Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

I hope you are enjoying your summer, even if it has been a little wetter, little windier and little cooler than usual. I’m often asked, what my favourite whisky is, and in all sincerity I have often replied that my answer depends on a number of factors including: time of year, weather, time of day and my mood. This past weekend I enjoyed some rich and smooth Strathisla 40 Year ($343.99) with a Cuban cigar; the deep tobacco notes in both made an excellent pairing. I also happily sipped on some fresh, sweet, malty Arran 10 Year ($53.99) while sitting out on the deck. I find my palate and my preferences for single malt whisky changes with the seasons. Fall is the time for lightly peated medium bodied whisky like Highland Park or Springbank. In winter I reach for the big-smoky-peaty whiskies like Port Ellen, Bowmore and Ardbeg. In Spring a rich and spicy Speysider is what’s called for like Glenfarclas, Aberlour or Strathisla. And in the summer I look for something light, and refreshing like an Arran, Rosebank or the Benromach Organic.

Benromach Organic has been one of our best selling single malts for the last three years. It was until very recently the only certified organic single malt Scotch in the world. Produced from organically sourced barley, and made with organically approved distilling methods the whisky was then matured in virgin American oak casks from a wild forest in Missouri.  Because the whisky was matured in new oak, rather than used bourbon barrels, it is very buttery on the palate with a massive surge of sweet vanilla. This soft, sweet, buttery palate was the principal reason for the whisky’s success. It found admirers amoungst those looking for a softer light dram—a breakfast or summer dram if you will—and those looking to wean themselves into the word of single malts. Whether people were buying it as a “gateway-whisky” or a patio sipper, Benromach Organic never disappointed. Jim Murray gave it 91pts in his Whisky Bible and called it a “guns-blazing big’un!”
             
This whisky has been a Kensington Wine Market exclusive for the last three years, and is not available anywhere else in Canada! Sadly, Benromach distillery has confirmed that they have discontinued the Benromach Organic, and we will not be receiving any further shipments of it. Between our warehouse and the store we have but 26 bottles, and when they’re gone, they’re gone! If you’re a fan of the Benromch Organic or looking for the right “gateway-whisky” to get you into single malts, don’t delay, the Benromach Organic will soon be nothing more than a memory, or a heel in someone’s whisky cupboard… hopefully yours!

The last 26 bottles of the Benromach Organic will retail for $85.99 + GST.  They are exclusively available at Kensington Wine Market, 403-283-8000, or www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. Jim Murray’s complete tasting note is below:  “Nose: massive oak input and the freshest oak imaginable. But sits comfortably with the young pulsing malts. Wow!!; Taste: oak arrives first again, but has enough deftness of touch to allow the rich, mouthwatering malts to prosper; Finish: plenty of vanillins and natural, sweet toffee; Balance: young and matured in possibly first fill bourbon or more likely, European (even Scottish) oak [Jim Murray’s palate didn’t know what to make of the new oak influence, and who can blame him!]; you cannot do other than sit up and take notice of this guns-blazing  big’un. An absolute treat!”
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If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com