Staff Favorites

Woodinville Straight 100% Rye Whiskey

By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 6/12/2018 | Send Email

Rye fans should definitely check out this Washington handcrafted whiskey. You immediately know it’s rye from the nose by it’s rye bread and spice aromas. On the palate there’s cinnamon, cedar, spearmint, subtly fruity notes and oak character throughout. The overall body is rich and full and is a perfect candidate for your rye cocktails.

Price: $37.99

Woodinville Straight 100% Rye Whiskey

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/10/2018 | Send Email

You can't help but be struck by the nose on this Rye. It is ethereal. I was taken aback by the wonderful fruitiness to it. The baking spices make an obvious appearance and meld with the fruity tones perfectly. The palate is full of honey, bits of pepper, a touch of fresh cut grass, and cinnamon sugar. The most impressive achievement here though is certainly in the finish. It is outstandingly clean and long. While this rye is perfect to sip on its own, it is a dream in a Manhattan or Vieux Carre.

Price: $37.99

Woodinville Straight 100% Rye Whiskey

By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 6/9/2018 | Send Email

I can't say that my experience with 100% Rye Whiskeys is all that extensive, mostly because it's so finicky to make, people don't usually bother. I was struck by how light the nose was and how fresh the taste. I was expecting bitterness and punch, but what I got was floral and modern. The palate was smooth and a little woodsy and herbal. If this is the style of 100% rye we should come to expect, I plan on drinking them much more frequently. I'm very excited to see something so unique on the shelves and will definitely be adding this to my bar for something original.

Price: $37.99

Mas Codina Brut Rosé Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Joe Bruno | Review Date: 6/5/2018 | Send Email

This is one of our perennial favorites here at K&L. Due to the warm climate in Catalonia, the Pinot Noir grapes used in production are picked in early August to preserve the acidity and freshness of the wine. Light strawberry flavors and a crisp, mineral finish make this rosé bubbly hard to beat - and especially at the under-$15 price point! Enjoy on its own or with a wide array of cheeses and charcuterie

Price: $14.99

2015 Poujeaux, Moulis

By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 6/1/2018 | Send Email

My expectations were very high on this wine--they were bound to be given the vintage and that this is one of my favorite Chateaus. I was not disappointed. The wine is big and dense, even for Poujeaux, but it is perfectly balanced. Immediate cassis, violet, cedar aromas great you, then give way to saturated black plum, cigar box, blackberry and blueberry notes on the palate, all underscored with bold tannin and acidity. This will be one for the long haul. I will be excited to check in on this in 10, 15 and 20 years.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

DC: 92

VN: 90

Laurent-Perrier "Harmony" Demi-Sec Champagne

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 5/31/2018 | Send Email

Very bright considering the higher dosage, this elegant release from Laurent-Perrier is a natural for dessert, balancing sweetness with lift, and pairing with everything from appetizers to cake.

Price: $59.99

Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne (187ml)

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 5/31/2018 | Send Email

Small in size but not in taste, this adorably-sized version of L-P is everything I love abouttheir classic brut, just amplified. More chalky Chardonnay and an extra year on the lees give the La Cuvée boosted minerality and complexity. It still shows the easygoing apple fruit of the original, with a sophistication that belies its great price point. Perfect for party favors!

Price: $19.99

JS: 93

WE: 90

WS: 90

Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne (375ml)

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 5/31/2018 | Send Email

Picnic perfect! This is everything I love about Laurent-Perrier's classic brut, just amplified. More chalky Chardonnay and an extra year on the lees give the La Cuvée boosted minerality and complexity. It still shows the easygoing apple fruit of the original, with a sophistication that belies its great price point, even in the half bottle. Drink now!

Price: $32.99

JS: 93

WS: 91

Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne (1.5L)

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 5/31/2018 | Send Email

Wow! This is everything I love about Laurent-Perrier's classic brut, just amplified. More chalky Chardonnay and an extra year on the lees give the La Cuvée boosted minerality and complexity. It still shows the easygoing apple fruit of the original, with a sophistication that belies its great price point. Plus the Magnum ages beautifully, much appreciated with the larger Chardonnay component. A beautiful choice for your next party.

Price: $129.99

JS: 93

WS: 91

DC: 90

The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/21/2018 | Send Email

On the bottle of this single malt it says "Balance, Light, Vibrant" and I think that this is a true and to the point statement.This is a whisky to relax with and enjoy its soft and nuanced flavors.

Price: $65.99

The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 5/18/2018 | Send Email

Ok, so for the normal $60 retail this whisky is just ok. It's a solid classic Speyside bottled at 80 proof and aged for 15 years. But cut that price in half and this becomes one of the GREATEST values we've ever seen. It beats all the big 12 year olds in the same price range hands down. It's not as light and easy as Glenlivet and its softer and smoother than Fiddich. There's absolutely no reason not to load up on this right now to have a solid aged single malt that you can throw around, give as gifts or make use for cocktails without feeling like your giving away the farm. We'd buy 1000 cases of the stuff at this price if they'd let us, but they limited us to 50 so once it's gone the price will go back up and we'll simply not sell it anymore...

Price: $65.99

The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2018 | Send Email

With the continued rise of whisky prices, it is always exciting to me when I see that we are able to reverse that trend even briefly. If the whisky is actually really good too? Well, that makes me do a little happy dance. I would highly recommend picking up a couple of these bottles should you care to join me in that little happy dance. Sweet golden apple, soft vanilla, a touch of honey, and a spectacular bit of minerality. I mean this is just a steal, I think the move here is one for drinking and one for making awesome cocktails with. I mean for $35 why not.

Price: $65.99

Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/15/2018 | Send Email

Summer sippin goodness in a bottle. That is what I thought the first time I tried this wine a few years ago and that thought has remained each time I taste it again. Perfect thirst quenching, low alcohol, slightly fizzy sipping goodness. This is the wine to grab by the case and find a reason to open on a beautiful afternoon.

Price: $9.99

Montechiara Prosecco

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/14/2018 | Send Email

Bright, lively and refreshing this is a real popular sparking wine. It is classic Prosecco, light and easy with just a kiss of sweetness. Great alone, it will enhance a cocktail such as a spritzer with Aperol.

Price: $10.99

Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde

By: Joe Bruno | Review Date: 4/30/2018 | Send Email

A light, fresh, and juicy white from Portugal that will be sure to please. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, and orchard fruit. Hints of white flowers additionally. Flavors of bright citrus and green apple. I love the slight fizziness the wine exhibits as well. This is a summer-sipper staple; be sure to grab some for your next get together!

Price: $9.99

Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde

By: Sharon Kelly | Review Date: 4/25/2018 | Send Email

Fun, fun, fun! Crisp, refreshing, and spritzy this is THE quintessential, eazy-breezy, zippy summer sipper. You're going to want to keep this on hand for poolside sipping, or for enjoying with salads, cheese and yes, even crab.

Price: $9.99

San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore

By: John Downing | Review Date: 4/16/2018 | Send Email

San Venanzio Brut certainly stands out amongst its peers and remains one of the finest quality Proseccos we've come across at this tremendous price. Known for its vibrant fruit, bright florals, minerality and exceptional balance, this creamy, fresh sparkler continues to impress.

Price: $15.99

Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Rosé (1.5L)

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 4/2/2018 | Send Email

I would say this is the very best Rosé sparkling we carry at this moment. Very elegant and delicate and yet it has raspberry and strawberry galore on the nose and on the palate. Very focused and quite dry. Beautiful!

Price: $44.99

Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Rosé

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 4/2/2018 | Send Email

I would say this is the very best Rosé sparkling we carry at this moment. Very elegant and delicate and yet it has raspberry and strawberry galore on the nose and on the palate. Very focused and quite dry. Beautiful!

Price: $20.99

JS: 91

Avuá "Prata" Cachaça Brasil (750ml)

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 4/2/2018 | Send Email

Very nice Cachaça. Very floral, soft and with a touch of honey. Great for tropical cocktails.

Price: $34.99

Kilchoman "Machir Bay" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

By: Cody Roderick | Review Date: 3/14/2018 | Send Email

As an avid fan of Islay whisky, I was thrilled with the quality and value of this bottle. Although a young whisky, this still delivers the characteristics you would expect from the region ranging from peat to the natural elements of the island. It has an extraordinarily soft mouth feel along with a smooth and delicate finish despite delivering the initial smoke and brine flavor. This would be a great introductory bottle for those considering a move into the world of Islay.

Price: $64.99

Bruichladdich "Classic Laddie" Scottish Barley Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/13/2018 | Send Email

I love Islay Malt, but find that many of them just end up filling up my liquor cabinet, as I am not drawn to drinking them the same way that I am impressed by tasting them. The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley from Bruichladdich is not at like that, and is super drinkable and moreish. This is the perfect malt for having a second dram of, since the fabulously salty complexity does not come with a bunch of excessive fat and heat. This is a very high quality malt, especially for the money.

Price: $49.99

H by Hine VSOP Cognac (750ml)

By: Anthony Russo | Review Date: 3/5/2018 | Send Email

Dried raisin, vanilla, cherry, an absolutely gorgeous bouquet. Incredibly smooth, no heat at all, which allows the chocolate notes to go on, and on, and on...

Price: $44.99

Nikka Coffey Still Japanese Grain Whisky (750ml)

By: Anthony Russo | Review Date: 3/5/2018 | Send Email

Light and fruity, slight oily texture, like those fruit cocktail packs you used to get in your lunch in elementary school. A bit of red apple skin, incredibly smooth in the mouth, like a fluffy rum cake, but with a more whisky-like caramel sweetness. Delicious, an awesome intro to Japanese whisky.

Price: $54.99

WA: 92

WE: 90

YOLA Mezcal

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 2/26/2018 | Send Email

This is a delicious Mezcal. The nose is pretty with citrus and and subtle light smoke. In the mouth it is round and clean with soft citrus notes that lead to complex and layered flavors. The smoke comes through to help complete the package.

Price: $39.99

Springbank 10 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: Anthony Russo | Review Date: 2/26/2018 | Send Email

The younger aged statement of my absolute favorite whisky, the 10 year shows a mind-boggling amount of flavor that'll make your head spin in delight. Super complex, everything in harmony in balance, and you can truly taste everything down to the malty goodness. This age statement feels a bit briny-er than the 15, with a bit more of an orange zest and tropical hue to it. Super smooth, medium-rich texture, like a mouthful of sunshine. No wonder people cant decided between the 10 and the 15...

Price: $109.99

WE: 92

Capurro Estate Grown Single Vintage Quebranta Premium Pisco (700ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 2/21/2018 | Send Email

Capurro is known for their single vintage, single variety Piscos and their extreme commitment to quality. While the minimum resting period for Peruvian Pisco is 3 months, Capurro rests theirs until they feel it has achieved its maximum expressive potential - in this case 39 long months! The Quebranta is a Pisco varietal that has parentage in the California Mission Grape. The aromatics are more savory than fruity. They have an earthy, almost dusty tone to them. The flair really comes in the weight and texture of the Quebranta. It's heavier than the other varieties and emulsifies the best for egg based cocktails. If you're making tons of Pisco Sours this will make your life a little easier. The added weight of the Pisco also lets you cut back the sugar in the cocktail just a little.

Price: $34.99

Capurro Estate Grown Single Vintage Acholado Premium Pisco (700ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 2/21/2018 | Send Email

While Capurro Pisco is always single vintage and typically single varietal, the Acholado is a blend of the other 3 grape varieties. The balance here is tremendous and if you're looking for your first great Pisco experience, this is it. There is a great balance between stone fruits and an earthy flavor that offers a faint hint of grass. The texture and finish here are excellent and it will emulsify easily in your Pisco Sour - the key to any good egg based cocktail. Not just for mixing, this also offers a great drinking experience when served neat or with a dose of citrus.

Price: $34.99

Montechiara Prosecco

By: Anthony Russo | Review Date: 2/20/2018 | Send Email

The perfect bubbles to pop for any occasion without breaking the budget. "Extra Dry" is the minimum level of dosage to create the secondary fermentation, so no excess sweetness on this Prosecco. Fresh fruit flavors, zippy acid, and a dry mouthfeel, what more could you want for the price?

Price: $10.99

2014 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 2/20/2018 | Send Email

A very elegant nose of black currant, plums, brown sugar, coffee and graphite, which follows on the palate. It is all a bit restrained now, not surprising being such a young wine, but it is all there. The body is medium to full, and the acidity gives it a nice freshness throughout It will blossom into an incredible wine. I liked very much. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

Price: $139.99

2014 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 2/20/2018 | Send Email

A very enticing nose of blood oranges, tobacco, forest floor and a touch of vanilla. Very fine tannins on the palate making it all round and balanced. Very nice wine. I expect it to receive high scores for sure. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot.

Price: $129.99

Billecart-Salmon "Sous Bois" Brut Champagne

By: Joe Bruno | Review Date: 2/13/2018 | Send Email

I had the pleasure of trying this Champagne about a week ago along with a couple other Billecart-Salmon offerings. This was my favorite, for its inherent richness. The aroma was very reminiscent of a white Burgundy; dried orchard fruit, custard, and chalky minerality. On the palate, creamy fruit, lemon juice, and pear flavors play with an elegant toast and round mouthfeel. Acidity is still elevated; the chalkiness also comes through. This Champagne's power and balance come together wonderfully; worth every penny!

Price: $99.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/9/2018 | Send Email

This wine is made from 100% Grand Cru fruit from Avize, Cramant and Oger. The palate is clean and subtly floral, but is fairly robust and has hints of under-ripe tropical fruit, a testament to the warmer vintage. With a dry, soft finish, this is an elegant wine sure to please the most discerning.

Price: $53.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Jordan Stone | Review Date: 2/8/2018 | Send Email

Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne for just $ 34.99! Lively and rich with flavors of apples some bready notes with a touch of saline and vanilla. Crisp and clean with persistent bubbles. This is a favorite at my house

Price: $53.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 2/7/2018 | Send Email

If it has to sparkle, have superb quality and a big-house name, this is the wine to grab! I don't always drink name-brand champagnes, but when I do, this is the one for me! In my opinion, the Brut Reserve checks all of the bubbly boxes. Fresh, bright, crisp fruit, juicy acidity, lifted aromatics. Like many of my favorite styles of sparkling wines, it also has a beautiful nerve of mineral, but a counter-balance of sweetness of fruit to keep everything right where it should be. No national brand offers more for the money at, or near this price!

Price: $64.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 2/7/2018 | Send Email

The wine that Billecart is probably most well-known for is their rose and it's done very well. I usually choose blanc de blanc, or blanc de noir when I'm getting my bubbles on. Mostly because I tend to feel that rose' sparklers need a bit more time, after popping that top, to open up, and I just really don't have time to wait when I'm trying to celebrate! Get in my glass, and "get in mah belleh", to quote a favorite actor of mine. This needs no extra time to blow off the funk that can sit in the glass for a bit. It's pretty, fresh, and crisp, right from the start. High toned bright fruit really make this a fresh, lifted, wine to toast to any great occasion. Although it's quite dry, it still shines through with a nice measure of sweetness from the fruit. This is the sparkling rose to beat!

Price: $94.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email

During our staff Champagne tasting today, this one stood out for me. Based on the 2015 vintage and using their estate-grown Grand Cru Chardonnay (50% of which are reserve), this wine is supple, refreshing, and refined. It checks all the boxes of what Champagne is supposed to be and leaves you wanting for more.

Price: $53.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email

The Franck Bonville Blanc de Blanc was the first Champagne I bought on the first night I worked at K&L, and it will always have a special spot in my heart. What makes it so special is the care and quality Olivier Bonville pours into his wines. Based on 2015, the Blanc de Blanc is half reserve wine from all estate fruit. Some time in barrel gives this Chardonnay a creamy, sweet citrus character, like that of a Meyer lemon or pink grapefruit. The chalky soil is not lost in this wine, either. A soft structure of dry white chalk elongates the palate and adds an extra level of complexity. It is a wine that never disappoints.

Price: $53.99

Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne

By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email

I've often skipped over the any of the Billecart Salmon Champagnes that weren't their Brut Rose, thinking they were a one trick pony. Today I was proven wrong. We tried five of their bottlings that we carry in store and each one was elegant and complex in its own right. However, this Blanc de Blanc really stood out to me. A richer style for the house, this 100% Chardonnay goes through partial malolactic fermentation to bring a creamy citrus character, almost like lemon meringue pie (just without the nutty, pastry aspect you may find in oaked Blanc de Blanc as this doesn't see any oak). That richness is elegantly balanced with long lived acidity that keeps each sip active on the palate. An undertone of chalky minerality from the Grand Cru soils adds just the right amount of depth needed to complete the wine. 10 minutes after tasting, I bought myself the magnum!

Price: $94.99

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

By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/4/2018 | Send Email

If you're buying your bottle of Hubert in 2018, then you're getting the domaine's new blend based primarily on the 2008 vintage with bits of 2006 and 2010 blended in. It's textbook Astrid—friendly, feminine, but with a bit of a spicy kick. At thirty bucks, to think we can offer an apple brandy of this quality that's mostly 9 years old with 11-year and 7-year added for good measure is astounding. There's a reason this is the top selling Calvados in our store's history. 2000 bottles and counting!!

Price: $34.99

Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Morgan Laurie | Review Date: 1/29/2018 | Send Email

This truly is one of the best values in sparkling wine we have. It's fresh, crisp and drinks well above it's price. Dry with small bubbles and an elegant mouth feel, it goes down (almost) too easily. Notes of green apple, stone fruits and a slight nutty richness make this an easy choice for any occasion!

Price: $13.99

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries (400g)

By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 1/17/2018 | Send Email

These are totally worth it and this little jar goes a long way. My favorite use is the Three Dots and a Dash tiki drink, but the applications here are far-reaching. Be "nose to tail" and spoon the extra syrup on some ice cream or something. It's amazing. Just *DON'T PUT THE OPEN JAR IN THE FRIDGE*. It will crystalize and get ruined. This stuff is so sweet like molasses it's completely preserved at room temperature, and the label will tell you so as well.

Price: $19.99

Caledonia Spirits Barr Hill "Tom Cat" Barrel Aged Old Tom Vermont Gin (750ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email

Caledonia Spirits has done a wonderful job on this gin through intense focus. There is only one botanical - Juniper. The complexity comes from one added ingredient. The gin is finished with raw honey from the local Vermont bees. This special spirit is then aged in new virgin oak casks for a short period of time. The end result is spectacular. The nose is bursting with juniper, floral blossoms, and graceful oak spice. The mouth feel is rich and bright with the endless complexities of high quality honey highlighted through the sweet oak spices. Many gins see oak because it's the trendy thing to do. This gin see oak because it elevates the quality to a whole new level. This is far and away the best barrel aged gin I've had.

Price: $42.99

WE: 90

2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc

By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 1/5/2018 | Send Email

This is an excellent Bordeaux from one of the top recent vintages, but coming from an under-the-radar winery in the Haut-Medoc. Chateau Coufran tends to use more Merlot in their blend, lending the wine some silky, black-fruited elegance which nicely counters the firmer structure and earthiness of the Cabernet from this region. Truly one of our best bargains for stellar 2009 vintage!

Price: $24.99