mandarins mellows perfectly with manuka honey, muscovado sugar, baked apricots and an interesting white pepper note that provides even more complexity.

Finish – Creamy and spicy with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruits compote.

Arran Distillery was commissioned by the Isle of Arran Distillers in 1995 and lies amid stunning scenery just to the south of Lochranza on the northern tip of the Isle of Arran. This distillery has four stills, dunnage warehouses, a visitor centre offering distillery tours and a distillery café. Arran distills both un-peated and peated malt spirit and matures its whisky in sherry, bourbon, port and wine casks in order to produce an ever-evolving and expanding range of whiskies including Arran single malts such as Arran Machrie Moor and The Illicit Stills, and Arran blended scotch.

Mannochmore 2007 Aged 12 Years at Bartels Whisky – Scotch Whisky News

Mannochmore 2007 Aged 12 Years

£57.00

Single Cask Bottling. Bourbon Barrel. Cask Strength – 58.7%vol. Natural Colour. Speyside Region. 70cl

Description

It is pretty rare to see an independent bottling of Mannochmore so when we got our hands on a cask of 12-year-old we were very excited to bottle it! Even distillery bottlings are rare, not many were produced from this Diageo owned Speyside Distillery – the most popular was the 12-year-old in the Flora and Fauna range.  The Distillery ran alongside Glenlossie until 2007 when they started working independently. Ours is a single cask, cask strength bottling.  Bottled in 2019 but only being released for sale now.  You won’t see this around again that’s for sure.

Nose: Lovely Speyside notes which are initially honeyed and soft but mature into some grassy tones with orange peel.

Palate: A chalky undertone with highlights of sweet fruits, buttery wood, a touch of spice (ginger) and a nice overall balance.

Finish: Medium long, some zest and oak with toffee apples.

Tasting notes by Bartels

Fully Mature Rarities and Collectible Treasures at K&L California – Scotch Whisky News

Fully Mature Rarities and Collectible Treasures

There is nothing in the world like a properly aged, fully mature spirit, and K&L remains your first and best source for the widest selection of the most compelling bottlings on the market. Whether it’s an exclusive cask from one of our stellar independent bottlers or a rare release from one of the world’s most iconic distilleries, you’ll find the cream of the collectible crop among the myriad jaw-dropping treasures on our shelves.

1997 Mortlach 24 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $280) $199.99 View

1996 BenRiach 23 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare” Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $249.99 View

1995 Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single ex-Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Previously $380) $283.99 View

1995 Cragganmore 25 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” First Fill Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $299.99 View

1993 Clynelish 28 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare” Single First Fill Bourbon Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $450.00 View

Laphroaig 28 Year Old “Limited Edition” 2018 Release Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $800) $649.99 View

1983 Port Ellen 36 Year Old “Eidolon – Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare” 01 Single Malt Whisky (700ml) $3,400.00 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

First Collection of 2023, includes Orkney – Auction Whisky News

I hope you  all enjoyed the holidays and wish you all the best for 2023. Our schedule for the first collection of the new year has now been finalised. You can view the dates and register your interest HERE

The deadline for requests is 12 noon on Monday 9th January 2023. Please ensure all requests are received by this date. Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point.

Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis.

It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift. In addition a submission form and label should be completed. Submission forms can now be completed via your main accounts page.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label