Ultra-Rare Whiskies Hitting K&L’s Auction Site

We are pleased to announce a truly special set of rare whiskey lots from the estate of a long-time K&L customer and avid whiskey collector. Due to California State law, there is an exceptionally narrow band of circumstances in which the auctioning of spirits is permitted, making this a very unique opportunity. This collection includes ultra-rare releases from George T. Stagg, Parker’s Heritage, Jefferson’s, Weller, and more. Keep an eye on our website for the individual lots launching throughout the next month.

David Othenin-Girard & Andrew Whiteley
K&L Spirits Buyers

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com
http://onthetrail.klwines.com

ralfy.com tastes Campbeltown malt fest 2019

https://youtu.be/xL4Ixtj6mbA

If you like my content you can buy ralfy a ‘wee dram’ at https://www.patreon.com/ralfy, thanks !

Balcones Distilling partners with That Boutique-y Whisky Company

to launch legendary Texas independent bottlings… 

Four big, bold Texas whiskies are being released by That Boutique-y Whisky Company and the Lone Star State’s most celebrated distillery 

Balcones Distilling and That Boutique-y Whisky Company has announced the launch of four limited single cask spirits that will be available from this month and into the autumn.

Texas’ most trailblazing distillery has created four extraordinary whiskies for the multi award-winning independent bottler – That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

The range of single casks showcases the ever-experimental side of Balcones Distilling – renowned for its full flavor, characterful and cask strength drams and maverick approach to whisky producing. Of the four, three single malts have been especially bottled – all made using the retro Golden Promise malted barley sourced from Scotland – each one then aged for various timescales in unique wood from around the world.

Batch 1 – a single malt that has been finished in a Balcones Brimstone Cask, imparting notes of smoky bacon, hickory, mesquite and campfires into the final dram.

Batch 2 – a single malt that has been matured in a Tequila cask for 24 months, giving it a bold vegetal, yet dried fruit sweetness.

Batch 3 – the third single malt – has been finished in an Oloroso sherry cask, ensuring it takes on a ton of plum fruit notes with spicy treacle characteristics. This is the third spirit that Balcones has bottled that has been finished in a sherry cask – the other two being a single malt released in celebration of the distillery’s 10^th anniversary and a dark rum finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

The fourth spirit will be launched in the autumn and is perfect for those wanting an absolute treat of a blue corn spirit that the distillery is so well known for: the spirit is made from 100% blue corn – Balcones signature corn grain – finished in Pedro Ximénez casks, giving their signature blue corn popcorn notes a level of unctuous richness that has not been found in any Balcones drams ever before.

Dave Worthington, That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Brand Ambassador said: “Balcones has a special place in my heart as the first ever whisky festival I worked was for Balcones, so I’m so happy to see some of their Texan spirits wrapped up in our Boutique-y labels. Y’all gonna love this y’all (in my best Texas accent).”

Jared Himstedt, Balcones’ Head Distiller said: “”We are delighted to partner with our friends at That Boutique-y Whisky Company to release these rare and special spirits, all of which are a nod to our passion for exploration and testing the waters of what’s possible. We wanted to share some single casks that showcase some of our fun experiments and finishes, alongside the versatility of our blue corn spirit, which we’ve not release in Sherry casks before. We hope that people who enjoy our spirits have a chance to taste and enjoy these limited releases.”

Makers of the first legally sold Texas-made whisky since Prohibition, Balcones has become one of the most recognised and acclaimed craft whisky distillers in the world, earning over 350 awards, including the recently named Innovator of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year at the 2019 Icons of Whisky America Awards.

Batch 1, 2 and 3 are on sale now at www.masterofmalt.com, each priced at £69.95 (per 50cl bottle). The fourth release will be available in September. There will be a very limited number of bottles available of each batch, so whisky collectors and Balcones lovers will have to be quick to snap up their own to enjoy. 

Notes: 

About Balcones Distilling:

Driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, Balcones Distilling marries centuries of tradition with the bold flavors of Texas. Balcones is synonymous with quality and innovation in the whisky industry, known for emphasizing high quality ingredients and drawing influences from all over Texas. To date, the distillery has earned over 350 international tasting awards and accolades for their whiskies and spirits.

Balcones distills all of their beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in Waco, Texas. At its heart are four copper pot stills built by the best artisans in Scotland. You can now visit and tour the facility, with tastings and events held regularly, and see why Balcones is always Distilled to Appreciate. Visit www.balconesdistilling.com for more information.

About That Boutique-y Whisky Company:

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is a multi-award-winning independent bottler established in 2012, bottling exceptional single malts, blended malts, blended whiskies, grain whiskies, bourbons and more from around the globe. TBWC was named Whisky Magazine’s Islands Independent Bottler of the Year 2016 and their Macallan 25 Year Old was named Scotch Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017. Most recently, their Glengoyne 17 Year Old was recognised with a Master medal in the Spirits Business’ 2019 Spirits Masters awards.

Maker’s Mark Private Select Batch #2 Exclusive

This limited edition single barrel bourbon from Maker’s Mark is one of the first of its kind and an exclusive to The Whisky Shop. Taking inspiration from the process used to create Maker’s 46, this Kentucky bourbon is crafted from a barrel made from a bespoke selection of different wooden staves, chosen by a team from The Whisky Shop. Limited to just 252 bottles.

£85.00

Buy Now

Two Great Distilleries Prove Their Mastery with an Inspired Bourbon
Legent Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey ($44.99)

“Just as you’d expect from Beam and Suntory bringing their great whisky heads together— incredible Kentucky bourbon in the elegant and sophisticated Japanese profile. A home-run hit with a cool concept and perfect execution.” —Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

One of the most exciting projects in the whiskey world of late has been Beam Suntory looking to bring together their expertise from East and West in a single project. Legent, a Bourbon that blends the unique traditions of these two distillers, is every bit as good as one might imagine. This divine dram begins with a four year Bourbon crafted by none other than Beam’s Master Distiller, Fred Noe. A small portion of the final blend is aged in a combination of sherry and red wine casks, adding impressive range and complexity. Building on this excellent foundation, Suntory’s fifth-generation Chief Blender, Shunji Fukuyo, then adds reserves from Beam’s vast collection of older Kentucky Straight Bourbons. The result is a bottling that is as ethereal as it is delicious. Simply put, it is an all-American Bourbon with the elegance and refinement of Japanese whisky—a truly magical combination. As the staff notes below will attest, this one-of-a-kind whiskey far outperforms its modest price and constitutes one of the better buys we’ve encountered in 2019. We were fortunate to receive a solid allocation, but once word gets out just how good it is, it is destined to sell out in a flash.

Legent Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($44.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 27, 2019

Generally “innovative” in the bourbon industry is a shield word for an experiment gone wrong. Not so in this case! Beam Suntory, one of the world’s most important drinks companies, is in a unique position through ownership of two of the most important brands in two of the hottest categories in the spirits world – bourbon and Japanese whisky. A quick coating of your glass with Legent and you’ll fill the room (or cubicle in my case) with robust cinnamon, sweet dried fruits, caramel, candied popcorn, vanilla, and a smooth sense of calm. The 47% ABV is just perfection for sipping neat. The judicious use of sherry and red wine casks on only a fraction of the whisky adds complexity without overpowering the inherent bourbon-ness of the spirit. Just as you’d expect from Beam and Suntory bringing their great whisky heads together – incredible Kentucky bourbon in the elegant and sophisticated Japanese profile. A home-run hit with a cool concept and perfect execution.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 18, 2019

Generally “innovative” in the bourbon industry is a shield word for an experiment gone wrong. Not so in this case! Beam Suntory, one of the world’s most important drinks companies, is in a unique position through ownership of two of the most important brands in two of the hottest categories in the spirits world – bourbon and Japanese whisky. A quick coating of your glass with Legent and you’ll fill the room (or cubicle in my case) with robust cinnamon, sweet dried fruits, caramel, candied popcorn, vanilla, and a smooth sense of calm. The 47% ABV is just perfection for sipping neat. The judicious use of sherry and red wine casks on only a fraction of the whisky adds complexity without overpowering the inherent bourbon-ness of the spirit. Just as you’d expect from Beam and Suntory bringing their great whisky heads together – incredible Kentucky bourbon in the elegant and sophisticated Japanese profile. A home-run hit with a cool concept and perfect execution.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 26, 2019

The power of suggestion can be extremely influential, so when I heard about this new Beam Suntory project, of course I had predetermined thoughts on what it might taste like. A bourbon blended by a Japanese blender, like a beautiful Venn Diagram combining the flavors of bourbon with the preferences of a Japanese palate. It’s two worlds I thought would never cross, but they did. And it works. On the nose, you get the big, expressive aspects of bourbon with red cherries, candy corn, and dried plums, but then there’s a sherry and marzipan note that kicks in and is reminiscent of an older scotch. The palate has a silky smooth texture with wood tannins drying out at the end. Notes of dried orchard fruits mingle with cocoa powder and orange blossom honey. There’s a soft elegance throughout the dram that captures (in my mind) what people want and look for in a good Japanese whisky. As a huge fan of both Japanese and American whiskies, I can say this one absolutely did not disappoint.

The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE.

http://bit.ly/2WzKltb

Happy 4th of July to our friends in the United States of America!

Barton 1792 Distillery Introduces

12 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon 

Limited Edition Bourbon will be Available Next (July) Month  

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (June 27, 2019) – Barton 1792 Distillery unveils the latest in its line of limited edition releases, 1792 Aged Twelve Years. Using the same rye recipe as its flagship 1792 Small Batch Bourbon, the Aged Twelve Years expression is 96.6 proof.

            Master Distiller Danny Kahn describes the newest offering as, “Super-complex up front aromas. The first thing that hits the palate is a subtle but rich sweetness.  It is full, slightly creamy, with a hint of pleasant spice that settles on the tongue. At the end, there is a touch of oaky smokiness that rounds out the aromas. The subtle smokiness of the oak married to the slightly spicy rye flavors and the complex aromas are a nod to what one should expect from a well-matured bourbon. Each time I take it in, I find more and more beautiful interactions!”

The 1792 Aged Twelve Years joins other previous limited edition expressions from 1792 Distillery such as High Rye, Sweet Wheat, Single Barrel, Port Finish, Full Proof and Bottled in Bond Bourbons. The 1792 Aged Twelve Years will be available at retail in July.   One batch of the Aged Twelve Years Bourbon will be released each summer. Suggested retail pricing is $49.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 27 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This whiskey is named for the year Kentucky became a state and is the recent gold medal winner at the 2018 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Opportunity on a Highly Allocated Whisky

We recently received an unbelievable allocation of the immensely popular Hakushu 12 Year Old. The handful of bottles we usually get sell out immediately, with a one-bottle limit per customer. Rarely do we get enough to satisfy a fraction of the demand, much less put out an offer. An excellent foil to Suntory’s Yamazaki 12, the Hakushu offers a similar lightly peated profile but with a distinctly more elegant and graceful approach. Produced at a high-elevation distillery near the Ojira River, this 12 Year Old exudes pure freshness and vitality. Bright citrus tones are accented by notes of honey, jasmine, and subtle peat smoke. A classic Japanese dram, this is a bottling to return to again and again. Demand for Japanese whisky remains at an all-time high, especially for anything with an age statement like this. Load up now, as we probably won’t see anything like this again anytime soon.

Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (limit 12) (750ml) ($109.99)

K&L Notes: Suntory’s Hakushu, known as the “Forest Distillery,” was built in 1973 as a sister distillery to Suntory’s Yamazaki distillery (previously the only Japanese single malt available in the U.S.). The facility is located at a high-elevation site next to the “pristine waters” of the Ojira River, which are used to dilute the whisky itself. Hakushu distillery uses different styles of oak barrel to age their single malt, but mainly Hogshead, which is “suitable to the clear air and cool humid climate,” according to the distillery. The 12-year-old from Hakushu is lightly peated and very delicate in its flavor profile. The light and fruity style of the whisky is quite similar to the Yamazaki 12, but the smoke really makes up for any lack of richness. We’ve seen insane price increases over the last five years on Japanese whisky and inventory getting tighter and tighter, but for a limited time we have Hakushu 12 in stock and available to sell, and at a fraction of the price you’ll see at many other retailers across the country.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 27, 2019

Hakushu has always been my favorite of the Suntory malts. The sweet and elegant malt profile is rounded out beautifully by the gentle peat smoke giving the whisky more body and texture than its brothers. The “forest distillery” also produces a verdant whisky – it feels green and fresh, cool and earthy. Moist peat and cool mint gently hold up the bouquet of flowers and cereal notes. The palate is extremely balanced with pepper and cinnamon playing off of the sweeter grain notes. The smoke is more rich body than intense fire. A long and earthy finish is sweetened by maple syrup and caramel notes that leave a very pleasant aftertaste. With Japanese whisky being so hard to get these days, you have to get while the gettin’ is good.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 27, 2019

This expertly crafted single malt has extraordinary balance for a peaty style and a refreshing, salty lightness that makes me come back for more. I love that this has the smoke and complexity of peat but doesn’t get bogged down with oily heaviness. To the contrary, this is a refreshing whisky that is fantastic to enjoy after a big meal!