K&L Wine Merchants - Andrew Tobin Reviews

ArteNOM "Seleccion 1579" Blanco Tequila (750ml)

Review Date: 08-24-2020

NOM 1579 is widely hailed as one of the best Tequila distilleries in Mexico. ArteNOM has been kind enough to source a special batch from them to share with the world and I for one, am thrilled they did! The nose is soft with hints of lime, fresh pineapple, black pepper and green herbs all wrapped up in a tangy cream. Oh man does the palate come through after with a huge savory herbaceous punch right up front that rounds into sweet vanilla cream notes. Minerality completely defines the finish with a nice wet stone pull that finishes clean and lean. The quality of the tequila that ArteNOM sources at this price range is amazing, this is definitely one of the best Blanco's on the shelf!

Price: $54.99

Knob Creek 12 Year Old Small Batch 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Review Date: 01-06-2020

Knob Creek has always been a great choice if you're at a bar with a moderate whiskey selection, spicy, nutty, easy-going, what's not to love? Never anything to blow you away, but a perfect little sipper...until this powerhouse was released. I picked up a bottle out of pure curiosity as it had a hefty age statement for bourbon at this price point and I think I finally understand Knob Creek. Dripping in rich spice and caramel, the mouth is round and luscious, there is a note of cherry wrapped up in the middle right between the spice and the nutty finish. I'm amazed that more people haven't jumped on this bottle!

Price: $59.99

WA: 95

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 05-07-2019

I am a sucker for a good Blanc de Blanc. Something about the rich, round, honeyed quality that chardonnay based champagne can bring always puts a smile on my face. Franck Bonville is an exceptional producer, and when you can get your hands on a bottle of 100% Grand Cru fruit at a price this low, it's a no brainer in my mind. The nose is fot, with notes of cherry, vanilla, and white flowers. The Palate is laden with cashew, marzipan, and a long toasty finish. This is a beautiful wine made from exceptional fruit that for the the price, is going to be hard to beat!

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 05-07-2019

The Faillet family have been known wine growers since the early 17th century, but it wasn't until the marriage of Gaston Faillet and Genevieve Dart in 1970 that the house of Faillet-Dart was formed. the Grande Selection is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir, and the and even split of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to round it out. The nose is toasty with notes of white florals, browned butter, and apples. The palate is rich with notes of under ripe stone fruit, apples, and a round marzipan finish.

Price: $37.99

Mortlach 16 Year Old "Distiller's Dram" Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Review Date: 04-09-2019

Mortlach Distillery, nicknamed "The Beast of Dufftown," is a very unique whisky for Speyside. Many of its neighbors produce elegant, softer Scotch; Mortlach comes to the table with familiar Speyside qualities, but it brings the weight of Highland Scotch. The nose opens with notes of raisin, roasted apples, nutmeg and cinnamon, dates, and light chocolate. The palate is rich and weighty, with notes of apples, baking spice, dried fruit, and OlorosO Sherry (likely due to its aging in ex-sherry casks). This is one of my favorite standard release (not that any Mortlach is standard) Scotches I have had in a long time. If you are a whisky lover at all, this is a Scotch that needs to be experienced.

Price: $99.99

WA: 91

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