• 1990 Glenfarclas K&L Exclusive Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($169.99) We’ve always loved Glenfarclas. As you may or may not know, this distillery is one of the last independently owned in all of Scotland. It’s owned by the Grant family. It also happens to be on most knowledgeable people’s list of top distilleries and has consistently provided us with excellent sherried Speyside offerings at incredible prices. We’ve had success finding single casks in their vast warehouse system, but found that current market conditions have made purchasing a single cask from the Grants rather cost-prohibitive. Negotiating the price down on those casks is also out of the question as wholesalers worldwide are privy to the price structure and the Grants are very loyal and fair. With that option off the table we decided to get creative. Those single casks have a set price list, but picking multiple casks for one bottling afforded us some flexibility. We knew we were onto the next crazy value, but we never imagined how versatile a mu lti-cask bottling could be. So, into the warehouse we went. George bragged about the quality of the 1990 vintage, but we had no idea how special they were until we were standing in front of the barrels. These casks are from a sequential lot of first fill Oloroso sherry butts at 24 years old. Without a doubt, ‘Farclas fans will be pleased, but this bottling is approachable enough for even the most novice whisky lover to appreciate. ETA 12/1/14

• Glenfarclas “The Faultline Casks” K&L Exclusive First Fill Oloroso Sherry Casks Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99) When George Grant offered us the opportunity to take multiple casks for a special exclusive bottling, we were over the moon. The creative juices began flowing. We talked about doing an ultra-aged expression, but we didn’t feel we could match the outrageous cask from the 1970 vintage, which we’d acquired a couple of years back. Instead, we decided to focus on a NAS (no age statement) mixture of casks from earlier vintages. The goal was to create a high proof, heavily sherried ‘Farclas that we could sell for around $100. After tasting multiple vintages from 8 to 15 years of age, we settled on three of our favorite casks in the 9-10 year range. At no other distillery is vintage so important and the importance of their vessel was clear when tasting these younger expressions. We’ve ended up with a mixture of young casks that surpass even our own high expectations. This is full fledged and powerful, yet tempered by the strong influence of that speci al wine of Andalucía. If you love sherry, if you love high proof single malt, if you love powerful flavors and massively textural whisky, then this bottling is for you. Even better, if you love not spending a ton for a bespoke offering from one of the world’s best distilleries, don’t wait to order. We’ll have more than the standard single barrel, but this bottling is still highly limited. Expect this to arrive in time for the holidays, hopefully by early December.

• Balvenie 30 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($999.99) 96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: “Bouquet offers hints of mead, almonds, pencil eraser, coffee grounds, pork and old leather. Palate entry is intensely resiny, smoldering warm and waxy; at midpalate, taste explosions of honey, oloroso sherry, dark caramel, hard cheese, malted milk, and Christmas pudding treat the taste buds to an extraordinary library of flavors. Ends deliciously sweet and honeyed. The best Balvenie I’ve ever reviewed.” (02/2005) 90 points Whisky Advocate: “This is a big and brooding dram. The aroma suggests it is aged in both bourbon and sherry oak. It’s complex and richly flavored (sweeter up front and increasingly dry towards its finish), with notes of honey, candied fruit, thick cut marmalade, vanilla, almonds, and prominent spicy oak notes. I’m picking up plenty of sherry in this new expression, which I like. It finishes firmly dry, with notes of spice and tannin. (Vol. 14, #2)”

• Macallan 18 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($209.99) 92 points Wine Enthusiast: “This Speyside single malt is matured in Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain, for a minimum of 18 years. The amber spirit has a big, warm caramel flavor, finishing with a touch of sweet honey, bitter chocolate and espresso on the lingering finish. Viscous, creamy mouthfeel.” (12/2011) 91 points Whisky Advocate: “Macallan’s 18 year old expression is, for me, the highlight of its regular sherried range. Deep amber in color. The nose is rich and heavily fruited: fruit cake, mulberry, a little moist gingerbread, the bloody depths of molasses. On the palate, dried fruits — more figgy than raisined — while the natural oiliness in the spirit balances the boisterous tannins from the European oak. A singed note on the finish (an extension of the molasses?) completes the picture. Balanced and complex. (Vol. 20, #3)” Wine Spectator: “An object lesson in what Sherry does to whisky. A telltale nuttiness appears right on the nose, before spice and fruit join in on the palate, with a sort of chewing gum quality. The nutty notes return in earnest on the meaty finish. ” (02/2011) K&L Notes: The Macallan’s benchmark excellence is nowhere more evident than in the 18 year old, which is matured for a minimum of 18 years in seasoned, Sherry casks. Classic Macallan, with aromas and flavors of dried apricots and figs, spice, chocolate and orange zest.

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