By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 3/21/2023 | Send Email

The Cuvee Prestige is full bodied and complex. There is a depth of flavor and wonderful balance. I thought that I was tasting a Champagne that was much more expensive than this is.

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/6/2023 | Send Email

Tour St-Christophe has quickly become one of our favorite properties in Bordeaux over the past decade. Coming from vines opposite of Barde-Haut, around the corner from Troplong Mondot, this is terroir that has crafted some of the best value in the entire region in recent years. For me, the 2019 is remarkable for it's precision, bold fruit with a weightless texture, and overall refinement. Deep red to black fruits build around the palate with well-integrated tannins, leading to a long finish tinged with a touch of salinity. For the Bordeaux crowd, it certainly speaks to a sense of place and has the hallmarks for a graceful and compelling evolution. For those who want to experience top-flight Bordeaux for a song at this stage in the game, it also checks that box as well.

By: John Christensen | Review Date: 2/28/2023 | Send Email

This flagship bottling from Gilbert Jacquesson is comprised of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir & 30% Chardonnay, and delivers so much bang for the buck. With fresh citrus, ripe cherry, crisp granny smith apple, whiffs of savory herbs and just the right amount of toasty lees from the extensive, near decade-long aging. An absolute stunner for under $40!

By: John Christensen | Review Date: 2/28/2023 | Send Email

A perfect utility champagne for pairing with food or as an aperitif, this swiss army knife cuvée hits all the right notes. Impressively balanced for an Extra Brut, which often can be aggressively acid-driven, the Hommage 1921 delivers a bounty of fresh citrus fruits, roasted hazelnuts, fresh baked brioche and a kiss of vanilla bean. A masterclass in blending and an absolute bargain given the quality in the bottle.

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/19/2023 | Send Email

The Master of Meunier strikes again with his "Cuvee Prestige" Champagne, a NV sparkler with loads of barrel fermented old vine Meunier blended with young bright and fresh Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Aged on the lees for eight years, this bubbly's rich, soft, and plushy fruit forward style is balanced by it's autolytic character. On the nose and in the mouth, olive tapenade, lemon-lime, tangerine, and cherry. At our most recent in-store Champagne tasting, the Cuvee Prestige was the lineup's sleeper hit! Another great direct import and an unbelievable price!

By: Brooke Farnden | Review Date: 2/19/2023 | Send Email

This plum sake is great! Nice and sweet for a dessert style wine balanced by an incredible acidity. I go to sushi restaurants where plum wine is an option, and I've always been so curious to try it. I'm so happy I did! You definitely get a lot of plum character from this of course, but there are other factors such as a fine minerality and honeydew sweetness. I'd be curious to try this as a sweetener in a cocktail.

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2023 | Send Email

Part of Fallet-Dart's 18 hectares of vineyards around Charly-sur-Marne is a special property in Drachy called Clos du Mont that "produces delicious and powerful wines." "Clos" in this context means a walled vineyard, which are mostly attributed to the abbeys of Catholic monks who once owned the land and originally planted the vines. Champagne's most famous example is Dom Perignon, the Benedictine monk credited with turning Champagne from a red wine region to the center of the sparkling wine world. Back to Clos du Mont. This premium grape growing vineyard is the source of Fallet-Dart's top wine, the 2004 vintage Clos du Mont Brut Champagne. However, Fallet-Dart produces two additional wines sourced from the Clos du Mont vineyard and the "Eocene" is one of them. The primary difference between the Clos du Mont and the Eocene is how long it's aged sur lie. Though not labeled as a vintage champagne, the Eocene is all from 2009, so aged for five years less than the Clos du Mont but that time on the lees produces an autolytic character of finesse and elegance. On the nose and palate, brioche, tart green apple, citrus, saline, pineapple and other tropical notes. I'm going to wrap up this review with a major wine geek fact: "Eocene" is the second epoch (55.8 million to 33.9 million years ago) of the Tertiary period (66 million years to 2.6 million years ago) and alludes to the system of rocks that were deposited during that time. Enjoy!

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/15/2023 | Send Email

Fallet-Dart Cuvée de Réserve, a Blanc de Noir produced exclusively from estate fruit, has a round fruity style compliments of the Pinot Meunier, but maintains a bright, crisp, backbone of acidity. The lengthy sur-lie aging gives it fine bubbles and an elegant toasty autolytic character. On the nose, citrus, red berries, and brioche. On the palate, cherry, strawberry, pear, and apple with a long tingling finish. An easy drinking every day champagne. That's right. I said it. EVERY day!

By: John Christensen | Review Date: 2/13/2023 | Send Email

Based on 80% Chardonnay, the Eocene, coming from Clos du Mont, is a real showstopper. Filled with a bevy of citrus, white florals and hints of stone fruit, leading into a consistent and long mineral-tinged finish. This is an absolute bargain that hugely overdelivers with exceptional complexity for the money.

By: John Christensen | Review Date: 2/13/2023 | Send Email

Where the Cuvée de Réserve is a fun and delightful entry to the portfolio, things get a little more serious with the Grande Sélection. With upwards of 8 years on the lees, the complexity here is unparalleled for the humble price tag. A powerful, yet elegant bottle of bubbles, full of toasty brioche, ripe citrus and a melange of stone fruits. Another stunning value from the fan-favorite Fallet-Dart!

By: John Christensen | Review Date: 2/13/2023 | Send Email

The Fallet-Dart Cuvée de Réserve is a wonderfully inviting and delicious Champagne! The Pinot Meunier based Blanc de Noir entices the senses with ripe red cherry, crunchy red apple and toasty Brioche, and a sneakily long and persistent finish. A perfect apéritif one should always have on hand.

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

Silky and creamy with rich citrus fruits on the palate and toasted hazelnut notes, it's deep in flavor with long finish and supple textured flavor. Real steal for the price!

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

Creamy and brioche like, it's an easy Champagne to enjoy as an aperitif yet complex and richly textured with hint of toast, hazelnut and lemon curd. It has long persistent finish and very balanced profile overall.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

What an interesting an intricately crafted champagne from the "Master of Meunier" Gilbert Jacquesson! Almost half of it is 10 year old reserve meunier that was barrel fermented, balanced by younger and very fresh Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has beautiful and intense nectarine, citrus and rainier cherry fruit with equally intense acidity and a lovely toasty element from the extended aging.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

This has an incredible nose reminiscent of a rich Meursault with ripe citrus and granny smith apples, a touch of flinty smoke, and briny minerality. The richness is nicely balanced by lifting acidity and a robust fine bead. Perfect with food or as an aperitif.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

"Eocene" comes from one of the great walled vineyards of Champagne, the Clos du Mont, in the western Marne Valley. Composed from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir vinified in oak, then aged for well over a decade on the lees, this showcases a richness and exuberance rarely achieved at this price. It has rich baked apple, dried apricot, and meyer lemon fruit with honeyed walnuts on the nose. It has a rich texture which is lifted by bright acidity and subtle minerality.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

This is a value I often like to compare to one of the bigger brands in Champagne (with an iconic orange label) that has a similar grape profile. This has bright distinctively ripe citrus and apricot fruitiness, cream, flowers and toast from the seven years on the lees, and amazing texture from the chalky soils. Throw in that you actually save money for all that quality, and it becomes a no-brainer!

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/7/2023 | Send Email

This Blanc de Noirs is one of the best-kept secrets of the Western Marne Valley. Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and aged for a particularly lengthy four years on the lees, it has wonderful fresh pear, Bing cherry and apple fruit profile, a broad presence on the palate, and a crisp finish that left a nice yeasty flavor lingering for over a minute! If you’re on the grower-producer train, this is an essential.

By: Adrian Gomez | Review Date: 1/22/2023 | Send Email

This delicious whiskey opens up with candied green apple, pear and honey on the nose. The first sip introduces cinnamon and baking spice on the palate with a hit of citrus that lingers on tongue. As the whiskey opens up in the glass the aroma changes to fresh cherries and blueberry. maple syrup and brown sugar gets mingled in with the cinnamon from before and the finish mimics the nose of fresh cherries that are subdued quickly by the cinnamon citrus notes.

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 1/18/2023 | Send Email

If you're looking for a playful and dessert style sake look no further! This is the limoncello of sake! The ume gives you a sweet creamy texture, while the lemon gives you that perfect balance of tartness. They use not only the juice of the lemon, but the skin of it too that awakens your tastebuds. Drinking this well chilled is highly recommended and experiment with it too in a cocktail, you'll be surprised by how versatile this sake is!

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 1/16/2023 | Send Email

The nose screams Pessac, with stone-laden dark fruits, cassis, and black pepper on impressive and expressive aromas. The palate is silky, composed, and shows great depth and pedigree. The stony minerality surrounds blackberry fruit, good concentration, and a thread of acidity that carries the finish. The texture and complexity hint at great things to come, but there's already a lot going on with this remarkably priced gem.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2023 | Send Email

The opaque black bottle is elegant and unassuming. When you pour from it, it’s hard not to smile as the bright blue liquid comes flowing out. It just makes me happy. Then you smell the glass - and that too makes me happy. It’s a beautiful array of citrus peel, sweet and savory spices, and the kind of floral notes that aren’t overly perfumey, but are pretty and elegant. The Illusion promised by the name comes when you add tonic. Right before your eyes it changes from blue to pink, but this quirk of butterfly peas isn’t the reason to buy the gin, it’s just a fun side effect in my book. It’s the composition, balance, and texture that makes The Illusionist so compelling. There is a sweet and spicy nuttiness underneath the objectively refreshing citrus notes and it’s all tied together beautifully by a strong juniper backbone and deft selection of other herbal botanicals. I find this to be an extremely versatile gin that tastes just as good in a G&T as it does straight out of your freezer or in a complex cocktail like The Last Word. Bravo.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/9/2023 | Send Email

It is amazing how much difference a glass can make in the drinking experience. Not only the actual technical factors of concentrating the aromas and delivering the bouquet in just the right way, but also the feel of the glass. The rim on your lips, the way the wine cascades over the edge, the weight and balance of the delicate hand blown stem in your hand, it all conspires to elevate any wine you put in it. This is what we have here in the Zalto Universal glass. While they do make varietal specific options as well (also available at K&L) the Universal is the one to get if you want the most versatile experience and the same set of glasses for everything. It both universal for varietals and universally adored.

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 1/4/2023 | Send Email

This full-bodied whisky is full of surprises. On the nose, you get cracked pink peppercorn, oak, poached pear, and floral notes. The pallet starts off with sweet toffee followed by hits of cocoa and zesty baking spices. Nikka from the barrel is well-balanced and is wonderful on its own, but also enjoyable in a Manhattan or a high ball.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/3/2023 | Send Email

It is an absolute thrill whenever we get to take the time to write up what are otherwise instant sell out items. Nikka From The Barrel was one of those secret treats for those with insider knowledge who visited Japan long before the massive Japanese whisky boom of the last decade. With the intro of the 750ml version for the US market and the subsequent winning of Whiskey Of The Year from Whiskey Advocate in 2018, the secret was out. As a consequence, it has been all but impossible to get our hands on a decent quantity of stock since it's domestic debut. In production since 1985, this high proof rarity is the consummate expression of Nikka - after all, blending for complexity, harmony, and completeness, is the hallmark of most great Japanese whisky - even the single malts are built upon many different lots of varied distillate from the single distiller that produces them typically. When all of Nikka's whisky sources come together thoughtfully and are allowed to marry over a long period with the slightest and slowest reduction in proof, the result is pure magic. It is robust and yet elegant in every stage of tasting. The nose is soft and sweet, but powerful, helped by the higher ABV. Orange zest, orchard fruit, candied ginger snaps, sweet cooked grains, and loads of butterscotch, vanilla, and oak that will instantly satisfy jaded Bourbon drinkers but also offer something new. On the palate, more of the same but deftly combined with a savory edge and the smoky flavors of toasted oak. A little more raisined fruit than on the nose and a sultry mix of dark chocolate and pink salt. While the flavors border on perfect, it is the texture that really sets this whisky apart. It's so much more full than many whiskeys on the market today, it has that textural je ne sais quoi of vintage whisky that is so rare to see in contemporary offerings. The finish is cool, long, and sweetly spiced. While this whisky defines easy categorization, it is safe to say that any lover of brown water will find it an enjoyable and flavorful pour at a very fair price point.

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/3/2023 | Send Email

It's been a long time since we've had a chance to sit down and enjoy a bit of "From the Barrel." That's because this product has been next to impossible to lock down since it's award winning release and 2018 Whisky of the Year award. But since long before that I've coveted this little bottle and it's odd square shape, not for its rarity, but for it's incredible character. While the whisky does not meet the criteria for 'Japanese Whisky" in the new voluntary labelling system that the large Japanese producers have developed, the reason why makes it even more desirable in my book. This is almost certainly a blend of the well known single malts and grain whiskies made at Nikka's two distilleries (Yoichi, Miyagiko, and Coffey grain & malt), but also their exceptional Scottish distillery, Ben Nevis. These whiskies are all carefully blended into a marrying vat and slowly lowered to a hefty 51.4% abv for bottling. It remains one of the most characterful and charming Japanese made whiskies on the market and I think, along with Hibiki, should be considered a benchmark in the category -despite not qualifying technically as such. Here we go! The nose starts rich with vanilla and oak, almost bordering on bourbon levels of vanilla and caramel, but pointed with rich roasted espresso bean and tiny wisps of smoke and green earthy tones. The palate is full bodied with plenty of sweet cream, butterscotch and powerful barrel spice. This doesn't need any water, but loves to play on the rocks if you choose. It's also my absolute go to in a high ball these days, adding richness and character that many other lesser options lack. It's difficult to deny how damned appealing and drinkable it is -offering character without being challenging- and I also love that the price hasn't exploded exponentially like so many other hard to get Japanese whiskies. This is one of those whiskies I always buy a back up or two since I know it's going to get drunk.

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/2/2023 | Send Email

This champagne is always a favorite of mine. It is lively, fresh, dry and full bodied. It is complex and has an inviting light golden hue in the glass.

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 12/30/2022 | Send Email

After hearing the name Zalto Universal come up in many a serious conversation about the go-to wine glass for collectors and connoisseurs, I was thrilled to see them land on our shelves a few months ago. It meets my three big demands for premium glassware - it certainly enhances the wine, it feels lightweight but balanced, and it is sturdy enough I can put it in the dishwasher and not have to worry about it breaking. They do make specialized versions for Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne, but when it comes down to it, nothing beats an versatile glass that can stand up to the quality of any wine you want to casually enjoy on an everyday basis.

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/29/2022 | Send Email

Incredible with food, this Pierre Mineral rosé is a workhorse, pairing well with anything from fried chicken to caviar, potato chips to canapés. I even served it with great success to a Super Bowl crowd, though it’s elegant enough for a romantic Valentine’s dinner. Vivid and chalky with a beautiful delicate pink color, this special Direct Import sparkler is a bright, linear brut style made from all estate-grown fruit from some of the most coveted crus of Champagne, here just in time to celebrate.

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 12/28/2022 | Send Email

This is my very favorite Blanco tequila. It is refreshing and perfect for a nice slow sip and enjoy. Pure and clean, with super generous minerals and light white pepper. It also has a nice viscosity and smoothness with flavors of cream, cooked agave, cinnamon and stone fruits. A real pleasure to drink!

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/20/2022 | Send Email

While we're committed to offering rare bourbon at standard mark up, we're also not blind to the fact that the market is on fire for these special products. While our competitors charge north of $150 for the standard expression of Blanton's, we're still only asking $55. That's while it can feel so hard to get some of these rare bourbons at K&L. So when the opportunity came up to purchase these re-imported stocks, I insisted that we do so in a fair an equitable way. Of course we could charge $400 a bottle for this special bourbon and likely still sell most of it, but it just goes against my ethos of what a great wine and spirits store should be for their customers. So while these stocks are above standard price for this US version of this product, they're being offered at our standard mark up, well below market price. It's a small price to pay for access to these special stocks, especially when considering what the market seems to be comfortable charging for the standard release. In any case, this is dang good bourbon and never disappoints. Like all Blanton's it's aged in the famous warehouse H and is the high rye mashbill. This bottle is drawn from barrel No. 397, which was dumped on February 7th of 2022 and bottled at 63.05%. Your bottle will almost certainly be different, so please be aware of the unique character of each barrel. The nose is absolutely explosive with rich aromas of caramel sauce, orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cherry compote and vibrant woody spice. The palate starts extremely sweet and creamy before the rye and barrel spice begin to wallop the mid-palate. The intense spice and old school woody character balances the heavy woody sugars perfectly and while exhibiting plenty of the Kentucky Hug that bourbon lovers enjoy, it doesn't feel burn-y or ethanol like at all. The long chewy palate gives way to a rich oxidative finish full of nutty sweet chocolate and dried red fruits. A few drops of water add more fruit and tame the spice a bit, but I like this best right out of the bottle. There's no question that the price of entry on this one is high, but if you're prepared to spend this kind of dough on any other modern bourbon this should be a contender for top dog!

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 12/18/2022 | Send Email

Sake brewer, Kuramoto Touda-san is a self proclaimed fungi investigator, hence the name Kinoko which translates to "mushroom." His loves for mushrooms highly influences his sake and pairs well with them too. This sake is earthy and has more umani notes to it like fermented soybeans, kelp, and burnt caramel. It is more savory, so I suggest paring this with heavier dishes like gamy meats, stews, and of course mushrooms!

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 12/11/2022 | Send Email

Made by Kaetsu, which was founded in 1880, this immensely satisfying saké comes to us from the Chūbu region of Niigata and is made from Gohyakumangoku with a 50% polishing rate. SMV +3, TA 1.6 = on the edge of dry and rich. Kaetsu's Toji, Yamaga Kenichiro, has been making saké for more than 50 years. Kanbara Bride of the Fox is muroka, which means non-charcoal filtered. Muroka saké presents as bolder in both mouthfeel and complexity of character. On the nose there's subtle porcini mushroom and a complex botanical melange with fresh coastal sage as a primary note, bees wax, and sticky rice. The mouthfeel is dense, medium-plus body with flavors of porcini mushroom, coriander seed, steamed rice, and honeycomb wax. This will appeal to those who appreciate bolder full-bodied wines and sakés. Pairs beautifully with red meat and grilled vegetables, or nothing at all.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 12/6/2022 | Send Email

What used to be a staple on our shelf has moved into the unobtainable realm since McKenna 10 year won Best in Show at the SF spirits comp in 2019. Beating out every other whisky of any type this under the radar stalwart shot into the stratosphere of Bourbon circles everywhere. Tack the pandemic on top of that destroying supply chains (and the fact that it's a 10 year old BIB single barrel product) and you've got a recipe for infrequent stock drops and limited availability. Fortunately for K&L fans our excellent relationship with Heaven Hill has afforded a sizable allocation this holiday season and we've got it on an email offer for the first time in many many years. But accolades aren't as important as how it tastes - so let's taste. Deep chocolate in color the intensity of 10 years in new American oak stands out even before you pull the stopper. The nose is overtly sweet - vanilla, butterscotch, caramels, milk chocolate, and brown sugar. It's a rich and heady mix. The alcohol feels just right - at the 100 proof required to be bottled in bond it is robust, but not over the top. The palate shows more of the same big sweet flavors but adds in toasty oak spices and a very pleasant minty herbal note that offers balance. The finish is long and sweet without being cloying. It's a pleasure to have this back on the shelf for once. While the days of us buying this whisky a pallet at a time are long gone, this deal offers a glimmer of hope that we might soon return to a world where the top name staples of yesteryear are once again readily available!

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/6/2022 | Send Email

The Mckenna was one of those sleeper bourbons that we all hoped nobody finds out about. Age stated 10 year old bottled in bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon is simply not being sold by anyone else. There's absolutely nothing out there that can claim those stats even at higher prices. And you know what, it's SINGLE BARREL as well. So checking almost every geeky bourbon box. But ultimately this is just one of the very finest drinkers in the shop. While it doesn't have the smack you around power of its sibling the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, it offers so much supple and sumptuous sipping that it should be considered up there with Blanton's, Russell's and Four Roses as one of one of the pillars of single barrel goodness.

By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 12/5/2022 | Send Email

Out of the glass, "Hommage 1921" leads with a bright & salted lemon timbre at the core of its nose, without coming off as austere or overtly sharp. Reduced bosc pear tones on the palate lead to gentle notes of holiday nuts by the fire and early mornings in a sleepy bakery - gentle brioche and warm croissants, this blanc de blanc is crisp, yet open enough to dive into further - a fantastic champagne for holiday cheers and summer sips!

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 12/3/2022 | Send Email

This one was definitely a hit during our Champagne tasting of 26 November. Unlike a lot of Extra Brut wines, it is not teeth jarringly taut and overly acidic. It has a nose of white peach, poached pear and lightly roasted pine nuts. On the palate, there is an initial light kick of bright citrus, quickly followed by very creamy lemon meringue, juicy peach and vanilla pastry. Long finish that has minerals, spice and a light touch of sea salt. Just really delicious!

By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 11/29/2022 | Send Email

Damien Hugot's "Hommage 1921" is a beautiful champagne that balances a creamy texture with plenty of fresh citrus. The first sip is full of ripe mandarin and zippy lemon flavors on a background of fresh cream. The finish is delicately chalky with touches of vanilla, and goes on and on. This makes a great aperitif or toasting champagne, and a fantastic pairing with shellfish.

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 11/29/2022 | Send Email

This incredible new gin from our dear friends at Four Pillars in Australia really takes the category forward. It's not the first Yuzu gin, but it's the first one that doesn't forget that's gin. Behind the wild earthy citrus aromas a huge wallops of juniper, a warming hit of ginger and a wild earthy tumeric, yet still sands ready to remind you what Four Pillars is all about. The aromatics on the nose are 2nd to none and the citrus oil character on the palate make it extremely inviting and easy to use. It's one of the most versatile and inviting new products on the market today. I'm super into it.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/22/2022 | Send Email

Basil Hayden is the core of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection - while the more limited and higher proof bottling in that collection like Booker's tend to get all of the attention from the whisky geeks, it is the humble Basil Hayden at its accessible price point, that is responsible for introducing so many whisky drinkers to fine Bourbon. If you haven't revisited this bottle in a long time, or if you're new to the Bourbon world, Basil Hayden is a perfect bottle to pick up for the holidays. It's flavors are an excellent way to end the a holiday meal and it's a clutch bottle to have around when your extended family is in town, down right delicious, well respected and well known, and not so expensive it'll break the bank if your uncle goes to town on the bottle. As for the tasting notes: The color is deep chestnut. The nose is a rich bouquet of sweet wood, loads of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and spicy wood with just a hint of herbaceous rye to balance it all out. The palate is much the same, super luscious and round, tons of oak and all of the spice and sweetness that brings. There is a surprising and delightful shot of dried fruits as well. The finish is pleasant and easy going. Just a super tasty all 'rounder on the Bourbon scene.

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/21/2022 | Send Email

We finally got our hands on some of Wiston’s remarkable Blanc de Blancs. This 100% Chardonnay bottling is pressed in their traditional wooden Coquard basket press, fermented and rested in neutral French oak for a year, before aging more than two years on the lees in bottle. Reserve wines range back to 2008, with the 2018 harvest making up most of this iteration. Look for aromas of white flowers, baked apple, crushed quince, pie crust, stony minerals, chalk, saline, and oyster shell notes complete this magical wine. More volume and golden ripe fruit here versus the racier other NV wines. Beautiful stuff! Limited quantity.

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/21/2022 | Send Email

If you're gonna try just one English Sparkling wine to see what all the fuss is about...it should be this one...and it won't be your last! I've extensively tasted English wines from dozens of top producers over the last couple decades and in my opinion Wiston Estate stands head and shoulders above the rest. The commitment to quality here is second to none. This dedication to consistent excellence is perfectly illustrated by the long-term investment in their non-vintage program from the outset. Learning from centuries of experience in neighboring Champagne, Wiston recognized that the blending of vintages would not only create more consistency in their wines, but also better value for their customers. By holding back reserve wines for their non-vintage program, these wines have so much depth and complexity versus any of their peers. This incredible family estate on the grounds of a 16th century manor house captures the very best of the deep chalk soils so famed for the production of sparkling wines. They utilize traditional techniques such as basket pressing, barrel maturation for their base wines and very long ageing on the yeast lees. The Wiston Estate Brut has that magical combination of bright zesty citrus fruit, crunchy apple, baked bread, oyster shell, hazelnut, marmalade toast. Racy, electric acidity, lovely toasty nutty aromas and flavors that linger forever on the saline mineral finish. It's the real deal, the complete package, and it's under $30!

By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 11/16/2022 | Send Email

Four Pillars has been making great gin out of Australia since 2013, and K&L has worked closely with since they were available in the US. I'm very excited for their newest offering: this delicious and bright Fresh Yuzu Gin. I'm even more excited that K&L has early access to it, meaning we're the first folks in the States to taste it and have it on the shelf for our customers while the rest of the country has to wait for the official Spring release. As expected, big wafts of citrus zest emanate from the glass immediately. It's not just one-note, however, and heavier spices are quick to follow the lemony yuzu scents. Fresh-cracked black pepper and angelica root are quick to emerge and tingle the nose. Light floral notes play with the spices, adding finesse and complexity, then an earthy component comes in (think green tea). All these elements are present in the flavor profile as well (with a touch more of an orange note), though the palate goes through a friendly and simple transition of yuzu to floral and then back to yuzu again. A Gin & Tonic is an obvious use for this that comes out marvelously and smacking of summer, but it's definitely more versatile than that. I'm thinking a Fresh Yuzu vesper martini might be on the menu tonight.

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 11/16/2022 | Send Email

Another great Champagne from Damien Hugo! Full bodied yet fresh and vibrant with touch of toasted hazelnuts and fresh pastry with long finish and rich, citrus driven flavor on the palate. Beautifully balanced between all elements," Hommage 1921" will please a wide range of Champagne aficionados and will be perfect accompaniment to Thanksgiving celebration.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/16/2022 | Send Email

I've been steadfastly proclaiming Four Pillars as the finest gin distillery on the planet for years (as have numerous competitions and critical reviewers). All they make is gin - and they're very good at it. All of their core SKUs have been staples on our shelf, and some of the most popular gins in the store, since the day they arrived. Four Pillars is so damn good that we have done batch after batch of our exclusive Faultline gin with them as it has proven to be my, and many of our customers', hands down favorite gin. But today a new to the US entrant from Four Pillars may, just may, in time dethrone the Faultline. I've been craving this gin since they first released it in Australia and it has finally been imported! At first pour, you cannot help but notice the burst of citrus that takes the air out of the room. The crystal clear gin exudes bright confidence. The complex Australian grown Yuzu fans out into a cornucopia of citrus tones ranging from lemon and lime to mandarin, cumquat and grapefruit. Lest it be overpowering, Four Pillars has balanced that exuberance with a host of botanicals that Japan has been pairing with Yuzu for centuries: green tea, brown rice, turmeric, ginger; they all play a role in elevating each other to the nth degree. When it comes to the palate: "luscious" comes to mind. Texturally it's full and friendly. This would be an exquisite Martini gin, expressive enough to be made bone dry although open knit enough to play well with many vermouth options (Bordiga dry comes to my mind first). In a G&T, no questions asked, except maybe "how many fingers?" If you are lucky enough to find fresh Yuzu - use that to garnish, although any citrus should do just fine. Feeling Japanese? Try a Gin Highball by adding your favorite soda water over some clear ice and let the bubbles carry the enticing aroma up and at you. I would be hard pressed to find a preparation that didn't work with this gin. It's powerful enough to stand up to a Negroni or Last Word without a doubt and elegant enough for the simplest of drinks. There is not a fault to be found. Bravo to the team at Four Pillars!

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 11/15/2022 | Send Email

From the producers who brought you, Don Julio, comes Lalo. Lalo’s concept is to continue his father and grandfather’s legacy by producing the best Blanco tequila without any preservatives. This tequila is very approachable and great for people who want to explore a new tequila. Meeting Lalo was an honor in hearing his story about wanting to preserve and pay homage to the agave and keeping his tequila as clean and pure as possible. You get sweet herbaceous notes of fresh-cut grass, and lemongrass, with a touch of earth. It rounds out mid-pallet and has a soft, silky finish. Very enjoyable and such a great value!

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/11/2022 | Send Email

There are few products that I truly love as much as Chartreuse. If you've ever talked to me in store or asked what I drink at home, the answer, for many years now, has been, "I mostly just drink Chartreuse these days." While I love many spirits, Chartreuse has really taken my heart. It's a combination of the well documented and long history (over 9 centuries for the order and 400+ years for the recipe), a certain romanticism and mysticism, purported healing powers, and its down right deliciousness that has fascinated me since my first sip. While volumes can be written (and have) about the Carthusian monks and their famous green elixir (the color Chartreuse was actually named after the beverage, how cool is that!?) the beverage that started it all is known as "Elixir Vegetal de la Grande Chartreuse." From the time the monks received a secret manuscript with a recipe containing 130 plants in 1605 it took the monks over 150 years to 'get it right.' In 1764 they declared to the world it was ready and sold the first bottle of the product we have here today. This was all a natural fit for the monks as they had long provided medicinal knowledge for the community around them as well as plant husbandry (there is still a fruit tree nursery from the monks in Paris' Jardin du Luxembourg, home to a Carthusian Monastery long before it was home to the French Senate). While the elixir is their first product, it doesn't have much sugar in it and it's bottled at 69% ABV, so it is quite intense. Chartreuse Green and Yellow were introduced in the 1800s as more easily enjoyed versions of that same secret 130 plant recipe. There have been many iterations over the years and the popularity has waxed and waned, but with the revival of The Last Word cocktail (thank you, Murray Stenson) demand for this special product has skyrocketed. Interestingly, the monks, who rely on the sales of Chartreuse to fund the monastery aren't actually all that interested in the production. They just want to make enough to quietly pray and contemplate God, mostly away from civilization. As such, with the huge interest today, Green and Yellow Chartreuse are impossible to keep in stock and there doesn't appear to be additional production coming to relieve the shortage. Even if the were to ramp up production, the liqueurs age for approximately 3 years before being released. However, for the first time ever, Elixir Vegetal, is being released in the United States! The quirks as to why this has never been sold in the US are too long to get into here, but for years I personally would hand carry a bottle or two home every time I went to Europe, or beg friends to bring one home for me if they went. It's available at nearly all French pharmacies with a day or two notice. The uses are endless for this magic elixir. While for obvious reason the monks can't claim any healthy benefits for this nonFDA approved digestif, I can tell you that I always put a spoonful in a cup of tea when I'm not feeling well. It's wonderful dropped on a sugar cube after dinner as a digestif. It makes the perfect glass rinse in place of Absinthe for many cocktails. If you just want to make your Last Word a hell of a lot more intense, try it in place of Green in full or partial measure. It's an amazing product that will undoubtedly make its way into the serious bar programs across the country in new and creative ways now that it's readily available. As to what does it tastes like? My tasting notes will never do the complexity justice, but here is an abbreviated version anyway: The nose is a wild pepper of every color mixed with exotic floral and herbaceous teas. Cinnamon and sandalwood, allspice and ginger, nuts of many types and so much more. On the palate - wild fire - if you're drinking it straight, you're in for it. At 69% ABV it's a bruiser at first, but I'll be damned if it doesn't linger for ages as a pleasant concoction reminiscent of Underburg. You'll really have to try for yourself as it's hard to explain. It comes only in 100ml bottles which are individually packed in 17th century bubblewrap - a hard wooden case the shape of the bottle. Cut the strip around the middle (or twist hard on the top and bottom in opposite directions) to open. Below the bottle is a small plastic stopper which can be fitted into the bottle as a dropper. I usually have a bottle open with and without the stopper so I can pour according to my use. Happy exploring.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/11/2022 | Send Email

Harmony has had an incredible trajectory since its inception. I'm not sure any new whisky brand has grown quick as quickly. While the market driving Japanese whisky growth has been insatiable, it's hard to imagine Harmony being what it is today without the whisky itself tasting wonderful. While the diehard collectors might scoff at the lack of an age statement and instead proudly refer to their hard won trophies of old age stated bottles of Hibiki, the fact is, anyone looking to simply drink and enjoy the prowess of Suntory's distillations and impeccable blending now has the opportunity to do so, at a fair price and without the effort of hunting down delivery trucks. A blend of Yamazaki and Hakushu single malts, and Cheeta's grain distillates, Harmony brings together Beam Suntory's prized distilleries in a seamless package. The flavors are a delight, crisp apple, fresh stone fruits, a touch of piquant pepper and a surprising amounts of vanilla and caramel. The palate has much more weight, presumably from a higher malt content, than I recall in my early tastings when it was first released. It coats the tongue, but is never heavy. The finish is clean and bright and decidedly entices you to have another sip. It's a gorgeous dram and a great sipper or highball maker for Japanese fans and the uninitiated alike.

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 11/10/2022 | Send Email

How is this Champagne only $25? While previous releases were dark and rich, with cherry fruit and considerable length, the most recent bottle I tasted showcased that same complexity, but with added lift. White floral and honeycomb on the nose, the smell is reminiscent of Los Angeles in the summer, with jasmine notes leaping from the glass. The fruit – 100% Pinot Meunier – is full bodied with a hit of spice, the palate weighty but fresh all the way through to a toasty finish. It took a bit of time for Champagne Club favorite Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" to develop, but whoa, it was worth the wait.

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 11/5/2022 | Send Email

Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries and is independently owned. The nose has nice promounced smoke aromas. They are inviting. The sherry wood influence works well with this single malt, providing complexity and flavor , but it does not dominate. This is an easy, creamy and smokey treat.