Special Announcement:
K&L Temporarily Closing All Retail Locations

K&L Friends and Customers,

We would like to announce the following steps that we are taking in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the community. The well-being of our staff, customers, and the community remain our top priority, and we will continue to adapt and adjust these measures due to the evolving circumstances.

• Effective immediately, we have closed walk-in retail business at the stores until further notice. We plan to remain open online at www.KLWines.com and via phone at 800-247-5987
• We continue to have a delivery option available in all the zip codes where we are lawfully allowed to ship.
• Will call pickups are paused temporarily until further notice. We will hold will call orders on your behalf, but we would suggest you have them delivered to you through our online tools or postpone pick-up until a later date. K&L will not be handing off will call orders at the stores until we can determine an orderly method of distributing them while still acting in a way that considers the county, state and federal guidelines on social distancing.
• Cleaning and safety measures are taking place at all the locations to help protect and support our staff members and the community.

Thanks for your understanding during this difficult period. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the virus. We will continue to keep you updated.

Sincerely,

The K&L Team

From the sun kissed and occasionally wind swept coasts of Melbourne, we present, Starward! A distillery proud of its locality and heritage of the wine making in the area. Two Fold is a wheat influenced malt whisky – distilled and ageing two separate spirits in wine casks, vatting together at the end of their maturation cycles to create Makers Mark but from Melbourne? If you’re an experimenter with whisky and enjoy something different, look no further! Cheers!

https://youtu.be/zU2Xzqq2mt8

JAMESON TAKES ST. PATRICK’S DAY TO NEW HEIGHTS

AT THE WORLD’S HIGHEST IRISH BAR 

Jameson Irish Whiskey, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, could be the drink of choice this St Patrick’s Day, at the world’s highest Irish bar.

Taking the Irish tradition to new heights, Jameson set out with a group of adventurous Jameson fans to make sure the world’s most remote Irish pub in Nepal has everything it needs to pull off an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish Pub at Namche Bazaar is located at a breath-taking 3,440m above sea level, in the Himalayan Mountains. The last stop before Everest base camp, this welcoming spot is the embodiment of true Irish spirit, as adventurers settle in and share their travel stories over a well-earned drink.

Pictured here: a group of Jameson fans at The Irish Pub, whose expedition to the Himalayas was part of a larger “Join In” campaign by the world’s favourite Irish whiskey.

NOTES 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Uncovering the turbulent history of Irish Whiskey this St. Patrick’s Day

by Irish whiskey expert Jay Bradley, founder of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Whiskey & Wealth Club

With the Emerald Isle’s St Patrick’s Day on the not-too-distant horizon, thoughts inevitably turn to iconic festivities to be enjoyed. For many this involves toasting a taoscán of Irish whiskey.

The day and drink are synonymous with each other. It is said St. Patrick himself, when short-changed on a shot of whiskey, berated a local innkeeper. Declaring his cellar possessed by a devil that fed off his dishonesty. Returning later he found the innkeeper filling every glass to the brim with whiskey after vowing to change his ways.

Cut to today, the Irish whiskey industry is on the up. With the number of distilleries across the country hitting a 120-year high in 2019 and sales expected to grow to 14 million cases this year. It is also gaining global recognition, with an Irish whiskey winning the highly coveted accolade of the world’s best single malt last year.

This comeback comes after a turbulent twentieth century which saw Irish whiskey fall from grace, losing 99% of its market share. Going from the biggest selling spirit globally to near collapse. Production went from 12 million cases to less than 100,000.

The industry, however, has since picked itself up and like the phoenix is rising from the ashes and beginning to spread its wings on a global scale.

The fall

Irish whiskey sailed into what turned out to be a perfect storm of disasters and shocks, which brought the industry crashing down to its knees. Back in 1914, Ireland was under British rule and the First World War broke out on the continent. To help the war effort, barley, crucial to making Irish whiskey was re-directed from distilleries to support the war effort and feed soldiers on the western front. This was coupled with the fact that German U-boats were patrolling the waters around the British Isles, making it far too dangerous for global exports.

It doesn’t stop there, during the First World War, the Easter Rising led to many large Dublin distilleries closing as they were taken over by rebel forces. After the war, production and exports were able to continue. Then in 1919 came the Irish War of Independence.

Just as things couldn’t get worse for the industry prohibition came into force in the US. Shutting off one of the major markets for Irish whiskey. Looking to make headway in the global market, the British then offered a parting gift to the new Irish Free State. Banning exports of Irish whiskey to the Commonwealth, eliminating much of what was left of the global market. In turn allowing Scotch whisky to flourish. 

Then there were four 

After all this turmoil, only four distillers survived (John Jameson, John Powers, Cork Distillers and Bushmills). Hundreds had gone bankrupt.

The remaining four Irish distilleries stayed local and avoided going global again and so, not actively challenging to reclaim the lost global market share. Merging the remaining few distilleries in Ireland, into Irish Distillers (IDL) created a monopoly for over three decades. This gave them total control of every single drop of whiskey produced across all of Ireland. Production remained grow to two million cases per year by the late 1980s.

Back to prominence 

The Irish whiskey industry slowly began to build its way back up when Pernod Ricard bought IDL in 1988. The new owners were eager to expand and invested in on the ground salespeople that helped boost the Irish whiskey market by double digits annually. 

The Irish whiskey industry is now primed to continue its growth to help reclaim much of its lost market share. As demand rises amongst consumers. With drinkers increasingly choosing whiskey as their spirit of choice.

I’ve always thought of Irish whiskey as liquid gold, and so it is great to see consumers and investors around the world turn their heads to it.

 Long may this continue, for should it disappear St Patrick’s day in the future would be a diminished spectacle: for the loss of one of its most iconic elements, which should always be served in a full measure!

Sláinte!

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As one of two countries with a very real claim to the invention of whisk(e)y, Ireland is, perhaps, unfairly overlooked by many whisk(e)y drinkers.

After the Irish whiskey industry fell on hard times in the first half of the 20th century, only two Irish whiskey distilleries remained operational, carrying the torch for Irish whiskey and coaxing its smouldering embers into the roaring success it is today.

This success is visible through the ever-increasing number of great Irish whiskeys available, which are produced by active distilleries, nascent distilleries and bottlers in a variety of styles. Explore the vibrant world of Irish whiskey below, and take a moment to read a blog post from Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of The Whisky Exchange, to hear about his own love affair with Irish whiskey.

SHOP IRISH WHISKEY                    READ SUKHINDER”S BLOG POST

SINGLE MALT VS. SINGLE POT STILL

Two very distinct styles of whiskey – one has become commoditised all over the world, while the other has become the darling of Irish spirits. Both, however, have pedigree on the Emerald Isle.

SINGLE MALT

Single malt is made in the same way in Ireland as it is in Scotland, though to this day – for how much longer, we can’t be sure – Bushmills remains the only distillery with warehouses full of its own well-aged single malt Irish whiskey, and the distillery does a roaring trade with fledgling distilleries and indie bottlers for its mature stocks, which go back decades.

SHOP IRISH SINGLE MALT

SINGLE POT STILL

Single pot still whiskey, on the other hand, has become Irish whiskey’s call-sign. Made with a blend of malted and unmalted barley – although small amounts of wheat and oats, among others, are also permitted – the resulting spirit tends to be round and full-bodied, sweet, spicier than single malt, and notable for its often pronounced orchard- and tropical-fruit notes.

SHOP POT STILL WHISKEY

DISTILLERIES VS. BOTTLERS

With Irish whiskey’s burgeoning popularity, it’s no surprise that there’s a veritable flood of people looking to get in on the game – made all the more apparent by the the flocks of fresh bottles that have hit shelves in recent years.

Distilling and maturing spirit is a pursuit for the patient, though – as with Scotch whisky, Ireland requires a minimum of three years of aging in casks before the liquid can be called whiskey.

As such, some start-up distilleries might make gin, vodka and other spirits to cover costs while they work toward that threshold, but just as many others are keen to build their brand and bottle the good stuff while they wait.

To do this, young distilleries often bottle whiskey by buying casks from older, more established distilleries – a practise of which there is a long tradition in Ireland, where individual merchants have a history of buying casks from distilleries before blending and bottling their own, bespoke whiskies.

EXPLORE IRISH WHISKEY

Whisky Ramblings 301: West Cork 12 Year Old Port Cask Finish

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, tries an Irish single malt. The Irish West Cork Distillery Company was founded in 2003, but the first years were spent distilling in a shed with two small stills bought from a Swiss schnapps distillery. Since 2014 they moved to larger premises in Skibbereen. The 12 Year Old Port Cask Finish matured on bourbon barrels before it spent a few months on port casks.

https://youtu.be/jtgLQNEQ5tw

#ardbeg #untamed #islay #mickeyheads 

BIG BOOTS TO FILL AS ARDBEG BEGIN THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER

< Mickey Heads announces his retirement and steps down after 13 years at the helm. The search for a new manager to fill his shoes begins… >

In October 2020, Mickey Heads will retire as Ardbeg Distillery Manager after 13 years in the role.

During Mickey’s time, he has played a part in the spectacular growth of the Ardbeg brand while maintaining the impeccable quality of the whisky. He has also acted as Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee, the brand’s loyal following of fans across the world – a position he will retain for the next three years. Having led eight Ardbeg Days to date, the Distillery is delighted to have him as their Committee Chairman for three more – especially as Ardbeg Day 2020 will toast to the 20^th Anniversary of the Committee.

Nevertheless, the production of the ultimate single malt stops for no one. The search for a new Ardbeg Distillery Production Manager – a dream job for an experienced Distiller with a passion for smoky whisky – is now well and truly underway.

Mickey spent his whole working life on Islay and Jura and joined Ardbeg as Distillery Manager in 2007. In his time, he oversaw 107,700 casks of spirit, and helped Ardbeg pick up more Whisky of the Year and Distillery of the Year awards than any manager before him – quite the legacy. It’s safe to say that he’s more than earned his retirement.

Mickey Heads said: “Being at the helm of Ardbeg for 13 years has been a great privilege. The whisky we make here is of wonderful quality, and being part of the team that creates it is fantastic. Ardbeg has such a long history, I’ve always seen myself as a custodian carrying it forward for the next generation. So, you just do it as well as you can, and with as much passion as you can.”

Thomas Moradpour, CEO of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “Mickey Heads is a hugely respected figure in the world of single malt whisky and will be sorely missed by Ardbeggians everywhere. There cannot be many Distillery Managers who combine such a wealth of knowledge, depth of passion and warmth of welcome. On behalf of everybody who has had the pleasure of meeting or working with Mickey, I want to express gratitude for all his hard work in maintaining the quality and reputation of the Ardbeg brand. His successor will have a hard act to follow.”

Finding the right person to carry on Mickey’s great work is now a number one priority and Ardbeg look forward to launching a new era for the iconic Islay Distillery. Interested parties can find out more here.

Ardbeg Distillery Production Manager

The Glenmorangie Company Isle of Islay, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

• Employment type

  Full-time

• Job function

  Production

• Industries

  Wine and Spirits