American Distilling Institute

Moonshine goes mainstream
White whiskey gains respect as liquor laws loosen
By Jennifer Justus

THE TENNESSEAN It happens at frat parties, hip barbecues, Titans tailgates and even suburban class reunions. A Mason jar emerges from a cooler, shining with a clear, bright liquid, passing surreptitiously from person to person. Suddenly the wine glasses and plastic party cups lose their appeal.

Moonshine is the Waylon Jennings of spirits – all-American, old-fashioned and outlaw, with a swagger that’s sure to get a party started.

While distilling illicit moonshine can mean a $10,000 fine and five years in jail, tasting it has gotten a lot easier of late. Licensed distilleries have been marketing “white whiskey” – essentially, legally distilled moonshine – to drinkers and mixologists. And since state law eased Tennessee’s restrictions on distilleries about a year ago, two new distilleries have opened in the state, with white whiskey on their rosters: http://www.olesmokymoonshine.com/ Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg and http://www.corsairartisan.com/ Corsair Artisan Distillery in Nashville.

White whiskey is appealing to distillers because it’s less expensive to make than aged whiskeys, and bartenders appreciate its unique flavor.

“There’s a huge demand for un-aged whiskey right now,” said Andrew Webber of Corsair.

Old poison is new again

Though right now it’s hot (and not just going down your throat), white whiskey is nothing new.

“It’s been around for as long as people have been distilling, because it’s really just raw whiskey,” said Tyler Zwiep, a salesperson at Woodland Wine Merchant http://www.woodlandwinemerchant.com  in East Nashville.

Indeed, brown whiskey such as bourbon and http://www.jackdaniels.com/  Jack Daniel’s gets its color from being aged in wood barrels, which also imparts toasty, vanilla and caramel flavors. White whiskey is un-aged, which explains part of its appeal for distillers – particularly new distillers who want to get products on the shelves quickly.

“It’s a way to generate revenue while (brown) whiskey matures,” Zwiep said.

Zwiep said Woodland Wine Merchant began carrying http://www.deathsdoorspirits.com/ Death’s Door white whiskey from Michigan in October and http://www.buffalotrace.com/whitedogdays/  Buffalo Trace White Dog from Kentucky last month. Corsair, which also operates a distillery in Bowling Green, Ky., introduced Pumpkin Moonshine in October, and a new product, Wry Moon, a whiskey made from rye grain, will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Beyond its appeal to distillers, Zwiep attributes white whiskey’s popularity to the renewed interest in cocktails and experimentation with unusual spirits.

Traci Bond, a sales representative with Best Brands distributors, whose roster includes white whiskeys by Buffalo Trace and http://tuthilltown.com/ Tuthilltown Spirits (Hudson Whiskey), agrees that it goes hand-in-hand with the movement that has mixologists making more classic cocktails such as sidecars and Manhattans, and fewer cosmos and appletinis.

Mixologists riff on white liquor

At http://cityhousenashville.com/ City House, a restaurant known for its renegade style (think plates of pig ear sandwiches and pig hearts), bar manager Stephanie Melidis serves a drink called The Junior. Named for NASCAR legend Junior Johnson, who was convicted for making moonshine, the drink combines Death’s Door white whiskey, crème de violette, lemon bitters and Dr. Enuf, a soft drink made in East Tennessee.

“You know how in the South people mix moonshine and soda?” she said. “It’s a play on that.”

Meanwhile, at http://www.thepattersonnashville.com/Patterson House and http://www.margotcafe.com/pages/home.htm Margot Cafe and Bar, patrons can also order white whiskey drinks, such as the White Manhattan.

“Bartenders and mixologists like moonshine because it has the mixability of vodka but (the) cereal character of a whiskey,” said Darek Bell of Corsair.

Vodka is legally defined as something without flavor, Bell said. While illicit moonshine is traditionally made from corn, legal white whiskeys are being made from a variety of ingredients, such as rye, wheat and millet, all of which impart their own flavors.

And as bartenders experiment more with moonshine, it will likely increase interest for drinkers, just as a DJ introduces club goers to new music.

“It really can be a learning experience for new whiskey drinkers, because you can really get to know what you like,” Bond said of the various whiskey ingredients. “It’s going to create a better whiskey drinker.”

Bell believes white whiskey’s popularity can also be attributed to the growth of micro-distilleries. Larger commercial liquor producers are more conservative in their processes, while smaller companies and independent bars and restaurants are often up for trying something new.

Will it keep its cool?

Even with legal versions increasingly available, nostalgia still plays a part in white whiskey’s popularity.

“I think a lot of people like that it’s a homegrown American product,” Bell said.

And, of course, it has an edge, too.

“It may be a slight taboo thing, like absinthe had for a while,” Zwiep said.

But therein lies the rub. Can a product that is no longer taboo stay cool?

When Kindy Girdley, a manager at http://www.rumourseast.com/ Rumours East, passed a table of 30-somethings at the restaurant on a recent evening, she offered the group a taste of http://www.piedmontdistillers.com/verification.php Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine, a legal version being made by Junior Johnson.
The reaction was mixed. As with potato salad and banana pudding, we all believe we’ve got an uncle or friend or distant cousin who makes it better.

Visit the American Distilling Institute at www.distilling.com

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Hey, Whisky World, CanadianWhisky.Org says THANK YOU!

August 11, 2010

CanadianWhisky.org went public on Tuesday July 20 to an overwhelming welcome from the whisky community.  The new website, focuses on Canadian Whisky, providing visitors with news reviews, opinions, and most important, an opportunity to contribute their own commentary.

The top post so far include:

Introducing WhistlePig Rye

“Dave Pickerell is a true icon of the American whisky industry so when he declares Canada as the source of the world’s very best rye whisky, that’s news to be shouted from the rooftops.”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/whistlepig-10-year-old-straight-100-rye-whiskey.html

Introducing Wiser’s Legacy

“John Philip Wiser, distiller. Born October 4, 1825, Trenton, New York; died April 30, 1911, Prescott, Ontario. Legacy: Wiser’s family of great Canadian whiskeys and now a brand new one.”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/introducing-the-new-wiser’s-legacy-canadian-rye-whisky-45-alc-vol.html

Crown Royal Extra Rare Review

“A rich, weighty, hugely complex and skillfully structured whisky displaying ripe red fruit, fresh-cut oak, hot spices, dry grain, and violets. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/crown-royal-xr-extra-rare-40-alc-vol.html

Forty Creek Barrel Select Review

“Creamy, sweet corn whisky with dusty, earthy rye, ripe red fruits, sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, floral perfume, ginger, cinnamon, hot pepper, and hints of citric peels. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★★”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/forty-creek-barrel-select-40-alc-vol.html

Gibson’s Finest 18 year old Review

“Sweet, spicy oak and pine sawdust, rich in toffee, vanilla, and hot spicy pepper. Biscuits, with typical rye dustiness, spice, fruit, and just a drop of pickle juice. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆”

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/reviews/gibson’s-finest-rare-18-years-old-40-alc-vol.html

A huge canadianwhisky.org thank you to Whisky Intelligence, (Hey! That’s us!) Whisky Fun, Whisky Cast, Rob Allanson, Whisky Magazine, Dr. Whisky, Quebec Whisky Club, Chuck Cowdery, John Hansell, Malt Advocate, Straight Bourbon, Sku’s Recent Eats, Ralfy, Bourbon Enthusiast, Whisky Whisky Whisky, Het Whisky, The Ardbeg Project, Whisky Emporium, Bourbon Enthusiast, Glasgow Whisky, and so many others for your kind support.

iMalts HD is Now Available for the iPad

Copenhagen, Denmark – August, 2010

iStolz today announced a new edition of its popular single malt app for the iPhone and iPod Touch available on the Apple App Store. This version of iMalts, called iMalts HD, is developed specifically for the iPad.

iMalts has since its launch in June last year been a favorite among single malt lovers because of its detailed information about Scotch single malt distilleries and more than 400 of their whiskies. Also the possibility of adding new single malts and keeping track of their tasting notes, collections and wish lists has played a big role.

“This new release brings iMalts to the iPad. Over the past year I have had a great dialog with the iMalts users who both are whisky novices and connoisseurs. What they want is great flexibility and a high level of detail. I have managed to fit this into iMalts on the iPhone but with the larger screen size of the iPad you get a much better overview of each whisky.” said Lasse Stolz, iMalts Developer. “It also gives the possibility to show larger sized photos of the whiskies so you can see the details of the labels”.

The core iMalts application enables the user to keep a detailed log of the bottles of single malts that he or she owns. Details like place and date of purchase, cost, current market value, the date the bottle was opened and how much is remaining are all possible to track. iMalts also has a unique and easy-to-use framework which makes it fun for both newcommers and connoisseurs to detail those tasting experiences.

Lasse Stolz said: “Because of the way you interact with the iPhone or the iPad or any mobile device for that matter I had to come up with a different way of tracking tasting notes. You really want to keep typing to a minimum so where others would use text fields only I also use sliders and pickers. If you for example want to specify the nose of a whisky you will just have to score eight basic smells from 0-5 using sliders. This approach also makes it a lot easier for whisky novices to start tracking their tasting notes because they have something to choose from.”

In iMalts you will find a detailed guide on how to determine the color, the nose, the body, the taste and the finish of a whisky. Furthermore iMalts comes with a whisky glossary of almost 300 terms and phrases so when other whisky enthusiasts talk about angel’s share you will know that it refers to the evaporation and loss of alcoholic vapor through the porous wooden casks.

Both iMalts HD for the iPad and iMalts for the iPhone and iPod Touch includes the following key features:

– Database with more than 400 single malt whiskies and almost 100 distilleries
– Add single malts and distilleries
– Keep track of single malt and distillery details
– Easy-to-use framework for tracking tasting notes
– Order single malts by distillery, region, classification, rating, tasting event, those you own, those you have emptied and those you want
– Glossary with almost 300 whisky terms and phrases

Single Malts Newsletter  
 
Grain Whiskies
 
Grain whisky is of a smoother and lighter flavour than malt whisky as there are less flavour congeners present. The smooth complexion allowed for it to be blended with the harsher flavours of malt whisky to produce a smoother more rounded product. Single grain releases are quite rare although well-aged grain whiskies can hold surprisingly complex flavours

Carsebridge 31YO 1979   
Regular Price:£88.00                       
Special Price:£70.99                                
SAVE £17.01 

              
     
Port Dundas 36YO 1973
Regular Price:£95.99 
Special Price: £76.99
SAVE £19.00 

Invergordon 42YO 1965      
Regular Price:£262.99                 
Special Price:£210.99                     
SAVE £52.00  

Strathclyde 1980 30YO 
Regular Price:£91.99
Special Price:£73.99
SAVE £18.00

 
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OTHER GRAIN WHISKIES http://www.singlemaltsdirect.com/magento/scotch-whisky/grain.html
 
 
phone: 0845 6066145
email: info@singlemaltsdirect.com

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shackleton update – someone’s stolen a bottle of whisky!

Richard Paterson

From Richard Paterson;

As The Great Whisky Crate Thaw reveals, it turns out that instead of there being 12 bottles of whisky in the crate, there was only 11! As Karin from the team puts it:

Much to our surprise we found 11 bottles in the crate – one straw cover was empty! And, it was a cover tucked in at the back of the crate, inaccessible through the ice layer. So, some speculation amongst the team – was the bottle removed hastily, leaving the cover behind, or did someone extract a bottle and leave the cover in place, hoping the disappearance wouldn’t be noted?

The bottles are now out the crates – click on the pics below to go to the blog and see how close they are to revealing the bottles in all their glory…

http://whiskythaw.canterburymuseum.com/the-bottles-are-out-of-the-box/

http://whiskythaw.canterburymuseum.com/a-closer-look/

An update from the man himself 13-8-2010;

Shackleton’s whisky revealed at last!

Finally! Shackleton’s whisky has been thawed enough that the straw and wrappings can come off to get a good idea of the bottle. This is a fantastic moment and well done to the team for their patience in getting to this stage.

I’m told that the shoulder label says

British Antarctic Expedition
1907
Ship Endurance

while the bottle reads:

Rare Old
Highland
Malt Whisky

Blended and Bottled by
Chas. Mackinlay & Co
Blenders and Distillers
Leith and Inverness

I’m saying nothing about my previous prediction but for those interested in more here’s the press release that’s being issued today about the whisky…

Shackleton’s whisky revealed
After much anticipation, the contents of a whisky crate from Ernest Shackleton’s 1908 British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition have been revealed today.

A team of Antarctic Heritage Trust and Canterbury Museum conservators have been examining and working on the crate for the last two weeks in a purpose built cool room. As the ice inside gradually thawed the team was able to examine the contents, and today they extracted several intact bottles labelled “Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky”.

“It’s been a delicate and slow process but we are delighted to be able to confirm that the crate contains intact bottles of whisky,” said Lizzie Meek, Antarctic Heritage Trust Artefacts Manager.

Eleven bottles of the 114-year old whisky have been recovered of which remarkably ten appear perfectly intact despite their labels having deteriorated. The wording “British Antarctic Expedition 1907 Ship Endurance” is still visible on some of the bottles. As it transpired Shackleton never changed the name of the ship Nimrod to Endurance for this expedition.

Intriguingly, one bottle is missing from the packing inside the crate. This is consistent with where the crate itself appears to have been jimmied open and the timber broken. “Perhaps one of Shackleton‟s crew just couldn‟t resist a tipple,” said Ms Meek.

Each of the bottles will be carefully assessed and conserved in the coming weeks.

The Antarctic Heritage Trust plans to work with the owners of the Mackinlay‟s brand, Whyte and Mackay, to extract and analyse the whisky. “The ultimate aim is to replicate the original blend so that whisky drinkers the world over can enjoy this gift from the whisky gods. There is much to do before we know if this is possible” said Richard Paterson, Whyte & Mackay’s master blender.

Images of the whisky bottles and video of the conservators at work can be seen in the project blog set up at http://whiskythaw.canterburymuseum.com/

It is expected the crate and its contents will remain on display at Canterbury Museum for the next month. Following conservation and analysis the intention is to eventually return them to Antarctica.

Contacts

Nigel Watson, Executive Director, Antarctic Heritage Trust, Tel +64 (3) 358 0212, M +64 (0) 21 432 104. www.nzaht.org

Karin Stahel, Communications Manager, Canterbury Museum, Tel +64 (3) 366 9429 ext: 869 kstahel@canterburymuseum.com

Contact for HD footage of the crate’s discovery and excavation from Antarctica

Emma Smithies, Senior Legal and Business Affairs Executive, Talkback Thames, London, England, Tel +44 207 691 6848 emma.smithies@talkbackthames.tv

Background

New Zealand’s Antarctic Heritage Trust cares for the four iconic expedition huts in the Ross Dependency including Ernest Shackleton‟s only Antarctic base which is at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica.

Canterbury Museum is located on Rolleston Avenue, in the Cultural Precinct, next to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and opposite The Arts Centre on Worcester Boulevard. General admission to the Museum is free; donations are appreciated.

Straight from the still

Hi everyone,

I would like to reach out and send a big thank to you everyone for the kind words and deeds expressed before and after the passing of my father, Meryl Kerkhoff.

It’s been said “A person’s wealth is not measured by what they have accumulated as personal possessions, but rather by the amount of friends they have.” By the assembly of friends at dad’s funeral, he was a wealthly man.

I know I might miss someone – so if I do, I’ll apologize in advance. First off, a huge thank you to my partner and friend Scott Bush for getting the news of dad’s death out to the newsletter list and the emotional tribute he wrote for dad. Thank you very much, Scott. That release prompted Steve Long with Channel 44, who had interviewed dad several years ago, to do a tribute on KMEG TV in Sioux City. Thanks to Steve Long and his crew.

Thank you to Channel 13 TV Des Moines and Radio Iowa for the news segments they broadcasted. Thank you to Jason Walsmith for the toast at Rock and Rye last Saturday night. Thanks to Fred Weissmuller and his family for the catered breakfast, beautiful bouquets and plants from Wirtz Beverage of Illinois and Wirtz Beverage of Iowa and Infinium Spirits of California.

Thank you to Kevin Boersma and the Templeton Rye team for the toast to dad at the cemetery. Everyone got a chuckle out of that and it lifted our family’s heavy hearts – it was excellent timing. A big thank you to Father Grallup, The Knights of Columbus (both 3rd and 4th degree), the choir, and to all the alter society ladies, for the food and food preparation. To all the neighbors and friends, a big thank you. A big thanks to the long-traveled relation and friends – one cousin even traveled all the way from Connecticut.

Thank you to my college football teammates and their families. Most importantly, a big thank you to all the doctors and nurses for your excellent care giving during dad’s visits, he knew everyone on a first-name basis. To my mother and two sister-in-laws, in the medical field, a huge thank you for the care giving you provided. Dad expressed many times how he was thankful to have you at his side. It’s been said “the greatest gift a parent can give their children is to love their spouse.” Thanks mom and dad for loving each other and making us a great family.

Sincerely,
Keith Kerkhoff, Distiller and Co-Founder

CHIVAS LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION GIFT TIN BY ALEX TROCHUT

Chivas Regal, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with award- winning graphic designer and illustrator Alex Trochut, to launch a limited edition gift tin for its 12 Year Old expression.

The gift tin, which will be available globally, was inspired by the Chivas Regal heraldry and label crest, and incorporates a contemporary, bold monogram based on the twists and movements of a steel ribbon.  The tin, which has a dramatic metallic finish, is simple, elegant, contemporary and masculine – the qualities that perfectly match those of the multi-award-winning Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Lisa Woodward, International Marketing Manager for Chivas Regal, comments: “Chivas Regal 12 Year Old embraces luxury and creativity in everything it does, so teaming up with Alex, who has a reputation for exuberant and unexpected designs, was a perfect fit.  The heraldic symbolism reflects the brand’s commitment to chivalry; exhorting its predominantly male aficionados around the world to Live with Chivalry by being more and not just aspiring to have more. Reflecting the brand’s chivalrous values such gallantry, brotherhood, honour and courage, the striking gift tin is a piece of graphic design that will grace any home bar.”

Trochut adds: “Chivalry to me is something you trust, something you respect, a good relationship like you would have with your brother…it’s a good rhythm of living.  With this project, it was important for me to capture this feeling in a modern image that could then be applied to a 3D object.  The ribbon swirling into the abstract heraldic shapes, along with the letters C and R knotting with each other form the perfect monogram.”

Trochut’s belief in the power of a strong aesthetic, and that “more is more” makes him the ideal partner for this exuberant Scotch whisky.  Chivas Regal is the original luxury Scotch, first launched in 1909, and like all iconic brands, carefully maintains a blend of heritage and contemporary relevance.

Chivas Regal has long embraced the design community and has previously partnered with high profile names such as Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen and Evan Douglis.

Notes:

Chivas Regal, the world’s leading Scotch whisky and the flagship brand within the Chivas Brothers portfolio, is available in over 200 countries. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity.

Alex Trochut:

Alex Trochut is a multi-award winning graphic designer, renowned for his technically exquisite type creations and designs. He is a graduate of Barcelona’s ELISAVA Escola Superior de Disseny and his education was enriched by an Erasmus placement in Berlin, where he also undertook internships with Moniteurs and Xplicit. His designs and typography challenge the very notion of minimalism with a work philosophy of “more is more”. Today based in Barcelona, he is on the very top rung of the illustration ladder.
 
Chivas Brothers:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

Tax Free Weekend – August 14 and 15 – Watch for Our Special Weekend Sale

Irish Whiskey Tasting Cooley Distillery, County Louth with Tim Herlihy

Tuesday August 17th. 2010
5:00 P.M. or 6:00 P.M.

Joe writes,

Tim will taste us on whiskies from 4 different Cooley brands of 4 different styles. You may taste why Malt Advocate called Cooley Distillery of The Year this year.

Tyrconnel Single Malt is Pot Still whiskey has the depth of a single malt, with finesse and elegance, yet soft on the palate.

Kilbeggan is a uniquely Irish Whiskey, very easy drinking and approachable, but with its own distinctive style. The finest grain and malt whiskey are blended together for the smooth, sweet taste and lovely malty finish that is Killbeggan Irish whiskey.

Connermara is an Irish Single Malt from before coal was brought to Ireland, when peat or turf was used to dry the barley, a style of whiskey lost, until Cooley revived it. A Great Thing!!!

Greenore is Grain whiskey that is the quiet whiskey that is the biggest part of the blend, Grain whiskey is very rarely mentioned when it comes to whiskey, the Grain whiskey that goes into the blends for The Cooley Distillery, they felt with the quality of their Grain Whiskey, that it was only proper to show the Grain Whiskey on it’s own.

We will taste the following:

Reg Special
Tyrconnel Single Malt $36.99 $32.99
Tyrconnel 10 Y.O. Madeira Finish $94.99 $85.99
Kilbeggan Blended $23.99 $20.99
Kilbeggan 15 Y.O. $110.00 $99.99
Connermara Peated $49.99 $44.99
Connermara Cask Strength $66.99 $60.99
Greenore 8 Y.O. Grain Whiskey $42.99 $38.99

You can pre-buy this weekend and Beat The Tax! If you need any information on these or any other products, Call me

Federal Wine & Spirits

——————————————————————————–

Email: info@federalwine.com
Phone: (617) 367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

The next full Malt Messenger is nearly at hand, I hope to have it finished by next Tuesday at the latest, just in time to get away for a week’s vacation in the smoky Okanagan.  There are a few things coming up and coming out this week that I wanted to bring your attention to though, and so a Malt Messenger Bulletin is born.  We have a couple of reasonably priced tastings this week, one beer and one whisky, and there’s still room in both.  I’ve attached some info below. We’ve also got a couple of events coming up in September and October that require an early shout out. The former is a 15th Anniversary celebration for Arran distillery with Export Director Andrew Hogan and the latter a Whisky Festival in support of the Calgary Opera. Details on both events also follow below.

There are also a few whiskies worth mentioning, like the Dalmore MacKenzie and Amrut Double Cask, both of which are exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market, and available in limited quantities. Next week we will be getting an even smaller amount of the Highland Park Earl Magnus. Only 72 bottles of this whisky are coming into Alberta, and KWM has been fortunate to get its hands on 36 (limit 2/customer). Finally on September 2nd at the Isle of Arran 15th Anniversary Celbration we will be formally launching the special edition Isle of Arran 15th Anniversary 1999 Amontillado bottling. Only 180 bottles of this reasonably priced special bottling will be coming in. I’ve included a few notes on each of these whiskies below, I will have much more for you in next week’s Malt Messenger.

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

MINI SERIES TASTINGS

1.       Boutique Blends – Friday August 13th 7-8PM -$25 – This will be a great little tasting to explore one of the Scotch whisky industry’s least understood sub cultures, boutique blended whisky. Whiskies to be sampled include:

a.       Compass Box Asyla

b.      Compass Box Peat Monster

c.       Compass Box Oak Cross

d.      Compass Box Spice Tree

e.      Poit Dhubh 12 Year

f.        Te Bheag

Call the store 403-283-8000, drop by or visit our website www.kensingtonwinemarket.com to register. The whisky tasting is sit-down and the beer tasting will be too unless attendance exceeds 20 persons in which case we will convert it to a stand-up affair.

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, Sherry 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.

CALGARY OPERA SCOTCH WHISKY FEST – Friday October 1st 7PM Arata Opera Center – $75

The Kensington Wine Market is the Calgary Opera’s official liquor sponsor for 2010, and an idea was hatched to throw a fundraising whisky festival for patrons of the Opera and other whisky aficionados. Participants will receive a special Glencairn glass at the event as a keep sake, which they will use to sample from the 60+ whiskies which will be available. As the event draws closer I’ll provide further details on the participating agencies and whiskies which will be available for sampling. Tickets are available now, in store, online www.kensingtonwinemarket.com and over the phone 403-283-8000. The price includes GST, and you will have to drop by to pick up your physical tickets.

THE DALMORE MACKENZIE 1992 – $189.99

This exciting new bottling of Dalmore is a Kensington Wine Market exclusive. This 1992 vintage Dalmore port finish is from a limited release of 3000 bottles worldwide. Only 60 of these bottles are coming to Canada, and Kensington Wine Market has them all.  Dalmore was at one time in the hands of members of the Clan MacKenzie, the clan’s emblem, and Dalmore’s today is a stag’s head. The clan was granted this privilege in 1263 when an ancestor of the Clan MacKenzie saved King Alexander III of Scotland from being gored by a stag with a single arrow. The moment has been immortalized in the Benjamin West painting The Fury of the Stag which is reproduced on the whisky’s box.

I’ll have my own tasting note for you in the next Malt Messenger, in the mean time, here’s the tasting note from Whyte & MacKay’s larger than life Master Blender Richard Patterson:

“Colour – Deep mahogany gold with shimmering highlights of ruby amber.

Nose – Warm and seductive. Enticing aromas of ripe plums, citrus fruits and marzipan flaunt themselves in an intoxicating infusion of unashamed luxury. Silky smooth and flawless, the hand of time has nurtured this noble spirit to perfection. Gentle whispers of ginger spice, mangos and fleshy grape pulp complete this complex tapestry of delight.

Taste – Take a generous mouthful.  Hold it long in the mouth and allow the warmth of your tongue to tease out every exquisite flavour. You will not be disappointed, but you must give it all the reverence it richly deserves.  Feel the spirit glide gracefully over your palate.  Immediately these hidden treasures are unlocked – sweet pear, thick chunky marmalade, bitter chocolate and crushed almonds reward your senses.  The six long years in port wine butts from the very heart of Oporto, matured at our Dalmore Distillery in Warehouse 4, has transformed this single malt into an unforgettable masterpiece for you to enjoy.”

AMRUT DOUBLE CASK – $124.99

This new Amrut is the product of two cask and the oldest bottling the distillery has every released, at a staggering 7 years. Amrut whiskies mature quickly in the hot high altitude Indian climate. The angels share (evapouration loss) in this short span of time was close to 60%, nearly 10 times the rate in Scotland. And even more curiously, the parched air sucked out more water than alcohol ratcheting up the strength from 62.5 to 69.8%. Only 42 of these rare whiskies will be available for sale in Canada, only available from the Kensington Wine Market. This product is limited to 3 bottles per customer.

Tasting note to follow in the next full Malt Messenger.

HIGHLAND PARK EARL MAGNUS – $204.99

The Viking Earl Magnus is one of the most celebrated characters in the history of the Orkney Islands. The magnificent Cathedral in the heart of Kirkwall (the northernmost in the UK) bears his name and is a strikingly beautiful tribute to him. This bottle is a tribute to the old Gordon & MacPhail and distillery bottling which used to bear the image of Earl Magnus. The whisky is a 15 year old Highland Park composed primarily of whiskies from the early 1990s. 5976 bottles have been released at a cask strength of 52.6%. Only 72 are coming into Alberta an KWM is getting 36 of them. This whisky is strictly limited to 2 bottles per customer.

I will provide my own tasting note when I’m able, in the meantime the distiller’s tasting notes follow:

Colour: Golden honey, clear and bright. Bouquet: Cedarwood and lemon. Mango chunks with hints of ginger and cinnamon bark. Palate: Vanilla, balanced smokiness, milk chocolate and crystallized ginger. Finish: Medium sweet with lingering spiciness.

ISLE OF ARRAN 15th ANNIVERSARY 1999 AMONTILLADO – $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.

That’s it for now.  More next week in the full Malt Messenger.

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

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

Indisputable Proof, the hottest whisky of the summer!

Toronto, Ontario – August 2010: As summer is in full effect, proof brands inc. is proud to announce the launch of proof whisky the 1st 500ml on the market…just the right size, not too small, not too big…the perfect size for entertaining “Great things come in small packages”. Proof whisky will help you make delicious cocktails and be the talk of the town. This deluxe product is an “Affordable Luxury” that will be available as of (soon) for only $19.95 at a LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) near you!  

proof whisky sets itself apart from the rest,

One urban whisky in a hip new 500 ml size! The blend of Canadian prairie rye and wheat is distilled with pristine spring water from the Canadian Rockies. It is then aged to perfection in charred oak barrels, to create its sophisticated sweet and smoky flavours. Proof is bottled at 42% alc./vol., to give it that extra edge.

Keep your guests on the edge of their seats, proof whisky is only the beginning for proof bands inc they will also be launching a new vodka and rhum in the coming months.