Knob Creek 12 Year Old Small Batch 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) 95 $64.99 View

95 points Whisky Advocate

 Until now, most Knob Creek has been bottled at 9 years of age or younger for good reason: There’s no guarantee that bourbon will taste good after a dozen years in the barrel—let alone great. This one is richly complex from the start: York Peppermint Pattie, raisins, baking spice, dark chocolate-covered cherries, iced tea, and tobacco barn appear on the nose, followed by a chewy, full palate laden with cinnamon, allspice, and ginger, and perfectly balanced with sweet berry cobbler, chocolate ganache, and caramel. The finish goes on and on. Add in a fair price and excellent availability as part of Knob Creek’s core lineup, and only one question remains: What are you waiting for? *#2 WHISKEY OF 2020* (SSB, Winter 2020) 

K&L Notes

#2 Whiskey Advocate Whiskey Of The Year 2020. The return of the age statement! As we’re now over a decade into the whiskey boom, and producers have done everything possible to massively increase supply, we are finally reaching a point where there are enough aged stocks for brands to bring back long-gone age statements, or to introduce ones. Knob Creek hits the scene now with a much sought-after 12 Year Old age statement. This is classic Kentucky bourbon at its best.

Booker’s “Noe Strangers Batch” #2021-04 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) Bottle only – no packaging $99.99 View

Knob Creek 15 Year Old Limited Edition 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $119.99 View

The oldest bourbon to be released by Knob Creek, this whiskey is assembled from the best barrels nestled deep in the center of the rackhouse. At 100 proof and with several more years of barrel age than Knob Creek’s standard release this is a smooth yet powerful expression of one of America’s top craft bourbons.

Bardstown Bourbon Company “Collaborative Series – KBS Stout” Founder’s Stout Beer Barrel Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $149.99 View

The latest addition to BBC’s Collaborative Series is a 10 year Tennessee Straight Bourbon (84% corn/8% rye/8%malted barley) finished in Founder’s Brewing’s KBS Stout barrel.

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

New arrivals from Britain’s oldest spirit merchant

Berry Bros. & Rudd have built up an impressive collection of rare whiskies from all over the world, and here we have an abundance of single casks bottlings to ogle at! Having traded from the same shop since 1698, they definitely know a thing or two about the drinks industry. These bottles showcase some of the best liquid from Norway to Scotland to Tasmania.

All new arrivals →

Join our private members club for just £30 per year (that’s only £2.50 per month…) to receive priority access to upcoming limited releases such as Fettercairn, GlenDronach and more!

Find out more Here →

WHISKY AUCTION

NOW LIVE!

Bid now on the greatest ever whiskies .
Auction ends Tuesday 12 April.
Get bidding and good luck!

Watch Our Live Auction

ralfy review 921 – Glengoyne 18yo @ 43%vol: (2022)

IRISH WHISKEY REACHES NEW HEIGHTS AT AUCTION

Two of Ireland’s oldest bottles of whiskey sell for record prices

2020-released Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery 45 Year Old Single Malt fetches a new high for Irish whiskey of €48,000…

…as the hammer comes down on 2021’s edition – an exceptional 46-year-old single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1973 in the signature style of Old Midleton Distillery – for €46,000

Irish whiskey continues its march to the highest levels of desirability among private collectors, with two rare bottles of Midleton Very Rare selling at auction for a combined €94,000.

The history-making whiskeys – put up for sale by private collectors – were sold separately at auction on Sunday 21^st March, with both lots coming from the ultra-prestigious Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection, which has received worldwide acclaim since its first releases in 2020 and 2021.

The first – a 2020 bottling of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter One, a 45-year-old Irish single malt from the Old Midleton Distillery which operated for 150 years from 1825-1975 – fetched a record hammer price of €48,000 (€50,952 including fees), the highest price paid for an Irish whiskey at public auction. One of just 48 bottles unveiled two years ago for sale in Ireland, UK, France and US, Chapter One commanded a selling price at launch of €35,000 per bottle (750ml).

The second – a bottle of the 2021-released Chapter Two, an exceptional 46-year-old single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1973 in the signature style of Old Midleton – sold for €46,000 (€48,829 including fees). At launch, 70 bottles were made available for sale in Ireland, UK, Global Travel Retail, US, and France at a price per bottle (750ml) of €40,000.

It is not the first time that Irish whiskey auction site www.IrishWhiskeyAuctions.com has made history with Midleton Very Rare. In March 2020, it sold a bottle of Chapter One for €42,000 (€44,583 including fees), at the time making it the world’s most expensive Irish Whiskey ever sold.

“Irish Whiskey now has bottles that are comparable to the bottles of Scotch and Japanese whiskies that command ultra- premium prices on the world stage,” explains Anthony Sheehy, Founder & Owner of www.IrishWhiskeyAuctions.com. “It is something that we should be shouting from the roof tops to show the fantastic growth and interest that exists for Premium Irish Whiskey.”

The new record sales come as the third chapter of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is expected to be released, in what will eventually be a six-chapter Collection that is ushering in a new era for ultra-rare luxury Irish whiskey.

The whiskey maker has previously revealed there will be one release each year from 2020 until 2025, ranging in age from 45 to 50 years old, all from the legendary Old Midleton Distillery. The Collection will culminate in 2025 with the oldest ever release to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Old Midleton Distillery.

Every month Irish Whiskey Auctions have charity lots which are donated by members of the whiskey community of Ireland to help raise much needed funds for local and national charities. Adding to the excitement of the March auction, Irish Distillers donated Bottle Number 1 from its recent Midleton Very Rare 2022 vintage release for a special charity lot, raising €11,220 for The Capuchin Day Centre, Bow Street, Dublin. Bottle Number 1 from the annual vintage release has never been available to the public in the whole 38 years of production.

Notes 

Irish Whiskey Auctions was founded in 2018 by Dundalk couple Anthony & Katie Sheehy and since then has become Ireland’s premier Whiskey Auction Website. Holding a Monthly Online Auction lasting 9 days the business has gone from strength to strength and now employs 5 people in addition to the company founders. They have had 38 online auctions including 3 dedicated memorabilia auctions. Their first charity item on the site was in 2018 to raise money for ‘The Zoe Murphy Appeal’, a local charity in Dundalk which raised €2,222.

This kind gesture inspired the couple to try and have a charity item each auction going forward. This idea was so well received by the whiskey community that on many occasions some auctions had more than one charity item. To date Irish Whiskey Auctions has helped raise in excess of €50,000 for various charities.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY AND FRANKFORT PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST ANNUAL EASTER EVENT VIA DRIVE-THROUGH

Complimentary Event to Feature The Easter Bunny

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 31, 2022) – Buffalo Trace Distillery and the City of Frankfort Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites will host its annual Easter event in a drive-through style this year. The complimentary event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 10 and will feature a festive “bunny trail” driving route filled with balloons, Easter eggs, music and the Easter Bunny.

Guests will follow the bunny trail through the Distillery grounds to various egg stations. After collecting five eggs, at the end of the route children will receive a special treat and may wave at the Easter Bunny. No registration is required to attend.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, in Frankfort, Ky. Visitors should enter at the main Distillery entrance, and everyone is asked to remain in their cars throughout the route. There is no charge to drive down the bunny trail at Buffalo Trace.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2^nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022.   Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Watch Hill Proper Opens this Week;

Grand Opening Celebration to be held April 13th

Louisville, KY (April 6, 2022) – Louisville’s first premier bourbon club will open to the public on Friday, April 8th. A Grand Opening Celebration, complete with a red-carpet entrance, photo opportunities, and a celebratory toast, will be held on Wednesday, April 13th. Located in Norton Commons, Watch Hill Proper offers a unique and immersive opportunity to discover a world of bourbon and American whiskey. While membership offers many perks, the club is open to anyone over 21 who wants an incredible experience.

The menu, designed by Executive Chef Michael Crouch, will feature a variety of sharables and small plates to start, including customizable charcuterie boards and lobster hushpuppies. Additional menu items will be added to the opening day menu including a sharable 48oz Porterhouse, braised greens, roasted red potatoes and several desserts.

Guests can choose from over 1,500 bottles of American whiskey, which are beautifully displayed on a massive “Whiskey Wall” behind the bar. A variety of interesting craft cocktails with names inspired by Kentucky legends will be offered, including the Katniss Cosmo served in an elegant bird-shaped glass and the Gonzo Colada. All cocktails are made with house-made syrups, tinctures, and juices, and of course – American whiskey. The club also plans to offer more than 100 selections of wine, and creative Zero Proof options for those who choose not to indulge.

The bartenders and servers are trained to provide guests with an experience that is both elevated and educational. Only members can make reservations, but the club is open to everyone on a first come first served basis. The club offers a bar in the waiting room, also known as “The Fermenter,” for patrons to enjoy before being seated at their table. Watch Hill Proper membership options are available and provide many perks including discounts on drinks, ability to purchase barrel picks, and invitations to special events.

For more information or membership details, please visit watchhillproper.com or contact Bev Reese at (502) 230-1982.

About Watch Hill Proper:

Watch Hill Proper, located in Norton Commons, is Louisville’s first premier membership-based bourbon club. The Club is open to the public, but also offers memberships with amazing benefits. The purpose is to be a community built around a common interest – bourbon. The goal is to be a community of ambassadors for Kentucky’s signature industry and do it in style. For more information about Watch Hill Proper, or to apply for membership, visit www.watchhillproper.com.

The 130th auction is up and running, and bids are coming in thick and fast.  In case you missed them first time around here are a few auction highlights you might have missed.

Brora 1972 40 Year Old

This fabulous beast is one of the oldest Broras ever released, and certainly one of the most highly regarded.  Distilled way back in 1972 this 40 year old dram was Diageo’s most expensive expression at £7,500 when it was first brought to the market in 2014.  Seems like a bona fide bargain now compared to today’s market.

Macallan 1967 Sir Peter Blake Anecdotes of Ages ‘Down to Work Limited Edition’

This fantastic 1967 vintage Macallan was made in collaboration with British pop art legend, Sir Peter Blake.  Almost 4 decades worth of colloboration between the esteemed artist and Speyside heavyweight Macallan has produced some memorable expressions, the most recent being the Anecdotes of Ages Collection.  This particular bottling is the ‘Down to Work Limited Edition’ and the label depicts the era when Macallan rededicated itself to using solely European Sherry Oak to age their whisky.  This is an especially rare and exquisite lot.

Glen Grant 1956 65 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice for La Maison Du Whisky

It is rare to see a whisky of this age, this Glen Grant 1956 has spent an incredible 65 years in a first fill sherry cask before being bottled by famed indie bottlers Gordon & MacPhail to mark the 65th anniversary of celebrated French whisky house La Maison Du Whisky.  Rich in colour and with a surprisingly high ABV given it’s time in cask, this is a special bottling and would be a welcome addition to even the most exclusive whisky collections.

Falklands Charity Bottles

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, this month we have a Glen Moray 2008 13 Year Old Pauillac Single Cask bottling and a Port Dundas .  All proceeds from the sales of these bottles go to the Falklands Veterans Association and the South Atlantic Medal Association.

Bottles as fine as these don’t come around that often so register your bids now before the auction closes on Sunday night.  We have thousands more bottles up for auction this month with something to suit every palate and pocket, so delve into the auction before time runs out and find your perfect bottle.

Bid Now

GlenDronach
Cask Strength Batch 10

New 2022 bottling of the full strength single malt from GlenDronach distillery. Bottled at 58.6% ABV, batch 10 has matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. Always a popular one, grab a bottle or two while you can! Glendronach 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 10 Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Full strength matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. 2022 release. Fruity and elegant nature of The GlenDronach, with notes of dark bramble fruits and gentle spices. Pedro Ximenez contributes the robust and full-bodied richness of The GlenDronach, often characterised by notes of dark chocolate and stewed fruits.

Buy – GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10 >>

Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whisky region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

1991 North British 30 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel

Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival)

$149.99 View

Once a bastion of ridiculous value, the single grain market has seemingly jumped the shark over the past couple of vintages. Supplies are tight and prices are high, but occasionally we come across casks that still far outpace their price point in terms of quality. This 30 year old North British is exactly that. One of the more complex grains we’ve had in some time, it was aged for three decades in a fresh bourbon barrel, which likely accounts for the exceptional quality. The North British distillery was established in 1885 not far from Edinburgh Castle. Now controlled as a joint venture between Diageo and Edrington, it can produce upwards of 65 million liters of pure alcohol per year from mostly corn. The exceptional size of this distillery does not proclude it from making high quality grain and while most of the production is used in Famous Grouse and Johnnie Walker, we occasionally get access to product of high quality at reasonable prices. The key, it would seem, to producing high quality grain seems to be using high quality wood and allowing long maturation. This is exactly what we’ve got here. A gorgeous creamy and very approachable old grain for a very solid price.

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