Select American Whiskey 10-15% Off at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)

Save 10-15% on these fine whiskeys from the good ol’ US of A. All were recently featured at our monthly Wednesday night spirit tasting and will be on sale through Friday, July 26^th. Don’t miss your chance to save. Join our email list to receive advance notice of all of Mora’s spirit events and specials!

James E. Pepper 1776 15 Year Old Straight Bourbon 92 Proof

Sale Price: $89.99   Regular Price: $99.99

“A super rare, fine old Bourbon. Over 38% Rye in the Mash Bill and bottled at 92 Proof and not chill-filtered. Rich and full Bodied, a classic old bourbon; honey, chocolate & toasted oak.” -The Distillery

Koval Single Barrel Bourbon Chicago 94 Proof

Sale Price: $42.49 (Save 15%!)  Regular Price: $49.99

“Koval Bourbon, our newest release, is aged in heavily charred new oak barrels from Minnesota. Its mash bill includes ancient grains, and it is bottled at 94 proof. Grains are sourced from a local organic farmer collective in the Midwest. Made using only the ‘heart cut’ of the distillate, no ‘heads’ or ‘tails.’ Single Barrel.

Rebellion Bourbon 94 Proof

Sale Price: $28.79   Regular Price: $31.99

“Rebellion Bourbon a 6 year old, 94 proof Bourbon distilled in a copper still and aged in oak from a mash bill of 70% corn and 30% small grains, such as rye and barley. Sweet notes of honey are followed by smokey, oaky nuances making this a smooth, easy-drinking Bourbon. A small batch production consisting of 5640 bottles, every one of which is hand numbered. The first seven batches commemorate significant years in the history of Opici.” -Opici Wines

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey 100 Proof

Sale Price: $26.09   Regular Price: $28.99

“James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye is a vibrant and full bodied whiskey created from a mashbill containing over 90% rye. Bottled at 100 Proof and not chill-filtered the 1776 Straight Rye offers notes of spice, chocolate, cloves and honey. A great sipper neat or on the rocks, and also makes a mean Manhattan.” -The Distillery

Georgetown Trading Company Pow-Wow Botanical Rye 90 Proof

Sale Price: $36.89   Regular Price: $40.99

“Inspired by an old Pow-wow recipe for infusing Rye whiskey with herbs & spices, we have taken a fine Rye whiskey matured in new, charred oak barrels, and carefully infused it in tiny batches, over an extended period of time, with Saffron (also grown by early settlers), Orange Peel, and other whole botanicals. No extracts or artificial colors are added. Pow-wow is slowly handcrafted with the finest ingredients to create unique, botanical layers of complexity not found in any other whiskey. Pow-wow Botanical Rye can be enjoyed like any fine whiskey: neat, on the rocks or in a variety of cocktails.” -The Distillery

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

www.moraswines.com

631-941-4458

sev.clemens@moraswines.com

OUR AUGUST FIRST FRIDAY WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FRIDAY DUE TO THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY ON THE FIRST WEEKEND. HALF THE SEATS ARE SOLD ALREADY, SO IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY BOOKED, CONTACT US RIGHT AWAY.

Here are the details for the event:

Date: Friday August 9^th, 2013.

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Location: The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants, 919 Douglas Street, Victoria.

Price: $35 each for Members & Partners, $45 for Non-Members/Guests.     

NON MEMBERS & GUESTS ARE MOST WELCOME 

REGISTRATION:   

Space is limited so you must register to secure your place. Please email or drop into the store or phone and speak to Richard White or Colin Southcombe

Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com    or Phone: (250)-370-9463

Please pre-pay for your virtual ticket in advance.   

The Tasting will start PROMPTLY at 6:30pm and will conclude no later than 8:00pm

IMPORTANT: 

Please remember these are cask strength whiskies, so you should not be driving home after the tasting.

Slainté!

Colin

Colin Southcombe

General Manager

The Strath Ale Wine & Spirit Merchants

919 Douglas Street, Victoria BC, V8W 2C2

Tel: 250-370-9463

OF MONSTERS AND MEN AND BUSHMILLS™ IRISH WHISKEY – A VERY SPECIAL BLEND  

Bushmills Master Distiller handcrafts exclusive single malt for Bushmills Live headliners ‘Of Monsters and Men,’ only six bottles exist   

Bushmills Village, Northern Ireland, 17 July 2013: ‘A number one band needs a number one whiskey’ – so says Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Distiller, Colum Egan.

With that in mind the whiskey craftsman has developed a signature blend for Bushmills Live headliners Of Monsters and Men. With chart-topping success for their single ‘Little Talks’ and debut album ‘My Head is an Animal’ in over twenty countries and given their love of Bushmills they were the ideal band to top the bill for the intimate two day whiskey and music festival at the Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s North Coast.

To celebrate their achievements and visit to Bushmills, Master Distiller Colum Egan created a personalised ‘Of Monsters and Men’ blend of the Bushmills single malts for the Icelandic band. There are only six bottles of the special Of Monsters and Men blend in the world – one for each member of the band and one that will stay at the Old Bushmills Distillery for them to share with friends whenever they next visit.

“Like Of Monsters and Men, the Old Bushmills Distillery prides itself in handcraftsmanship”, said Colum Egan. “The Icelandic band’s craft is music and Bushmills’ is whiskey. The creation of the new liquid recognises the centuries-old qualities of making things by hand.”

Colum describes the commemorative blend: “Age is really important when making a great whiskey. Over time the wood influences the liquid resting inside it and creates amazing flavours that we use to make great whiskey. We wanted to use this theme of age to celebrate Of Monsters and Men as the headliners of Bushmills Live 2013.”

“It is classed as a 23 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey but has been blended with liquids drawn from sherry and bourbon barrels and first laid down in the years that the band members were born: 1987, 1989 and 1990. The whiskey also celebrates the three special years that Of Monsters and Men have been together as a band.”

 The Old Bushmills Distillery’s Master Blender, Helen Mulholland, added: “With deep and full notes of vanilla and honey, mingled with rich warm dried fruit and finished with creamy chocolate undertones, the result is a Single Malt with an astounding depth of character.”

Of Monsters and Men headlined Bushmills Live alongside international stars such as breakthrough act of the year Jake Bugg, Willy Mason, Sons and Lovers, Bear’s Den, Foy Vance, Iain Archer and emerging artists David C Clements and VerseChorusVerse. 

NOTES 

Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Hashtag: #BushmillsLive

Tickets to Bushmills Live were not available for sale but were won via a competition on Facebook. To find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. 

ABOUT COLUM EGAN, MASTER DISTILLER

Colum has been Master Distiller at Bushmills since April 2002 and he is responsible for producing around five million litres of Irish Whiskey each year across a portfolio of seven award-winning variants: Bushmills, Black Bush, Bushmills 10 year old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and Bushmills Irish Honey spirit drink.

ABOUT HELEN MULHOLLAND, MASTER BLENDER

Helen joined Bushmills some 16 years ago – so she qualifies as “an old hand” as Bushmills people like to say. She started her career in the laboratory and is now Master Blender. Wood is her specialty – or to be precise, the wooden casks that are critical in the maturation of Bushmills whiskies. It’s Helen’s job to select the best – so each year she travels to Spain and Portugal to assess the evolution of selected casks being seasoned with dark Oloroso Sherry or Tawny Port. She says it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Helen lives not far from work, near Ballymoney in County Antrim.

ABOUT OF MONSTERS AND MEN

http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/

Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group from Iceland whose debut album “My Head Is An Animal” is a collection of infectious folkie pop songs. With the group’s single “Little Talks”, the band (consisting of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson) has become a breakout act all around the world.

After a breakout year, “My Head Is An Animal,” the band’s debut album, was officially certified platinum worldwide. Surpassing 1 million sales, the record remains a clarion call for the band’s invigorating style. The band capped off the year with “Little Talks” selling over 3.5 million singles worldwide, the album reaching Platinum status in Canada and Ireland, as well as Gold in multiple countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

In 2013, Of Monsters and Men will continue on a world tour including stops in Japan, Australia, South America, North America, and heading back to the UK and Europe this summer.

ABOUT JAKE BUGG

www.jakebugg.com

By now, it’s likely you will have heard of Jake Bugg following on from his support slots at two of the year’s hottest gigs: namely The Stone Roses’ miniscule secret London show at Village Underground, and a week later, Noel Gallagher’s smallest ever solo performance at Camden’s Dingwalls. Come October, the latter legend will also be taking him on the rest of his 2012 tour dates, in Europe, America and beyond.

All across the land he has been working hard, playing songs and garnering new converts wherever he goes. His headline November shows in Manchester and London have both been upgraded due to demand; the release of his debut album has been brought forward – unheard of in this day and age because people want to get their hands on it.

Aged “about 14”, he started picking up his uncle’s acoustic guitar and, having learnt other people’s songs, started experimenting with his own. It didn’t take long for him to start coming up with worthwhile stuff. In fact, one of the best songs on his debut album, ‘Someplace’ dates back to this time. A beautiful melancholic ballad, it exhibits the undeniable, natural gift for melody that characterises all of Jake’s songs.

Jake only got signed about a year or so ago, but such is his prolific nature that he did not waste any time in getting down to business. 

ABOUT WILLY MASON

http://www.willymason.net/

Willy Mason is a singer-songwriter from the Northeast US. His new single ‘I Got Gold’ is a standout track from new album ‘Carry On’, an album five years in the making. It comes in the wake of the critically acclaimed and gold certified debut ‘Where The Humans Eat’ which included the now classic track ‘Oxygen,’ and the progressive sound of his 2007 sophomore release ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough.’

He has recently toured in the UK and Australia and often appears on stage with headliners and good friends Mumford & Sons.

Mason’s new single ‘I Got Gold’, produced by Dan Carey (MIA, Hot Chip and Kylie Minogue), has been receiving Radio 1, 6Music and XFM plays, and fuses Mason’s unique vocal delivery with a rhythm that lyrically draws on sentiments of hope, disillusionment, love and lost connections. 

ABOUT BEAR’S DEN

http://www.musicglue.com/bearsdenmusic/

Bear’s Den are London trio Andrew Davie, Joey Haynes, and Kevin Jones. The music they make is wholesome, warm, and engaging, and takes its influence from the likes of Being There era Wilco, Ryan Adams, and a wealth of both folk and alt-country reference points.

The ethos of DIY is at the heart of everything Bear’s Den have done since their inception. Charging around the UK in a van playing to any venue that would have them, picking up support tours with the likes of Of Monsters And Men, Smoke Fairies, and Matt Corby, and concluding 2012 with a support slot for Mumford & Sons at London’s O2 Arena, Bear’s Den took time out and relocated to a cottage in Wales to record their debut EP, sold only at shows last year, and went on to record their ‘Agape’ EP in Norfolk with Kristoffer Harris.

‘Agape’ sets out its stall from the opening chords, and is a spellbinding example of Bear’s Den’s sound. Andrew Davie’s lyrics and voice are beautifully fragile, resonating with the clarity of a songwriter almost twice his age. Framed around the ambiguous Greek word for love, Agape is a warm, all-embracing tune that sets a tone throughout the whole five-track record.  

ABOUT IAIN ARCHER

http://www.iainarcher.co.uk/modules/news/

Iain Archer is an award-winning songwriter and producer, originally from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is a versatile performer who has had success in his own right and with others. He has written five successful albums under his own name, has toured extensively and has had his songs used widely on US TV shows and adverts.

He has scored a number one album and two top ten albums writing with the likes of Example, Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor and Nina Nesbitt. Additionally 2012 saw Iain working extensively with 19 year old Brit-Nominated Jake Bugg, signed to Mercury Records. Jake Bugg’s exciting eponymous debut album hit no.1 in the album charts in October, and has remained within the top 10 ever since, already passing platinum sales. He co-wrote and produced the first three Radio 1 playlisted singles, ‘Trouble Town’, ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘Taste It’ along with co-writing Jake’s last two radio hits ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Seen It All’.

A prestigious Ivor Novello Award winner for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough multi-platinum selling album ‘Final Straw’, Iain co-wrote the huge hit ‘Run’ which went  top 5 for the band and later to number one for Leona Lewis, breaking the record for the fastest selling UK download.

He is a founding member of the band ‘Tired Pony’ that also featured the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Peter Buck from REM, Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian and Tom Smith from Editors. 

ABOUT FOY VANCE

http://www.foyvance.com/

Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He released his debut album ‘Hope’ in July 2007 to great critical acclaim. The Independent newspaper described him as ‘The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder’. Three tracks from the album were used on hit US drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

His single ‘Be the Song’, featured in the American medical series, House. In 2010 Foy, along with David Holmes composed the music for a short film by director Terry George, and as a result has been offered a part in the director’s next feature film as a busker. The short film, ‘The Shore’, won a 2012 ACADEMY AWARD. Foy will release a new album entitled ‘Joy of Nothing’ later this year and will tour with Bonnie Raitt in the UK and Europe this summer.

ABOUT SONS AND LOVERS

http://www.sons-and-lovers.com/

Sons and Lovers are a four piece who have recently completed a UK tour with Ellie Goulding, and have only been recording since early last year.

They played on the BBC Introducing Stage at Underground Festival last year and recently played at Club NME nights in London. They are quickly creating a buzz and a name for themselves.

Each track is a brilliant example of craftsmanship, with catchy guitar melodies and strong lyrical stature.

ABOUT DAVID C CLEMENTS

http://davidcclements.bandcamp.com/

David C Clements has been playing music throughout the UK and Europe for more than a decade. Although his current guise has only been implemented from the beginning of last year, he previously fronted up Belfast act, Six Star Hotel. With a series of European tours, and a few critically acclaimed albums, he knew it was time for a change. He first dabbled in producing records for local acts, such as the Lowly Knights and Napoleon, but we all knew he would not stay off the road for long.

David C Clements, as a musical project, was born on 1st January 2012. Throughout the opening few months of 2012 David released three two track EPs online which caused quite a stir throughout the industry, gaining him viral support from Two Door Cinema Club, a live session on BBC Radio One, a show at Union Chapel London, a Channel 4 advert, a Day Trotter session and a plethora of local radio support.

“David has the voice of a melancholy angel. He has a rare ear for melody and lyrics that hit right at the heart of the human condition.” – Paul McClean, BBC Radio Ulster. 

ABOUT VERSECHORUSVERSE

http://soundcloud.com/vcvtony

VerseChorusVerse is the musical alias of Tony Wright, the founding member of ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’. He composed some of their most popular songs before leaving the band in late 2011.

After leaving the band, he darted quickly in the opposite direction, keen not to repeat himself stylistically. S

Since then he has been racking up the miles playing across the UK, Ireland and Spain along with artist approved supports of Daniel Johnston, William Elliot Whitmore, Michael Kiwanuka, Jonah Matranga and James Yorkston.

He recently finished recording his highly anticipated debut album with Ivor Novello winner Iain Archer, (Jake Bugg, Ben Francis Leftwich) and is due to release it this year with PledgeMusic as he seeks to fund the accompanying campaign for the album.

ABOUT BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and quality, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is produced, aged and bottled at Ireland’s oldest working Whiskey distillery in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim on the far north coast of Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery uses 100% malt barley to make triple distilled malt whiskey, which is what creates the rich, mellow and distinct flavour that is the house style. The Bushmills portfolio includes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey; Black Bush, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and now Bushmills Irish Honey. 

BUSHMILLS LIVE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjyzNFGuRmo

To launch the festival, Bushmills commissioned some good friends who are artisans to make a 3D art installation that depicts the Bushmills Live poster using materials inspired by the handcrafted whiskey and music at the heart of the festival. The master craftsmen who cemented their friendship when creating the stage set for a hugely popular American television epic that was filmed in Belfast – used 254 casks, 250 bottle tops, 30 bottles of whiskey, five metres of AMP wiring and four guitars to handcraft the 10ft by 16ft installation artwork. 

ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

July 2013: Islay’s independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is proud to release the latest edition to its popular 100% Islay range.

100% Islay is unique in that it is the only Single Malt in Scotland where every stage of the whisky making process, from the barley grown in the surrounding fields to the malting, distillation, maturation and bottling, takes place at the distillery.

As the 3^rd Edition of Kilchoman’s 100% Islay, the Single Malt is a vatting of four and five year old fresh bourbon barrels. Only 10,000 bottles of the limited edition will be available worldwide and are expected to sell quickly.

With a delicate and floral nose of soft fruits and pear drops, 100% Islay goes on to explode with peat smoke in the mouth, complimented by a long, sweet and lingering finish that blends with the softer tones of peat smoke.

Anthony Wills, managing directorof Kilchoman,said: “The previous two editions of the 100% Islay range were extremely well received and we’re delighted with the way the Single Malt’s character is developing. The range is unique in that every stage of production, from barley grown to the hand-bottling takes place at Kilchoman. As a traditional working-farm distillery, 100% Islay epitomises what we’re all about.”

As with the two other core ranges in Kilchoman’s portfolio, Machir Bay and Loch Gorm, a new edition of 100% Islay is periodically released as the whisky matures.  A number of limited edition single casks are also released each year.

With an ambition to take whisky production back to its traditional roots, Anthony Wills built and founded Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 on a farm situated on the rugged west coast of Islay. The first distillery on the island for 124 years, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and one of only a handful left that still practice the traditional floor malting method.

100% Islay is bottled at 50% ABV and is now available from specialist drinks and whisky stores, priced at RRP of £59.95, 70cl. Available from www.kilchomandistillery.com UK stockists include RoyalMileWhiskies, The Whisky Shop and The Whisky Exchange.

www.kilchomandistillery.com

facebook.com/pages/Kilchoman-Distillery

twitter.com/Kilchoman05

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES ITS DESIGNATION AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK   

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 2013) – After 240 years, Buffalo Trace Distillery is excited to announce it has been named a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. Joining the elite ranks of such American icons as the Alamo, the Empire State Building, and the White House, Buffalo Trace Distillery is now one of only 2,577 National Historic Landmarks in the United States, which represent 0.001% of properties in the U.S.

Buffalo Trace is described in the award submission as, “a rare, intact example of a distillery operating before, during and after Prohibition with intact distillery resources ranging in date from ca. 1880 to 1953.  These resources provide an unparalleled opportunity to study at one site the evolution of the building types, building materials and construction technology associated with the American whiskey industry over time.”

Buffalo Trace has spent the past 15 years on the submission process to be a National Historic Landmark, and has run into various roadblocks along the way.  “Nothing has made me happier these past 15 years than this designation,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery. ““This award is for the Distillery, its people, its builders, its visionaries, its preservers and protectors, its rescuers and those who have come to love it. I cannot think of a more deserving place.”

To celebrate, Buffalo Trace will be offering a new National Historic Landmark (NHL) Tour as part of its regular tour offerings.  Like the other three tours the Distillery offers, the new tour will be complimentary, will last about an hour, and will end with a tasting of some of Buffalo Trace’s products.  Reservations are needed for the new NHL tour and can be made by calling 1-800-654-8471 or emailing Giftshop@buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Heatwave Alert!  
The weekend’s going to be a scorcher: how do you enjoy this rare experience? Bask in the sunshine and store every scrap of heat? Shelter in the shade and find a body of water for a dip? Whichever you prefer, we’ve got some super drams to suit whatever the weather throws at us…

For the hot days
26.80  A Calming Silky Bath
19yo Second fill ex-bourbon hogshead, £69.40
14 available… Buy

35.82  Feel-good garden party dram
16yo First fill ex-bourbon barrel, £49.40
20 available… Buy

For the cool nights 
53.168  Elastoplast on a roasted tongue
18yo Refill ex-sherry butt, £64.80
14 available… Buy

30.75  Stroopwafel placed on top of a mug of hot coffee 
22yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £70.20
18 available… Buy

Best of both
29.123  Hang-gliding over Islay
20yo Refill ex-sherry butt, £75.40
130 available… Buy  

4.174  Conflict between light and shade
13yo First fill ex-bourbon barrel, £58.80
4 available… Buy  

July Offers: Playing by Our Own Rules

Grand Slam TRIO: 76.103, 64.47 & 29.138 for £179
52 available…  Buy

Doubles Game PAIR: 9.72 & 76.103 for £125
46 available… Buy

July CASE Offer: 4.177, 48.37, G1.11, 3.204 
9.72 & 76.103 for £329
6 available…  Buy 
    
Browse July Outturn

*76.103 is exclusive to our July offers
*64.47 is exclusive to our July Trio

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Two New KWM Casks, Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 2 & a Whisky Advent Calendar!

With the flood of the century and the 101^st Stampede behind us we are back to business as usual at Kensington Wine Market. Our hearts go out to all of those who are still suffering from the effects of the flooding, but are also filled with pride at how the city and province have pulled together. Our Scotch Malt Whisky Society July First Friday tastings raised $600 in support of Red Cross Flood Relief and our Canada Day store sale even more! We have another event coming up on July 30^th that will help raise further funds for flood related charities. Dan Volway, brand ambassador for The Macallan, has agreed to donate all the whiskies for the tasting at our store on condition that the proceeds go to charity. It will be another chance to help those stricken, while enjoying a few good drams. You will find the details on the Macallan 1824 tasting below.

In addition to the Macallan 1824 tasting on the 30^th, we have a free tasting at 6PM this coming Tuesday. Graeme Macaloney will be giving a presentation on the proposed Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Brewpub. The tasting starts at 6PM, includes a complimentary whisky tasting and will take roughly an hour. There is no charge for the event, but you must register for it. You can do so through our website at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php , or by phone 403-283-8000. Further details are provided below.

We have a lot of exciting whisky announcements to roll out over the next 4-6 weeks, including: a weekend whisky event in Banff, a Kentucky Bourbon Tour and some very cool new products. I’ll get the ball rolling today by announcing two new KWM casks, the arrival of Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 2 and a really interesting gift idea which will be here early in the fall.

First and foremost our Benromach casks are slated to arrive in store at some point in the next two weeks. If you attended our Spring Single Malt Festival in June or our Robbie Burns Supper in January then you may have already sampled them. The casks, both First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels are very tasty, one peated, one not. Both of them will retail for less than $85, and from now until the day they arrive in store you can pre-commit to bottles from one or both casks and save 10% on their purchase. Tasting notes and details on both whiskies are provided below.

Secondly, Batch 2 of the Glendronach Cask Strength has just landed! Batch 1 sold out in a matter of weeks this spring, and I expect Batch 2 will be just as popular. Fewer than 300 of the 12000 total bottles produced have come to Canada, of which KWM has a healthy allocation. I’ve sampled both and feel that Batch 2 is just as good if not better than Batch 1. My tasting notes on both can be found below.

Finally, we have a really interesting gift idea for the whisky lover in your life! We have acquired the Whisky Advent Calendar produced by Master of Malt in the UK as a Canadian exclusive. The Whisky Advent Calendar consists of 24 30ml bottles of Scotch whisky, one of which is a 50 year old. We first announced this last week on Twitter, and within minutes we had orders for nearly 20 calendars. This could be the hottest whisky item in Canada this fall. More information can be found on the Whisky Advent Calendar below. You can pre-order yours through our website at: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/products/details/inventory/18692/index.php

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well, and that you are having a wonderful summer. Stay tuned to the Malt Messenger for some other exciting announcements in the coming weeks.

Slainté!

 Andrew Ferguson Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 .

MACALLAN 1824 TASTING W/ DAN VOLWAY – Tuesday July 30^th – $50

Macallan Brand Ambassador Dan Volway will be coming to town to put on a tasting of the new 1824 collection for our customers. The tasting will feature the Gold, Amber and Sienna bottlings pitted against the Travel Retail (Duty Free) Collection releases. As a special treat we will also be sampling the Macallan Ruby; the oldest bottling in the new 1824 Collection. Part of Proceeds to be donated to an Alberta flood related charity. These new Macallans have stirred up quite a debate. Why not come formulate your own opinion on them, and support a great cause.

You can register online at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php or by calling the store at 403-283-8000.

MACALONEY DISTILLERS TASTING – Tuesday July 23^rd – FREE (But you have to register!) 

Join us for a free tasting and information session, Tuesday July 23rd with Graeme Macaloney of Macaloney Distillers. Graeme Macaloney PhD, an experienced fermentation engineer and a Scotsman, is launching a full scale single malt & pot still whisky distillery, and real ale brew pub – the Victoria Caledonian Distillery. He will be conducting a complimentary “Show & Tell” presentation on his plans, including a complimentary whisky tasting. Graeme has lined up some industry heavyweights behind his project, and is intensely touring the Country building support.

More info will be posted on our BLOG, later today. https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/blog/

You can register online at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php or by calling the store at 403-283-8000.

OUR BENROMACH CASKS ARE NEARLY HERE – Pre-Order & Save 10%

When Michael Urquhart agreed to being our special guest for this year’s Burns Supper, Andy Dunn of Gold Medal Marketing and I came up with the idea of including a cask selection in the evening’s proceedings. Most of the 120 participants had a chance to sample the four cask samples and vote on their favourites. Later that month I sat down with my tasting panel to review the whiskies and count the votes. To my surprise there were not one, but two casks that stood out. We asked Benromach to bottle them for us and the whiskies have only just landed in Alberta. Here are my tasting notes on the two casks:

1. Benromach      2004 KWM Cask 246 – 60.4% – 9 Year – 1^st Fill Bourbon      Barrel – 258 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very creamy and      grassy with celery, toasted coconut chips, honey dew melon and orange      slices; doughy with a faint hint of peat and juicy malt; Palate:      loads of honey, cream, fruits and malt; there are both citrus and soft      melon fruit notes with vanilla milk shake and sweet chewy malt; though      more than 60% alcohol the spirit is soft and smooth; Finish: lingering,      sweet and malty with more melon notes, late dried orange and      vanilla/honey; Comments: proof positive you can have a very complex      whisky at a young age!” – $84.99
2. Benromach      2005 KWM Cask 126 – 60.4% – 8 Year – 1^st Fill Bourbon      Barrel – 245 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very malty and      chewy with honey and clean wood smoke; there is some orange peel and a      hint of chocolate with aloe like vegetal notes and a trace of cantaloupe; Palate:      sweet, smoky and slightly salty to start; honey, chocolate, orange peels      and big chewy malt quickly follow; there are notes of melon and white      fruits under the smoke, malt and big honeyed oak; peat and chocolate are      the last elements to come to the party; Finish: juicy and sweet      with soft peat smoke honey and malt; Comments: this is a Benromach      for Islay drinkers and those wanting to dip their toes into peatier      waters!” – $82.49

Pre-order one or more of either of these whiskies and save 10%!  

GLENDRONACH CASK STRENGTH BATCH 2 IS HERE! – $84.99 + GST

One of the most popular whiskies to come through our doors this year was the Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 1. In just three weeks this April 150 bottles sailed through our doors. Well the hotly anticipated Batch 2 release is in, and I decided to sit down and sample them side by side. Both heavily sherried and cask strength, they were similar but noticeably different. Both were very fruity, with Batch 2 showing more leather and wood notes. They are very close, but if I had to pick a favourite, Batch 2 slightly edged out the first. Don’t believe me, come try them for yourself.

1. Glendronach      Cask Strength Batch 1 – 54.8% – Matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez      Sherry Casks – My Tasting Note: Nose: fruit leather, fruit compote,      pan-seared strawberries, fresh raspberries and maple syrup; loads of brown      sugar and soft spice; Tiger Tail ice cream, and round candied fruit; Palate:      more berry fruits, with chocolate, Demerara and brown sugars; very      sweet with notes of maple syrup and a range of spice from hot cinnamon, to      clove and black peppercorn; a little tarry and leathery this is a round      full dram with lots of layers; Finish: fruity, leathery and sweet      with some hints of tobacco and long lingering dark spices! – $83.99      – 6 bottles came in with Batch 2, we have 3 bottles available, 1 per      customer first serve!
2. Glendronach      Cask Strength Batch 2 – 55.2% – Matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez      Sherry Casks – My Tasting Note: Nose: treacle sauce, musty-earthy      oak, candied nuts, tobacco leaf and Black Licorice Nibs; honey and malt      with soft leather; fleshy orchard fruit (plums & peaches) with orangey      citrus; Palate: big, leathery, sweet and spicy with tobacco and      more musty-earthy oak notes; the dark sugars and candied fruit are there,      but it is woodier and more leathery than Batch 1; still a richly sherried      whisky though with espresso bean, dark chocolate and salty Dutch licorice;      Finish: long, leathery and sweet with the sweet dark sugars      reemerging along with candied fruit. – $84.99 – If we run out in store,      there is more on the way, leave us an order! 

PRE-ORDER THE “WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR” – $299.99

Kensington Wine Market is very pleased to announce that we have acquired Master of Malt’s Whisky Advent Calendar as a Canadian exclusive for our store in Calgary! This could be this fall’s hottest whisky gift idea in Canada… Within 30 minutes of announcing it on Twitter we had a dozen orders! Behind each of the 24 doors is a different 30ml sample of delicious whisky! The exact contents are a surprise, but we can tell you that behind one of the doors is a sample of 50 year old Scotch whisky, the full-sized bottle of which is worth $600! The Whisky Advent Calendar will retail for $299.99 +GST and is Exclusive to KWM in Canada!

You can pre-order your Whisky Advent Calendar by clicking this link to the product page and placing a request through our website. Or you can call us at 402-283-8000 or 888-283-9004 and leave your information.

——————–

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, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

 Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Manager & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator

Ferguson’s Whisky Tours

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

A break from tradition

Today we’re delighted to introduce you to the latest addition to our family, Glen Garioch Virgin Oak. For the very first time we’re releasing a Glen Garioch that has been fully matured in virgin North American oak casks and is unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Although American Bourbon Whiskey must, by law, be matured in unused, virgin oak casks, Scottish distillers have always favoured used, so-called ‘ex-bourbon’ barrels, believing that the oak in its virgin state would be too overpowering for our more refined and complex whiskies.

Well, think again! Find out more about Glen Garioch Virgin Oak.

The story doesn’t stop here

As part of our loyal band of followers, we’d love you to celebrate with us. Share with us on Facebook or twitter your important first times; the first time you met your partner, the first time you heard your favourite band or even the first time you tried Glen Garioch. Anything that’s important to you. We’ll pick a selection of our favourites who will each receive a bottle of Glen Garioch Virgin Oak.

So, my friend, take yourself to our Facebook page, or use #GGfirsttime on twitter for your chance to win.

Arran Distillers Turns 18 and the Future’s Bright 

Isle of Arran Distillers has reported its best ever year in export sales, total sales and profits.

The business, which reached its 18^th anniversary at the end of June, saw net profits increase by 40% and sales exceed the 3.5 million pound mark for the first time ever.

Success has been driven primarily by export sales, which have increased by 20% year on year, vastly ahead of the total whisky market which saw a just 1% growth in 2012.

Managing Director, Euan Mitchell, commented: “As we celebrate our 18^th birthday the business is going from strength to strength.

“We are developing a portfolio of products to match any distillery which is reflected by the growing interest for The Arran Malt around the world.

“We are in the ideal place to benefit from the increasing global awareness and taste for premium Scotch malt whisky.”

Known for breaking the mould with unique and interesting offerings, growth was aided by a surge in demand for the premium and limited edition releases such as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, which sold out in record time when it was released last year, stock selling out in their Visitor Centre on Arran within two weeks.

Another contributing factor was the appointment of a number of new importers – notably sales in the US doubled over 2011 and Denmark also saw a sharp increase.

Set to build on this record success, the distillery is geared up for sustained future growth. Production has already reached new heights with a capacity of 400,000 LPA (litres of pure alcohol) and a new warehouse which gives the business capacity to mature 12,000 casks,

Euan continued: “We have a strong business plan and we’re performing ahead of expectations, which is a fantastic achievement when trading conditions have been so tough, especially for premium products. We’re currently exporting to over 35 countries and we hope to add a number of new export destinations this year.”

One of the leading independent distilleries in Scotland, Arran Distillers continues to win prestigious awards. Last year the distillery scored a Double Gold award for its 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch and a Gold award for its 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012.

Notable new launches in 2012 included: The Devil’s Punch Bowl, The Arran Malt Orkney Bere and a re-launch of the popular Robert Burns Single Malt.  The distillery recently launched its oldest malt to date, the Arran Malt 16 Year Old, with plans to release the 18 Year Old in spring 2014. 

Euan Mitchell

About Isle of Arran Distillers:

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007); Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005); Best New Exporter (2004).

Product awards include: ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the World Spirits Competition 2012. Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards 2012. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008), Best Whisky Liqueur (2007).

ARDBEG GALILEO IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 

— The Ultimate Islay whisky wins top awards at the International Spirits Competition —

Ardbeg, the Ultimate Islay malt whisky, today won two top awards at the International Spirits Challenge for Ardbeg Galileo, a celebration of its “world first” space maturation experiment.

The ultimate Islay malt whisky won Best Launch campaign and Best PR campaign for the release of Galileo, a limited edition whisky released in June 2012.

The whisky, named after Galileo Galilei, the father of modern astronomy, celebrates the first ever experiment undertaken by Ardbeg Distillery (or any other distillery for that matter!) in space. Ardbeg was invited in late 2011 by US-based space research company NanoRacks, based in Houston Texas, to take part in an experiment to test what impact zero gravity has on micro-organic compounds drawn from the distillery’s production on Islay. This experiment will compare the difference in maturation (the inter-action of these compounds with charred oak) between normal gravity on Earth and micro-gravity in space, and is currently taking place on the International Space Station.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, explained: “We thought we would celebrate the experiment by the introduction of Ardbeg Galileo – our own earthly tribute to the scientific experiment taking place far up in space! We are over the moon at winning these campaign awards, it has been a privilege to have the opportunity to send Ardbeg molecules in to space and create an expression in its honour.”  

Notes 

About Ardbeg
Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Ardbeg Embassies
Ardbeg Embassies are a network of customers who love the whisky and have agreed to profile Ardbeg to their consumers. Most are independent premium whisky stores.