What's the Scoop?

Five days without a post? I must have died face-down over the toilet not to have written anything new! Actually, we're knee-deep in the middle of Whisky Season and, with the holidays officially starting in two days, we're already getting pounded with extra orders. I've had little time to think about writing something new for the blog, let alone actually doing it.  There's no time to think about putting together a cohesive piece, so I'll just have to give you the scoop in brief blasts of information.  Here we go:

- Adam Herz from the Los Angeles Whisk(e)y Society just posted another warning to those purchasing collectables from Bonham's auction. Now that Ebay has been shutdown, these guys are pretty much the only game left in town. Let me tell you this right now – I don't know anything about how Bonham's is run. All I know is that many other alcohol-related operations are more about making money than actually doing their research. Liquor companies are being blinded by $$$ signs right now.  There is a ton of money to be made with booze at the moment. Don't expect these companies to be looking out for your best interests.  I'm not naming anyone or claiming that Bonham's is one of these operations – I'm just saying: do not assume that anyone is looking out for you, the consumer (except for Adam and K&L, of course!). As someone who is currently shopping for a house, I'm consistently stunned by the similarities I see in the Bay Area real estate market and the whisk(e)y industry. Pop.

- I've known for years that musical tastes come back around every other decade. When I was in high school in the mid-90's, we loved the rock music of the 1970's, which went on to influence the grunge bands of the 1990's.  The 1980's were totally uncool in 1995. Those Reagan years were too cheesy, too focused on fun, too over the top. The 1990's got serious, alternative, and deep.  We talked about real emotions, suicide, drug addiction, and stopped worrying about the big party. Life was too messed to think about enjoying yourself! The 1970's had serious musicians like Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin who were also rocking out with authenticity. Then the new millennium hit and the 1980's came back in full-force. Electronic pop was the focus of everything music-related and neon-colored fashion became all the rage once again. Now that we're into the second decade of the millennium, get ready for a 1990's revival. Those old Alice in Chains albums are starting to sound pretty good again! I was at Urban Outfitters in San Francisco a few weeks back and they were pumping out Mazzy Star while teenagers shopped for retro flannel shirts.  Right on schedule.

That being said, I'm noticing a similar trend with booze. Many of this generation's drinkers are rejecting the wine cellars of the previous one. They're into whisk(e)y and they're not only interested in fun anymore. They're interested in the experience. This is serious! They're not just into pouring a Dewar's on the rocks. They're into some real, quality, high-end stuff. You wouldn't understand. You just don't get it. You're into that Def Leppard stuff. You don't know how serious Eddie Vedder is. This isn't a game. This is real, man. We're so misunderstood.

I think we're getting to that point (or at least I am) where it's fun to go see the Poison/Cinderella reunion tour. That means it's OK to start drinking Johnnie Walker again. 

- What's going on at K&L in the liquor department? We're super busy getting the newest batch of pre-arrivals together.  The Benrinnes, Longmorn, and Glenlochy are arriving this week and we'll be looking to get the orders processed early next week. David OG just got our newest Evan William's barrel into Hollywood and will be getting that distributed throughout all of our stores ASAP.  As the holidays get into full swing, there is less and less time for emailing and blogging. We're simply just trying to keep our heads afloat.  

Bear with us.  It's Whisk(e)y Season.

-David Driscoll