DRAM IN THE DARK  FOR CHARITY  EARTH HOUR WITH GLEN GRANT

SATURDAY 25 MARCH
8.30PM-9.30PM

Tickets on sale now

BOOK NOW »

It’s lights out from 8.30pm on Saturday 25 March as Glen Grant joins us for an hour of whisky by candlelight. Every year, the WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature – helps build awareness of man-made climate change by switching off the lights for an hour: Earth Hour. On 25 March, we are teaming up with Glen Grant to dram in the dark and try the distillery’s award-winning range, including Jim Murray’s Second Finest Whisky in the World for 2017, Glen Grant 18 Year Old.

Glen Grant Major’s Reserve

Glen Grant 10 Year Old

Glen Grant 12 Year Old

Glen Grant 18 Year Old

Join us for an evening of great drams and candlelight.

SATURDAY 25 MARCH
8.30-9.30PM

£10 PER TICKET

All proceeds will be donated to the WWF

Please arrive at the venue from 8.15pm for a 8.30pm start

BOOK »

Looking for a way to celebrate on this St. Patrick’s Day? We have a very interesting Irish Whiskey tasting at the shop with Evan if you’re looking for an opportunity to raise a glass to the Irish. At the time of writing there are just two tickets left for Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 7PM, $50. Formerly know as Pure Pot or simply, Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Single Pot Irish Whiskey is the most Irish of whiskey styles and we have a great range of them planned! Call 403-283-8000 to register.

While on the subject of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Whiskey, we have a special focus in this edition of the Malt Messenger on Irish Whiskey. While Scottish single malts hog most of the attention, and real estate on our shelves, Irish whiskey is experiencing a resurgence of interest, demand and most importantly supply. While there were just two Irish Distilleries operating between 1975 and 1987, one of which produced almost all of the brands, there are now 16 distilleries operating with close to a dozen more in various stages of planning.

We have a great single malt tasting coming up this Monday night with Andrew Laing of Hunter Laing & Co. We will be featuring whiskies from the First Editions and Old Malt Cask lines. Andrew is even bringing advanced samples of three whiskies currently on the water. Tickets are just $35, and there are only 8 left. More details below.

Our biggest tasting(s) of the year is also upcoming. We have two seatings for Ancient Malts, Wednesday March 29 and Thursday March 30. The cost is $200, for a range of whiskies that retails for more than $10,000.00. We have a pair of whiskies nearly 50 year old from 1967, a closed distillery bottling from 1966 and as if that were not enough, we are opening one of the 5 bottles of Tullibardine 1970 Custodians Collection that are coming to Alberta (two of the others have sold). More details and a teaser photo of the tasting below.

We also have a couple of exciting pre-order announcements. We are expecting a very cool Blended Malt in the next few weeks. The Infamous 22 Year, is actually a 23 year old whisky, bottled at 50%, a marriage of two legendary single malt whiskies. The other whisky available for pre-order is the Arbeg Kelpie. Kelpie is the 2017 Ardbeg Day special release, and should be here in time for Ardbeg Day. The whisky is matured in Ex-Bourbon but also Virgin Oak!

Finally, our full Spring Tasting Schedule will be online at the end of the month. Knowing our friends and customers can’t wait that long for everything, we have opened the new April tastings for registration today. Get em while they’re hot! The 5 April spirits tastings are detailed below.

I hope this message finds you well, and that you have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day… My advice, why bother drinking anything died green, when there is plenty of fine golden amber spirits to enjoy? That’s what the Leprechauns would go for!

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Hunter Laing Tasting with Andrew Laing, Monday!
2. Ancient Malts Is Two Weeks Away
3. Spring Tasting Schedule Teaser
4. Coming Soon Ardbeg Kelpie
5. Coming Soon The Infamous 22 Year
6. Focus on Irish Whiskey

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

Hunter Laing with Andrew Laing 

7 Whiskies, Monday March 20, Just $35

Even though it was short notice we jumped at the opportunity to welcome Andrew Laing, ofHunter Laing & Co. for a tasting at KWM on Monday March 20. For just $35 you will be guided through a range of older single malts from their family run firm known for the Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare and First Editions lines. Andrew is bringing with him 3 bottles not yet released in Alberta for the tasting, including First Edition Braeval 18 Year and Old Malt Cask Craigellachie 20 Year! A bargain priced tasting at => – $35

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

Ancient Malts is Two Weeks Away! 

Two nights, a $10,000.00 range of whiskies! 

It has been a while since we’ve held the last round of Ancient Malts at Kensington Wine Market. Rare and old whiskies are getting harder and harder to come by, and the prices for them are only going in one direction. So you can imagine our excitement when we realized we could get our hands on a pair of 1967 single malts, and a 1966. Our first thoughts turned to, how on earth can we get these open for a tasting! Rounding out the range has not been easy, but we have put together what we feel is a stellar lineup for our March 29th and 30th seatings of Ancient Malts. $200 may seem like a steep price to pay, but not when you consider it is for a chance to sample a range of whiskies worth North of $10,000.00. Two nights only, with a lineup never to be repeated…

Can’t quite make out the destails on the bottles in the photo? Here’s what is confirmed for the lineup:

1. Gordon Macphail Longmorn 1967 – $2000
2. Celebration of the Cask Caol Ila 1981 – $830
3. Tullibarine 1970 Custodians Collection – $2000
4. Gordon Macphail Rare Old Banff 1966 – $2500
5. Gordon MacPhail Strathisla 1967 – $2000

Register Online, or by phone at 403-283-8000! 

Spring Tasting Schedule Teaser 

The first month of an epic 3 month schedule is now open for registration!

2017 is our 25th Anniversary, and we are celebrating bigly! (That’s a word now right?) We have an epic assortment of tastings, especially on the spirits side of the equation for the months of April through June. While the whole schedule won’t be up until the end of the month (May & June), we have opened up our April tastings for registration. Get em while they’re hot!

1. Classic Malts – Tuesday April 11 – Our introduction to the world of Single Malt Scotch whisky. You’ll learn about different styles and regions while enjoying a fine range of drams. – $35
2. GlenDronach Batch 14 – Thursday April 13 – The 9 oldest whiskies from GlenDronach’s 14th release of single casks. You’ll be in sherry-bomb heaven as we sample vintages 1985 and 1990 through to 1996. – $150
3. Chateau Montifaud Cognacs – Thursday April 20 – Welcome our first exclusive bottling of this 1992 Cognac to mark our 25th Anniversary!  Please join us for a master class directed by Sophie Cabanes from Chateau Montifaud. – $35
4. East of Scotland – Tuesday April 25 – While the Japanese have been making world class whisky for nearly 100 years, India, Taiwan and Australia are recent arrivals to the game and deservedly gaining an international reputation too! – $100 
5. Hidden Gems of the Highlands – Thursday April 27 – Blair Athol, Glenturret, Aberfeldy and Royal Brackla are but a few of the stalwart yet little known and mostly unheralded Highland distilleries we’ll feature to shed light on some of the lesser known distilleries. – $60

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

Coming Soon – The Ardbeg Kelpie 

The 2017 Ardbeg Day Edition is available for Pre-Order!

The Ardbeg Day 2017 special release is Ardbeg Kelpie, a whisky produced with a heart of virgin oak and Black Sea casks, married with “hallmark” ex-Bourbon matured Ardbeg. The whisky is a limited release bottled at 46%.

Ardbeg Kelpie – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: a wonderful, intense, ‘dancing’ nose, with lots of different, intertwined aromas – powerful, oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, and a curious sharp herbal note. Waves of spicy, black pepper. A splash of water brings forth some classic Ardbeg notes, such as creamy coffee, smoked fudge and pine resin. Even some hints of smoked coconut. Palate: a peppery mouthfeel is follwed by a crescendo of rich flavours. Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark, dark chocolate. A curious burst of peachy, estery fruit, hickory wood, clove oil and a suggestion of black olives on the aftertaste. Finish: seemingly lasting for ever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar and rich toffee.” – $140 Available for Pre-Order!

Coming Soon – The Infamous 22 Year 

An old Blended Malt of two Legendary Whiskies – Available for Pre-Order!

This is an amazing value Blended Malt Whisky, 50% abv and 22

years of age. The producers can’t disclose the whiskies used to produce it, but we are under no such restrictions… The whisky is composed of lightly peated Orcadian single malt and a heavily sherried and sought after Speyside whisky, married at 22 years of age. The sherry Speyside notes complement the soft oily peat smoke of the Orcadian malt nicely. This one is a steal!

J Wheelock says: “Heavily sherried malt from a luxury Speyside producer that rhymes with Jack Fallon and a lightly peated Island Malt that has more in common with Vikings than Braveheart!”

The Infamous 22 Year Blended Malt – 50% – My Tasting Note: Nose: starts decadent and fruity, cocoa nibs emerge with peachy floral tones, jujubes and wine gums; the sherried tones catch up first: candied nuts, leather and dark fruits with crisp spices; then the peat chimes in: soft earthy peat oils, maritime tones and clean smoke. Palate: big, rich and fruity; oily and spicy with dark fruits and more clean smoke; Christmas cake balances nicely with creamed heather honey; becomes leathery and more meaty (it’s bacon…) with building firm spice and we leaf litter; more cocoa nibs, salted caramel and soft peat oils. Finish: long, rich and very layered; dark fruits and spices with earthy oils; the sherry, spices and clean smoke linger longest! Comment: this is a big whisky and a great cigar malt; I imagine a great Speyside stag rearing on its hind legs about to clash with a Viking warrior from the Orkneys!” – $110 Available for Pre-Order!

Focus on Irish Whiskey 

An Industry In Full Renaissance! 

The 20th Century was a tumultuous time for Irish Whiskey. At the end of the 19th Century Ireland’s whisky was the most respected in the world. A series of unfortunate events however lead to a rapid and almost fatal decline in the late 1910s and early 1920s. When the New Midleton Distillery opened in 1975 it was one of but two distilleries left operating on the Emerald Isle, the other being Bushmills in Northern Ireland.

The Industry’s recovery was slow to take hold, slowly picking up steam in the 1980s. The first new distillery, Cooley, a converted potato ethanol plant, was opened by Jack Teeling in 1987. Cooley reopened Ireland’s oldest distillery, Kilbeggan in 2007, and that is when things really started to get rolling. As of November 2016 there were 16 operational distilleries in Ireland, including a new Tullamore Distillery and the Teeling Distillery (opened by Jack Teeling), Dublin’s first distillery to be built in Dublin in over 125 years. And there are at least as many more new distilleries on the way. Like the song say, “The futures so bright, I gotta wear shades.”

Here is a rundown of 30 Irish whiskies available from KWM. Far from a complete list, we sure there are more than a couple herein to temp your taste buds. And yes, we have a thing Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey… it is after all the most Irish of whiskies!

1. Berry’s Craoi Na Mona – Craoi Na Mona is an Irish Whiskey bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd. What makes it a little bit different is that it is finished in ex-Islay whisky barrels sourced from Laphroaig. This gives this Irish Whiskey just a hint of peat and smoke. – $83
2. Blackadder Drop of the Irish – A cask strength single cask Irish whiskey by Blackadder, under their Drop of the Irish line. Probably Cooley, but we don’t know for sure. 60.4% from a single hogshead. One of 286 bottles, only a dozen are coming to KWM! – $150
3. Bushmills 10 Year – Though it claims to be the world’s oldest whiskey distillery, the claim is debatable. What is not up for debate is the quality of this tripple distilled whiskey! Matured for at least 10 years in bourbon season barrels which give it it’s honey, vanilla and milk chocolate aroma. – $50
4. Connemara Peated – Connemara is a peated single malt from the Cooley Distillery. The malt is an example of what most Irish whiskies would have tasted like historically! Connemara’s smooth sweet malt taste and complex peat flavours makes it a truly unique Irish whiskey. – $65
5. Connemara Cask Strength – This is one of the only cask strength Irish whiskey, let alone peated Irish single malt. Sweet, dry, smoky & spicy. – $72
6. Dunville’s Old Irish Whiskey PX – Coming soon! This is a stunning new Irish Whiskey, bottled by Echlinville Distillery. The whisky is finished in Pedro Ximenez casks and bottled at 46%.Best Irish Single Malt under 12 Year, World Whisky Awards 2015 & 2016. – $92
7. Green Spot – Green Spot is an 8 to 9 year old Pot Still Irish whiskey made under license for Mitchell & Son of Dublin, an independent wine merchant. 94.5pts in the Whisky Bible it is “unquestionably one of the world’s great whiskies.” – $90
8.  Hyde 10 Year – The whisky is named for Ireland’s first President, Douglas Hyde. This 10 year old Irish single malt whiskey has been matured 10 years in Ex-Bourbon and finished for 6 months in Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts. Bottled at 46%, this whiskey has won a number of awards. – $110
9.  Jack Ryan 12 Year – This whiskey is a tribute to 100 years of the Ryan Family at their famous Beggars Bush pub on Haddington Road, in Dublin’s Ballsbridge. Bottled at 46%, this 12 year old Irish single malt is sourced from casks produced at the Cooley distillery. Matured in Ex-Bourbon barrels. – $110
10. Jack Ryan 15 Year – Bottled at 46%, only 2500 bottles have been produced of this Irish Single Malt Whiskey. The whisky, probably from the Cooley distillery, has been matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished in First Fill Oloroso Sherry. – $160
11.  Jameson Gold Irish Whiskey – This is a blended Irish whiskey, triple distilled with a high proportion of proportion of pot still whiskey, and the rest grain. The distillery decribes the casks used to mature it as Grade “A”. Bottled at 40%. – $135
12.  Jameson 18 Year – This is a superb Jameson bottling, a blend of 2 different pot still whiskies and a grain matured in Oloroso sherry and finished in Ex-Bourbon casks for 6 months. – $135
13. Kern Premium Irish Whiskey – Kern is blended Irish whiskey made from Irish malts and grains. The whiskey is distilled in pot stills, blended, and then aged in American oak for 3 to 5 years. – $39
14. Kinahan’s 10 Year Single Malt Whiskey – A new to Alberta Irish Single Malt Whiskey, bottled at 46% after maturing in American oak for a minimum of 10 years. The whisky is probably from Cooley distillery. 86pts Whisky Advocate magazine. – $96
15. Kinahan’s Small Batch Whiskey – This blended Irish whiskey is bottled at 46% after maturing in American oak. The youngest whisky in the bottle is 6 years old. 85pts Whisky Advocate. – $70
16. Liquid Sun 2003 Irish Single Malt – Exclusive to KWM, we have just 12 bottles of this independently bottled Irish single malt coing into the store. Distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2014 after 11 years at 53.7%. – $145 – 25%off Today!
17. Maltbarn Irish Malt 2001 – A 14 year old Cooley Irish single malt from Maltbarn, bottled at 48.3% from a Bourbon Barrel; 167 bottles! Round, chewy and malty; more pineapple and banana chips; crisp spices and orange slices in an old fashioned cocktail; more candied ginger and some licorice. – $230
18. Midleton Barry Crocket Legacy – Released to mark the 47 years of service that Barry Crockett gave to Irish Distillers, who retired in 2013 as Master Distiller. Barry is aid to have aidded in the blending of this single pot still whiskey himself. The whisky is a mariage of light, medium and full bodied pot still whiskies up to 25 years of age. The whisky was mostly matured in American oak with some of it matured in virgin oak. – $267
19. Powers Signature Release Single Pot Still – This single pot still Irish Whiskey has been matured primarily in American oak, with a touch of Oloroso Sherry. Bottled curiously, at 46%. Single Pot Still whiskey, is a triple distilled style of Irish whiskey comprised of both malted and unmalted barley. The spirit is distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in Cork. – $68
20. Redbreast 12 Year – Redbreast is one of the best-known Irish whiskies on the market, and one of just a few single pot still whiskies. Complex with great depth. Huskier than Powers but that same robustness, with apple notes. – $95
21. Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength – Canada is finally got the cask strength version of Redbreast 12 Year, and it is just $5 more than the regular. This single or pure pot still Irish whiskey is tripple distilled from a mash of malted and unmalted barley. This batch has been bottled at 57.4%. – $100
22. Redbreast 15 Year – Until recently even the Redbreast 12 Year Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey was an irregular bottling on our shelves. The 15 year old is said to be like the 12 but on steroids… we can’t wait to put that to the test! The Whisky Advocate gave it some glowing reviews, and we love the bottling strength! 46% – $115
23. Redbreast 21 Year – The oldest single pot or pure pot still Irish whiskey to have come to Canada to date. Love the bottling strength, 46%, some of the better known Scottish distilleries could take a page from this book. The reviews are impressive, 96pts Whisky Advocate Magazine, I smell a pot still tasting coming! Matured 21 years in a combination of Ex-Bourbon and 1st fill Ex-Sherry Oloroso casks. – $220
24. Teeling Single Malt – The whisky has no age statement, but consists of whiskies of different ages, the oldest of which were laid down into oak in 1991. The whisky is matured in American oak but finished in five different wine casks: (Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon). The whisky is bottled at 46% without colouring or chillfiltering. – $72
25. Tullamore D. E. W. Special Reserve 10 Year – 12 Year Old Special Reserve is a carefully crafted blend of old Irish whiskeys,” according to the team at Tullamore. “Early spice accompanied by red wine while a nice nuttiness follows. A hint of citrus can also be noted. Taste: A deep robust taste with spice and linseed oil giving a creamy body and powerful flavour. Sherry notes are evident with a real depth of cinnamon and vanilla. Finish: The finish is long and rich with a creamy sherry, dark chocolate and almond taste lingering.” – $55
26. The Whisky Agency Eiling Lim Irish Malt 1989 – This Cooley single malt is a colaboration between The Whisky Agency and Eiling Lim, distilled in 1989 and bottled after 27 years. Only 177 bottles produced from a single barrel and bottled at 45.0% – $530
27. Tyrconnel Single Malt – A brand steeped in history and heritage Tyrconnell dates back to the glory days of Irish whiskey. Traditionally, most Irish malt has been used to create blended Irish whiskey so it is rare to find Irish malt whiskey bottled in its purest form. This pure pot-still single malt whiskey uses only barley and fresh spring water. The resulting whiskey then matures in oak casks stored in 200-year-old granite warehouses, allowing it to develop its full flavor and character. – $51
28. West Cork – This smooth Irish Whiskey comes from West Cork Distillers. It is a blend of malt and grain Irish Whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels. – $37
29. Writers Tears Pot Still – 93 points from Jim Murray’s The Whisky Bible. The review: “Soft honey tones which dovetail with lightening kumquat-citrus tones. Quite a curious, but always deliciously appealing animal. … The sweeter, more yielding notes dissolve with little or no resistance, leaving an acacia honeyed trail; towards the middle. a juicier malt element mingles with soft vanilla.” – $52
30. Yellow Spot – The older sibling of Green Spot. The Yellow Spot is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that is at least 12 years old. Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a style unique to Ireland in which both malted and unmalted barley is used to make the whiskey. – $90

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

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Auction Ends Today!

Countdown Ends from 8pm UK Time

Time has nearly run out to place bids in this month’s auction. Place your bids now!

View the entire auction now

www.just-whisky.co.uk

Spirit of cooperation ensures exclusive line up at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

For malt connoisseurs, it is the chance to join one of whisky’s most elite clubs, one that gives unique access to distilleries that are never open to the public and the rare chance to meet some of the experts and legends who are synonymous with Speyside’s most famous export.

During one weekend in spring, whisky producers unite to rally behind the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and offer exclusive tours, rare tastings and very special experiences that happen at no other time of the year.

It makes for an exciting blend of almost 500 events at venues ranging from small boutique distilleries to the homes of the biggest and best known global brands, and opens up almost all of the region’s 50-plus distilleries to whisky fans – at least those lucky enough to get their hands on some of the most sought-after tickets around.

The golden tickets for this year’s Festival were for an exclusive few to gain a behind the scenes glimpse of Speyburn and Balmenach distilleries. These distilleries entered the Festival programme for the first time this year and, not surprisingly, tickets sold out within hours of them going on sale.

However, there are many more Festival-only events that still have some availability.

Renowned whisky writer Dave Broom will deliver a Whisky Mountain Tasting of special drams featured on the Festival toposcope at the summit of nearby Ben Rinnes. The good news is that participants don’t have to pull on hiking boots and climb the region’s highest summit to enjoy this one – it takes place in its shadow, the comfortable surroundings of Edinvillie Hall.

Dave will share what makes Speyside and its whiskies so special to him, guide participants through the nosing and tasting of his personal selection of six very special malt whiskies from distilleries associated with this ‘whisky mountain’ and which are featured on the toposcope. Most of these will have been specially drawn from casks by distillery managers at his specific request and they include some outstanding releases which have recently attracted his attention.

There would be no whisky without barley and tours of Boortmalt Buckie Maltings will reveal all aspects of malting process including drying, storage, steeping, germination and kilning. The process will be described at each stage and its influence on distilling performance.

The small Speyside Distillery near Aviemore is the most southerly in the Speyside region, and it throws open its doors especially for the Festival, to welcome a limited number of guests to its Art of Distilling tour.

Alchemy and Angels will reveal fascinating secrets about the history and distillation of The Glenlivet from master distiller Alan Winchester. Alan, who was recently named the top Master Distiller of the Year, has spent over 40 years distilling whisky and is responsible for the enduring legacy of the iconic single malt. He will be joined by maturation director Brian MacAulay who is responsible for the selection of the casks used to mature this single malt whisky, who will share a tasting of drams from a selection of casks to illustrate their influence on the new spirit.

Cragganmore Distillery’s Drams and Scran sees distillery manager Kevin Innes pair five expressions of Cragganmore Single Malt with food that complement each expression in the luxurious surrounds of the Cragganmore Club Room. Visitors will also visit the duty free warehouse and have the opportunity to draw and enjoy a taste from a duty paid cask.

Those who have the nose for a good dram should join Benromach Distillery’s Stuart Urquhart, who is looking for discerning noses and palates to help choose the next single cask to be bottled as a Benromach Distillery exclusive.

A wonderful job for any whisky lover, it involves nosing and tasting a selection of cask samples, deciding on the winner, and writing the tasting notes for the next Exclusive Single Cask Distillery available only at Benromach. The ticket price includes a bottle of this exclusive malt once it has been bottled.

Meanwhile, a taste of history in the making is on offer during an exclusive festival tour called Decades of Glenfarclas – Tour and Tasting. This journey through the years at Glenfarclas culminates in sampling whiskies stretching right back over five decades.

And for those who are utterly devoted to furthering their knowledge about Scotch malt whisky, there are still some places available at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School. During this three-day education experience, which starts before the Festival kicks off, students will be guided by experts in the distillation process and learn about all aspects of whisky making from malting to maturation.

All students who successfully complete the course will gain a diploma and a knowledge about whisky making on Speyside that is second to none.

Festival chairman James Campbell says: “Where else in the world can you learn about the art of distilling, pick the next exclusive cask, hear a master distiller discuss alchemy and angels or have a whisky tasting in the shadow of the region’s highest peak all in one weekend?

“The Festival has become a must-do for whisky acolytes at home and abroad and it is thanks to the support of our many partners that we have achieved that status.

“While there may be competitive rivalries within the industry, what we see during the Festival is unity and co-operation, making the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival the outstanding success that it is.

“Our partners show imagination and flair in coming up with new and dynamic offerings to add to our programme every year. It’s what sets us apart from other festivals and, I’m sure, it’s what keeps our visitors coming back year on year. It means the Speyside whisky experience is the most authentic you will sample anywhere.”

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the five day festival has events from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

Situated directly between the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness, Speyside is the base for many high-profile international brands.

More information about the event is available at www.spiritofspeyside.com and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.

Notes to Editors

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from Festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Event Scotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

EventScotland

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com. 

HOT DIGGITY DRAM! “SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP” ON HOLD AS GLEN GRANT AND WILD TURKEY BATTLE IT OUT IN TWITTER TASTING

WHAT:            A Twitter Tasting with a difference is on its way as for one night only… Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Wild Turkey Straight Bourbon Whiskey are putting the UK/USA special relationship on hold while the distilleries go head-to-head in a dramming battle, hosted by The Whisky Wire. Two whiskies from each distillery will do battle – Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 years old, Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 years old, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

WHY:               In all good spirits, the two top golden drops from either side of the Atlantic will take to twittersphere to take part in the ultimate whisk(e)y combat and provide tweeters with the opportunity to explore and appreciate some fantastic whiskies from either side of the pond.

WHO:              The Whisky Wire will host the event with various social media commentators tasting the whiskies and casting the votes.

WHERE:           Head over to www.twitter.com to follow #UKvUSA and the @TheWhiskyWire, @GlenGrantUK, @WildTurkeyUK handles.

WHEN:            Wednesday 22 March at 7pm GMT.

About Glen Grant

Glen Grant’s story began in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside – Scotland’s premier region for whisky production; by brothers John and James Grant. Still produced in Rothes today, Glen Grant is currently the world’s number 5 selling single malt Scotch whisky and holds a range of prestigious industry awards.

The elegant and seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned, is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and revolutionary purifiers that James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founder James Grant, was one of the first to introduce over a century ago. Still used to this day, this lasting legacy continues to distinguish the brand.

Today, Dennis Malcolm, the multi-award winning Glen Grant Master Distiller, directs and presides over the amber liquid. Born in the grounds of Glen Grant in 1946, he has worked for Glen Grant for over five decades, with an uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. Dennis’ unmatched Scotch whisky experience ensures that every expression in the Glen Grant range makes the absolute best of the complex alchemy of spirit, wood and time.

Glen Grant became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The ABV of each Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky differs between each expression and consumers are encouraged to always drink responsibly.

About Wild Turkey

The Distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is located in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high quality product. The whiskey is fermented for 72 hours. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have 90 years of combined experience making bourbon.

The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for “some of that Wild Turkey whiskey” and the brand was born.

Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbon. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 “alligator” char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. Wild Turkey is one of only a few bourbons to use this expensive, deep char.

The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. http://www.wildturkey.com/

About Campari UK:

Gruppo Campari’s UK subsidiary, headquartered in London. A multicultural and dynamic team composed of 40 Camparistas from 10 different nationalities. Established on March 1st 2015, it took over from J. Wray & Nephew UK, a well-established brand builder and distributor of premium Jamaican rums. At the heart of Campari UK there are two main portfolio offerings: the Italian portfolio with heritage brands such as Campari and Aperol and the white & dark spirits portfolio, led by the Jamaican rum brands Appleton Estate Rum and Wray & Nephew Overproof, as well as Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon. The company spans an unrivalled premium spirits and specialty offer in its quality, innovation and style and is also the exclusive UK distributor for Bulldog Gin. www.campariuk.com

About Gruppo Campari:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 16 plants and 2 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 19 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com . Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Glenturret Single Cask #110 | Vintage 1998

Single Cask Exclusive!

Ooh, a single sherry cask exclusive from Glenturret distillery, we’re super excited about this latest release, the colour on the liquid looks tremendous. Distilled in 2004 at the Glenturret distillery, this Highland single malt Scotch whisky has been fully matured in a first fill sherry cask (cask #110) for 12 years. Bottled at cask strength, 55.5% with an out-turn of 590 bottles.

£62.75

To celebrate the launch of London Beer Week 2017, Jane takes a look at the boilermaker, a classic pairing that is now a sophisticated serve in the capital’s best bars.

Existing in dive bars as a shot and a beer for generations, a boilermaker used to be the all-American male choice of beverage, gaining its name from industrial metalworkers who were quite possibly in need of a boilermaker after a hard day’s work.

The boilermaker – the perfect serve of whiskey and beer

Today, the boilermaker has evolved beyond its typical confines to become a drink that encompasses craft lagers, ales and stouts and all types of refined spirits and liqueurs. With each sip (beer in one hand, whiskey in the other) the flavour combinations get better and better – a boilermaker with the added finesse of a bartender’s touch.

In fact, as The New York Times put it, a shot and a beer has entered ‘today’s hushed temples of the craft cocktail, where complexity and creativity are often prized over a belt and a brew’.

As the boilermaker has grown up, so has its flavours and varieties, thanks in part to the craft-beer movement and finesse in spirit making. From the many possibilities just within the whisky world – Scotch, Irish whiskey, bourbon, Japanese whisky, rye whiskey, grain whiskey, peated whisky and moonshine – to pairing beer with bracing amaros, liqueurs, gin, Tequila and rum, the humble boilermaker has truly outgrown its origins.

This year at The Beer Edit, the highlight event of London Beer Week, you’ve got the chance to try some truly unique and tasty combinations of boilermaker. At the craft beer bar in the Beer Edit, you can order your choice of beer (and even mead, cider, and ginger brew) and spirit and sample this age-old serve. Here are six spirits to sip with your beer:

1. The Classic: Old Forester

Bourbon is the traditional spirit to sip alongside beer, and this silky American bourbon pairs well with just about anything you drink it with. Sharp at first, Old Forester softens quickly, with hints of oak, sweet corn, soft vanilla and light orange notes.

2. A SpicY Twist: Bulleit Rye Whiskey

Bringing astringent spice into play, rye whiskey boosts hoppy flavours, making them burst forth on the palate. This particular rye, Bulleit, is russet in colour, with rich oaky aromas and combines hints of vanilla, honey, and spice.

3. The Single Malt Scotch: Auchentoshan

Known for being more challenging and less sweet, Scotch brings a whole new side to boilermakers. Auchentoshan is great whisky which serves as a benchmark for Lowland single malts and has a smooth palate with hints of tangerine and lime, finished with a gingery and slightly drying pleasant lingering nuttiness.

4. A Beer Experiment: Glenfiddich IPA and Jameson Caskmates

Some whiskies are born to sip alongside beer, designed right from the moment of their conception to work in the beer world. Glenfiddich IPA is a Scotch whisky aged in barrels that have previously been home to an overly-hopped IPA, giving the barrel bold and zesty notes. Jameson Caskmates, on the other hand, has been aged in barrels that have been finished with a stout from Cork’s Franciscan Well brewery. This has added notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch to this classic Irish whiskey.

Ralfy explains the complex side of single malts with Ralfy Review 634 – Clynelish 14yo @ 46%vol (2017)

Glenlivet 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $37) $29.99 View 

Glenlivet 18 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View

Aberlour 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View

Aberlour 16 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

BUSHMILLS® IRISH WHISKEY CALLS ON WHISKEY FANS TO HONOUR ST. PATRICK WITH NEW TOAST

Bushmills, Northern Ireland – Monday 13th March 2017: The oldest licensed distillery in Ireland is calling on whiskey fans to toast to St. Patrick in a bid to honour the world’s most popular saint.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of people globally on 17 March and this year Bushmills® Irish Whiskey has released a compelling toast to give people a different way to celebrate the true spirit of St. Patrick.

The ‘Bushmills Toast’ is inspired by the ancient ritual of honouring someone with a drink and is the first official toast in the brand’s 400 years of distilling history. The toast gives people a true way to honour the legacy of St. Patrick, a man who lived in County Antrim where Bushmills Irish whiskey is also distilled.

The toast has been brought to life through a 40 second emotive video voiced by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery, who’s singular sound has racked up over 65 million plays on Spotify. A frenetic montage of bold imagery contextualising modern Ireland is juxtaposed by the voice of Lavery who is set to release his third studio album and embark on a tour of Europe, the UK, US, Ireland and Canada later this year.

Ciaran Lavery said: “I come from County Antrim where the Old Bushmills Distillery is located so it’s a real honour to provide the voice for the first official toast in the history of Bushmills Irish Whiskey. I‘ve been fortunate enough to have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in many countries whilst touring, but time and time again it’s all about Irish folklore and the colour green, rather than St. Patrick the man. I approach my music with great honesty so it’s refreshing to see this honesty at the heart of the new ‘Bushmills toast’, which perfectly captures the modern attitude towards our patron saint.”

Colum Egan, Master Distiller at Bushmills Irish Whiskey, adds: “At the Old Bushmills Distillery we’ve always done things our own way and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is no different. We pride ourselves on our unwavering character – doing what’s right rather than what’s popular and the new ‘Bushmills toast’ captures our ethos by creating a moment to celebrate the true spirit of St. Patrick.”

To watch the ‘Bushmills Toast’ and have your own Bushmills moment on St. Patrick’s Day, visit https://youtu.be/WA-1vWwpbzk

The Bushmills Toast

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO STAY THE SAME

AMONGST THE FACE OF CHANGE.

WHEN EVERYONE ELSE SWAYS ONE WAY

THEY STRAY AGAINST THE GRAIN.

THERE’S LEVELS TO THIS MALTY STORY

IDEAS DISTILLED THROUGH GENERATIONS

A LEGACY OF CRAFT AND SKILL

THAT FUELS THESE CELEBRATIONS.

THIS IS TO THE HEALTH

OF THOSE WITH THE SPIRIT OF ST. PATRICK HIMSELF

WHOSE STORY’S WRITTEN ON THE ROCKS OF THE NORTH COAST SHORE

A DIFFERENT KIND OF IRISH, WHO LIVE BY ‘LESS IS MORE.’

SO HERE’S TO THE WILD AND HERE’S TO THE FREE

HERE’S TO YOU AND HERE’S TO ME

HERE’S TO THOSE WHO QUIETLY DO

THIS BUSHMILLS MOMENT GOES TO YOU.

About Ciaran Lavery

Coming from the tiny village of Aghagallon in County Antrim, Ciaran Lavery has racked up an impressive 65 Million plays on Spotify to date. He released his debut album “Not Nearly Dark” in 2013 , the “Kosher” EP in 2014, his second studio album “Let Bad In” in May 2016, a Spotify live session recorded at SXSW 2016 was released in August 2016 and he releases a live album, “Live at The Mac”, in December 2016. In 2016, he won the coveted Northern Ireland Music Prize and he is fast becoming one of Ireland’s most in demand exports. Ciaran has appeared on German radio and television, Spotify television in USA and was selected to play at Willie Nelson’s BBQ at Luck Ranch in Texas by the man himself. In 2017 Lavery is set to release his third studio album with his biggest tour to date taking in most of Europe, the UK, US, Ireland and Canada. Visit www.ciaranlaverymusic.com/ for more information.

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey

Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is crafted in small batches at The Old Bushmills Distillery – Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery – at Bushmills, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. The brand portfolio includes a range of quality blended and fine Single Malts. Bushmills is the only distillery in Ireland to make triple-distilled malt whiskey. This is at the heart of all Bushmills® Irish Whiskey and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness. Within Ireland, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is the only distiller to produce both blended and single malt whiskeys.