Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 146: Auchentoshan 24 Year Old 1991 Asta Morris

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, tries another of his favorites. The Belgian bottler Asta Morris found a beautiful single sherry cask of his favorite Lowlander. The Auchentoshan spirit went to sleep in 1991 and was bottled at the age of 24 years, cut to a drinking strength of 50%. Meant for the Japanese company Gaia Flow, Mark feels lucky to have been able to secure a few bottles. It is a grand Auchentoshan!

https://youtu.be/KAkvP-1IjnE

Black Mountain launches new smoky whisky « BM Notes Fumées »

Black Mountain has revealed a new addition to its award-winning range (World Whisky Awards 2015, IWSC 2016). The expression comes in a stylish black painted bottle and sees the French brand go smoky. Well, delicately smoky.

According to Cédric Leprette, co-founder of Black Mountain, such an addition had been made natural and obvious since the very beginning of the adventure: « When we first met with our future consumers, a significant part, although not a majority, of fine whisky enthusiats showed a real interest for peaty/smoky whiskies. Committed to answer their needs in the best possible way, we then went on a quest to find the nectar that would suit their palate. »

The Black Mountain team still attached great importance in remaining true to themselves and stick to the house style, a style that has earned its whiskies many awards since its creation in 2013 : « The biggest challenge for us was not to shift away from our specific aromatic profile, mainly based on fruity and floral notes with a hint of spices. »

BM Notes Fumées appears quite light, floral and fruity with subtle herbal notes, a slightly medicinal profile and some aromas of toasted bread, dried fruits and vanilla. Despite its willingness to create a smokier expression, Cédric Leprette declares that « it wasn’t about offering a whisky meant to compete with the famous peaty beasts of Islay, renowned for this specific aromatic profile, but more creating a pleasant whisky with character, showing both a certain lightness and clear smoky notes that would appeal to smoky-whisky fans and novices alike. »

After some long months of researches and experiments, BM Notes Fumées is finally born from a savvy recipe: « We use our main whisky blend from Scotland, showing a 3-year-old age statement on the certificate but most likely aged for an average of 5/6 years. We then mature it for an extra 12 to 16 months in the heart of Occitania here in Southwestern France within very special casks that used to contain a famous local grape-based spirit (that we can’t tell the name by law). The next step for us is to add two different smoky whiskies in a proportion of 20% following a special allocation enabling us to achieve the desired aromatic profile. Finally, the whisky stays for several further weeks in a 3rd-fill or 4th-fill cask in order to let it blend together perfectly and thus create the most harmonious whisky possible ».

So, why deciding to go smoky instead of peaty ? The reason is pretty simple, with its Selection range, Black Mountain is willing to provide whisky enthusiasts with an idea of the future whiskies distilled in the soon-to-be distillery, still at pre-building stage, and « in France, unlike Scotland and Ireland, peat

bogs are rare and protected as they are fragile natural environments being home to sensitive flora and fauna. They also cannot regenerate. It is therefore completely impossible for us to use French peat and that’s why we chose to go smoky instead of peaty. »

A first release of this new expression will see 3000 bottles put onto the market by the end of the year 2016.

Black Mountain Compagnie

The story of Black Mountain begins in 2011, when 4 passionate friends came up with the idea to use the exceptional waters of a high altitude spring (1000m) located within a natural wonder, the national park of Haut Languedoc, which will be the location of the future distillery, meant to be built by 2018.

Before the distillery starts operating, and with the aim to demonstrate its know-how, the founding team at Black Mountain Compagnie has launched two blended whiskies, finished in the best French spirits casks and named “Black Mountain Selection”.

BM N°1 was named Best European Blended Whisky at the 2015 edition of The World Whiskies Awards.

BM N°2 Received a Silver Medal at the IWSC 2016.

To find out more, please visit www.blackmountain.fr

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Whisky Week Events, Ardbeg Committee & More

Whisky Week 2016 is just a few days away, and we still have room in some of our fantastic tastings at Kensington Wine Market. The party gets started on Sunday with two back to back Bruichladdich tastings hosted by Lynn McEwan, the daughter of Bruichladdich’s retired, legendary frontman. We have a big range of 8 whiskies including 4 new releases never before sampled in Alberta!

The following day, Halloween, we have Melanie Stranger for a not so Spooky Springbank tasting; costumes not required… For the occasion we have a couple of cool new releases never before sampled in Alberta, from Hazelburn and Kilkerran. We are crcking a Springbank 21 Year and have also stowed away a few interesting old Springbank bottlings to flesh out the tasting including the SOLD OUT Springbank 16 Year Local Barley. You won’t want to miss this one.

Things heat up the following night with Richard Urquhart from Gordon & MacPhail / Benromach. Another stellar range, we have be sampling the Benromach 35 Year and a 1990 Rare Old Rosebank. We will also be pouring our new exclusive Imperial 1996 and a Cask Strength Glenburgie 1995.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society November Outturn tastings are on Wednesday and Saturday next week. One of the perks of SMWS memberships is early registration for the monthly Outtrn tastings. While there are three seatings, two are sold out and there is only room left in the Wednesday night 8PM session.

We have whiskies from 4 different distilleries featured on the Thursday night: anCnoc, Balblair, Old Pulteney and Speyburn, and it is an old range at that! We are pouring a 1975 anCnoc, and two whiskies from 1990: Old Pulteney and Balblair. Lukasz Dynowiak, brand ambassador for the distilleries is our host.

Anthony Wills is back for at least the 5th straight year for a Kilchoman vertical. It has been a pleasure to watch this distillery grow and mature. For the first time ever, we have such a broad choice of available whiskies for the tasting, that we can’t include them all. We will sample 7 Kilchomans, and the highlights will include our newest KWM Cask, the new Kilchoman Sauternes and the latest bottling of the Kilchoman Original Cask Strength. This tasting is SOLD OUT.

Last but not least to conclude Whisky Week we are featuring Glencadam and Tomintoul on Saturday November 5 at 2PM. Iain Fortheath of Angus Dundee Distillers will be hosting the tasting. This is his first visit to Canada, and we have a great range for the tasting.

A quick note, if you are a fan of Ardbeg, and not yet a registered member of the Ardbeg Committee, you’ll want to make sure you register before November 1st. An Ardbeg Committee exclusive bottling announcement will be coming out. Follow this link to Join the Ardbeg Committee. The Ardbeg Committee release is restricted to members in Alberta, it is being released in some other provinces.

Finally I am very excited to announce the 2016 Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar is in store and available for purchase and pickup. We are really proud of our 3rd edition, and especially excited about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling for Christmas Day. It is the first SMWS cask bottled just for Canada!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger Bulletin!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In this Edition

1. Kensington Wine Market 2016 Whisky Advent Calendar is In Store!
2. Whisky Week Tastings at Kensington Wine Market
3. New KWM Exclusive Kilchoman PX Cask
4. Just In: Gordon Macphail Imperial 1996
5. Introducing Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016

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 

Are You an Ardbeg Committee Member?

If you aren’t you should be… exciting news coming November 1!   

It’s a quirky fact that Islay, with a population of just 3000, has more than 140 Committees. And the biggest one of all? The Ardbeg Committee, with a worldwide membership of over 120,000 and counting.

No matter how near or far, our members share a common purpose; to celebrate the re-awakening of Ardbeg, spread the word and dispense drams to those deprived of knowledge of this untamed spirit. Join us today.

Join the Ardbeg Committee

2016 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar 

With T-37 days until Whisky Advent, this year’s edition is more than 60% sold!

For the 3rd year in a row, Kensington Wine Market is producing its own Whisky Advent Calendar. 2014 and 2015’s editions were a huge hit, and sold out well before the start of Advent. This year’s edition is now available for purchase and pickup in store!

We are really excited about our 2016 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. For the third straight year we have designed and built our own exclusive Whisky Advent Calendar, featuring a custom logo Glencairn glass, 24 50ml whiskies and a 100ml Christmas Day bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (The Society). The Society is the world’s largest whisky club, and bottles whiskies exclusively for its members. This year’s Calendar has a single cask from the Society that has been selected and bottled exclusively for the Calendar and Canadian Society members (750ml bottles will be made available to Society members in 2017!). In collaboration with the Society’s Canadian branch, we were even given the opportunity to name the whisky… Since Society whiskies are exclusively available to Society members, this is an opportunity for non-members to get their hands on a Society whisky. Recipients of the KWM Whisky Advent Calendar will be the first people to sample this exciting new whisky!

The Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar is more than just a product for us, it is a way for us to share and connect with other whisky lovers in Calgary, Alberta and across Canada. Details on the whiskies released and their distillery will be posted on the KWM Blog each day. Recipients of the Calendar are encouraged to share their thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The KWM Whisky Advent Calendar also comes with a 10% discount card, good for any of the whiskies in the Calendar (excepting the Society whisky), subject to availability.

Order a Kensington Wine Market 2016 Whisky Advent Calendar $399.99+GST

Whisky Week Tastings at Kensington Wine Market 

October 30 – November 5

We have some really exciting distillery focused Master Class tastings coming up this fall. We added a second seating for the Bruichladdich tasting with Lynn McEwan on Sunday October 30. And there are going to be some amazing whiskies at the other tastings… you won’t want to miss out on them!

1. Bruichladdich Progressive Hebridean Distillers  – Sunday October 30 – 2 Sessions: 2-4PM (NEW 8 spots left) & 5-7PM (1 spot left) – Brand Ambassador Lynn McEwan (Jim’s daughter) will walk us through a range of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore, including a trio of new 10 year olds! – $25 – The Range:

• Bruichladdich Bere Barley
• Bruichladdich 10 Year 2nd Ed. NEW
• Bruichladdich Black Art 4
• Bruichladdich Black Art 5 – NEW
• Port Charlotte Scottish Barley
• Port Charlotte 10 Year 2nd Ed. – NEW
• Octomore 7.3 Islay Barley
• Octomore 10 Year 2nd Ed.  – NEW

1. Spooky Springbank – Monday October 31 – 7PM – Ok, so there is nothing spooky about Springbank, but I can’t think of a more fitting distillery to mark All Hallow’s Eve than Springbank. Brand Ambassador Melanie Stranger will take us through a range of whiskies from Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, including the new Kilkerran 12 Year from their sister distillery Glengyle! We will also sample a bottle of the SOLD OUT Springbank 16 Year Local Barley, and 3 different Springbank Society bottlings! – $35 – The Range:
   1. Hazelburn Barolo – NEW
   2. Kilkerran 12 Year – NEW
   3. Springbank Green 13 Year
   4. Springbank 16 Local Barley – SOLD OUT CULT WHISKY
   5. Springbank 15 Year
   6. Springbank 21 Year
   7. Springbank Society Longrow 13 Year
2. Glorious Gordon & MacPhail – Tuesday November 1 – 7PM – We’ll sample our two new Kensington Wine Market Caol Ila single casks along with some other G&M and Benromach expressions with Brand Ambassador Richard Urquhart. – $50
   1. Benromach 10 Year 100 Proof
   2. Benromach 15 Year 
   3. Benromach 35 Year
   4. Gordon Macphail Imperial 1996
   5. Gordon Macphail Rare Old Rosebank 1990
   6. Gordon Macphail Connoisseur’s Choice Tomatin 1997
   7. Gordon Macphail Cask Strength Glenburgie 1995
3. Scotch Malt Whisky Society November Outturn Tastings – Wednesday November 2 – 8PM – We’ll sample a range of 7 new Society whiskies, but we can’t tell you more than that, their a secret. – $40 for Members and $50 for Guests
4. anCnoc, Balblair, Old Pulteney & Speyburn – Thursday November 3 – 7PM – We’ll sample selected whiskies from these 4 Highland & Speyside distilleries, with Brand Ambassador Lukasz Dynowiak. Expect more than a few gems, we’re pulling out the stops! – $40
   1. anCnoc 12 Year 
   2. anCnoc 18 Year 
   3. anCnoc 1975
   4. Balblair 1990
   5. Old Pulteney 1990
   6. Old Pulteney 17 Year
   7. Speyburn ??? TBD – Aiming for 25 Year! 
5. Kilchoman 100% Islay – Friday November 4 – 7PM – Distillery founder Anthony Wills will be on hand for a Kilchoman Master Class featuring a new KWM exclusive cask, the new Sanaig release, two future releases and a range of other very peaty malts! – $30
   1. Kilchoman 100% Islay 6th Edition
   2. Kilchoman Machir Bay
   3. Kilchoman Sanaig
   4. Kilchoman Loch Gorm
   5. Kilchoman Sauternes – NEW
   6. Kilchoman Original Cask Strength – NEW
   7. Kilchoman PX KWM Cask 446 – NEW
6. Glencadam & Tomintoul Distilleries– Saturday November 5 – 1PM – Iain Fortheath of Angus Dundee Distillers will be presenting whiskies from the Glencadam and Tomintoul Distilleries. Iain is self-described: “Raconteur, International man of mystery, World Cheese Eating Champion.” – $20 
   1. Glencadam 10 Year
   2. Glencadam 14 Year
   3. Glencadam 15 Year 
   4. Glencadam 21 Year
   5. Tomintoul 12 Year
   6. Tomintoul 16 Year 
   7. Tomintoul Peaty Tang
   8. Old Ballantruan 10 Year

 View our full KWM Fall Tasting Schedule and Register Online, or call 403-283-8000.

Pop in to Sample Our New Exclusive Kilchoman 2011 KWM PX Finish Cask #466 

Another big Kilchoman, bottled 3 days shy of 5 years of age!

New for the fall of 2011, a PX Finished single cask of cask strength peated single malt Scotch whisky bottled exclusively for KWM. Distilled on the 28th of July 2011 the cask was bottled July 25th 2016, just a few days shy of 5 years of age. Our 5th exclusive Kilchoman single cask, 444/2011, has been bottled at 57.5%, just 222 bottles left. We were blown away when we selected this cask, now that it is here it is tasting even better!

Kilchoman 2011 KWM PX Cask 446 – 57.5% – PX Sherry Finish – 222 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy, scallops in burnt butter with lagostines and a glass of off sweet dark sherry; very briny, oily peat and juicy sweet malt; brush smoke, dried dark fruits in maple syrup. Palate: round, honeyed and very fruity with loads of malt and building oily peat and firm smoke; doughy, a base of vanilla, more scallops cooked in butter, lagostines and smoked mussels; big chewy peated malt, lovely peat oils and dark spices: licorice and clove; big though the whisky is there is no hiding the fruits ranging from light and soft to dark and dried. Finish: medium-long, big but balanced; loads of malt, smoke, maritime notes, peat smoke and spices; maple syrup and dried dark fruits. Comment: we love Kilchoman, I don’t know what more to say, other than this is another lovely expression and we know you will love it!” – $160

JUST IN Gordon & Macphail Imperial 1996 

A Superb new Distillery Label Bottling from the Closed Distillery!

This exciting KWM exclusive is the nest closest thing to an official bottling from the closed distillery. It is also the least expensive bottling of Imperial we will ever see again. Bottled under Gordon & Maphail’s Distillery Label range the whisk was matured in 1st Fill and Refill Ex-Sherry casks. We’d prefer to see it bottled at 46%, but Gordon & MacPhail only lightly chill-filter their malts, and it is excellent!

Gordon & Macphail Imperial 1996 – 43% – 1st Fill & Refill Sherry – My Tasting Note Nose: fruit bomb, soft, delicate and layered; dried apricots, peach cobbler, stewed apples and poached pear; soft leather, building spices, creamed honey and building tropical notes. Palate: very soft, smooth and silky; loads of creamed honey, vanilla and layers upon layers of fruit; more poached pear, stewed apples, mangos, papaya and melon; the spices building with some dried dark fruits: raisins and dates: with firm new leather; cardamom and ginger spices with some white pepper. Finish: medium-long, drying and smooth; still very fruity and spicy, slowly fading out. Comment: I sampled this 7 months ago in the UK and knew it was a winner… it is even better than I remember. – $200

About Gordon & MacPhail’s Distillery Label Range: “In partnership with each respective distillery, all whiskies in our Distillery Labels range are uniquely labeled. In years gone by many of these unique designs were used ‘officially’ to bottle the whisky under license from the distillery. Today these trusted relationships with distillers enables Gordon & MacPhail to bottle whiskies at various ages, strengths and vintages – all with their unique distillery label.”

About the Distillery (Courtesy of Gordon & MacPhail): “”Founded by Thomas MacKenzie, the building of Imperial Distillery coincided with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee no doubt an influencing factor in its naming. With a shaky start and history, Imperial Distillery started production in the summer of 1898 only to close a year later for over 20 years. Production did recommence in 1919 but, again, for only six years. The construction of Imperial differs from other Speyside distilleries as it was built of red Aberdeen brick with an iron beam and pillar framework to make it fire resistant. Imperial closed during the 1980’s. It was purchased in 1989 by Allied Distillers who reopened the distillery in 1991. It was mothballed in 1998.”

Introducing: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016 

A Superb new Distillery Label Bottling from the Closed Distillery!

Limit 1 per customer!  

Each year, Laphroaig’s master distiller, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship (“Cairdeas” in Gaelic). This 2016 bottling features fully-matured Laphroaig aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being artfully married together for a second maturation in Madeira seasoned traditional hogheads. The result is a unique epression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016 – 51.6% – Madeira Finish – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: On the nose you’ll find an aroma of ripe orange fruits and sweet liquorice that mixes delightfully with our traditional peat smoke. Palate: On the palate our classic peaty, earthy flavours emerge with a hint of saltiness. Creamy orange tones follow and with a bold and lingering spicy dryness and nutty finish. The result is a fabulous expression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new. This 2016 Cairdeas has been bottled at 51.6% ABV and is non chill filtered.” – $120

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

Owner & 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

Victoria Caledonian Distillery: Inaugural Cask Offer

– custom design your own 30L single malt, single cask whisky –

From Graeme Macaloney, Victoria Caledonian Distillery

I am delighted to announce the Victoria Caledonian Distillery is now producing single malt new-make spirit and has a popular 30L custom-designed single malt, cask owners program.

Uniquely, we have great Scottish whisky makers in Dr. Jim Swan and Mike Nicolson, the best pot stills from Forsyths coppersmiths in Scotland, and finest ingredients (incl. oak wood from Spain, Portugal and Kentucky) underscoring the quality of our single malt cask offer. Dr. Swan, said when commissioning our distilling process that:

“your new-make is the best that I have seen in any distillery at this stage, super fruity”.

Truly a great compliment from the man behind the World Whisky Awards Best Single Malt Whisky of 2015. Thanks also to Mike Nicolson’s expertise as a 3rd generation master distiller having worked in 18 Scotch whisky distilleries, our new-make is super-fruity, surprisingly smooth, with a clean, mouth-watering malt base.

As you design your own cask(s) of whisky from our choice of 10 oak wood casks and 5 different new-make spirits (unpeated, light peated, medium peated, heavy peated single malt, and Irish-style pot still whisky), with input and support from Andrew Campbell Walls, our Scottish level III WSET whisky Sommelier, we are confident that the resulting whisky will be top quality. This is underscored by the fact that you are buying a 30L portion of a 200L – 500L cask, the remainder of which will be bottled and sold by our distillery as special expressions.

R to L: 3rd generation Scotch Master Distiller Mike Nicolson, world award winning Scottish wood maturation expert Dr. Jim Swan, and Founder/fermentation engineer, Scotsman Dr. Graeme Macaloney.

We have carefully designed the cask offering to be a fun, interactive experience all the way from designing your cask with Andrew from your choice 5 new-make spirits and 10 oak-wood options, to distillery visits to track your spirit’s progress, to bottling parties and ultimately a bottle / case swapping party where you might exchange your whisky with other cask owners you may have coordinated with!

We have carefully designed the cask offering to be a fun, interactive experience all the way from designing your cask with Andrew from your choice 5 new-make spirits and 10 oak-wood options, to distillery visits to track your spirit’s progress, to bottling parties and ultimately a bottle / case swapping party where you might exchange your whisky with other cask owners you may have coordinated with!

R to L: 3rd generation Scotch Master Distiller Mike Nicolson, world award winning Scottish wood maturation expert Dr. Jim Swan, and Founder/fermentation engineer, Scotsman Dr. Graeme Macaloney.

Caley Academy.

For those who purchase 4 casks, we have a special reward program such that you will be eligible to attend our 5 day exclusive Caledonian Academy at no extra cost (due to its exclusivity, the Caley Academy is restricted to one person per 4 casks). This academy carries a value of $1,500 and is not open to the public but reserved for distillery investors and cask owners, and select ‘trade’ people.

Curriculum:

* Theory 101 (mornings): malting, brewing, distilling, maturation;
* Practical hands-on (afternoons, depending on production schedule): Turning the malt floor, milling the grist, mashing for wort, extracting the hops, fermenting, cutting the spirit, filling casks;
* ‘Quality control tastings’: valinch cask sampling, tutored tastings (beers & whiskies), blending
* Graduation party: Caley Academy Diploma presentation.

Facebook: @VictoriaCaledonian; @TwaDogs; Twitter: @VCaledonian; @TwaDogsBeer

Kavalan Solist

Bottled by Kavalan for their Solist series is this beautiful sherry cask matured whisky from Taiwan. 526 bottles have been filled at cask strength, without any colouring or chill-filtration.

£124.80

CHAPTER 14 WINS BEST EUROPEAN WHISKY 2017!

We are thrilled to announce that Chapter 14 has once again been named Best European Whisky 2017 by the world famous Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Managing Director, Andrew Nelstrop says, “We are honoured to have received this accolade yet again. It is a true tribute to the team at St Georges Distillery”

CHAPTER 14 46%ABV

£44.99

Part 3/7 of the Beginners Guide to Whisky – Campbletown; Glen Scotia and Longrow.

Wemyss Malts Launch New Batch Strength Limited Edition Blended Malts Series

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts is releasing three new blended malts to complement its award winning range. Wemyss Malts – Batch Strength is a new range of blended malts that have been blended from a selection of extraordinary casks of single malt whiskies from over 10 Scottish distilleries, each utilising signature malts to define their flavour and aroma as the whisky names suggests.

The first three Batch Strength blended malts have been assigned Batch no.001. The Hive Batch Strength 001 – 54.5%alc./vol., Spice King Batch Strength 001 – 56.0%alc./vol. and Peat Chimney Batch Strength 001 – 57.0%alc./vol. have each been bottled non chill-filtered and at the strength found to be ideal for the character of the individual batch. Each of the new blended malts delivers intensified aromas, mouthfeel and flavours due to the increased strength of alcohol by volume.

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “Our new Batch Strength blended malts, consist of just 6000 bottles each, providing the whisky enthusiast and adventurous consumer with more variety in their choice of blended malts. Our Batch Strength range is intensely enjoyable neat, with ice and makes the perfect ingredient for quality, short whisky cocktails such as the Old Fashioned or Rob Roy.”

Wemyss Malts Batch Strength Blended Malts – Batch 001 will be available from mid-October from selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets with suggested retail prices ranging from £45 to £50. Future batches will be bottled in varying in quantities due to the amount of casks, volume of liquid and the final alcohol strength of each blended batches.

Notes:

 Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat in the brand logo is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.

 Wemyss Malts has an ongoing blended malt whisky range bottled at 46% comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and blended Scotch range, Lord Elcho.

 Wemyss blended malts have won prestigious World Whisky Awards four times: The Hive 12yo in 2012, Spice King 12yo in 2013, Velvet Fig in 2015 and Kiln Embers in 2016.

 The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

 The family has opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

 OCTOBER AUCTION NOW LIVE! 

Our October Auction is now live and chock full of some fantastic bottles. No matter if you are buying to drink, collect, invest or dare we even say gift (December is looming!), there is definitely something for everyone in this auction! Take a look below at just a few highlights before heading over to the website to see the full sale! 

MACALLAN 1959 PRESENTATION GIFT PACK 

As gift packs go they don’t come much more premium or exclusive than a box set of two bottles of Macallan 1959! An Italian import bottled by Gordon and MacPhail, they are a truly stunning pair and with the popularity of Macallan soaring at the moment they are sure to be highly sought after. 

YAMAZAKURA RARE OLD / 250^TH ANNIVERSARY

A superb whisky, matured in bourbon barrels for between 10 and 15 years before being vatted and forgotten. Thankfully later rediscovered and released as 1 of only 100 in a bespoke hand blown glass bottle! 

ARDBEG 21 YEAR OLD COMMITTEE RELEASE 2016 

A new release to celebrate the ‘enduring spirit’ of Ardbeg, having come back from closure twice in their history. A fantastic bottle only made available to the Committee formed to ensure the distillery’s future. 

JOHNNIE WALKER VINTAGE LABEL COLLECTION 1930S-1960S

A truly unique lot comprising of three hard backed binders containing Johnnie Walker product labels used worldwide over the course of 4 decades. As self-professed whisky geeks we find these binders absolutely fascinating, they offer an invaluable insight into this world famous brand! 

KAWASAKI 1980 33 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK #6165 

One of only 60 bottles, this is a very very rare single cask bottle from this lost Japanese distillery! Released as part of Nonjatta’s Ghost Series, the label shows a badger disguised as a priest taking a nap.  

MACALLAN EASTER ELCHIES / 2010 – 2013 

Incredibly popular single cask bottlings released annually in limited numbers between 2009 and 2013. Distillery exclusives named after the house at the very heart of the Macallan brand, a stunning collection!   

Auction runs Friday 21st October to Monday 31st October.

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here. 

Happy bidding!