TOP PICKS

• 1997 Bowmore 15 Year Old Faultline “Palm Tree” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)
  This cask, from one of the true historical gems on the Queen of the Hebrides, is the perfect example of why I believe Bowmore should still be considered one of Scotland’s best distilleries. The distillery itself is a working museum and the distillery bottlings are usually very safe and well crafted. After some “difficulty” at the distillery during the 80s and early 90s, speculation is that they were pushing the distillery to hard. Since then the Bowmore distillery has come roaring back producing some of the most consistently delicious juice we’ve tasted over the last several years. It’s not in their nature to take risks or challenge the market place, but it’s certainly in ours. Part of the reason we haven’t been able to sell a Bowmore under the Faultline label yet is that when it’s good, it’s obvious. The bottlers are coveting their stocks and that means that highend product from the 70’s which cost $300 two years ago , is going for $900+ today. We’re not buying that stuff because there’s just no way we could sell it all. Suppliers see those numbers, look at their young Bowmore stocks and salivate. We were incredibly lucky to find this medium aged Bowmore at this fabulous price. This is full force Bowmore in all its beautiful intensity. It’s powerfully smoky and exotic. The label pays homage to a famous independently bottled Bowmore from the 1960s.

• 2002 Royal Lochnagar 10 Year Old Faultline Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)
  This delicate little Lochnagar is basically one of the few independently bottled around Lochnagar and one of the only cask strength version on the market in the US, we’ve seen released recently. We managed to get a great price on this cask from the little distillery deep in the Cairngorm mountains. After ten years in a hogshead this whisky already has a lot going on. The wonderful fresh character of this miniscule distillery is at the forefront. Grass and fresh apples, with whiffs of something tannic in the background, maybe it’s a bit of black tea. Texturally rather rich for the age, but it’s not a massive malt. Slightly waxiness as it finishes on the pepper and grass. Fun stuff and it should be around for a little cause this cask contained just over 300 bottles.

• Glenrothes Select Reserve Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($39.99)
  The standard release from Glenrothes is a supple, rich, and textural marriage of various vintages from the Speyside distillery. A combination of textural sherry notes with fruit, nuttiness, and toffee on the finish. Always one of the best beginner malts for the budding Scotch fan and a time-tested favorite of many long-time drinkers.

• Kilchoman K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel #172 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
  If there is one battle we’re not willing to fight in the spirits world, it’s the idea that “craft” whisky is better whisky. We don’t think using quarter casks to mature whisky faster makes for better whisky. We don’t think using organic grains or designer barrels make for better whisky either. What makes whisky better? Time. If you’re not willing to let your whisky come around naturally, then you’re not going to convince guys like David and me to support your stuff. Kilchoman, in my mind, is the one “craft” distillery that does it right. Their whisky is still young, but it’s already light years beyond what we’re seeing from standard Islay releases these days. There are reasons for this. They operate their still at a slow drip -that takes TIME. They only use standard size Bourbon and Sherry casks, which take TIME to mature. And, they hired John MacLellan, the former distiller for Bunnahabhain who has decades of experience from putting in TIME! And they keep getting better. This Bourbon cask #172 is so delicate in mouthfeel, yet bursting with white pepper, smoke, and fresh peat that it almost seems unreal. At 60% it tastes like 45% because it’s in complete harmony with a small dose of butterscotch on the finish and then a lingering floral note. At only five years of age it’s more flavorful, satisfying, and exciting than anything I’ve tasted from any Islay distillery over the past year. While others still look to the future, I think Kilchoman’s time is now. (David Driscoll)

• Kilchoman K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel #74 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
  If there is one battle we’re not willing to fight in the spirits world, it’s the idea that “craft” whisky is better whisky. We don’t think using quarter casks to mature whisky faster makes for better whisky. We don’t think using organic grains or designer barrels make for better whisky either. What makes whisky better? Time. If you’re not willing to let your whisky come around naturally, then you’re not going to convince guys like David and me to support your stuff. Kilchoman, in my mind, is the one “craft” distillery that does it right. Their whisky is still young, but it’s already light years beyond what we’re seeing from standard Islay releases these days. There are reasons for this. They operate their still at a slow drip -that takes TIME. They only use standard size Bourbon and Sherry casks, which take TIME to mature. And, they hired John MacLellan, the former distiller for Bunnahabhain who has decades of experience from putting in TIME! And they keep getting better. This Bourbon cask #74 is zippy, lively, peppery, and bright with cinnamon red hots and bursts of sweet wood. It’s like a mezcal made on Islay, but with more vanilla and sweetness. What’s more amazing is the sheer drinkability at 59%. It’s never hot, overpowering, or out of whack. At only five years of age it’s more flavorful, satisfying, and exciting than anything I’ve tasted from any Islay distillery over the past year. While others still look to the future, I think Kilchoman’s time is now. (David Driscoll)

NEW ARRIVALS

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Suntory Hakushu Heavily Peated Japanese Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($149.99) 

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1990 Glen Garioch Samaroli Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($219.99)

• 2001 Glenrothes Distillery Bottle Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($49.99)

• 1999 North Highland 14 Year Old The Exclusive Malts Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 10 available ($84.99)

BACK IN STOCK

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Oban 18 Year Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($99.99)

• The Singleton of Glendullan 12 year old Single Malt Whisky 1L ($44.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon (375ml) – 1 available ($42.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA