Top Picks at K&L California – Whisky News
December 27th, 2013
- SMWS 35.100 (Glen Moray) “Rare Release” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($115.99)
The illustrious Scotch Malt Whisky Society finally comes to a retail store. Do not fret if you’re already a member, the amount of whisky being released to the public is a tiny drop in the bucket, just a taste to show the world what the Society has for those who are not aware. We were lucky enough to be selected as one of the four retailers to carry SMWS, along with a few key on-premise accounts, and will be your only source for SMWS bottlings for non-members. This outstanding cask is highly collectable not simply because it’s the 100th cask from this little distillery to be bottled by the Society, but also because it’s one of the best whiskies I’ve had all year. Glen Moray is not a well known distillery in the states, but I think the utter freshness of this whisky will shock even those who know it well. Vibrant and brimming with life, it spent 10 years in a fresh bourbon barrel. The Society’s stringent cask selection system is on display h ere, so it will certainly be sought out by SMWS members who pride themselves on procuring special casks like this one. Get yours now or wait and lose out on one of our most interesting casks of the year. SMWS tasting notes, “Fruity and Fresh, the nose has lime pastilles, apple sours and Midori, coriander leaf, flowers and rhubarb tart – refreshing as a waterfall. The palate has lime, orange sherbet, apple turnover and kiwi – wood shavings, pepper and chilli provide a punchy finish.”
- Macallan 25 Year Old Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 9 available ($799.99)
Extremely Limited! Macallan’s 25 year old sherry casks are a modern classic.
- Four Roses K&L Exclusive Single Barrel OBSO (BN 4-1H) Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($59.99)
Three barrels of Four Roses have arrived, tasted by our spirits department at the distillery, directly from the Cox warehouse facility with Jim Rutledge himself. To make matters confusing, we ended up picked three fantastic barrels of the same Four Roses formula (OBSO), when there were ten different recipes to choose from. We couldn’t help it–our palates were simply drawn to the bold, woody flavors of that whiskey. This eleven year, one month old barrel–being the oldest–is the richest and sweetest of the three. It brings the sweet vanilla and the baking spices in waves. A solid cask that should sell quickly given the provenance, age, and the quality. Really good stuff.
- Four Roses K&L Exclusive Single Barrel OBSO (US 55-1P) Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml ($59.99)
Three barrels of Four Roses have arrived, tasted by our spirits department at the distillery, directly from the Cox warehouse facility with Jim Rutledge himself. To make matters confusing, we ended up picked three fantastic barrels of the same Four Roses formula (OBSO), when there were ten different recipes to choose from. We couldn’t help it–our palates were simply drawn to the bold, woody flavors of that whiskey. This nine year, eleven month old cask managed to proof itself down to a respectable 53.5 percent and starts off with a red-fruited flavor before immediately headed into the more herbaceous and peppery realm. Pencil shavings and old fashioned Bourbon goodness on the finish bring the experience to satisfying climax. This is a punchy little whiskey that sticks to the tried and tested flavors of American Bourbon and does it very, very well.
- Four Roses K&L Exclusive Single Barrel OBSO (US 59-6M) Cask Strength Bourbon 75 0ml ($59.99)
Three barrels of Four Roses have arrived, tasted by our spirits department at the distillery, directly from the Cox warehouse facility with Jim Rutledge himself. To make matters confusing, we ended up picked three fantastic barrels of the same Four Roses formula (OBSO), when there were ten different recipes to choose from. We couldn’t help it–our palates were simply drawn to the bold, woody flavors of that whiskey. This 10 year old (on the nose) cask of Four Roses bursts right off the bat with high-toned cinnamon and baking spices, before moving into more of a rye-based flavor. The high proof overpowers a bit of the nuance on the finish, so make sure to add a drop of water. On the nose, there are aromas of heavily toasted oak and pencil shavings. This whiskey was simply made for ice cubes or high-end Manhattans.
