Single Malt Scotch

The Glenlivet was the first legal distiller in Scotland (1824) and the only one allowed to be called 'The Glenlivet'. What Grande Champagne is to Cognac, the glen of the river Livet is to Speyside - the most famous speyside highland malts. For shipping orders these ship as a bottle only, no gift box or packaging will be included. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Our goal when we first envisioned Faultline was to create a world class brand that bottled only world class spirits. Most retail bottlings focus on the lowest common denominator, how can we get the most saleable product for the absolute lowest price possible. Usually, that means sacrificing quality just so that you can have a big name on the label. Here at K&L's spirits department, we've decided to use a different model. We seek out the absolute finest products and bring them to you at the lowest possible price. These are products that normally, sup... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

Lagavulin was established in 1830 and has the driest start of all single malts. Full amber in color with a dominant sherry nose. Full-bodied yet smooth. The dryness is offset by the sweetness of the sherry character. Salty notes and a huge powerful peaty finish. A connoisseur's malt, and with consistently high marks from Michael Jackson. "An old classic, but how do the newest bottlings fare? Rich, chewy, slightly oily texture. Deep peat, thick smoke, iodine, brine, charcoal, seaweed, Earl Grey tea, and the aromas of a summer barbeque. Vanilla and light c... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Gold Medal 2007 International Wine & Spirit Competition. The Glenfiddich 12 Year is distinctively fresh and fruity with a hint of pear on the nose. The palate for this single malt is characteristically sweet, with undertones of butterscotch, cream, malt and a hint of oak. It finishes long, smooth and mellow. See for yourself why this is one of the world's most popular single malts. 40% ABV (bottle only, no box) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This 10 year old malt epitomizes the taste of Islay; rich, smoky and peaty. It is the most distinctive of all malts, called 'the ultimate single Islay malt.' 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Now with a new super low price! 2009 World Whiskey of the Year. Ardbeg Uigeadail (pronounced Oog-a-dal) takes its name from the brooding, mysterious loch that provides the peat-laden water for Ardbeg. It is a special vatting of casks matured in bourbon barrels and many older sherry casks. The older casks bring luscious, sweet, raisiny tones to the unique Ardbeg taste. Only a few bottles available! Michael Jackson's tasting notes: "Nose: Intensely smoky. Dry, clean, tangy smoke. Like standing downwind of the barbecue while steaks are char-grilled on the b... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Finally, ten long years after re-opening the distillery, Bruichladdich has reached the finish line - a ten year old malt composed entirely of whisky made after the resurrection. The wait has been worth it. Many of us at K&L feel that Bruichladdich's post-2001 whiskies are some of the best distillates in the world - they've always just been a bit too immature. The quality of the spirit coming off their pot stills is simply jaw-dropping (their Botanist gin is also delicious), and we've been excited to see what it can do after a decade in the barrel. Th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Silver Medal Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold Medal International Spirits Challenge and Gold Medal Beverage Tasting Institute. This 12-year old single malt is medium-bodied with aromas of dried fruits and honey. Delicate and mellow tasting with a lingering, woody finish. Handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation The Balvenie Doublewood is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt - the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour. Nose: Sweet fruit and oloroso sherry notes, layered w... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Now with a new super low price! 93 points from the Malt Advocate! World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray in his 2008 edition of The Whisky Bible. From the distiller: "AROMA - Exceptional balance and depth. At full strength, the aroma is a beguiling mix of toffee and chocolate sweetness, cinnamon spice and medicinal phenols. Fresh citrus and floral notes of white wine are evident, as are melon, pear drops and a gentle creaminess. There is also the fresh phenolic aroma of sea spray and smoked fish. Hickory and coffee emerge later as the most volatile top ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Selective maturation in new Limousin oak casks, usually reserved for wine, has added delicate overtones of the spices highly prized in fine wines, while perfectly complementing the subtle elegance of the original malt," explains Jim Cryle, Master Distiller at The Glenlivet Distillery. The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve has an intense and sweet aroma with hints of citrus fruit and cedar wood. The taste is well structured with an interplay of fruits and spices. This is a beautifully balanced, rich and mellow whisky with a long creamy finish that ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

88 points Whisky Advocate. "Glengoyne distillery is about 15 miles north of Glasgow. Unlike most other single malts, Glengoyne has been preserving the essence of its flavor for decades by using air-dried barley rather than barley dried using harsh peat smoke. The result is a more subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavors are freely allowed to express themselves. Medium golden, clear and bright color, with aromas of soft, mellow oak and apple fruitiness. On the palate, vanilla, full oak and fruit with a very long finish." 4 stars -Spirit... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Glendronach was one of our favorite distilleries on our recent trip to Scotland and this 12 year is the best whisky that no one is drinking. Soft, supple, rich, and complex, and finished in PX sherry butts for a kiss of sweetness. This is my new house whisky and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's not going to blow your mind, it's just really really really good. It's what you wish every Speyside malt could taste like. -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

Described by Paul Pacult as: 'simply the best 12 Year Old single malt around', The secret of The Macallan lies in defiant adherence to traditional methods and ingredients. The continued use of finest Golden Promise barley and the insistence on sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain are just two of the pre-requisites for perfection. 

Inventory: Hollywood

2009 Scotch Whisky of the Year from the Malt Advocate! Named for Europe's largest whirlpool, this whisky is now available on a full time basis, having replaced the beloved Beist. Like the whirlpool, Ardbeg Corryvreckan is heady, intense and powerful. Its finish is long and deep, leaving the sipper with a lingering, mysterious and enticing taste. It is without a doubt one of the best Ardbeg's ever created and lends a bit of richness to balance out the spicy flavors. Lots of peat, lots of power, but always perfectly balanced. A malt to savor. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The home of the old Ladyburn distillery, this is the perfect sister bottle to our "Rare Ayrshire" cask (which unfortunately is now sold out). Girvan once housed the now defunct Ladyburn, but was more known for its role in creating the Black Barrel brand available in Scandinavia and Latin America. This is another whopper of a whisky that is difficult to describe. Dry, herbal, grainy on the nose, but the palate is expressive and clean, loaded with vanilla and oak on the front end, but finishing dry with apples and pears in a fruity flurry of flavor. So... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A wonderful award-winning Island malt bottled at above average strength with a comforting smooth afterglow. Strength: 45.8% ABV Appearance: Brilliant gold. Nose: Peat-smoke with sea-water saltiness, the liquor of fresh oysters, a citrus sweetness. Body: Full. Palate: A rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of pepper. Finish: Huge, long, peppery finish with an appetising sweetness. Serge Valentine says, "Colour: gold. Nose: it seems that Talisk... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

TOP OTHER WHISKY - 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.The smooth, honey taste of this 18-year old Japanese Single Malt Whisky, handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery will enchant any single malt lover. Full-bodied with spicy cherry-like notes, it smells of toffee and has a lovely, long, dry finish. Double Gold Medal Winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold Medal Winner, Beverage Tasting Institute. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Strength: 43% ABV Appearance: Pale straw. Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist's mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old-fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness (lychees?), a trace of olive oil, and after a while pot pourri or scented hand-soap. Body: Firm, smooth, light to medium. Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This western highland malt is said to have been originally founded in 1794. Oban is a true classic with an amber color, an assertive, round nose and a rich smooth, slightly viscous body. On the palate, it is dry with malty and fruity undertones. It has a wonderful smooth and aromatic finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Upon our 2011 visit to Springbank, we knew we wanted to purchase a single bourbon cask, but we were open to other options were we to find another very special barrel. Of course, that's exactly what happened. One of the most beloved whiskies in K&L customer history was a 2000 Springbank that was finished in Chateau d'Yquem barrels, giving a sweet highlight to the chewy textures of the malt. This 1998 Madeira-finished cask is bottled at cask strength, and is the more muscular, more mature cousin of that lovely 2000. Golden fruits, a rich, oily mouthfee... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Pronounced "a-boon-arh", which means "the origin" in Gaelic. Made the way whiskey was produced in the 1800's, a'bunadh from Aberlour is not chilled-filtered and is bottled at cask strength 59.5%. Slowly matured in rare Oloroso sherry butts, this malt is filled with rich, smooth, complex flavors. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

John Ramsay the Malt Master for Glenrothes has taken great care to pick out the finest casks from different years to create the "Select Reserve". It is the first non-vintage expression from Glenrothes. Unlike the vintages, which run out quickly the "Select Reserve", will be available on a continual basis. The youngest whisky is from 1998. This is the perfect Glenrothes to enjoy all year round. 40% ABV Here are the tasting notes from the distillery: Appearance: Pale golden Nose: American oak vanilla and coconut, hints of plums Palate: Full malty fl... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

While ensconced deep in the countryside of the Eastern Scottish Highlands, David OG and I sat at a small table in a low-lit guesthouse and marveled at the quality of the Glendronach single malts. I immediately blogged via the K&L Spirits Journal website that the 12 year old was the "best single malt that no one is drinking!" Very much like Springbank whiskies sans the peat smoke, Glendronach has an unctuous, chewy mouthfeel that isn't overly cloying or too saturated with sweet sherry. We knew that if we could find a single barrel that tasted similiar ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The newest Japanese whisky to hit the U.S. market is Suntory's Hakushu - known as the "Forest Distillery." Built in 1973 as a sister distillery to Suntory's Yamazaki distillery (previously the only Japanese single malt available in the U.S.), the facility is located at a high-elevation site next to the "pristine waters" of the Ojira River, which are used to dillute the whisky itself. Hakushu distillery uses different styles of oak barrel to age their single malt, but mainly Hogshead, which according to the distillery is "suitable to the clear air and c... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

While many single malts are blends of different types of barrels, some are known to be more sherried than others. Macallan for example is widely enjoyed for its Oloroso sherry character, while something like Ardbeg is decidedly less rich. That being said, it's not that Ardbeg doesn't use sherry-aged whisky in its single malt, it's just that there are far fewer barrels in their recipe. Clynelish, perhaps the most respected single malt in the world by whisky insiders, is a whisky renowned for its light, fruity, Highland character. However, what would h... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Highland Park 18 Year Old is an exceptionally fine whisky that builds on the world-class reputation already enjoyed by the 12 Year Old. All the Orcadian hallmarks of Highland Park are here - the smokiness, the peat, the heather-honey - plus it has gained a glorious richness and spiciness through its longer cask maturation. Its elegance and smoothness make the 18 year old a delight to the malt whisky connoisseur. F. PAUL PACULT'S LIST OF THE SCOTCH WHISKIES TO BE DRINKING IN 2007. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This is our staff "Best Buy" in our Bruichladdich line up. The Rocks is a very approachable dram and would be great for someone just starting in out in the whisky world or if you are looking for an every day "Laddie". Non-chillfiltered with no additives, the rocks spends 7 years in bourbon before being ace'd in French Wine casks for several months. Their "unpeated" whisky actually has a touch of peat, 3-7 ppm. 

Inventory: San Francisco

Another limited edition release from the folks at Glenmorangie and this one is perhaps their best effort yet. I have to admit that when I read about Glenmo's new Sassicaia-finished experiment, I yawned. There are a slew of great wine cask-enhanced whiskies on the market but the idea is no longer original. However, I should have had more faith in Bill Lumsden because this is one of the best Glenmorangie whiskies in years. The aroma is full of red berries and sweet grains, but is also very delicate. The flavors on the palate swim with stone fruit and ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

If you can't believe your eyes at the price of this Caol Ila 30 year old single barrel, cask strength bottle, we can't blame you. Is it a close out? No. Is it just not good? Sorry, we don't buy bad whisky. How is it that K&L is able to get an entire barrel of elegant, smoky, mature Islay whisky and sell it for $199.99? We'll let you in on a secret - we worked very hard to get these casks imported directly and we've enlisted the help of a few friends to get these incredible prices. Do a Google search and you'll find that the official Caol Ila comes... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

93 Points - The Malt Advocate Glenmorangie Original is an inviting single malt whisky, acclaimed and appreciated by luxury spirit drinkers around the world. The original expression of Glenmorangie’s elegant, floral spirit that is renowned the world over for exquisite finesse and alluring complexity, Glenmorangie The Original is the intriguing marriage of delicate spirit and long, slow maturation. The taste characteristics from the first-fill bourbon casks that permeates the majority of the aged spirit, coupled with the increased proportion of our ‘desi... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This exciting new expression follows the acclaim of 2008’s limited edition Balvenie 17 Year Old Rum Cask, and the subsequent popularity of rum cask-finished whiskies, with a whisky that bears all the hallmarks of the Balvenie, but with an added level of complexity that comes from finishing the whisky in casks that once held Caribbean rum. After a 14 year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, the Balvenie is then transferred to the rum casks, leading to an exceptional Single Malt that exemplifies the signature smooth, honeyed character of th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Bunnahabhain is a mellow, delicate and highly individual malt Whisky that owes much of its character to the clear water of the Margadale spring and to the distillery's proximity to the sea on the edge of the Sound of Islay. It is the most northern of all the Islay distilleries. The 12 year is golden in color. The nose is remarkably fresh, sweet, with hints of sea-air aroma. A lighter body malt but with good weight and usually runs about 10ppm in regards to its phenol content. The palate is very gentle, clean, with a nutty-malty sweetness. A nice fu... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Two hundred years ago, malt whisky was carried through Scotland in small casks that were easily transported on the backs of packhorses. As transportation methods improved, Scottish distillers turned to more economical larger casks, which became today's uniform standard for maturation. Until now. Realizing that using the original small cask maturation process would be an innovative way to add new character. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is handcrafted to deliver a new expression of Laphroaig's powerful, smoky flavors with smoother, creamier and more complex ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: "CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation. The opening inhalation offers deep aromas of nutmeg, oloroso Sherry, dark toffee and black pepper; further aeration stirs up thrilling scents of chocolate- covered cherries, tobacco smoke, sea brine, paraffin, praline and cedar box—a textbook Islay/sherry perfume. Palate entry is winey, concentrated and stunningly Sherry-like; at midpalate the taste profile expands to include dark honey, butterscotch, old oak, vanilla extract and cocoa bean. Concludes delicately and as sweet as honey.... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

As the eye takes in the dark, russet colour of the 15 Year Old, the nose anticipates the rich sweet smell of the sherry casks used to mature this age of Springbank. The anticipation is rewarded as you remove the cork and allow the sherry aromas to drift out. However the sweet nose on this dram only begins to suggest the full range of flavours which emerge on the palate; dark chocolate, figs, marzipan, brazil nuts and vanilla all mingle to DRAMatic effect! Warming and elegant on the finish. (Distillery Notes) 46% alc/vol 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

When it was dismantled in 1996, Littlemill was not only one of the oldest working distilleries, but also one of the rarest. Finding great Littlemill is EXTREMELY difficult. We were very lucky to find this exceptional cask of ultra rare Littlemill and even luckier to get it for a reasonable price. From a secret special source, this warehouse contained several off limits ultra rare casks. Somehow we weaseled this one cask out for the inaugural release of our own independent label dubbed Faultline Spirits. Faultline draws a line in the sand. It connects ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This new 2011 release of Steve McCarthy's famed Oregon single malt is the best we've ever tasted from Clear Creek. The faint hints of greenness have been replaced by supple, sweet barley which marries incredibly with the smoky peat. A grand slam effort that will sell quickly once the word gets out. Named one of the Best Ten American Whiskies by critic Michael Jackson for 2004/2005 and rated an incredible 96 points in Jim Murray's 2008 edition of The Whiskey Bible, the McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey from Clear Creek Distillery is a small batch b... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A perfect introduction to the Springbank range. Whilst bourbon casks are mainly used for maturation, allowing the distillery character to shine through, a number of sherry casks are also used for added body. The light colour of this malt belies the richness of its character. Whilst the nose suggests a wide range of aromas, from citrus fruits to pears and a hint of peat, the palate excites even further with touches of smoke, vanilla essence, nutmeg, cinnamon and the salty tang we have come to expect from Springbank. (Distillery Notes) "Gold color, fresh s... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A great deal in bargain single malt. The Auchentoschen stands out in the fact that it's triple distilled, and therefore a lighter and more gentle dram, in the tradition of the Lowland malts. This is smooth, gentle, with subtle sweetness, and honey notes on the palate. A great sipper for an afternoon, or to initiate the new whisky drinker into the fold. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Whisky Magazine says, "Nose: Fresh, mild antiseptic, subtle peat smoke; Palate: Complex. Smoked haddock, cut plug tobacco, burnt newspapers, but buttery, sweeter cooked fruit notes predominate; Finish: Chewy toffee drying out to oak; Comment: A fine robust dram with lots happening. Laphroaig at its best." Now bottled at 57.8%! "Amber with gold streaks. Its aroma and flavor is fresh, powerful, and medicinal, with notes of peat smoke, band-aids, tar, rich toffee, seaweed, and brine. Thick in body, with an almost molasses-like viscosity." 92 points - Malt A... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The Macallan's benchmark excellence is nowhere more evident than in the 18 year old. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Special Order only! Special order items are not in stock and are dependent upon quantity available from distribution. All special orders are final and non-refundable. WIll take 5-7 business days before the item can be shipped. 92 points from the Malt Advocate. Color: Rich Straw; Nose: Full aroma with hints of rose and cinnamon; Palate: Intense rich chocolates, with hints of orange and raisins; Finish: Lingering with chocolate, hints of orange and dried fruit. 96-100 PT. - CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation - Wine Enthusiast: "An initial bouquet of the dr... Read More » 

Inventory: Special Order

Highland Park, one of only two distilleries in the Orkney Isles, is the world's most northerly whisky distillery. It was founded in 1798 by Magnus Euson. Until it was licensed in 1825 its production was illicit and Euson was assisted in evading the excisemen by a kinsman who was a Kirk elder and hid the contraband under the pulpit. By the 1880s Highland Park had an established reputation and at one time both the King of Denmark and the Emperor of Russia declared it to be the finest whisky they had ever tasted. Highland Park has been described as the gre... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Extremely limited quantities available! This is one of Campbeltown's best values, especially when you consider that the 21 year retails for upwards of $600. One of Scotland's most exciting distilleries and independently owned. This is essentially mandatory purchase for all those Single Malt obsessed, if no other reason than to gloat about actually owning one. Plus it tastes great - classic Campbeltown rusticity balanced by 80% sherry casking. Amazingly, the revamped packaging has not increased the cost and we'll be able to sell this for less than ev... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

A captivating single malt whisky for the sophisticated luxury spirits drinker who enjoys delicious extravagance and sensual pleasures. With a tremendous ‘gourmand’ appeal, The Nectar D’Òr is Glenmorangie’s delicious, complex base spirit that, after a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, is then extra matured in specially hand selected Sauternes wine barriques. This makes it rich and sumptuous with a heady, luscious, beguiling spectrum of aromatic patisserie desserts that helps create a memorable occasion whenever it is enjoyed. Non chill-filtered an... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt whisky from the essential Islay distillery, Lagavulin, on Islay’s rocky south coast. Eighth of a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks. Vatted from refill American Oak casks, each at least 12 years old. Available in limited quantities worldwide. An elegant classic; massive smoke and purity of flavour supported by complex aromas and delicious sweetness. Less rich and plummy than the 16 year old, this starts with a fresh moss nose that well hidden in the standard bo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

The source, Lochan an Doire-Uaine, (Gaelic for "lake in the green grove"), lies at 2,000 feet in the Drumochter Hills. From it, all the pure spring water used in distilling Dalwhinnie™ flows over rich local peat through Allt an t'Sluic, the distillery burn. No other distillery may use the water from this source – therefore no other distillery is able to yield Dalwhinnie’s uniquely clean, accessible, malty-sweet taste, giving way to a smooth and smoky Highland mouthfeel. Dalwhinnie distillery is situated between the gentle, grassy style of the Lowlands an... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

I have to admit that I wasn't on the Kilchoman bandwagon when they first started releasing their fiesty, smoky, precocious Islay single malts. Being the hot new distillery in Scotland isn't easy, especially when you're selling young whiskies at old whisky prices. Their second release, however, really spoke to me and their 100% Islay malt absolutely blew me away. I'd always known that age was nothing but a number in terms of quality, but sometimes one needs to be convinced of that with physical evidence. There's simply a stigma against young malts. T... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood