K&L Top Ten Picks: June 2023

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Jun 19th, 2023 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L's Top Ten Selections: June 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------- [Our monthly Top Ten]( represents our finest offerings that we believe deliver the absolute best character and style for their prices. No matter your tastes, preferences, or budget, you'll find something to capture your interest and take your wine and spirits experience to a new level. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Pontet-Canet]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2022 Laberinto "Cenizas de Laberinto" Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley 95 $19.99 [View]( 2018 AXR Napa Valley Chardonnay (Previously $48) 94 $22.95 [View]( 2012 Dérot-Delugny Millesime Brut Champagne (Elsewhere $50+) $34.99 [View]( 2021 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Serpentières" $34.99 [View]( 2019 Vinoce St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $60) $39.99 [View]( 2000 Camensac, Haut-Médoc 90 $59.99 [View]( 2017 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (Elsewhere $100) 96 $59.99 [View]( 2012 Dailuaine 9 Year Old "Firkin Whisky K&L Exclusive" Oloroso & Amontillado Single Cask Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $79.99 [View]( 2019 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Elsewhere $155) 99 $119.99 [View]( Bardstown Bourbon Company "Discovery Series #9" Blended Whiskey (750ml) $119.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2022 Laberinto "Cenizas de Laberinto" Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley]( Laberinto "Cenizas de Laberinto" Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley]( ($19.99) 95 points Wine Advocate: "The 2022 Cenizas de Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc is sharp and vibrant, with 12.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.04 and 8.77 grams of acidity. It was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1993 on volcanic ash soils. In 2022, Tirado macerated a bit more, looking for a little more structure. The wine didn't go through malolactic and was bottled after eight months with lees. This is sharp as a knife, with subtle aromas of meat broth and savory rather than floral or exotic, less varietal, complex, austere and mineral, with a rocky sensation. It's textured and tasty, clean, long and nuanced, fresh and balanced, with the cool sensation of the cold nights. He's worked a lot through decantation to be able to bottle the wine unfiltered, and the wine is bright and clean. It's an amazing wine, one of the finest values in Chile. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. Experience with older vintages tells me this wine is going to develop nicely in bottle. (LG)" (04/2023) 95 points Descorchados : "This is a selection of four different sectors of sauvignon blanc vineyards, planted on volcanic soils overlooking Lake Colbún, at the foot of the Andes in the Maule Valley. It's a cool place, and the temperatures were accentuated by the cold 2022 season, which resulted in an electric sauvignon with herbal notes and tart white fruit in a body that's light yet full of nerve and tension. The flavors are long, and the fruity sensation lingers long on the palate. A great vintage of one of Chile's best sauvignons, and one of the few that doesn't come from the coast, but from the Andes." (01/2023) Walker]( | K&L South America Buyer | Review Date: May 11, 2023 This is from a vineyard planted around a pre-alpine lake in the foothills of the second-tallest mountain range in the world. Planted in soils that are a mix of igneous intrusive and extrusive origins (granite and volcanic ash). I have been drinking this wine for about a decade. It is unlike any other expression of the Sauvignon Blanc I've ever come across. There is nothing crazy or innovative with the winemaking here. The grapes are farmed organically, given 4-6 hours of skin contact before fermentation in stainless steel, and then aged on the fine lees for another six months. It is the terroir. Where else in the world are you finding Sauvignon Blanc grown in soils like this? This wine tastes like no other Sauvignon Blanc in the world, and year in and year out it has a similar character. This is a special wine from a special place, but the best part is it does not have that “special wine” price. This is accessible to all of us! I love this wine before I even open the bottle. What makes this a great wine, not just an intellectual curiosity, is that it is straight-up delicious. This wine shows up cool and focused on the nose. It is restrained with hints of fruit, hints of minerality, and hints of herbs. It's like a calm lake that gives you no suggestion as to how deep it is. That first sip reveals the depth of that lake. It is medium-bodied and concentrated, dry and mouthwatering but not tart. It has great intensity and persistence. The fruit is subdued but present, guava, lime, and lemon. The minerality is not driving like the limestone and silex of Sancerre, but it is subtle and persists with a quiet background note that lingers. This could be my favorite bottling yet; it tastes so good, and it takes my imagination soaring trying to describe it (you are getting a drastically truncated version here). This is a wine that exceeds my expectations, which are very high, and the more that I think about it, it is on my short list of the best white wines in the store at $25 or less. [Alexandre Tweedie]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 09, 2023 Starting with a down-right pretty nose of freshly picked white nectarine, with earthy traces of dry straw and hot pebbles, this Sauvignon Blanc truly is summer time crammed into a bottle, and it's actively trying to escape into your glass! A deeply electric level of acid seems like it could scream a little too loudly, but with eight months of Lees Contact, there is an a great balance between Lush and Lightning here. Truly a wonderful, if not slightly off the beaten path, bottle of Sauvignon Blanc made for *anyone* who loves Worldly Whites! [Alex Leonardini]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 09, 2023 The 2022 Laberinto "Cenizas de Laberinto" Sauvignon Blanc is humming with energy and full of nervy, electric acidity. Citrus zest, crushed chalk, and tart white peach pierce the aromatic profile. You can smell how wound and ready to explode the wine is, and the palate is a lighting strike of acidity. Lemon zest, lime juice, and a touch of passion fruit dart over the tongue and reverberate through the palate causing a tingly mouthwatering sensation. Citrus juice and crushed stone flavors stretch into a long, laser beam-precise finish. The wine is borderline addictive, calling you back for more long after your last sip. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 AXR Napa Valley Chardonnay (Previously $48)]( AXR Napa Valley Chardonnay (Previously $48)]( ($22.95) 94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of smoke, jasmine, peach and marmalade on toast. Almond-skin flavors, too. It's full-bodied and creamy with crisp acidity. Complex layers of toasted nuts and ripe fruit. Elegant." (12/2020) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "An impressive white that is balanced between fruit, acidity and oak, this appellation wine offers a creamy, cohesive center that is both pretty and complex. Baking spice elements adorn layers of apple, apricot and Meyer lemon flavor that are rich yet fresh. (VB)" (11/2021) 92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lots of stone fruits, brioche, and honeysuckle notes emerge from the 2018 Chardonnay, a solid, nicely balanced Chardonnay with a good mix of both richness and freshness." (04/2021) 92 points Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Chardonnay sails out of the glass with invigorating scents of lemon curd, fresh grapefruit and yuzu with hints of green mango, shaved ginger and peach blossoms. The medium-bodied palate has lovely elegance and restraint, featuring loads of citrus and stone fruit layers and a satiny texture, finishing with a quiet intensity and fantastic freshness. (LPB)" (11/2020) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: May 23, 2023 This is an incredible deal in delicious Napa Valley Chardonnay! Expertly crafted by winemaking icon Jean Hoefliger of Alpha Omega fame. Jean is one of the most highly regarded and sought-after vignerons in Napa Valley. For his AXR wines he makes use of deep connections to source top-quality fruit from some of the finest sites in the region. The beautiful 2018 AXR Chardonnay strikes a perfect balance of power and precision. It has plenty of rich, golden stone fruit, baked apple, brioche, and hazelnut that will tick all the boxes for folks who enjoy a classic California Chardonnay. But there is certainly no lack of freshness and acidity here also. Zesty, tangy elements in the long finish leave your palate wanting more. The subtle French oak is very nicely judged and integrated, never imposing itself, just adding a nice layer of spice and some textural definition. Boasting multiple 94-point scores, this wine is set to fly out of here at our monster discount of more than 50% off! Given the quality of the wine and the broad critical acclaim, this price is just ridiculous! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Dérot-Delugny Millesime Brut Champagne (Previously $50)]( Dérot-Delugny Millesime Brut Champagne]( ($34.99) Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: November 10, 2022 The best deal of the year in vintage Champagne! Originally, this wine was selling for $50, but a great deal from the Dérot family and a windfall with the exchange rate allowed us to deeply discount it. I love the almost-clear color, a great sign for further aging potential, as well as the gingerbread toast on the nose. In the mouth, it is expressive and generous, with both high-toned citrus and deep brioche. The bead is fine and compact, and the finish is fresh and driven. I am planning on having this tonight with pork katsu, but it will also make a great pairing with pâté and smoked fish! Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 12, 2022 This lovely 2012 release has a nose of white flowers, orchard fruit, and baking spices. On the palate, it is initially very bright with citrus and minerals. After a minute, it fleshes out with pear, green apple, sourdough bread, cream and minerals. It has a very fine bead and a lingering finish. Pretty incredible value, as well. Jones]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 12, 2022 This is a fantastic Champagne. It is delicious and classic with a wonderful aromatic nose. In the mouth, it is focused with nice fruit, and has wonderful mineral notes and a clean crisp finish. The 2012 Dérot-Delugny offers everything that you want in a bottle of Champagne. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2021 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Serpentières"]( Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Serpentières"]( ($34.99) K&L Notes: Jean-Michel Giboulot took over the family business in 1982 and has put together one of the best bang-for-your-buck portfolios in all of Burgundy over the last three-plus decades. Giboulot's wines straddle the line between traditional and modern, with reds that have crunchier fruit and fine tannins, but plenty of ripeness and purity. Pross]( | K&L Burgundy Buyer | Review Date: May 16, 2023 The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Serpentières" is a wonderful example of the heights that the 2021 red Burgundy vintage has achieved. The energy and lift of this wine is spectacular with wonderful red fruits, spice, and bitter chocolate notes singing across a smooth, lush finish where the tannins are perfectly integrated with racy acidity and excellent verve and energy. A great example of what can be achieved in the challenging yet rewarding 2021 Burgundian vintage. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Vinoce St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $60)]( Vinoce St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $60)]( ($39.99) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: April 25, 2023 It's back! The new vintage of one of our best-selling Cabernets from last year, and another sharp price! To recap: Vinoce's wines are crafted by cult winemaker Keith Emerson. Keith is probably best known as the long-time Director of Winemaking at Vineyard 29, but he has also made wine for the likes of Robert Craig and Cakebread. With 100-point scores to his name, Keith really knows how to coax the best out of Napa Valley Caberent, capturing all the power and richness it has to offer, but also focusing on refinement and structure. The Vinoce bottling comes right from the heart of St. Helena (in the same neighborhood as Vineyard 29's vineyards) and is chock-a-block full of deep dark fruit, ripe plum, blackcurrant, marionberry, graphite, smoldering embers, dark chocolate, oak spice. Full-bodied, but not sweet, structured but polished and approachable. A seriously good, modern Napa Cab clearly made by someone at the top of his game. Even at its regular $60 retail price this wine over-delivers in a big way. At our deeply discounted Insider's Advantage deal, it's one of the best values you'll find in Napa today. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2000 Camensac, Haut-Médoc]( Camensac, Haut-Médoc]( ($59.99) 90 points Wine Spectator: "This is big and tannic, with loads of concentration. Full-bodied, chewy and impressive. Leave it for a long time. Super price for a cru classé. (JS)" (03/2003) Jancis Robinson: "Really very good indeed. Deep crimson. Meaty and savoury with just a hint of that velvety texture that so many 1990s exhibit. Quite a high tannin content but these are ripe, well-masked tannins. 17.5/20 points (JR)" (10/2003) Wine Advocate: "A sleeper of the vintage, with a characteristic not dissimilar from a good St.-Julien, the medium-bodied 2000 offers up scents of vanilla intermixed with black currant and licorice. With moderately high tannin, excellent depth, purity, and overall harmony, it is certainly capable of considerable longevity. (RP)" (04/2003) K&L Notes: The vineyards of Château Camensac are in the commune of St-Laurent-Médoc, just beyond the boundary of the St-Julien-Beychevelle appellation. As such, it is entitled to only the Haut-Médoc appellation for its wines. The estate's 65 hectares of vines (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot) are planted at a dense 10,000 vines per hectare and have an average age of 35 years. The estate limits yields to 45 hectoliters per hectare and grapes are picked and sorted by hand. Beffa, Jr.]( | K&L Bordeaux Buyer | Review Date: September 03, 2022 Twenty-two years have been kind to this wine. When young, it was tight and tannic. Now it is sweet and lovely with a bit of that 2000 power in it. Sweet core of red fruits dominates the wine—prime rib would be perfect with this. Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: August 20, 2022 Cinnamon and I had this with a Denver cut steak, and it was magnificent! The wine still has a dark purple color, and after 45 minutes in the decanter, the bouquet was generous and full of the old-school tobacco and earth that I love so much in aged Bordeaux. In the mouth, this 2000 still has plenty of dark cassis fruit and a great silky texture from resolved tannin. My wife said that this wine has an extra element that we don't often get with our Friday night claret, and I agreed. This wine not only still has the cut for a rich steak, but it also has the poised terre graveleuse of a classified growth. The finish is still bright and fresh, as well as long and complex. It is a great value in great-vintage, classified-growth Bordeaux at the price. Don't miss it while it is still around! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (Elsewhere $100)]( Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (Elsewhere $100)]( ($59.99) 96 points James Suckling: "Plenty of complexity to this, with cherry, plum, blackberry and hints of cedar and stone. Full-bodied with layered, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Punctuated and defined for the 2017 vintage." (10/2021) 95 points Wine Advocate: "The Fuligni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine, and it shines a much-deserved spotlight on one of the most consistent estates in Montalcino. It is bright and luminous with a dark ruby shine. The bouquet reveals deeply layered tones of red cherry, wild berry, rose, earth and candied violets. Give the wine an extra twirl or two, and you get some rosemary and lavender. Soft dusty mineral and limestone also appear. I'd definitely put this bottle on a short list of the most recommended bottles from the 2017 vintage. (ML)" (02/2022) 93 points Wine & Spirits: "With vineyards located in Montalcino's cooler northeastern quadrant, this estate was well positioned to withstand the heat and drought of the 2017 growing season. The wine's red cherry and berry flavors are crunchy and bright, lifted by a hint of blood orange. The tannins are like molten iron, firmly guiding the pure fruit tones as the wine unfolds to reveal hints of smoke and warm spice. It feels a bit lean at this stage, and should flesh out with a few more years of bottle age." (04/2022) 93 points Decanter: "At 420 metres in Montalcino's northeast, the Fuligni estate expands over 100 hectares, 14 of which are vineyards. Location provided some reprieve from the heat in 2017 and harvesting for Brunello began in mid-September. When I tasted this in September 2021, just three months after bottling, it was still very closed in its aromas. With coaxing, exotic suggestions of curry and anise surfaced furtively and eventually intrinsic ripeness became apparent. Nevertheless, the fruit remains fresh rather than macerated. A full and vigorous expression with grainy tannins that stretch out across the palate. (MM)" (11/2021) St. Clair]( | K&L Italy Buyer | Review Date: December 21, 2022 The nose of this wine is stunning, so open, so full of wispy aromatics highlighted by wild cherry, plum, and an umami intrigue. On the palate, the wine is supple, elegant, and at the same time bright and fresh with lots of lift on the back end. The wild cherry and plum components are joined by fresh leather, porcini, and Tuscan brush. The finish is vivid, long, and makes you want to taste it again and again. Capable of 15 to 20 years aging, yet drinkable now. You might have heard from some reviewers about the weather conditions of this year. It was hot and dry, but it's like they forgot to taste the wine and were more interested in giving a weather report. This wine is beautiful and shows no overripe character. It is simply fabulous! Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 21, 2022 To check in on the heights of what a Brunello vintage can accomplish, the conversation usually starts with Fuligni these days. A masterclass in refinement and texture, the 2017 shows deft balance all the way through. Aromas of leather, deep red cherry, and cedar lead the way to flavors of blood orange, ripe red cherry, and a slight herbal/minty note. The finish is full of juicy red fruits, lifted by impressive acidity, and lingers on the palate with a touch of salinity. What is so striking about the wine is its flawless texture, bright acid, and mouthwatering, fine tannins. This is a fine Sangiovese in every sense of the word, and a riveting wine that speaks beautifully to what a deft touch looks like in Montalcino in 2017. This will find many, many fans over the years. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Dailuaine 9 Year Old "Firkin Whisky K&L Exclusive" Oloroso & Amontillado Single Cask Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]( Dailuaine 9 Year Old "Firkin Whisky K&L Exclusive" Oloroso & Amontillado Single Cask Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]( ($79.99) K&L Notes: The Firkin Whisky Company is offering some of the most exceptional casks in all of Scotland. Founded by Mike and Deborah Collings, the magic they impart is in the careful build and preparation of their finishing casks. The casks are custom-built and prepared by Firkin from a unique combination of ex-bourbon barrel and charred French oak staves. They are built into "zebra" casks of alternating stave types, then the cask is seasoned with a custom sherry blend made specifically for the whisky that will be going into the cask. In the case of this spectacular 2012 Dailuaine, the custom cask was filled with a 50/50 blend of oloroso and amontillado for its seasoning period. It is the perfect match for the Dailuaine, which spent years finishing in this amazing barrel. The full spectrum of flavor imparted here is unlike any other single cask of whisky we have ever bottled. Dailuaine is one of the more interesting workhorse distilleries in the Diageo stable and beloved by "K&L Exclusive" cask fans for over a decade. We bottle at least one or two casks a year from this distillery, but none have seen a finishing like this. The heavy spirit style married the sweet candied fruit of the oloroso with the savory, oxidative, and nutty characteristics of the amontillado in perfect harmony. While Firkin typically bottles at 48.9%, we kept this one at a full 57% proof. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 20, 2023 A fun little young Dailuaine in an usual blend of amontillado and oloroso sherry-seasoned wood. This one needs a drop of water to open up, but when it does, it really gets going. Great intensity with lovely dark chocolate, dried leaves, cherry jam, earthy spice, roasted almonds—savory and wild on the nose. Lots and lots going on the palate, offering some salinity, which balances very sweet, dried stone fruit perfectly. The unique character of the amontillado seems to me to really be on display here, and there's lots of rich chocolatey stuff too. This is super well-balanced and fun, but it absolutely needs that drop of water for the nose to release its full potential. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 19, 2023 This awesome cask smells like a caramel taffy at first blush. But it's so much more complex than that. Firkin has an unusual process that leads to some truly exceptional results. They build custom casks that are seasoned in accordance with what they think the whisky needs to show its best. This approach leads to the completeness of a careful blend and yet retains all the excitement of a single barrel. This particular cask of Dailuaine saw extended finishing in a zebra barrel that offers both ex-bourbon American oak and charred French oak staves. The different types of wood give a complex sweet and spicy combination, but the artistry doesn't stop there. After the build, the cask was filled with a 50/50 blend of sherry for seasoning, delivering the familiar oloroso notes but also a much more rare and complex profile of amontillado. After sitting with a glass for several hours, I've been on a journey from the aforementioned caramel chew to baked apple skins, roasted malt, candied orange peels, golden raisins plumped in milk, dried plums, toasted almonds, and baking spices. I think if I spent even more time, it would keep on giving. Finally getting around to tasting it, you’re rewarded with a lively and almost zippy mouthfeel, thanks in part to the 57% ABV. There is a maple syrup sweetness at first, which gives way quickly to rich maltiness. The natural weight of Dailuaine is apparent, but it’s not remotely heavy, which is impressive given the big sherry tones. There is a gentle meatiness, like melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly rendered bacon. It’s wonderful all around and about $30 cheaper than most Firkin bottlings in the market thanks to purchasing the entire cask direct! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Elsewhere $155)]( Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Elsewhere $155)]( ($119.99) 99 points James Suckling: "The aromas to this are really amazing, with a potpourri of spices and dried flowers, as well as redcurrants, sweet plums and even some peaches. Full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate in an encompassing yet always elegant and pure way. Its succulent and unadulterated. Like crushed, perfectly ripened grapes. The length is rather endless. The tannins build. Fabulous young red. 35% in amphora and the rest in 50% new oak and 15% one-year oak. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2028, but an absolute joy to taste now." (02/2022) 99 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Independent: "The 2019 Pontet-Canet is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is a little shy to begin, slowly drifting out of the glass with an evocative perfume of violets, black tea, rose petals, and cinnamon stick over a core of cassis, juicy blackberries, and black cherries, plus touches of star anise and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and delivering layer upon layer of black fruits and savory accents, it has a firm, ripe, grainy texture and just enough freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. So stunningly vibrant that it shimmers, give it a good four years further in the cellar to open out and enjoy its transformation over the next 40 years+." (05/2022) 98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a luscious, sumptuous wine, with layers of black fruits and wonderfully cushioned tannins. The structure of the wine is initially masked by the great fruits, but then finds balance from a dry edge of spice, smokiness and lifted acidity. It's another great vintage from this biodynamic estate. (RV)" (10/2022) 98 points Decanter: "Such gorgeous aromatics of freshly picked violets, cherries and bramble fruits - pretty and quite delicate. The texture is smooth and succulent, mouth coating but full of soft tannins which have the most delicious black cherry, blackcurrant flesh and liquorice tinge to them - so satisfying. Extremely well balanced and well integrated, this has restrained power, it's not rich or particularly round but straight, direct and layered rather than wide. Really long finish with great freshness and touches of cool blueberries. This is just such a great wine, everything you want and you know there's power there promising a long life. Great winemaking on show. 35% aged in concrete, 50% new oak, 15% in barrels of one year, for 16-18 months. This year there's a new label, the drawing of the house has remained but the font is more elegant and modern. (GH)" (01/2022) 98 points Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux: "Particularly successful during En Primeur, and even better now, just bursting out of the glass. Plump and fruit forward, plenty of character, with spiced cedar and smoked earth, violet and iris notes play around the edges, but the focus is on creamy cassis, bilberry, cocoa bean and aniseed. Last vintage with Jean-Michel Comme as technical director, and you really now see the skilled use of amphoras, which added notes of austerity in the early years (they introduced them in 2012) but now showcase the precision of the fruit." (10/2021) 96 points Vinous: "The 2019 Pontet-Canet was so effusive and generous en primeur. Today, though, it is quite reticent. That won't be an issue for those who can be patient, but patience indeed will be the key here. Dark red fleshed fruit, tobacco, cedar, spice, kirsch, mint and blood orange gradually open with a bit of coaxing. Imposing tannins wrap it all together. The 2019 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty, but it needs time. (AG)" (01/2022) --------------------------------------------------------------- [Bardstown Bourbon Company "Discovery Series #9" Blended Whiskey (750ml)]( Bourbon Company "Discovery Series #9" Blended Whiskey (750ml)]( ($119.99) K&L Notes: Disco #9 is here and K&L has exclusive first rights to sell it in California. Rumored to be the final installment of the Discovery Series, we're proud to make sure Californians are able to complete their journey of discovery. Aptly named, the series has always been about unique combinations of whiskies that are impeccably blended to maximize deliciousness. They often include rare ingredients in unusual combinations, but they always taste amazing. The ninth edition features a backbone built on a mysterious 8-year-old, Georgia-produced bourbon with an unusual four-grain mashbill of 80% corn, 10% wheat, 5% rye, and 5% malted barley. This makes up 35% of the blend. The next largest component is a 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon weighing in at 31% of the blend. The mashbill for this gives a few clues, but of course, nothing about the source ingredients is confirmed: 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, which happens to be the same as Beam's Booker's mashbill and Wild Turkey's mashbill, so either of those are a likely contributor. 19% of the blend is 17-year-old Tennessee distillate with a mashbill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley—surely this is George Dickel. And the final 15%? 100%-corn whiskey from Ontario offering a big pop of oak and sweetness. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 19, 2023 Color: Liquid Amber. Nose: Maple syrup, cherry pie, hewn oak, chocolate truffle shop, candied orange peel, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, berry compote, crème brulée, tiramisu, 'Nilla wafers—it's extraordinary, the list of desserts and sweet things on the nose seemingly endless. Palate: Given all the sweet aromatics, you'd expect it to be almost cloying when you actually taste it, but the 112.5 proof does a tremendous job giving it a serious kick without being hot. The flavors are a little more cola-esque with a distinct nuttiness that goes with all the sweet spices. Dusty cocoa and dark roasted coffee beans, tons of oak both sweet and savory, fresh juicy corn, cigar box, and sarsaparilla. The finish is lively and flavorful, a quick burst of intensity followed by a lengthy and more mellow lingering. It's another impeccable blend from BBC with top-tier components showcasing their phenomenal skill in bringing together different whiskies to make something that is unique, but wholly worthwhile and delicious. It's heartbreaking to think that California drinkers almost missed out on #9 entirely. Fortunately, we were able to secure a small amount for those dedicated to the Discovery Series. --------------------------------------------------------------- [New Feed]( [Auction]( [Local]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [BORDEAUX]( | [NAPA]( | [BURGUNDY]( | [CHAMPAGNE]( | [ITALY]( | [RHÔNE]( | [SPIRITS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Delivery]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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