As many of you already know, we’ve been increasing our selection of directly-imported single casks of Scotch whisky as we continue to find value in sourcing single malt ourselves. While the mid-range expressions we’ve uncovered have garnered an incredbile amount of customer support, it’s the ultra-premium side of the supply chain that perhaps offers the largest price differentials. A bottle of 25 year old Macallan will run you a cool $1200 in today’s whisky market, while something like Balvenie 30 might be considered more affordable at “only” $999.99. This past Spring we went out of our way to find old and rare single casks of whisky that we thought delivered absolute top-shelf quality at prices that evoked far less of gut wrench. It’s with pride that we present to you know the crown jewels of this year’s K&L exclusive single malt selections. We hope you’re as thrilled with the effort as we are.

1996 Springbank 18 Year Old Hunter Laing’s “Old & Rare” Single Sherry Butt Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($299.99)

Part of our newly-acquired Hunter Laing “Old & Rare” series, this single sherry butt of Springbank marks one of the great cask acquisitions in the history of our spirits department, in terms of both the quality of the whisky itself and the rarity of the liquid in general. Years ago we were able to purchase 10-12 year old cask selections directly from the legendary Campbeltown distillery, one of the last family-owned operations in Scotland. However, increased demand and an inability to maintain sufficient stocks quickly ended that program, while limitations and allocations for older whiskies from Springbank were quickly introduced. Needless to say, we searched for an alternative source and found that our friends in Glasgow had one little gem of a sherry butt to offer us. For those looking to understand what exactly makes Springbank the crown jewel of Scotland distilleries, look no further than this expression. Huge, unctuous waves of meaty sherry immediately envelop the palate, adding layers of earth, rancio, toffee, and nougut. The mid-palate is a full-bodied mouthful of pure Olorosso sherry richness and the maltiness from the whisky itself helps to add more volume. The finish is a slow-moving spiral of all these flavors, swirling around your mouth until the finish finally fades away. This is a true legend of a cask. It’s worth every penny of the price.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 28, 2015

This 18 year old sherry butt of Springbank is expensive, but it’s also the epitome of everything that defines this iconic distillery. It’s rich, unctuous, oily, viscous, earthy, fudgy, mouth-coating, and complex in a way that simple Highland whiskies can only dream of being. It’s the real deal. A slam dunk, home run, out of the park, half court shot, add your next best sports analogy here.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 28, 2015

Perhaps the best single malt I have tasted in a long time. Richness and depth that are quite exquisite. I think this is quite a special whisky.

1985 Longmorn 29 Year Old Hunter Laing’s “Old & Rare” Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($349.99)

Part of our new Hunter Laing “Old & Rare” series, this incredible 29 year old Longmorn showcases the effects of light and subtle hogshead maturation over the course of almost three decades. Despite nearly thirty years in wood, the color is still a golden straw color and the aromas are still dominated by fruit rather than oak. Its on the palate that the whisky’s age becomes clear as an oily, luscious, mouth-coating texture overwhelms the senses, coupled with poached pears, creme brulee, and a resinous note from the oak. Longmorn has long been an insider’s favorite, known for rich and concentrated malty flavor. This single barrel expression beautifully showcases the distillery’s reputaion for quality and character in a rare, ultra-mature release.

Joe Manekin | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 19, 2015

A fantastic, very old, classic expression, this Longmorn has it all and is a more than worthy splurge. A nose of dried grains and cream also has nuances of well worn leather. Indeed simply nosing this whiskey brings to mind a distinguished study or library, fine woolen plaid products, and any other number of quintessentially Scottish objects. Beautifully balanced and distinguished on the palate, fully dry, no Sherry or candied sweetness but more of a confident, soft, understated caress on the palate. I shall buy a bottle of this Hunter Laing bottled Longmorn and fully savour it. If you love Scotch whisky then you may want to follow suit.

1973 Teaninich 41 Year Old Hunter Laing’s “Old & Rare” Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($449.99)

In what is likely to be the most-overlooked of the recently acquired Hunter Laing “Old & Rare” series, don’t let this 41 year old sherry cask of Teaninich fall off your radar. It’s one of the most pleasing, easy to love, deliciously decadent sherry aged whiskies we’ve tasted this year. While most people have never heard of the Johnnie Walker distillery, the name on the bottle is perhaps the least important aspect of this whisky’s quality, yet it’s completely relevant when determining the price. Simply put, if this bottle said Macallan 41 on the label we’d be slapping a five figure price point on the shelf. However, with similar sherry-aged flavors, sweet toffee richness, and single barrel concentration of flavor, the comparison isn’t all that far off. The sweetness of the sherry is still there even after 40+ years in the barrel. It’s robust, brimming with dessert-like qualities, but it’s not even remotely tired. It’s a beautifully balanced ride from front to back, meandering from maple donut bar to baking spices and cloves. $450 is a serious chunk of change in today’s whisky market, but considering the age and the quality of this Teaninich, we think it’s quite the steal. Our goal was to find a less expensive luxury whisky that delivered the highest possible quality for the best possible price. We think we’ve succeeded in that quest.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 28, 2015

Along with the Springbank, this whisky absolutely blew me away. But whereas with the Springbank I was impressed by what I expected to be the case, with this 41 year old Teaninich I was shocked by the quality I tasted in spite of my expectations. This whisky is an absolute sherry bomb that is still fresh as a daisy despite its four decades in wood. The oloroso flavors are still sweet, the spices are still lively, and the richness never at all dry or musty. It’s a complete curveball. This is what people wish high-end Macallan tasted like after dropping $1000 or more on an ancient bottling. This is what I wish all high-end whisky tasted like.

1967 Speyside’s Finest (Glenfarclas) 47 Year Old Hunter Laing’s “Old & Rare” Single Sherry Butt Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($999.99)

When we visited the Hunter Laing office this past April, we were hoping to find something truly special as our hopes for cult distilleries like Port Ellen and Brora have long since dried up, or been crushed by the four-figure price tags. For us at K&L personally, Glenfarclas continues to be one of the most beloved and iconic producers we continue to work with directly. However, upon our last trip to the Highland distillery we were unable to find anything beyond 24 years of age that was available for us to purchase. When our friends at Hunter Laing said they might be able to bridge that gap with a bit of “Speyside’s Finest” they gave us a little wink and smiled wryly as sample was fetched. What we tasted that afternoon in Glasgow was simply unreal. An old school expression of ancient sherry, rancio, earth, spice, cocoa, fudge, and classic Glenfarclas grit that offered up a mouthful of true Speyside character. This whisky is nearly 50 years in age, bottled at cask strength, and unchillfiltered. Only 60 bottles were made available and supplies are limited to quantities on hand

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

Lochside 52 Year Old 1963 Sovereign Whisky

Lochside 52 Year Old 1963 vintage Highland single grain Scotch whiskey. Single cask refill hogshead #11835 bottled October 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Sovereign series. Only 83 numbered bottles.

Between Montrose Basin, and the North Sea  on the site of a brewery established way back in the 1760s. The old buildings were demolished during the 1890s and replaced with a rather tall and inelegant new brewery. In 1957 this building was converted to Lochside Distillery with four pot stills and a Coffey still and produced both malt and grain whisky on and off until 1970.

Distilling ceased in 1992 and the works dismantled in 1996. By 2005 the building had been completely demolished. Blocks of modern flats not stand in its place. Most of its whisky went into blends which was bottled on site and during the 1970s a large volume was shipped to Spain, very little was released as single malt.

BUY NOW

During the holiday season, travel retail gifting spend reaches over $1bn* on spirits alone. Of this, Whisky occupies the top spot with 44% of travellers selecting it as their gift of choice. In order to tap into this lucrative market, a special 1 litre edition of this striking new bottle of HAIG CLUB, the Single Grain Scotch Whisky created in partnership with David Beckham and Simon Fuller, has been launched exclusively for the duty free channel.

The eye-catching bottle containing the smooth, delicious Single Grain Scotch Whisky that is HAIG CLUB, is crowned with a standout blue, diamond-shaped stopper, and makes for the perfect unique luxury keepsake or gift for travellers.

Inspired by the long-standing tradition of exquisite decanters produced by the House of Haig in order to celebrate and commemorate special occasions but breaking with traditional Scotch bottle design, the HAIG CLUB Limited Edition Design is a modern re-imagination of this legacy from Scotland’s oldest grain whisky distillery. It also takes inspiration from the handcrafted crystal decanter that was commissioned as a gift from HAIG CLUB to David Beckham to celebrate his 40th birthday, earlier this year.

Peter Fairbrother, Global Marketing Director Diageo GTME: “This striking HAIG CLUB Limited Edition (in a 1 litre format) has been developed exclusively for our Travel Retail partners in the run up to the key festive gifting season. Gifting is a key motivator in Travel Retail worth upwards of $1bn during Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year so we are keen to unlock the potential of this market. We know that customers and shoppers alike want easy access to exclusive and superior gifts.

After a successful first year for HAIG CLUB in Travel Retail, we are committed and excited to sustain this initial impact. We are continuing to invest in the brand with this Limited Edition bottle size as well as disruptive retail theatre and sampling in our top 15 airports.”

The striking new bottle is now available in limited quantities in Travel Retail with an RRSP of £39. The special 1-litre size created exclusively for travellers (a 70cl version is available in domestic retail outlets), is the perfect gift this holiday season.

WELCOME TO HAIG CLUB – ENJOY RESPONSIBLY: www.DRINKiQ.com

Notes

*Source: CIR Research

HAIG CLUB™ is the new Single Grain Scotch Whisky created in partnership with global icon David Beckham and British entrepreneur Simon Fuller.

HAIG CLUB is a clear, golden amber colour with a sweet aroma of toffee, vanilla and butterscotch. Smoother and more accessible than you would ever dare expect from a Scotch, the whisky defines the brand ethos of ‘Welcome’ attracting a new generation of Scotch drinkers and beginning a new era for the category.

Delicious neat, over ice or in a cocktail, the versatile HAIG CLUB flavour profile means it can pair with a wide variety of mixers to complement its ultra-smooth character.

THE HAIG CLUB WORD IS TRADE MARK © DIAGEO BRANDS B.V. 2015.

There are just 9 shopping days until Christmas. Where has the time gone? It’s been a busy couple of months with our festivals and tastings in November and Whisky Advent this month. We are posting each day’s whiskies on our Store Blog: And we are also posting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If you are tasting along with us this year we invite you to interact with us.

This Malt Messenger highlights three new(ish) exclusive single casks of whisky, selected by and bottled for KWM. We’ve had our BenRiach 1996 KWM Cask 189 and Glendronach 2003 Virgin Oak Finish 1750 for a month, so they may be old news to some of you. New this week at KMW is a Berry’s Miltonduff 1995 also selected by and bottled exclusively for our store. This whisky is a bit serendipitous as we were never looking for it. We know you’re going to love it.

Our December Wine Times News Letter is released, and our Winter 2015 tasting schedule is now online. More on that below as well as the great range of whisky and spirits tastings this winter. You’ll also find our annual Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide below. We have recommendations for every budget.

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well and we wish you and yours all the best this holiday season!

Slainté, and Merry Christmas!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

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

Introducing our New Berry’s Miltonduff 1995 KWM Cask

Less than 200 bottles of this very tropical new malt…

This cask came about serendipitously while analyzing casks for a corporate client. Bottled at

About Miltonduff Distillery: (Courtesy of Berry Brothers & Rudd): Miltonduff distillery was built to the south of Elgin in 1824 in the Glen of Pluscarden, a short distance from the eponymous Abbey ruins. In 1964 two Lomond stills were added producing a different of whisky which was known as Mostowie

Berry’s Miltonduff 1995 KWM Cask – 55% – Refill Bourbon Barrel – 174 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: beeswax and pineapple wedges, hintes of cedar and pine; Madagascar vanilla, canteloupes and not quite fully ripened mangos; decadent, fruity and floral with a hint of white pepper; Palate: frim but delicate and layered, very fruity and creamy; floral and sweet with loads of Madagascar vanilla and floral malt; more hot white pepper, oily oaky tones and fruits, loads of fruits: more mangos, canteloupes, mushy banana with juicy malt; Finish: decadent, layered and complex, lots of sugars, fading fruits and spices; Comment: it has been 5-6 months since I requested this cask and I forgot how good it is… dangerously drinkable! – $169.99+GST

Order the Berry’s Miltonduff 1995 KWM Cask $170+GST

Introducing our BenRiach 1996 KWM Cask 189

A big bold new Amercian oak matured BenRiach… exclusive to KWM!

We take great pride in selecting single casks to be bottled for our store, and this one is no exception. Our 5th exclusive cask of BenRiach it was distilled in 1996 and bottled this year at 54.8% after 19 years in a Bourbon Barrel. Only 189 bottles exclusively available from KWM! There is

BenRiach 1996 KWM Cask 189 – 54.8% – Bourbon Barrel – 189 Bottles – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy, toasty and very honeyed with bright citrus notes of lemon and orange; marzipan and melons, hot spices and barley sugars; thick and oily, though not enough to overshadow its more delicate nuances; Palate: bright citrus notes burst on the tongue with melons, creamed honey, toasted oak and wildflowers on a hot spring day; the decadence of the barley and oak is still there with the heat of hot spices: white pepper, cinnamon hearts and candied ginger; Finish: long, juicy and coating with more creamy, coating sugars, spices and citrus fruits; Comment: Bourbon meets Malt in this exceptional chewy Speyside dram. – $219.99

Order the BenRiach 1996 KWM Cask 189 $219.99+GST

Glendronach 2003 KWM Virgin Oak Cask 1750

A new twist on Glendronach…

We sell more Glendronach in our shop by a factor of two or three than our next best selling whisky, and it is no wonder why the whiskies are excellent quality and good value. The prices have been creeping up on Glendronach in recent years, but we still find them great deals. The virgin oak finished Glendronach is the 6th cask we have bottled from the distillery since the BenRiach Distillery Co. took it over in 2007. This is not your typical Glendronach, the virgin oak has given it a silkyness. We know you are going to love it… drop in for a sample!

Glendronach 2003 KWM Virgin Oak Cask 1750 – 54.5% – 12 Year – Sherry Matured Virgin Oak Finish – 228 Bottles (more than half sold) – My Tasting Note: Nose: cola cubes and coconut icing start things off, with Dulce de Leche, silky caramel and Demerara sugars; the is orange, melon and chocolate strawberries there too; Palate: silky and warming with building spices, more Dulce de Leche, Highland Tablet, Demerara sugars and eventually the soft caramel; more cola cubes, chocolate strawberries and orange rind; the melons and more exotic tropical fruits are there but buried by the weight of the sherry and virgin oak notes; Finish: long, coating, creamy, fruity and decadent with sugars, spice and everything nice; Comment: this is not your typical Glendronach, while the sherry notes are there the virgin oak has lent a wonderful silkiness to the nose and palate; if you are looking for a sherry monster, keep looking, if you’re looking for a slightly different twist on Glendronach, look no further! – $139.99+GST

Order the Glendronach 2003 KWM Virgin Oak Cask 1750 – $140+GST

And our Winter 2016 Tasting Schedule…

We’ve had to reinvent the wheel a little this winter, and on short notice too. Seems we, as with many other Alberta liquor stores, not correctly interpreting the rules governing tastings. Our Burns Supper for example has had to be turned into a Free in store tasting… disappointing, but I’m sure you can all live with that! Our Winter 2016 Tasting Schedule which is now online and open for registration!

Kensington Wine Market 2016 Winter Whisky Tastings

1. MS Calgary Whisky Festival – Heading into its 5th year the 2016 MS Calgary Whisky Festival is slated to be the biggest and best yet with a variety of ticket packages and over 200 whiskies. Tickets are available through: www.calgarywhiskyfestival.com . Art Commons, 205 8 Ave SE. – $99
2. Classic Single Malts – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. Fri Jan 15 – $40
3. Gin Glorious Gin – Is gin your secret weakness? Don’t worry you aren’t alone! Gin is going through a “Ginnaissance” on an international scale. Join us for a taste test of the best. Tue Jan 19 – $25
4. Great Grains – We’ll sample a wide range of grain whiskies, some of them very old to see what all the fuss is about in this fast growing category. – $60
5. Scots Wha Hae! – Arran Cask Release – Caledonians lament! On the cusp of our 10th Anniversary Burns Supper the
event tragically has to change. I wonder if the Bard would be aghast to learn that bureaucrats have gotten in the way of a night of whisky, song and friendship. In compliance with AGLC regulations we have had to take the supper out of the Burns Supper. Robbie might be turning in his grave, but perhaps it will put him at ease to know we can still serve the whisky! The one not so insignificant change in detail, which Burns would almost certainly approve of, is that the event is now free. Join our special guest Miss Louisa Young of the Isle of Arran Distillery for a toast to Robert Burns and the launch of two new KWM casks. Mon Jan 25 – $FREE
6. Glendronach Batch 12 Tasting – We’ll sample the full range of Batch 12 whiskies up to and including the 1972, 11 – 43 years of age! – $200
7. Classic Cocktails: Gin – Join us for a deconstruction of gin based cocktails. We’ll teach you the basics of the spirit and how to make some flashy gin based drinks to impress your friends. Tue Feb 16 – $15
8. Closed Distilleries of Scotland – The whiskies are getting older, rarer and more expensive with every passing year. We’re not saying this is the last hurrah… just that as time runs out supplies dwindle and prices goes up. Thr Feb 18 – $200
9. Rare Malts – Only the rarest whiskies, those 20+ years of age, those from closed distilleries and/or the exceptionally rare qualify for this tasting. Thr Feb 25 – $80
10. Speyside Whisky Festival – Most of Scotland’s distilleries are found in the watershed of the River Spey. This whisky festival will highlight these drams and the distilleries they come from. Thr Mar 10 – $50
11. Asian Whisky Icons – We’ll highlight some world renowned whiskies from Japan, Taiwan and India and try to taste what all the fuss is about. Thr Mar 17 – $60
12. Master Malt – We pull out all the stops featuring whiskies that are very old, very rare and very pricey. This is a tasting that will never be repeated again. – $130
13. Classic Cocktails: Whisky – Join us for a deconstruction of whisky based cocktails. We’ll teach you the basics of the spirit and how to make some classic whisky cocktails to impress your most sophisticated friends. Thr Mar 29 – $25
14. Classic Malts – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. Fri Apr 1 – $40

Drop in, call us 403-283-8000 or register online!

KWM 2015 Christmas Gift Guide

Great gifts at all price points…

Kensington has one of if not the best whisky selection in Canada. To help you wade through the all the whiskies on our shelf and website we’ve distilled things down to some of our top pics.

Books Glasses and Other Accessories

1. Ardbeg 10 Year 50ml – Minis of one of Islay’s most beloved whiskies. – $8.49
2. Glencairn Glass – Easily “the” whisky glass, every whisky drinker needs one or better yet a set of these durable and elegant glasses. – $15.99
3. Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert by Davin de Kergommeaux – Paper back study on Canadian whisky by the world’s leading authority! – $23.99
4. Whisky: The Manual by Dave Broom – A great book about enjoying whisky, covering all styles and debunking some whisky myths. – $24.99
5. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2016 – Our favourite annual tome on whisky. – $33.99
6. Glenfarclas an Independent Distillery – The history of one of Scotland’s oldest family owned distilleries. – $49.99
7. World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom – Explores more than 200 distilleries and 400 expressions. – $49.99
8. Glencairn Cut Crystal Glass – A weightier and more beautiful cut crystal version of the world’s most popular whisky glass. – $49.99
9. Glencairn 2 Glass Gift Box – Two of the best whisky glass in the world in a beautiful gift box. – $54.99
10. Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard – One of the most important books on distilleries in Scotland, and Ireland, written in the late 1800s. – $64.99

Gift Packs

1. Tomatin Gift Pack – 3x50ml – 12 Year, 15 Year & 18 Year – $24.99
2. Auchentoshan Classic Gift Pack – 3x50ml – American Oak, 12 Year & Three Wood – $25.99
3. Bowmore Collection – 3x50ml – 12 Year, 15 Year & 18 Year – $25.99
4. Bowmore 3x200ml Gift Pack – 12 Year, 15 Year & 18 Year – $64.99
5. Bruichladdich Wee Laddie Pack – 3x200ml – Laddie Classic, Islay Barley & Port Charlotte Scottish Barley – $74.99
6. Wee Whisky Gift Box – 7x50ml assorted premium whiskies, a great cross section of single malts and a Glencarin glass. Produced in shop here at KWM! – $79.99
7. Benromach 10 Year with 2 Glasses – 2x Glencairn & Benromach 10 Year – $82.99
8. Benromach Tri-Pack – 3x50ml – Organic, Peat Smoke & 10 Year – $92.99
9. Glenmorangie 18 Year Golf Kit – Glenmorangie 18 in Golf Theme w/ 2 Glasses – $137.99
10. Tomatin Contrast – Two multi-vintage whiskies one American Oak one European Oak to compare and contrast! – $204.99
11. Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership – So much more than a gift pack, it is the portal into the World’s Largest Whisky Club! – $220

Under $75

1. Forty Creek Confederation Oak – A perenial favourite Canadian whisky in our shop, creamy and spicy! – $65.99
2. Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt – A tropically fruity beast of a whisky, that is one of the best value buys in store! – $66.99
3. Benrheim Kentucky Wheat KWM Cask – Our exclusive cask of wheat whisky from Kentucky, think of it as Bourbon-light! – $69.99
4. Teeling Single Malt – A very well priced Irish single malt, from one of our favourite producers. – $69.99
5. Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve – One of our best selling whiskies and an Alberta exclusive, it is heavily sherried but elegant. – $74.99

Under $100

1. Glendronach 12 Year – A great entry level sherried whisky from our best selling distillery! – $75.99
2. Kilchoman Machir Bay – Big, creamy and peaty with lots of citrus, an amazing malt for it’s age! – $75.99
3. Arran 14 Year – Excellent value and great depth for a whisky of it’s age! – $79.99
4. EH Taylor Small Batch – We only see this Bourbon once a year, and we only get a tiny amount! – $94.99
5. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 2003 – A great smoky independent bottling at 46% from Islay’s most consistent distillery! – $99.99

Under $125

1. Hibiki Harmony – The first Suntory whisky in Canada in about 3 years has been a hit, A light but layered Japanese Blended Whisky. $105.99
2. G&M Glenturret 2000 – A sleeper hit this malt is a sherry bomb, and exclusive in Canada to KWM! – $109.99
3. Cadenhead Glengoyne 2001 – You don’t see too many independent bottlings of Glengoyne, but this one is a gem! – $109.99
4. Glenmorangie Companta – Yes, it is back and exclusive to KWM this time… One final flourish before it disappears forever! – $114.99
5. Amrut Bangalor Tiger Canadian Single Cask – Bottled exclusively for Canada this sherry forward Amrut blew us away! – $115.99

Under $150

1. Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 – One of the most heavily peated whiskies in Scotland, this edition produced from Islay barley. $129.99
2. Kilchoman 2010 KWM Cask 440 – Our 4th exclusive single cask from Kilchoman is more classically Islay than the last one with a brash smoky style. – $139.99
3. Glendronach 2003 KWM Virgin Oak Cask 1750 – Our 6th cask of Glendronach is sherried like all the others, with a lovely silky backbone! – $139.99
4. Balblair 1999 – We weren’t sure what to expect from this one until it showed up in shop. Lots of candied fruit and malt! – $144.99
5. Cadenhead BenRich 1996 – Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies never seem to disappoint but this one was a real surprise, fruity and delicate! – $149.99

Under $250

1. Creative Whisky Company Glenturret 1994 – Talk about not seeing this one coming, the Clynelish was a hit and disappeared immediately. This one is just as good and a great price for a 21 year. – $159.99
2. G&M Glenrothes 1997 Quaich Cask – A lovely single cask bottled for a Calgary whisky club, this one will make you rethink Glenrothes! – $184.99
3. Ardbeg Supernova 2014 – Another surprise return, some other Province’s government didn’t want it… so it is all coming to KWM! – $194.99
4. First Editions Glen Garioch 1990 – A big bold whisky from Old Meldrum, lightly peated and sherry cask. A KWM Calgary exclusive. – $204.99
5. MacKinlay’s the Journey – The second edition of the very popular Shackelton range is back in stock. – $204.99

Under $500

1. Macallan 1824 Ruby – Rumour has it this whisky has been too popular, it might start getting rare. It is easily our favourite in the new range. – $269.999
2. Signatory Mortlach 1990 – Great buy for its age and strength, a quarter the price of the distillery bottling. – $289.99
3. Signatory Bruichladdich 1990 – Older Bruichladdichs are getting increasingly rare and hard to come by. Signatory seems to have found a vein with a few good older ones. – $319.99
4. Cadenhead Royal Brackla 1984 – Very floral, creamy and rich. You don’t see many older bottlings of Royal Brackla, let alone at 30 years and cask strength. – $434.99
5. Cadenhead Teaninich 1983 – Another rarity, this old Teaninich, which is a malt used almost exclusively for blends. – $439.99

Under $1000

1. G&M Rosebank 1991 – This was a hit at our tasting with Richard Urquhart a month ago. Rosebank bottlings are increasingly rare, and this one is lovely! – $649.99
2. Bowmore 23 Year Port Matured – Port finishes can be tricky, this Port Matured bottling is a winner and a really unique one off! – $659.99
3. Glenfarclas 1985 Family Cask – We sampled this recently and were blown away. Family Cask bottlings are getting more rare and expensive with every passing year. – $699.99
4. BenRiach 35 Year – One of a number of releases put our in BenRiach’s 10th year as an independent firm, and this is a gem with a lovely sherried component. Less than a dozen bottles in Alberta! – $909.99
5. Glenfarclas 1976 Family Cask – Another in Glenfarclas Family Cask line, know anyone born in 1976? Better to grab it now before the price goes up! – $999.99

Under $5000

1. Benromach 1976 – Pre-closure (1983) Benromach is getting rare, expensive and hard to come by. Fortunately the quality is holding up its end of the bargain! – $1099.99
2. G&M Glenlochy 1979 – Only the second Glenlochy we’ve ever had in store, very light, delicate and tropical. Glenlochy is one of the most seldom seen closed distilleries being bottled these days. – $1149.99
3. Glenfarclas 1966 Fino – The first in a range of six family cask bottlings, one for each of the Johns and Georges to own the distillery. – $1649.99
4. Blackadder Glen Esk 1983 30 Year – Even rarer still than the Glenlochy is Glen Esk and this one from Blackadder is a big sherried malt exclusive to KWM. – $1919.99
5. Bunnahabhain 40 Year – A beautiful malt and one of the highlights of our fall tasting schedule. We may just have the last bottle coming to Alberta! – $2899.99

Sky’s the Limit

1. G&M Glen Grant 1952 60 Year Diamond Jubilee – Only 2 bottles of this rare gem have come to Alberta, out of just 85 produced. Launched to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year as monarch, it is a 60 year old Glen Grant filled into cask days before her coronation. – $13,999.99

* Please note in the event of a discrepancy in price the point of sale at Kensington Wine Market will be taken as correct.
**Inventory is available on a first come first serve basis.

MS Calgary Whisky Festival Tickets Now On Sale

Get em while their hot…

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival. The event takes place at the Arts Commons (formerly Epcor Center) in the foyer of the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Thursday January 14, 2016. Last year’s event was a sell out with 500 tickets sold and excellent feedback from suppliers and participants alike. This year’s event is expected to grow to 600 participants, where we will be capping it moving forward. It is very important that we continue to offer the best possible quality of experience for our guests.

This 2016 event is expected to feature more than 200 whiskies from more than 70 distilleries around the world, mostly Scotland. Like the last two years events there will be three Master Classes (details to be announced in December) held during the evening as well as an early entry VIP Master Class with Dan Volway which will feature the full Highland Park Valhalla range: Thor, Loki, Freya and Odin. Participants with the VIP Master Class ticket will also get an extra 50 minutes in the festival room, after the tasting, before the rest of the participants arrive. As the VIP Master Class is limited to 40 participants we have also opened 60 VIP Early Admission Tickets which will give participants a full hour before the rest of the participants arrive. General admission will begin at 6:30PM and the event will run through 9:30PM. Tickets are now on sale on the www.calgarywhiskyfestival.com website, with the following available:
1. 40x VIP Ticket with Highland Park Valhalla Masterclass – $150 (Master Class Starts at 5PM and will run for 40min)
2. 60X VIP Ticket with 5:30 Entry – $125
3. 475x General Admission Ticket – $99
Three 40 minute Master Classes running from 6:00-9:30PM will be announced in early December!

Tickets are available exclusively through www.calgarywhiskyfestival.com.

OUR EXCLUSIVE NEW KILCHOMAN SINGLE CASK

The best new peaty whisky in the shop…

In the 10 years since the distillery opened Kilchoman has made quite a name for itself. The distillery’s nearly flawless spirit and rigorous oak policy have ensured that their young whiskies can compete with the best in the world. Our previous three casks of whisky from this maverick Islay Distillery were all big hits and our 4th has just arrived. Distilled in 2010 and matured in an American Ex-Bourbon Barrel at 5 years of age it is another cracker! Only 221 hand numbered bottles are available at a cask strength of 60.4%.

Kilchoman 2010 KWM Bourbon Cask 440– 60.4% – 5 Year – ExBourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh with big notes of marzipan, orange pith, toasty oak and sea salt caramel; underneath briny coastal notes begin mingling with tar and earthy smoke begin to develop; the are soft fruits too, Asian pear, honey dew melon and mango salsa; Palate: juicy, smoky and fruity there is immediately a lot going on: chewy malt, barley sugars; sea salt caramel, candied salmon and building earthy peat and dark spices; more Asian pear, mango salsa and a touch of melon, bright orange notes all atop a creamy base; the smoke is clean and firm but soft; sticky soft Panda brand licorice comes to the fore; Finish: refreshing, almost minty, with fading fruits, sugars, malt and smoke maritime flourishes; Comment: if you love peat, you are going to adore this one! – $140

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

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Blended for smokiness. The finest Scotch whiskies are expertly blended with select peated malts including a rare peated version of The Glenturret to create a richer and smokier whisky in The Famous Grouse Smoky Black. For a smoky yet smooth taste, grab your bottle here today. The last order date for Christmas delivery is December 18th. Make sure you don’t miss out.

Glencadam Ambassador Night

Great Highland distillers Glencadam are visiting us in January to host an evening for you, our customers! On the evening we will be tasting through their entire range whilst being regaled with the history of the distillery and the tale of each dram. There might even be a surprise dram of something extra special at the end! More…

This week Joe Ellis reviews The BenRiach 17 Year Old Solstice.

https://youtu.be/BW9tvWiBniM

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

BLACK BOTTLE MARKS INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY WITH WHISKY/TEA COCKTAIL 

Scotch blended whisky Black Bottle, created in 1879 by tea blender Gordon Graham, is toasting International Tea Day on December 15 with a Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned tea-infused cocktail. The mix has been designed to highlight the whisky’s delicate smoky and peaty flavours, balanced by notes of sweet oak and honey.

Conceived by internationally recognised Scottish mixologist, Mal Spence, the tea-infused cocktail creatively features a whisky tea tincture.  Spence is the global ambassador for Black Bottle.

“The whisky tea tincture is a blend created to mimic and enhance the flavour profile of Black Bottle whisky, and involves four differing teas,” says Spence. “Firstly, there is Ceylon, an earthy rich tea, which forms the base of the blend, giving it a depth and structure to add flavours to. Then there is Darjeeling, slightly more aromatic and with more fragrant notes. The third inclusion is Jasmine green tea that adds a delicate sweetness and some lighter grassy notes to the blend. Lapsang Souchong, a smoked black tea, provides the final smoky touch to bring the tea tincture blend totally in line with the taste of Black Bottle.

“With this cocktail, we’re telling the story of Black Bottle creator, Gordon Graham, whose whisky skills evolved from tea blending.  He has been a truly inspiring figure in Scotch whisky history for his uncompromising, daring spirit that has informed many of the drinks we are developing for the brand.”

Do it yourself by following the recipe below, and celebrate with fellow whisky lovers this International Tea Day!

Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned

Glass:  Old fashioned / lowball / rocks

Garnish: Orange twist

Ingredients:

50 ml Black Bottle

12.5 ml sugar syrup

4 to 5 dashes / drops of Black Bottle tea tincture OR Angostura Bitters

Method:

Tea tincture

For those brave and bold enough to try making their own Black Bottle tea tincture, follow these instructions (or use Angostura Bitters as alternative):

Steep the same quantity (e.g. 100g) of each of the four teas; including Ceylon, Darjeeling, Jasmine and Lapsang Souchong; in unaged grain alcohol in a sealable container. Close the container and leave the mixture for around 8 to 10 weeks, monitoring and tasting it once a week up until the last few weeks, from when it needs to be tasted once a day for flavour profile and balance. Once the desired result is achieved, fine strain the mixture before finer muslin straining. Dispense into pipette bottles and use as required.

To assemble the Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned

Add all the ingredients to a mixing receptacle and stir well. Strain into the selected glass over a few blocks of ice, and garnish with orange zest.

Go to http://on.fb.me/1ZTKAwj to view a video of Spence preparing Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned.

Black Bottle was globally relaunched last year, and is back in a black bottle as its name suggests. It now also features a blend far closer to the Aberdeen original of 1879. It retails for between R240 and R260 per 750ml bottle, from selected liquor outlets countrywide.

Notes:

With more than 15 years’ experience tending, managing and building up the reputation of some of Scotland’s best bars, Spence has a wealth of knowledge. He is the only Scottish bartender ever to reach the Havana Club Grand Prix World Final; a Scottish Licenced Trade News (SLTN) Mixologist of the Year Award winner for two years running; winner of Maxxium’s Liquid War competition; and in 2011, industry bible Class Magazine bestowed Spence with the Best Bar Menu Award for his work at the Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow. Spence is also the director of the Kelvingrove Café in Glasgow, winner of the Best Cocktail Bar at the 2013 Scottish Bartenders Network Awards.

Go to http://www.theblackbar.co.za/ and enter your details in order to be invited to exclusive Black Bottle events.

Follow Black Bottle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBottleSA) and/or Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlackBottleSA).

Join the conversation using: #BlackBar

 This article in a Tweet: Celebrate #InternationalTeaDay on Dec 15 with a @BlackBottleSA Old Fashioned cocktail: http://on.fb.me/1ZTKAwj #BlackBar

‘Tis the season so we’re celebrating with another EIGHT new releases to tempt your tastebuds this month.

You’ll find our “Unapologetic non-conformists” to be “Incredibly awesome” and they’ll even taste great “On Christmas day in the morning” so curl up, dig in and treat youself!

Enjoy the brief bottle notes below and visit http://www.smws.ca/ for the full tasting notes.

CASK No. 55.25  SCRUMDIDLYUMPTIOUS! 

20 years old; 2nd fill hogshead;  54.3%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Oozing with honey and mead, perfumed sandalwood and rose petals. Aniseed mingles with carrot cake and roasted sweet potato. Juicy Jamaica cake laced with plump sultanas and coffee and walnut gateau. Cranberries and pomegranate, plump prunes with praline and butterscotch.

CASK No. 123.8  IN THE SPANISH MOUNTAINS

12 years old; refill port pipe; 59.2%; Spicy & sweet

The nose could evoke Spanish mountain villages – hay, horses, rose gardens, citrus groves and rosemary – also plum jam, marshmallow and toffee sweetness. The palate is fruity and winey, with dried figs, cranachan, Pavlova and Pimms, plus a few spicy tingles.

CASK No. 76.119  ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING

18 years old; refill butt; 56.7%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Christmas childhood memories of spiced orange, eggnog, sugar puffs and hot chocolate sprinkled with nutmeg. Still in pyjamas, they dipped into their stockings finding cranberries and Hubba Bubba gum. Homemade dolls house tingled with Ras el Hanout spiciness and pomanders.

CASK No. 72.43  BUNSEN BURNER AND BURNT CAPACITORS

10 years old; 1st fill white wine hogshead; 59.8%; 

Deep, rich & dried fruits

Smoke in the air; burnt ginger biscuits, smoked apple pie but also burnt capacitors. In the taste neat; scorched crème caramel and the lighting of a barbecue. Water defused the situation; toffee popcorn and sweet fruit quiche with a roasted garlic dip.

CASK No. 93.63  UNAPOLOGETIC NON-CONFORMIST

15 years old; refill hogshead; 56.1%; Oily & coastal

Venison in red wine and cocoa sauce, Branston pickle and a smoking apple shisha pipe. A mechanic eats a bacon sandwich at the beach. Cranberries coated in chocolate and hoisin sauce noodles to taste. Also, wet seaside rocks, papaya and roasted beetroot. Conformity is overrated.

CASK No. 27.109  GUNS ON THE GROUSE MOOR

16 years old; refill gorda; 58.3%; Oily & coastal

A misty moor cupping mugs of consomme laced with sherry. A trail of burning heather and gun smoke. Mustard crusted gammon, Iberico ham followed by zabaglione and chewy orange fudge. Game hunt finishes with damp hairy tweeds and grilled wild boar.

CASK No. 10.83  INCREDIBLY AWESOME

9 years old; refill barrel; 58.8%; Lightly peated

Smoked eel, creamy mustard and burnt honey glazed parsnips on the nose whilst a salty, sweet, smoky and spicy sensation to taste. Water changed everything, the aromas now maritime; sea spray, steamed mussels with flavours of sweet soy sauce and salted caramel.

CASK No. 29.154  CAMPING WITH M*A*S*H

23 years old; refill hogshead; 49.8%; Peated

The nose was like M*A*S*H had set up camp on Islay (canvas, leather, bandages, first aid boxes, seaweed, bonfire smoke). The palate suggested hospitals and harbours – lobster pots, fishing boats, mussels, Elastoplasts and Big Red gum – hints of menthol arrived with water.

http://www.smws.ca/

Glenfarclas 1957

Single Cask 2110 Single Cask of the Year 2016! 

Single Cask of the Year and Scotch Single Malt of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2016 whisky bible!

Liquid Gold – 96.5/100!