Campbeltown had 30 distilleries in the 1880s and has three today. Stephanie Manning drove the length of Kintyre, a day after Storm Amy, to taste through casks at Glen Scotia. She came back with a 10-year first-fill Oloroso hogshead and an argument for very long fermentations.
Read MoreOur first small-batch rye came from an unlikely mash bill: 51% rye, 49% barley. It has the spice of an American rye and the stone fruit characteristics of a Speyside. Stephanie Manning on the five barrels, the Madeira finish, and why 111 proof was the right strength.
Read MoreK&L Spirits Buyer David Othenin-Girard rounds up his spirits picks for beating the summer heat: rum royalty, a tequila innovator, a mystery malt, and the best spritzes to keep cool.
Read MoreThompson Bros' Mystery Malt series is exactly what it sounds like: a US-exclusive blend of single malt Scotch drawn from twenty different distilleries, with the true contents revealed only on labels hidden under the capsule, cork, and neck. Non-chill filtered and naturally colored, it may haze slightly at low temperatures — a sign of authenticity, not a flaw. Each 6-pack case includes 6 different bottles, and each full pack carries a similar value — new-wave single casks sitting alongside very old single malts from established names. There's no better way to organize a blind tasting than a full case.
Read MoreSummer calls for a different kind of bottle. K&L NYC Spirits Buyer Jonathan Goldstein has five picks for the season — tequila, mezcal, rum, and Japanese whisky, all under $50, all chosen for one reason: they're genuinely delicious over ice on a hot day. Lost Explorer Blanco at $44.99. Hamilton Demerara Rum at $24.99. Iwai 45 Japanese Whisky at $32.99. Plus a South African pineapple rum that will surprise you. Read Jonathan's full notes and shop the complete summer lineup below. Shop Summer Spirits →
Read MoreEvery year our buyers put together their honest picks for Mother's Day—not the obvious stuff, but the bottles they'd actually bring to their own mothers. This year that means Grand Cru Champagne from Avize, modern Barolo from one of Piedmont's most important winemakers, six Provence rosés all under $34, and three spirits that will make her cocktail hour considerably better. Plus two events worth getting off the couch for, and a couple of gift options that keep delivering long after Sunday.
Read MoreForget the gift card. Jonathon Goldstein, K&L's Spirits Buyer, has three bottles that will actually impress her—whether she's shaking Negronis, stirring Martinis, or squeezing limes for a Margarita that finally tastes the way it should.
Read MoreWhen this 1989 Speyside malt came to us, the thing that stood out immediately wasn’t the age or the rarity, but the outrageous quality to price ratio. This is a 36‑year‑old Speyside malt, distilled in 1989, drawn from refill hogsheads, and bottled at a natural strength just under 48% with a microscopic amount of its neighboring distillery add to the mix. There’s no famous distillery name on the label, no finishing regime meant to dress it up, and no attempt to turn it into something it isn’t. Just dang good whisky for an amazing price. That’s not something you see every day.
Read MoreThe April 2026 K&L Spirits Newsletter showcases the depth of our buying bench and the singular access that defines K&L. From a remarkable 36‑year‑old Speyside whisky and a deep lineup of exclusive Kentucky bourbons to spring‑ready spritz essentials and pre‑arrival single casks from the Thompson Brothers, this issue captures what we do best: sourcing exceptional spirits and telling the stories behind them. Buyer‑driven, seasonally inspired, and available in limited quantities.
Read MoreWalking Kentucky rickhouses in the dead of summer, the K&L team and I set out to recreate—and elevate—one of K&L’s earliest bourbon bottlings. This is the story of tasting dozens of barrels, trusting my palate, and blending Faultline 100 Proof Bourbon one decision at a time.
Read MoreWhen I’m stocking the bar for a Mother’s Day brunch, I look for bottles that make great cocktails feel effortless. A few smart aperitifs, good sparkling wine, and quality soda go a long way—especially when you want to stay at the table, not stuck mixing drinks.
Read MoreFor me, spring marks the unmistakable return of spritz season at K&L, when Prosecco, Italian aperitifs, and fresh botanicals once again define how I drink as the days grow warmer. The classic Aperol Spritz is always my starting point, but I’m just as drawn to lighter, more aromatic variations like the Hugo Spritz, where elderflower liqueur adds a floral lift perfect for brunches and Mother’s Day celebrations. When I want more depth, the Negroni Sbagliato and the historic Americano showcase the versatility of vermouth and bitter aperitivo. Built on sparkling wine, soda, or aromatized wine, the spritz remains my go‑to cocktail for spring.
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