New Signatory TWE exclusive whiskies – a sherried trio

Over the past few years we’ve been working closely with some of the world’s best independent bottlers to release whiskies exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. We’ve produced a range of great bottlings, but we’ve returned to one producer more than the rest – Signatory Vintage.

Casks and casks and casks and casks and…

Andrew Symington and his team have an incredible range of casks in their warehouses at Edradour, and despite having seen inside a few years ago, I’m still impressed by the whiskies that they’ve given us the opportunity to have as exclusives.

This time we have three exclusive single casks: Clynelish 1996, Laphroaig 1998 and Glenlivet 1981.

GLENLIVET 1981, 33 YEARS OLD. REFILL SHERRY HOGSHEAD #9464. 175 BOTTLES. 51% ABV

It was the Glenlivet that started it all. Last year, we chose an excellent 1981 vintage from the distillery and decided that we wanted another. Fortunately they had a sister cask – #9464 compared to last year’s #9460 – and with a bit of cajoling they let us have it as an exclusive release.

Nose: Barley sugar, light fruit cake, salted caramel, poached apples and pears, Demerara sugar, flapjacks and hints of honeysuckle.

Palate: Lots of cream and grain to start, with orchard fruit bursting through the middle after a few moments. Darker notes develop and sit around the sides of the palate – sweet liquorice and stewed fruit – with cinnamon spice and crunchy apples building down the centre.

Finish: Apple and spice to start, fading to creamy apple sauce and a lingering hint of anise.

Comment: A sweet and fruity dram which has a well-balanced spiciness. Perfectly aged, with the cask allowing the orchard-fruit character of Glenlivet to shine through.

Clynelish 1996, 18 years old. Refill sherry butt #6509. 606 bottles. 55.5% ABV

At the same time as asking about the Glenlivet, we decided not to waste the opportunity and requested a few more samples. First on our list, as it often is, was Clynelish. Last time we bottled a Clynelish with Signatory, a 1995 vintage, we were blown away by the quality of the whiskies they had to choose from. Asking for a similar cask was not a difficult decision.

While they were both matured in refill-sherry casks, the first was a classic Clynelish with sherry notes that grew the longer you left it in the glass, whereas this new one is quite the opposite:

Nose: It starts dark and rich, with layers of polished leather, warm raisins, rich earth, bark, damp wax jackets and spiced baked apples. However, behind that are softer, sweeter notes, with honeysuckle, apple blossom and sweet fruit.

Palate: After the heaviness of the nose, the palate starts surprisingly soft and rounded, with sponge-cake batter and sweet raisins accompanying spicy ground cinnamon. Apples and aniseed balls come in behind that, with fruity dark chocolate and vanilla cream icing softening the spicy heat. As the fruity core fades, rich earthy notes develop with soft nutmeg and stewed fruit.

Finish: Long and lingering, starting with caraway-spiced shortbread and apple crisps, before fading to rose water and dried fruit.

Comment: An intense, rich and mouth-watering dram, which opens up to reveal the traditional Clynelish fruitiness after a little time in the glass. One to savour as it develops.

LAPHROAIG 1998, 16 YEARS OLD. REFILL SHERRY BUTT #700389. 585 BOTTLES. 59.9%

For our final choice we wanted something smoky, and remembering the range of casks in the warehouses from Laphroaig, we asked for one.

They sent over a selection of samples, and while there were stunningly fruity ex-bourbon casks, it was a refill sherry butt that we liked the best. Similar to the last cask of Laphroaig that Signatory bottled for us – a whisky that went on to win Whisky Advocate magazine’s Islay Single Malt of the Year 2014 award – it was just what we were looking for.

Nose: Rich and earthy to start, with damp soil, mulchy leaves and Laphroaig’s classic coastal notes – rock pools and sea spray. Leather jackets and raisins sit behind that, with medicinal notes bringing up the rear – TCP and menthol – along with bacon-tinged smoke. With time in the glass, sweet fruity notes step out from behind the smoke – candied lime, apple and star fruit.

Palate: Mineral-led, with slates and damp limestone joined by spiced apples and pears at the front of the palate. The flavours grow more intense, with Fisherman’s Friends, liquorice, dark chocolate and leather spreading across the palate. Despite the dark flavours and weightiness of the dram, it is still remarkably fresh, with the darker notes balanced by sweet fruit and a touch of salty caramel.

Finish: Sweet and spicy, with chocolate raisins, burnt fruit cake and cinnamon fireballs. The finish fades though fruit cake to fresh apple and lingering peat smoke.

Comment: A densely flavoured whisky which successfully balances pungently peaty Laphroaig with sherry cask spice and sweet fruity notes. A dram that rewards a long examination – give it some time in the glass to reveal its secrets and you won’t be disappointed.

All three whiskies are available online and in our shop now.

DANCE TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

With July bottlings running low, we’ve added a hot selection of toe-tapping, Summertime whiskies. Enjoy a dram Straight, No Chaser, find A Love Supreme or Take Five – but whatever you do, clasp your bottle for a twirl before they dance right out the room…

Young & spritely

39.106 Deliciously sweet but feisty £44.00

Spicy & sweet

55.26 Outdoor, masculine dram £48.10

39.104 Getting steamy in the sauna £48.10

Old & dignified

30.84 To sit by the samovar £171.00

Light & delicate

84.17 Fluffernutter  £42.40

Juicy, oak & vanilla

112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink £53.00

Peated

53.222 The Three Little Pigs £51.80

Jazz & Whisky Playlist > #whiskyjazz

Browse New Outturn >

Browse All Bottlings >

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

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve

On the 8th June 1865, John Grant, 1st generation of the Grant family, bought the Glenfarclas distillery for £511.19s0d. His grandsons, John and George, later formed the company J. & G. Grant; and to this day it remains a family run business.

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve, released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of family ownership of the Glenfarclas distillery. The whisky is a vatting of predominantly first fill sherry butts, bottled at 43% vol. Each bottle includes a copy of the original bill of sale.

£84.00

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1, the seventh annual release of Octomore, created from Scottish barley then matured in American oak casks for 5 years. Bottled at 59.5% vol with a 208PPM rating!

£108.00

They say time flies when you’re having fun and the last few months have certainly flown by so clearly I’m having a great time. It’s been a busy year thus far and the last three months have been especially so since purchasing the store. For starters we launched a new website and I spent two and a half weeks crisscrossing Scotland looking for new whiskies. A few weeks after returning from Scotland Hunter and I hit the Bourbon Trail looking for new Bourbons. You be happy to know we have a couple coming!

I am in the process of putting the final touches on a full edition Malt Messenger, scheduled for next week. It is full of exciting news, tasting notes and new tastings. But it’s been a while since you last heard from the Malt Messenger, and I do have news which just can’t wait.

Our most exciting news is that we have started taking orders for the 2015 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. This is our 3rd year in the calendar game and our 2nd producing our own in-house edition. Last year’s calendar was a huge success and sold out before it even hit the shelves. We feel this year’s calendar is even better and we expect it won’t last long either.

We are also just two weeks away from our Whiskies of Summer Mini Festival. This Mini Festival will feature over 90 whiskies focusing primarily on lighter style Single Malts, Blends, Bourbons and other whiskies. But, there will be some heavier malt too, to keep some of you anoraks keen! The festival is already half sold out and will take place Thursday July 30th at KWM. The price is $50.

The next Malt Messenger will fill you in on a lot of the new whiskies we’ve seen over the last few months with details and tasting notes. For those who can’t wait a week, you will find a summary of highlights below. I also want to  remind you that the Ardbeg Perpetuum is here.

I hope this wee Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well and I look forward to welcoming you at the shop sometime soon.

Sláinte!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Edition

1. TAKING PRE-ORDERS: 2015 KWM WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR
2. WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th
3. ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!
4. SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: scotch_guy, Facebook: scotch.guy.1 and Instagram: kensingtonwm.

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

TAKING PRE-ORDERS FOR THE 2015 KENSINGTON WINE MARKET WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR! 

25 More Days of Dram Fine Whisky...   

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out  before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better.  It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencarin whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast, and the price goes up September 15! 

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested at the beginning of August. The calendars will be available at the “early bird price” of $375+GST. until September 15th. After September 15th the Calendar’s price will go up to $400+GST. The calendars should be ready for pickup before the end of October. 

The image shown is a sample of what the final product may look like! 

Pre-Order Your 2015 Whisky Advent Calendar Here! Please note some customer have been experiencing error messages ordering on line. If this is the case for you please send me an email. In all cases so far we have received the order. We are in the process of trying to work out the bug on our new site.

WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th

There is more than one way to stay cool this summer…

Our first summer whisky festival with touch on the lighter side of whisky. We’ve rounded up some lighter style single malts, Bourbons, Blends and Japanese whiskies for a mini-Festival style tasting. 80+ Whiskies will be on offer with a lot of new releases, one offs and rarities. So gather the friends and kick off your August Long Weekend in style…

Thursday July 30th – 7-9PM – $50

Register on line, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store!

THE ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!

Celebrating Ardbeg Day 2015 & 200 Years in the Life of the Distillery…

Ardbeg’s 2015 Ardbeg Day Bottling has been created by Dr. Bill Lumsden from a mix of stock. In celebrating the distillery’s 200th year they have decided to dip into a wide range of stock. Some have compared this whisky to the Roller Coaster, in terms of its creation. It has been 47.4%. The whisky has flown off our shelves with just a little over a dozen bottles left in store and only a small top up order still to come. This one will be sold out by the end of July!

Ardbeg Perpetuum – 47.4% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent and creamy, floral peat, slightly burnt bacon and saline solution with creme brule and tangerines; a curious balance of vanilla, licorice and smoldering cedar shavings; Palate: very honeyed and creamy, some gentle oily-earthy peat, bacon dipped in maple syrup, barley sugars and more creme brule; the licorice note is still there with some darker fruits and spices; I still find the tangerine but with Five Alive fruit punch and a building salty maritime tarryness; Finish: long, coating and very soft for such a peaty maritime dram; the final flourish is oily and sweet with heathery floral overtones.” – $130

Pre-Order the Perpetuum for $129.99 +GST

SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES AT KWM!

More details to come…

There are a lot of new and exciting whiskies that have come into KWM over the last three months. Over the next couple of Malt Messengers I’ll fill you in with more details on them. For the time being, here’s a partial list to drool over:

1. anCnoc Peat Cutter – $82+GST
2. anCnoc 2000 Vintage – A great value malt! – $98+GST
3. anCnoc 1975 – Only 2 left! – $690+GST
4. Ardbeg Perpetuum – $130+GST
5. Arran 18 Year – The oldest Arran bottled to date and a limited release! – $120+GST
6. Arran Cask Stregth 12 Year – 53.2% – $80+GST
7. Auchentoshan American Oak – $57+GST
8. BenRiach 15 Year Sauternes – $88+GST
9. BenRiach Albariza 18 Year – $135+GST
10. Blackadder Glen Esk 1983 30 Year – Extremely rare, only 4 bottles for Canada from this obscure closed distillery! – $1920+GST
11. Blackadder Black Snake Vat 6 First Venom – $135+GST
12. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 21 Year – $255+GST
13. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 23 Year – $290+GST
14. Blackadder Raw Cask Lochranza 18 Year – Yes this is an 18 year old Arran! – $222+GST
15. Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley – $150+GST
16. Bruichladdich Organic Scottish Barley 1L – $74+GST
17. Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus – The only thin more beautiful than the bottle is the whisky! – $201+GST
18. Compass Box Peat Monster 15th Annv Magnum – $166+GST
19. Edradour Fairy Flag 15 Year – $180+GST
20. Glendronach 12 Year Sauternes Finish – $90+GST
21. Glendronach 18 Year Marsala Finish – 135+GST
22. Glendronach 18 Year Tawny Port Finish – $140+GST
23. Glenfarclas 1996 Fino Cask – I have one signed bottle left! – $1650+GST
24. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1976 – $1000+GST
25. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1977 – $770+GST
26. Glenrothes Sherry Reserve – Our top whisky pick for summer sipping whisky whether at the lake, on the patio or in the woods… it is very refreshing! – $75+GST
27. Laphroaig 25 Year 2013 Cask Strength – $640+GST
28. Laphroaig 25 Year 2014 Cask Strength – $640+GST
29. Mars 2011 The Revival – $195+GST
30. Nikka Taketsuru 25 Year – $1160+GST
31. Nikka Taketsuru 40 Year – SOLD OUT, BUT WE MAY GET ANOTHER – $6000+GST
32. Nikka Yoichi 12 Year – $130+GST
33. Signatory Bunnahabhain 1988 26 Year – $290+GST
34. Signatory Dufftown 1997 16 Year – $180+GST
35. Signatory Glen Keith 1995 19 Year – $120+GST
36. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 32 Year – $380+GST
37. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 33 Year – $385+GST
38. Signatory Imperial 1995 19 Year – $175+GST
39. Sovereign Invergordon 1964 50 Year – Best priced 50 Year Old around! – $590+GST
40. Tomatin Cask Strength – Incredible value! – $70
41. Tomatin CuBocan Virgin Oak – $82
Descriptions and tasting notes for some of these whiskies can be found on our website. The others will be updated over the week’s ahead.

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

GINGER GROUSE UNVEILS REFRESHINGLY FAMOUS NEW LOOK

 Ginger Grouse has unveiled a refreshing new look reinforcing the brand’s unique heritage. The distinctive new packaging and name Famous Ginger Grouse celebrates the premium whisky ginger beer featuring The UK’s No.1 whisky The Famous Grouse.

Earlier this year, the brand invited Facebook fans to help choose the new design through an innovative research project. The new bottle features the iconic grouse bird in copper taking cues from The Famous Grouse but retaining its own identity.

Johna Penman, Marketing Controller, Ginger Grouse commented: “Famous Ginger Grouse is a unique product with whisky at its heart, making it different from other alcoholic ginger beers. We wanted to involve Ginger Grouse fans in choosing the new design and we are sure they will be pleased with it! The new look has created a much stronger link to the parent brand The Famous Grouse and showcases the versatility of blended whisky. This takes The Famous Grouse into refreshing social occasions, as Famous Ginger Grouse is the perfect accompaniment to summer BBQs and festivals.”

Currently available in select supermarkets; as well as independent retailers across the UK.  RRP £2.25. Consumers will also find Famous Ginger Grouse widely available in bars across the UK in the new pack. 

NOTES : 

Facebook.com/GingerGrouse 

Twitter.com/GingerGrouseUK 

About Famous Ginger Grouse:

• A premium  spirit based beer, featuring The Famous Grouse whisky and ginger beer, ABV 4.0%
• Distinct point of difference, with the alcohol content derived from spirit as opposed to made wine or fruit base.
• RRP £2.25 per 500ml bottle
• Available in 500ml bottles
• Currently available in over 4000 on-trade outlets and 7,000 off-trade outlets across the UK

About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in the UK for both the on and off trade.
• The Famous Grouse has been the bestselling whisky in Scotland since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand.
• The brand became so popular that on August 12^th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience)

About Maxxium UK

• Maxxium is the distributor of The Famous Grouse and Famous Ginger Grouse in the UK.
• The Famous Grouse portfolio includes: The Famous Grouse, The Black Grouse, The Naked Grouse and Famous Ginger Grouse.
• Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Suntory and Edrington Group.
• Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Teacher’s and Cutty Sark), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Red Stag), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock)

TASTINGS GALORE!

SUMMER AND AUTUMN EVENTS SCHEDULE

We’ve got lots of exciting whisky tasting events coming up over the next few months. From a premium Glenfiddich tasting through to the opportunity to try some very fine and rare whiskies. We always look forward to hosting our events as we make sure that we only open bottles we would like to drink ourselves – which hopefully counts as quality control! Very soon we will have our winter and spring events schedule but we thought it pertinent to remind you of all the great tastings we have in the meantime.

All of our events are hosted at Milroy’s of Soho 3 Greek Street, London, W1D 4NX and begin at 18:30 and conclude at approximately 20:00.

Glenfiddich Premium Ambassador Night 20/07/15

Enter Glenfiddich, the best-selling single malt in the world. We didn’t think it was appropriate to just hash out any old tasting to celebrate this venerable Speysider, so we elected to host our very first Premium Ambassador Night. Due to the calibre of the whisky we are trying, we have been politely asked to not promote the specific whiskies being presented. Needless to say, you will be sampling the cream of the crop under the expert tutelage of the tour-de-force that is Mark Thomson. To cap it all off every attendee will be presented with a complimentary bottle of the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old.

£125

Feis Ile 2015 Masterclass 03/08/2015

We sent an intrepid member of staff up to Islay. His task was to fill our shop and bar shelves with a host of limited edition bottles from the festival and the famous Islay distilleries. Naturally, as we took stock of his impressive haul, we thought it would only be fair to give everyone the chance to try some of these (largely) smoky drams. As such, we have set up our very first Feis Ile masterclass where you can sample six of the festival releases from: Bunnahbhain, Caol Ila, Bowmore, Laphroiag, Kilchoman, and even a very special 24 year old Lagvulin!

£35

Scotland v. The World Masterclass 10/08/15

Back by popular demand. Our Scotland v. The World tasting pitches the best that the Scottish can muster against whiskies from the rest of the world. Each whisk(e)y is presented blind and it will be your task to figure out where each dram originates from. There may even be a prize for the participant with the top score. Don’t worry if you are a newcomer, our staff will be talking you through the different styles produced all over the planet and will give the odd hint too!

£35

Introduction To Whisky Masterclass 24/08/15

Tonight we will be journeying into the world of whisky (and whiskey). From the shores of Scotland to the heartland of Bourbon. Our expert staff will take you from the grain which produces the amber nectar, through to the oak trees that become the casks. Furthermore, you will be regaled with the myths and legends that surround iconic distilleries and be introduced to the science employed to create this the most complex of spirits. This tasting is perfect for newcomers and connoisseurs alike. We only open whisky that we want to drink too, so expect the very best!

£35

Fine & Rare Masterclass 07/09/15

Our Fine & Rare whisky tasting is the jewel in our crown. The purpose of the tasting is to sample a combination of old, rare and unequivocally top quality whisky. The majority of whisky opened at this event is unavailable to purchase and has been sought at great effort by our buying team – the motivation is purely to showcase the finest that whisky can be. This tasting begins with a Champagne/cocktail reception followed by a minimum of six whiskies, and is hosted by our most experienced staff (we don’t have to ask them twice!).

£95

Bootleggers & Bourbon Masterclass 21/09/15

We’ve resurrected our popular American whiskey evening. Since we’ve reopened we’ve been bowled over by the growth in popularity of Bourbon and rye whiskey, and now, more than ever, is a tasting dedicated to Scotch’s transatlantic cousins more appropriate. Our resident American whiskey enthusiast Angus will be taking us through his favourite whiskeys and the honourable and illicit tales that surround them, from the Civil War to Mad Men!

£35

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d

Limited edition to celebrate the 150th anniversary of family ownership of the Glenfarclas distillery since 8th June 1865

Buy – $104.23

Scotland – Irish and Blended Scotch

• Johnnie Walker “Blue King George V” 750ml – 3 available ($599.99)

• Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml (Previously $45) ($34.99)

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1995 Imperial 18 Year Old Signatory Un-Chillfiltered Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 8 available ($79.99)

• Old Pulteney 17 year old Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($105.99)

• The Singleton of Glendullan 12 year old Single Malt Whisky 1L (ships as 1.5L) (Elsewhere $50) ($39.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Angel’s Envy 100 Proof Rye Whiskey 750ml (one bottle limit) – 2 available ($67.99)

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

$450 Voucher Prize Draw!

To celebrate our 50,000th customer we are giving you the chance to win a $450 whisky gift voucher.

All you need to do is place an order on our website by 3rd August 2015 to enter.

Ben Nevis  15 Year Old 1998

$121.63