Evan Williams 12 Year Old “Red Label” Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml, Japanese Import)

$120.00

The nose is dominated by classic tones of maple and brown sugar with a little bit of praline and toffee to take things even further into opulence. The rich palate conveys honeyed almonds, butterscotch, candied orange peel, and hints of fresh tobacco leaf. At this proof, there is heat to this dram, but the overall intensity of the profile more than stands up to the heat. This is a bottling that any fan of Heaven Hill should have behind their bar, in their cabinet, or stashed away for special friends or special occasions.

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

2025 is off to an impressive start when it comes to awards!  We thought we’d share these stellar award-winning brands to start your weekend off right!

Don’t take our word for it, The Tasting Alliance, Enthusiast Report, and Whisky Advocate all agree that Edition Four of The ImpEx Collection simply doesn’t disappoint!

The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Benrinnes Cask #306532
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Double Gold

The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Dailuaine Cask #312079
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Double Gold
92 Points Whisky Advocate

The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Royal Brackla Cask #110000245
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Gold
94 Points – Whisky Advocate

The ImpEx Collection 2009 14 yo Strathmill Cask #802952
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Double Gold
93 Points – Whisky Advocate

The ImpEx Collection 2015 7 yo Indri Cask #1746
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Double Gold
92 Points Whisky Advocate

The ImpEx Collection 2020 3 yo Pōkeno Cask#20-26
2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Gold, 90 points
2024 International Spirits Competition hosted by Enthusiast Report Magazine – Gold
93 Points – Whisky Advocate

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Laphroaig “Elements L 2.0 – Limited Release” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

$149.99

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

MAKE IT A DOUBLE! KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® CAMPAIGN WINS TWO ICONS OF WHISKY AWARDS  

KENTUCKY TRADITION EARNS GLOBAL RECOGNITION 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The creators behind the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® 25th anniversary international rebranding campaign earned two prestigious Icons of Whisky Awards Thursday evening in Louisville.

The brand launch, led by Nashville-based agency Lewis, landed the agency the acclaimed Advertising Agency of the Year and the Digital Agency recognition at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards – America gala at the historic Brown Hotel.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) created the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program in 1999 to showcase the Commonwealth’s signature spirit. It has since grown into a global bucket-list phenomenon with 60 destinations welcoming more than 2.5 million visitors a year.

KDA President Eric Gregory, who oversaw the first-ever Kentucky Bourbon Trail® brand refresh in 2009, congratulated Lewis and the KDA team on the award and the new campaign that encourages visitors to “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®.”

“We are constantly inspired by the passion and creativity of our partners at Lewis who share our love for America’s only native spirit,” Gregory said. “They designed this project with fresh eyes and boots on the ground, visiting distilleries in every corner of Kentucky.”

In 2024, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® unveiled a complete brand refresh and new digital experience in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic Bourbon destination experience. The refresh blends the history of the Bourbon Trail™ into a new way of enjoying the offerings for Bourbon enthusiasts across generations and geographies.

Colleen Thomas, KDA Vice President of Operations, shared, “For 25 years, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® has offered one-of-a-kind, bucket-list experiences to visitors from across the globe. It’s been an incredible privilege to breathe new life into such an iconic Kentucky tradition in a way that celebrates our roots and our future.”

The award-winning Bourbon Trail™ rebrand features an updated wordmark and color palette that pay homage to the craftsmanship of Bourbon production through a Copper hue and a nod to the Commonwealth’s natural beauty through Kentucky Bluegrass accents.

The new look was accompanied by a new website where visitors can “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®” with digital planning tools at kybourbontrail.com. This feature now allows guests to curate their unique Bourbon journey based on their individual preferences and interests.

“More and more visitors continue to make the pilgrimage to Kentucky, the Birthplace of Bourbon, and it’s not slowing down,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “With dozens of destinations and hundreds of Bourbon experiences, there is now more to see and taste than ever before.

“As the Bourbon Trail™ continues to grow – now boasting 60 locations – our brand continues to reflect the $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse that is Kentucky Bourbon.”

“It was a privilege to collaborate so closely with the KDA to refresh a brand that honors the legacy of Kentucky Bourbon, which will be celebrated for generations to come. We’re thrilled to see the campaign recognized on a global stage during a time when the world has its eyes set on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®,” said Katie Peninger, VP Account Service at Lewis.

The award-winning Kentucky Bourbon Trail® full brand refresh has been recognized numerous times for the modern brand spin that honors the craftsmanship and rich history of Kentucky Bourbon. In 2024, the reimagined Bourbon Trail™ was celebrated at the Kentucky Travel Industry Award Conference where the brand received two Traverse Awards for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism. The Trail™ was also awarded the Best of Business: Marketing Campaign at the 2024 World Beverage Innovation Awards and received a Gold Addy at the AAF Nashville 2025 American Advertising Awards.

In March, the campaign moves on to represent America in London at the World Whisky Awards, competing against winners of the Icons of Whisky Awards hailing from Ireland, Scotland, and dozens of other countries.

Build Your Own Bourbon Trail® at www.kybourbontrail.com

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com. 

We encourage you to explore the scents and sensory experience of The Hearach single malt from a personal point of view but to help things along, here’s our Head Blender’s official tasting notes…|

“ I get a gentle peat smoke on the first sip which reminds me of island home fires burning when I was growing up. It comes along with a toasted maltiness. I can also taste homemade apple sauce and smell machair flowers, particularly white clover which springs up on our west coast every summer. Mixed spices appear, and an old-fashioned sweetness from things like candied ginger, vanilla, and honeycomb. Finally, there’s a long, clotted-cream note, mixed with a lasting sense of new leather. ” 

Shona Macleod, Carragreich, Isle of Harris.|

PEAT SMOKE – APPLE SAUCE – TOASTED MALT – WILDFLOWERS – SPICE – CANDIED SWEETS – CLOTTED CREAM

.MEET THE HEARACH

ORDER YOUR BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH

We are delighted to share that the Glengoyne 25 Year Old has been crowned Best Scotch 2025 by the prestigious Whiskey Wash Awards. This accolade highlights what we have always cherished about this extraordinary dram – its unparalleled craftsmanship and exquisite character.

From over 120 different scotch whiskies reviewed, only 12 earned the coveted Double Gold designation. Yet, it was Glengoyne 25 Year Old, matured for a quarter of a century in hand-selected sherry casks, that emerged as the Best Scotch.

“Scotch whisky doesn’t get any better than this” said industry expert Nino Kilgore-Marchetti. This luxurious dram reveals notes of dried figs, rich chocolate, and butterscotch, with a finish as decadent as its heritage.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this award-winning expression—a true celebration of time, tradition, and unmatched craftsmanship.

Slàinte Mhath,

The Glengoyne Team

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BUY GLENGOYNE 25 YEAR OLD

While the discerning noses on our Tasting Panel approve all our whiskies before they’re bottled, it’s our Whisky Team that select samples for the Panel to try. With so many casks, how do you choose your next bottle? The Whisky Team’s Julien Willems, Whisky Quality Manager is here with Panel favourites from this month’s last drops. All of these bottles are very low in stock – so get them while they’re still here!

ALL LAST DROPS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Blended Scotch The Fiddichside (Glenfiddich) 35 Year Old 1989 Murray McDavid Mission Gold

Experience the pinnacle of whisky artistry with The Fiddichside 35 Year Old 1989, a rare and exquisite blended malt Scotch whisky bottled by the esteemed independent bottler Murray McDavid as part of their prestigious Mission Gold series. This exceptional expression pays homage to the rich heritage of Speyside whiskies, predominantly featuring malts from the iconic Glenfiddich distillery, renowned for its quality and craftsmanship.

Distilled in 1989, this whisky has been meticulously matured over 35 years, undergoing a complex maturation journey that enhances its depth and character. Initially aged in traditional oak casks, it was then transferred into a combination of three Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, which impart rich notes of dried fruits, nuts, and sweet spices.

To elevate its sophistication, the whisky received a final finish in Pauillac wine casks from the illustrious Bordeaux region of France, adding layers of dark berries, subtle tannins, and a hint of earthy elegance.

£196.28 GBP

A Prized Scotch Discovery
Edradour 12 Year Old “Caledonia” Single Malt Whisky

(700ml) (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $100) ($59.99)

“An excellent price on this hard-to-find whisky.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

This prized bottle from Scotland’s tiny Edradour distillery is named after musician Dougie MacLean’s ‘Caledonia’ guitar. MacLean visited in 2009 to help select the first cask and participate in the bottling, and the results are as harmonious as expected. With only three men working, Edradour produces about 12 casks a week, barely meeting demand. The 12-year-old expression takes things to new heights, and is unchillfiltered, with a rich nose of oak and dried fruits. A great addition to the Edradour lineup, scarce in California for years, and now back in stock at an incredible price—only at K&L!

Edradour 12 Year Old “Caledonia” Single Malt Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $100) ($59.99)

This product is estimated to be available by 03/16/2025.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2025

The fantastic yet surprisingly hard-to-find 12-year-old version of Edradour is a hand-selected collaboration with the wonderful Scottish musician Dougie MacLean. He explains the inspiration behind the famous song for which this whisky is named: “I wrote Caledonia in 1977 on a beach in Brittany, France, when I was genuinely homesick for Scotland. My life has always been based in Perthshire. For me, the location of Edradour, with its neat cluster of whitewashed buildings, traditional equipment, and ancient methods of making single malt whisky, combined with its state-of-the-art bottling facility, typifies Caledonia.”

It’s great to see Dougie MacLean join forces with Andrew Symington and the Edradour Distillery to bring you this wonderfully rich and complex 12-year-old single malt. According to Signatory, the musician still has a hand in selecting the single casks for each bottling of Caledonia. The whisky starts with 8 years in first-fill bourbon barrels before a 4-5 year secondary maturation in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. Bottled without chill-filtration at 46%, this full-flavored Edradour offers a playful freshness, unlike the more serious and hard-edged 10-year-old sherry expression. We have an excellent price on this hard-to-find whisky.

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

GLENFIDDICH PARTNERS WITH ANDRÉ SARAVIA TO UNVEIL GRAND CHÂTEAU

5 September 2024: Glenfiddich, the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky*, has collaborated with French artist André Saraiva to launch Grand Château, its newest limited edition in the Grand Series. Saravia, an internationally renowned artist who has previously collaborated with global luxury brands, has worked with Glenfiddich to visualise the Grand Château world. From the 250 limited-edition packaging to campaign visuals, he has taken inspiration from the exquisite liquid and collision of two cultures.

Widely recognised as a genre-defining artist, André was responsible for a significant turning point in the history of street art, when he introduced his cheerful, top-hatted stick figure, and now iconic ‘Mr.A’ into his work. As the first graffiti artist to paint a character in place of the traditional tag name, he quickly became known as Paris’ most active street artist. This collaboration further reinforces Glenfiddich’s long standing history and commitment to supporting the arts, be that through collaborations with established artists or by inviting up-and-coming artists to its distillery to create artworks inspired by the surroundings.

Glenfiddich Grand Château is a 31 Year Old whisky and the first release by the distillery to use Bordeaux red wine casks. The liquid has been matured in American oak before being finished for an extended nine years in Bordeaux red wine casks from the French wine-growing region. The nine year finish adds layer upon layer of new and unexpected flavour. Indulgent and rich, caramelised cherry and apple intertwines with warming spice and toasted oak; an opulent, yet earthy liquid that’s fruity and at the same time floral. This liquid tells the tale of two worlds, drawing inspiration and character from both, to create one exceptional liquid.

It is this unexpected marriage of Speyside with Bordeaux that has provided the inspiration for Saravia’s artwork for the packaging, Saraiva has juxtaposed a traditional Toile de jouy print and used it as a canvas on which he has applied his signature motifs and style, disrupting the art form. The extremely limited-edition outer casings feature Saraiva’s signature ‘Mr.A’ character–a figure that has traveled the world from the streets of Paris to New York, Shenzhen, London and Seoul, and within this design can be seen playfully selecting the extended Bordeaux  red wine cask finished whisky at Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland.  The artist’s 250 limited edition and the wider release will feature a bright and bold watercolour print by Saravia on the inside of the box.

On the collaboration André Saraiva comments:

“When Glenfiddich asked me (and Mr.A) to work with them it felt like a perfect match. I am a lover of whisky and the connection to France with this bespoke liquid allowed for a huge amount of creativity. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful land of Scotland where I was able to truly experience the history and heritage, the people, the inspiring surroundings and taste Glenfiddich. These unique adventures are reflected in my drawings and art for my collaboration with Glenfiddich.”

Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich Malt Master said:

“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit. Nine years spent cocooned in Bordeaux red wine casks results in an exceptionally vibrant liquid which intensifies Glenfiddich’s classic fruity character balanced somewhat unusually with notes of deep oak and warming vanilla. Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux  red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”

Grand Château is the latest addition to the Grand series, which includes Grand Yozakura, a limited edition 29 Year Old whisky and the first Single Malt Scotch Whisky to be finished in rare ex-Awamori casks; Grande Couronne, a 26 Year Old Scotch Whisky matured in American and European oak casks finished for up to two years in meticulously sourced French Cognac casks; Glenfiddich Grand Cru, aged for 23 years in American and European oak casks and then finessed in French Cuvée oak casks; Gran Cortes, a refined Glenfiddich whisky aged for 22 years in traditional Sherry oak before finishing in very rare Palo Cortado Sherry casks, only available in Asia and Glenfiddich Gran Reserva, patiently mellowed for 21 years in European and American Oak casks before a final flourish in Caribbean Rum casks.

Grand Château descriptors:

Nose: Warm cocooning vanilla slowly unveils fruity, floral notes of beautifully ripe cassis berries, and piquant nutty aromas

Taste: Indulgent and rich, flavours of slowly caramelised cherries and apples intertwine with an unmistakable warming spice and toasted oak

Finish: Everlasting depth and character

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS HERE WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL DATE AND IS PUBLISHED AS A MATTER OF INTEREST