The Top Whiskies Discoveries of the Year
Our spirits team is always on the hunt for new and exciting discoveries to take your bar or collection to new heights. From a pair of highly distinctive Japanese whiskies from a beloved yet rarely seen brand, to a trio of Speyside K&L exclusives at jaw-dropping pricing, you can’t go wrong with any or all of these one-of-a-kind winners.
Michel Couvreur “Overaged” 12 Year Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $80) $57.99 View
Belgian Michel Couvreur was an independent bottler of single-malt Scotch. After his death, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. The cellars are located in Bouze-lès-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. There, Michel aged his single malts for years in sherry butts and then in demijohns (giant glass bottles) kept in total darkness in well-protected underground galleries. Vatted from 54 whiskies aged 12 to 27 years in oak casks, this malt has a rich amber color, a nose full of dried flowers, tobacco leaf, Jerez wine, and fat almond, plus a powerful, fruity, long finish. What a fantastic accompaniment to smoked salmon when served over ice. It is also perfect as a dinner digestive served at room temperature.
Nikka “Yoichi” Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View
94 points Wine Enthusiast
‘This elegant single malt from Nikka bears a dark, vibrant gold color, with smoke and caramel aromas. On the palate, look for well-balanced notes of citrus peel, cedar and oak, and a gentle waft of smoke. An astringent sensation on the finish sets the mouth watering, leading to a full-bodied, almost oily texture. Recommended for sipping neat. (KN) ” (2/2013)
92 points Whisky Advocate
” Yoichi age statements are gone for now, but if the whisky stays this good, I can live with that. Black earthy peat, smoldering fires, a turned-out pocket of briny seashells, whole lime, lemon twist, sugared orange, ground ginger, and licorice. Silky smooth, with light, fruity sweetness developing into tangy Spangles, kiwi, and lime juice. The smoky peat is the weft woven through the fruit structure’s warp. The finish is insanely long: menthol, peat, and leather. (JM, Web-2016)”
K&L Notes
Winner of the Whisky Advocate’s 2016 “Japanese Whisky of the Year” award, Nikka’s latest release from Yoichi distillery no longer carries an age statement, but it does bring a classically Japanese whisky profile back to the market. All the delicacy, grace, and subtle complexity is alive and well in this release, buried deep in a whisper of malt for those who take the time to let it be heard. The first sip is almost ghostly, but it’s the second and third return that yield the slightest hint of peat smoke, the creamiest of malts, and the lovely roundness of sweet stone fruit. This is textbook Japanese whisky: a flavor reserved so as not to overwhelm potential food pairings like sushi or other delicate offerings, yet a wonderful depth of flavor done with the slightest of hands. Yoichi is located on Japan’s Hokkaido island where such food pairings are prevalent. It’s definitely a single malt with a sense of place. The gentle smell and flavor of the sea linger long on the finish. This whiskey meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky” defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 45% ABV.
Nikka “Miyagikyo” Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View
Nikka’s Miyagikyo distillery is back on the market with a fantastic new offering that doesn’t disclose the age, but has no problem disclosing serious flavor. The sherry integration of the whisky is utterly marvelous. It’s clearly marked by classic notes of fudge, fruitcake, and toffee, but all three profiles are so harmonious and fluid that it’s difficult to hold on to them for more than a second. Nikka’s whiskies are always delicate, and this malt is no different. The beauty is what stuns you, rather than the power or the concentration. The finish is a wonderful symphony of toasted almonds, cherry, and Oloroso richness. The new Miyagikyo should captivate an entirely new following for Nikka’s second distillery. This whiskey meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky” defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 45% ABV.
Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) $159.99 View
Heaven Hill makes some of the most sought after whiskey in Kentucky. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Barrel Strength releases are highly allocated and nearly impossible to find at MSRP. Here you’re getting a bottle of Barrel Strength B522 and Toasted Barrel plus the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye. If you add up all of the MSRPs this bundle not only gives you access to the hard to find items, but saves you $20 bucks over buying all 4 bottles separately. Hard to argue with that. Restock your bar with two of the best staples coming out of the Bluegrass State and sock the fancy stuff away for a rainy day. If you’ve got a Bourbon lover on your holiday shoppnig list this year – they’re sture to be thrilled with this box.
The Essential Hart Brothers Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Collection (3x700ml) (Previously $285) $184.99 View
This is a unique opportunity to snag three excellent Speyside Single Malts with compelling profiles at a steep discount over MSRP. With a new container of Scotch inbounding to our warehouse anyday, we need to make some serious space fast! While we don’t typically run ‘sales’ like this, the savvy Scotch drinker won’t blink at picking up these beauties for their daily drinking needs or thoughtful holiday gifting that is right around the corner. This 3-pack includes two different bottlings of Benriach – one 12 year old expression aged in a choice sherry butt and bottled at 58.2% ABV – the other a 15 year bottling aged in Port Pipe and bottled at 56.5% ABV. The 3rd bottle in the pack is a scrumptious Longmorn 10 Year old, also in Sherry Butt at a robust 56% ABV. The combined regular retail value of this pack is $285. If you choose to stock up the bar with these excellent whiskies in this one time offer all three can be yours for just $185!
1994 Tomatin 26 Year Old “Dramfool” Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $229.99 View
Jim McEwan’s fingerprints are all over this bottling. It would never have existed without him and his relationship with Dramfool. The legendary whisky maker became Dramfool’s defacto consultant when he choose Bruce and Colin as the bottlers of his personal casks – the extremely sought after Jim McEwan Signature Collection. While Bruce and Colin won’t bottle anything they don’t personally love, they do send some samples to Mr. McEwan for his 2 cents. In this case – that 2 cent investment paid massive dividends. Two 1994 distilled 26 year old casks of Tomatin (#6422 and #11210) were sent to Jim for his thoughts on a special ‘dueling cask’ release and while both casks were delicious examples of older malt from this little Highland distillery, they only offered subtle differences. With half a measure of both casks left in his glasses, McEwan, relying on his nearly 60 years of whisky making experience, blended the two together and making something that is truly more than the sum of it’s parts. This 2 cask vatting jumps out of the glass with dessert fruits in syrup, toasted granola, sweet wine, and creamy malt. Dramfool, being a small and nimble operation, then took the opportunity to bottle a very small number of bottles from each cask before vatting, and then bringing those casks together for the primary bottling. If you’re looking for a great bottle of Scotch, try this. If you want to test your blending chops, grab the single casks and have at it.
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
Notably balanced and elegant, the colorful palette of whiskies combines for tremendous depth of flavor. Soft, sweet butterscotch and orange peel meet poached pears and stone fruits. Earthiness appears as dried autumn leaves, coffee, old oak, and tobacco. Among the tangle of spices, tasters identified chili pepper, allspice, cloves, and universally adored its ginger note. Finally, wisps of smoke and sea salt. Overall, it feels generously malty, with the grain whisky lending broad sweetness and supple mouthfeel across the long finish. Beyond its delightful flavors, Nikka From the Barrel presents some paradoxes worthy of contemplation over a glass. It is classic, yet new to the U.S. It is typically Japanese, yet singularly magnificent. It is delightful sipped neat and also blossoms with water. Even the simple, squat bottle is in contrast to the profound complexity within. (Fortunately, the 500ml bottle offered in other markets received a supersizing for U.S. drinkers.) The great majority of new Japanese whiskies now arriving to our shores are so rare and so expensive that they seem intended only for elite whisky lovers. Nikka From the Barrel is a consummate Japanese blend for anyone to enjoy. *Number 1 in the 2018 Top 20* (JL, Winter 2018) 
