Hibiki 21 Years Old is honored with the Category’s Top “Trophy” Award for the 4th consecutive year at the International Spirits Challenge 2016

Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old was honored with the top Trophy award in the Japanese Whisky category at the 21st International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2016 held in London, England on July 6 (Wednesday, local time). Hibiki 21 Years Old took the Trophy award as a particularly outstanding product in this category. This marks the 4th consecutive year that Hibiki 21 Years Old has won the Trophy.

Winning this prize is highly significant, as it further cements Suntory’s reputation for the high quality of our malt whisky and grain whisky as well as our excellent blending techniques.

Award Name, Winners
Trophy in Japanese Whisky Categories: Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old

For more information on Brand
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Website:  http://www.suntory.co.jp/whisky/hibiki/en%20

July 2016 Outturn Offerings 

Cask No. 76.124                                     $270

A symphony of oak

Speyside, Spey

Nosing this one neat was an awe-inspiring moment, like stepping into a grand house standing in the entrance hall with open eyes and mouth. Aromas of polished wood and shiny marble mixed with luxurious leather and the sensual fresh scent of orange blossom. The taste was like a symphony of oak played in perfect harmony with spicy notes of ginger and clove and the bittersweet finish of a Turkish coffee. Water transported us into an antique woollen mill still using the old fashioned spinning jenny and the flavours dry, bitter, oaky, sweet and fruity, all beautifully interwoven like in a Persian oriental rug.

Drinking tip: With a dark chocolate mousse

Colour: Thick-cut orange marmalade

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 28 years

Date distilled: September 1987

Alcohol: 55.9%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Old & dignified 

*PRESIDENT’S CHOICE*

Cask No. 70.13                                       $100

Neat heat, turning mellow and sweet

Highland, Northern

The nose had various elements – pencil shavings, Weetabix and hay, toffee bonbon and honey sweetness, Murray Mints and Pandrops plus subtle hints of Imperial Leather soap. The minty heat came through on the palate – aniseed, chilli, white pepper and Extra Strong Mints – we also got a lot of biscuity sweetness (Hobnobs, Digestives) and some exotic fruits. The reduced nose suggested a variety of unconnected things – plastic poolside furniture, citrus, raisins and tomato ketchup crisps. The palate had mellowed somewhat, replacing lively heat with moreish drinkability – now combining sweet, mild spices with tangy citrus, Atholl brose (honey, oats) and a chocolate fountain.

Drinking tip: A Sound of Music dram – mountain air, log cabins etc.

Colour: Orion’s belt buckle

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: May 2006

Alcohol: 57.8%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Young & spritely

Cask No. 95.20                                       $155

Glazed cocktail sausages

Speyside, Spey

Crème brulée then thick custard over pears, soon becoming more savoury (“quiche Lorraine with brown sauce”), chorizo sausage, Bovril, with traces of treacle toffee. At natural strength the taste echoes this: burnt sausages with toffee glaze – meaty and spicy. Water raises classic Spanish oak notes initially: dry overall, with matchbox striker, dusty dried fruits and baking spices. jam roly-poly pudding in the mouth, then a return of the savoury flavours (Marmite, Bovril), drying towards a spicy finish.  Umami…After 17 years in a refill hogshead, we transferred this whisky directly into a sherry butt for the remainder of its maturation.

Drinking tip: Kirkaldy prom on market day

Colour: Pale amber

Cask: Second-fill butt

Age: 18 years

Date distilled: August 1997

Alcohol: 53.2%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. G1.14                                      $215

Banana walnut cornbread

Grain

The nose neat was clean and fresh, but at the same time invitingly rich, like a newly, well-polished wooden bar top. In time, a seductive sweetness developed; candied almonds, toffee apples, fondant fancies and a quality ice wine. Given its age the taste was surprisingly vibrant with a ginger, chilli heat but again the attractive sweetness of caramel apple cake and lemon blossom honey. Water released honey porridge, scones with clotted cream and toasted flaked almonds. On the palate now a dry spiciness of banana walnut cornbread and cinnamon rolls, all washed down with a sparkling elderflower fizz.

Drinking tip: After dinner playing snooker or pool

Colour: Honey Gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 37 years

Date distilled: August 1978

Alcohol: 54.1%

USA allocation: 60 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & dry

Cask No. 53.231                             $160   

Eat until I die

Islay

The hunger pangs began on first nosing. One panellist was transported to a Mediterranean village, sat outside enjoying sun dried tomatoes, Serrano ham and fresh tarragon.  There was also a green element, like tomatoe vines and stripped twigs.  The taste was “super spicy” and brought smoked salmon sushi with wasabi to the table.  The delicate oak let the smoke do the talking but provided a subtle guiding hand to keep things in order.  With water, sweet roast pork with crackling, hickory BBQ smoke, peanut brittle and a platter of mixed fruits to finish (white grapes, lemon and grapefruit).

Drinking tip: A fishing trip hip-flask filler

Colour: Morning sun

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 19 years

Date distilled: September 1996

Alcohol: 59.3%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Heavily peated

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com

Here at K&L we’ve been bringing you exclusive casks of malt whisky since 2008, traveling abroad in search of the rare and unique, and we’ve pulled out some serious gems over the years: sherry butts of the elusive Brora, hogsheads of the prestigious Port Ellen, as well as the only barrels of Karuizawa ever bottled for the U.S. We’ve worked directly with distilleries like Glenfarclas on customized vattings, resurrected the ghosts of Ladyburn and Glenlochy; we’ve even created our own Faultline brand. Yet, with the recent arrival of our highly-anticipated “5th & Harrison” special edition whisky – a tribute to our new San Francisco location – we may have raised the bar to its highest possible rung. It’s taken five years of planning, preparing, and pushing, but we think our collaboration with Compass Box may be our magnum opus. We’re not sure whisky can get much better than this and we’re worried it may be all downhill from here.

Compass Box “5th & Harrison” K&L Exclusive Limited Edition Malt Whisky (750ml) ($179.99)

It’s one thing to purchase an entire cask of Scotch whisky and an entirely different thing to create a customized blend. Whereas tasting one whisky is a fairly straightforward exercise, one we’ve become quite skilled at over the years, blending those individual flavors into something even more majestic requires an expertise beyond our merchant training. That’s why we first approached award-winning blender and industry icon John Glaser from Compass Box about a collaborative project back in 2011, when the idea of a bespoke project seemed not only exciting, but plausible. But creating a special blend of whiskies isn’t just a more difficult process, it’s also a lengthy one. You need a concept, a muse, a vision, and an ideal. We needed to brainstorm and to find the right whiskies for the job. Heck, it took us four years just to get the project onto a physical calendar and another two to get the finished product into the bottle once we even knew what we wanted. It was worth the wait, however, because we haven’t seen anything this good in the K&L whisky department for some time. Utilizing a 19 year old sherry-matured single malt from the Glen Ord distillery and a 31 year old hogshead cask from Caol Ila distillery, John and his team managed to create our ultimate ideal: a mature, rich, textural, complex, smoky, peaty, full-proof symphony of luxurious splendor. It’s a whisky that covers every base, checks every box, dots every “i” and crosses every “t”. The “5th & Harrison” is a wave of richness that begins with supple sherry sweetness and morphs slowly into a seamless sea of endless reward. It has our staff in total awe. It’s arrival has the internet whisky intelligencia buzzing. Compass Box and K&L joining forces? It’s true, we’ve done it – and we’ve done it right. The “5th & Harrison” is everything you hope it will be. It’s a high-quality, limited edition, cask strength, unfiltered dose of Scotch perfection. It took us quite a while to make it happen, but we think you’ll agree: the best things are worth waiting for.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 13, 2016

Prepare to be transported back in time; back to an era when old malts of incredible complexity were available 24/7 and four-figure price tags were unthinkable. This project has been in the works for years and the casks have been on reserve for us since John proposed the idea way back when, which is the only reason whiskies of this quality were available for this 5th & Harrison blend. In fact, the whiskies were allowed to marry for an additional year in cask after being blended simply because of all the delays from the logistics involved with doing something like this! You can taste that extra vatting in the whisky. It’s like liquid silk on the palate, accented with peat and smoke from the Caol Ila, and it’s of a quality that I haven’t tasted maybe since we bought two incredibly old casks of Glenfarclas back in 2012. This is the type of whisky you buy now for loved ones, months in advance of the holiday gift giving season. You squirrel extra bottles away for a rainy day. You buy as many of these as you can afford because I can promise you you’ll be looking back on this opportunity years from now wishing you had more of this incredible elixir. If this was the last whisky project I ever worked on for K&L, I would go out happy. I don’t know if we’ll ever top this. I think this is as big of an achievement as we can ever hope to accomplish. I can safely say this is on the level of some of the rarer Port Ellen bottlings we’ve carried and it’s a fraction of the price.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2016

This whiskey is truly a time capsule and a major achievement. It immediately brings me back to a time when scotch was simply meant to be enjoyed. It’s blended to taste good. Remember when whisky was supposed to just taste real good and not try to do anything else? There is just the right amount of smoke, intense, but not over powering. The texture is oily and inviting. The aromas are enticing filled with butterscotch and orange/apricot preserves. There are soft and sweet grain notes. It’s endlessly complex, the sort of dram you can sit with quietly for an evening or pour for a rowdy group of friends who will appreciate it. Most impressive is the finish. It lingers for a very long time allowing you to taste new flavors without having to revisit the glass. All around this is a great bottle, with great pedigree, and most importantly, a great price tag. Don’t miss it.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 14, 2016

5th and Harrison is a celebration of taste and enjoyment. It showcases the artistry of blending two mature single malts so that best aspects of both come out. There are very expressive and intense aromas of honey with a back note of smoke. In the mouth, delicate honey is enhanced with a kiss of smoke that is inviting but not dominating. It is refined, round and has a long finish. There is also an extra bonus bottle tag with a wonderful poem.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 13, 2016

Wow- it is not too often that I taste something in the $200 price range and think to myself “this is under-priced!”, but what a malt! This has got everything, rich depth, complex smoke, a lift that makes you want more and near infinite length. I thought the days of great old Scotch at under $1000 were over and my chance to own such treasures a thing of the past, but this 5th Harrison has given me another shot. It might be my last…

Kyle Kurani | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 13, 2016

Scotch like this, no longer exists in this world. The only reason we have it, is the fact that it took 5 years to complete, 5 years in which the Scotch market has seen unprecedented growth; with every last corner of every last warehouse laid bare. Those 5 years of limbo now act as a time portal back to a time in whisky long since passed. 30 year old Caol Ila and 20 year old Glen Ord? Those aren’t things that exist in my world for any sort of reasonable price. Compass Box has had simply the best old stores of Scotch, and have been the best at creating blends where the sum is far greater than the parts, even when those parts are practically beyond reach on any mere mortal not deeply plugged into the booze industry. “This is Not a Luxury Whisky” was my malt of the year last year.The 5th and Harrison Blend is now the frontrunner for this year, and it isnt really close. Deep, rich, and luxurious, the synergy between the two malts brings this to euphoric heights. Opening with a nose of rich mahogany and brandy soaked figs, kisses of maple custard, and supple undulating smoke. Intensely complex and opulent on the palate, hickory smoked maple bars, sweet pralines, rich nutty toffee clusters are seamless companions to a weighty, almost oily mouthfeel. Vanilla and spice cake, candied hazelnuts linger on a finish that is close to flawless. We are so excited that this project has come together, and from the first, incredible sip, it is clear that it was worth.

K&L Wine Merchants http://www.klwines.com/ Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

It’s time to buy your tickets!

Early Bird ticket sales for the 2016 Whiskies of the World Atlanta event has been extended until July 30! We hope you will join us in anticipation of a savory evening full of great whisky flavors and more. Early Bird tickets are refundable within a two-week notice. Buy your tickets for our event(s) in Austin, Houston and Atlanta today! For more information about our events, visit our website.

About Whiskies of the World

As one of the largest whisky tasting events in the US, Whiskies of the World gathers over 200 of the most fascinating distilled spirits from around the globe, along with their makers and ambassadors, to give guests an unforgettable experience. Guests can explore whisky tastings, whisky and food pairings, whisky and cigar pairings, and the chance to interact with outstanding whisky brands and fellow whisky enthusiasts.

Whiskies of the World Houston will be held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown on October 1, from 3 PM – 7 PM. General Admission is $140.

Whiskies of the World Austin will be held at the Four Seasons on San Jacinto Blvd on September 29, from 7 PM – 10 PM. General Admission is $140.

Whiskies of the World Atlanta will be held at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel on October 22, from 7 PM – 11 PM. General Admission is $140.

New Spirits at Park Ave.
Here are some summer arrivals that recently hit our shelves.

“Summer sippin’ had me a blast!”
– From ‘Grease’…If we wrote it

As you bask in the dog days of summer we thought we’d drop in and let you know about some interesting items to arrive at 270 Madison Ave.

All listed items are currently in-stock.

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Glenburgie 20 Year Old
by (Private bottler -Five Lions)
$196/btl

Nose: full-bodied, sugary-sticky candy, maple syrup, herbs, lavender, pronounced vanilla aromas.
Palate: Dryness and sweetness are pleasantly balanced. Heavy, sweet vanilla flavor dominates in the foreground, followed by herbs and oak-cask-aromas as well as a trace of citrus fruits.
Finish: very long, creamy, lasting, Bourbon-vanilla, herbs.

Compass Box: Limited Editions
Circus & Enlightenment
(sold separately)

Limited Edition Circus $290/btl

A quick note about ‘Circus’. We emailed our customers about this bottle last month and mentioned its ‘highly limited supply’. So, why is back? Well after allocations are were made available – a small supply was left over so we jumped on it. Now those who missed out have another opportunity.

“We know little of the component distillery whiskies used in these blends for The Circus, only that they contain both single malt and single grain whiskies and that the ‘marrying casks’ are sherry butts. However, the provenance of the components isn’t important to us now, as what we have are old casks containing whiskies that are extraordinary.” – John Glaser
Notes:
“A lithe frame and opulent mouthfeel showcasing the supple softness of mature grain and the complexity of aged Blended Scotch Whisky. Brimming with dried fruit character, a luscious maltiness and nuances of almond and hazelnut.”

Limited Edition Enlightenment $115/btl

“Since launching the Compass Box Whisky Co., I have always been a firm believer in the spirit of enlight- enment – that the more information we can share with our customers about the Scotch whisky we produce, the better. Alas, it transpires such beliefs fall foul of current EU and UK regulations, which prevent us from sharing information about the age of every component whisky used in the creation of our blends.”
– John Glaser
“Inspired by the writers, philosophers and scientists of the Age of Enlightenment it sets out to encourage the industry to consider the absurdity of a system that prevents producers from telling consumers exactly what has gone into the whiskies they are drinking.”
Limited Edition release of 5,922 bottles worldwide.
Notes: “Fresh, vibrant and uplifting with a mouthfeel that is moreish and mouth-watering. On the nose you will find bright apple and pear, vanilla cream and light violet; on the palate soft spice, gentle citric notes and more of that uplifting orchard fruit character.”

Paul John: Peated Select (Cask Strength)
Indian Single Malt
$98.00/btl

Nose: ‘The smoky, sweet and earthy fragrances have mellow resonances of spice.’
Palate: ‘As the crisp Muscovado and Demerara sugars create layered nuances, the smokiness of the Single Malt sets in, creating a perfect balance. A hint of spice radiates from the hickory and Dominican-style cocoa.’
Finish: ‘The delicate finish of this Single Malt has notes of Dominican cocoa laced with the tart edge of marmalade.’

Paul John: Classic Select (Cask Strength)
Indian Single Malt
$91.00/btl

Nose: ‘Fruity, malty aromas are intertwined with honey. A hint of bourbon teases your senses.’
Palate: ‘With the very first sip, flavours of malted barley greet you. A heady mix of bourbon and manuka honey-liquorice makes for an attractive spine. And while you relish this experience, the unexpected flavour of toasted honeycomb takes you by surprise.’
Finish: ‘This Single Malt has an absolutely elegant finish, with juicy Demerara tones ensuring a soft, friendly finish.’

Due to ever-changing inventory we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors. Please contact the store with any questions.
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 | parkaveliquor.com

BAIN’S AWARDED HIGHEST HONOUR IN LONDON

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has been awarded the Whiskies of the World Trophy, the highest honour at the International Spirits Competition (ISC) held recently in London.

Bain’s is one of only three whiskies in the category which featured many international brands, to have been bestowed a trophy.

The competition promotes outstanding quality spirits from around the world with just over 1300 entries judged from 70 countries. Entries are tasted blind by a panel of 50 international judges and scored based on aroma, appearance, taste, and finish.

The Whiskies of the World category includes all countries from around the world such as Ireland, the USA, Japan, Australia and Taiwan, excluding Scotland. Bain’s was one of only seven whiskies in this category to be awarded gold and in the final round of blind tasting the whiskies all competed against each other for the trophy accolade.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky Master distiller Andy Watts says this award is a great acknowledgment for the quality of South African whisky.

“Bain’s is such an incredible success story for South African whisky. The multiple awards, praise from the international whisky community and interest from consumers around the world, is incredibly rewarding.

“We set-out when launching this whisky in 2009 to truly showcase the essence of South African whisky, to set a benchmark for single grain in the world and to highlight the strides that we have taken in our short history of making whisky in this country.”

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is made from the finest South African grain, double matured in ex-Bourbon casks first for an initial three years before being re-vatted into a fresh set of ex-bourbon casks for a further 18 to 30 months. The result is an exceptionally smooth whisky with a delicious combination of floral, banana, honey, toasted hazelnuts and toffee aromas, revealing wood, vanilla and spice. Beautifully balanced vanilla, cocoa butter and light spices from the oak casks lead to a warm mouth-feel and long, smooth finish.

About Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is distilled and matured at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington near the foot of the Bain’s Kloof Pass. The beauty of the pass and the extraordinary craftsmanship of Andrew Geddes Bain, the pioneer road builder who built the pass by hand in 1853, is the inspiration behind this South African whisky.

The Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is available nationwide and retails for about R249

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Spotlight on Islay’s oldest working distillery

Inveraray is often described as the gateway to Islay so this week we have decided to bring you some expressions from the oldest operational distillery in the Whisky Mecca of the Inner Hebrides.

We ship worldwide Next day delivery available on UK orders

Bowmore 23 Year Old Platinum Old & Rare

This 23 year old Bowmore expression is one of only 195 bottles drawn from a single sherry finished hogshead. Part of the Platinum Old & Rare collection from independent bottler, Hunter Laing, each bottle is beautifully presented and individually numbered. The nose has a trace of peat smoke on the sea air, with lemon zest and burnt toast. The palate is light and fruity with figs and marmalade, while the finish is big and rich with ripe dark fruits and chocolate.

£295 Buy Now

Bowmore 25 Year Old

This 25 year old Islay Single Malt has been slowly matured in American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks for a quarter of a century. Hand crafted on Islay, this is a sublime small batch release. The nose is intensely sherried with stewed fruits, citrus and a trace of smoke. The palate offers toffee and hazelnut woven together with a hint of sweet peat smoke. The finish is mellow, gentle and incredibly complex.

£329 Buy Now

Bowmore Devil’s Cask III

Legend has it that the church in Bowmore was built without corners so that the Devil could not hide. One evening, the locals chased Auld Nick out and he ran into the distillery, hiding inside casks bound for the mainland. The result is Bowmore Devil’s Cask and this third release is devilishly smooth. The nose is full of dark and exotic fruits, mango, raisin and toffee. The palate is smooth and rounded, with oils, dried fruits and a hint of salt and treacle. The finish is long lasting with fruitcake, orange, and a whisper of smoke.

£195 Buy Now

Bowmore Devil’s Cask III Fyne Wee Dram

Don’t miss your opportunity to try a wee taster of the third and final release of the Bowmore Devil’s cask with our Fyne Wee Drams 3cl range. Whether you’d like to preserve your full bottle but still sample a dram or two, or you simply want a brief dance with the Bowmore Devil’s Cask III, a Fyne Wee Dram is the ideal solution.

£11.99 Buy Now

Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old

Matured for 15 years in Spanish sherry casks, this limited edition release takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘pier’ in homage to the stone pier that once served the distillery. The nose offers ripe red grapes, Spanish sherry, dark green moss and a lot of Islay smoke. The palate has dried fruit sweetness with dark smoke, grapes, exotic spices and very delicate peat. The finish brings more sherried fruits with a hint of ash.

£70 Buy Now

Bowmore 12 Year Old

The signature release from Bowmore, the 12 year old is renowned for its lemon, honey and peat flavour. Complex, yet perfectly balanced, this expression has received much critical acclaim and reflects the raw essence of Bowmore – thrashing waves, windswept landscapes and generations of tradition. The nose is characteristically smoky with subtle lemon and honey notes. The palate offers sweet heather honey, dark moss and peat smoke. The finish is long and mellow with hint of sweet peat fire.

£29.95 Buy Now

– Masterclasses –

Ancnoc, Balblair & Old Pulteney £25
Lukasz Dynowiak tastes and compares whiskies from three top Highland distilleries.

Glenfarclas £25
A luxury tasting experience with one of Scotland’s only family run distilleries.

Japanese Whiskies With Suntory £25
A venture into some of Japan’s extraordinary whiskies led by Zoran Peric.

Cigar & Whisky Pairing £15
Award winning cigar distributor, Hunter & Frankau will be pairing Dalmore single malts with the finest Cuban cigars on the roof terrace.

Full Masterclass Details

– EXHIBITORS –

Yamazaki // Hakushu // Ardbeg // Balvenie // Murray McDavid // Bunnahabhain // Hibiki // Dalmore // Gordon & McPhail // Duncan Taylor // Compass Box // Glenfarclas // Glenfiddich // Glengoyne // Glenlivet // Springbank // Macallan // Mortlach // Nikka // Kavalan // Amrut // Glenmorangie // Laphroaig // Kilchoman // Ledaig // Tobermory // Highland Park // Ardmore // Arran // Penderyn // GlenDronach // Clynelish // Glengoyne // Oban // Talisker // Hunter Laing // Douglas Laing // Redbreast // Teeling // Tomatin // Evan Williams // Smooth Ambler // That Boutique-y Whisky Company // Kilchoman // Four Roses // Michter’s // BenRiach // Benromach // Jura + more

– ENTRY TICKETS £40 –

We hope to see you at the Midlands Whisky Festival tickets are available to buy online! 

BUY TICKETS

The Whisky Shop Dufftown Autumn Festival

• Michel Couvreur 12 Year Overaged Malt Whisky (750ml) ( $69.99) Michel Couvreur is a Belgian and an independent bottler of single malt scotch. His cellars are located in Bouze-les-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. Michel ages his single malts for years in sherry butts and then in demijohns or giant bottles kept in total darkness in the exceptional well-protected underground galleries of Bouze-les-Beaune. Vatted from 54 whiskies aged more than 12 years (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, and 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.

• Michel Couvreur K&L Exclusive Overaged Peated Malt Whisky (750ml) ( $82.99) The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that David and I had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This crazy Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the 60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of pinot noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself; selecting his own sherry butts to insure only the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away last year from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave this past Spring, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jawdropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: do NOT cut the hard wax seal, tap it so that it breaks)

• Michel Couvreur Pale Single-Single Whisky (750ml) ( $109.99) Michel Couvreur is a Belgian and an independent bottler of single malt scotch. His cellars are located in Bouze-les-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. Michel ages his single malts for years in sherry butts and then in demijohns or giant bottles kept in total darkness in the exceptional well-protected underground galleries of Bouze-les-Beaune. The Pale-Single is a lighter style of whisky, not nearly as heavily sherried as his other expressions, that is quite fruity and floral in flavor, but with a lingering note of toasted almonds and savory richness.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA