Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive Barrel #906″ Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $69.99 View
The extremely popular Maker’s Private Select barrel program has become one of our favorite. Maker’s has always had some serious cache, but their consistency and commitment to their original product line might have hurt their clout with the cognoscenti. But over the last few years they’ve started to introduce new products many of which have become go-to products for our customers. This trend has culminated in the creation of the Private Select program, which offers accounts an opportunity to create their own finishes onto of the already delicious Maker’s Cask Strength flavor profile. They start with a small batch dump of cask strength (10 barrels). Used barrels are then popped open and filled with a special selection of 10 custom staves of various toast and char levels. In this case, LA manager Illya Haase determined the recipe. We’ve got 2 staves of Baked American Pure adding deep vanilla and sweet woodiness. 3 Seared French Cuvee staves offering bold cinnamon and a balancing tannin. And 5 Roasted French Mocha (a first for any K&L Private Select) adding dense dark coffee, cocoa, and subtle licorice to the mix. All in all this is the most unique and intriguing Private Select we’ve done to date. Truly the total package, with an integration right out of the bottle that isn’t always evident in these barrels. I liked this one at cask strength with no water. Bravo Illya, bravo!
1999 Finest Orkeny Single Cask (Highland Park) 18 Year Old “John Milroy” Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $99.99 View
The Highland Park distillery has always been a favorite of aficionados. It’s risen to international prominence over the last several years thanks to a strong marketing push from their owners, the Edrington Group. Their move toward highlighting the island’s Scandinavian history has brought about plethora of unique “limited” offerings and special editions. While many have been very good, the general theme is fewer age statements and higher prices. But, something has happened over couple of years. An unbelievable amount of “no name” Orkney Single Malt casks are popping up at bottlers across Scotland. Usually coming out of refill bourbon and hogshead barrels, this high quality malt was likely sold to raise money for Macallan’s expensive new distillery. Most bottlers know that they’ve stumbled on a cash cow. Cask strength single barrel HP commands very high prices on the open market. Our 12 year old single cask from the distillery sells without issue at $160 and our competitors sold theirs for $200+. Those all sold out months ago. So our suppliers didn’t think anything of expecting to get £100 ($200+ stateside) per bottle for this stuff. And several bottlers have gone ahead and done just that ’cause why not? So when our friend Doug McIver came to use with this wonderful cask at bargain basement prices, we knew we had a winner. Cask strength single cask HP 18 for $100 retail? Of course! But, this isn’t one of those, “well for $100, it’s pretty good” whiskies. This is the real deal.
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA
