Millburn 1974 – Rare Old

Another extraordinarily rare whisky release from Gordon & MacPhail. This Millburn from 1974 was matured in cask until 2015, then bottled for the Rare Old series and is one of only 128 bottles filled. Millburn distillery was mothballed in 1985 and the site has since be converted into a restaurant.

£628.00

Inverleven 1986 – Rare Old

A rare 1986 vintage Inverleven from Gordon & MacPhail, bottled for their fantastic Rare Old series. Inverleven distillery was sadly mothballed in 1992 and has since been demolished making the 211 bottles filled for this lost distillery release that little bit more special. N.B – The red hue on the label is from the lights reflecting, not on the actual label itself.

£332.11

APRIL

R&B Distillers Tasting – The Vaults, Mon 18 Apr  More >

Aberdeen Preview Tasting – Mercure Caledonian Hotel, Thu 21 Apr  More >

Aberdeen Preview Tasting – Mercure Caledonian Hotel, Fri 22 Apr  More >

Liverpool Preview Tasting – Radisson BLU Hotel, Fri 22 Apr  More >

Winchester Preview Tasting – Winchester Royal Hotel, Fri 22 Apr  More >

Aberdeen Preview Tasting – Mercure Caledonian Hotel, Sat 23 Apr  More >

Pretzel Day Tasting – 19 Greville St, Tue 26 Apr  More >

The Vaults Extras Tasting – The Vaults, Thu 28 Apr  More>

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

Sherry & wine Cask Lovers’ Theme Drop-in – Tue 19 Apr

Free Live music with Jack of Diamonds – Tue 26 Apr  More >

Browse All Events & Tastings >

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

It has been a busy start to 2016 and a rewarding one. A couple of months back we received word that, for the second year in a row, we were recognized as “Highly Commended” or runner up for Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of Whisky 2016: Rest of the World – Whisky Retailer of the Year Single Outlet”. A mouthful I know, but a great honour to be so recognized and we are very humbled. Last year we were stunned to finish 2nd behind the storied Berry Borthers & Rudd of London. 

This year top honours went to the Celtic Whiskey Shop of Dublin whom I’d like to congratulate for their recognition. I had the pleasure of attending the Whisky Magazine awards dinner, but as I said, it’s been a busy few months and I am only now getting the word out.

We’ve had some great events so far with tastings like Great Grains, Amrut with Ashok Chookalingham, the Glendronach Batch 12 Vertical and Rare Malts. The biggest event of all was the 5th Annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival, which was another smash hit. The event raised $40,000.00 for the MS Society, Calgary & Area Chapter. There are more events to come in the weeks ahead: we’ve just launched our Spring Tasting Schedule online which includes some great evenings like our Spring Single Malt Festival, Ardbeg Day Master Classes and what may very likely be the last Closed Distilleries tasting we will ever be able to put on. The combination of Whiskyflation, the increasing rarity of old whisky (especially from closed distilleries) and the low Canadian dollar, are making it increasingly unlikely we will be able to pull it off in the future.

There are some exciting new whiskies in store, and some of them won’t last long. First and foremost our two new (January 25) Arran casks, which are down to just a dozen bottles of each. Hot on its heels we have an amazing new Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask, 1636, an 18 year old bottled at 54.5% from an Ex-Bourbon barrel. In just the last 2 weeks we’ve sold almost a quarter of the cask. And that is not just the only new Old Pulteney, there is the Old Pulteney 1989, which Whisky Magazine named Single Malt Whisky of the Year 2016. I had a front row seat, literally, at the Whisky Magazine Awards banquet in London. I made sure we got a good allocation of this whisky, half of which has sold.

But, there’s much more… an interesting new Canadian whisky hit the scene recently. Yukon Brewing and Distilling it now seems, has released their first whisky into Alberta, Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Batch 2. There are also some new Glendronachs, including a peated offering and the 7th batch of Glendronach Grandeur, a 25 year old. There are some new Diageo Special Release malts, including the latest upeated Caol Ila, a 17 Year, the latest cask strength Lagavlin 12 Year and the second ever bottling of Pittyvaich, a 25 Year!

Finally, there is a new Macallan in town: the Macallan Rare Cask, and an old favourite is exiting stage left, the Macallan Ruby. In the case of the latter, get em while you can! There is more to come, so don’t be surprised if you see another Malt Messenger soon!

In This Edition

1. Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky 2016, Runner Up!
2. Introducing Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask 1636
3. Going, Going, Almost Gone… New Arran Whiskies
4. Introducing Old Pulteney 1989 – Single Malt of the Year
5. Two New Octomores
6. Spring Tasting Schedule
7. Four New Glendronachs Including Grandeur Batch 7
8. Diageo 2015 Special Releases
9. Teeling 15 Year Revival
10. Macallan Coming & Going – Rare Cask and Ruby!
11. Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger, and look forward to greeting you in store with a dram!

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

Coming Soon 

Ardbeg Dark Cove  

ETA June 

Ardbeg’s 2016 special release, to be launched at Ardbeg Night celebrations around the world on May 28th 2016, is coming to KWM and will be available for pickup in June. In the meantime we are taking pre-orders for what is expected to be another sought after release.

$135 

More Information  

Classic Malts

Tuesday April 19 

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 some distinct styles. Hosted by the always entertaining Hunter Sullivan! 

$35

More Information 

 

Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Awards 2016 

Runner Up 2nd Year in a Row: Single Outlet Retailer of the Year: Rest of World

We are humbled and honoured with our recognition in Whisky Magazine’s 2016 “Icons of Whisky” awards. For the 2nd year in a row we have been recognized as “Highly Commended” or runner up for Single Outlet: Whisky Retailer of the Year. Last year we were stunned to learn that we had finished 2nd behind Berry Brothers & Rudd, a 300 year old London wine merchant, with its own independent bottlings that also owns The Glenrothes single malt brand. This year we finished 2nd behind Dublin’s famous Celtic Whiskey Shop and we share the 2nd place honour with Whisky Brother of South Africa. We’d like to congratulate the Celtic Whisky Shop on their win as well as our podium mate Whisky Brother.

We’d also like to thank our customers, suppliers and friends. Without your support this would not be possible. Thank you!

Introducing Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask 1636

The First Exclusive Old Pulteney Cask in Canada!

It is finally here, after an unplanned detour to the low countries (Belgium)… and we are so excited. Our customers are excited too… since quietly launching in the shop a few weeks back the first 1/4 of the bottles have already sold. The whisky comes in a custom cloth bag and individually numbered bottles.

Selected by and bottled exclusive for the Kensington Wine Market, this 1997 single cask. 1636, is the first barrel bottled for a retailer in Canada from this Northern Highland Distillery. Bottled at 54.5% from a single ex-Bourbon barrel laid down in 1997 and bottled in 2015 at 18 years of age. Only 198 total bottles!

Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask 1636 – 54.5% – Ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: Nose: creamy and buttery, clotted cream, vanilla icecream soup, honey dew melons and tropical fruits: mango, papaya and pineapple; juicy malt, soft toasty oak spices and honeycomb. Palate: round, soft and sweet with a salty backbone; as the palate builds and the waves of vanilla, honeycomb and fruit (especially tropical ones) roll over the palate the salty-oily tones continue to build; baked apple, poached pear and delicate decadent oak spices; thick, layered and coating it has a big body. Finish: long, coating and fruity with oils and maritime notes that seem like they will never let go. Comment: normally when we select a cask we have 4-6 samples to choose from, this time it was just one, a simple yes or no; they selected an amazing cask for us, and there was no chance of us turning it down; it is a beautiful malt! – $200

New Arran Whiskies

Two Limited Edition Releases and Two KWM Exclusive Casks from Isle of Arran

We love the Isle of Arran distillery, and we’ve bottled nearly as many single casks from it as any other distillery (tie with Glendronach). We launched two new Arran single casks at our Burns Supper, near the end of January with the distillery’s brand ambassador Louisa Young. It’s been a busy time since then, and this is the first chance I’ve had to write them up in a News Letter… in that time they’ve nearly sold out. Two other Arrans came in with them, the first bottling in the Smugglers Series: Illicit Stills (Sold Out), and The Bothy: Quarter Casks. Both of these are also excellent and have been very well received.

The Arran casks are beautiful, and tremendous value for their age. The distillery was only opened in 1995, and to be given the privilege of bottling not just one, but two different 1996 casks (the first full year of production) is a special privilege. Both whiskies are from sherry hogshead casks, bottled at cask strength, individually numbered, and within half a percent of each other in strength. At the time of writing there are around just a dozen of each available.

1. Arran 1996 KWM Cask 2003 – 53.7% – 18 Year – Sherry Hogshead – 232 Bottles Selected by and Bottled for KWM! – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Eat More candy bars, dark bakers chocolate, candied orange and lemon peel; new saddle leather, hand rolled tobacco and developing fruits: mango and pineapple, raisins, dates and figs; there is a creamy base of honeycomb and white chocolate sauce. Palate: more orange and especially chocolate: Eat More bars, bakers chocolate and leather and tobacco; the mango and pineapple are still there with classic Christmas cake and heap of dried dark fruits: raisins, dates and figs; dark spices develop; fennel seed, licorice root and candied ginger. Finish: round, fruity and spicy with heaps of layers and depth; the finish is long and complex. Comment: not hard to see from my tasting notes that this is my favourite of the two casks, it is the darker (flavour-wise) and more robustly sherried of the two. Both excellent casks, but this one has the edge, however slight. – $135 – Only 13 left!
2. Arran 1996 KWM Cask 2017 – 53.2% – 18 Year – Sherry Hogshead – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: chocolate mouse with strawberries and a raspberry coulee, garnished with powdered sugar; a hint of Christmas cake, Fruit Source bars and candied nuts; honey and vanilla with candied citrus. Palate: still chocolaty with lots of citrus, big orange notes: both candied and peels; more dried fruits, Fruit Source bars, candied and crushed nuts with a hint of perfume and grassy malt; still chocolaty with a tad of leather and tobacco. Finish: long, dried and fruity with fading spices and lots of fruit.Comment: the more delicate, fruity and candied of the two 18 year old Arran casks at KWM. – $140 – Ony 11 left!
3. Arran Quarter Cask The Bothy – 55.7% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon finished in Quarter Casks – Andrew’s Tasting Note: Nose: very nutty and honeyed, roasted almonds and almond paste with orange peel; toasty and very malty with a hint of barnyard; honey dew melons, poached pears and white chocolate sauce. Palate: honeyed, very toasty and malty; massively orangey, orange rind, orange bitters in a Sazerac and marmalade; very Bourbonny, chewy barley and more grassy barnyard tones; the nutty-almond tones are still there with more white chocolate, melon and white fruits. Finish: long, coating, toasty and juicy with fading spices and crisp oak. Comment: this is a big punchy American oak matured Arran with great depth and vibrance. – $110
4. Arran Smugglers Series: The Illicit Stills – 56.4% – Peated & Unpeated Ex- Bourbon as well as Port Matured Whisky – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: juicy, floral and tropical with big toasty oak and a hint of smoke; layers open up with dark fruits, chocolate, leather and tobacco; melons, apricots and chocolate covered almonds. Palate: more juicy fruits, crisp layered spices, clean elegant smoke and dark fruits; chocolate covered almonds, leather, tobacco and Dutch licorice; malty with marmalade, big candied ginger and cinnamon hearts; the port component adds a grapey chocolate character. Finish: long coating, toasty and smoky; layered with loads of fruits.Comment: this is not your typical Arran, at one point I thought this was like a peated version of the wonderful Millenium casks bottling from years ago. That does both a disservice. This is a great standalone whisky, but on further reflexion not quite the Millenium casks… – $145 SOLD OUT

 

Introducing Old Pulteney 1989 

Whisky Magazine 2016 Single Malt Whisky of the Year

The follow up to the very successful 1990 “accidentally peated” release has also been bottled at 46%, after maturing in American Oak Ex-Bourbon. Just landed in Canada, it won “World’s Best Single Malt” Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards! I happened to be in London for the awards ceremony, with a front row seat for the announcement. I made sure we had a good allocation of the whisky. The whisky is excellent, and unlike the Crown Royal picked by another chap, a worthy selection for top honours.

Old Pulteney 1989 – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon that Previously Held Peated Whisky – Distiller’s Tasting Note: Nose: Spices of the Orient and tangy green apples are wrapped in a veil of warm wood smoke. Honey and vanilla cut through the middle with a lemony top note and a faint floral accent. Palate: It starts dark and peaty with a heavy, spicy underpinning. The sweeter and lighter notes soon follow, bringing to mind vanilla custard laced with runny toffee, a touch of coconut, worn leather and a generous helping of bitter orange marmalade. The peat smoke flickers and changes, revealing a very mature, spicy and tannic side of this suberb Vintage. Long lasting and satisfying. – $340

Two New Octomore Releases from Bruichladdich 

Octomore 7.3 Islay Barley and Octomore 7.4 Virgin Oak

Octomore is the most heavily peated style

of whisky made by Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, and one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. It is named for Octomore farm, where Bruichladdich sources some of its barley and the site of a lost Islay distillery. While the whiskies are very heavily peated, young and high alcohol, Bruichladdich’s tall stills ensure the spirit is still soft and smooth. The whiskies have earned a cult following around the world, and are very sought after. These two releases are very limited. Octomore 7.3 has been produced from Islay Barley, grown at Lorgba farm in 2009, and distilled in 2010. Octomore 7.4 was filled into Virgin Oak barrels in 2008 for full term maturation. It is exclusive to just a handful of whisky specialists in Alberta.

Jim McEwan may have defied expectations and finally retired. But Bruichladdich is still producing epic tasting notes.

1. Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 – 63% – 169ppm – Matured partially in Ex-Bourbon barrels (80%) and partially in Ex-Wine barriques from Spain (20%) – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “

Nose: Opens with the unmistakeable hit of peat smoke followed by ozone and salt spray, then lemon cake. The marine notes characteristic of maturation by the shores of Lochindaal. Warm the glass in your hand and wait as apricot jam, cinder toffee, vanilla, buttercups and lilies rise and interweave. Palate: The texture is a striking testament to the Distiller’s art, rich and satin smooth despite the high strength. Initially there is salt on the lips with sweetness from the American Oak combining with the peat smoke. A second sip uncovers the heart of the dram through layers of peaches, apricot, melon and ginger syrup. Once there, malted Islay barley and toasted oak compliment floral notes of wild thyme, mint and buttercup. Finish: Everything about this dram speaks of Islay and our slow distillation, the peat smoke and salt spray powerful yet gentle and complex. The Islay-grown barley gives a character like no other. The culmination of many hours of hard work, determination and skill, long after the glass is empty the peat embers from this whisky remain alive on your taste buds.” – $150

1. Bruichladdich Octomore 7.4 – 61.2% – 167ppm – Matured in Virgin Oak – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: There is huge presence with this whisky, taking the cork from the bottle will unleash something unique. The room fills with the sweet, smoky aroma as the first glass is poured and you know this is the prelude to a whisky like no other. The smoke is powerful but tempered by sweet, rich oak, two heavyweights that complement each other – there is balance between them. As the whisky opens, the complexity and intensity of the virgin oak gives notes of dried fruit, raisin and apricot then toasted bread, chocolate orange, coffee, coconut, buttery vanilla. There is a hint of barbeque and pine needles along with more fruit, this time from the spirit – green apples and grapefruit with a dusting of cloves and cinnamon. It is captivating. Palate: Prepare for an elevation in the octomore experience. As the first taste of 7.4 meets your taste buds the sensation is truly spectacular. The mouthfeel is rich and sumptuous then there is a detonation of flavour. Sweetness, peat smoke and the richness of toasted oak clamour for your attention as the warming strength of the spirit ignites. Wow! A drop of water will release exotic coconut and clove, lemon peel, caramel, turkish delight. Sweet orange blossom honey and more and more oak fill the palate, all of this is veiled in peat smoke, almost medicinal in its character it is peppered with sweet spicy notes of cinnamon and clove. The floral, fruity, style of Bruichladdich is evident through all the power of the oak and smoke reassuring us that we have not let this age too long in the intensity of the fresh oak casks. Finish: True to our beliefs this distillation was slow and careful to ensure the texture and balance is perfect and this allows the flavour to last for an eternity. Honeysuckle and rose mingle with liquorice and clove, dried dates, apricots and honeyed vanilla released from the oak will slowly fade then the smoke will linger for an age competing with the sweetness of the oak for the last word on an unforgettable experience.” – $140

We also have limited remaining stock of:

1. Octomore 6.1 – $132 – Just 3 Bottles
2. Octomore 6.3: Islay Barley – $150
3. Octomore 7.1 – $130

Kensington Wine Market 2016 Spring Tasting Schedule

A little something for everyone…

We have some incredible tastings coming up this Spring, many of which will sell out quickly! Rare Malts on May 10 for example, only has 2 spots remaining! Ardbeg Day 2016 is just a little over a month away, and in the lead up to Ardbeg Night celebrations (details to come) we will be hosting three Master Classes at KWM, including the new release Dark Cove and Supernova and Perpetuum. Our Spring Single Malt Festival is coming up on June 9th with 100 whiskies on offer. At the time of writing, half of the 100 tickets have sold! We are also really excited about the new Cadenhead Small Batch releases, and we have a couple of tastings built around them. Finally there is what may be our last ever Closed Distilleries tasting. These whiskies are getting increasingly hard to find and expensive, and we very likely will not be able to pull off another tasting like this again! I hope this list gets your mouth watering:

1. Classic Malts – Tuesday April 19 – 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 some distinct styles. – $35
2. American Craft Whiskey – Tuesday May 3 – Join Evan and Hunter for a roundup of some of our favorite new craft whiskies from the USA. American whiskey has so much more to offer than just Bourbon! – $40
3. Rare Malts – Tuesday May 10 – Only the rarest malts need apply for this tasting; sought after bottlings, obscure distilleries, whiskies 20 years and older and the odd closed distillery. – $80
4. Cadenhead Malt Batch 11 & 12 – Cadenhead has such a cool eclectic range of whiskies we look forward to, with glee, at each new release. This tasting will include Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Aultmore, Glen Engin, Cragganmore and more! – $60
5. Ardbeg Day Master Classes – Saturday May 28, 3 Sessions: 1-2PM, 3-4PM and 5-6PM – Join our Scotchguy, and Ardbeg Ambassador, for a 1 hour Master Class of 6 Ardbeg’s including the new 2016 release Dark Cove, Supernova 2014 and some other treats! – $25
6. Rare Cadenhead Malts Batch 11&12 – Thursday June 2 – We are saving the oldest, rarest and most obscure Cadenhead releases for this tasting with a range distilled between 1976 and 1989. It will include BenRiach, Royal Brackla, Dufftown, Tomintoul and more! – $60
7. Spring Single Malt Festival – Thursday June 9 – Already half sold out! – Our biannual festival sells out very quickly. Sign up now for an opportunity to taste over 100 of the finest whiskies in Alberta. – $60
8. Lost in Translation – Tuesday June 14 – There is no mystery to our love of Japanese whisky, and the tale of how the Japanese came to be one of the world’s finest whisky producers, is a worthy one! – $60
9. Closed Distilleries  – Tuesday June 21 – Scotland lost a huge chunk of its distilling heritage between 1983 and 2000. The whiskies from many of these distilleries are getting older, rarer and more expensive with every passing year. – $225
10. Border Wars – Canadian v. American Rye – Thursday June 30 – It may surprise many to learn that Canada is not the world’s only producer of rye whisk(e)y! The Americans make a load of it too, and are giving Canadian producers a run for their money! – $35

Register for these tastings online, in store or by phone: 403-283-8000.

 

Four New Glendronachs Including Grandeur Batch 7 

And One of Them is Peated!

We love Glendronach, and tied with Arran, we have bottled more casks of it than any other whisky! The Highland distillery is by far our best selling, and there is no doubt as to why. The quality of their whisky is second to none and the whiskies are always excellent value! We have four exciting new releases from the distillery, three of them limited edition:

1. Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 5 – 55.3% – Oloroso & Pedro Ximenez Sherry – Distillery Tasting Note: “Nose: A perfect combination of sweet golden sultanas and rich fig syrup holds a contrasting warmth of ground almonds, orange bitters and a gentle dusting of black pepper. Palate: Demerara sugar-glazed dark fruits lighten to apricot syrup infused with stem ginger and vanilla. Crisp candied peel and gentle cigar box spices combined with mellow notes of freshly mashed barley add great complexity to the long, classic palate. Finish: The combination of elegant sherry influences and robust Highland style creates a perfect example of the traditional GlenDronach character.” – $116.99
2. Glendronach 19 Year Madeira Finish– 46% – Finished in Madeira Hogsheads (Matured in Sherry) – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh, fruity and decadent with warming spices; lots of white fruits, dried pineapple and apricot jam; creamy, sugary and floral top notes. Palate: very honeyed, creamy and fruity, frankly a stunner; the palate shows more white fruits, baked apple, poached pear and exotic tropical ones too: mangos, pineapples and peaches; still creamy, it is sinfully decadent with sweet warming spices, soft floral tones and gentle toasted oak. Finish: long and lovely, stays very honeyed as the fruits, spices and toasted oak slowly fade out. Comment: wow, this is very far off of Glendronach’s beaten path in terms of style; very sweet and the sherry tones are third or fourth fiddle to the Madeira notes; very elegant fruity and complex; wow.”  – $157
3. Glendronach Peated  – 46% – NAS – Matured in Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: honey, Glosette raisins and hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick by the peat fire; juicy malt and clean smoke with marmalade and green grasses. Palate: very honeyed, more dark fruits: Glosette raisins and prosciutto warp figs with date bars; only a hint of smoke at the start but successive waves bring phenols and gradually build up the strength of the peat; still very juicy and malty, the smoke is clean and ashy, not unlike BenRiach’s with late soft leather and tobacco adding weight. Finish: honey, malt, dark fruits and clean ashy smoke linger long. Comment: not as heavily peated in feel as the BenRiach Curiositas or most peated Islay whiskies, and a little bolder than that in standard Benromachs; the interplay between the sherry notes and the youthful moderately peated malt creates a fine balance! – $78
4. Glendronach Grandeur Batch 7 – 50.6% – 25 Year – 1180 Bottles – 10 in Alberta – Distiller’s Tasting Note: Nose: An abundance of classic sherried fruits, rich damsons, dates and sweet plum juice infused with freshly sliced ginger and cracked black pepper. Softer notes of orange chocolate and walnut loaf add a delicate balance to the robust, dark sherry influences. Palate: An elegant, vintage sherry style comprising of classic Mediterranean fruits, dark sundried raisins, dates and fig syrup infused with delicate chocolate fondant, roasted coffee and a dusting of ground almonds. A delightful combination of sophisticated warm oak spices, freshly cut ginger and gentle waves of caramelised orange gives a vibrant, crisp contrast to the traditional Highland sherry cask characteristics. Finish: After a quarter of a century peacefully lying in our traditional dunnage warehouses, Master Blender Billy Walker has selected a combination of casks which truly encapsulate the rich history and heritage between the Highland character of GlenDronach and the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. – $750+GST
   

Diageo 2015 Special Releases 

New Annual Releases of Lagavulin 12 Year Cask Strength and Unpeated Caol Ila

Every year Diageo, the biggest owner of distilleries in Scotland, releases a collection of one off expressions from some of its distilleries. They often include Port Ellen, Rosebank and Brora, some of the most sought after collectible whiskies in the world. Some of their prices, especially Port Ellen, are pushing prices to record levels. As much as we love Port Ellen, a lot…, we just can’t justify these prices any longer. On the Brora at least, we had a bit of a small victory, your’s truly pushed the importer to back off on the price. Based on the proposed wholesale, it was originally going to be listed at close to $3,000.00. Long story short a polite email pointing to a few facts brought them down closer to earth, and we are very grateful for that. Here are the Diageo 2015 Special Releases available from KWM. The Brora is expected soon!

1. Brora 37 Year – COMING SOON! – 50.7% – Distilled 1977 – Matured in American Oak – 2796 Bottles – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Cautious, yet welcoming: a smoky fresh-lit fire, giving way to candle-wax and herbs. Soft sultana cake become malty, with toasted coconut, honey, lemon zest and subtle wood smoke. Palate: Powerful at cask strength – syrup-smooth, with the sweetness of dark chocolate truffles to start, then spicy, mouth-drying and faintly charred, with hints of wood smoke and ripe, red berries. Finish: There’s a peppery tingle in the warming finish, which is oaky and herbal with dry, coating tannins. Behind, notes of roasted coffee lead to a clean, aromatic conclusion, while spice remains in the lingering aftertaste. With water it’s lighter, more cedary and waxy, the late are tannins smoother and longer. Note: This limited edition bottling is from the closed distillery at Brora on the Sutherland coast, and one of only 2976 worldwide.” – $2300 – 95pts Serge at WhiskFun.org
2. Caol Ila 17 Year Unpeated – 55.9% – 17 Year – KWM will be getting approximately 30 bottles. – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Reserved; at first fruity, with zesty orange or mandarin, then slowly becoming sweeter and denser – with a balancing, lightly smoky and fresh-clean aroma too. Palate: Intense, starting with sweet mixed fruit, chocolate and ginger, then distinctly salty, growing warm and slightly bitter. Waxy and coating, later adding a strong, clean, herbal dryness. Finish: Medium to long, warming and coating, with dark chocolate, an appetizing bitter-sweetness, distant light smoke and a touch of salt. With water, gently comforting.” – $185
3. Dailuaine 34 Year – 50.9% – Distilled in 1980 – Refill American Oak – 3000 Bottles – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Light and immediate, with citrus backed by rich, creamy toffee and grainy cereals. Fragrant and herbal too, with a perfumed top note joined by more detailed maltiness, with barley sugar and subtle peat. Palate: Smooth textured at full strength; sweet overall, with fresh acidity and a saltiness unusual in Dailuaine, which develops as a drying, cough-candy note – deepening into dense and spicy dark chocolate-coated ginger. Finish: There’s a peppery tingle in the warming finish, which is oaky and herbal with dry, coating tannins. Notes: Only the fourth new official bottling and the first for six years, this is an outstanding and unusually fragrant example of this robust classic that has an unexpected spicy complexity. – $799.99
4. Dalwhinnie 25 Year – 48.8% – Distilled in 1989 – Refill American Oak – 6000 Bottles – 2015 Edition – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Quite closed, soft and waxy at first, then grassy, with notes of hay soaring above a sweet, malty base. Things open up to reveal fresh high notes of vanilla and floral honey, and heathery moorland and peat. Palate: Smooth, creamy texture. Menthol-cool, lightly sweet and citrusy with a fresh edge; malty too, with an unusual yet pleasingly perfumed mid-palate. Finally, drying at the back. Finish: Quite short and appetisingly dry. Cooling, minty with fragrant pine resins and some very late smoke, finally becoming leafy. With water, dry, warming and softly pungent. Note: Drier and less honeyed than you may expect, it drinks very well, both straight and with a little water.” – $679.99
5. Lagavulin 12 Year Cask Strength – 56.8% – Distilled in 2002 – Refill American Oak – 2015 Edition – Distiller’s Tasting Note: Nose: 

At first fresh cleaned, with soft malt, then rapidly developing maritime scents of sweet seaweed alongside a sharper, fruitier note, with grainy cereals. Palate: A smooth, oily mouthfeel; surprisingly sweet, with coating liquorice and a rising, smoky pungency, before the dryness of rich chocolate arrives with balancing salt and smoke. Finish: Easy-going, sweet and powerfully smoky. Smoothly coating tannins meet salt and smoke; spent matches, clean slabs and charred embers – and a little orange oil. Note: Thirteenth in a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks, this essential Islay is a punchy introduction to the sheer excellence of Special Releases: expressive, energetic and self-assured with a direct, full-on Islay flavour.  – $169.99

1. Pittyvaich 25 Year – 49.9% – 1989 – Refill American Oak – 6000 Bottled – CLOSED DISTILLERY – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Firm, honey-sweet fermented malt laced with almond oil set the tone before quickly becoming complex, with delicate fruity notes and a soft cushion of vanilla sponge and custard beneath. Palate: Treacle toffee cut by green apple crispness: sweet and cooling, with light acidity developing into a warm nuttiness, still oily and malty as on the nose, with that balancing sharpness. Finish: Slightly pungent and herbal with a hint of peat; later drying, with a heather honey aftertaste. Milder with water: still sweet and gently oily with balancing bitterness; spicy and faintly aromatic. Note: Established in 1975 and closed in 1993, the product of this short-lived Speyside distillery is rarely seen as a Single Malt Scotch Whisky and this bottling has lived longer than the distillery itself. – $519.99

Teeling 15 Year Revival

A Limited Release Celebrating the Opening of a New Irish Distillery!

This 15 year old limited edition Irish single malt was distilled in 1999, matured in Ex-Rum casks and bottled at 46%. Only 100 bottles are coming to Alberta, no word on the rest of Canada, and we’ll be getting our paws on just 24 of them! The whisky has been released to mark the opening of the Teeling Distillery in Dublin, the first new distillery in the city in 125 years, and the only one currently operating. It was a huge hit at our Irish Whiskey tasting last week. We’ve already sold 16 of the 24 bottles we’ll be getting!

Teeling 15 Year Revival – 46% – Matured in Ex-Rum Casks – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: soft floral notes, light caramel chews, clotted cream on warm scones and citrus zest: lemon, lime and orange; a gentle maltiness with white fruits and the promise of spices. Palate: creamy, sweet and still floral with lots of citrus; lovely sugars, more clotted cream on warm scones and floral notes with silky buttery oak; gentle spices at first too subtle for the nose build on the palate becoming darker and more prominent with Demerara sugars;  the white fruits are still there with a bit of cooked pineapple and mango. Finish: medium long, creamy and smooth with fading spices, oak and fruits. Comment: dangerously drinkable spring dram, both refreshing but with the ability to warm you up a smidge if the day starts off with a chill!  – $157

Macallan Coming & Going: Rare Cask Enters, Ruby Departs!

A Victim of It’s Own Success

Whether you like The Macallan’s 1824 collection, and its move away from age statement whisky or not, it has been a big success for the firm. One of the whiskies in the range, the Macallan 1824 Ruby, has been so successful that the brand is now having to withdraw it too as they cannot keep up with demand. I enjoy the Ruby and feel it is a great whisky for the price-point, and I am sorry to see it go! I thought I’d written up tasting notes a few years back, but I can’t find them, so here goes again… Not quite a replacement, the Macallan Rare Cask has come into the market just before the withdrawl of Ruby. Here are my tasting notes on both:

1. Macallan 1824 Ruby – 43% – Matured in Mainly First Fill European Oak Sherry – No Age Statement (but most of the whisky is said to be older than 20 years)  – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: classic Christmas cake sherry notes, caramel chews and a leather pocket cigar case; a touch of licorice Fisherman’s Friends, 65% Cocoa Dark Milk Chocolate and candied cherries. Palate: rich, earthy and fruity with caramel, tobacco and spices; more dark milk chocolate, bright orange and lots of round, juicy fruits; raspberry jam and marmalade compliment more tangy and tart dark fruits; smooth leather and building dark spices. Finish: long, coating and spicy with rich fruits and earthy tones. Comment: all round this is a gem or a whisky, big, fruity and complex, my favourite 1824 Collection release.” – $274.99
2. Macallan Rare Cask – 43% – Crafted from 16 different types of casks. Less than 1% of Macallan’s production will find its way into this bottling. – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: very sherried right of the bat, but balanced and surprisingly malty; loads of dark fruits, dark chocolate and rich nutty sherry tones;  fruity, a touch musty and leathery with tobacco; underneath it all some playful wine gums and candies. Palate: very fruity and nutty with loads of decadent spices: at first cinnamon and cardamom later Dutch licorice and clove; leathery with a touch of tobacco, more dark fruits and a touch of chocolate(even darker than the nose); juicy orange morphs into burnt orange peels and wine gums into dried raisins and prunes; the honey is still there and while the sherry notes and dominant the palate is still lively. Finish: long, sherried and leathery; fading dark chocolate, spices and tobacco. Comment: not quite as sherried as the Ruby, a little more elegant and complex though!” – $415.99

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt

Batch 2, Their first bottling to come to Canada! 

This came as a bit of a surprise to me, I’ve long enjoyed Yukon Brewing’s beers, but I had no idea they were making whisky. The whisky, Batch 2, is a single malt, aged between 6 and 7 years and finished in sherry casks before bottling at 46%. The release is very limited!

From the Distillery: ” Two Brewers Release 02, a Special Finish expression, will be the first Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky to be released in Alberta, after their Charter Release sold out in less than six hours at their Whitehorse retail location. “We are extremely appreciative of the support we have received from our fellow Yukoners on releasing our Yukon Single Malt Whisky,” quipped Alan Hansen. “We knew there was great interest in our product, but I was thrilled by the many smiling patrons I had the pleasure to meet at our launch event -­ most of whom were still smiling after waiting in line for an hour!” .

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Batch 2 – 46% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “The nose is warming and vibrant, rich aromas with a heart of peaches and stone fruit. Ripe nectar-­ines, round and creamy on the palate, are wrapped at once in resins of sherried oak and bright touches of nutmeg and white pepper. The lightly lingering finish of sweet honey and spice is wispy clean.” – $96

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 and 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 & Operator

Ferguson’s Whisky Tours

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

Kensington Wine Market 403-283-8000

Local Distilleries Fight For Level Playing Field At Iowa Legislature

Des Moines, IA, April 1, 2016 – Small, locally owned breweries, wineries and distilleries are a popular tourist draw all across Iowa. Many people enjoy sitting up to the bar to enjoy a local brew or opening a bottle of wine while listening to live music at their neighborhood winery. But according to Iowa law, you can’t enjoy these same privileges at Iowa distilleries. That’s something small Iowa liquor manufacturers are asking lawmakers to change.

House File 2431 has been discussed at length this session. The bill would allow Iowa distilleries to sell the spirits they make by the glass in their tasting rooms. The bill would also increase the current daily sales limit from two bottles per person, per day to a standard twelve bottle case. Lastly, the bill would increase a state-imposed production cap that limits the amount of spirits a micro-distillery can make annually. Currently, wineries and breweries in Iowa can sell by the glass and by the bottle with no sales or production limits.

“We feel like this is a fair bill that addresses legitimate issues for small Iowa businesses.” said Garrett Burchett, owner and distiller at Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa. “We aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking for equal treatment. Since we opened five years ago, a winery and brewery have both opened within a block of our distillery. Our customers expect to enjoy a similar experience when they come to our business, but Iowa law doesn’t allow for it.”

The bill has met with bi-partisan support at the ground level. The bill passed unanimously through the House State Government Committee earlier this session and also passed through the House Ways and Means Committee, with overwhelming support. However, since that time, the bill has not been able to see a vote on the House floor.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have voiced support. It is supported by the Iowa Chamber Alliance, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the Iowa Corn Growers and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

“We see this as an economic development bill.” said Jason Gordon, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. “It promotes jobs and tourism across the state as a whole, and supports small businesses and entrepreneurialism. We’ve seen so far that these types of attractions really benefit both our cities and our rural areas. We’ve already seen distilleries choose other states instead of Iowa because of these limitations in Iowa Code. We continue to ask the Legislature for support in changing that.” Each State that borders Iowa has made similar changes that match or far exceed those proposed in HF 2431. Over eighty percent of states nationwide have adopted changes for distilleries including an almost identical bill in Kentucky on Monday the 28^th of March.

“We’re hearing that leadership in both chambers isn’t willing to move it forward without approval of the Iowa Beer Wholesalers, who, along with their large out-of-state beer suppliers, are the only organizations registered against the bill.” Said Jeff Quint, owner and distiller at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa. “This is an industry we should be laying claim to. Right now, every state surrounding us has adopted code changes that give them advantages we have been unable to obtain in our own state government.”

The political clout of the Iowa Beer Wholesalers does appear to be a big road block. According to the National Institute of Money in State Politics, the organization contributed $142,125 to Iowa Legislature candidates from 2008 to present. Of that money, $48,250 went to the campaigns of former House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, current House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, and Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs.

The Iowa Distillers Alliance, with help from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, has set up a website at www.IowaDistillery.com that allows Iowans to easily contact their lawmakers through an online form. As the session winds down, Iowa distillers are hoping lawmakers will look past campaign contributions to help small Iowa businesses. “There’s still time to do what is right.” said Todd Dunkel, owner and distiller at Iowa Distilling Company in Cuming, Iowa. “There’s too much upside for this bill to be ignored again this session.”

The ImpEx Cask Evolution Series demonstrates the importance of quality casks in the development of a fantastic Scotch whisky. This inaugural cask was one of the last selected by John MacLellan, who had been Kilchoman’s distillery Manager and recently passed away after a long battle against cancer. As a humble tribute to his legacy, we’ve unofficially called this the MacLellan Cask.

01/2016 – SHERRY HOGSHEAD SINGLE CASK – 58.7% – Approximately 300 BOTTLES

01/2016 of the Series is an Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. During its maturation, the whisky has taken on the rich Oloroso sherry colour and character held within the cask. This intense spicy influence fuses beautifully with the peat smoke and citrus power of Kilchoman to create a truly unique sherry cask matured Islay Scotch Whisky.

RRP $ 144.99

Happy Glenfarclas 105 Day!

Happy Glenfarclas 105 Day everyone!

Now, while this may not be the most well-known of whisky-related holidays – those honours go to World Whisky Day and International Whisk(e)y Day – the 105th day of the year (14 April) is an excellent excuse to grab a dram of Glenfarclas’s sherry monster.

When it comes to my formative whisky experiences, my first encounter with Glenfarclas 105 is leader of the pack – it is the first whisky that I remember. At the tender age of five years old (almost six – I have been told that I was very concerned with that fact at the time), I visited my first distillery: Glenfarclas. At the end of the tour, my dad tried the 105 and I eagerly asked what he was drinking. He handed me the glass and the intensity of the flavour and smell meant that I couldn’t get it closer than a few inches from my face, a youthful problem that I have thankfully since overcome.

GLENFARCLAS 105, 60% ABV

Nose: Sweet and spicy, with dark depths hiding behind. Layers of caramel and treacle toffee with a earthy notes, maraschino cherries, cinnamon, cloves and anise in between.

Palate: Intense, thick and mouth filling, with dark chocolate and the spice from the nose taking a back seat to sweet fruit – cherries, sultanas and raisins. Despite the huge sherry-cask influence, Glenfarclas’s characterful spirit pokes its head above the parapet, with cinnamon Danish pastries and baked apples developing in the glass.

Finish: Cinnamon-spiced dark chocolate leading to sweet sultanas and raisins.

Comment: A huge whisky, showing off Glenfarclas’s characteristic combination of hefty spirit and high-quality sherry casks. A bottle I always have in the cupboard.

To further celebrate 105 Day, we’re running a prize draw – buy a 70cl bottle of 105 before midnight on 16 May and we’ll put your name in a virtual hat to win a very special bottle of Glenfarclas 105 20 Year Old.

While Glenfarclas 105 20 Year Old is special in its own right – finding 20-year-old whisky that’s still 60% ABV is rare – the folks at Glenfarclas have upped the ante for this year’s 105 Day. They have commissioned a run of three crystal bottles, each engraved with the date of Glenfarclas Day 2016, and we are giving away two of them. You can find full details on the prize draw page.

If you were looking for an excuse to stock up with on Glenfarclas 105, now is the perfect time. You can grab a bottle from The Whisky Exchange website.

New and Limited Kilchoman

Kilchoman Loch Gorm Sherry Cask 2016

The Loch Gorm release from Kilchoman has become highly sought after with its combination of powerful rich flavours, spicy notes and peat smoke. Matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, it is bottled at 46% volume. Official Tasting Notes:

Nose: Spicy and sweet with peat smoke and dark chocolate well integrated. Palate: Soft fruits, well rounded and full of character. Finish: Lingering, sweet and well balanced

£65 Click to buy

Malt of the Month!  Only £52.98

A special limited edition release from Lagavulin, bottled to celebrate the 200th Anniversary (1816 – 2016) of this much loved Islay distillery. Inspired by a visit in 1886 from Alfred Barnard, who described an 8 year old whisky he sampled at the distillery as being ‘Exceptionally Fine’.

£52.98

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival hits all the right notes with music event line up

Whisky isn’t the only iconic Scottish tradition that will be drawing people to Speyside over the next few weeks. In addition to drams galore, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will be filled with the sound of music from April 28 to May 2 as visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a whole host of one-of-a-kind musical events.

The jam-packed festival programme takes place over five days in various locations across the scenic Speyside region. People have the chance to ride the Whisky Line and find their dancing shoes to join a traditional Scottish ceilidh on a train, or find the perfect marriage of whisky and music with an event matching vintage whisky with vintage jazz.

Music features strongly on the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme, which has almost 500 different events to choose from across five fun-filled days. In addition to music there’s also whisky tastings, distillery tours, food events and comedy, ensuring there is something for everyone.

An impressive line-up of acts has been scheduled, and there’s certainly no shortage of home grown talent performing throughout the Festival. The Fochabers Fiddlers will be supporting singer Shona Brown at the Spirit of Speyside Sessions on Saturday, April 30 at Fleming Hall in Aberlour, while local act Footerin’ Aboot will be the ceilidh band playing on the Keith – Dufftown Railway Line on 29 and 30 April.

Accordionist Sandy Brechin, fiddler Charlie McKerron – member of world renowned Celtic band Capercaillie – and vocalist Brian Ó’hEadhra will be performing their own unique and entertaining musical compositions on April 28 at The Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin and on April 29 at The Fleming Hall.

Music will be on the menu all day at The Malt Barn at Glenlivet Distillery Open Day on April 30. Visitors will be able to catch performances from Glasgow-based Scottish folk band, Barluath – including lead vocalist and BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2015 Finalist Ainsley Hamill,  Footerin’ Aboot, and The Bicycle Thieves, who perform covers from across the decades.

The Craigellachie Hotel will be holdings its own DogFest – an event named after its popular Copper Dog bar that includes 10 different bands and a hog roast. The line-up includes The Whisky River Boat Band, The Copper Dogs, Chris Grant and Sons O The Soil and takes place on both the Friday and Saturday of the Festival from 5pm until midnight.

In addition to these highlights, there are daily music performances taking place at a huge number of Festival venues.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri says the feedback after music events at the Festival are always extremely positive, resulting in high demand for tickets.

She adds, “Putting whisky and music events together is a natural pairing in which visitors always love to get involved. To have such a talented selection of Scottish musicians playing at the Festival shows that not only are we celebrating Scotland’s national drink, but we’re honouring Scotland’s customs and traditions as a whole.

“The wide range of performers taking part is very much in keeping with our Festival theme of providing something for everyone. You don’t even have to be a fan of traditional music, as the huge of variety of music genres available throughout the Festival are sure to satisfy even the most specialist of tastes.

“Whisky drinkers are all different, so it’s important to offer a varied selection of music events for people to enjoy whilst still retaining an element of Scottish culture.”

There are a number of events during the Festival which incorporate the best of Scottish music, food and whisky, giving a true reflection of the values and heritage that lies behind the beautiful region of Speyside.

Tickets for all events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme, including music, are available to buy now at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/. The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Captions

MBO – Accordionist Sandy Brechin, fiddler Charlie McKerron – member of world renowned Celtic band Capercaillie – and vocalist Brian Ó’hEadhra will be performing at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.