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One-of-a-Kind, Limited-Edition Bourbon at Best Pricing
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma Triple Finish Series No. 19 Wine & Brandy Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon
“…a thought-provoking whiskey that tastes excellent and is the perfect combination of new flavors/feels without straying too far from a classic bourbon profile.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

One of the most intriguing bourbon profiles we’ve seen recently comes from the visionary pioneers at Woodford Reserve. The 19th edition of their Master’s Reserve is a master class in blending skill, utilizing three different barrel profiles to create one of the most harmonious and artfully constructed wine cask-finished bourbons on the market. Adding to the appeal, our spirits team worked out a superb deal that brings it to you at the best available price.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma Triple Finish Series No. 19 Wine & Brandy Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml) (Elsewhere $195) ($134.99)

K&L Notes: In 2004, with the launch of Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection, Woodford stepped squarely into the era of ‘whiskey innovation.’ That first release was a four-grain whiskey. Some of the innovations, like four-grain mashbills, have become staples in the whiskey landscape, while others have turned out to truly be one-offs, but the one commonality with Woodford’s releases is they’re all incredibly well done. While most releases focus on the impact of one specific thing, like an unusual mashbill or a new type of barrel finish, the latest release, No. 19 in the series, combines multiple previous innovations into one cohesive blend. Blending is the true heart of the artistic side of whiskey making. It’s the human touch that cannot be easily outsourced to complex chemistry equipment and technical distlling specs. It is where the Master’s Collection—and Elizabeth McCall (the Master Distiller for Woodford)—shine brightest. The blending skills at Woodford differentiate these releases from many of the craft whiskey innovations we’ve seen over the last 20 years. This release perfects the marriage of red fruit with bourbon in a way that many have tried before, but it succeeds where others have muddled through. The formal regimen is a mouthful: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon that has been finished in Sonoma County Pinot Noir, brandy, and former bourbon barrels used to age red wine. Fortuantely, the whiskey itself is also a mouthful, in the best way possible.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 09, 2024

The latest Master’s Collection not only avoids the pitfalls of wine cask-finished whiskey, it excels where so many fail. While many can become overly tannic and wind up a disjointed array of fruit and whiskey notes thoughtlessly mushed together, here we have impeccable balance and harmony. The key, I believe, lies in the careful blending of similar but different wood/wine/whiskey profiles rather than hoping a single wine cask will just get lucky and work. The brandy barrels in particular provide a bridge between grape and grain that allows the Pinot barrels and the bourbon/wine cask to come together. Let’s taste. At first blush, I was nervous as a blast of red fruits came jumping out of the glass. With a few extra minutes to open up, the incredible spice, caramel, and vanilla that wrap around those red fruits caught up and provided the structure on which the tart Pinot Noir red fruits could really shine. With a proper undertone of classic bourbon notes, the elusive red cherry aromas really pop and feel like they come out of the bourbon itself, not the wine cask—a sign of harmonious integration. Freshly dried vanilla pod, warm caramel, and sweet ground cinnamon bark play peacefully with a little tropical pineapple and toasted coconut that really make this bourbon stand out in a good way from the others on my shelf. On the palate, it’s texturally dusty, feeling old and proper, but flavor-wise it is a fun mix of youthful and mature—lithe fruit bounces over deep oaky notes. Vanilla pudding and cigar box meet in the middle. The ABV, a seemingly low 45.2%, is actually perfect as it allows the wine tannins enough room to provide grip without overtaking the whole profile. The finish is lengthy due to that tannin, feeling more like a fine wine finish than a bourbon finish, but hinting at sweet corn. This unusual barrel regimen gets a 10/10 for execution in my book. The end result is a thought-provoking whiskey that tastes excellent and is the perfect combination of new flavors/feels without straying too far from a classic bourbon profile.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Year of the Dragon

£220

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Celebrate Lunar New Year in style with a limited-edition whisky. Made in collaboration with contemporary artists from China and beyond, the bottles and their packaging feature vibrant and distinctive designs of the 2024 zodiac: the wood dragon.

Dailuaine 2012 11 Year Old
Year of the Dragon

£89.95

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Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
Chinese New Year 2024

£199

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We’ve welcomed luxury spirits from Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker and Courvoisier, as well as an independent bottling from Douglas Laing’s Xtra Old Particular series: a 35-year-old sherried Bunnahabhain. Discover more one-of-a-kind whiskies to welcome the Year of the Dragon, curated by our buying director Dawn Davies MW.

Bunnahabhain 1988 35 Year Old
XOP Year of the Dragon

£510

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Gleann Mòr A Rare Find Glenlossie 30 Year Old

£399.99

Bottling Notes:

Single cask bottling from Gleann Mòr Rare Find range of a 30 year old Glenlossie 1992. An exceptionally well balanced whisky, this Speyside Single Cask release, like many of this age, has been matured in a refill Hogshead, allowing the fruity flavour of Glenlossie spirit to age slowly and patiently into this wonderful expression.

Distilled: 1992 Bottled 2023

Cask: #3501

Limited: 272

Non Chill Filtered  | Natural Colour | Cask Strength

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Crisp green apple and cut grass.

Palate: Golden syrup, buttered bread, lychee and breakfast tea.

Finish: Medium dry finish with a touch of white pepper.

55.2% ABV

The Good Dram Show – Episode 539 ‘Lady of the Glen’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some releases from Hannah Whisky Merchants in their Lady of the Glen Range. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum. Episode 538 – Clearing Out The Notebook…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Lady of the Glen ‘Rare Cask’ Knockdhu 2012 (10 year old) 58.2%

Lady of the Glen ‘Rare Cask’ Blair Athol 2013 (10 year old) 57.7%

Lady of the Glen ‘Rare Cask’ Teaninich 2010 (13 year old) 58%

Lady of the Glen ‘Rare Cask’ Dailuaine 2013 (10 year old) 59%

Lady of the Glen Rare Cask Dufftown 2008 (13 year old) 54.7%

Lady of the Glen ‘Rare Cask’ Caol Ila 2013 (10 year old) 56.7%

Lady of the Glen

Johnnie Walker partners with James Jean for Lunar New Year

New Johnnie Walker Blue Label Limited Edition Design is created by one of the worlds’ most influential visual artists, James Jean

Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch Whisky[1], today announces an intricate new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Limited Edition Design created by one of the most influential visual artists in the world, Asian-American artist James Jean.

The vivid design for the Year of the Dragon features an innovative and dynamic interpretation of 2024’s Zodiac animal, the noble Wood Dragon. Regarded by many as the mightiest of all the Zodiac animals, the dragon is symbolic of life and creativity as well as a portent of future prosperity in traditional Asian culture, echoing the defiant optimism of the Johnnie Walker motto, Keep Walking. In James’ layered illustrations the evergreen Wood Dragon springs from bountiful flora and fauna, and bursts to life with auspicious ambition.

Renowned for his ability to work across different genres with an imaginative and multifaceted approach to image making, James fuses contemporary subjects with aesthetic techniques inspired by traditional Chinese scroll paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, and Renaissance portraiture.

Recently James worked closely with a number of Hollywood directors on promotional posters for several award-winning high-profile films.

James, who was born in Taipei and raised in New Jersey and attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, says: “With Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year, we wanted to create a dragon that felt different, new and innovative – respect for the past but also looking into the future with optimism; in the same way that Johnnie Walker stands for progress through that incredible Keep Walking spirit.”

“The Year of the Dragon is rich in symbolism and tradition in Asia. Many consider the dragon the most powerful animal in the Chinese Zodiac and the Wood Dragon felt remarkably close to me because of the natural elements prevalent in my own work. Evolved from traditional depictions of Chinese dragons, my dragon is composed of flowers and organic elements, from which emerge tendrils and arcing lines, evoking the idea of roots and connection.”

James, who currently lives in Los Angeles, sought inspiration for his designs from the layers of incredible flavour that Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker and her team bring to Johnnie Walker Blue Label – a whisky made using some of the rarest whiskies from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch, including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.

“There are hidden elements in the picture as well – layers to be discovered, just like the layers in this incredible whisky. I included chrysanthemums, from which flow liquid gold – inspired by Johnnie Walker whiskies – and hummingbirds sipping on the precious nectar. I want the viewer to peel back the layers and discover more about the image. I want my work to function from far away but reveal more details the more closely you explore the imagery.”

Johnnie Walker Global Marketing and Innovation Director, Joao Matos, adds: “James Jean’s remarkable interpretation of the Wood Dragon for Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year captures the essence of tradition and innovation. Just as Johnnie Walker embodies progress with our ‘Keep Walking’ spirit, James has beautifully blended respect for the past with an optimistic look towards the future. His dragon, crafted from flowers and organic elements, is a symbol of the power of creativity and connection. We’re thrilled to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with this exquisite, limited edition design.”

James Jean also designed incredible artwork for the Lunar New Year John Walker & Sons XR 21 limited edition design. All Johnnie Walker Lunar New Year limited edition designs are available in selected markets globally.

[1] IWSR 2022

The Ultimate Whisky Gift

Wolfcraig Luxury Collection

At Wolfcraig we are constantly searching for that new and innovative experience to further our Scotch Whisky appreciation, enjoyment and knowledge. Take yourself or a fellow connoisseur on their next steps with the opulence of the full Wolfcraig series.The Wolfcraig Luxury Collection re-imagines the traditional whisky miniature with a sustainable and modern approach, placing whisky pouches inside recyclable card sleeves.Simply slide out the whisky pouch from the sleeve, cut the corner and pour a large dram that you won’t want to end.

Shop the Wolfcraig Luxury Collection as seen being held by Richard

Rare Value

The collective bottle cost inside the Wolfcraig Luxury Collection is over £850, containing incredibly aged whisky from two of the industry’s greats.

Enjoy a large 50ml dram of:
Wolfcraig 30 Year Old Premium Blend, Limited Edition First Release
Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend Triple Sherry Cask Finish
Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Blended Grain

Purchase the Wolfcraig Luxury Collection as a special gift today, RRP £65

2009 Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #18600103 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead

Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

“This is a singular cask that offers so much to the drinker in a single bottle. A classic Islay malt that is not to be missed.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Is there any distillery in Scotland bringing us more consistently amazing hits than Bunna? We can’t think of one right now. After a series of truly stunning casks in 2023, the new year starts with a bang in the form of this 14-year-old refill sherry hoggie from the Islay icon. With unparalleled complexity from the first nose all the way through the finish, it belongs on the short list of any serious Scotch afinicionado, no matter what your stylistic preferences are.

K&L Exclusive: An Islay Icon Hits a Grand Slam

2009 Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #18600103 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

($149.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 09, 2024

While I love a sherry bomb if I’m in the right mood or a first-fill bourbon cask when I want something punchy yet sweet, it is the classic, refill sherry hogshead that has my true heart. When you get an active one such as this impeccable Bunna cask, it’s irresistible. Bunnahabhain’s soft peat smoke and succulent fruits meld perfectly with the raisin and berry compote and nuttiness of the pristine sherry barrel. The individual salt notes, sea spray from the whisky, salt rocks from the sherry, blend in perfect harmony to support the entire profile. Golden straw at the edges and deep red copper in the core, the color is beautiful. The aromas start with grilled peaches and move into expressed citrus oil and a small sugar cane grass fire. Tempering dark chocolate and lemon icing work together in unexpected ways. Raw peat, freshly cut, brings an earthiness that binds to the sweet spices of the barrel—nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and cracked pepper of the oak itself. This is a dram that is hard to move past the nose because it’s so intriguing. When you do convince yourself to taste it, the tempest rages. You feel wrapped in a dizzying array of flavors. Sweet, salty, fruity, nutty, smoky, earthy, herbal, it has it all. Chocolate-dipped, dark cherries topped with fleur de sel. Maple glazed almonds. Abba-zaba candy. Unlit cigar, fresh from the humidor. It’s a trip in every sip. At 55.3% ABV, it is the epitome of easy drinking. With a few drops of water more herbal notes are released on the nose, but the palate leans into the sweet nuts, more creamy peanut butter than herbal walnut or almond. The smoke fades more into a background cloak rather than an upfront screen. This is a singular cask that offers so much to the drinker in a single bottle. A classic Islay malt that is not to be missed.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

ralfy review 1010 – Arran 10yo @46%vol: (OSWA winner 2023)