Top Picks
Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Whisky 750ml ($159.99)
92 points Malt Advocate: “Rarely has a blend caused as much excitement as this one, but with good reason. This is also known as the Shackleton whisky, and is a recreation of the whisky abandoned in the Antarctic by explorer Ernest Shackleton more than 100 years ago. It has lemon, spring blossom, and wafts of smoke on the nose. The taste is full and citrusy, with peat and pepper in attendance. Beautifully balanced and outstanding, but there are just 50,000 bottles, so snap it up. ” K&L Notes: Remember that story about the case of frozen whisky discovered in Antarctica a few years back? Well, that case of MacKinlay’s from 1909 has finally been tested, analyzed and re-created in a super-limited, ultra-exclusive bottling! Also known as the Shackleton whisky, named for the man who left it behind in Antarctica. Made from Glen Mhor (the original grain whisky used, no longer in production!) and Dalmore distillates. The result is absolutely fantastic–a blended whisky that scratches the itch of the history buff, but also pleases the casual drinker with rich stone fruits, soft vanilla and a grainy component that almost comes across as smoky. Delicious (while it lasts).
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection “Zinfandel Aged After Six Years” Bourbon 375ml ($199.99)
Back vintage from Buffalo Trace that is impossible to find. Start or complete your collection of some of the world’s most saught after single barrel bourbons every released. This whiskey was bourbon that was aged for six years and three months in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used American Oak Zinfandel barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 14 years old. The expected wine fruitiness is absent in the initial palette, but is replaced with an exciting spiciness. It is not the rye-grain spice normally associated with bourbon, but a grape-vine herbal quality that slides across the tongue and lingers for what seems like forever. This is an epic whiskey with grandeur and grace. Old world quaffing of a vine and field mélange.
New Arrivals
Scotland – Single Malt Scotch
Benriach 15 Year Old Peated Pedro Ximenez Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 12 available ($75.99)
96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: “Heady aromas of dark chocolate, cocoa butter, cream sherry, dates, black raisins and sweet barley malt. Entry tastes include honey wheat bread, prune Danish and lots of honey; by midpalate the taste profile increases, as hardy flavors of marzipan, treacle, blackberry preserves, cherries covered in dark chocolate and orange-flavored chocolates bombard the taste buds. Not to everyone’s taste but I love it.” (07/2008)
1984 Bruichladdich Golder Still Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $275) ($215.99)
An amazing vintage Bruichladdich, brimming with golden fruits, creamy, rich vanilla, and soft, oily textures, all at cask strength proof. Classic in everyway.
Octomore 2.2 Orpheus Heavily Peated Islay Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($179.99)
United States
Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey 750ml – 12 available ($44.99)
This has gotten so much better recently. It’s rich and malty, with a powerful spice and a lingering oakiness. WAY more balanced then previous bottlings.
Back in Stock
Ireland – Irish Blended
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ml ($59.99)
96 points Malt Advocate: “*Best Irish Whiskey of the Year!* Irish Distillers has already released two 90+ pot still whiskeys this year, but this is the knockout blow, an immense take on the wonderful Redbreast. The nose gives little away, all damp autumn leaves and fermenting forest fruit, but on the palate it’s a fireworks display, a colorful mix of apple and pear, berries, vine fruits, chocolate liqueur, and oily pureed fruit. It’s coming to the States soon, and rumor has it there’s more to follow. But this will do. I can’t think if I’ve ever tasted a better Irish whiskey.” K&L Notes: Redbreast has already become the go-to choice for serious Irish whiskey fans, but the new cask strength version only improves upon a malt that was already considered perfect. The extra proof also allows rocks drinkers to cool down the malt without completely watering down the flavor. Supply will be limited and demand has been through the roof so far. We’ve had folks asking about this for months, so don’t hesitate. The price is fantastic and the quality is superb. Is it the best Irish whiskey ever?
Scotland – Single Malt Scotch
Glendronach 15 year old “Revival” Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($74.99)
Special order only! Special order items are not in stock and are dependent upon quantity available from distribution. All special orders are final and non-refundable. Will take 5-7 business days before bottle can be shipped.
Isle of Jura 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($54.99)
Jura is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, just north and east of Islay. It is only 28 miles long and 7 1/2 miles wide. There are only 180 people who populate the island. The Isle of Jura distillery is on the east coast of the island, in the southern region. It is known for the soft water and sea air, which shows in the whisky. As Mr. Tait mentioned when he was here, they are known as the “Highland Malt on the Island.” The 16 year old is awesomely rich, yet restrained with subtle toffee, cocoa, and baking spices. It’s a delicate balance and it succeeds on every level.
Isle of Jura Prophecy Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($59.99)
2001 PC6 – Port Charlotte 6 year old Cuairt-Beatha Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 4 available ($105.99)
Best New Whisky and Best Whisky 12 Years and Under (John Murray’s Whisky Bible, 2009) The Port Charlotte 6 Year is a thoroughly original, heavily peated whisky (40ppm) distilled, matured and bottled at Bruichladdich Distillery. It is the same whisky as the PC-5, just a year older, a little mellower and a little lower in alcohol (2%). Called Cuairt Beatha, which translates to “Walk of Life,” the name was given to represent the spiritual journey of both the whisky and the men who made it. Distiller Jim McEwan says: “Opens beautifully balanced on malt, peat and young spirit. The youth and strenght of the spirit infusing the aromas of green apple, mild mint, clove, bayleaf and forest greenwood. Given a dash of water and time little notes of meadowsweet, iris and honeysuckle…as the next wave of bracken and smoke with a slipstream of vanilla is about to overload the olfactory senses. The Madeira cask influence lies deep in the glass and brings the rich notes of syrupy dates and raisins…it’s got an effervescence of spindrift and smoke, sweet citrus–the texture of the spirit is awesome due to trickle distillation. It’s the integration of all the characters of this island…that gives this spirit a 100% Islay DNA.”
United States – Bourbon and Rye
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection “Oat” Bourbon Whiskey 375ml – 5 available ($69.99)
These barrels were filled on April 30, 2002, and aged on the 7th floor of Warehouse I for 9 years and 5 months. Corn, malt and oats are the ingredients used in this recipe, resulting in a pleasantly smoky nose with a rich aroma of toasted oats that offers a nice complexity. On the palette, the smokiness intrigues as hints of dried fig and stone fruit come through, and eventually give way to an earthy finish.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection “Rice” Bourbon Whiskey 375ml – 5 available ($69.99)
These barrels were filled on April 30, 2002, and aged on the 7th floor of Warehouse I for 9 years and 5 months. Corn, malt and rice are the ingredients used in the recipe, resulting in a very clean aroma with the barrel notes of caramel and spice. A crisp flavor on the tongue is noticed, without any heaviness or oiliness whatsoever. A slight dryness near the end provides a quick finish. It is a very delicate whiskey.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection “Zinfandel Aged After Six Years” Bourbon 375ml ($199.99)
Back vintage from Buffalo Trace that is impossible to find. Start or complete your collection of some of the world’s most saught after single barrel bourbons every released. This whiskey was bourbon that was aged for six years and three months in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used American Oak Zinfandel barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 14 years old. The expected wine fruitiness is absent in the initial palette, but is replaced with an exciting spiciness. It is not the rye-grain spice normally associated with bourbon, but a grape-vine herbal quality that slides across the tongue and lingers for what seems like forever. This is an epic whiskey with grandeur and grace. Old world quaffing of a vine and field mélange.
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled in Bond Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml – 4 available ($74.99)
The Single Barrel release of the unique and special Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. line of limited release bourbons. Bottled from one single cask, this whiskey is 11 years old and bottled in bond Extremely limited.
Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof, Bottled in Bond 750ml (3 bottle limit) ($22.99)
90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: “Intensely woody aromas and succulent marshmallow, bakery and lanolin scents spring forth. The fat palate entry oozes butter cream, dark caramel, and brown sugar tastes; the midpalate focuses more on the grain aspect as the flavor becomes toasty, fruity and honeyed. Ends honey sweet, decadent and maple-like. An unbelievable bargain. ” (04/2007) K&L Notes: Named North American Whiskey of the Year at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best Buy of the Year at the 2006 WhiskeyFest. Rye was the first Colonial American whiskey, and was the most popular spirit in the US for more than a century until it fell out of favor. Made in a classic Pennsylvania style at the Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, this has been aged for at least four years in barrel and bottled at 100 proof. To be called “Bottled in Bond” it also has to be the product of a single distillery, made in a single season in a single year.
Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon 750ml – 9 available ($19.99)
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
