Buy your tickets for Whisky Live Paris at http://www.whiskylive.fr/

End of Summer Ticket Sale!

From the WoW team;

It’s been said, more than once, that the best time of year to visit San Francisco is in the spring and fall. So while you’re enjoying the last few days of summer weather in your neck of the woods you should be thinking ahead to next spring. There are only a two weeks left before the WoW early bird ticket sale price expires on September 18th. So, get out that plastic and act now before the price increases. If you change your mind before the end of the year (hard to imagine), the early bird tickets are fully refundable. How could you ask for a better deal!

                                         Regular Price    Summer Sale price
General Adm                             $110           $95
6:00 pm – 10:pm   
VIP :                                              $135         $120
5:15 pm – 10:pm   
Dram Club                                   $120         $105
5:00 pm – 10:pm  
Dram Club Membership          $60            $40 

(Early Bird Tickets are refundable until Dec 31)

We have a new ticketing system for WoW 2011 to ensure an expedited check in process.  VIP ticket holders at the doc by 5:00 pm will be guaranteed entrance by 5:25.  VIP only spirits will be poured until 6:15.

Purchase your tickets at http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/

SCOTLAND MALT WHISKY TOUR  JUNE 18 – JULY 02, 2011 hosted by THE COMPANIONS OF THE QUAICH

From Ed Patrick, Companions  of the Quaich President;
 
Day to Day Itinerary Overview

DAY 1: SAT 18 JUNE – Depart for Scotland Tonight we meet at Toronto airport and board our non-stop overnight flight from Toronto to Glasgow, Scotland. Dinner and complimentary in-flight service will be provided for you. (D)

DAY 2: SUN 19 JUNE – Arrive Scotland
This morning we arrive in Scotland. “CEAD MILE FAILTE!” Once through luggage and passport formalities we meet our guide Morag Brodie and driver who will escort us on this memorable journey.

One of our long standing traditions is to begin our journey with a hearty Scottish breakfast. With all the regular local culinary delights and trimmings on offer there is ample selection of food to set you on your way.

From Glasgow we head for the outskirts of the city and visit Auchentoshan distillery. With the triple distill process, unique to this distillery, we have the opportunity to sample the single malts. 

From Auchentoshan we take the beautiful drive along the shores of Loch Lomond to the town of Inveraray. Situated on the banks of Loch Fyne it is the perfect setting to begin our journey! The remainder of the afternoon has been left free so you can relax. Dinner and overnight will be at The Argyll Hotel, Inveraray. (D)

DAY 3: MON 20 JUNE – Ferry to Islay
Today we leave the mainland and follow the scenic route to our point of embarkation to Islay.  From here we take the ferry crossing to the Inner Hebrides and the Isle of Islay Upon arrival on Islay we head to Bowmore, on the south shore of Loch Indaal. With accommodation at the Bowmore Cottages and local hotels for the next three nights it will feel as if you are “home from home.”  This afternoon we walk over to the Bowmore Distillery and sample our first Islay single malt. Dinner tonight will be at the Lochside Hotel restaurant. (B,D)

DAY 4-5: TUE 21 JUNE to WED 22 JUNE – Islay
During the next two days we tour this beautiful and tranquil island and visit a selection of  the following distilleries; BRUICHLADDICH,  BUNNAHABHAIN,  CAOL ILA, LAPHROAIG,  ARDBEG and LAGAVULIN.

Based in our Bowmore cottages we shall have breakfast in the nearby Lochside hotel. Dinner will be served at The Bridgend Hotel and Port Charlotte Hotel during these two evenings. (B,D)

DAY 6: THU 23 JUNE – Islay to Aviemore, Speyside
Today we take the morning sailing from Islay and enjoy breakfast onboard. Once back on the mainland we head northward to Speyside (The Malt Whisky Trail.) Hugging the beautiful coastline we journey northwards to Oban distillery. From Oban we head towards the picturesque town of Aviemore. Our route is punctuated with photo opportunity moments as we pass by Glencoe and Fort William, before crossing the Cairngorm mountains. A relaxing environment as we listen to Morag’s historical commentary and enjoying the spectacular scenery, before arriving at the Macdonald hotel. Once in Aviemore we shall check-in to our hotel for the next two nights. (B,D)

DAY 7-8: FRI 24 JUNE and SAT 25 JUNE – Speyside
The next two days are spent in the heartland of the Scottish Whisky Trail. GLENMORANGIE, ABERLOUR, STRATHISLA and KNOCKDHU

Whilst in Inverness and the Speyside region we will have sight-seeing options available for anyone who may wish to opt out of the distillery visits planned for today.

After a wonderful day in the heart of Speyside we take the drive across the Solway Firth to one of our favourite places to stay, Dornoch Castle. Nestled in the gateway to the most northerly parts of Scotland, Dornoch Castle offers all the atmosphere of regal Scottish hospitality. (B,D)

DAY 09: SUN 26 JUNE – Dornoch to Orkney
This morning we leave Dornoch and make our way to the Northlink Ferry service across the Pentland Firth, linking The Orkney Islands with the mainland of Scotland.  A unique two days lie ahead for us! Our abode for the next three nights will be The Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall. (B,D)

DAY 10-11: MON 27 JUNE – TUE 28 JUNE Orkney
During these two days we will enjoy visits to both Highland Park and Scapa distilleries along with visits to local sights, giving us a wonderful insight into the ancient and current inhabitants of these unique islands. (B,D)

DAY 12: WED 29 JUNE – Orkney to Speyside
After three memorable days we take the ferry back to the mainland and drive to Aviemore, but not before visiting the rustic environs of Pulteney Distillery.

Once back in Aviemore we shall spend one night at the Macdonald Hotel. (B,D)

DAY 13: THU 30 JUNE – Speyside to Edinburgh
This morning we leave the Highlands and head south towards Edinburgh. Once in Edinburgh we shall enjoy a panoramic city tour before checking into The Parliament House Hotel. Situated in the heart of the city centre and only yards from the shops of Princes Street, our hotel is in the perfect location to enjoy this beautiful city. Once in Edinburgh we have left the remainder of the afternoon free for you to meander through the shops and streets of Olde Edinburgh. (B)
 
DAY 14: FRI 01 JULY – Edinburgh, Glenkinchie
Our day begins with our final distillery visit. Situated in the east lowlands of Scotland, Glenkinchie boasts one of the best distillery visitor centers in Scotland.  From here we take the short ride to the site of Rosslyn Chapel. Made famous by the Hollywood movie The Da Vinci Code this church has a fascinating history. You will see mason work that cannot be found in any other church throughout the globe. Our farewell dinner will be at our hotel this evening. (B,D)

DAY 15: SAT 02 JULY – Homeward Bound
Alas we must head for the airport and our return flight to Toronto. Lunch and complimentary in-flight service will be served. As we say in Scotland, “HASTE YE BACK” (B,L)

B: BREAKFAST L: LUNCH D: DINNER

The distilleries (and visit sequence) are subject to alteration

SCOTLAND MALT WHISKY JOURNEY JUNE 18 – JULY 02, 2011 INFORMATION

INCLUDED
Air travel:  Round trip from Toronto (airfares  from other cities available upon request).

Hotels: 
Argyll Hotel, Inveraray. 1 night
Bowmore Cottages, Islay. 3 nights
Macdonald Hotel, Aviemore. 3 nights
Dornoch Castle, Dornoch. 1 night
Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney. 3 nights
Parliament House Hotel, Edinburgh. 2 nights

Meals:  Full breakfast and dinner daily with tea and coffee. One free evening in Edinburgh. Transportation: Air-conditioned luxury coach service throughout the tour. Sightseeing:  Comprehensive program and distillery visits as per itinerary, including all entrance fees. Tour Guide:  Government-licensed Tour Manager Morag Brodie will accompany the group and work harmoniously with the tour leaders. Porterage:  One large suitcase per person is allowed.  Each person is responsible for his/her other luggage. Embarkation package:  An informative package will be mailed one month prior to departure. Gratuities: All gratuities for this journey are included in the journey pricing.

NOT INCLUDED Lunches (unless mentioned in the itinerary) & Airport taxes & Fuel costs: Currently $367.

All rates based upon twin accommodation.

15 DAY JOURNEY COST

TORONTO PRICE:          $3795CAD

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $ 695CAD

For full details & registration form please contact;

CONNOISSEUR LEISURE
107 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay ON P1A 2A5
Phone: 1 877 465-3442
Fax: 1 866 826-2135
Email:  info@Connoisseurleisure.com
T.I.C.O Reg: 4344123

Visit the Companions of the Quaich at www.thequaich.com

Hey There! Football season is right around the corner. Time for Buffalo Trace Fantasy Football again.

The contest is FREE! We have weekly prizes and the grand prize winner gets a trip to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, KY.

The website is www.buffalotracefootball.com

It’s really easy to play. Enjoy some great bourbon and cheer on your team each week. Be sure to register before the season opener between the Vikings and Saints on Thursday, September 9th.

Good luck,

Buffalo Trace
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

BALVENIE & GLENFIDDICH WHISKY TASTING – THURSDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2010

To kick off our Autumn 2010 season of whisky tastings in style we have the irrepressible Ian Murray of First Drinks Brands, an independent drinks distributor owned by distillers William Grant & Sons Ltd.  Within their portfolio of brands are both the world’s number one single malt, Glenfiddich, and the gold medal winning The Balvenie, and it is a selection of these whiskies that Ian will be presenting.

Despite the basic production processes being the same for all whisky, and the fact that these two particular Speyside distilleries are adjacent to each other and share some facilities such as the cooperage, the expressions that are produced have their own distinct characteristics. In addition, even whiskies of the same age from the same distillery can taste quite different from each other.  Why is this?  Using whiskies from both Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries Ian will examine this conundrum, looking at how the basic elements that whisky comes from can result in such wonderfully complex and varied tastes.

It’s always a pleasure to welcome Ian as he has a wonderful knack of being able to impart his considerable knowledge in both a witty and entertaining way (which made him a great hit at our ladies tasting earlier in the year!) and his passion for the distilleries he represents is unmistakable, so come along and join us for a great evening of whisky tasting.

*How to book*

The tasting will be at Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren (www.stantonhouse.co.uk), and will commence at 7.00 for 7.30pm. Tickets for the event are priced at just £10.00, and this includes a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.

Most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night. We accept cash, credit/debit card or cheques.

Tickets are limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. To buy them just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire. Admission to the tasting is by ticket only.

We look forward to seeing you on the night.
 
Slainte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

“The events below are for Amrut Distillery. Executive director, Rick Jagdale of Amrut will be in Los Angeles hosting the events,  now is your chance to ask him yourself about the whisky that earned 97pts in this years (2010) Whisky Bible.”

Event 1 – 1 oz pours of 6 Amrut bottlings including the new Amrut Intermediate Sherry Single Malt

Sun Oct 10th 2010,  3-5pm

Retailer:  Wine House, 2311 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064. Ph: 310-479-3731  for tickets and the contact is Coffield or Richard

$25 price ($20 for LA Scotch Club and LA Whisky Society members) 

Event Location: Restaurant above the Wine House

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Event 2 – 1 oz pours of 6 Amrut bottlings including the new Amrut Intermediate Sherry Single Malt

Monday Oct 11th 2010 7-9pm

Retailer for tickets:  Silverlake Wine, (323) 662-9024 for tickets. Contact is George.

Event 2 Location: The Griffin Bar, 3000 Los Feliz Blvd,Los Angeles, CA 90039

Price $20

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Event 3 – ½ ounce pours of only the malts: Amrut Peated, Amrut, and Amrut Fusion

Tuesday Oct 12th 2010 6:30- 9 pm

Location: Seven Grand Bar, 515 W. 7th Street, Ste. #300, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Price $0

Contact  :  laoffice@jvsimports.com to reserve your space. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looking for a Flipper, a liveblogger and a livetweeter

Whisky Live is coming to Glasgow soon and it looks set to be a great day out – especially if you impersonate me and get a £550 bottle of whisky for your troubles – but it shouldn’t just be about the people who can get along. Whisky is for sharing – and to that end I’d like you help…

I’m looking for three people – one to come along and liveblog the event, one to film with their handheld camera (a Flip or Kodak Zi8) and one to tweet from the event during the day, letting everyone know what they see.

We’ll have people tweeting away as well, but it’s always nice to have other points of view.

You don’t need to just follow me or the Whyte & Mackay team around but would be expected to cover the event and upload during the day. And I’m sure we can sneak in a little bottle of something as a thank you at the end of the day.

If you fancy it, drop an email over to our digital and social media guy before 5pm Friday September 3. craig@themasterblender.com

Richard Paterson At Work

Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$11.99
Dewar’s White Label 1.75L $27.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label…$25.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label 1.75L…$49.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$27.99
Knob Creek Bourbon…$24.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal…$19.99

Prices valid w/Binny’s Card September 1 through September 7, 2010. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors.

Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand.

Don’t forget to use your Binny’s Card!

Get discounts on mixed case wine purchases and work towards a 2% rebate on every $500 of eligible purchases. Get your free card at a Binny’s near you.

Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com

BENRIACH’S LATEST AND VERY LIMITED BATCH OF SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS NOW AVAILABLE
 
AWARD-WINNING BenRiach is issuing its latest batch of single cask bottlings this week. Available worldwide, Batch 7 maintains BenRiach’s reputation for encapsulating both perfection and rarity in a glass.
 
The new release celebrates the sixth anniversary of the first bottling of BenRiach under its new independent owners. Back in August 2004, its ‘Heart of Speyside’ core range of 12, 16 and 20 yo malts became available for the first time.
 
Fast forward six years, and Master Distiller Billy Walker has selected ten highly distinctive casks from 1976 to 1993 for BenRiach aficionados. These vintage malts are immense and full of character – from pineapple, coconut, honey, and spicy vanilla to treacle toffee, cloves and chocolate coated fruits.
 
And the range of exceptional vintages is enhanced by their prolonged maturation in different casks – from a Virgin American Oak and a Gaja Barolo Finish to a Tokaji and a Peated Tawny Port Finish.                                                  
The ten, in ascending chronological order, are:
 
Year     Number        Strength       Age          Cask Type                            Style
                 
1976     8795               53.2%        33yo          Hogshead                                    Classic Speyside       
 
1977     1033                52.2%        33yo         Pedro Ximinez Hogshead              Pedro Ximinez Sherry Finish
 
1978     4417                50.4%        32yo         Tokaji Hogshead                           Tokaji Finish                                      
 
1979     7511                47.9%        30yo         Bourbon Barrel                             Classic Speyside   
 
1980     2532                51.1%        30yo         New Wood Oak Barrel                   Virgin American Oak   
 
1981     2589                51.6%        28yo         Bourbon Barrel                             Classic Speyside                                
 
1984     493                  54.1%        25yo         Hogshead                                    Classic Speyside                               
 
1984     4052                51.7%        25yo         Tawny Port Hogshead                   Peated/Tawny Port Finish
 
1991     4389                54.9%        19yo         Virgin Oak Hogshead                    Virgin American Oak Finish
         
1993     7420                56.7%        17yo         Gaja Barolo Hogshead                  Gaja Barolo Finish          
 
Bottled in July 2010, the ten are all bottled at cask strength, with natural colour and non chill-filtered. They are individually numbered by hand and presented in a gift tube.
 

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

There are just two days to go until the Isle of Arran 15th Anniversary celebration.  This is a festival style event, so we have lots of room to accommodate anyone hoping to attend.  So far about 30 of the initial 50 tickets have sold. The event is the Canadian launch of a special 15th Anniversary bottling. Andrew Hogan of Isle of Arran will be on hand to talk about his distillery, samples those present on a range of whiskies from the Arran distillery and sign any purchased bottles including the 15th Anniversary bottling. Kensington Wine Market has committed to 96 of the 180 bottles coming into the province, of which more than half have been pre-sold. More information on both the event and the special bottling can be found below.

I have decided to hold off on the next full Malt Messenger until after Labour Day, as I’m sure much of its readership is away on vacation. However there are a couple of tidbits which can’t wait until then. First and foremost, our Fall Tasting Schedule is now online.  All of our whisky, beer and wine tastings for September through December are now online. All the beer and whisky tastings are listed below.

Secondly, some whiskies from BenRiach which have long been out of stock—the 15 Year Old Cask Finishes—are back. All three are excellent whiskies, and exclusive to KWM. Historically the most popular was the 15 Year Old Madeira Finish, which was the impetus for us to bottle our own cask of the same.

Finally, we have single malts from all over the world at KWM, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Canada, the United States, Wales, England, Australia and now Sweden.  Sweden’s first single malt distillery, Macmyra is now available in Canada. Two different expressions are available: Mackmyra Special ’03 and Mackmyra First Edition – $66.49. I’ll include my tasting notes below.

I hope you enjoy this little Malt Messenger Bulletin, and Happy Labour Day!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

PS-Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy

Isle of Arran 15th Anniversary Celebration – Thursday September 2nd 7PM – $40

Special guest Andrew Hogan of the Isle of Arran Distillery will be in town for one night only to celebrate the distillery’s 15th Anniversary and formally launch the 15th Anniversary bottling here in Alberta. Join us at the Kensington Wine for a fun and informal evening celebrating 15 years of distillation at one of Scotland’s finest distilleries. We will formally sample 4 whiskies from the Arran portfolio (10 Year, Bourbon Cask, Moscatel Cask and 15th Anniversary) under the guidance of Andrew Hogan whilst he sheds some light on the Isle of Arran’s only distillery. After the formal tasting you will have an opportunity to get Andrew to sign a bottle of Arran for you or try a few other of the distilleries whiskies. This tasting will be a great way to start off the fall tasting season and the perfect transition into the Labour Day long weekend.

Call the store 403-283-8000, drop by or visit our website www.kensingtonwinemarket.com to register.

Isle of Arran 15th Anniversary Amontillado 1999 – $82.99

Who could believe the Isle of Arran distillery is now 15 years old.  I remember the lead up to its 10th Anniversary like it was yesterday, and the launch a year later of its first regularily available 10 year old. How the time flies! The Isle of Arran distillery has now been distilling for 15 years, and they decided to release a special edition 11 year old bottling to commemorate the event. The whisky is from refill hogsheads finished for more than a year in eight Amontialldo Sherry Butts from Spain.

“Offical Tasting Notes: Nose: The aroma is complex with hints of dark chocolate, cherries and ginger. Mint-toffee and hazelnut emerge with water. Palate: Rich and creamy on the palate with classic sherry wood notes of dried fruit and spice. A confectionery sweetness mingles beautifully with the intrinsic citrus character of the Arran Malt. Finish: Much drier on the long finish with an intriguing peppery note developing.”

The whisky will go on sale at the Kensington Wine Market first on Thursday September 2nd at the launch party with the distillery’s Andrew Hogan (for more information please see above). Only 180 bottles are coming in to the province, and at the reasonable price of $82.99 there will be a lot of demand for this dram. For the time being we are limiting pre-orders to 3 bottles per customer. Andrew Hogan will be signing bottles the night of the event. Please e-mail me if you would like to reserve some bottles.

BenRiach 15 Year Old Cask Finishes Back in Stock – $82.49/each

1.       BenRiach 15 Year Old Henrique’s Madeira Finish – Matured 14 years in Bourbon casks and finished for a full year in a Henrique’s Madeira cask, this is an excellent summer or breakfast whisky. Jim Murray said: “This is an essay in subtlety… we have one of the truly great Speysiders on our hands!” Nose: Vanilla and spices with watermelon and peaches, with a rich backdrop of Madeira and oak wood. Palate: An avalanche of butterscotch, hazelnuts, peaches and spices, with and rich Madeira. Finish: dry with concentrated barley and grape. – Exclusive to KWM

2.       BenRiach 15 Year Old Jamaican Dark Rum Finish – Matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels, this whisky is then ‘finished’ in Dark Rum barrels, sourced from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. During this second period of maturation the whisky derives many interesting characteristics specific to the Dark Rum barrel. Nose: toffee, spices, cinnamon & sultana w/ a backbone of rum. Palate: toffee, cinnamon, apricots & chocolate. Finish: rum & sultanas dominate the finish. – Exclusive to KWM

3.       BenRiach 15 Year Old Tawny Port Finish – Matured 14 years in Bourbon casks and finished for one full year in Tawny Port pipes. Nose: crème brulée, honey, cinnamon and coconut in harmony with rich port notes and oak wood. Palate: Butterscotch, herbs, cinnamon, peaches and sultanas, infused with rich port and oak wood notes. – Exclusive to KWM

Tasting Notes Mackmyra Single Malt

1.       Mackmyra First Edition – Nose: fresh, light, sweet and fruity with some grassy malt; Palate: light, soft and floral, apples and clean malt; Finish: light and clean with soft dry oak. – $66.49

2.       Mackmyra Special ’03 – Nose: dry smoke, creamy vanilla, faint berry fruits with grassy-herbal notes; Palate: clean and buttery with some crisp smoke, a few bitter herbs and melons; Finish: dry, sweet and lightly bitter with woody smoke. – $91.49

——————–

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!

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

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