Season’s Greetings 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From

Ewen, David, Richard, Juliette, Nicole, Alastair, Steven, Joan, Lauren & Sarah

Merry Christmas everyone and welcome to the last day of this years whisky discovery journey.

I awoke at 6:00am this Christmas morning to the cacophony of bird calls outside my window. Warbling Magpies, Galah’s, Sulfur Crested Cockatoos, Rosella’s and more all letting the world know that they were up and ready for the new day. I quickly rolled out of bed and headed outside for a stroll. One of the aspects of life in Australia that I miss the most are the amazing birds. I found myself wandering around the small Victorian town of Wedderburn for over an hour and after circling the local reservoir and chatting to a friendly magpie I was heckled by some feisty Galah’s and sent on my way. Morning time is the best for a long walk in December as we hit a high of 39 degrees Celsius yesterday with more of the same for today. Definitely not your typical Calgary Christmas Day.

I am sitting outside in my parents back garden which is a mini bird sanctuary. So many birds it’s almost impossible to hear mum call from the house to let me know that my Nana is on the phone. So nice to be able to catch up with all my Australian relatives and another bottle of delicious wine made it’s way in front of the fireplace (dormant of course) courtesy of my uncle Billy who popped in just to wish us all a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Dram 3rd Edition

Well I am so glad that I managed to bring the Christmas Day whisky down under with me. Virgin Australia did lose my bags for a short while but worked extra hard to find them and had my precious cargo safely by my side within 24 hours. That would have been awkward needing to write this with no whisky.

As those that have been through one of our Scotch Whisky Advent Calendars can attest to, we always strive to showcase the entirety of what Scotch Whisky world has to offer. This includes of course Blended Scotch which is the vast majority of Scotch Whisky sales worldwide. Not all blends are created equal and much like Single Malt blended Scotch can be absolutely stunning or mediocre at best. In the third edition we have saved our lone expression of this category for the final dram.

Samaroli are adept at creating amazing blended malts however this was the first time that I had been exposed to a Blended Scotch from them. This is to date the oldest whisky we have showcased in any edition coming in at the ripe old age of 35 Years. Interestingly this particular blend from Samaroli spent it’s entire life already blended and in a single cask. I do not know the exact percentages of malt to grain but I do know that it is mid 90% ish malt with just a small amount of grain.

Samaroli 1980 Blend in front of Oak Tree Cottage, Note the stunning blue sky The Unique Samaroli Blended Scotch 1980 aged for 35 years in a sherry Butt cask number 18. Bottled with no chill filtration or coloring at 40% ABV.

Color:   The darkest whisky of the calendar looking like well worn mahogany.

Nose:   Just a hint of doused matchstick with a library of old leather bound books, plum and dark berry compote. The weathered brow of an ancient leather Akubra.

Palate: Double espresso with a black strap licorice stir stick. A memory of a tamarind ball dessert that I had in Barbados. It was my first taste of that exotic fruit and took me right back there.

Finish: Sticky date pudding with a blood orange glaze. Lovely citrus bitterness that lingers for a long time.

I could spend quite a while on this whisky and in fact I think I will seeing as it’s Christmas an all. I plan on lighting up a Rocky Patel Cigar later to accompany the rest of this dram and am really looking forward to kicking back and basking in the glow of being in Australia.

Lets see how Whiskylassie has fared coming to the end of her 3rd edition journey.

Samaroli always so far have managed to get the last word in and with stunning older whiskies like the examples they keep putting in front of me who knows when they might be topped. In the 2nd edition we had the 30 Year Old Samaroli Linkwood.

It has indeed been an honor and a privilege to bring you this third edition. Cindy and I again wish everyone fun, friendship and family. We hope to see you all again through the coming year as we seek out new delicious drams together.

Cheers

Jonathan – taster of secrets

Relaxed Wishes

Bacardi Limited Names K.C. Kavanagh Chief Global Communications Officer 

Starwood Hotels veteran will lead Company’s corporate and brand communications

Hamilton, Bermuda,  Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, today announces the appointment of K.C. Kavanagh as senior vice president and global chief communications officer. Kavanagh reports to Mike Dolan, chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited, and serves on the Company’s global leadership team.

Kavanagh will work closely with Dolan and Chairman Facundo L. Bacardi to develop strategic internal and external corporate communications to support the family-owned company’s efforts to drive growth globally. She will also collaborate with the Company’s brand marketing teams to develop integrated public relations campaigns, social media strategies and content marketing programs for the portfolio of iconic brands. In addition, Kavanagh will oversee the Company’s corporate and brand archives ensuring the preservation of legacies, management of assets, and protection of brand trademarks.

“We are delighted to welcome K.C. to the Bacardi team,” says Dolan. “Her significant corporate and global experience, coupled with her success in launching and nurturing luxury, lifestyle and next generation brands, dovetails perfectly with our efforts to innovatively market our brands and cultivate meaningful relationships with our consumers around the globe.”

Kavanagh joins Bacardi from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. where she was a member of the company’s senior leadership team and led global communications for the hotel giant and its 11 brands including Sheraton®, Westin®, St. Regis® and W Hotels®. During her 18-year tenure at Starwood, Kavanagh and her team established Starwood’s reputation as a brand-led, innovative powerhouse, and she recently served as a member of the company’s deal and integration team during Starwood’s merger with Marriott International. Prior to Starwood, Kavanagh oversaw public relations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

“I am honored to join a company with such vibrant brands, tremendous global breadth and a storied family history that has inspired a culture of entrepreneurship and pride,” adds Kavanagh. “I look forward to working with our team to creatively bring our stories and lore to life across many dynamic platforms.”

Kavanagh succeeds Jim Gallagher who has decided to step down from his position at year-end. She will be based at the Company’s global headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda, subject to Bermuda Department of Immigration approval.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA®. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands.

Founded 154 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 160 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.bacardilimited.com/

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Happy Holidays from Kensington Wine Market

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers, 

The Holidays are finally here, and like the rest of the country, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We’ll be having a white Christmas for the first time in many years, and my team here at Kensington Wine Market are looking forward to a well deserved break.

It has been a busy month in shop helping our friends and neighbours find the perfect gift and or holiday pairings. We are open tonight, Christmas Eve, until 5PM. We will then be closed until December 27th so that we can celebrate the season with friends and family. We will also be closed January 1st and 2nd.

Though we are excited about the season, it is business as usual again on Tuesday with exciting new whiskies, wines and beers. The second ever release of  Shelter Point, Distiller’s Select Cask Strength, a rye-malt hybrid will be here on Wednesday. Exclusive to KWM in Calgary this very spicy new farm to bottle whisky was finished in French oak. It also comes in a handsome, handmade wooden box for just $110. Less than 100 bottles are coming to Alberta.

If you haven’t been following along, we’ve been posting about our 2016 Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendars all month. Each day of Advent we’ve been writing up the day’s whisky and its distillery. You can browse through all the posts on the KWM Blog.

Tickets for Calgary’s best whisky festival on Thursday January 19 are flying, and are already more than 80% sold. The VIP early entry tickets are a steal at $150, considering they include a special cut crystal Glencairn glass valued at $50. The general admission tickets are now $110. Further details are available below, or by clicking the above link!

Last but certainly not least, on behalf of everyone at Kensington Wine Market, I hope you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka and a Safe and Prosperous New Year!

Sláinte!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 

Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM Cask Strength 25th Anniversary

Just $285  

The first of our 25th Anniversary whiskies is a stunner and we can’t keep it in stock! Soft sherry influences and silky smooth at 52%! More than half have already sold.

More Information  

MS Calgary Whisky Festival 2016 Tickets Now On Sale 

Less than a month until Calgary’s best Whisky Festival!

Now in its 6^th year, the MS Calgary Whisky Festival, Calgary’s best whisky event of the year is back! We are expecting more exhibitors this year and even more whisky. There are three ticket classes this year:

–          VIP Early Admission & Master Class (5PM) $175 SOLD OUT

–          VIP Early Admission (6PM) $150

–          General Admission (7PM) $110

VIP ticket packages include a cut crystal Glencairn glass to enhance your tasting experience. 100% of proceeds from the event go to the MS Society. Last year we raised $50,000. Help us do even better this year!

Tickets are going fast, more than 80% sold!

Tickets are available online from the MS Society: http://calgarywhiskyfestival.ca/tickets/ 

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