K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

Mii no Kotobuki "Pastoral Beauty" Hojo Biden Yamahai Junmai Sake (720ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/10/2022 | Send Email

Super fragrant nose of goat cheese, almonds and red licorice. On the palate, dry and sweet at the same time. Vanilla and savory roasted nuts on the palate with raspberry and a light touch of spice. It lives up to its name...it's really lovely.

Price: $29.99

Jack Daniel's "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (375ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 9/10/2022 | Send Email

We've been effectively out of stock of the 750ml for months. When it does come in, it is usually a case or two and it's gone in a flash. This single barrel barrel proof bottling of Tennessee's most famous distillery makes abundantly clear why Jack Daniel's remains one of the the most popular American made whiskies in the world. Despite the difficultly of finding it at the moment in the more traditional 750ml format, we've managed to secure nearly every 375ml bottle currently available in California. If it were possible to bottle this liquid under a Kentucky Bourbon label, I would bet large sums of money that it would take home every medal and top spot honor on the year end lists. It would be obscenely marked up at every corner liquor store. It would be the prized tater in all the locked cabinets of unopened bottles of America's finest hooch. Bizarrely, and fortunately for fans of drinking good liquor, this oddly large shipment of half bottles has made its way to our shelves - and at less than the 1/2 the cost of the 750ml to boot! So, git it while the gittin' is good. Stocking stuffers, client gifts, apocalypse booze bunker restock, locked display cabinet, whatever you need fine hooch for, now is the time to put these away. Please note proofs will vary by bottle. Bottle tasted for this review was 131.4 proof. Here it is: Color - Macallan 18. Nose: Maple sugar, cinnamon, pepper, saw dust, cherry cola, fresh cream, ripe corn. There is a sexy savory note just under all the sweeter barrel and corn notes that is hard to pinpoint. Tarragon? It feels fresh and lively. It plays wonderfully well with the robust dark cherry notes that seem to tickle even the most jaded palates. If you've ever had the pleasure of walking around a Jack Daniel's barrel house on a very hot humid Tennessee day, it smells EXACTLY like this. You can almost taste the whiskey in the air. The palate is big. It's burly. It's in your face. But somehow it still treats you like an old friend - kindly, but with a little razzing. Caramels and butterscotches come rolling out. Sweet Coca-Cola spices zip around like you dropped a Mentos in your mouth while drinking it. The finish is lengthy, reprised sweet and savory, and inviting of another sip. Or bottle, cause ya know, they're small. Take 2.

Price: $29.99

WE: 94

2021 Ken Wright Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

By: Kaj Stromer | Review Date: 9/9/2022 | Send Email

The legend of Ken Wright continues with this humble yet exceptional Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Along with the 13 single vineyard wines Ken produces, this is a composite of the others which represents a brilliant take on the combination of both volcanic and sedimentary soil types. More importantly, the wine is simply delicious. There's plenty of fresh wild berries at the perfect level of ripeness. The wine finishes clean and long with a lingering note of red cranberry; a true tell-tale for Oregon Pinot Noir. This is an amazing value. It's wonderful to sip on its own but will compliment the finest piece of grilled salmon.

Price: $29.99

Jack Daniel's "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (375ml)

By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 9/7/2022 | Send Email

Is it just me, or is this really approachable for sitting at 131.4 proof? It might just be me. The nose is treacle, caramel syrup on vanilla ice cream, rich coconut, and juicy crushed cherries. A little spice box and balsa wood adds weight and depth, and there's a hint of something savory just before the dessert aromas return. There's much more spice on the palate, but again this doesn't hit me as alcohol burn - it's quite enjoyable like finding extra chili peppers in your Mexican or Thai food. Black cherry dominates the palate for me with a bit of medicinality, then more caramel and notes of burnt sugar like the crusty top of creme brulee. Barrel spice and varnish make for a drying and somewhat tannic finish, but it stops short of being excessive. With water (let's be honest that's how a lot of folks with want it), banana arrives on the scene with dried coconut flakes, and the spice gets more oriented towards black pepper. The caramels come through more as well, while the texture is more rounded and the finish less tannic. Big black pepper and cinnamon stick hang out for a very long finish. That's good Jack!

Price: $29.99

WE: 94

Yamada Shoten "Everlasting Roots" Tokubetsu Junmai Sake 900ml

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 9/3/2022 | Send Email

This is one of the best value sake for a 900mL bottle! The creamy, savory texture dances beautifully on the pallet along with cloves, citrus, nutty aromas, touch of smoke, and earthy notes. This sake is richer and drier and would pair well with hearty meats and cheeses.

Price: $29.99

Jack Daniel's "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (375ml)

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 9/3/2022 | Send Email

This single barrel is quite enjoyable. The aromatics of this whiskey come off strong with notes of cinnamon, toasty oak, cloves, toffee, and chocolate. It is not too intense on the pallet, and you get subtle hints of citrus, banana chips, caramel, and baking chocolate. It rounds out mid-pallet with a lingering white peppercorn heat on the finish.

Price: $29.99

WE: 94

Jack Daniel's "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (375ml)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 9/3/2022 | Send Email

I tasted this with and without the addition of water. Without water, the rich and concentrated promise of this whiskey shows. With water, it really opens up . The nose is expressive with rich caramel notes. In the mouth, it is rich, round and lusty with a long finish.

Price: $29.99

WE: 94

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

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 9/2/2022 | Send Email

It is incredibly refreshing to see a new Bourbon brand come to market and move away from the "my great great granddaddy moonshined back in the day' BS story that so many brands cling to. While ultimately at K&L we try to make the bulk of our decisions about what to sell based solely on the quality of what is in the bottle, a nice package and story is always good to be able to add in. Fortunately, here with Frank August, we've got the whole kit & kaboodle. First off, the package is extremely elegant and thoughtfully designed (the special glue on the back label peels off to make reuse as a vase or decanter extra easy). The whiskey itself is also shockingly elegant and thoughtful in its blend. Bottled at a respectable 100 proof, it's no punch you in the teeth bruiser, but instead is packed with flavor and nuance. The color is lovely - a golden amber. The nose is bright and clean. It has a great deal of sweetness mixed between fruit, candied sugars, and wood equally. A flash of cherry and stone fruit, maybe even a blackthorn's sloe berry with its bright tang, caramels, molasses, brown sugar syrup, and a wood profile that isn't all varnish, but rather freshly hewn green branches and a kiss of dried vanilla. The palate carries much of the nose into it, but also adds a bit more herbal complexity on the edges and a sweeter midpalate than you might expect. Molasses and tarragon both come to mind as does fresh Granny Smith apple. The finish is medium in length - lingering pleasantly, but never cloying or aggressive with just a kiss of heat. In short, this is one of the finest entrants and well conceived Bourbons to enter the scene we're likely to see. It bucks the trend of going for broke on a hazmat proof single barrel in favor of thoughtfully executing a quality dram. A delightful surprise and fine addition to any bar of collection.

Price: $74.99

Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes

By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 8/30/2022 | Send Email

Clean citrus, light floral notes, and just a touch of yeast make for a fresh and focused nose on this Champagne. On the palate there's more yellow fruit, concentrated nectarine, and lemon zest. What a wonderful and classic old vine Blanc de Blanc.

Price: $44.99

Smith & Cross "Plummer & Wedderburn" Traditional Pure Pot Still Jamaica Rum

By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/21/2022 | Send Email

Smith & Cross is the classic 100% pot still Jamaican rum. This is an essential rum to try for those unfamiliar with Jamaican rum. This classic Jamaican rum has high funky esters with complimentary notes of grilled pineapple, caramelized banana, green apple, tangerine, tobacco, and vanilla bean. Smith & Cross is full of flavor and wonderful to sip and enjoy on its own, but at 57% ABV (navy strength), it packs a punch. Smith & Cross is sublime in a Daiquiri or fantastic in other rum-based cocktails (Mai Tai or Kingston Negroni for example), so grab a bottle and enjoy!

Price: $34.99

WE: 95

Planteray "Stiggins' Fancy" Pineapple Dark Rum (750ml)

By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/19/2022 | Send Email

Stiggins’ Fancy is a game changer for your next cocktail! This pineapple dark rum is one of my favorite rums to use in cocktails, and the sky is the limit on what you can do with it. What makes this rum so special is its delicious, fresh pineapple flavor that does not overpower the smooth and flavorful base-rum. It really shines when partnered with Plantation’s O.F.T.D rum (in most tiki cocktails). Jungle Birds, Mai Tais, Daiquiris, and Zombies… name any rum-focused cocktail and it will add depth and complexity. This rum is truly special, so grab a bottle or a case and enjoy!

Price: $29.99

Calumet Farm 16 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 8/17/2022 | Send Email

Ok ok! We're we go with the new narrative in KY, if you know where to look you can get good old bourbon without dispensing a mortgage payment. Some people might point to the old days when 15 year old whisky was $60 but there hasn't been a period in the last decade where we could readily get 15+ year old whisky from anyone in KY at less than $150. And to be honest I think this price point is super for the quality you're getting here. We must assume this product was distilled at Old Barton as it was the only working plant in 2006 in the area. Aging occurred entirely in Bardstown as well. This is a great old distillery that has many people clamoring for their higher end marks, so unless you're one of the unlucky few who specifically doesn't like the Barton profile, there's a good chance they you're going to dig this. Non-chillfiltred and high proof like all the single rack series, only 19 barrels in the batch. Let's taste it. The color is a gorgeous russet. The nose starts immediately with exotic dark woods, fresh charred oak, sweet dried plum, subtle floral and dark tea aromas. With some air, there's a strong vanilla note, caramel candies, red cherry and French roast. On the palate it's medium bodied and rather dry with a lovely dusty not. Darker and woody with a strong oaky flavor down the middle. This is definitely on the drier side of Barton and very woody. It loves air and I'd reckon the middle of the bottle will be exceptional. Right now, I like to give this 30 minutes of nosing before I dive in deep. A fun old bourbon whiskey at a totally reasonable price.

Price: $129.99

Calumet Farm 16 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 8/16/2022 | Send Email

Dang, that's good! Coming off the heels of the 14 and 15 years, there's now a 16 year old Calumet Farm added to the lineup and it stands up alongside the others as the new torch bearer. I really enjoy the interplay between the big fruit in the profile and the ebbing-and-flowing spices. Up front on the nose I get luscious cherry syrup that's matched by wood varnish and cardamom. Next there's a wave of dried peaches, balsa wood, slight menthol, then a deep caramel followed by medicinal herbs. The palate offers darker flavors: first like salted caramel and mocha, but then the richness is matched by bold spice, bright cherry, and red apple. This Bourbon has a very round and supple mouthfeel, and then it finishes in a drying and spicy finish with the menthol peeking back through. I was impressed with the 14 and 15 year old Calumets because it seemed like every time I came back for a nose and a sip there was some other flavor component to find - this new 16 year old edition offers that same level of complexity with something more for me to enjoy each time I go back to it.

Price: $129.99

Calumet Farm 16 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 8/16/2022 | Send Email

I was pleasantly surprised by how fruit-forward this bourbon was - after 16 years in oak it still came off a bit spritely, there was ripe and caramel apples alongside stewed pears, orange oil and then touches of burnt sugar towards the end. The palate was savory and spicy in the best of ways, with a vanilla custard and pie spice competition happening in the back palate, somewhere in the finish there's this whisper of herby licorice that kept me searching in my glass. I always like it when a beverage evokes curiosity. The finish manages to be dry and oaky without being overly tannic, just urging you onto the next welcome sip. A couple drops of water in what was left in my glass made the florality pop on the nose and left the palate a touch sweeter. Definitely highly recommended and a beautiful sipper however you choose, I didn't think it needed water or a rock in it, but I wouldn't have objected, either.

Price: $129.99

Calumet Farm 16 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 8/16/2022 | Send Email

Calumet has managed to source some of the most compelling well aged Kentucky Bourbon at very fair prices. Their previous release, the 15 year, was extremely well received by drinkers and critics alike. The 16 is even better. The oldest and highest proof release from Calumet to date, it's so easy to drink at 106 proof. The nose is quite woody but with bright red Bing cherry fruit notes riding high as well. Whiffs of sweet grass and dried hay make you feel like you're walking across the Calumet farm itself. A bit of burnt orange peel gives both citrus notes and a very gentle smokiness, almost sultry in nature. Chocolate nibs, roast nuts, and the balanced sweet and sour notes of fermented molasses round out the nose. Tasting it is a pleasure. It's lively and full bodied with a perfect amount of kick, but very easy going. The 53% ABV carries a ton of flavor, but never overpowers. It's just the right level of sweet and savory for my taste buds. Lots of mellow sweet corn, like you're taking a bite of plump raw kernels right off the cob, a green kick of rye spice, and a background of sweet Madagascar vanilla lacing the two together. Luscious American oak tannins give it structure and depth. With time it opens in to more cola notes, nutty and sweet and shows more of that red cherry on the palate. The finish is zippy thanks to the ABV and imprints more vanilla and cinnamon on your mind until you take another sip and start over again. All around a wonderful pour in a handsome, yet no frills bottle. A perfect treat for a Bourbon lover, whether it is you or a friend you're gifting it to.

Price: $129.99

Seikyo Takehara "Mirror Of Truth" Junmai (720ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 8/6/2022 | Send Email

The soft and subtle nose on this sake has scents of cantaloupe, green melon and jasmine. On the palate, pear, clean clay, light (white) pepper and more melon, as well as a light touch of minerals. It is quite rich and mouth-coating. Not too dry and not overly sweet. Strikes a good balance in between. Wonderful for the price!

Price: $25.99

Konteki "Tears of Dawn" Daiginjo Sake (720ml)

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 7/30/2022 | Send Email

Banana cream and anise seeds are present throughout the pallet. This Daiginjo is light and dry with a smooth finish. It is recommended to be served cold between 40-60 degrees. Fresh oysters and fish go well with this sake.

Price: $39.99

Konteki "Tears of Dawn" Daiginjo Sake (720ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/30/2022 | Send Email

This super creamy smelling sake has scents of ripe banana and red licorice. There is also a light background scent of sautéed mushrooms. On the palate, it is initially on the plush side but, this is followed by a nice dryness and mineral bite. The banana scents carry over onto the palate with vanilla bean cream flavors and pear. Very smooth and easy to drink. Nice, long finish. An excellent sake, especially at this moderate price.

Price: $39.99

Appleton Estate 21 Year Old Jamaican Rum (750ml)

By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 7/27/2022 | Send Email

Appleton 21 is a rare and special rum that makes for a spectacular addition to any rum enthusiast’s collection. Appleton 21 is one of the smoothest rums on the market. When comparing it to Appleton 12, it is smoother, more delicate, with increased complexity. Aromas and flavors include creme brûlée, tangerine peel, vanilla bean, allspice, Demerara sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, alligator pepper, and browned banana. Keep this one out of any cocktails and enjoy it on its own, neat, as it should be.

Price: $139.99

WE: 97

Appleton Estate 12 Year Old "Rare Casks" Jamaican Rum (750ml)

By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 7/27/2022 | Send Email

Appleton 12 is a personal favorite of mine and is my go-to first recommendation for anyone getting serious about rum. Appleton 12 is a bourbon drinker’s rum as it is smooth with less perceivable funkiness. Jamaican rums are known to be funky, but Appleton’s funky twang is much tamer than other Jamaican rums. It is apparent on the first sip that this rum has done some barrel aging, but it is not overpowering. Appleton 12 has notes of caramel, toasted hazelnut, green apple, vanilla, caramel, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Alligator pepper. Appleton 12 is a workhorse too. It is not only a great sipper, but it works great in cocktails. It can shine in many cocktails, but I enjoy it when make a top-shelf 1944 Mai Tai.

Price: $49.99

WE: 95

Barbancourt 5 Star 8 Year Old Haitian Rum (750ml)

By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 7/23/2022 | Send Email

Rhum Barabancourt 5 Star is a classic Rhum Agricole from Haiti that is well worth checking out! This rhum has pronounced minerality and vegetal/grassy characteristics that are joined harmoniously by notes of vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, which come from its time in French oak casks. Barbancourt is made using pure sugar cane juice, which gives the rhum a lighter body (like the rhums of Martinique) when compared to molasses-based rums. The 5 Star is a great, affordable introduction to Rhum Agricole because it does not have a high level of funkiness that is typically synonymous with the Rhum Agricole. Besides being a great sipper, this rhum can be used to add complexity to most cocktails calling for a Rhum Agricole. I personally enjoy it in a Ti’ Punch.

Price: $34.99

Tedorigawa "Silver Mountain" Yamahai Junmai Sake 720ml

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/16/2022 | Send Email

This sake has a very clean that has plenty of steamed white rice scents with cream and pine nuts, as well. In the mouth, it is relatively weighty, with pure, thick flavors of unroasted nuts, honeycomb and exotic spices. The real surprise here is the acidity, which lingers on the finish and at the back of the throat. I think that this one deserves a full meal with distinct pairings.

Price: $34.99

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 7/10/2022 | Send Email

Out of all the Spot Whiskeys made by Jameson out there, I have got to say that this one is my personal favorite. The sweet corn, sweet bread, nuttiness dances ever so playful on the pallet. It is made using both malted and unmalted barley in a single pot and finished in Malaga casks. In the beginning, it starts off hot, but with a little decanting this whiskey opens up beautifully and ends with a soft finish.

Price: $99.99

WE: 94

Casco Viejo Blanco Tequila (1L)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/7/2022 | Send Email

This Tequila delivers a lot for the money. The nose is inviting with subtle citrus and savory notes. In the mouth the Casco Viejo Blanco is clean and pure with citrus and savory flavors. While it is delicious enough to drink alone, it will be great in cocktails.

Price: $21.99

Nikka "Coffey Grain" Japanese Whisky (750ml)

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 6/23/2022 | Send Email

The Coffey Grain is probably one of my favorite go to Japanese whisky. It is predominantly made from corn and finished in matured oak and American oak to give it a soft and sweet finish. This whisky is essentially a bourbon and has notes of toasted candied nuts, caramel, with a slight char. To be completely honest, it is such an easy drinker that I can definitely drink an entire bottle in one sitting if I really tried (I do not recommend or encourage that whatsoever). The Coffey Grain is best enjoyed neat and can be prepared in a cocktail. Might I add, a matcha highball is refreshing on a hot day! Try it!

Price: $54.99

WA: 92

WE: 90

Kokuryu "Crystal Dragon" Daiginjo Sake 720ml

By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 6/19/2022 | Send Email

This daiginjo sake, produced with very soft water from the underground river called Kuzuryugawa (Nine-Headed Dragon River), erupts with tropical fruit aromas of banana, pineapple, and melon. The sake has a wonderfully rich body, full of fresh melon and ripe banana flavors, which evaporate into a crisp, dry finish that leaves you wanting another sip. Particularly suited to shellfish, this sake would pair beautifully with oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, or ceviche. Delicious and elegant!

Price: $39.99

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/18/2022 | Send Email

There was a brief time not so many years ago when Yellow Spot was a staple on our shelf. Sadly, those days are no longer and it is once again a rarity thanks to sky high demand and seemingly endless supply chain issues. While we've had a couple deliveries of a case or two here and there, fortunately on this latest shipment we were able to back up the truck. The Spot range is all superb single pot Irish whiskey coming out of Midleton in County Cork but the Yellow Spot is a unique marriage of casks. Full maturation separate Bourbon casks, Sherry casks, and Malaga casks are blended after a minimum of 12 years aging to create one of the richest Irish whiskies on the market. While Bourbon and Sherry are immediately familiar to most whiskey drinkers, Malaga may not be. It is another fortified wine of Southern Spain - rich and unctuous it is made in the Mediterranean coastal cities just outside the bounds of Sherry. While dry whites and reds are made there from a variety of grapes, the dessert versions are made of Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel and are not dissimilar to PX Sherry. The impact on the Yellow Spot whiskey is profound. The color is stunning bright copper. The nose is sweet and intense. It's a mix of honey drizzled dried fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon, black tea, and freshly crushed peppercorns. An easy going herbaceous note adds intrigue to all of the sweetness. Barley, fresh and malted, lends a full and weighty feel to the aromatics. The palate is big and chewy. It pings back and forth from vanilla to dates and raisins to nutmeg and allspice back to ripe peaches and even slightly tropical fruits. Chocolate and dark roasted coffee beans flash in and out. It’s a chameleon that doesn’t settle down, but keeps changing it’s colors sip after sip. The finish is long and clean with a little more focus and narrow refinement. It is an elegant sipper that will please nearly any whiskey drinker. Bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration.

Price: $99.99

WE: 94

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (700ml)

By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 6/12/2022 | Send Email

A distinct nose of green olives, dried herbs, and savory spices. White pepper comes into the picture on the back end of the aromatics. The palate carries a surprising sweetness of candied citrus in addition to a nice round oiliness in the finish. Two simple cocktails I can imagine this with, one is a topping of the fever tree Mediterranean tonic and a slice of lime or a classic gin martini with three Castelvetrano olives for the garnish, absolutely delightful enjoyment!

Price: $36.99

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (700ml)

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 6/8/2022 | Send Email

Olives are greatly present throughout the glass. You get rosemary, thyme, butter green olives, and lemon rind. The texture of this gin is oily and softens out on the finish. This is great served on its own, or in a dirty martini.

Price: $36.99

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (700ml)

By: Austin Jenkins | Review Date: 6/8/2022 | Send Email

Oily, savory, and complex... God, what a drink this is. I'm personally not the expert on gin nor do I drink it often but when I'm able to find a bottle I enjoy... I never let it go! The flavor of olives is distinct, the herbs utilized thyme, rosemary, and basil are a great support for an already delicious primary botanical. Over ice or in a Martini this Gin makes a perfect treat for any gin drinker looking to expand their horizons!

Price: $36.99

2018 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Library Release)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/26/2022 | Send Email

Dark, red-fruited nose with rye bread and fresh oak scents. On the palate, plush red fruits, dark boysenberry, vanillin oak and a touch of bright acidity. Long, long finish. A great pick for immediate drinking or for the cellar.

Price: Hidden

VN: 96

JD: 94

WS: 93

Nikka "Yoichi" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/21/2022 | Send Email

The Yoichi distillery - built in 1934 by the famed Masataka Taketsuru, was built in the town of Yoichi in Hokkaido because of its similarities to much of Scotland. The coastal influence with its cool, humid air was a critical component for Taketsuru-san as he decided where to build his own distillery after having built Yamazaki for the Suntory company 11 year earlier. The Yoichi distillery launched its first whisky in 1940 from the Japanese built coal fired copper pot stills designed by Taketsuru several years earlier. The stills use continues today and Yoichi's style remains defined by those coal fired stills, heavy peat, and coastal influence. The 2016 non age statement version of the single malt is a breathtaking example of harmony in a glass. It is a lovely goldenrod color. The nose is briny and marked by apple juice, a fitting flavor given the Nikka company's time spent selling apple juice while the whisky matured. The peat gives a pleasant wet earth, like fine moist soil that will please any gardener. There is a sweet milk chocolate note and gentle salted nuttiness present as well. The palate is rich and round. A sweet green pepper note gives it tremendous liveliness. Sweet cereal grains round that piquant flavor out and a lengthy combination of smoke and caramelized sugar linger on the finish. It's a sexy and sultry combination that feels balanced from start to finish. When people say that Japanese whisky is marked by harmony and balance - this is what they mean. We so rarely have the opportunity to sell these in any reasonable quantity. Now is the time to stock up if you can.

Price: $74.99

WE: 94

WA: 92

Nikka "Miyagikyo" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/21/2022 | Send Email

If you've ever wondered what all the fuss is about regarding Japanese whisky - the single malts from Nikka will answer all of your questions. The Miyagikyo distillery sits nestled in the Mountains of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture and is worlds away from the coastal home of Nikka's other distillery - Yoichi. Miyagikyo typically produces 2 whiskies - an unpeated version and a lightly peated whisky. These are made on the distilleries pot stills heated by indirect steam which give the whisky an elegant aroma and body as well as distinct fruitiness. The lightly peated and unpeated whiskys are aged in a variety of barrels before being blended together, but the flagship bottling does heavily feature sherry matured spirit. The end result is an elegant and complex single malt with incredible nuance and just a waft of smoke. The color matches an en rama Fino Sherry perfectly - bright and clear gold. The nose is elegant, almost ethereal. It's marked by high quality sherry and is reminiscent of some characteristics of Manzanilla, Amontillado, and Oloroso. The fruit is beautiful and hard to pick apart. Sweet apples, stone fruits, plums, cherry blossoms all mingle with the saltiness of Manzanilla, the savor of Amontillado, and the orange peel and nutty chocolate of Oloroso. The peat is there, but it's the kind of whisky I'd happily recommend to someone who says they don't like peat. A Oban drinker would feel right at home here. Integration is the name of the game here. There isn't a single hard edge to be found. The balance is superb. The finish is long and sweet. Built in 1969, the Miyagikyo distillery is an absolute classic of Japanese whisky production.

Price: $74.99

Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/20/2022 | Send Email

Irish whiskey has no shortage of new entrants these days, but like many things in the liquor world, it is those who have been doing things the same way for decades that have the finest to offer. Such is the case with Redbreast. It would be easy to argue that there is no finer lineup of quintessential Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey than the tremendous Redbreast line. The 12 year should be a staple in any good bar. The 15 year remains an accessible luxury for many and hints at the greatness to come for those who have their eye on the 21 year or even the 27. If you want something truly special without breaking the bank - the 15 is the place to be. Let's examine the whiskey: Burnished amber in color. The nose is extraordinary. It's a rich mix of berries and cream. Sweet vanilla, red fruit, complex toasted oak. A Baked Alaska comes to mind. It smells just so soft and easy and pretty, but with a depth that feels like it's hiding something. When you taste it, you find out just what it's hiding. A spicier tangier profile provided by the higher proof. It is lively on the palate. Gingersnap and butterscotch and citrus peel come alive. The texture is full and rich. Cookies and cream abound. The finish is a touch short in the 15 year, but it's not lacking. It would be hard to overstate the quality of this whiskey for lovers of a classic Irish profile.

Price: Hidden

WA: 92

WE: 91

Nikka "Yoichi" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Austin Jenkins | Review Date: 5/19/2022 | Send Email

Nikka malts are a consistent product. There often refined but offer a depth of flavor without compromising their delicate profile. The Yoichi malt is no exception. Scents are reminiscent of black pepper and brown sugar with some minor notes of mango; however, its in no way overpowering as often those notes can be they marry well for a mouth-watering opening. Tastes kick off with some spices; black pepper followed by minor notes of anise. From there we transition into some tropical notes: coconut, and mango come to mind right off the bat. It's gently wrapped up by some warming spices: cinnamon, cardamon, and coriander. The peat offers some textural complexity, pairing well with the front, and finish of the palate. The Yoishi is a delicious hay-yellow malt that can be enjoyed neat or however you please. I whole heartedly believe there's not much that can diminish the quality of this malt.

Price: $74.99

WE: 94

WA: 92

Nikka "Miyagikyo" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Austin Jenkins | Review Date: 5/19/2022 | Send Email

In terms of high quality, Japanese malts Nikkas' Miyagikyo is a coveted bottle. This whiskey is a gorgeous golden hue. It's not too weighty, pours into the glass like air! The nose on this bottle is elegant, with cherry blossoms, cut red apples, and even fresh-pressed pineapple juice! That's not the end though, right on the dredges of the nose is the sweet scent of caramelized sugar. Some textural complexity here dances on the tongue without being too overbearing on the palate, this plays in nicely with the warming spices you catch on taste. Cinnamon and cardamon play well with a persistent note of red apples. This whisky speaks for itself, honestly. No amount of my words will do it justice -- give it a try and see for yourself.

Price: $74.99

Nikka "Yoichi" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Hope Cooc | Review Date: 5/19/2022 | Send Email

Nikka Yoichi is exquisite! This NAS whisky is distilled in Hokkaido and reflects beautifully like a whisky from the Scottish Highlands. You get a well-balanced peat that rounds nicely on your pallet with an every-so-slightly salted seaweed towards the finish. The tropical fruit of mango and coconut are also very present and delightful.

Price: $74.99

WE: 94

WA: 92

Daniel Bouju Tres Vieux "Brut de Fut" K&L Exclusive Premier Cru de Cognac Grand Champagne Cognac

By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 5/13/2022 | Send Email

I have never beheld a cognac with a color as dark and dense as this. It pours like very old rare sherry, and it shares some similar attributes on the nose. But the similarities end there, as this is something entirely singular and distinct. Cocoa and molasses join dried figs and old, lacquered wood in this unnervingly powerful expression of Grande Champagne fruit. Despite its intensity, it shows a deft hand, albeit without a modicum of restraint. This is the sort of spirit that renders everything around it bland and tasteless by comparison- it is a black hole of flavor that sucks you in the moment you cross that invisible threshold. There is no escape. Fans of well-aged spirits across the board will adore this. Whether you miss old-school, age-stated bourbon, love intensely sherried malt, or have been collecting Cognac for years, you will surely want a bottle of this.

Price: $199.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Giovanni Bueno | Review Date: 5/10/2022 | Send Email

Often imitated, seldom replicated, and in this day and age when little is left that you can rely on, Billecart Salmon Rose is the old friend you can trust. Made with a nearly traditional blend of champagne's greatest grapes, this wine pulses with life and makes a heady companion to poached salmon, grilled langoustine or even a rich and fatty tuna tartare.

Price: $94.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Giovanni Bueno | Review Date: 5/10/2022 | Send Email

The classic, hard to get these days and even harder to put down once you've popped that top and gotten it into a glass. Fresh, with hints of flowers, stone fruit and a gentle yeasty scrumptiousness that has you crying out for more. Please come down and get some before it all disappears again.

Price: $64.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Giovanni Bueno | Review Date: 5/10/2022 | Send Email

Bursting with pomegranate, cherry and petunia sweetened air, this is an exemplary Rose champagne. You know a K&L direct import when you see a wine that should cost way more but there it is, right within budget. You'll love what this wine brings to your next fish dinner, or next cheese-filled book club meeting.

Price: $49.99

2020 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac

By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 5/5/2022 | Send Email

Tasted with UGC wines and from the Château-Château bottle fresher and more lively. Blueberry and pencil shaving aromas. Some blackcurrant and rose on the palate. Sweet mid palate and fine balance of tannins, acid, and fruit. Ager.

Price: $139.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

Light in body and light is red fruit this is still complex rose champagne. Mouthwatering acidity and subtle tropical flavors. Delectable with a dry and savory finish.

Price: $49.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

It's baaaack! While this wonderful Brut often gets overshadowed by the Brut Rose, it is one that should not be missed! Rich, yet focused, with poached pear, tart green apple and citrus fruits . Gingersnap spice on the palate, with bracing minerality and firm structure. Clean and solid!

Price: $64.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

I love the freshness and precision of the Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve. Designed in a reductive style, this meunier dominant cuvée has beautiful bright expressive flavors of pears, white nectarines, cherries and white floral notes with incredible integration and precision from the time on the lees and the relatively low dosage. Compare to other, similarly priced nonvintage champagnes from the big houses and this is a no-brainer.

Price: $64.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

The Billecart Rosé is the epitome of the grace and craft that we have come to associate with champagne. Its rich fruit profile of strawberries, cherries and cream is complemented by subtle notes of herbs and a touch of salinity, and the power of the fruit is hoisted effortlessly on the finish by mineral and acidity. This is our best selling rosé for a good reason.

Price: $94.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

Most of this delicious rosé is Grand Cru Chardonnay from Mesnil, which makes the price unbelievable. This is a gorgeous, delicate and endlessly expressive wine with bright fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry, citrus and cherries, chalky minerality and a clean, bright finish highlighted by subtle yeasty brioche. If you love rose champagne like we do, don't miss this.

Price: $49.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/4/2022 | Send Email

It's baaaack! After many moons, our beloved Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose has returned. As always, very peachy and stone-fruited, with ripe raspberry and blood orange accents. Delicate, creamy, and floral. No wonder it is so popular!

Price: $94.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 5/3/2022 | Send Email

You just can't go wrong with classic Rose from Billecart-Salmon! It's one of the most prettiest, perfectly balanced and elegant expressions of Rose Champagne. With bright raspberry and barberry aromas and flavors with a hint of white peach it's almost ethereal in its profile. No wonder it is crowd pleasing and one of the ultimate favorites among the staff here and customers.

Price: $94.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 5/3/2022 | Send Email

Classic Champagne with touch of toast and marzipan note but mostly clean, fresh, zesty, citrus flavor profile with green apple and Bosc pear. Dry, mineral, dangerously easy to drink! It's the all time favorite Champagne.

Price: $64.99

Reviewers

K&L Email Alerts

Staff Favorites

Reviews