TOP PICKS

• Johnnie Walker Blue Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml (Previously $180) ($149.99)
  95 points Wine Enthusiast: “*Top 50 Spirits of 2011* A honey-colored whisky with a spicy, smoky fragrance. The first sip is surprisingly sweet and honeyed, then the smoke gently creeps in like fog at dawn, softly surrounding the edges of the tongue.” (09/2011) K&L Notes: Johnnie Walker Blue Label is crafted from the finest and rarest casks in the producer’s extensive stocks to exemplify the art of blended whiskies. A whisky of power, smoothness, and signature smokiness is the result. Influences from across Scotland are layered in the profile, with the smokiness of the west and the rich, sweet whiskies of the east. (NOTE: This bottle does not ship automatically with the gift packaging. Shipping the gift box as well requires a separate package on the side for an additional fee. Please indicate in the comment field if you would like the box, or call the store to request a separate shipping container.)

• 1985 Talisker 28 Year Old Maritime Edition Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($649.99)
  Here is the new limited release from Talisker. Bottled to commemorate the International Maritime Signal Flag System, used to send messages between ships and shore, this very old cask strength Talisker is sure to be as collectable as it is delicious.

NEW ARRIVALS

• 1989 Bowmore 23 year old “Port Cask Matured” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $700) – 6 available ($599.99)
  This single vintage Bowmore was matured exclusively in Port Casks for a truly unusual and special example of this special distillery. One of the better 80’s Bowmore I’ve tasted without the slightest hint of FWP. Take advantage of some of the New Year’s deals with this special bottle at a very special price.

• Lagavulin 37 Year Old Limited Release Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($2,899.99)
  From the pillar of Islay, this top notch distillate can stand up to an incredible amount of time in the cask, but of course the huge majority is dumped at 16 years of age. We’re lucky to get a few bottles of this ultra old legend. Serge from Whiskyfun.com seemed to like it, “Starts with something fragrant, like some perfumes for men that would include incense and sandalwood, as well as more and more vetiver. Certainly some aniseed and dill as well. Then it’s rather citrus and liquorice wood, then vin jaune or manzanilla (yes, fresh walnuts), a side that never stops growing over time. It’s actually very restless, it never stops changing, which is both fabulous and a drawback if you want to write tasting notes… Aaargh! Also wee touches of paint thinner (high quality paint thinner, of course), creosote, a new box of cigars, various oils and waxes, touches of turpentine, overripe apples, teak oil… Oh and there, it changes again, becoming much more coastal and almost as smoky as a youngster. Bonfire, oysters and such. Phew, this baby really shakes you off! With water: no huge changes, let’s say it became fresher and a wee notch more medicinal. Lemon juice with a few drops of antiseptic. Oh and vetiver, and sandalwood, and seaweed, and… Here we go again! Mouth (neat): the oak feels a bit (astringency) but only for fraction of a second, because lemons, smokes and especially lapsang-souchong tea are soon to come to the rescue…” -94 points

• Oban 21 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($399.99)
  The third limited release Oban ever, after the 20 year and the 32 year, this cask strength bottling is sure to go down as a legend. Only 2860 bottles.
• 1997 Arran 16 Year Old Single Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($124.99)
  Another exquisite cask of sherry-aged single malt from Scotland’s most up-and-coming distillery. This is pure cakebread, big sherry, rich, and decadent juice, all from one single butt and bottled at full proof. Anyone who’s overpaying for Macallan right now should look to Arran for help. This is serious whisky for a reasonable asking price. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

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