Unbelievable Savings On Single Malt of Uncompromising Quality

2002 Dailuaine 14 Year Old “Old Particular K&L Exclusive” Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

($59.99)

“Is it too early in 2017 to call this the single malt deal of the year?” – David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

While the dollar has made serious headway against the pound over the last year, there are few retailers in a position to pass along that currency savings to their customers; namely, because few other than K&L are buying their Scotch directly. In the wake of Brexit and the increased buying power we’ve experienced since the initial vote took place, we’ve been able to offer serious single malt selections for some prices that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. While we thought our capacity to bring sherry-matured joy to the masses had peaked this past December when we offered a 9 year old cask strength barrel of Dailuaine for a mere $49.99, it appears the whisky gods intend to smile upon us for just a bit longer.

We managed to track down an even older version of the same whisky—a 14 year old sherry-matured Dailuaine—for only ten dollars more! Given the market for sherry-aged, cask strength whisky of this maturity, one might expect a whisky of this magnitude and quality to approach three figures. Yet, due to our relationship with Old Particular and the fact that we’re going directly to the source, we’ve passed along the savings in currency to you. Expect to see a number of great deals as we move forward in 2017, but few as enticing as this one. Is it too early in 2017 to call this the single malt deal of the year?

2002 Dailuaine 14 Year Old “Old Particular K&L Exclusive” Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

This past December we thought we’d uncovered the deal of a lifetime when we were able to sell a 9-year-old sherry butt of Dailuaine at cask strength for $49.99 thanks to the improved Brexit dollar-to-pound ratio. Now, however, with a new shipment of Old Particular single-cask selections upon us, we may have a new contender. The only thing possibly better than 9-year-old, cask-strength, sherry-matured single-malt whisky for $49.99 is a 14-year-old version of that same whisky for a mere ten dollars more! Dailuaine is one of Diageo’s classically styled Highland whiskies used primarily for Johnnie Walker, but we’ve found over the years that the malt drinks pretty well on its own. Much like the 9-year-old edition, this version was aged in a refill butt, meaning the sherry influence isn’t quite as overpowering. In this case, it works in conjunction with the creamy malt flavors of the whisky itself. It starts with notes of dark chocolate and spiced nuts before moving forward into cakebread and flavors of sticky figs and syrup. The nose is a pure essence of caramel, and the finish dances with cocoa and candied ginger. After years of finding the best single casks of whisky Scotland has to offer, there are few hidden gems for us in today’s market. There’s really not much left we can accomplish other than to provide better pricing. The dollar-to-pound ratio has significantly upped our quality-to-value ratio, and it’s very possible we’re still far from peaking on that front.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017

Let’s be clear: sherry-aged cask strength whisky is in incredibly high demand. In fact, it’s so popular that prices for whiskies in that style have gone way, way up, completely changing the idea of “value” when it comes to Scotch. With this cask of Dailuaine 14 year, however, we’ve outdone ourselves once again. Not so much with the selection, mind you. Anyone who tastes this whisky can tell it’s absolutely delicious. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. It’s brimming with sweet sherry flavors, a creamy mid-palate, and loads of baking spice on the finish. The real accomplishment here is the price. We’ve managed to offer a single barrel, cask strength, sherry-matured Highland whisky for less than what a standard market, water-reduced, general offering would normally cost! The Arran 14 year sherry cask edition is a hundred bucks!! That’s probably the closest comparison on the market right now. Yet, this Dailuaine is better.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017

This is my first taste of Dailuaine, but I know it will not be my last! This came from one special Sherry butt that yielded 602 bottles, and has the creamy richness and rancio complexity that one would expect from a 14 year old aged in sherry cask. I enjoyed it most with a good splash of water, which opened up the whisky and added layers that the fire of the cask strength hid at first. When David told me the price, I could not believe it… Nothing comes close to this quality in well-aged sherry cask malt even at double the price. Time to make room in the liquor cabinet!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017

Sweet, rich, pretty, and powerful. The nose packs a wallop — it’s jammed full of baking spices, dried fruits, marmalade, sherry’s salty and sweet complexity, a little bit of baked apples and warm bread. Not to mention that it brings the heat. On the palate it is warm and rich, full of love and doubles up on the nose profile, but adds a small amount of cocoa that really shines when you add a little water. I loved the 9 year we had before the holidays, but this is, no joke, leaps and bounds ahead. For only $10 bucks more, it’s a true no brainer.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017

Great Scotch thats loaded with integrated flavors, complexity and richness. The extended time in sherry cask imparts a broad, creamy butterscotch core with nuanced flavors of toffee, orange marmalade and a little cocoa. Even at cask strength it is inviting and pleasant, and a small addition of water makes it more so, opening up the flavors quite a bit. Great Scotch priced well below its class!

Sal Rodriguez | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017

We enjoy getting worked up about some great Scotch, if you haven’t noticed. Here is one such Scotch. Rich, powerful, and expressive! There’s no shortage of minerality and sherry butt influence here. If you’re a fan of spicy, rich, flavorful, toasted maple, then this is your next bottle. And at about 50 bucks, this can easily be your nightly “go-to” bottle of Scotch. Act now, ’cause this is another bottle that’s sure to go quickly.

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