K&L Wine Merchants - David Othenin-Girard Reviews

Wilderness Trail 5 Year 10 Month K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #767560 Cask Strength High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 06-02-2026

Wilderness Trail is one of those places that has always felt a little like Willy Wonka. On one of our first visits, we got the tour from Dr. Pat himself, and we have been smitten ever since. They have done some amazing things, and while I'm still not quite sure why Campari purchased the distillery, this whiskey was made by the original team back in 2020. These older single barrels have finally turned the corner and are showing so much depth and unique character. Let's have a look. A classic auburn hue (1.5). The nose explodes with dark berry fruit, blackberry and cherry, plus loads of graham cracker, honey, leather, medium-roast Colombian coffee, hints of earthy herbs, and bitter bark. The palate is almost like cherry cola and Dr Pepper mixed together, with dark dried plums, cherry, vanilla, and cola nut. This is one of the more balanced WT barrels we've tried, but it is still bold and spicy, with the big green herbal notes and baking spices coming in on the finish to clean it all up. An absolutely delicious barrel, seemingly determined to prove the thesis that was proposed in Danville one day many years ago.

Price: $69.99

2008 Domaine De Charron 17 Year Old Singel Barrel K&L Exclusive Bas-Armagnac (750ml)

Review Date: 06-02-2026

Domaine De Charron is really one of those secret gems that I know brandy bros are trying to keep for themselves. I have never been into a cellar more exquisitely taken care of than the gorgeous caves at this tiny Domaine. The commitment to quality and specifically a quality that the rest of the larger apparatus eschews is unparalleled. If there was ever a cross over whiskey drinkers brandy this is the one. Imagine getting a cask strength single barrel 17 year old bourbon for $110? You'd probably assume it was terrible considering the price, but you'd still buy it anyway. This ridiculous brandy is absolutely delicious - 17 years in new gascogne oak and bottled without manipulation of any kind. Let's give it a go. The color is a shimering auburn (1.5). The nose is bold and red fruited, with huge sweet oak notes and dense cherry compote. It's the sweet sticky red fruit that leads the mind toward bourbon on first nosing, it's the rich barrel spices that take you the rest of the way home. On the palate, it pops with huge juicy damson plums, butterscotch, tahitian vanilla and cinnamon spice. The texture isn't quite where a 17 year old bourbon might be, but it's dang close and the oily mouthfeel is a testiment to the quality of their spirit. The finish is long with candied cinnamon and red fruit dominating. A totally under appreciated product that the classical brandy people might find a bit overarching, but the bourbon guys will fall right in love here.

Price: $109.99

2012 Bunnahabhain 13 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt #19 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 05-31-2026

There are few things more pleasurable than the robust, oily, salty malt of Bunnahabhain paired with sultry oloroso-soaked European oak sherry casks for nearly a decade and a half. It's a style we rarely see in modern Scotch, harkening back to an older era that once seemed to define the far-flung distillery on the northeast coast of Islay. The simple fact that these casks once sold for much more does not negate their incredible quality. You'll still find previous releases of similar age from just a few years ago selling for legitimately twice our price. But that's ultimately beside the point, because these newer stocks are now coming of age and we are exploring their quality for the first time. I'm happy to report that the quality, at least of this particular butt, is simply stupendous. On we go. The color is a beautiful, robust burnt umber (1.7). The nose is universally appealing with huge notes of roasted sugar, sweet dried plums, poached pears, and sweetened whipped espresso, recalling the wafting aromas of Sant'Eustachio il Caffè in Rome's Centro Storico. Beneath all that dense sherry lies a sweet saltiness that reminds us the ocean is lapping at the foot of these warehouses. The palate is bold and rich with more herbs and sweet bark than the nose, but plenty of dense, ultra-mature rancio fruit as well. This whisky absolutely loves to swim, broadening and opening beautifully with water, adding both weight and complexity. I wish the distillery would offer more whisky like this; we'd have lots more interest in the brand. But alas, we're relegated to the occasional cask here or there showing this absurdly delicious character. I'll be praying each year that Signatory keeps the prices low on these very special stocks. Replaced the dash in the final paragraph with a semicolon. Everything else stays as before.

Price: $99.99

2014 Caol Ila 10 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive Refill Hogshead #326090 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 05-26-2026

If you weren’t aware, I’m a total sucker for Caol Ila. It’s a very large distillery, but only a fraction of its output reaches the market as single malt. I’ve even heard rumors that significant quantities of unpeated malt are produced for blending needs. One thing I love about Caol Ila, much like some of its Islay neighbors, is how remarkably multifaceted it can be. It’s difficult to determine whether these stylistic ranges are intentional, as with Bruichladdich, or seasonal, as with Laphroaig, but this year we have three barrels of different styles and ages, each from classic refill hogsheads. The idea was to capture three faces of Caol Ila and present them at stupendous prices. This first cask is the youngest of the three, but also the most vibrant. The color is a juicy pale gold (0.3). The nose is shiveringly good, offering zesty citrus and salt, briny oiliness, salted capers, tense sea spray, and fresh green peat. With air, it moves further into a pure, taut vibrancy. The palate is intense, with a strong citrus character of lime and salt, followed by more brine and a long, peaty finish. An absolute laser beam for serious lovers of the high-intensity style but it also has plenty of sweet barrel and a deep rich texture to keep it balanced. Signatory is not officially offering top tier malt year after year at prices that outperform the market by larger margins.

Price: $74.99

2014 Ben Nevis 11 Year Old "Signatory Vintage" K&L Exclusive 2nd Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt No 3 Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 05-21-2026

Year after year, Signatory brings us some of the best casks anywhere in the industry, and over the past two years they have recommitted to putting absolutely insane deals on the table for us. This year it’s a selection of classic Islays alongside this impeccable Ben Nevis. There was a period just a few years ago when similar casks were trading for twice this price, but here we have an absolutely perfect refill sherry butt, still very active, that simply transcends the market. There’s almost nothing anywhere in the world that’s better on the market today in this style, dollar for dollar. Here we go! This is ridiculously dark for a second fill sherry cask, a gorgeous mahogany (1.6). The nose is a huge mélange of waxy, earthy funk, pulverized rock, and sweet roasted nuts. It’s clearly holding so much at bay in its cask strength form, and air opens it into a basket of walnut brittle, loose leaf tobacco, dried cranberry, carnauba wax, old bike parts, semi dark chocolate, and dashi broth. Not at all for the faint of heart. We love an idiosyncratic Ben Nevis, but for the uninitiated we may need to take baby steps. On the palate it’s rich and oily, offering huge savory underbrush and salty nuts balanced by sweet raisin fruit and an underlying oily texture. It’s simply quintessentially, unapologetically original Ben Nevis. With water it softens and sweetens somewhat, though in this rare case I truly prefer it with air and time rather than the softening effect of water. The only complaint might come from those hoping for a Nevis in skimpier clothes, but the sherry is so well integrated and never overwhelms the density of the spirit that even the most staunch anti oak brigadier general might admit the superiority of this style. If you have only $80 to spend on malt this quarter and don’t need something peaty, this is the obvious slam dunk you’ve been looking for. I’m buying three.

Price: $79.99

Scarlet K&L Exclusive "Fernet Cask Marriage Peated Cask #21" Japanese Amaro (700ml)

Review Date: 05-04-2026

The incredible Iseya distillery in Sagamiko is simply one of a kind. The proprietor lives and works on the farm with his mother and partner, but his demeanor is more that of a mad scientist than a humble farmer. Moto-san began his career at the famous Top 50 bar Ben Fiddich in Tokyo. It’s simply a matter of chance that he ended up at this small farm in a quiet village on Lake Sagami. His obsession with flavor is not limited to liqueurs. In his small R&D bar he keeps old and rare vintage single malt, vermouth, chinato, grappa, and much more. His understanding of the entire spirits category is second to none and he boasts one of the most accomplished palates I’ve ever encountered. But Scarlet is all about exploring the past and the future. He never stops experimenting and is constantly searching for new sources of flavor, yet his creations remain fundamentally classical. Many might eschew this product for fear of the dreaded Fernet profile, that menthol bite of Branca can be too much for some. But if you’re at all interested in bitter liqueurs, skipping this would be a real missed opportunity for discovery. Nor is this a big, peaty, gnarly powerhouse as the Laphroaig cask might imply. Instead, you get one of the most complex and balanced drinking experiences you’ll find. The mint is present, but far fresher and more precise than typical Fernets. The richness of character feels limitless. The structure is spot on, with serious bitter tension throughout. It’s unmistakably Fernet, but never abrasive or aggressive. While this handmade, farm to glass product is not inexpensive, the level of care and dedication Moto-san brings to each bottle is extraordinary. With that in mind, don’t shy away from using it in cocktails. It won’t replace every bitter liqueur, but it shines in the right applications. Highballs with a lemon twist, Black Manhattans or Boulevardiers, even split with Angostura in a Trinidad Sour. It’s both inspired and inspiring. I’ve never been more excited about a liqueur in 22 years of doing this. We’re extremely lucky to have this rare release, adorned with one of Moto-san’s hand drawn masterpieces. There’s nothing else like it, and there may never be again.

Price: $109.99

Limit of 2 per customer

1998 Glen Garioch 27 Year Old "Redacted Bros." (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Ex-Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 04-30-2026

This absolutely stunning value from our friends in Dornoch represents a truly unique opportunity. You might remember the last batch, which included a remarkable 27 year old Glenburgie that many overlooked until it was far too late. This is that cask but for 2026. A beautiful old barrel matured in refill ex-Wild Turkey wood from one of Scotland’s most underappreciated distilleries. It is only on the rarest occasions that we’re able to offer whisky of this age and quality at such a low price. What’s even more striking is just how delicious it is. You’ll recall we had to raise prices on the old Glenburgie and unpeated Ledaig last year, so don’t be surprised if this one climbs as well, assuming any is left on arrival. Not a warning, just the reality of how spoiled we’ve become. Three exceptional old casks from top distillers under $200 from Thompson Bros this year, and this may well be the best of the lot. From a distillery undergoing one of the most exciting revivals in Scotland, now with new floor maltings and direct fire, Glen Garioch is firmly one to watch. The color is a gorgeous, enticing deep copper (0.9). The nose is an absolute explosion of fruit: yellow plum, cantaloupe, Pink Lady apple, and apricot, layered with deeper tones of nougat, toffee, vanilla, old cellar floor, tobacco leaf, and citrus oil. It is immensely complex and deeply satisfying. On the palate, the texture is powerful, with ripe fruit leading the charge. The higher proof brings a bold midpalate spice before settling into a softer, composed finish with no harsh tannin. With a touch of water, it opens beautifully, softening slightly while retaining that incredible fruit intensity. For those chasing that old school fruit basket style that has become increasingly rare in modern Scotch, this sits right at the top.

Price: $200.00

Manuscrito "Chapter Three" Single Estate Reposado Tequila (750ml)

Review Date: 04-30-2026

The exceptional new Manuscrito may be the most exciting brand to emerge from Mexico in years, but it is not the beautifully curated presentation that defines this tequila, it is the remarkable liquid inside. Produced in the Highlands at the new El Sabino distillery, Manuscrito is already turning heads. In a very short time, El Sabino has climbed into the upper echelon of Tequila Matchmaker’s rankings, just behind icons like Fortaleza, Cascahuín, and El Pandillo. That may seem trivial to outsiders, but the top tier has remained largely unchanged for years, making this rapid ascent incredibly significant. A handful of new producers are now challenging the old guard, and they are doing it with serious quality at very fair prices. The formula is simple in theory but rare in execution: secure fully mature agave at the right moment, invest in a thoughtfully designed distillery, and refuse to cut corners. While some traditionalists may note the absence of tahona extraction, the results speak for themselves. This is one of the finest tequilas available at any price today. Chapter Three shifts the conversation slightly, introducing a delicate touch of oak while preserving the distillery’s signature clarity. Aged just over three months in barrel, the influence is intentionally restrained, allowing the agave to remain front and center. The nose is immediately expressive with cooked agave layered over honey, light oak, citrus peel, and soft baking spice. On the palate, warm cinnamon and baking spices lead into creamy cooked agave, honey, and butterscotch, with subtle herbal and citrus elements adding lift and complexity. The texture is supple and rounded, offering a gentle richness without sacrificing freshness, while the finish carries a harmonious blend of honeyed agave, spice, and lingering citrus with just enough structure to keep things focused. This is exactly what great reposado should be: restrained, agave-driven, and quietly complex, with the barrel acting as an accent rather than the headline, but still adding depth and nuance to the picture.

Price: $54.99

Manuscrito "Chapter Two" Single Estate High Proof Blanco Tequila (750ml)

Review Date: 04-30-2026

The exceptional new Manuscrito may be the most exciting brand to emerge from Mexico in years, but it is not the beautifully curated presentation that defines this tequila, it is the remarkable liquid inside. Produced in the Highlands at the new El Sabino distillery, Manuscrito is already turning heads. In a very short time, El Sabino has climbed into the upper echelon of Tequila Matchmaker’s rankings, just behind icons like Fortaleza, Cascahuín, and El Pandillo. That may seem trivial to outsiders, but the top tier has remained largely unchanged for years, making this rapid ascent incredibly significant. A handful of new producers are now challenging the old guard, and they are doing it with serious quality at very fair prices. The formula is simple in theory but rare in execution: secure fully mature agave at the right moment, invest in a thoughtfully designed distillery, and refuse to cut corners. While some traditionalists may note the absence of tahona extraction, the results speak for themselves. This is one of the finest tequilas available at any price today. Chapter Two takes everything that made the original release compelling and dials it up with a high proof bottling at 51.55% ABV, amplifying both structure and intensity. The nose is immediately more assertive, driven by bold cooked agave framed by bell pepper, earthy vegetal tones, and a lifted citrus edge with hints of white pepper and baking spice. On the palate, the texture is richer and more forceful, with sweet agave at the core wrapped in black pepper, cinnamon, and layered vegetal complexity, while citrus and subtle lactic creaminess add lift and balance. There’s a distinctly structured, almost tannic grip here, likely from fermentation with fibers, giving the tequila a serious, mouth-coating presence. The finish is long, spicy, and mineral-driven, with lingering notes of cinnamon, pepper, and earthy citrus that seem to echo endlessly. A powerful and uncompromising expression that shows exactly what this new distillery is capable of when pushed to the limit, Chapter Two feels like a clear step forward and a sign they are just getting started.

Price: $59.99

Manuscrito "Chapter One" Single Estate Blanco Tequila (750ml)

Review Date: 04-30-2026

The exceptional new Manuscrito may be the most exciting brand to emerge from Mexico in years, but it is not the beautifully curated presentation that defines this tequila, it is the remarkable liquid inside. Produced in the Highlands at the new El Sabino distillery, Manuscrito is already turning heads. In a very short time, El Sabino has climbed to #4 on Tequila Matchmaker’s Top 100 distilleries, just behind Fortaleza, Cascahuín, and El Pandillo. That may seem trivial to outsiders, but the top tier has remained largely unchanged for years, making this rapid ascent incredibly significant. A handful of new producers are now challenging the old guard, and they are doing it with serious quality at very fair prices. The formula is simple in theory but rare in execution: secure fully mature agave at the right moment, invest in a thoughtfully designed distillery, and refuse to cut corners. While some traditionalists may note the absence of tahona extraction, the results speak for themselves. This is one of the finest tequilas available at any price today. The single estate blanco opens with a subtle nose of roasted pumpkin, citrus zest, minerality, and underripe mango. With air, it expands beautifully, revealing deeper notes of sweet cooked agave, hibiscus, honeysuckle, buttercream, dried fruit, and earthy spice. The palate mirrors the nose, delivering roasted fruit, bright citrus, and a rich, creamy texture in perfect balance. The finish is long and satisfying, with a spicy mineral depth more often associated with the best Lowland examples. An impeccable and genuinely exciting release that proves even the newest producers can achieve greatness with the right raw materials and uncompromising intent.

Price: $49.99

Oban 14 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Review Date: 04-30-2026

It can be hard to get excited about whiskies I’ve been drinking since the beginning, but it’s not fair to leave some of these truly great bottles out of the conversation. Add in the fact that we spent years fighting with the supplier on price and you’ve got a recipe for something that rarely gets mentioned. But sometime last year we managed to bring the price back to pre-pandemic levels, and I figured this old staple deserved a fresh look. Coincidentally, I had the chance to drive the western coast last month and was reminded just how special the terroir is for this unique little whisky. The tiny town of Oban is home to one of Scotland’s few truly urban distilleries. Springbank and Glen Garioch come to mind as others, not counting the newer operations in Glasgow and Edinburgh. While Oban sits within the massive Diageo portfolio, it remains one of the only malts distilled almost entirely for its own label. It doesn’t really show up in blends, nor is it traded around to independent bottlers. Only a handful of ancient casks have ever surfaced elsewhere. Maybe that’s why it lacks some of the fanfare. There’s no cult chase here. What there is, however, is a damn good mid-aged malt at a very fair price, and we’ll always do our best to keep it that way. Let’s have a taste. The color is a classic deep gold. The lightly peated style shows just a faint phenolic edge, but it carries an invigorating sense of place more often associated with the smokier malts to the south. There’s an absurd freshness that lifts the whole glass, yet something old and salty underneath. Yellow fruit, crisp malt, and deep maritime minerality evoke a walk through an old harbor. Barnacles, leather, salt-soaked ropes, weathered wood, a touch of ash, citrus oil, beeswax, and a hint of sweet almond. It’s simply excellent whisky that we too often overlook, but anyone who loves the salty west coast not only owns this bottle, they open it and drink it.

Price: $64.99

WE: 91

New Era 9 Year Old "K&L's Tesseract" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Review Date: 04-26-2026

The wonderful people at New Era have done what nearly every lover of bourbon has always dreamed of—turned their love of this golden elixir into a full time occupation. For Zane Brammell it started with simply sharing his love of the spirit with hundreds of other people and eventually developed into this wonderful new brand. Along the way he enlisted some industry veterans to help his cause, and that's how we connected through an old friend, Kris Comstock of Buffalo Trace fame. Kris was integral to our success in the early days of K&L's KY Barrel program. Our selection was to take place in a little restaurant in the tiny, historic town of Midway, and my colleague Stephanie Manning joined for the festivities. We enjoyed a hearty lunch before cracking into their samples and, despite my insisting we wanted anything except more Wilderness Trail, this barrel stood out among the eight samples we tried. The classic Black Label Wilderness Trail recipe, but aged MUCH longer than we've seen from the distillery's single barrels, which never even crack into the 6 year range. Anyway, it was such a revelation we knew we couldn't let it slip from our grasp. New Era's fun newsprint labels were the perfect canvas to utilize the beautiful art designed by Stephanie's own grandmother, Dorelle Heisel. Her exquisite, mind-bending design represents perfectly the dimensional enigma that this barrel represents. Anyway, let's have a taste! The color is a vibrant mahogany (1.6). The nose is so tight and tied up after opening it needs plenty of AIR! Don't make the mistake of guzzling this right out of the bottle. No, no, it's got so much there, but needs time and air. If you let it wait out, you'll notice an incredible array of sweet confectionary flavors, but the baked apple, cherry compote, and dark chocolate notes dominate. On the palate, some very unusual combinations here with big cinnamon and leather coming in after roasted oak, sweet baked orchard fruit, and jammy red fruit. It's not quite like anything else out there to be honest, and it's hard to pinpoint another distillate in the same flavor range, but that doesn't stop it from being completely delectable. Occasionally, different and delicious are one and the same, and this is a perfect example of that. New combinations of classic flavors, but it will especially reward the most patient drinkers.

Price: $129.99

1993 Les Vergers De La Moriniere (Domaine Hubert) 32 Year Old "K&L Exclusive" Pays d'Auge Vieux Calvados (750ml)

Review Date: 04-22-2026

There's just no reason for this to be so inexpensive. I'm not saying I feel bad about it, but honestly considering how expensive old calvados is from normal channels, it seems the Hubert's are beating the market by a mile. Anyway, the price is not what matters here, it's the exceptional quality! I'm going to have trouble not drinking this whole sample! The nose is fully developed with rich deep roasted apple, dense toasted vanilla, a huge array of old woods and bitter barks, subtle savory herbs and sweet spices. On the palate, we've got pick dense warming spice up front, with more oak and vanilla, followed by a long sweet dark baked apple on a long lingering, very satisfying finish. It's a big boy at 45%, but has more depth, intensity and richness than almost any apple brandy on the market today. We've sold this vintage before, but it continues to deepen and widen as it ages. It's simply astounding that with the current political situation we're able to sell it at the same price we did years ago, even though it's now much older. It can't last forever, but I wish it would.

Price: $99.99

Domaine Hubert "K&L Exclusive" Pays d'Auge Vieux Calvados (750ml)

Review Date: 04-22-2026

Its absolutely nuts that we're still able to get this stupendous product on the shelf for $35. The simple fact is that apple brandy production is extremely slow and difficult. It requires years and years of waiting for the trees to produce enough fruit for them to be commercially viable. But the Huberts are nonetheless putting exceptionally high quality brandy into great old would and doing it at a very reasonable price. Let's taste it! The first nosing is fragrant and round with soft ripe apple, hints of sweet spices and bake pears. The palate is very zesty and bright, moving more toward your granny smith than the baked pear on the nose. Medium bodied with a super round soft finish. There's tons of character here, so into the cocktails is where this will suit most people, but if you've ever been to Normandy this is as good as anything you'll ever try. It is the perfect thing to put on the table for the "trou" in your holiday dinner. An incredible digestif by any measure.

Price: $34.99

The Glasgow Distillery 1770 5 Year Old "K&L & Delmonico's Collaboration" Single PX Sherry Hogshead Heavily Peated Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 04-17-2026

This outrageous young hyper-peated single cask from Glasgow 1770 is one of the most exciting barrels we've come across in a long time. Their tiny stills produce a tense, powerful, peated spirit with deep, oily texture, and a complex, smoky Highland character. Add the sweet, raisinated richness of PX sherry and you're in for a treat. This isn't the salty, iodine-laced smoke you might expect from Islay, but rather a more heather-driven, barbecue-like style of smoke that feels distinctly Highland in character. This awesome collaboration with the famous Delmonico Steakhouse is every bit as exciting as it sounds. It may be the first steak whisky I fully approve of. Needless to say, this one isn't about regionality, but originality. Let's have it. The color is a vivid auburn (1.4). The nose is clear, tight, and wound full of energy, offering huge notes of Carolina barbecue, roasted chicory, pecan pie, turbinado sugar, and roasted arabica. This is coupled with a sweet salinity that feels more vegetal than coastal. On the palate, it's oily and rich with roasted nuts pushing forward and a dark, pungent smoke running through the center. Sweet oak and vibrant, sticky wine round out the mid-palate. The finish is smoldering and sweet, full of old mesquite embers and dense, chewy dark fruit. With water, the tension is released, and a huge wave of fruit battles the roasty aromas on the nose. The palate remains a battleground of dense flavors but the tannins soften, and the grippy finish relaxes into something surprisingly approachable, all things considered. An absolutely stunning young whisky and a perfect first single cask collaboration from this fabulous little distillery and the famous steakhouse. If you want to taste before you buy, you can grab a glass at Delmonico's in Las Vegas, but it probably won't last long at either venue once they pop these bottles and start pouring. It's too good!

Price: $79.99

1984 Destileria Colombiana 33 Year Old "Distinctive Spirits - Ancient Rum Series" Cask Strength Port Pipe Finished Colombian Rum (700ml)

Review Date: 04-13-2026

This expression from the wonderful line of old Colombian rums by Distinctive Spirits is a stupendous value, but also offers a uniquely contrasting character compared to the other three vintages. The most “youthful” of the group remains impressively concentrated and complex, yet carries an added layer of pungent fruit and lifted aromatics. Let’s give it a try. The color is a deep reddish auburn (1.4). The fruit-forward profile is complemented by a touch of funky rum depth, a welcome and compelling feature here. The port influence still shows with sweet red fruit on the nose, but there’s also a pronounced orchard fruit character alongside earthy herbs and spice. On the palate, dried fruits and fondant are balanced by a juicy vibrancy that gives the whole package incredible lift and invites another sip. While this may be slightly less dense and dark in flavor than the others, it certainly does not lack complexity. Taken together, the four expressions represent an incredible range of character built around this remarkable old spirit, which may never again be available at this price, or at all.

Price: $179.99

ArteNOM "Seleccion 1146" Añejo Tequila (750ml)

Review Date: 04-09-2026

It's hard to appreciate just what a stupendous value this tequila is until 1) you know who made it 2) you realize who bottled it 3) you actually taste it! Both are two of the tequila industry's finest gentlemen. They know they've got some really special stuff here and many of this distillery's bottlings of equivalent quality sell for WELL above this price point. Whether it's the result of a long friendship or some serious business cajones, Artenom has managed to get this magnificently packaged Anejo on the shelf for less than $100. The perfect gift for a real aficionado who isn't swayed by pricey add campaigns or marketing, but simply wants the best agave, distilled by the best tequilero, for a reasonable price. It is indeed, all those things and much much more.

Price: $89.99

2014 Laphroaig 11 Year Old "Redacted Bros" Single Refill Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 04-08-2026

Part two of the NEW WORLD ORDER of Islay malts. No more paying a ridiculous premium for peated malt. We’re back in the driver’s seat when it comes to killer casks at amazing prices in Scotland these days, all thanks to the incredible work done by our various independent bottlers, and especially the team at Dornoch Distillery, who bottle under the Thompson Bros label. For the US, thanks to some friendly cease and desist letters, the brand is known as Redacted Bros and continues to deliver the coolest casks at the best prices across all of our bottlers. Here we have a specially selected barrel of Laphroaig, which the brothers felt worthy to be adorned with the Dornoch Castle Hotel label. It was, after all, this wonderful, quirky hotel that first put the brothers and their exceptional whisky bar on our radar. It was the brothers, their wild little shed-based distillery, and maybe a really nice golf course that put Dornoch on the map. So they’ve picked last year’s best casks and reserved them for this limited edition label featuring the hotel. This winter Laphroaig is of the highest order. Let’s have a go. The color is the requisite pale gold (0.3). The nose is dense, a pillow of black clouds of smoke, sweet leather, pine fire, sappy salty resin, camphor, roasted pineapple, lemon and chili oil, even sardines. I’m being a bit dramatic, but it’s such an effusive, lovely style I can’t get enough. On the palate, the dark smoke persists, but we also have salted dried fruits, subtle iodine, limestone, lanolin, and wet wool. With water, the smoke tempers and the sweetness comes through a bit more, but I prefer this at full strength even in its youth. A ridiculously good and classic winter Laphroaig of the highest order. Price equals just dumb.

Price: $74.99

2016 Laphroaig 9 Year Old "Redacted Bros" Single Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 04-08-2026

The two barrels of Laphroaig represent an absolute sea change in the whisky market today. While several suppliers continue to ask exorbitant prices for this incredible, unique Islay malt on the southern shores, the Thompson Bros have quietly begun offering an exceptional array of gorgeous, extremely affordable, and delicious cask strength Laphroaigs. We all are the lucky beneficiaries of their excellent relationships with the Scottish distillers, and this beautiful young Laphroaig stands up against any of the modern Laphroaig bottlings with gusto. Let's give it a little taste. The color is typical pale gold (0.3). The nose is classical Laphroaig, offering huge saline and iodine notes, wafting and crystalline. It's not as "modern" as some of the cask strength OB bottlings, but still has some of the softer edges of fruit and vanilla poking through. With air, we get crunchy citrus and dark smoke character. It's both shocking that this beautiful bottle exists and that it hasn't sold out yet. $60 for an incredible cask strength Laphroaig at nearly 10 years old of this quality is simply silly. Just a few years ago, a 10-year commanded $90 plus from a good direct import, and an equally aged 9-year marked as Williamson sold on our site for $160. A new golden age of Islay is upon us.

Price: $59.99

1989 The K&L Liquors' 36 Year Old "Enviable" (Balvenie) Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 03-26-2026

The wild success of the Sideburns 35 Year has rattled the cage of more than one large company in Scotland. If you haven’t seen my review of that product, I highly recommend taking a look: https://shop.klwines.com/products/details/1918829 . The short version is this: we may be on the precipice of a new golden age of Scotch, and K&L is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market asymmetry. While our marketing of the previous batch was met with side eyes and raised eyebrows from the original owners of the stocks and trademarks, other suppliers with similar inventories saw it as a signal. This was an opportunity. It would seem our prayers have been answered. Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time the deal is even more impressive. There are, of course, differences in the stock. This distillate comes entirely from November 1989 and was matured in refill hogsheads, rather than the first-fill sherry hogsheads of Batch #1. The proof is slightly lower, but still a robust 47-48% for a whisky of such advanced age. Remember, Scotch typically loses up to 1% ABV per year and enters the cask around 63%. So yes, older, slightly lower in proof, and without the fashionable sherry influence, yet 25% cheaper. If you ask me, old malt like this absolutely thrives in refill hogsheads. While I often insist on first or second fill for younger whisky, at this age the nuance of second or third fill can be profoundly beneficial. In any case, if it’s not already clear, this malt is drawn almost entirely from one of Speyside’s most beloved distillers. Search “Burnside,” the Cadenhead/Springbank-owned blended malt, if you want clues to the source. We’re being intentionally careful about naming names, but suffice it to say this parcel comes from the cellars of one of the industry’s most powerful blending houses. Whether it was once destined as a top note for premium blends or simply forgotten stock, it now stands as perhaps the greatest value I’ve ever offered. Twice in six months. It really does feel like the start of something bigger.

Price: $199.99

High West "Double Rye" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Moscatel Finished Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 03-20-2026

This beautiful barrel of rye whiskey perfectly matches aromatic sweet wine with dry, spicy mountain rye. If you know anything about me, you know I'm extremely skeptical of wine-finished bourbon. While there are certainly great examples out there, I rarely feel that adding a wine finish significantly improves the whiskey. More often it simply makes the spirit taste different, which is fine I suppose, but if you're going to go through all that effort, why not make it better? Otherwise, it feels like a wasted opportunity. Rye whiskey, however, has far more potential for added depth and nuance in my opinion, and this barrel is a perfect example. First, we have a relatively uncommon type of sherry cask that even in Scotland is rarely encountered, paired with a classic rye recipe from one of the original distillers of the American craft movement. Let's have at it. The color is solidly dark, no doubt thanks to more than 16 months of finishing, a deep mahogany (1.6). The nose bursts forward with sultanas, jasmine, Seville orange, roasted clove, and sweet fresh herbs like fennel and dill. The pungent raisinated fruit blends beautifully with dark herbal tones and bright citrus zest. On the palate, the sweetness of the wine arrives immediately and in the most pleasurable way. It reminds me somewhat of Angel's Envy Rye, but instead of molasses you get a more balanced profile built around zesty citrus and plummy fruit. The mid-palate carries just enough spice to keep the whole package from feeling overly dessert-like, but not so much that it dries out the finish. Altogether a lovely cask that proves those guys up in the snow can still surprise us when they want to. This is an easy bottle to recommend to nearly anyone with even a passing interest in American whiskey, but it also has the kind of broad appeal that could pull plenty of new drinkers into the fold.

Price: $74.99

Binder's Stash Distilled By Willett 9 Year Old "Single Barrel #745" French Oak Wave Stave Cask Strength Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 03-10-2026

The opportunity to purchase a barrel from the remarkable Binder’s Stash marks a real turning point in the landscape of great American whiskey. The famed Willett Estate Distillery remains one of the most coveted properties in the country and historically has shared virtually none of its whiskey with outside brands, especially in any formal way. That makes this partnership with Bill Binder’s particularly significant, as it represents their first official single barrel collaboration. Even more compelling is the nature of the barrels themselves. These casks come from the distillery’s small experimental runs, whiskies produced during the learning phases of Willett’s modern distillation program. Some were recipes that ultimately did not align with the house profiles of their regular releases, while others were matured in unusual barrel types. None of that implies compromise in quality. If anything, these are among the most fascinating and distinctive whiskies coming out of the distillery today. Yes, the price is serious, but it still represents a meaningful discount compared with a traditional Willett Family Estate purple top of comparable age. This particular barrel is among the most intense and complex modern bourbons I have tasted. Wheated bourbon loves oak and age, and this one embraces both with complete abandon. If you are looking for a gentle, spirit driven craft whiskey, this is not the bottle. If, however, you crave an unctuous, unapologetic oak bomb loaded with oily texture and endless flavor potential, you have found it. The spiral barrel used here lends an experimental character that feels almost shocking in today’s pursuit of consistency, yet the results are remarkable. The color is simply absurd, deep treacle (2.0). The nose is massive and tightly wound, clearly demanding air. At first it is packed with roasted espresso bean, cacao, clove, and vanilla. Given time in the glass it transforms dramatically: deep red cherry, cola, leather, stewed peach, galangal, exotic woods, and varnish emerge. With further air the aromas darken into dense cherry compote, espresso crema, bitter bark, quinine, sarsaparilla, and wormwood. The palate is enormous, oily, and deeply textural. Huge sweet fruit leads the charge before dense earthy oak and a massive surge of spice dominate the mid palate. This powerful, brooding core drives into a remarkably long and satisfying finish. A singular whiskey that refuses to fit neatly into any category. If you want to explore the outer limits of modern American bourbon, it is hard to imagine anything on the shelf today more impressive, regardless of age or price.

Price: $360.00

K&L Liquors' 7 Year Old Every Drop "Living Legend" Batch No. KY-03-25 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 03-08-2026

There are few professional moments more gratifying than the work I’ve done on the recent releases of our new K&L Every Drop brand. This historic label, which predates the founding of our store by many decades, fell into my lap thanks to a thoughtful customer who won a little mini from the 1940s at auction and passed it my way. So when the opportunity arose to create a new, store-exclusive brand, I knew this magnificent, long-forgotten IP had to be revived. We painstakingly reimagined every detail of the label, staying faithful to the original design. From its classic clean lines to the timeless tag line “Supreme Quality” stretching across each bottle’s shoulders, it perfectly reflects our ethos. The label’s revival was inspired by an exceptional batch of rare bourbon that we had acquired by a stroke of good fortune: a great old whiskey from Frankfort, followed shortly by a second release of the same. But how could we continue producing whiskies that lived up to those extraordinary beginnings? My premise was never that Every Drop must be mythical in rarity, but that every bottle, yes, every drop, should offer our customers an experience of unmistakable quality, unique character and unmatched value. That’s a tall order, especially given that I have no control over the aging or production of the barrels we source. With only tiny samples representing entire lots, I set out with a wing and a prayer to find our third batch. That search led to a parcel of mature bourbons from a certain distillery near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. While I can’t name it on the label, nothing stops me from saying it outright: it’s that ol' Kickin' Chicken in Tyrone. The question then became, how could a seven (nearly eight) year old Turkey compete with the best in class? The answer lay in blending and proofing. I’ve always found immense joy in blending on the small scale that I've been afforded, and this project gave me the chance to shape the final character through careful selection and proof adjustment. When a customer emailed asking if it might be similar to W.B. Saffel, a whiskey twice the price and up to 12 years old, I knew we’d hit the mark. The proof and batch name pay quiet homage to the great blenders behind that legendary bourbon and, indeed, it was a beacon which I hoped would guide me. Now, this is my Tuesday to Sunday whiskey. It’s exuberant, balanced, and endlessly satisfying. It’s unquestionably the best value on the shelf today in this style, which is quite distinct from regular WT or Russell’s Reserve. It just so happens that it’s a style I love. Expect an elegant balance of sweet oak, fragrant fruit, zesty spice, and a rich caramel backbone. It shines in cocktails and stands beautifully on its own. And if you don’t appreciate “Minerva's Purple Wax”, I know a monk in Midway who wants a word.

Price: $49.99

Hakushu 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Review Date: 03-02-2026

For many years, Hakushu 18 Year was my golden goose of Japanese whisky. Believe it or not, back when I started in this industry over 20 years ago, the Yamazaki 12 year was the least expensive 12-year-old single malt in my store. I think we charged $37 and Glenlivet 12 Year was $40. When I wanted to treat myself the 18 year was only $100! When the Hak 18 Year launched in 2006, it was literally all I wanted, and it was damn hard to find. Difficult to sell yourself the one bottle allocated to your store, so I eventually paid retail elsewhere and coveted that bottle like it was my baby. Then, it became impossible to find and extremely expensive, yet my desire to have it in my possession diminished very little. Now, tasting the modern version, I actually think it's improved amazingly over the years; my desire to own the Hak 18 Year never really connected with my perception of its quality. Let's have a little bit together! The color is a beautiful, burnished color (1.1) Huh, this is much darker than I remember the old version being. HOLY MOLY, the nose is absolutely stunning, full of beautiful, tropical fruit, wild honey, antique wood, and the finest black teas. The smoke is so well-integrated and rich you'd be hard pressed to call it out as a peated malt on the nose. The ultra supple entry builds with deep, roasted fruit, deep vanilla, rancio, and baking spice that build toward a round, complete, and savory finish. Again, we're not at all in the overt peat world, and the depth and age feel well beyond 18 years. For all that is said about Suntory's consistency, this is wildly inconsistent with what I remember in that it's much, much better! A poor, little 92 point score from 13 years ago does not do the modern Hakushu 18 year any justice. It's very clear that they're putting beautiful old malt in this from a variety of extremely high- quality barrels. A beautiful whisky that should be considered for anyone looking for a luxurious experience.

Price: $649.99

Limit of 3 per customer

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Review Date: 02-16-2026

This newly released small batch bourbon represents a completely new phase in the nearly half century project launched by Even Kulsveen and his wife Harriet Willett. The Willett family has been part of the bourbon distilling apparatus since at least the late 1800s, but the slow and methodical relaunch of the Willett distillery was achieved through passion, prescient determination, and undeniable grit. The defining theme across the last five decades has been a commitment to delivering exceptional quality no matter what. While their small operation has become the darling of collectors and connoisseurs, the Kulsveens clearly understand the importance of producing bourbon meant to be enjoyed. Not every bottle must be a unicorn, but every drop must be worthy of even the most discerning drinker. That is why this new small batch 'Purple Top' is so exciting, arriving more than a decade after the release of the WFE Green Top Rye small batch. This expression is a blend of the original 13 percent rye bourbon and the much higher 38 percent rye bourbon. The batch I am tasting clocks in at 61.8 percent ABV, and future batches will likely fall in that range, making comparison part of the fun. The color shows a classical burnished hue (1.2). The nose is sweet and expressive with cornbread, maple, vanilla, and spice, though it avoids the typical Willett cinnamon profile, which makes it especially approachable. On the palate it is juicy and remarkably drinkable, offering dark red fruits such as cherry and pomegranate alongside toasted vanilla, caramel candy, gentle cinnamon, and a rich clove-driven finish. This is a lovely bourbon, clearly selected with great care. Considering its handcrafted nature, it easily outperforms its specs and price, standing up well against many younger single casks I have tasted. In a broader sense, it is a fantastic bourbon to wet your whistle and an excellent gateway into the Willett pantheon.

Price: $69.99

2002 Domaine de Jean-Bon 23 Year Old K&L Exclusive Bas Armagnac (750ml)

Review Date: 02-15-2026

The fabulous little estate near the tiny town of Toujouse is still one of Armagnac’s best kept secrets. This wonderful little estate does not spend a lot of time working the brandies, and they need lots of air to fully deliver their potential, but for patient drinkers, they offer an incredible experience. Let’s try it! The color is an attractive burnished gold (1.1). The nose starts sleepy and linear, but with 15 minutes in the glass it unfolds with great complexity and depth: rum raisin cake, French press coffee, toasted pecans, praline, fudge, and leather. The palate is hyper lifted and juicy without much drying tannin and a beautiful savory character to balance the dried apricot and nutty sweetness. A surprisingly lithe and pointed style with great character.

Price: $119.99

2000 Domaine de Jean-Bon 25 Year Old K&L Exclusive Bas Armagnac (750ml)

Review Date: 02-15-2026

The Sourdois estate, which we affectionately refer to as Domaine Jambon, is one of Armagnac’s best kept secrets. Situated in the Grand Bas-Armagnac, this section of the Gers produces some of the very best brandies in the world. The powerful 2000 vintage is one of the Domaine’s best in the modern era. Let’s have a go! The color is a deep russet. The gorgeous, classical nose is already showing a level of rancio typically reserved for much older brandies. It needs air, of course, to fully develop, but when it relinquishes its tightness, it delivers an incredible drinking experience. It starts with sweet oak and dense toasted vanilla, dense blackberry compote, exotic spices, and worn old, fine leather. The palate delivers similar depth with aged black tea, peach jam, marmalade, candied walnuts, mahogany, and more vanilla. A contemplative and robust style that truly needs to be savored slowly to fully display its true colors.

Price: $129.99

1998 Long Pond (ITP) 24 Year Old "Rest & Be Thankful" Single Barrel Jamaica Rum (700ml)

Review Date: 02-06-2026

The magical Long Pond distillery remains extremely limited in availability, and old barrels have become exceedingly rare on the open market. So when we had the opportunity to snag the last of this cask at under-market pricing, I did not hesitate. To be perfectly frank, this would have sold out on its own, but I needed an excuse to open a bottle. It turns out writing reviews is the perfect cover for my selfish habit. In any case, Long Pond is an absolutely incredible distillery located in the northern part of Trelawny Parish, one of the few still using proper muck pits and consistently producing some of Jamaica’s most flavorful rums. Several closures over the past two decades have impacted the distillery, but it is now back up and running. This mark, the relatively restrained LSO, can still be extremely flavorful, albeit without an overt focus on funk. Long Pond always delivers something deeply characterful. Let’s have at it. The color is a deep gold, rated 0.8. The nose is extremely powerful and wildly expressive, with so much flavor you might expect even higher ester levels. Notes of banana cream pie, roasted almonds, pineapple, diesel smoke, burnt rubber, ginseng, grilled citrus, bitter orange oil, and candied dates unfold in dense layers that seem endless. On the palate, there is an explosion of lemon oil, concentrated candied tropical fruit, exotic spice, and an intense industrial edge leaning toward diesel oil. This is an absolute monster and not at all for the uninitiated, but it can turn even the most discerning drinkers into rum lovers in a moment. Rum of this caliber will not be available at this price point in any meaningful way in the future. That is the sad truth, but also a golden opportunity if you are reading this now.

Price: $200.00

1998 Monymusk (MMW) 23 Year Old "Rest & Be Thankful" Single Barrel #13326 Jamaica Rum (700ml)

Review Date: 02-06-2026

Rest & Be Thankful was started by a couple of industry veterans in 2010 and has quietly sourced some of the best casks on the market for almost 20 years. This spectacular Monymusk comes from a bottling done almost five years ago, and we were lucky to snag it at this special price. Very few things can touch old Jamaican rum for complexity, and the MMW style thrives with long aging. This gorgeous cask was distilled in August 1998 and aged both tropically and continentally before bottling in 2021. It boasts a solidly high 197.8 gr/hlpa of esters and 622.1 gr/hlpa of volatile substances, meaning a medium to high level of flavor elements in the rum. It was aged entirely in used American oak and bottled without chill-filtration or additives of any kind at a natural cask strength of 59.9% and an angel's share over the course of 23 year of over 45%. After such long aging we'd expect an incredible show here and I was not disappointed. Let's see it. Color is shimmery burnished (1.1). The nose opens wide and pungent, but not too funky, instead huge tropical fruit, dense dry exotic woods and a diesel engine industrial note that makes me so very happy. The palate is dry and linear offering tart passion fruit, camphor, saffron, toasted clove and green tea. An incredible value by any measure considering where the market for old Jamaican rum has gone in the last five years, and with the added discount, this is a no-brainer for any rum lover looking to pad the collection.

Price: $149.99

1926 Vaghi Vintage Armagnac

Review Date: 02-05-2026

The collection of Armagnacs we have amassed includes more than 80 vintages of Bas-Armagnac and Armagnac, bottled at various times over the last 30 years, but very few compare to this outrageous vintage. Buying the same stocks today would easily cost over $2,000 a bottle and likely would not be as good as this, which was bottled way back in 1995. This was already matured to the maximum possible level after 70 years, and any more time in oak might have pushed it over the edge. Certain other vintages we sell are technically older than this but were distilled later. Armagnac is true magic. No other spirit offers such incredible aging potential while remaining relatively accessible to the average buyer. Let us see what 70 years in barrel can do. The nose starts dense and full of OBE, the Old Bottle Effect. It's slightly oily, slightly metallic, but not off-putting. With air, it opens to reveal an incredible array of exotic woods and spices: cedar, sandalwood, balsam, dried mint, dried rose petals, sarsaparilla, blackberry compote, coffee beans, and graphite. On the palate, expect big roasted baking spices, dark fruit, earthy warehouse floor, rich oak, and medium tannins that are not hard or harsh at all. The finish is medium and begs to be followed by another sip. An incredible value that we simply will not be able to match in the future.

Price: $599.99

2010 Aultmore 12 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Refill Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 01-28-2026

Aultmore is one of those distilleries that kind of pisses me off. The owners do not seem interested in selling the product, even though they have gone out of their way to create a new, posh looking package. There is no visitor center or even a website dedicated to the distillery in any meaningful way. I really enjoy the little Aultmore that makes its way here, and I even really like the distillery bottlings, but they are simply impossible to find. So I am excited to taste this wonderful big butt of Aultmore, which yielded nearly 700 bottles, fewer than 80 of which made it to the US. Aultmore in old sherry barrels can be gorgeous, and I very much enjoy the character of this whisky, so I was glad to see one in this style, especially since the previous Aultmore we had was an absolute sherry monster. Here goes. The color is an inspiring old gold (0.6), and I think we will see more malt than wine here. The nose is soft and subtle, quite elegant, with gentle poached fruit and a bright malt base note. There is a third layer as well, almost like wet clay mixed with dry hay, but it is very subtle and does not protrude beyond the fragrant fruity nose. The palate offers a good medium bodied texture, with sweet malt up front and hints of sherry offering subtle spice and zesty citrus. Throughout, baked apples rather than fresh are clearly the star. With water, it becomes all apples and pear pomace, juicy and delicious. It might be a summer whisky, but it is sunny here so I am loving this. All in all, a very appealing and approachable whisky that will suit any lover of the softer Speyside style who is not after a big sherry note, yet still wants a bit more complexity.

Price: $79.99

2007 Craigellachie 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Sherry Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 01-28-2026

Not a lot can go wrong with a nicely aged Craigellachie in a good quality sherry butt. There was a period when many of these barrels showed strong sulfur character, so much so that certain Scotch lovers actively seek out that style, but modern bottlings rarely exhibit those intense flavors. This, however, is not one of the rarer lighter-style Craigellachies that could feel as if they were distilled anywhere. Instead, it is a very classical expression, showing the telltale aromatics of that heady old-school spirit. The label does not indicate that this is a refill barrel, yet the color is not particularly dark, suggesting a somewhat subtler wine influence compared to others we have seen over the years. That bodes well for a balanced, complex, and classical profile, which I typically love. Let me check. The color is amber (0.7). The nose is immediately expressive, with dense aromas of machine shop, cured meats, candied pineapple, and malty syrup. There is a tiny twinge of sulfur funk, but it is well within expected bounds and likely comes from the spirit rather than the cask. The palate is absolutely gorgeous, shedding that hint of funk and instead showing a powerful, oily texture. The sweetness on the front palate is undeniable, with nutty caramel sauce, citrus oils, and sweet fruit, pulled back by dark fudgy cocoa and a subtle salty, earthy finish. This is exceptionally pleasurable and well balanced. I should have tasted it with water, but it is perfectly lovely neat. It also loves oxygen, and the patient drinker will be rewarded as this malt continues to build in the glass. Fabulous value here.

Price: $99.99

2007 Auchroisk 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Refill Hogshead Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 01-27-2026

This gorgeous barrel of Auchroisk is so classical and creamy it's a real drinker. I'm not sure what qualifies this to have been bottled for the inauguration of Ardnahoe, but if they were going for the most typical in style from this particular distillery, I'd believe it. Let's have a go. The color is white wine (0.1). The nose is big orchard fruit -tangy green apple, Bartlett pear, fresh malt, kiwi skins, graham cracker and creme anglais. On the palate it's equally juicy with big apple-y fruit and more pithy citrus. The creaminess of the nose is lost to some earthy malt character, but a dash of water bring is roaring back. It surely doesn't need the water and will drink nicely if you like the edge of full 100 proof. Perhaps not unusual or bold, but just damn good malty mid-aged Speysider for a wonderful price.

Price: $89.99

1997 The Rare Armagnac Collection 28 Year Old (Domaine de Pouchegu) K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel #B2 Ténarèze Armagnac (700ml)

Review Date: 01-26-2026

The legendary Pouchegu estate stands tall in Ténarèze as one of the highest-quality producers the world has yet to fully appreciate. Only a select group of brandy aficionados remember the great man whose commitment to tradition and quality left a lasting legacy that we still honor today. Now that his ’90s stocks are coming of age, we get to experience a new phase in this master’s patrimony. Let’s explore the 1997. This is 100% Ugni Blanc. The color shows a lovely deep-copper hue (1.0). The pungent nose is absolutely dazzling, offering candied rose, waxy dried fruit, mineral oils, wood polish, bruised mint, dried herbs, and ripe stone fruits. The palate is exceptionally vibrant, adding Seville orange oil, dried plums, sweet menthol, and bitter herbs—tense, juicy, and beautifully lifted. Another stupendous spirit from the hands of an oracle, delivered straight to our glasses.

Price: $159.99

1999 The Rare Armagnac Collection 26 Year Old (Domaine de Pouchegu) K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel #D2 Ténarèze Armagnac (750ml)

Review Date: 01-26-2026

I won’t be surprised if the other Pouchegu bottlings overshadow this incredible little cask. It seems many people are still stuck in a 2012 mindset, assuming a brandy distilled in 1999 is too young to be exceptional. But here we are, more than a decade after discovering this remarkable domaine, and the late-’90s distillates I’ve tasted carry the unmistakable touch of the master who crafted them. It’s unfortunate that most will overlook this release—and that our allocation at these under-market prices is so limited—but for those willing to trust me and take the plunge, I have no doubt you’ll be reaching out later to say thank you for the nudge. Let’s dig in. The color shows a classic deep copper (1.0). The nose is packed with pungent aromatics: gorgeous tilleul honey, perfectly pulled light-roast espresso, lemon oil, apricot jam, Dunhill Aperitif, sencha, and sandalwood. The palate is juicy and exceptionally well-structured, with a lift and brightness neither of the other two vintages display—more honey, dark underbrush, yellow fruits, and perique-like dried tobacco notes. The finish expands into bold spice and deep black and red fruits. A departure from the more varnished character of the older vintages, perhaps, but an idiosyncratic and deeply satisfying style in its own right.

Price: $149.99

Bardstown Bourbon Company 6 Year Old "K&L Exclusive - County Seat" 114 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 01-20-2026

Visiting Bardstown Distillery is always a blast. They've built out this swanky tasting bar with a view inside the warehouse. The restaurant is great, the staff is always so welcoming and down to earth, plus they have a sneaky vintage bourbon bar with an incredible array of ultra-rare old bottles. They also typically give you a little chemical breakdown of each barrel with the cycle graph of the elements they believe to be the most important flavors and their respective levels in that particular sample. Both our last two barrels scored 10 out of 10 on the gallic acid register, which implies a high intensity of complex woodiness. Now unfortunately, this year’s samples did not get the graph treatment, so I have no idea where this barrel would have scored, but what is clear is we have a very different style from previous barrels. Firstly, this is the lowest proof barrel we have had by a significant margin, likely the result of aging on the lower floors, I assume. Let’s have a taste. The color is deep copper (1.0). The nose bursts from the glass. It’s extremely fruity and while the oak is there, it’s not as forward as previous barrels, instead its full of sweet cornbread, dried peaches and toasted vanilla bean. On the palate, the confectionery character does not hold back, with a syrupy sweetness and more dried stone fruits. It is not until the midpalate that the rye spice kicks up and starts to build against the ultra-decadent sweetness of the nose and entry. This battle persists through the finish to culminate in a soft, peppery, woodsy tone that frankly gives it an exotic character. A lovely style that I hope to see more of from this exceptional and always exciting distillery.

Price: $79.99

Torabhaig Signature Reserve K&L Exclusive Single Cask #2018 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 01-09-2026

The gorgeous new Torabhaig distillery on the Isle of Skye is without a doubt one of Scotland's most exciting new distillers. Not only have they built a distillery that looks like it's been there for centuries, but they've created a malt that's completely unique while still capturing the rugged sense of place that exemplifies this special island. We were early adopters and their young whiskies have been extremely approachable, but when a chance to do a single cask was offered, we absolutely jumped at the chance. Their cask policy is rather unique and they have some interesting wood types to choose from, but something about the beauty of a medium peater in an excellent first fill bourbon was too alluring to ignore. Let's have at it. The color is dull old gold (0.6). The nose absolutely piercing the air throughout the room, immediately offering aromas of dense white smoke, salted lemons, ocean spray, lanolin, pithy citrus fruit, oily nuts, capers, etc. With air, the smoke softens and the salt and lemon zest come forward adding thinly sliced serrano, Castelvetrano olives, sweet barley syrup, brine. On the palate, the peat is at the very front and hangs on to those green brine-y notes, but the sweet malt powers up in the mid pallet and continues through to a laser focused finish of burning herbs, lemon oil, and ashy smoke. Water addition adds another layer of maritime complexity - now crushed oyster shells- plus an almost tropical (dare I say) Bowmore like pineapple and mango, salted and smoked. By contrast the pallet relents the green brine-y notes and give so much sweet fruit and malt now. A fabulous spirit of exceptional character. This is NOT one to miss.

Price: $109.99

Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old "K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-17-2025

Mars Shuzo is the quiet giant of Japanese whisky. The best kept secret in the whisky world are the two exceptional distilleries, Komagatake and Tsunuki. While both have been available on occasion in single malt form, they are almost never seen in the US as single casks, and typically a single barrel of either commands a significant premium. The company can trace its roots to the origins of Japanese whisky through their founder, Kiichiro Iwai. Just like Suntory, Hombo Shuzo was there from the start. It was in fact Iwai who enlisted Masataka Taketsuru to travel to Scotland in order to learn the age old techniques for making the world’s most complex whisky. Upon his return, Hombo was not able to construct the distillery, so Taketsuru-san took the plans to Suntory. But in 1949, Kiichiro Iwai would complete his dream of building pot stills and distilling Hombo’s own malt whisky. And while Iwai-san represents one of the three pillars of Japanese whisky, their modern commitment to the category rests squarely on the shoulders of one great man, Kazuto Hombo. Hombo-san is a true lover of the finer things, and his love of whisky kept the wonderful old stills running. His belief that Japanese whisky would one day be a worldwide success is singularly connected to the construction of the Nagano plant where the original stills were moved, and while Hombo-san was ahead of his time, the plant would see very little production over the next 30 years. He was ready when the whisky boom began and production restarted in 2014. Now Komagatake is making some of the world’s best whisky. Stylistically, the distillery offers an elegant and refined malt, but this single cask is truly superb. Peated to 20 ppm, you might expect something very smoky and forward, but instead you have an elegant, ultra complex expression of malt that is on par with the very finest available anywhere. Let’s dive in! One of the old single casks out there. The color is a shimmering yellow gold (0.5). The nose is an explosive mixture of maritime flavors and sweet orchard fruit: oyster shell, yuzu peel, galangal, creosote, white ash, pear preserves, licorice root, salted grilled lemons, and lanolin. The palate is razor sharp and chiseled, with a big citrus note and a strong saline character up front, followed by similar white ashy smoke, which does not dominate whatsoever the fresh, juicy fruit: greengage, apricot, green grapes. It absolutely adores water, softening the smoke and reminding me of a well matured, less tarry style Caol Ila. An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.

Price: $179.99

Limit of 6 per customer

The Hearach 7 Year Old "Single Cask" K&L Exclusive First Fill ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel #1281 Cask Strength Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 12-17-2025

The wonderful little distillery on Harris consistently over delivers ultra high quality products at surprisingly reasonable prices. This barrel, the 2nd we've had from the lovely lightly peated Island, is takes the ocean-y house style up and turns it up to 11. There aren't many new distillers able to offer such exciting juice at a youthful age, but if you like anything off the western coast you'll surely love this beautiful barrel. It has some of the brackish notes of Skye, the elegance and serenity of Oban, the subtle oily character of Ben Nevis and the vibrant intensity of Caol Ila all wrapped up into one, not so peaty package. I'm a huge fan of this special distillery with many unique idiosyncrasies, yet unprecedented approachability, its certain to be one of the whisky world's favorites in the coming years.

Price: Hidden

2012 Ben Nevis 12 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

Ben Nevis is still under appreciated and while we had a period where the distiller seemed to avoid any barrel sales, many seem to be coming out of the wood work. This fabulous barrel exemplifies the idiosyncratic western Highland style that makes Ben Nevis feel like a malt with a great sense of place. If you've ever been to the rugged western highlands, and in particular the town of Fort Williams, this malt will transport you right back to that wild landscape. Let's give it a try. The color is a dull old gold (0.6) - not so dark, which is nice to see! The nose is full of dense malt and powerful oily flavors and needs tons of air to open up. If you can keep your glass full for a bit you'll notice a huge dark chocolate note, high toned Williams pear, peanut oil, cream fudge and scrubby highland shrubbery. The palate is extreme rich and continues on the chocolate and orchard fruit notes - adding some savory leathery and salumi aromas as it finishes. It's some how very different from many other modern Ben Nevis' but still so distinctly Ben Nevis. A beautiful, big contemplative malt that will enamor even the most jaded scotch fiend.

Price: $89.99

2007 Bruichladdich 18 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Cask Strength Refill Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

I was so excited to see this on the Douglas Laing list I jumped at the chance to taste this distillate. When the samples arrived I knew we had something special. Some might point to this barrel and exclaim about the price, and yes compared to many lesser names, this is an expensive 18 year old. But compared to other single barrel Bruichladdich this is EXTREMELY affordable. Single barrels of Bruichladdich from our friends at Dramfool traded for over $300 in the 10-12 year range. An 18 year from the Douglas Laing's rival Hunter Laing trades for over $400! So it's really a pretty good deal and simply the only old single barrel in the market. But all of that doesn't matter if you don't like how it tastes and for those expecting the big extracted wine-y style that many older Bruichladdichs exhibit (I'm looking at you Black Art) or even the toast-y character of the distillery 18, you'll be disappointed. Those who love the purity and character of old rugged Bruichladdich spirit on full display without any dressing or make-up - you'll rejoice. Let's see what we've got. The color is a minimalistic pale gold (0.3). The gorgeous nose offers classical aromatics - lemon oil, canary melons, cream of wheat, salty rocks, fresh salt meadows, butter cookies, barley tea, hints of industrial machinery, and old boats. The palate has plenty more of the lemon-y stuff with a big malt-y core and buttered salted biscuits. It's just a gorgeous old school version of this most modern malt that is seemingly not in existence elsewhere at the moment. Perhaps for some of the most discerning - this will be the whisky of the season.

Price: $225.00

2010 Tormore 15 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finished Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

I'm buying every Tormore that crosses my lips these days. It’s such an undervalued distillery and offers an incredible diversity of flavor. This one spent several years finishing in first-fill Oloroso sherry, and the results are outstanding. This is easily the sherry cask to chase if you're looking for the perfect balance between the beautiful orchard fruit of Tormore's elegant spirit and the deep, satisfying character of high-quality Oloroso. It's extremely balanced and well-rounded, offering plenty of sweet spice and powerful fruit without ever overpowering the Tormore character. This is the years sherry bomb that so many people still seek, but with a balance that few as dark and dense achieve. A perfect follow-up to the outrageously good young Tormore we did last year—the other side of the coin, as it were.

Price: $79.99

2014 Bowmore 11 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Refill Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

These 2014 Bowmores are so special. It's absolutely shocking that the distillery isn't bottling these incredible barrels. In fact, I'd contend that no distillery currently has a greater disparity between the character of what's available through Independent Bottlers and the distillery offerings. Not that Bowmore's whisky is bad, but none of it has the depth and soul of these single casks. The younger version we had last year sold out quickly and the number of request for more far out paced any other. This is one of those whiskies that on paper its difficult to comprehend simply how special it is. This years barrel is relatively different from last year, offering a bit less of the tropical fruit and more zesty lemon and a gorgeous ocean character, but its no less pleasurable. It's simply incredible that we're still able to offer this top tier blue chip malt at these prices considering the market conditions we're facing, yet here we are. I know that you know you'll regret not grabbing this before it arrives because we will absolutely have to raise our prices on the in stock version. Let's have a go. The character is full of sweet soft smoke and complex fruit - mango, leather, mango leather, cured ham and honey, citrus oil, engine oil, camphor, pistachio butter. The palate is so rich and textural it's simply unbelievable that this distillery isn't front and center for every serious malt drinker, but then again, the whisky almost never tastes like this when the distillery bottles it. An absolute gem of a whisky that's going to give so much pleasure - I'm legitimately proud we're selling this.

Price: $99.99

2010 Caol Ila 14 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Hogsheads Cask Strength Single Refill Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

This barrel, the oldest Caol Ila of the year, was aged in a refill hogshead but offers a classical expression of this special distillery. A lovely little pale gold (0.4), it opens with a nose that is pure Islay, full of powerful peat and dense wet turf. With air, subtle sweet cereal character and tense dark pepper notes appear. The palate, by contrast, offers dense sweet malt and complex barrel spice. The middle brings cracking pine smoke, sooty earthy peat, and dusty, rich, smoldering anthracite coal. The creamy texture and round, rich finish bring the wild ride to a satisfying close. The sweetness turns up to eleven along with the dense smoke. A total classic on arrival. Very tasty stuff.

Price: $99.99

2013 Caol Ila 12 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Hogsheads Cask Strength Single Refill Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 12-04-2025

If you weren’t aware, I’m a total sucker for Caol Ila. It’s a very large distillery, but only a fraction of its total production makes it out as single malt. I’ve even heard rumors that significant quantities of unpeated malt are produced for their blending needs. One thing I love about Caol Ila is that, like some of its Islay neighbors, it’s remarkably multifaceted. It’s difficult to determine whether these stylistic ranges are intentional, like Bruichladdich, or seasonal, like Laphroaig, but we have three barrels this year of different styles and ages, each in classic refill hogsheads. The idea was to capture three faces of Caol Ila and present them at stupendous prices. This second barrel from Old Particular is starting to offer a wilder side of the wonderful north shore distiller. The color is a bright yellow gold (0.4). The nose is powerful with green pepper, lime zesty, dense green peat and tense ashy smoke. There's some lovely soft oak to mellow a bit to already and hints of smoked meats. Dense dark ash smoke envelopes the palate and doesn't relent. Smoking embers, mesquite, dark roast wood, and a tense salty finish. A totally wonderful and unexpected side of this fabulous distillery.

Price: $79.99

Green River "Bronze & Beautiful" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Non-Chillfiltered Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 12-03-2025

This wild barrel is such a contrast to the other one we bought, I simply couldn't say no. It's so open and lively, it simply jumped out in the tasting and was an immediate yes for me. Nothing more to add, so let's get to tasting. This one is a full two shades darker than the other barrel, clocking a solid tawny (1.4). The nose is absolutely explosive, offering dense raisin-y fruit, sweet crema di mocha, candied nuts, cinnamon apple fritter, and heated aspen. It's like eating an absolutely decadent dessert in an absolutely pristine dry sauna. On the palate, it's rich and sweet with burnt sugar, exotic wood, cooked peaches, pipe tobacco, and vanilla extract. With air, the density and intensity of both the nose and palate continue to smolder and build. This is simply a massive and powerful whisky that will likely shock some who snag it blindly.

Price: $59.99

Green River "Owensboro's Aqueous Ore" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Non-Chillfiltered Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 12-03-2025

The two barrels we have from Green River right now may change some skeptics' minds. There's an unfortunate negativity in the bourbon industry that exists with regards to Owensboro production, one stemming from some of the previous owners' early experimental efforts to accelerate the aging of the bourbons produced at this facility through somewhat questionable means, but the current production is perfectly lovely and certain barrels are downright exceptional. This 6.5 year old barrel of cask strength bourbon comes from the classic Green River mashbill at 21 percent rye and is simply delicious. A splendid chestnut color (1.2). The nose begins dark and nutty, but with just a bit of air it's clear there's a huge amount going on here. Sweet, almost molasses-like dense fruit, chocolate chip banana nut bread, cedar, sandalwood, toasted pecans, baking spices. It's very festive. On the palate it reminds me of OESQ from Four Roses with the candied floral and soft vanilla character right up front, honeysuckle, sweet tea, caramel candied, followed by a dark spicy finish. It's a totally fabulous and unique expression that kind of does different things on nose and palate and continues to evolve for ages in the glass.

Price: Hidden

Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 12-03-2025

Frank August continues to impress with every new release. Their first rye was a tiny batch of Limited Edition, and now they're back with an always available small batch rye and winning equal praise from all who taste it. What I love about Frank's rye is that it isn't trying to be bourbon. So many Kentucky ryes rely on this to appeal to bourbon drinkers, but what they fail to realize is that if they'd make rye for rye drinkers, there would be more bourbon drinkers who consider themselves rye drinkers. Anyway, I like it. Let's have a taste. A sumptuous chestnut color (1.2). The nose opens slowly in the glass and offers beautiful evergreen and deep herbal character. As it unfolds, the sweetness of the oak melds lovingly with the dense peppery rye grain, giving it an almost antique vibe along with hints of nougat, chocolate, dill, pecan brittle, and clove. The palate is beautifully dusty and unabashedly rye driven with a huge core of dried citrus and stone fruit in the middle intermingled with robust savory herbs and tobacco. The medium finish offers soft pepper, dried mint, bitter orange, and smoldering oak. A truly lovely and unapologetic rye that straddles the modern and historic styles extremely lovingly.

Price: $74.99

Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 12-03-2025

Frank August is a refreshing take on the bourbon category. Not caught up in any old tropes, this is just really well put together bourbon from a couple of good guys who seem to know everybody. Again, Kentucky is all about who you know and while very little can be divulged about the sources and methods here, I think the whiskey speaks for itself. It's safe to say that this is coming from a well-regarded distillery and the blending is done by an industry veteran who has taken the idea of small batch to a whole new level. Blends matter a lot at this scale and this inaugural batch is tasting pretty stellar. The style isn't a baseball bat to the palate like some of the geeks might want these days, but instead a subtle and elegant expression of bourbon that's rarely on display in the modern market. Let's taste it! The lovely reddish hue tells us that this one is maybe a bit older than some others on the market. The nose is a deft and well-aligned bouquet of caramel candies, toasted vanilla, baked clove, and other aromatic spices. Hints of cacao, burnt sugar, and dried fruit support. The texture is rather rich and unctuous with a full body but no heat at 100 proof. No oddness or distinctive flavors beyond the classic, elegant, and well-rounded character of an excellent medium-aged Kentucky bourbon. The finish is long and inviting, offering tons of sweetness and tempering the spice that lingers on the front palate. It's hard to say where this was sourced exactly, but very few of the luxury brands offer such opulence and well-rounded charisma. I'd say it's safe to say that this is better than most every new product we've come across, and there are many. Frank August might sacrifice power for elegance and completeness, but no good bourbon drinker will be disappointed and the openness allows even the most novice entry into this still somewhat hard-to-parse category. Plus the bottle looks awesome and doesn't scream or shout, just looks pretty on the bar for as long as you can keep it full, which likely won't be long.

Price: $74.99

Frank August "Case Study: 06 Legacy Reserve" 6 Barrel Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 12-03-2025

Fresh off a stunning set of wins for best bourbon and rye from the world's top awards, this new limited edition release from Frank August represents an exciting new chapter. Their last release, Case Study 5, was just voted Best Bourbon in the world, but this takes the same ethos and turns things all the way up to 11. Here, instead of wheated bourbons, it's a blend of legacy distillate from 8 to 10 years old. They don't disclose the sources, but our friends at Frank have assured us that these aren't your run-of-the-mill bulk brokerage style barrel purchases. Instead, these are hand-selected from the finest stocks from Kentucky's historic distillers and deftly blended into a seamless package unlike any Frank that has ever existed. If Case Study 5 is the best bourbon, what does Case Study 6 become when it's even better? We'll have to wait and see because it will be long sold out before its various awards are handed out, but if you haven't tried Frank or if you have, there's simply nothing on the market quite like it. Let's try! The color is a striking auburn (1.5). It's extremely difficult to pinpoint what this reminds me of because the character of so many various distillers is seamlessly interwoven. Even on first nose you're getting a huge cherry and red fruit character, beautiful dusty sweet oak, twinges of mint and earthy herbs, nougat and poached pear, dark chocolate and fresh tobacco. On the palate there's a richness of character and texture that seems unbelievable for the age, and the sweetness is full on at the front offering peach candies, sugary treats, maple syrup, dark red cherry before shifting slightly darker and spicier on the finish. An absolutely stupendous feat of blending that was obviously extremely thoughtful. They're mingling just 5 to 6 barrels per batch and only 9 batches, so an extremely small release. For those who take the plunge before having to hunt for it, you'll be well rewarded for your punctuality.

Price: $129.99

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