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Glen Scotia 17yo (57.5%, SMWS, 93.36, Refill Butt, 329 Bts.)

A single cask bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society without the addition of colouring or chill-filtration, the back label states “not for swigging, glugging or knocking back!” The front label also states “Refill butt – ex sherry” and some of you observant readers will know that butts are larger than 329 bottles and if you anxious about this please contact the Society for an explanation.

The nose is strong with rich fruitiness (dried raisins, dried cherries) along with some fruit cake with hints of Bovril, there’s a definite meatiness to the nose just behind the sherry. After a few minutes in the glass the meatiness dissipates to be replaced by black pepper and malt (which is a bit of a surprise) along with some muted oak spice. Time in the glass most definitely helps and after a few minutes it’s really starting to be very good. The taste is very vibrant and sherried along with the oak spice and hints of the malt along with more of the Christmas cake but then some dryness takes over. There are also some good coffee notes but these are very subtle. Perhaps a little waxiness in there also? Yes, a little. The finish is malty and dry at first and then the sherry muscles everything else aside. After a few moments there is a reversal of fortune and the malt comes tumbling back. The finish is very long and good.

It’s always nice to try another Glen Scotia and this is no exception.

US$125 (+/-)

Score 87

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Arran 14yo’

Arran 14yo
46% abv
£37.90 inc vat
£32.25 ex vat

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

Angels go north …  These are the photos and story of the trip north in December 2010, Scotland.

The tour north in the worst snow fall for many years!  Our Russian Ambassador Tim and Angel Founder Paul, went north to take a distillery tour in the middle of the heaviest snow fall in many, many years in Scotland.  Are they both mad? Maybe!  Tim flew in from Moscow and arrived Perth approx 5.30 pm on Wednesday, staying locally, Perth is where we had our December tasting, Tim, Paul and Willie took part, Liz was stuck in Dundee, whilst other Angels joined in from Ireland and Germany.

On the Thursday Tim and Paul headed north, first stop at Dalwhinnie distillery, snow bound, they stopped here for photos only. Onwards to Inverness (due to certain roads being closed with snow in Speyside) where they turned east for the next call, a good long visit to Glenglassaugh (not before a quick stop at Inchgower distillery!). Tim has a cask here, they were shown around by Ronnie and as the pictures show, there was a certain amount of snow! After struggling to get back onto the main road, they made their way (slowly) to Huntly where a visit had been planned at Duncan Taylor. A good long tour of the bottling plant and warehouse, greedily eyeing up casks they then returned to the office for “deals and purchases”. Many thanks must go to Mark for all his expertise and assistance during our stay.  They spent the night in a nice hotel in Huntly, just as well, Huntly was snowed in!!!  More drams followed and a good night rest, before rising early to wander around the deep snow covered grounds before breakfast.

The plan was to drive direct to Dufftown. However, the road was closed due to heavy snow, so away to Keith they went (slowly) and called in at Strathisla, a few purchases before a photo session at Glen Keith distillery – photos galore were taken everywhere! Along the snow covered lanes to Craigellachie where the Speyside Cooperage took them in. Tim enjoyed this visit immensely (Paul has been there – and many more – so often), a dram, Christmas cake and tea followed, before heading into Dufftown. The whisky shop was their next stop – as you do! More purchases before heading along to view more distilleries; Mortlach, Glendullan, Convalmore and Kininvie. Many photos taken here.  Macallan was due to be visited at 2pm, but was closed due to water pipes bursting. So, Glenfarclas was the target, a grand tour there with Donna, Tim was in his element buying a nice bottle etc! Coming back to the main road from the distillery, skidding here and there, slowly they returned to call in at Aberlour distillery, you guessed it, purchases! Great photos yet again!

The Old Pulteney ‘Ice Boat’ is Unveiled Ahead of Record Breaking Arctic Adventure

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and explorer Jock Wishart, yesterday unveiled a specially designed ‘ice boat’ which will be rowed in a pioneering arctic expedition – The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole. The bespoke boat has been constructed to withstand some of the harshest conditions on earth and enable Jock and his crew to conquer one of the world’s last true firsts – the first ever attempt to row to a pole, possibly the greatest ocean row ever.

The vessel and some of its crew were revealed for the first time today at the Natural History Museum’s outdoor ice rink in central London, where the boats unique arctic attributes were put to the test.

In July/August 2011, internationally acclaimed adventurer and sportsman Jock Wishart will lead a six strong team on the pioneering Row to the Pole expedition.  In the bespoke ice boat, they will set off from Canada on a 450 mile route across the arctic on a voyage to the magnetic North Pole which if successful, will make history. The challenge is of global significance as both a pioneering maritime adventure and an environmental expedition and has only now become possible due to the increase in seasonal sea ice melt and its deterioration because of climate changes. The final leg of the journey is only navigable for a few weeks of the year before refreezing and Jock and his crew will be working with scientific research partners to deliver environmental data and insight from the journey.

The unique rowing boat, known as “The Old Pulteney”, was designed by yacht designer Peter Bosgraaf from Amsterdam in collaboration with Devon-based Hugh Welbourne and Roger Daynes, a leading British sledge designer. This vessel is the first rowing boat in the world to have a “cathedral hull” with sledge runners fitted underneath. This unique feature, combined with attachment points for harnesses, will enable the crew to drag the boat over the ice to” leads” they could row on to complete the final leg of their journey. This gruelling feat was last attempted by Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1916 who was forced to drag his boats to safety over the ice during his Imperial Trans Antarctic expedition.

The vessel, which was built in Christchurch, Dorset by Rossiter Yachts, is sheathed in carbon fibre and kevlar to withstand extreme arctic conditions yet remain light enough for the crew to pull. With a planned weight of 900 kilos, its 9.2 m by 1.82 m dimensions were dictated by the size of the plane in Canada which will fly the boat in from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay, Canada (the starting off point for the expedition),on the final stage of its journey from the UK. The Old Pulteney has been constructed to accommodate six crew and their equipment during the four to six week voyage. The colouring of the boat incorporates Old Pulteney whisky’s dark blue in its top sides to help absorb heat during the expedition and its golden underside was selected for visibility should it capsize.

To reach the magnetic North Pole, Jock, who is a descendant of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns, will row for hours on end in challenging weather and subzero temperatures with little chance for rest or shelter. Joining him will be 36 years old Billy Gammon a British born ex advertising executive who took part in the Indian Ocean race in 2009, South African born Rob Sleep who worked for ten years on a variety of yachts circumnavigating the world and has walked to the Pole on several occasions,36 year old climber, rower and “super yacht” captain Mark Delstanche, a Row to the Pole cameraman and the winner of Old Pulteney’s international competition Pole Position, who will be announced at the London Boat Show in January.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Brand Manager, Old Pulteney says: “We are delighted to unveil such a truly magnificent boat. The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole has been planned for three years and we are confident that the crew will be toasting their success next Summer in the Pole with a dram of Old Pulteney.”

Old Pulteney’s partnership with Jock is rooted in the whisky’s renowned maritime heritage and history of supporting sailing and seafaring adventure. The whisky is distilled in the historic harbour town of Wick, the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland and the windswept and rugged landscape that surrounds it has given the malt its legacy as the Maritime Malt.

Notes to Editors

• The certified position of the North Magnetic Pole is 78 degrees, 35.724 minutes North, 104 degrees, 11.915 minutes West.
• See Jock Wishart’s biography attached for more information on his previous feats as an oarsman, polar explorer and navigator.

‘The Old Pulteney’ Ice Boat

The Old Pulteney was designed by Dutchman Peter Bosgraaf of Peter Bosgraaf Yacht Design from Amsterdam in collaboration with Hugh Welbourne of Welbourne Yacht Design from East Allington, Devon, who advised on the laminates and under water construction. Roger Daynes of Snowsled Polar from Tetbury in Wiltshire advised on the design and construction of the “runners” on the bottom of the ice boat. The boat was built by Cris Rossiter of Rossiter Yachts in Christchurch, Dorset.

Pole Position

The Old Pulteney Pole Position Challenge was created to offer one determined individual the chance to do something almost beyond extraordinary – become the 6th member of Jock’s Row to the Pole crew. Entrants were asked to apply online stating why they had what it takes to join the expedition.

Forty eight shortlisted entrants were invited to showcase their fitness, team building and mental abilities by competing head-to-head in a Pole Position Challenge Day at Eton Rowing Club on 19th November. The winner, who will be announced at the London Boat Show on the 7th January 2011, will be personally trained by Jock in the lead-up to the expedition and will join the crew in August 2010 in their attempt to create history.

Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky

Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky, is diligently crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick. It is the most northerly distillery on the UK Mainland and was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom.  The distillery lies in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, which was created for all the fishermen at the time, and is embedded in the deep rooting history of this coastal town, which used to be one of the most important and biggest herring fishing ports in Europe.

Wick became known around the world for its precious barrels of silver and gold – silver being the herring and gold being the fine whisky – which left the port in vast numbers.

Old Pulteney Single Malt whisky has a long standing association with the sea and is also known as the ‘Genuine Maritime Malt’. Its carefully crafted taste carries the windswept and rugged character of the North, the salty and fresh air of the North Sea and the distillery’s rich maritime heritage runs through every drop of this fine malt.

As a strong supporter of Wick’s community, Old Pulteney is delighted to be continuously supporting the Wick RNLI Station, the Wick Pipe Band, Wick Football Club and Hockey Team and furthermore as the ‘Genuine Maritime Malt’, Old Pulteney is also involved with some of the most prestigious sailing events in the country including the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, the Round the Island Race at the Isle of Wight and the Old Pulteney IRC Scottish Championship.

2010 Christmas Gift Guide

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

Season’s Greetings!

There are only 15 shopping days left until Christmas, and if you have a whisky lover on your list I have a recommendation or two for you, whether it be for a whisky book, a stocking stuffer, or a bottle to put under the tree. My Christmas picks are categorized by price, with peated and unpeated choices at each and every price point.

This is at least the fourth or fifth year I’ve offered a Gift Guide to the whisky buying public. This year I’m taking it up a notch, in addition to this electronic copy I will have paper copies of it available in store to make for easier browsing and section. Purchases can be made in store, online and over the phone. Feel free to call 403-283-8000/888-283-9004 or email me scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com if you have any questions or require a further recommendation.

Finally there are still a few spots left for tonight’s Gordon & MacPhail/Benromach tasting with Michael Urquhart. Proceeds go the Children’s Hospital Aid Society. 8 premium single malts and a great cause. More details are available at the bottom of the email.

I hope you find the Malt Messenger 2010 Christmas Gift Guide helpful, and I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Slainté!
 
Andrew Ferguson
 

Books & Glasses

1.       Glencairn Single Malt Glass  – A lowball glass won’t cut it anymore for the discerning whisky drinker, they want a glass specifically designed for the nosing, tasting and enjoyment of whisky. This glass is available with or without the KWM logo. – $17.99

2.       Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010 – Jim Murray has established himself as one of the world’s foremost critics of whisky. I don’t always agree with his scores, but his tasting notes are a great resource when looking for your next bottle. – $21.99

3.       Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 – In my opinion the most interesting whish book on the market, profiling every single malt distillery in Scotland, Ireland, Japan and the rest of the world. Updated every year the Malt Whisky Yearbook gives a detailed description of all of Scotland’s distilleries as well as a year by year history and a couple tasting notes. The book also features articles from some of the most noted whisky writers in the world. No whisky bar, or gentleman’s bathroom is complete without a copy! – $29.99

4.       Whiskey: A Difinitive World Guide by Michael Jackson – The late Michael Jackson (whisky writer) may have not intended it to be his legacy, but this book easily could be. Full of beautiful photos, easy to understand diagrams and more information than you’ll know what to do with this book takes the complex world of whisky makes it easy for anyone to understand. $49.99

5.       Whisky Aroma Nosing Kit – Do you have a whisky drinker on your list that’s impossible to shop for? Instead of buying them a nice bottle give them a kit that will help them train their nose. Who knows maybe they’ll become the next Michael Jackson, John Hansel or Jim Murray! $224.99

Gift Packs

Bowmore Collection 3 x 50ml – A stocking sized sampler of the Bowmore 12 Year , 15 Year Darkest and 18 Year core expressions. – $15.49
Auchentoshan Collection 3 x 50ml – A handsome little sampler of Auchentoshan 12 Year, 18 Year and 3 Wood. – $21.49
Connemara Gift Pack – A bargain sampler of lightly peated Irish whiskey complete with a Connemara glass. $27.49
Glenmorangie Gift Pack – This elegant folding gift set includes 100ml bottles of Glenmorangie Original 10 Year, Lasanata (sherry finished), Quinta Ruban (port finished) and Nectar D’Or (sauternes finished). – $56.49
Springbank CV Set – Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, Springbank makes three styles of whisky, its 2 ½ times distilled lightly peated namesake expression Springbank, the heavily peated and double distilled Longrow and the triple distilled and unpeated Hazelburn. You get 3 200ml bottles, one each of Springbank CV, Longrow CV and Hazelburn CV. – $59.99

Whiskies Under $60

Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – Historically one of our best selling whiskies this little mystery malt from Islay is a soft, smooth and chocolaty expression of one of Islay’s lesser know but highly respected distilleries. Exclusive to KWM! – $50.99
Laphroaig Quarter Cask – Bottled at 48% this young Kildalton malt is rich, robust and full of flavour. $50.99
Isle of Arran 10 Year – Honeyed, malty and grassy with a soft smooth character, this is one of the best whisky bargains period. – $53.99
Highland Park 12 Year – The 12 year is a classic introduction to the notes of honey and soft chocolaty peat that underline the Highland Park range. – $56.49
Glenmorangie Original with Tumbler – Just in time for Christmas this whisky comes with a glass. The starting point of the Glenmorangie range is softly oak, with round toasted notes, cocoa and a trace of light clean smoke. – $58.99

Whiskies $60-80

Duthies Ledaig 13 Year – Briny, rubbery and sweet this heavily peated Tobermory from the island of Mull is a robust little dram. Exclusive to KWM! – $79.99
Logrow CV – Springbank’s heavily peated expression is an elegant smoky whisky that could easily be mistaken for an Islay malt. – $63.99
Amrut Fusion – Jim Murray proclaimed this the 3rd Best Whisky in the World last year, I’m not sure I agree, but it is an excellent dram. – $75.99
The Big Peat – Only Douglas Laing & Co. has enough Port Ellen that they could consider spilling some into an Islay Blended Malt Whisky. This vatting of Bowmore, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Port Ellen has taken four of Islay peatiest malts and made something even peatier… – $79.99
Glendronach 15 Year – The new owners of Glendronach haven’t taken long to hit their stride, look out Macallan, there’s a new master of sherry on the block! The 12 and 18 year old expressions are also good, but the 15 steals the show! – $77.99

Whiskies $80-100

Bowmore Tempest – Over the last year this has been our best selling whisky by a considerable margin, matured in only first fill bourbon casks it is creamy with rich vanilla, tropical fruits and a backbone of salty peat. Exclusive to KWM! – $81.99
Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year – This whisky recently won a gold medal in Whisky Magazine. It is a single cask triple distilled Springbank matured in an Oloroso sherry cask. It is soft, and very fruity with no bitter or rough edges! Exclusive to KWM! – $84.99
BenRiach 15 Year Madeira – A few years back this whisky got a 94pt score in the Whisky Bible, matured in bourbon casks and finished in Madeira it is sweet, spicy and very soft! Exclusive to KWM! – $82.49
Edradour Caledonia – The Scottish flag adorns this bottle which was inspired by Dougie MacLean’s 70’s folk hit Caledonia. Matured 9 years in Bourbon and finished for three in sherry casks, this whisky from Scotland’s smallest distillery balances the cream vanillas notes of the early bourbon casks with the dark fruit and spice of the later sherry casks. Exclusive to KWM! – $93.99
Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year – Caol Ila is the Chameleon of Single Malt Scotch, it is many things to many people, and unique bottlings can range as much as any distillery in Scotland. This single cask expressions is sweet, soft and earthy. Exclusive to KWM! – $87.49

Whiskies $100-150

Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – Less than a quarter of our amazing Springbank bottling is left, next to the Tempest this is our second best selling whisky by a wide margin. Rich, spicy and caramelized with dark fruit and salty smoke. Exclusive to KWM! – $109.99
Ardbeg Corryvreckan – This cask strength Ardbeg replace the 1990 Arigh Nam Beist which is no longer available. 96.5pts Jim Murray: “so many layers of almost uncountable personalities…” – $109.99
Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask – We are one of but a handful of stores in the world, and the only one in Canada to be given the privilege of bottling a cask of Kilchoman, Scotland’s hottest new distillery. Massively creamy with soft vanilla balancing out the loud salty smoke at its core. Exclusive to KWM! – $114.99
Glendronach 1996 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon – After sampling the new 15 year old distillery bottling I had to have our own cask. This Pedro Ximenez sherry matured Puncheon is sweet, rich and very chocolaty. Exclusive to KWM! – $114.99
Octomore 3 – The most heavily peated bottle of whisky ever… this Octomore is remarkably balanced for such a heavily peated malt. Far from being obnoxious it is a very pleasant darm. $149.99

Whiskies $150-250

Glenfarclas 25 Year  – I’m tempted to refer to Glenfarclas as Macallan for people on a budget but that gives too much credit to Macallan and not enough to Glenfarclas. This is quite simply and excellent, rich whisky at an incredible price. – $152.99
The Dalmore MacKenzie – This is the silkiest, softest whisky in the store. Notes of lush dark fruits, chocolate and the smoothest body of any whisky in store. Exclusive to KWM! – $189.99
Glenmorangie Signet – Made from a mix of chocolate malt (heavily roasted barley) and old sherried whiskies this is one of the most unique whisky creations ever, and it comes in a very classy, elegant bottle! – $226.49
Glenglassaugh 21 Year – The whisky is actually 24 years of age, but some early marketing advise told the distillers that they needed to start their range at 21 years even though the distillery, having been closed 22 years didn’t have any such whisky. This is a rare, balanced and very complex whisky. – $256.49
Highland Park 25 Year – The odd man out in the Highland Park Distillery core range, this Orcadian is rich deep and very chocolaty. – $262.49

Whiskies $250-500

Mannochmore 18 Year – This is a very obscure single malt seldom bottled by the distillery. Big and chewy, with chocolate, coffee and strawberries. – $274.99
OMC Probably Speyside’s Finest 41 Year – A 40+ year old whisky for less than $1000 is a bargain no matter how you look at it. This Glenfarclas is doubly so, cheekily named “Probably Speyside’s Finest Distillery” because the bottler doesn’t have the distillery’s permission to use its name. Exclusive to KWM! – $275.99
Port Ellen 8th Release 29 Year – Scotland’s most mourned distillery has released a bottling from this closed Islay distillery for each of the last 11 year. This 8th release, a 29 year old is very deep, and more than likely the most reasonably priced distillery bottled Port Ellen you will ever see again. – $361.99
G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 41 Year – Bottled exclusively for our store, this old bottling of Glen Grant comes handsomely packaged in glass fronted rosewood box. The whisky, individually numbered is soft and fruity with notes of toasted oak, citrus and some caramelized fruit. Exclusive to KWM! – $449.99 (Price reduced from $500)
Auchentoshan 1977 Sherry Matured – Only 18 bottles in Alberta, and 240 total in the world. This is a heavily sherried expression of Auchentoshan which has retained the delicate citrus notes Auchentoshan is famous for. – $506.99

Whiskies $500 and Up!

Signatory Bowmore 1972 36 Year – I have frequently referred to this whisky as the poor man’s Black Bowmore.  Rich, sweet and chewy, burnt fruits, milk chocolate and dry heathery peat; there is some tropical fruit here but its drier and not as moist as that with the Black; Finish, drying, sweet, fruity milk chocolate and some clean salty smoke. Exclusive to KWM! – $634.99
Signatory Springbank 1969 40 Year – 40 year old Springbank is exceptionally rare, and this bottling does not disappoint. Sweet, smooth, spicy and rich with soft caramelized fruits, sauternes wine, Manuka honey, black liquorice, vanilla ice cream and Christmas spices; Finish: smooth with loads of sweet spices, hints of sherry and black liquorice. $1,267.99
The Last Drop 1960 –In 1972 a 12 year old blend consisting of 70 whiskies was laid down to marry. It ended up maturing 36 more years in sherry casks before being bottle in 2008 after 48 years. 95pts John Hansel of Malt Advocate: “enormously complex, with notes of molasses, fig cake, dried fruit, tobacco, dark chocolate, old pot still rum, and polished leather.” –  $2,034.99
Gold Bowmore 1964 44 Year – The third bottling in the Bowmore 1964 Trilogy (which included the White and Black) is from a mixture of Bourbon and Sherry casks. 96pts John Hansel: “texturally soothing whisky on the palate, which continues to evolve in waves—first the sweet honey, coating vanilla, and lively fruit, then turning quite visceral, with juicy oak, damp earth, deep peat smoke, and charcoal, followed by another wave of fruit (this time, dried fruit), finishing off with subtle charred oak and roasted nuts. “ $4,389.99
Macallan 57 Year Lalique 3 – For the man or woman who has everything this 3rd in the Macallan Lalique series looks like something out of James Bond., especially the presentation case which looks very space age! – $17,099.99

Whisky Tastings

Scots Wha Hae? Caledonians Unite! It’s time to celebrate all things Scottish. Isle of Arran is the featured distillery for our 6th annual Robbie Burns Supper, and Andrew Hogan is our special guest. We’ll have bagpipes, poetry, haggis with neeps and tatties and six amazing single malts all from Arran, including—we hope—a new single cask bottling exclusive to KWM!. No previous whisky experience required. Location: Fort Calgary, 7:00pm. Wednesday January 26th. $99
Classic Malts Back to basics, “Classic Malts” is our introduction to the world of Scottish single malt whisky: its regions, history and taste profiles. No this won’t be a “Diageo Classic Malts” tasting, though we may include a few of those for good measure. This is a great opportunity to learn why Scotch is the hottest spirit in the world! Tuesday February 8th. $35
Rare Malts Only the oldest and rarest whiskies need apply! Taste whiskies that have been matured more than 20 years in oak, and are from closed distilleries or are exceptionally rare! Thursday February 24th. $75
Whisky, Women & Chocolate Round up the gals and join our Scotchguy, Andrew Ferguson, for a pairing of fine whisky and premium chocolate from Calgary’s only true “chocolatier”, Chokolat, located in Inglewood. No whisky experience needed, we’ll convert even the most sceptical into a lover of fine whisky! Friday March 4th. $50
Ancient Malts Our blockbuster tasting for 2011 is going to feature the Gold Bowmore 1964, a 44 year old Bowmore bottling valued at $4389.99 which scored 96pts. We’ll also sample 5 other whiskies 30 to 50 years of age! We’ll only do one tasting like this all year, don’t miss it! Tuesday March 15th. $225
6.       Diageo Special Releases Dinner Caol Ila 10 Year Unpeated, Mannochmore 18 Year, Pittyvaich 20 Year, Benrinnes 23 Year, Port Ellen 30 Year and Talisker 30 are the rare whiskies you will sample at Buchanan’s Chop House while enjoying a 3 course meal! If you haven’t been to one of our whisky dinners yet, you don’t know what you are missing! Thursday Mach 31st. $140

Tours

If you’re looking for something more than a whisky, tasting or book, why not consider one of my whisky tours. I have tours departing for Islay and the Southwest Coast as well as the Speyside and the Southern Highlands in May. My tours are 7 days, feature 8-15 distilleries, opportunities for golf, master class tastings, warehouse samplings, fine food, historic sites, great company and in general the kind of experience you won’t get on your own or with a large coach tour. For more information check out my website:  www.fergusonswhiskytours.com  or drop me an email. scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com..

GORDON & MACPHAIL/BENROMACH TASTING WITH MICHAEL URQUHART – Thursday December 9th 7-9PM – $50

Michael Urquhart is in town for the week, and with some new G&M exclusives and Christmas on the way it seemed like a great opportunity for a tasting. Further, it’s a great opportunity for us give back to the community, in this case the proceeds from the night’s event will be going to the Children’s Hospital Aid Society. For just $50 (at least $30 of which will go to CHAS) you will enjoy a tasting of 8 single malt whiskies led by Gordon & MacPhail’s co-Director. We will be tasting the following whiskies:

1.       G&M KMW Glen Grant 1966 – Exclusive – $449.99

2.       G&M Cask Strength Imperial 1997 – Exclusive – $114.99

3.       G&M Connoisseurs Choice Glen Keith 1993 – Exclusive – $87.99

4.       G&M Connoisseurs Choice Convalmore 1984 – Exclusive – $182.99

5.       Benromach 10 Year – $68.99

6.       Benromach Origins #2 Port Pipes – $83.49

7.       Benromach Origins #3 Optic Barley/Oloroso – 83.49

8.       Benromach 21 Year – $129.99

Gordon & MacPhail is Scotland’s second oldest independent bottle—est. 1895—and unlike most independent bottlers they purchase their whiskies as new make spirit, filling it into their own barrels.  In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail bought Benromach Distillery. It took them 5 years to get it in ship shape, but it has been back in action since 1998 and is the smallest distillery in the Speyside. Michael will be available to sign any bottles purchased that evening, and there will be some excellent deals on both G&M and Benromach whiskies.

The Children’s Hospital Aid Society or CHAS is volunteer group of 70 Calgary women who raise money for the Children’s Hospital and other Calgary agencies which advocate on behalf of children. The organization has been in existence since 1908 and in the last 20 years has raised over 4 million.

This will be an excellent event, with proceeds going to a worthy cause.  Hope to see you there.

For more information or to register call 403-283-8000 or visit our website www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.

——————–

You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy..

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

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked a new item, ‘Bunnahabhain 30yo’

Bunnahabhain 30yo
45.4% abv
£275.00 inc vat
£234.04 ex vat

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw/co.uk

Canadian whisky has been celebrating a renaissance of sorts, with shows like “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire” renewing interest in these often-overlooked whiskies. Davin de Kergommeaux is the publisher of CanadianWhisky.org, and this past week handed out the first Canadian Whisky Awards. Davin and I discuss the winners and some other Canadian whiskies to watch for. In the news, Fortune Brands plans to shed divisions and focus on spirits, an interview with new Maker’s Mark master distiller Greg Davis, and US regulators answer the “single malt whisky” question.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

Society Newsletter December 2010

Christmas Greetings from all at Springbank

Well it’s almost that time again already. Time to think about getting the Christmas tree decorated and the presents wrapped. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Society Members for their support over the last year, and for their patience during these last few months when we have had the problems with the Customs & Excise. More about that later!!!  Unfortunately we have only had one Society Bottle this year, but we are planning a bottling early in the New Year, hopefully one that will make you all say ooowww!!!! We have asked Frank and Gavin to come up with something special. Frank went away into one of the warehouses the
other day to have a look and I haven’t seen him since.

Gavin is settling in very nicely as our new distillery manager, being mentored by Frank, of course. He was involved at the installation of the new condenser, which I’m sure you read about on the website and on facebook – photographs by Jenny. I did see a bonfire in the yard the other day and for once Gavin was not in attendance – he is usually the one making sure the yard is kept tidy – he is always disposing of old wooden pallets in a nice big bonfire – I think he is learning to delegate!!

Production planned for Springbank over the next couple of months has been postponed to allow essential maintenance on our boiler following a breakdown. Our production staff will now operate Glengyle Distillery during this period and revert to Springbank in the New Year.

RELEASES FOR 2011

In January we will have a Springbank 18y/o and a Hazelburn Sauterne, then in May the Kilkerran Work in Progress (3) which we hope will be available at the Open Day. July will see a Longrow 18y/o and in September a further Hazelburn 12y/o.

SPRINGBANK OPEN DAY

Next year the open day is being planned for Thursday 19th May. So far we are discussing ideas, there will be two casks bottled on the day, Masterclasses, a Cadenhead tasting, Free tours, Warehouse tastings, hopefully music from local musicians, Food from Argyll, as well as Maureen’s brewdog pies and fish from the local Smoke House. There will also be a Society table to try to encourage new members, and to sell whatever Society bottle we have available at the time. We will also have a variety of other local arts and crafts to keep you amused. We are also toying with the idea of having a wee break between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm then having a wee BBQ and perhaps a bonfire – these are really only in the “talking about” stages at present but hopefully I can talk everyone into carrying on until later this year. How about a “spooks tour” of the warehouses? We might even see some of the angels rather than spooks!!!!

Anyway, plenty to think about and loads to make sure I am busy and keep me out of mischief.

WHISKY SCHOOL

We are having the whisky school next year for six weeks, starting in May, but already it is fully booked – we had quite a list of interested people from the last two years. Frank is thinking of having a further few weeks perhaps in the later part of the summer, I will keep you informed when he decides on suitable dates.

POSTAL SERVICES WITHIN THE EU

We have been sending out some bottles to various countries over the last few months. We have been advised that we have to ask our customers to pay the duty in their own country before we send out our goods. I have been sending invoices to customers, minus the UK duty, the customers have paid the duty in their own country, sent me the paperwork they receive then I have been able to dispatch the orders. It does involve a bit more work and does delay things for a few days, but it is working. Hopefully everyone who wishes to buy will not find this too tedious. I know it is inconvenient and I am really grateful to everyone who has taken the time to follow these new rules. Orders being delivered to the UK are not affected, nor are those outwith the EU.

HIP FLASKS

I have been looking for hip flasks and have been trying to keep costs down. There were only a dozen Society Members who replied to say they would be interested in buying a Society Hip Flask, and there is a set up cost for having the logo put onto them, which would push the cost up for members. I thought perhaps if we could get a nice leather covered hip flask and have the Springbank logo put on, this would keep costs down. They would not be quite as exclusive but unless I can get further orders, it would not really be a viable purchase. Society members would of course get 10% discount on Springbank hip flasks. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

SALES TEAM

The sales team have been very busy over the past few months with Peter, Ranald & Jenny at shows and tastings in almost every country in the world, and Iain doing his bit up and down the UK. Iain will be out and about during December and will be delighted if loads of Society Members turn up at the following venues:

Friday 3 December to 5 December at the Good Food Festival, Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh. Tickets are £10 and valid for 3 days, times are Friday 12 noon to 6.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm and Sunday 11.00am to 5.00pm

Saturday 11 December Jenners Store, Lomond Shores from 12 noon to 6.00pm

Friday 17 December Brooks Bros, 57 George Street, Edinburgh from 1.00pm to 6.00pm

Saturday 18 December Jenners, Edinburgh from 12 noon to 6.00pm

Thursday January 20 & 21st he will be at the Borough Market, Lodnon taking part in a Haggis Event. The times for this one have still to be arranged. We are hoping next year will be at least as busy as this one has been and we will do our best to keep our members happy and talking about Springbank to anyone who will listen.

That’s about it for this year, it just remains for us to wish all our Society

Members a very merry Christmas and a Peaceful, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Slainte

Janet
for Springbank Society

Contact Janet via society@springbankwhisky.com  for your chance to join the Springbank Society