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Staff Favorites
| If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers! |
Reviews
Launois "Severine" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
This super interesting blanc de blanc from Launois is made using oak from the forest just above Mesnil. It has an almost rum-like nose with spices, sherry oak and mocha. Sound unusual for a 100% Chardonnay champagne? Well, it is! It is also delicious enough to be a main course bubbly. On the palate, more mocha, with fino sherry notes and a citrus finish. The finish lasts and lasts and lasts. Simply put, a must try for any Champagne lover!
Price:
$59.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
The Veuve Clemence is the older, richer brother to the Cuvee Reserve from Launois. With four years on the lees, it is my go to bottle when in the mood for a fuller bodied Champagne. Full of toasty brioche and biscuit dough right out of the glass, hinting at the opulent nature to come. On the palate it evolves into a supple and appealing wine, chalk full of Grand Cru Chardonnay minerality and stone fruit.
Price:
$44.99
Charles Heidsieck "Brut Réserve" Champagne
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
Simply delicious, the Charles Heidsieck Champagnes have improved so drastically lately that if you haven't tried them recently you owe it to yourself to try one now. Bold nutty, toasty and rich, but not lumbering or cloying - it has a lovely acidity to finish it off. Bravo!
Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
The Quartz is the leaner, more focused entry level wine from Launois and it might be my favorite. Underneath the fruit you get down into the minerality and the oyster shell notes that you expect from a fine Chablis. It's just that this wine has bubbles and it makes you feel like you're floating on air. Stunning.
Price:
$49.99
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
An absolutely delicious, world-changing, life-altering experience. When you taste Launois's Cuvee Reserve and you realize that you only paid $35, you start to wonder what else you've been overpaying for? What about those shoes you ordered online? What about that special cheese you bought from the artisan market? Maybe there are other secrets like this out there that you just don't know about. Credit our own Gary Westby for the epiphany. Just don't bother him once we're sold out again. This is bright, clean, refreshing, and stunningly elegant 100% Grand Cru quality fruit and it's TO DIE FOR.
Price:
$39.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
This is gorgeously lush wine made from hillside grapes and the top and bottom of the slopes. The nose is yeasty and voluptuous with a richness on the palate that maintains its elegance under the weight. Truly a fine wine.
Price:
$44.99
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
This is one of the most highly anticipated bubblies we carry, both from our customers and from our staff. Stone fruit and minerality play against the bright citrus notes and lively acid carries the wine to incredible length without being too tart. This bottle just drinks so well and goes down so smoothly that it always seems a shame that we cannot carry more of it. Pick it up soon because it will sell out fast.
Price:
$39.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
Another Launois that simply drinks far too easily. This cuvee showcases the crispness and cleanliness that I love in Launois' Champagne while also offering length and drive. Light notes of apple and melon layer the minerality of this wine and help it to disappear far too quickly.
Price:
$44.99
Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
When I first came to work here I would have people come up and ask if we had any Launois in stock, not being familiar with it I was always curious why so many people would eagerly await their arrival. Now having tasted them I understand why we always sell out of everything we carry from them. The Quartz is light, crisp, clean, and downright crushable if I may use a vulgar term for this wine. The bright acid carries hints of minerality and tart apple and green melon that is still balanced and finished so well. This will disappear fast so it is worth picking up whenever we have it.
Price:
$49.99
Launois "Severine" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
This is a new project from perhaps the fastest selling Direct Import champagne producers that we carry at K&L. Aged in oak barrels that they had made from trees that grow right next to their vineyards, the wine shows a very different notes from the crisp cleanness that I have come to know and appreciate in Launois. Notes of vanilla and mocha weight the acid and add complexity to the wine. The finish is long and lingering with hints of roasted coffee. This is a fantastic food champagne for those who love something unique.
Price:
$59.99
Kilchoman "Sanaig" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/9/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/9/2016 | Send Email
I am so glad I finally got to try a couple different expressions from the newest distillery on Islay, and I am so impressed with this whisky. A lovely whiff of smoke on the nose lets you know you are getting into an Islay; however, the sherry casking lends it a smooth and rich body without being brooding. Slightly nutty and fruity notes play against the smoke and lead to a long finish with low heat. This whisky does not need an age statement at all, it stands up and delivers incredibly well for a newer, younger blend.
Price:
$69.99
Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/9/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/9/2016 | Send Email
This is one of the best bottle of bubbles in the store for its price. The fact that we directly import this sparkler and that it is from Spain means that it drinks far and above its price point. This Cava is very clean and enhanced by bright acid while still having some weight and richness on the mouthfeel. A lovely balance of ripe fruit and citrus make this one that can easily turn heads at a party and is priced to keep a case around the house.
Price:
$13.99
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: Ivan Diaz | Review Date: 5/7/2016 | Send Email
By: Ivan Diaz | Review Date: 5/7/2016 | Send Email
Where else besides Rioja can you get a top producer's special bottling from 11 years ago and only pay $30? Easily one of the best values in the store, this aged beauty is soft, supple, and generous on the palate with bright cherry and raspberry fruits, balsamic, subtle tobacco, tomato leaf, and a hint of roasted coffee bean from its extended stay in American oak. Most importantly, though, the structural components of this bottle offer significant texture and mean that even though it's in a great drinking window now, it will continue to age in a cellar for a good 10 more years. Enjoy with pork loin medallions or paella.
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: Randy Hagerman | Review Date: 3/7/2016 | Send Email
By: Randy Hagerman | Review Date: 3/7/2016 | Send Email
The 2005 Reserva Especial, a 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Mazuelo (Carignan), smells of red and black cherries, black raspberry, balsamic, spice and mocha. The fruit is confirmed and brighter on the palate, with plenty of mid-palate weight, and a crisp spicy finish. All of 2005 Rioja’s greatness at an unbelievable price!
Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 2/29/2016 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 2/29/2016 | Send Email
Everyone loves a good value in sparkling wine. We would all love to drink Champagne every night, but sometimes you want to spend a little less without compromising quality. For that reason, our buyers here at K&L strive to provide a broad range of alternatives at affordable prices. Over time certain of these have become so popular among our customers and staff that they have achieved an almost iconic status, the kind of wine people buy by the case – among others the Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne "Perle d'Aurore" Brut Rosé, the Deligeroy Cremant de Loire Brut, and the Mas Codina Cava Brut Reserva Penedès. This classic Spanish cava combines traditional grape varieties like Xarello and Macabeo with those more likely to be found in Champagne like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 24 months on the lees adds richness and weight. At this price you can treat yourself whenever you like.
Price:
$13.99
High West "Bourye - 2025" Limited Release A Blend of Straight Bourbon & Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 2/25/2016 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 2/25/2016 | Send Email
A wonderful and delicious whiskey. It is rich and round and full bodied. The bourbon seems to dominate with the spice of the rye having a secondary influence. The only problem with this whiskey is that it is too easy to drink.
Price:
$119.99
Ruinart Brut Rosé "2nd Skin" Champagne 750ml bottle (ships as a 1.5L due to shape of bottle)
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/18/2016 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/18/2016 | Send Email
This bottle takes a walk on the richer side of Rose. Dense and decadent, a core of Bing Cherry, cassis and blood orange, Rose to the fullest. The 18% of Pinot added as red wine adds a firm spine that runs from tip to tail, frambois and baking spice lend a dark richness. Texturally incredibly please, supple and weighty with a finish that end with a hint of baking spice.
Ruinart Brut Rosé "2nd Skin" Champagne 750ml bottle (ships as a 1.5L due to shape of bottle)
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/12/2016 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/12/2016 | Send Email
No Champagne is more famous within France than Ruinart, but it is only now that connoisseurs in the USA are starting to discover these great wines from Champagne. This rich, well balanced rose will delight fans of great pink Champagne with a great contrast between pure Pinot fruit and pure Champagne chalk. It is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, with 18% of the Pinot vinified red and blended in for color and flavor. It has a little more color than most rose Champagne and a soft, full bodied texture. It is rich and satisfying, despite the deceptively high proportion of Chardonnay.
Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (750ml)
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 2/5/2016 | Send Email
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 2/5/2016 | Send Email
Wow, this gin appears to be taking K&L by storm. I'm not sure I've ever seen all of us react so quickly with such unanimous love for a gin before. Gin Mare - distilled with Arbequina olives, basil, rosemary, and thyme - transported me to a garrigue covered hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean on a warm, breezy day. The palate is fresh, soft, and elegant with sweet citrus, briny olive, and herb de Provence. That essence of the Mediterranean Sea that Mare's named for will certainly add a Je Ne Sais Quoi depth to your next cocktail. If you're feeling like a full seaside immersion experience, try a Martini with equal parts Mare Gin and Manzanilla Sherry with a splash or two of orange bitters.
Price:
$36.99
Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (750ml)
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 2/4/2016 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 2/4/2016 | Send Email
A very cool and unusual gin from Spain! Distilled from Olives, Thyme, Rosemary and Basil, this gin is almost a martini in itself. The thyme is the forward aromatic so the herbal notes are very fine, and wonderful citrus overtones provide freshness and zip. There is a fantastic and equally fresh subtly minty quality on the finish that I love. Absolutely delicious.
Price:
$36.99
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 1/20/2016 | Send Email
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 1/20/2016 | Send Email
Looks can be deceiving, as is the case with the Franck Bonville Rose. One glance at the intense pink color would lead anybody to believe that this rose will be an over the top fruit bomb, but this Chardonnay-dominant rose is exactly the opposite. With 92% Chardonnay, this rose is extremely elegant and fresh. Bright notes of strawberry and cherry are delightfully matched with aromas of ripe lemon and lime and the 8% Pinot Noir shines through in the creaminess on the palate. The perfect rose to please every palate at the party.
Price:
$59.99
Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth (1L)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/6/2016 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/6/2016 | Send Email
NO finer tool is available to prevent the home bartender from ruining his or her Manhattan. As long as you manage to get some of this stuff in there, you're probably going to make a solid drink! Only added 1/4 of an oz? Don't worry, the rich dense vanilla will still poke through behind your whiskey of choice. Accidentally flipped the recipe? Who cares, more Carpano more delicious! Needless to say, Carpano Antique is single-handedly improving our cocktails. Some call it a crutch, but who doesn't like having something to lean on. Even with the plethora of fine vermouth on the market, Carpano Antique remains our number one BEST SELLER.
Blanton's "The Original" Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (1 bottle limit) (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/6/2016 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/6/2016 | Send Email
The special Blanton's single barrel has been a staple of any solid back bar since its release in 1984. Truly a pioneering effort from the new owners of the George T Stagg distillery as it was known at the time, Blanton's was indeed the first single barrel to be marketed by any Kentucky distillery since before prohibition. Despite coming from the standard "Buffalo Trace" recipe, Blanton's is unique for being drawn from Warehouse H, the only warehouse on the property built from metal. The metal warehouses absorb more heat and therefor add something extra special to the aging liquid inside. Appropriately enough this warehouse was commissioned by Albert Blanton, one of the early owners of this very old distillery. Despite spending decades under the radar the recent explosion in interest in bourbon has hit the Blanton's stocks hard. Production on this brand is capped due to the single barrel requirements, each barrel must be dumped and bottles filled by hand. Needless to say, we've had a very hard time keeping it on our shelves, often seeing several months without a single bottle to sell. More recently, the product has been allocated to levels similar to the ultra-popular Weller brands, i.e. 12 bottles per week. Blanton's being a single barrel is never quite exactly the same, but it's ALWAYS delicious. Certain bottles, coming from the cherry casks, are absolutely exquisite. Expect rich caramelized sugar, strong notes of vanilla, and spicy dried citrus peel. The palate typically exhibits powerful notes of baking spice, cloves, cinnamon, and soft dried fruits with that rich sweetness in the background to balance the intensity of the spice. An American classic.
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 12/30/2015 | Send Email
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 12/30/2015 | Send Email
One of my favorite Rioja producers, Bodegas Senor de Lesmos, has just released and sent over to us via our direct import program, this amazing fleshy 2005 Reserva Especial Rioja. Deep ruby in color, the opulent, distinctive nose shows blackberry, cassis, and currants fruit notes with a chocolate, mocha, and toasty undertone. In the mouth, this young Gem is expansive, ever evolving, and focused with the same characteristics as in the nose to lead to an wonderfully complex, viscous, broad set of flavors with creamy, lush undertones, and a long, complete finish. Rusty has ordered me to bring home several cases of this Gem for our enjoyment over the next five to ten-plus years. An amazing Value! Don’t miss this Gem! 13.5% ABV
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 12/30/2015 | Send Email
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 12/30/2015 | Send Email
Like pulling two large and lively rabbits out of the same hat, the artful maneuver by this favorite bodega of blending 50/50 Tempranillo and Mazuelo (aka Carignan) was an unexpected delight and an utterly delectable surprise. Perfumed and generous aromas of toast, wild berry fruits and kitchen spice reveal a complex labyrinth of flavors— red and black cherries, raspberries, plums, coffee, balsamic and tobacco spice. Although delicious in its own right, this deep wine possesses enough rabbits, er, elements that will evolve for another decade if left unattended in bottle. Now perform your own magic and open a bottle!
Charles de Cazanove Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 12/29/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 12/29/2015 | Send Email
This Champagne is composed of 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier and 10% Chardonnay. It has a great, open nose of sweet butter and even a touch of orange peel. On the palate it is clean and refreshing. This is a bright, easygoing Champagne for any party!
Price:
$19.99
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 12/15/2015 | Send Email
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 12/15/2015 | Send Email
What a treat to follow up on the 2005 Lesmos Reserva with this 2005 Especial Reserva 50/50 blend of Mazuelo and Tempranillo. Here you have the same great vintage year, but with a tasty twist. The nose is fueled with fresh pencil shavings and exudes ripe berry fruit. On the palate the fruit intensity steps up with notes of raspberries, cranberries and a slight star anise bitter note. Offering a healthy medium viscosity, and displaying a good mix of acidity and tannin, this wine is fit for dinner tonight while showing great potential to hold on to for a bit. This is a lovely bottle of Rioja and well-priced at $30 bucks. Don't miss out!
2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja
By: Joe Manekin | Review Date: 12/1/2015 | Send Email
By: Joe Manekin | Review Date: 12/1/2015 | Send Email
This may be my favorite Lesmos yet. Here we have a rare bottling from Bodegas Casa Juan, a special selection that always has a very healthy (50%) portion of Mazuelo and sees a bit more new barrel than the regular Reserva. Great fruit, with a bit more of a subtle toasty quality than normal for the winery, this is a wine that should age particularly well.
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Dave Genevro | Review Date: 11/21/2015 | Send Email
By: Dave Genevro | Review Date: 11/21/2015 | Send Email
A great wine from Champagne under $40?! I was shocked not only at the price, but the wine inside the bottle is really great stuff. It is a perfect sparkling wine for entertaining or at your dinner table. The apples/pear fruits on the nose and palate and the expressive nature of this wine makes it appeal to palates almost all the way across the board.
Price:
$44.99
Billecart-Salmon "Le Reserve" Champagne (1.5L)
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/19/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/19/2015 | Send Email
Champagne is always best out of magnum! Of all the grand marques, no one offers a cleaner, purer example of Champagne fruit and refreshment than Billecart-Salmon. The Billecart family pick earlier than most, and run the coldest, longest fermentations in all of Champagne to deliver their inimitable, graceful house style. If you are looking for the ultimate in balance aperitif Champagne, you have found it!
2012 Beau-Séjour Bécot, St-Emilion
By: Steve Bearden | Review Date: 11/17/2015 | Send Email
By: Steve Bearden | Review Date: 11/17/2015 | Send Email
This is deep and mouth-filling with a glycerin texture to the raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Gobs of plush fruit completely envelop the substantial tannins hidden in the finish. Enjoy this now for the decadent display of fruit and texture or cellar for a decade or more.
2012 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 11/11/2015 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 11/11/2015 | Send Email
The Baron Louis Lirac is a nice example of what great wine making is about; supple, smooth tannin structure accompanying the lush, dark berry flavors of Grenache, rounded out artfully with small portions of Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvedre. The balance and structure deserve commendation, and make the Baron Louis a great example of what Rhone Valley wines are capable of. It’s an absolute pleasure to drink and will be for many years.
2012 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 11/10/2015 | Send Email
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 11/10/2015 | Send Email
This wine is absolutely lovely! The aromatics are very pronounced with plum, cedar and tobacco showing prominently. On the palate it has a fuller weight, but lifted slightly from the fine acidity. The tannins of this wine add more of a textural element than anything else. They are succulent, ripe, and add interest to the palate, providing structure, yet not aggressively so. As always, this wine over-delivers!
San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 11/10/2015 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 11/10/2015 | Send Email
While the classic Italian Prosecco is "Extra Dry", with just a touch of sweetness on the finish, this charming sparkling wine from San Venanzio is made in a "Brut" style more familiar to American palates. At a mere 11.5% alcohol and at the very attractive, direct import price of $12.99, it's easy on both your palate and your wallet. Crisp, bone dry, refreshing. Low in alchohol. Low in price. An ideal aperitif you can enjoy every day.
Price:
$15.99
A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée 1809" Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/5/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/5/2015 | Send Email
This stunning all barrel fermented blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir has the length and finesse to compete with the finest Champagne in the store. Angelique Coutelas ties the top of every one of the 3000 bottles they produce of this with twine- a rewind to the methods of 200 years ago in Champagne. She is one of only three of four people left in the region that knows the technique and has one of the ancient machines for this process! The Champagne is subtle, compelling and loaded with long mineral driven drive!
Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde
By: Randy Hagerman | Review Date: 11/1/2015 | Send Email
By: Randy Hagerman | Review Date: 11/1/2015 | Send Email
Hold on to summer with this crisp Vinho Verde! This is a very, very easy-drinking white. Grab some crab legs or grill up some white fish and enjoy the extended warm weather with THE crab wine. Cheers!
Price:
$9.99
Jack Daniel's "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 10/28/2015 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 10/28/2015 | Send Email
Ok, so we famously have to tell several people every week that we do not stock Jack Daniel's No 7. It's just never fit into our selection, although I will admit to personally going through a little phase in college back when I thought Rolling Rock was cool. I have Deer Hunter and an unhealthy obsession with Christopher Walkin to thank for that. 33 and a shot of Jack was the go to call at the bar for a while. To be honest that's what No. 7 is good for, shots. Sweet and easy with just enough of the sour bite at the end to remind you you're still alive. In my many years of buying spirits, I've been lucky enough to try some older bottlings of the world's most popular whiskey. Even the slightly different 86 proof offerings from the 1990s seemed extremely special compared to what's regularly available. Legends like the 90 proof from the 70s and earlier are hard to gauge as capacity has increased so much since then. Now most of the cynics will probably think I'm just jumping on the Jack train cause they paid us off or something. To be honest, we have absolutely no connection to Jack whatsoever. We have a great relationship with their parent company Brown Forman, but since we haven't sold Jack in a decade we just don't have a connection there. That all might change now that we've ordered everything that the distributor could get us, but for now we're going at it alone. Despite a lack of communication, they've finally listened to our (and many enthusiasts') grumblings and we're excited to announce the release Lynchburg's finest bottled at full cask strength. When you open the bottle you know instantly it's Jack. Big powerful fruit and sweet oak. Slightly hot on the nose, but ultra smooth on the palate even at 66.5% alcohol. Now here is the thing, add a tiny drop of cool spring water, give it some air maybe 10-15 minutes. You'll return to an utterly transcendent whiskey of extreme complexity and wild drinkability. Let's say this is now maybe 100 proofish and drinks like a dream. These are the flavors I remember from those old bottlings. We don't know how old it is, but goddang it's as delicious as anything coming out of Kentucky at this price point and easily bests bottles that are much much more expensive. If you like big bold flavors of cask strength whiskey, but don't want the bitter bite of some of the other stuff on the market than this stuff is for you. Of course, these are single casks and I've seen some reviews going absolutely wild for other barrels, but the one I tasted was No. 15-4973 at 66.5% and it works for me.
Laphroaig "Quarter Cask" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: James Knight | Review Date: 10/22/2015 | Send Email
By: James Knight | Review Date: 10/22/2015 | Send Email
My journey back to Laphroaig has been long, but it's got a well-earned place in my short list of single malt favorites. The Quarter Cask is kind of like an elaboration on that rich, vanilla oak note that I retrieved from my first smoky, leathery bottle of Laphroaig 10. It's less rich and opulent than the Triple Wood, to be sure, but I enjoyed every pour of this--it even held up to a little ice, over the summer, purists be darned. I'm a Talisker fan, and love the Ardbeg Corryvreckan, but this well-priced Laphroaig shows, with just a bit of extra barrel treatment, the quality of the spirit that's coming out of the distillery.
El Tesoro de Don Felipe Reposado Tequila
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 10/16/2015 | Send Email
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 10/16/2015 | Send Email
Wow, this is easily one of the best tequilas I've ever tried and no wonder: Tesoro Tequila is hand-fermented and distilled with agave pulp and fibers, which allows for maximum flavor retention from the agave's essential oils. It is then bottled 48 hours after distillation to further preserve flavor and aroma. Aged for 11! months in 4+ fill ex-bourbon barrels, the subtle oak influence delicately intermixes with the agave-forward flavors. Highlands-grown agave is also known for its sweetness. The result of all of this? A rich, creamy, elegant reposado, very light in color, with butterscotch, chili, sea salt, and lovely floral aromatics. This truly is a phenomenal bottle of reposado.
El Tesoro de Don Felipe Blanco Tequila (750ml)
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 10/16/2015 | Send Email
By: Nicole Osmanski | Review Date: 10/16/2015 | Send Email
As soon as you taste Tesoro's platinum, you'll understand why it's the only tequila to have been awarded "Best White Spirit" in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Tesoro also won "Distiller of the Year" award - having learned how much care and precision goes into crafting their tequilas, I get it. Tesoro hand-ferments and distills with agave pulp and fibers, which allows for maximum flavor retention from the agave's essential oils. It is then bottled 48 hours after distillation to further preserve flavors and aroma. The Platinum boasts a gorgeous full and creamy texture with an especially floral and fruity bouquet. Hints of pepper lend intrigue and freshness. This is an incredibly "feminine" and complex tequila - like a Botticelli painting in a bottle. An exaggeration, you say? Taste it. You'll join the cult.
Capurro Estate Grown Single Vintage Quebranta Premium Pisco (700ml)
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 10/5/2015 | Send Email
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 10/5/2015 | Send Email
Taste the terroir of Peru with this single varietal Quebranta, one of the strongest yet non-aromatic of the 8 designated varietals that can be used to make pisco. What quebranta lacks in aroma more than makes up for with rich, texture and complex flavors of sweet fried plantains, almonds and pepper. The full body of this spirit makes it a great emulsifier and perfect for making Pisco Sours, or it would work just fine alone as a soothing, slow tropical sipper.
Price:
$34.99
Capurro Estate Grown Single Vintage Acholado Premium Pisco (700ml)
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 10/5/2015 | Send Email
By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 10/5/2015 | Send Email
Tropical and unique, Capurro's family blend of grapes called Acholado is a clear, colorless and delicious spirit exploring complex notes of dried grass, flora, pepper and light stone fruit flavors. This is an excellent choice to play with your standard tiki recipes and mix something truly exotic. Have some fun!
Price:
$34.99
2012 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 9/29/2015 | Send Email
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 9/29/2015 | Send Email
We have been importing the various different wines from this very superb estate for over twenty years, and most of you know the story. It should be considered a Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, but it lies on the wrong side of the Rhone River from CDP, which is the appellation line. The Cuveé Baron Louis from their vineyard in Lirac is for all that matters, the estate’s “Reserve” bottling. Medium deep ruby in color, the nose explodes from the glass with a spicy white pepper to blackberry fruit notes with undertones of game and rose petals. A broad, focused, integrated, viscous mouthfeel with excellent balance and deep fruit flavors lead to a Gem that is complex, layered, and long on the finish. Rusty has told me that we need to have several cases of this Gem. Don’t miss this puppy. Great Value, and it will age and improve for another five to ten years. ***** 14.0% ABV *****
Singani "63" Bolivian Muscat Brandy (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/25/2015 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/25/2015 | Send Email
Few products are so near and dear to our heart. I fell in love the product not only because of its soft and easy-to-use character, but because of the wonderful story that goes along with it. When our friend and long time customer came to town to show us his new product we couldn't believe his absolute devotion and true love for this product. Luckily for us, it actually tastes magnificent and is easily one of the most versatile products on the shelf. Definitely a must have for the bar.
Price:
$29.99
Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/21/2015 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/21/2015 | Send Email
It seems so crazy that we can even keep this bourbon in stock given its quality and 10 year age statement. It tastes great, checks all the boxes, good richness, texture, lots of toasty spice, caramel, charred oak tones. So what's up...? Too inexpensive...not "cool" enough yet...? Fine by me, this is a steal for people who care more about what's in the bottle and enjoying a good drink rather than those seeking only collectibles. Cheers to you!
Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/20/2015 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/20/2015 | Send Email
Easy-drinking crowd favorite “the crab wine” is back! Effervescent and refreshing, this Portuguese classic shows the slightly sweeter side of Vinho Verde but maintains that crisp, beautifully dry vibrancy. A warm weather winner.
Price:
$9.99
Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 9/17/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 9/17/2015 | Send Email
McKenna is one of those under-appreciated gems of the booze industry. A throwback Bourbon made by Heaven Hill (the home of Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Rittenhouse Rye, and many other great brands) that's all from a single barrel, bottled-in-bond at 100 proof, and well-priced to boot. There's not much of a reputation for it out west, so it tends to go rather unnoticed, but the quality is highly-regarded by those in the know. Our inventory on McKenna is inconsistent and spotty so we tend to load up when it becomes available again. I taste inferior Bourbons every week that sell for $40, $50, and $60 per bottle based on hype and perceived rarity. But this guy just keeps truckin' along. What a deal. What a whiskey.
Taittinger "Prestige" Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/11/2015 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/11/2015 | Send Email
A blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier. A large (15%) blend of still Pinot Noir in the mix. The nose has cherries, red boysenberries and fresh cream. Soft and lush on the palate with orange marmalade undertones. A great choice for people who like a slightly richer, more opulent style of brut rosé.
Drappier Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/10/2015 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/10/2015 | Send Email
This absolutely 100% tasty Brut Rose is 100% pinot noir. It is dosed at a low 7 grams per liter dosage with 2-3 years on the lees. It has ripe strawberry fruit with hints of tart cranberries and red fruits. Lush, yet dry and extremely delicious!
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/10/2015 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/10/2015 | Send Email
I tasted this beauty on the 8th of September. It is simply great with golden apple fruit, minerals and sea salt on the nose. On the palate, more golden apple fruit with just a hint of caramel and full minerality. It has the bonus of an extremely long finish of salinity and lemon meringue.