• Springbank 18 year Campbeltown Single Malt 750ml ($149.99)
  Whisky Advocate: “A good dose of sherry here, but there’s plenty of Springbank character coming through too! Gobs of ripe, red berried fruit (strawberry, rhubarb, red currant, raspberry), especially on the nose, along with raisin. It’s all on a bed of blueberry pancakes, toffee, and fig cake. Coconut and brine emerge occasionally on the palate and linger on the finish. (Vol. 19, #3)” K&L Notes: Extremely limited quantities available! This is one of Campbeltown’s best values, especially when you consider that the 21 year retails for upwards of $600. This is one of Scotland’s most exciting distilleries and is independently owned. It is essentially mandatory to purchase for all of those Single Malt obsessed, if no other reason than to gloat about actually owning one. Plus it tastes great – classic Campbeltown rusticity balanced by 80% sherry casking. Amazingly, the revamped packaging has not increased the cost and we’ll be able to sell this for less than ever before. Get on board or you’ll miss the boat! “Dusty amber/maize/old gold color; flawless purity. The piquant first aromas are peppery and spicy, as well as spirity/prickly; after another six minutes of swirling and exposure to air, the bouquet turns sawdust/pine plank-like and mildly grainy; one of the less expensive Springbank noses of late. Entry is moderat ely salty/seaweed-like, chewy, oily, buttery, and resiny; midpalate features some smoke elements, plus a dried fruit aspect in the throat. Ends on a salty/maritime note that’s very pleasing indeed and just slightly honeyed/oloroso sherry-like. While very good, it’s not as prodigious or classic as the previous version which I named in the Spirit Journal 130 Top Spirits in the World in the last issue.” Spirit Journal September 2010: 4 stars/Highly Recommended

• 1988 Balmenach 26 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
  One point we’ve stressed over and over again to our single malt customers is the need to be open-minded when it comes to finding value. So many enthusiasts lament the end of any affordable value at the higher end of the market, when in reality it’s still there — it’s just hiding under an unassuming name. In this case, that name is Balmenach: a Speyside distillery known more for the Deerstalker label than for its own eponymous selections. We all oohed and ahhed in unison while tasting this whisky from cask at the Signatory warehouse. The aromas were full of ripe stonefruit and salty caramel and it smelled as if a rich palate might be soon to follow. Indeed. The flavors were actually quite woody, but never over done, as the oak melded with the fruit and became almost toffee-ish on the finish. There’s something special about that Signatory warehouse in Pitlochry; the way in which unpeated, light, and fruity whiskies have a way of transforming in to a seamless nectar. We’ve seen it with our previous Ladyburn and Glenlochy casks, and we’re witnessing it again with this hogshead of Balmenach. It’s not quite as evolved as those other two, but man is it tasty. This is fun, fruity, rich, mature, and pleasantly supple single malt whisky. It’s a 26 year old single cask of Speyside goodness for a very fair price. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1995 Glen Elgin 18 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($79.99)
  This was the first cask that we cracked into on our five hour odyssey at Signatory this year. Five hours and countless casks later, the Glen Elgin was still in my head. Knowing the amount of single malt we needed to get through that day (upwards of thirty casks), getting excited about the first one seemed a bit foolish; however at the end of the day, there it was with a star next to it in my notes. This malt is absolutely delicious, with beautiful texture and a hint of cream from being in barrel for eighteen years, but there is much more than that. It’s rich and fruity, beautifully fresh and lively, with exotic notes of bubble gum and lavender that are incredibly intriguing. The finish lingers with candied fruits and white flowers. Soft and supple to be sure, but lifted and bright, I am glad the Glen Elgin made the list! (Kyle Kurani, Spirits Assistant)

• 1981 Glenlivet 32 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Stre ngth Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($299.99)
  This cask stands in stark contrast to the other old Speysider that Signatory provided for us this year. While Balmenach requires a minor leap of faith, as it’s so unfamiliar to most, the Glenlivet cask faces the exact opposite hurdle. The name is so popular, the expectations for ‘Livet are only outweighed by the typically massive prices we see. That’s why we rarely buy Glenlivet even when it’s available, which is not often. At Signatory, however, they seem to have a stellar connection for great sherry aged Glenlivet. While there’s no question that these are blue chip stocks, they still represent a solid value for any lover of old Speyside whisky. This special whisky was matured for 32 years in a gorgeous sherry hogshead. By gorgeous, I mean the actual barrel was physically attractive, ultra high quality oak from a top producer of sherry. The result is a stark reminder of what makes single malt so incredible. This is what happens when you p ut great whisky into great wood and forget about it for 3 decades. It is an exercise in extreme balance. Powerfully pungent without being overpowering, richly textured without being heavy, it has that wild complexity at the confluence between the aromas of sherry and aged Speyside single malt. It may not be from some rare closed distillery, but old ‘livet is a rarity in its own right. Nothing in the price range beats it right now and since this is cask strength from a hogshead, we expect fewer than 140 bottles. (David Girard, Spirits Buyer).

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

It is true what they say: “the more things change the more they stay the same.” I was reminded of this when I came in to work this morning and my colleague Christine asked me if I was ready for my trip. As usual I’m not, there’s always last minute details you struggle to finish, and I’ll be going to the wire as I board the plane. Even more telling she followed it up with the question: “so will you be sending a Malt Messenger from the airport?” Cheeky, but not entirely inaccurate, I’ve been there before. I’d like to think I’m a little more organized this time around, with a little over 10 hours until my flight, I’m in a little better shape than usual…(Andrew departed May 6th…WI…we’re a little busy this week and are catching up)…

I’m off to Scotland tonight for 10 days, guiding a week long tour through the Speyside, Southern and Eastern Highlands. I’m also taking a few days to pop in to Islay and Campbeltown to catch up with some friends, sample some whiskies and see some familiar sights. I’m also planning to visit at least two distilleries I’ve never been to before: Deanston and Knockdhu. I’ll blog and tweet about my adventures as much as I can, but while I’m away things won’t be on hold here in Calgary, hence this Malt Messenger Bulletin.

Our annual birthday sale is coming up May 16-18, and I’ve prepared a Malt Messenger Bulletin sale notice to go out on the 16th detailing the specials. A few days earlier, Hunter has his Blockbuster Single Malts Tasting, Tuesday May 13, in the store. As of this morning there are just 3 tickets left. Upon my return on the 19th of May things get really exiciting. We have two great tastings that week: a sold out Balvenie tasting with Beth Havers and a Glencadam & Tomintoul tasting featuring a 1977 vintage Tomintoul.

The latter half of May will also see some new whiskies from Diageo, including: Caol Ila Stitchell’s Reserve, Talisker Storm, Talisker 25 Year, Brora 35 Year and Lagavulin 37 Year. There is also a new KWM cask, an Aberlour 1994 matured–unusually for the distillery–in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead cask. Last but not least on the final day of the month, May 31, Kensington Wine Market will be playing host to Ardbeg Day 2014 festivities. Jordan Cameron, Moet’s Brand Ambassador in Alberta, and I have put together a fun day of activities to celebrate Ardbeg whisky and the launch of the new Auriverdes.

There is much to look forward to over the weeks ahead. As always I hope this whisky news finds you well!

Slainte!

Andrew

In This Edition:
1. Please Vote for us in FFWD’s Best of Calgary
2. Berry’s Own Aberlour 1994 KWM Cask
3. New Diageo Releases
4. 4.5L BenRiach and Glendronach Bottles
5. Glencadam & Tomintoul Tasting
6. Ardbeg Day 2014
Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

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

Glencadam & Tomntoul Tasting

Tuesday May 20 – $55

We’ve put together a special lineup of 7 whiskies for our tasting with Bob Kyle of Rare Drams. There’s a trio of Tomintouls, including the stunning 1977, a pair of Glencadams, including the new 21 year and two even rarer treats!

More Information

Ardbeg Day 2014 Saturday May 31

Ardbeg Soccer 11:30-1:30 Green vs. Gold
$20
Ardbeg Day at KWM 2:00-5:00 and the After Party at Buchanan’s 5:00 – 7:00
$40

More Information

Please Vote for us in FFWD’s Best of Calgary Best Wine Store & Best Liquor Store!

Once again Fast Forward Magazine is compiling its list of the best of the best in Calgary. We need your help to retain our title as Calgary’s Best Wine Store, and while you’re at it, please nominate us for Calgary’s Best Liquor Store too! After all in addition to having an incredible selection of wines, Kensington Wine Market also has Canada’s largest and most comprehensive whisky collection, and one of the biggest and best assortments of beer in the country! Click on the link below to vote. Please note you need to select winners in at least 40 categories for your vote to count. People who complete the survey will be entered in a draw by FFWD for a couple of great prizes from the Talisman Center and Kensington Wine Market.

www.ffwdweekly.com/questionnaire/best-of-calgary-2014/

Thanks in advance for your help!

Berry’s Own Aberlour 1994 KWM Cask 4423

An untypical Ex-Bourbon Hogshead matured single cask.

Details are pretty thin on this one right now, other than the price, I don’t even have a photo. The cask was selected in the fall by myself and a few trusted associates, and bottled at a strength of 54.1%. An official tasting note will come shortly after my return from Scotland on the 19th. What makes it so unique, is two fold. Firstly, single casks of Aberlour are very rare, the distillery keeps most of it production in house. Over the last 12 years I’ve not seen more than a couple independent bottlings of Aberlour. Secondly, and more interestingly in my opinion, all distillery bottlings of Aberlour contain at least some sherry cask whisky. There are no straight American oak expressions of the whisky released by the distillery. This is a chance to try a whole different sort of Aberlour, and, of course, its good!

The whisky will start trickling in the week of May 19. In the meantime we are taking pre-orders. Berry’s Own Aberlour 1994 KWM Cask 4423 will retail for $139.99 + GST. Pre-order it and save 5%!

New Diageo Releases

Lagavulin and Brora and Talisker Oh My!

It is not often that we see older expressions of Lagavulin, Talisker and Brora. The principle reason is that the distilleries owners don’t have much in the way of older stock. The whisky is increasingly rare and accordingly increasingly dear. Diageo’s annual Special Releases have become a hot commodity over the years. For a long time the Alberta market was spoiled with an abundance of Port Ellen, Brora and other expressions. Over the last few years our access has been increasingly spotty as global demand skyrocketed and prices rose. I wasn’t expecting to see any of the 2013 releases this time around, but curiously, a few of them have just turned up. And at surprisingly good prices. Here’s what we know were getting. There may be more, but even Diageo Canada doesn’t seem to know what’s coming until it turns up:

1. Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve – 59.6% – Named for distillery manager Billy Stitchell who retired in 2013 after 39 years at the distillery. Matured in American Oak, Re-charred American Oak and Ex-European Oak Sherry casks. – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Palate: Drinks well straight; has an intense and in your face style, with a most appealing smooth, lightly oily texture. Firm, clean and fresh throughout. Intense and mouth-filling, with a great initial surge of sweet spiciness unaccompanied by the usual signature phenols of peated Caol Ila or indeed, much fruit. Becoming honey-nutty (nut brittle, with a dark edge of treacle bitterness) then finally, warming and drying. A good splash of water develops these flavours; it’s tongue-coating and appetisingly bitter-sweet now, leaving a spicy dryness as the tide of flavour ebbs.” – $179.99
2. Talisker Storm – 45.8% – Matured in rejuvenated and refill casks at different ages. – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Palate: At first sweetly mellow and rich in the mouth then quickly very spicy and increasingly stormy as the Talisker heat comes through. It’s as if the pure, tongue-coating sweetness joins hands with a deep nutty smokiness to embrace those spicier notes. The flavour is elegantly drawn out with a good balance between sweetness, smoke and salt, which is all the more evident when a little water is added. – $104.99
3. Talisker 25 Year 2011 – 45.8% – Tasting Note by Serge at www.whiskyfun.com: “Nose: a completely different planet after the Dark Storm, this is smoother of course, but also more complex, with some lilac, tangerines, roses, almonds, this very ‘tropical’ smokiness that only old peaters can display, beauty cream, brine, oysters… It’s a lovely nose, delicate and subtle. Mouth: once again, a slightly smoother version of an old Talisker but power is there. It’s no straight brute as older versions could be but it’s not lacking oomph. Smoked overripe apples and lemon curd plus brine and kippers. There. Finish: long, maybe a notch woodier, with this feeling of strong green tea but also a perfect brine. Little pepper this time. Comments: I know some whisky lovers and Talisker aficionados were shocked by the drop in strength and in theory, I should be shocked too, but let’s be honest, this remains a mightily powerful dram.” 90pts – Estimated Retail $250
4. Brora 35 Year – 49.9% – Distilled 1977 – Bottled 2013 – 2944 Bottles – Tasting Note by Serge at www.whiskyfun.com : “It is the 12th release of Brora. Already! An incredible Brora and I couldn’t believe it’s all from the 1977 vintage, since there are obvious notes of ‘1972’ (and adjacent vintages). So the peat is less discreet than I had thought, while the rest is of an incredible complexity, sometimes soft and elegant, sometimes bigger and full of seashells, oysters, seaweed and tar. I remember having found, both in the nose and in the palate, some verbena, some absinth (that was in the 1978 as well, now I remember) some kippers, smoked salmon and even fish oil, a lot of wax (of course), some grapefruits, some liquorice and a feeling of bone dry white wine of very high quality. And in the finish, a slight smoky and fresh acridness that I simply adored. Having said that I have to confess I was a little disappointed because I had hoped Diageo would have granted us with a 40 yo 1972 this year, but in fact I found this new 35 quite… flabbergasting. That, I remember very well.” 95pts – $954.99 (priced CAD$1400-1500 in UK)
5. Lagavulin 37 Year – 51% – Distilled 1976 – Bottled 2013 – 1868 Bottles – Tasting Note by Serge at www.whiskyfun.com: ” the oak feels a bit (astringency) but only for fraction of a second, because lemons, smokes and especially lapsang-souchong tea are soon to come to the rescue. I think we’re really in the world of tea here, it’s sharing many similarities with an old pu-erh, the soft kind of woodiness (incense once again, sandalwood, ‘sweet’ cinnamon), the mild fruitiness around kumquats and dried papayas, the earthy smokiness… Then there’s some honeydew, lemon pie, a faint camphory touch, certainly some cough syrup ‘as always’, some black chocolate, oysters, lemon balm… We’re experiencing the same phenomenon as on the nose, it keeps changing. Oh, and there are lovely touches of ripe melon.” 94pts Read the full tasting note here. – $2749.99 (priced over CAD$3,500.00 in UK)

4.5L Jeroboams of BenRiach and Glendronach Available

How Cool Would These Look on Your Bar?

1. BenRiach 12 Year 4.5L – 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Honey, vanilla, floral, fruity with well balanced wood overtones. Palate: Rounded medium to full bodied, rich honey, vanilla with hints of cream, spice and chocolate.” – $399.99 *3 Available
2. Glendronach 12 Year 4.5L – 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet, creamy vanilla, with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear. Palate: Rich, creamy, silky-smooth. Warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness, full mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits. Spicy with medium length and a dry finish.” – $414.99 *1 Available

Glencadam & Tomintoul Distilleries Tasting

Tuesday May 20 – 7PM – $55 – Featuring the Tomintoul 1977 ($809.99)

We’ve put together a special lineup of 7 whiskies for our tasting with Bob Kyle of Rare Drams. There’s a trio of Tomintouls, including the stunning 1977, a pair of Glencadams, including the new 21 year and two even rarer treats from Celebration of the Cask!

Call 403-283-8000 to register or visit our website Tasting Page.

Ardbeg Day 2014

Festivities Kick Off Saturday May 31

As Canada’s first Ardbeg Embassy, Kensington Wine Market is playing host to Ardbeg Day Festivities in Calgary May 31. The distillery’s Ardbeg Day release this year is the Auriverdes, or Green and Gold. This is a nod to the World Cup of Soccer in Brazil, but also to Ardbeg’s iconic green bottle and golden nectar. The theme this year is soccer, and that will be no different here in Calgary. We’re organizing a match of Ardbeg Green vs. Gold soccer at a field near Kensington Wine Market. Participation costs $20, but will include a special t-shirt, some swag and a dram or two. Two teams of 15 will be assembled in the school yard fashion from those who register. Limited to 28 participants. It’s been a wild spring here, and in the Scottish tradition the game will go ahead come bad or worse weather!

Later in the day festivities will to the Kensington Wine Market where we’ll be hosting fun activities between 2 and 5. There Ardbeg range will be available for tasting, along with new Auriverdes and some Ardbeg cocktails. Braizen Meats will be on hand serving up BBQ and there will be fun games. Registration costs $40 and is limited to around 60 participants. You need not register for one to participate in the other. The Kensington event registration includes a cocktail and appetizers at Buchanan’s Chophouse which is hosting the after party, from 5PM on.

Don’t hesitate in purchasing your Ardbeg Day tickets. Events are expected to fill quickly.

1. Ardbeg Day Soccer Match – 11:30-1:30 Saturday May 31 – Limited to 28 Participants – $20
2. Ardbeg Day at KWM – 2:00-5:00 Saturday May 31 – Limited to 60-80 Participants – $40

Call 403-283-8000 to register or do so on our website at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.

Ferguson Whisky Tours

Follow me as I travel the Speyside Next Week May 11-16
or
Join me for Islay September 7-13 2014 or Kentucky October 5-10 2014

I will be tweeting my way across Scotland in the days ahead, and blogging when possible for the store and my whisky tour website.

Interested in joining me on one of my fantastic whisky adventures? It’s too late to join me in Speyside this May, but not too late to take part in my Islay and Kentucky Tours, departing in September and October respectively. More details on these tours will be available on my website in the coming weeks. www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger!

Contact & Disclaimers

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

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

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Bourbon Pioneer to Become Louisville’s 22nd Hometown Heroes Honoree 

Tom Bulleit Recognized for Entrepreneurial Spirit and Love of Louisville 

Louisville, Ky. (April, 2014) – Since the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation kicked off their Hometown Heroes campaign with a giant mural of boxing great Muhammad Ali in 2002, 21 other prominent personas have been recognized for their achievements. Today, these Louisville legends added a Kentucky colonel and member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame to their ranks in whiskey icon Tom Bulleit.  

In 1987, Tom quit his job as a successful Louisville lawyer to start the Bulleit Distilling Company– forever forging his family name into the annals of bourbon history. Today, Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye and Bulleit 10-Year are some of the fastest growing small batch whiskies in America and have been launched in countries around the world.  Fiercely passionate Kentuckians, Tom and his wife Betsy are proud to call the Bluegrass State home. Sharing his passion for bourbon, he travels the country introducing his family’s Kentucky recipe to thousands of people each year. 

In addition to an unwavering dedication to reviving a 150-year-old family bourbon recipe, Tom has been a mainstay in the Louisville community throughout his life.  After graduating from Trinity High School and earning his B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1966, Tom served his country during the Vietnam War as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967-1969. Upon returning home, he earned a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law, all while working in Kentucky distilleries between terms. 

Stemming from his commitment to share his family’s legacy, Tom was appointed by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher as a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 2006, the highest accolade a Kentucky citizen can receive. In 2009, Tom was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame – the most prestigious honor available for those in the industry. 

“Having been raised in a Louisville family that values its history and native roots, I am overwhelmed and deeply honored to be placed among such an elite group of individuals who have brought such pride to our city,” Tom Bulleit said. “Bourbon’s history is deeply rooted in Louisville, and to have the chance to play a role in American Whiskey’s international renaissance and rising popularity is something I cherish. To be honored in this way, in a place that has done so much for me and for my family, is truly one of the most humbling moments of my life.” 

Created by the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation and overseen by founder Mike Sheehy, the Louisville Hometown Hero initiative recognizes current or former Louisville residents who have been recognized for excellence in their respective fields. The 12-year-old campaign was launched in 2002 to enhance community pride and to serve as inspiration for Louisville residents. Past recipients include former professional boxer Ali, jockey Pay Day and ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer. 

Like the previous 21 honorees, Tom Bulleit will be featured on a giant mural and displayed prominently in downtown Louisville.  Tom Bulleit’s mural will be displayed at 138 South 3^rd Street, between West Market and West Main Street – owned by local lawyer and investor, John DeCamillis.  The mural photograph was designed by Louisville artist Donovan Deferraro. 

“Tom Bulleit is a fantastic addition to our group of Hometown Heroes,” said Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.  “His excitement and dedication for sharing this great Kentucky product with adults around the world has generated a lot of interest and economic impact for our state and the city of Louisville.  He’s an inspiration to many and a great example of what success can look like for those who pursue their dreams with true passion.” 

To learn more about Louisville’s Hometown Heroes program please log onto www.LouHeroes.org.  Additional information on Tom Bulleit and Bulleit Bourbon can be found at www.Bulleit.com and www.facebook.com/Bulleit.

ABOUT BULLEIT DISTILLING CO. / www.bulleit.com

Founded by Tom Bulleit, the Bulleit Distilling Co. was started more than 20 years ago with Bulleit Bourbon, and in March 2011, Bulleit Rye, a straight rye whiskey, was added to the portfolio with critical acclaim.  The brand’s newest variant, Bulleit 10-Year was introduced in 2013.  Bulleit ranks as one of the fastest-growing small batch whiskeys in America, which Tom largely credits to word of mouth recommendations.  Using only the finest ingredients available – the best grains, limestone filtered water, and special strains of yeast – the 150+ year-old family recipe uses a large amount of rye grain, which gives Bulleit a distinctive taste. 

ABOUT HOMETOWN HEROES / www.louheroes.org

The Greater Louisville Pride Foundation was incorporated May 22, 2001 as a 501C-3 non-profit organization. The founding officers: Mike Sheehy, President, Tom Halbleib, Secretary, and Mike Gilligan, Treasurer as well as the board are all volunteers. The Foundation’s purpose is to build pride within the local community and enhance Louisville’s image as an exciting city with tourists, business visitors, and those passing through on the interstates or staying in town by recognizing our many famous sons and daughters. This program, called Hometown Heroes, is being manifested through a series of jumbo murals /public art of famous area folks with a simple endorsement message such as “Ali’s Louisville.” 

To date there are nine murals in place honoring the following individuals: Muhammed Ali, Pee Wee Reese, Ed Hamilton, and Bob Edwards, Pat Day, Mary T. Meagher, Judge Louis Brandeis, Colonel Sanders, and Diane Sawyer plus one honoring the Kentucky Derby.

WHAT TREASURES AWAIT…?

The May Outturn is now available. For complete tasting notes and to purchase please visit http://www.smws.ca/

Cask No. 26.89 An exotic tearoom experience
27 years old; refill sherry butt; 56.6%
Aromas of lemon drizzle cake, waxiness and gorse flowers and a neat taste of peaches vanilla pods and apricot cake. Add water for notes of vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce and spiced apple tea. Exotic tastes of Turkish delight, lavender and Moroccan spices.

Cask No. G8.3 Surprise me…
23 years old; refill hogshead; 59%
Toffee popcorn with juicy green apples; slightly woody and dusty, with a sweet and sour taste – kiwi, lime, Seville orange, sour cherry – edging towards lemon puffs, then bitter lemon with water.

Cask No. 35.86 Sumptuous breakfast dram
11 years old; 1st fill sherry butt; 59.3%
The nose evokes sumptuous breakfasts – cinnamon toast, marmalade, Nutella, pancakes with syrup, bran flakes, prunes – also nutty sherry, liquorice, Bombay mix and polished oak. The ultra-rich palate offers black bun, hot-cross buns, cloves, treacle, coffee grinds, leather, liquorice and blackcurrant.

Cask No. 121.62 Steak and ale pie
16 years old; first fill sherry puncheon; 54.2%
Brewery mash room smells – hops, dried yeast, real ale but with wet peat, orange syrup and tobacco, but cookie dough, honey with a bitter aftertaste; two Panellists were enjoying steak & ale pie. In dilution baked apples, pork sausages, brown sauce, cloves; light and greasy to taste.

Cask No. 4.178 Eating ice cream in a humidor
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 59.1%
Sweet and fruity notes dominate the nose neat, lemon meringue pie, rum soaked raisins and passion fruit sorbet. The taste like eating ice cream in a humidor. Water adds a sweet spare ribs bbq note and the finish is minty and slightly salty

Cask No. 66.42 Snorkelling in the bathtub
10 years old; refill barrel; 54.5%
Initial impression is of a wood burning fire with peat being added, followed by aromas of bacon frazzles and salami. The taste like a cigar end; hot, sweet and smoky. With water well-used snorkelling gear appears and the aromas are scented candles and smoked cheese.

Cask No. 53.194 A CalMac ferry dram
17 years old; refill sherry butt; 60.1%
The nose has sherbet lemons, oysters, smoke, tar, Germolene, cigar ash, rubber tyres and exhaust fumes; earthier in reduction. The palate has loads of ash, soot, sweet smoke, chilli-roasted nuts, sugar-coated fennel seeds and barbecued smoked mackerel and charred prawns.

http://www.smws.ca/

PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY.

Tickets for Whisky Fringe will go sale at 1 pm on Wednesday 11th June.
Full details to follow.

Royal Mile Whiskies
UNIT 7
27 Beaverhall Road
Edinburgh, Scotland EH7 4JE
UK

www.ralfy.com Found a decent modern version with Whisky Review 452 – Talisker Distiller’s Edition 2013

ALLY YOURSELF TO A FLAVOUR CLAN
WIN OUR MIGHTY MINIS

Until Mon 11 May, we’ll be giving away a box of our Mighty Minis ‘Surf & Turf Seaside BBQ’. For a chance to WIN, ally yourself to a clan by tweeting us your favourite flavour @SMWSUK #clansanddrams

Choose from our 12 flavour clans: Young & spritely, Light & delicate, Sweet, fruity & mellow, Spicy & sweet, Spicy & dry, Juicy, oak & vanilla, Deep, rich & fruity, Old & dignified, Oily & coastal, Lightly peated, Peated, Heavily peated

Suggestions:

Young & spritely

26.96 ‘Le Trou Normand’
BUY £49.40

Sweet, fruity & mellow

44.61 Flower bouquet with a love note

BUY £48.10

Spicy & sweet

46.24 Dumplings in a honey sauce
BUY £73.20

Spicy & dry

9.83 Tiger balm, Limoncello & scented candles

 BUY £100.00

Browse all bottlings
More flavours online

Sorry we can only send our winning mini packs to a UK address

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 here for membership information This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

One of the world’s oldest whiskies is about to be released on May 13th

Wealth Solutions and its Partner present one of the oldest whiskies in the world.

At this time, we can say this much:

Aged: 66 years

Distilled: 1948

Limited edition: 160 bottles

“Exquisite!” Charles MacLean

Watch the official launch event on-line. One bottle of this epic whisky can go to you!

Register now and join us on-line on May 13th 2014 to find out more.

Invitation from Charles MacLean – watch the video

Learn more: www.wealthlive.pl

See you online!

The Wealth Solutions Team

Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey Package Redesign Highlights 7 Year Age Statement 

A Whiskey Actually Gets an Age Statement Instead of Dropping One 

LOUISVILLE, KY— In today’s world of premium American and Scotch Whiskeys/ies, the trend is to remove age statements from existing labels, or release new labels with no age statement (or “NAS,” in whiskey parlance).  This reality is bemoaned in whiskey industry trade media, consumer magazines, and forums and blogs here and abroad. 

So it is indeed newsworthy when a renowned brand that previously had no age statement decides to add one. 

But that is in fact the case with Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey, a specialty American Whiskey that has been produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries since 2005.  When it was launched, Bernheim was the first new style of American Whiskey to be introduced since Prohibition, and though other straight wheat whiskeys have since been released in limited quantities by craft or micro-distilleries, Bernheim remains the only nationally distributed brand and the most critically acclaimed. 

From its introduction in 2005 until now, Bernheim carried no age statement on the label, but while it is still bottled at 90 proof, and still available at the same national average retail price of $29.99 for the 750ml size, the whiskey now carries a prominent “Aged 7 Years” statement on the redesigned face label.  The descriptive term “Small Batch”—which reinforces the fact that the bottling has always been made from a dump of 100 or fewer carefully chosen barrels aged at the top of one of Heaven Hill’s best rickhouses—has been moved next to the age statement on the label. 

Bernheim Straight Wheat Whiskey was named “Pioneer Whiskey of the Year” by Whisky Advocate Magazine when it was released in 2005, and since that time has won 3 “World Whisky Awards” from Whisky Magazine, Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge, and most recently scored 92 out of 100 points and was named “Finalist—Highly Recommended” at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.  The brand is a particular favorite of mixologists, who find its soft, round taste profile eminently well-suited to new or classic whiskey cocktails. 

“With the success and critical acclaim we have been seeing with Bernheim since its introduction nearly a decade ago, we think the change to a new label with a prominent age statement will continue to lift the brand profile,” asserted Susan Wahl, Senior Brand Manager for American Whiskeys at Heaven Hill. “As the American Whiskey category continues to grow and today’s well educated consumers seek out distinctive styles of American Whiskeys—such as rye, wheat and corn—we feel Bernheim is well-positioned to benefit, particularly with the added gravitas of the ‘aged 7 years’ designation.”   

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.  Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”