Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

That time of year is nearly upon us; Christmas day is but two weeks away! Every year I put together the Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide to help my subscribers find the perfect gift. I break the whiskies down by price, with my Top 5 recommendations in each price range from under $60 to several thousand. These are all whiskies that I love and believe in, and I know you’ll enjoy them too.

I am at the store straight through Christmas, so you’re almost guaranteed to catch me! The afternoon is the best time to drop by if you require some help selecting the perfect gift, or the right single malt to entertain with. You are always welcome to drop in for a dram and to talk single malts.

Some of you may be interested to know I was profiled by David Parker in the Calgary Herald last weekend. It is a great honour and I am very humbled! If you didn’t happen to catch the article and would like to read it you can view it at:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Right+attitude+lead+passion/2307415/story.html

Our Jack Daniels cask is expected to be in store late next week and we have three new single barrel rums coming in! These last two weeks will be an exciting time.

Finally, I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, and that you enjoy the 2009 Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

Top 5 Whiskies Under < $60

1.       Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – 94pts Jim Murray, one of our best selling whiskies and an exclusive. Dark chocolate peat! – $50.99

2.       Tantallan 10Yr – Another bargain, but one more geared towards the Speyside lover. Not sure at which distillery this whisky is made, but if I had to guess I’d say Glenturret. – $49.99

3.       Arran 10Yr – A lovely soft and approachable whisky from the only distillery on the Isle of Arran. Honeyed, grassy and malty, perfect for lovers of Lowland and Highland whiskies. – $53.99

4.       Famous Grouse 12Yr Blended Malt – It is hard to beat a bargain like this… you can be assured that some fine single malts found their way into it from Macallan, Highland Park and others. – $37.99

5.       John Black “Peaty” Blended Malt – A fine peaty dram that doesn’t empty your sporran. – $46.49

Top 5 Whiskies $60 – $80

1.       Kilkerran “Work in Progress” – It isn’t often that you have the opportunity to purchase a first edition bottling from a new distillery, and it is rarer still that you don’t take it on the nose for doing so. At only 5 years of age this dram from Glengyle distillery tastes more like a 10 to 15 year old. – $69.99

2.       Ledaig 10Yr – A peaty expression from Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull (Calgary is named after a beach on this island). Sweet, fruity and medicinal with a touch of smoke. – $71.99

3.       Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or – 94pts Jim Murray. Matured 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks and finished for 2 more in Sauternes casks, this dram is spectacular! Sweet and spicy… – $75.79

4.       BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus 12Yr – This peated, smoky Speysider has a chewy sweet backbone. It could fool any Islay drinker into thinking it is from the most famous of Scottish islands. – $71.99

5.       Arran Peacock “Icons of Arran #1” – This new limited edition Arran is the product of 13 ex-Bourbon casks and 7 ex-sherry hogsheads. Only 6,000 bottles produced. – $76.49

Top 5 Whiskies $80 – $100

1.       Bowmore Tempest – This new Islay dram is exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Canada, and won’t be released in the US for 3 or 4 months. At the moment KWM is the only store in North America with this tasty new dram. It is the product of only first-fill Bourbon casks that matured in Bowmore’s legendary No.1 vaults. The whisky is creamy and buttery with lush tropical fruits and just a touch of salty peat. – $81.99

2.       Benromach Organic Special Edition – Matured in virgin American oak casks this lightly peated whisky has a grassy, herbal backbone with big sweet vanilla notes and soft white fruits. Lovers of the original Organic may find themselves disappointed with this new Special Edition, but I think it’s an improvement. – $84.99

3.       Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – An independently bottled, unchillfiltered expression of Cragganmore that is very complex and round with notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon, burnt orange and dried fruits. – $94.99

4.       BenRiach 15Yr Madeira Finish – Matured 14 years in Bourbon casks and finished for 1 further year in Henriques Madeira casks. This whisky is soft, sweet and spicy. – $82.49

5.       Bowmore Wine Cask Matured 16Yr 1992 – Like the Tempest this is not your typical Bowmore, it is massive, big leathery and earthy with robust peat notes and firm wine tannins. $98.49

Top 5 Whiskies $100 – $150

Tullibardine 1993 KWM PX Sherry Cask 15081 – This is the single best buy in the store under $200, but it will be sold out by the end of the day today. We had 96 bottles from a cask we split with a Calgary law firm, we now have but 10 bottles remaining. Matured 14 years in American oak and finished for 2 years in Pedor Ximenez sherry casks the whisky has a solid foundation of creamy vanilla that is complimented but rich spicy fruits. Beautifully packaged. – $1199.99

Duthies Auchentoshan 19Yr – This whisky won a Gold Medal in Whisky Magazine this fall for independently bottled whiskies. It is wonderful floral citrus notes as well as soft smooth Bourbon notes. – $108.49

Duthies Glen Scotia 17Yr – I have tried few good bottlings from the distillery, likely owing to the fact that it is derelict. But this expression is an exception, fruity and malty with marzipan and a trace of salty smoke. It recently took a Silver Medal in Whisky Magazine. – $101.99

Ballechin 2nd Release – This peated expression of Edradour isn’t for everyone, but as the saying goes, “those who like it, like it a lot!” Matured in Madeira casks this whisky from Scotland’s smallest distillery is dominated by notes of sweet honey, and Cuban cigar ash. – $125.99

Glenmorangie 18Yr – The new 18 year old Glenmorangie is elegantly packaged and a fine expression of whisky. Matured 15 years in Bourbon casks, it is then finished for 3 years in Oloroso sherry casks. – $132.99

Top 5 Whiskies $150 – $250

OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – Bottled exclusively for our store, this is without doubt the cask I am most proud of. The whisky hails from the Port Ellen Distillery which closed in 1983 and has since only been getting older, rarer and more expensive. Our cask was the overwhelming favourite at two blind tastings of Port Ellen conducted this Spring. Only 210 total bottles produced, with but 50 remaining. It is the product of a single refill sherry butt, with balanced notes of spicy caramelized fruit and salty smoky peat. – $249.99

Glenmorangie Signet – Probably the most innovative whisky released in years it is the product of whiskies made from chocolate malt (burn barley), old sherry casks and a selection of other whiskies. Beautifully presented and exceptionally rich on the palate. This whisky is running low! – $199.49

Macallan 18Yr – Always one of the best whiskies in the world, it has been creeping up in price over the years but this sherry casked beauty is still a gem. – $175.49

G&M Strathisla 25Yr – Matured in first and refill sherry casks this whisky is replete with big chewy candied fruit and Christmas cake notes. – $182.99
Bushmills 21Yr – One hell of an Irish whiskey, this whisky was traditionally only available at Duty Free. It is matured in a mix of bourbon and Oloroso casks before finishing in Madeira. 95pts Jim Murray – $202.99

Top 5 Whiskies $250 – $500

OMC Probably Speyside’s Finest Distiller 43Yr – The bottlers Douglas Laing can’t refer to the distillery where this whisky was made—Glenfarclas—by name, by I am under no such constraints; GLENFARCLAS! This whisky is a lovely chewy expression of Glenfarclas and a bargain at under $300, given that an equivalent Family Cask Bottling would be at least $2000.00. – $287.49

G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – This 41 year old whisky was bottled for our store and recently scored 90pts in Malt Advocate Magazine. The whisky was noted for its soft, delicate and complex character; something unusual for a whisky of this age. – $499.99

G&M Strathisla 40Yr – Matured in first and refill sherry casks this whisky from possibly Scotland’s oldest distillery is exceptionally smooth with notes of Christmas cake, tobacco and old leather. It is also roughly 1/10 the price of most distillery edition 40 year old whiskies. – $339.99

Macallan 25Yr – The late Michael Jackson—the writer, not the human tragedy—felt this was one of the best whiskies in the world. Until recently it was very rare to come by indeed. Matured in Oloroso sherry, this is a big Speysider. – $497.99

Port Ellen 29Yr 8th Release – Diageo is rumoured to be running out of Port Ellen, and each bottling is rumoured to be one of the last. The 8th release was a good expression and well priced. – $361.99

Top 5 Whiskies $500 and Up!

The Last Drop – Quite possibly one of the finest blends ever bottled. The whisky is the product of 70 different malt whiskies and 12 different grain whiskies. It has been bottled at a cask strength of 52% and is limited to 1,347 bottles worldwide. – Apprx $2000.00

Bruichladdich DNA – This whisky is the last of the 1960’s and 1970’s vintages from Bruichladdich distillery. Matured in 80% Bourbon, 20% Sherry and finished in Chateau Le Pin. – $793.99

Auchentoshan 1957 – Only 2 casks of this whisky were ever released, and they are exceptional drams. Barely more than 100 bottles produced with only a dozen or so coming to Canada. – $3749.99

White Bowmore 1964 – This is the second bottle in the 1964 Bowmore Trilogy. Matured in Bourbon casks it curiously has the same tropical fruit notes as the Black Bowmore but with sweet round vanilla notes. – $4388.99
Black Bowmore 1964 – One of my top 5 whiskies of all time. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks this whisky is big round and chewy, enormously complex with lush vibrant tropical fruits. – $4099.99

Books, Magazines & Gift Packs – Great Stocking Stuffers

1.       Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible – The most comprehensive tasting guide to World whiskies updated for 2010. – $21.99

2.       Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 – The most wide-ranging book on single malts in the world gives a detailed history for every distillery in Scotland and Ireland as well as most of the world’s other single malt distilleries. Easily the most interesting book on whisky. – $29.99

3.       Malt Advocate Magazine – The world’s best whisky magazine covers Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon and others. Each issue lists new releases and reviews selected whiskies. – $6.50

4.       Whisky: A Definitive World Guide – The late Michael Jackson (whisky writer) is the editor of this beautiful book on whiskies. It would make a great gift for the coffee table and or whisky library. – $49.99

5.       Glenmorangie Gift Pack – A great little gift pack that includes 100ml bottles of 10Yr, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar D’Or beautifully packaged in an LVMH influenced box. – $56.49

6.       Glenrothes Gift Pack – This smart little gift pack includes 3 100ml bottle of Glenrothes, Select Reserve, 1991 and 1994. – $41.99

Tastings – Thoughtful Gifts

3 times a year (Fall, Winter and Spring) we release a slate of classes and tastings which we conduct in store. They are fun and informative, and make great gifts. For a complete list of tastings you can visit: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.. I have listed a few of the highlights below!

1.       Whisky Appreciation Level II – The world of single malt Scotch whisky is a little like Alice and the Rabbit Hole, you’re never sure just how deep it will go. Hot on the heels of Level I this class will examine a number of facets of malt whisky in greater depth. Lecture I, American Oak, and Lecture II, European Oak will focus in depth on these cask types and how they influence whiskies.  Lecture III, Finishing, will look at how whiskies can be influenced/enhanced by maturing for short periods in secondary casks. Lecture IV, will tackle one of the least understood aspects of Scotch whisky, The Influence of Peat.  While older whiskies are highly prized, age is not a guarantee of quality, so Lecture V will tackle, The Influence of Time. Finally, the course will conclude with a fun Blind Taste Test. The course fee includes: all course materials, sampling of 6 whiskies per each of 6 classes, a map of Scottish distilleries, a whisky book and a set of 6 Glencairn single malt glasses. Wed Jan 13 20 27 Feb 3, 10, 17 $500.

2.       Scots Wha Hae – Hard though it may be to believe this tradition is now 5 years running: join us for our 5th Annual Robbie Burns Supper on January 25th with special guest Jamie McKenzie of Morrison Bowmore distillers. Every year we take a traditional Burns Supper with poetry, bagpipes, highland dancing and haggis and add to it a casual tasting of six single malt whiskies. This year’s distillery is Bowmore, and we will be sampling through the distillery’s range including the new Tempest. Our Burns Supper is a lot of fun and is reputed to be one of the best in town. Best of all, lassies are more than welcome… – January 25th – $99

3.     The Lowland Distilleries – This tasting will focus on the single malt distilleries of the Scottish Lowlands. You’ll sample whiskies from Rosebank, Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glen Kinchie while learning about the region’s history and whisky styles. – February 11th – $60

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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