Fire Relief - Update

Thanks for your interest in our fundraising efforts for victims of the fires in both Northern and Southern California.  Due to the overwhelming response generating by this campaign, it’s taking us a little longer than expected to finish up the organizational details.  We expect to contact everybody involved shortly.  We appreciate your patience, and we appreciate your support of the charitable organizations assisting the fire victims.

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Spirits Journal
The Elegant and Easy "Whimsy Martini”

Will Beare, one of our spirit specialists in Redwood City, created this stunning winter martini. The cocktail has a elegant presentation perfect for holiday parties and it is as equally scrumptious as it is beautiful. A combination of vodka, gin and sweet vermouth, this elegant cocktail has nice depth and flavor without any heaviness. The twist of lemon on top completes the drink, adding a bright finish of citrus.

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Guest User
TTB Proposes New Regulations Modernizing Alcohol Labeling

On Monday, the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the agency that regulates the production and sale of alcohol, published new proposed regulations for the labeling of wine, beer and spirits.  This new proposal is a comprehensive revision of the current regulations. The 132 page publication includes many changes that those of us in the spirits world have been pushing for years.  The list of revisions is too voluminous to recite here, but here are some of the most significant for whiskey and other spirits.  

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Sku
'Tis The Season

The unprecedented number of individual single casks that has come in this season are a wide array of Scottish single malts and grains. Some are classic names, others hidden gems. This Loch Lomond “All Malt” Single grain whisky is something of both. It is a category defying whisky that deserves your palate’s attention.

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Andrew Whiteley
Giving Thanks

What better way to celebrate the holiday than with what might be the oldest spirit in the Americas. The traditional spirit of the Huichol people of Northwestern Jalisco is unlike anything else being produced in Mexico or anywhere else in the world. This batch is distilled from the Agave Mai, fermented in rock pits and distilled only once.  

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David Othenin-Girard
Trying Times

Fires are raging. Some friends have lost everything, but we’ve dealt with tragic fires before and we will come together like only Californians can. Look for a way to help here very soon.

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David Othenin-Girard
The Enchanted Ones

The home of some of the most iconic French foods and of course one of the world’s most underappreciated brandy, Gascogne has captured our heart and imagination for years. The closed culture and traditional attitudes of the Gascogne people mean thousands producers of Armagnac may be out there that we’ll never try. Thanks to a group of industrious locals, we’re starting to unlock the treasures hidden in the barns and cellars across this rural region. L’Encantada…The Enchanted Ones.

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David Othenin-Girard
Whisky Season 2018 is HERE!

Whisky Season is finally here. 40+ Casks from nearly as many distillers. 6-52 Years old! We’ve got something for everyone coming over several weeks. And endless supply in nearly every price point. One of the most exciting selections we’ve ever had.

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David Othenin-Girard
A Night with Courvoisier: An Essence of History & Soul

A good glass of Cognac has a life to it. There’s heft and zip that come from more than just the liquid you drink – a great Cognac has the weight of history and a vibrancy that you can taste and sense as you sip. My fellow K&L spirits liaison, Jackson Lee, and I experienced the many faces Cognac has to offer – all its nuances, shades, and depths – at a dinner in San Francisco for Courvoisier’s L’Essence.

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Spirits Journal
The Revolution Will Be Pot Distilled

The rum revolution is in its infancy, but we’re finally starting to see change. Thanks to the hard work and exceptional vision of the fabulous Italian importer Velier and their French partner La Maison du Whisky, we’re getting access to some very exciting stocks. Their American partnership La Maison & Velier has just launched a number of new rums that represent a real sea change in the American rum market. This is what the revolution looks like. 

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David Othenin-Girard