Father's Day Picks: Custom Whisky, Rare Gin, and a Spirits Auction for the Ages

Whether you're searching for the perfect Father’s Day bottle, chasing the final edition of a collectible Japanese gin, or hunting rare treasures in our second-ever spirits auction, this week’s newsletter delivers some of the most exciting releases of the year. We’re proud to share a custom Compass Box collaboration a decade in the making, spotlight a once-in-a-lifetime Ki Noh Bi release, and give you an inside look at what not to miss in our live auction catalog. There’s something here for every collector, connoisseur, and curious enthusiast.

Don’t forget—we’re hosting our Big Reds for Father’s Day Weekend tasting on Saturday, June 15th in all stores. Full details and RSVP info are available on our events page.

• One of the Most Epic Collaborations in Our History: Custom-Blended Compass Box
• What “I Don’t Need Anything” Really Means: Top Spirits for Dad
• A Japanese Gin Like No Other: The Final Ki Noh Bi Noh Mask Edition
• Our Second Ever Spirits Auction: Highlights from Our Spirit Auction Director

Compass Box and K&L have always shared a special bond. Since the brand’s founding 25 years ago, we've aligned on nearly every aspect of the whisky world. In 2011, we first discussed an exclusive bottling with legendary whiskymaker John Glaser. While we had access to just about everything back then, an exclusive Compass Box eluded us—until 2015. That year, Glaser invited our team to craft a custom blend, resulting in the now-iconic “5th and Harrison.”

Ten years later, we were thrilled when Compass Box Master Blender James Saxon agreed to create a new batch just for us. We had a dream recipe—old peat and heavy sherry—and they nailed it. The result is one of the most complex and classic malts we've ever offered: a blend of 24-year-old Caol Ila, 23-year-old Bowmore, and 21-year-old Glendullan in fresh sherry casks. Even better, it's priced exactly as it was a decade ago. This time, we’re releasing two special labels—one for our SF store at 5th & Harrison, and the other for our new SoCal location at Culver & Sepulveda. Read more about the project here.

Let’s be honest—Dad’s going to tell you he doesn’t want anything. What he really means is: 'Don’t make me decide.' Forget grill gadgets, novelty socks, or golf lessons. What he actually wants is something that belongs on the top shelf of his bar.

That’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together a list of the most exciting bottles in the world—many of which are exclusive to us. Whether he’s a bourbon nerd, a mezcal-sipping surfer, or the dad who already has everything, we’ve got the perfect bottle for him at a price that can’t be beat. Read full tasting notes from David here.

The Kyoto Distillery isn’t just the birthplace of Japanese craft gin—it’s the beating heart of a new spirits movement. Founded by Marcin Miller, David Croll, and Noriko Kakuda Croll, this pioneering distillery blends deep roots in the whisky world with an adventurous spirit and a love for Kyoto’s timeless culture.

The story starts in the 1990s, when Marcin—then Editor and Publisher of Whisky Magazine—joined forces with David to launch the Japanese-language edition. Their shared passion for exceptional spirits quickly grew into something bigger. In 2000, they co-founded Whisky Live, now one of the world’s premier tasting events, with shows held across the globe. Learn more about this incredible bottling here.

We have an incredibly diverse set of offerings in this auction (ending June 14th, 2025), but as we were putting it together, a few bottles truly stood out—sometimes because of what was in the bottle, and sometimes because of what was on the outside! Our Spirits Auctions Director, Steve Birer, has curated a selection of highlights—some of which might surprise you. Browse his picks here, or place a bid on the other incredible 300+ bottles closing this Saturday!