This new Malt Messenger is hot on the heels of the last one with more whisky news, tastings notes and opinions. We have some exciting new to share, such as the release of Glendronach Batch 14. These whiskies have arrived unexpectedly, but I’m sure you will agree it is a pleasant surprise. Kensington Wine Market is the only store in Canada to get the full range of Glendronach Vintage Batch releases.

Our Spring Tasting Schedule will be out in a couple of weeks, but we aren’t finished with March yet. Next week we are hosting our first Highlands, Islands and Campbeltown Festival. We have previously held focused Islay and Speyside festivals and felt it was only right to show some love to the rest of Scotland. Tickets are $60 and include a Glencairn Glass. We will have at least 80 whiskies open for sampling from the Highlands, Islands and Campbeltown regions. We may even throw in a Lowland bottle or two for good measure. Thursday March 9, 7PM.

We just found out Andrew Laing, of Hunter Laing Whisky is coming to town, so we have set up a Hunter Laing Whisky tasting in store with him on Monday March 20, 7PM. The cost is $35 for 7 malts from Old Malt Cask and First Editions. We will be previewing a few new releases. And last but certainly not least we have two sessions for Ancient Malts at the end of the month on March 29 & 30. These tastings will feature 7 very rare and old whiskies including the new Tullibardine 1970, Banff 1966, Strathisla 1967 and Longmorn 1967 to name but 4 of the whiskies. This is one event you won’t want to miss!

There is a bunch of new whisky news to share with you. For starters we have some new whiskies in from Box Distillery of Sweden, 3 new sherry matured cask strength bottlings of Glenburgie, a pair of new Compass Box whiskies and the 5th release from Canadian producer Two Brewers. We have a 49 year old bottling of Banff 1966 from Gordon Macphail’s Rare Old range. It is the first whisky we’ve seen from the Banff distillery in years!  There are also some new releases from Springbank on the way and a couple bottles of relatively inexpensive Port Ellen.

I have written up tasting notes on a pair of independent bottlings from the closed Garnheath and Lochside distilleries. Both whiskies are from 1967, the Garnheath a silky 48 year old single grain and the Lochside a beautifully balanced 49 year old single malt. These are two very obscure whiskies we don’t often come across. Both are exclusive to KWM, with just a handful of bottles left.

We are on the cusp of Spring and as the days slowly lengthen from one to the next I hope this Malt Messenger finds you well, and further brightens your day.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Three Exciting March Tastings Coming Up
2. New Glendronach Batch 14 Whiskies
3. My Tasting Notes on Two Very Old Scotch Whiskies
4. Introducing Gordon Macphail Rare Old Banff 1966
5. Three New Cask Strength Glenburgies
6. Introducing Box Distillery Whisky from Sweden
7. Two New Whiskies from Compass Box
8. Two Brewers Release #5
9. Introducing The Nikka 12 Year
10. New Springbank Whiskies Coming in the Spring
11. A Relatively Inexpensive Port Ellen… only 3 bottles!

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

 

Three Exciting Up-Coming KWM Tastings 

Hunter Laing, a Whisky Festival and two nights of Ancient Malts

Our Spring Tasting Schedule will be out by the middle of May, in the meantime we have a couple of exciting tastings to tempt you.

1. NEW – Highlands, Islands & Campbeltown Festival – Thursday March 9 – Travel the highlands and islands of Scotland at a festival highlighting whiskies from these regions as well as the town of Campbeltown. Includes your own Glencairn glass. Included at least 80 different single malt whiskies! – $60
2. Hunter Laing Whisky with Andrew Laing – Monday March 20 – This is a new tasting featuring whiskies from the First Editions, Old Malt Cask and possibly Old & Rare ranges. We’re still working on the lineup, but it will be a good one. Andrew Laing’s first tasting at KWM! – $35
3. Ancient Malts – March 29 or March 30 – It’s been a few years since we’ve put on an Ancient Malts tastings and frankly, we’re overdue! We have some very special bottles selected; including a pair of 1967s for what will be a memorable evening. – $200

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

New Glendronach Batch 14 Whiskies 

12 New Vintage Single Cask Single Malts from 2004 – 1985

The news regarding Glendronach and its sister distilleries (BenRiach and Glenglassaugh) is that they will continue to be represented in Canada, at least until the end of the year, by Authentic Wine & Spirits. Brown Forman is likely to take over in 2018, but we shall see. In the meantime, Glendronach Batch 14 has showed up without any warning, I didn’t know it was even coming until a week or two before it arrived. Bottles will be trickling into the shop over the next couple of weeks. Just 6 to 12 bottles of each available.

About Batch 14 from Glendronach Distillery:

“Retrieved from dark corners of the warehouses and hand-selected by our Master Distiller Billy Walker, there are twelve phenomenal malts in Batch 14 ranging from 12 to 30 years. All twelve malts are drawn from either Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheons or Oloroso Sherry Butts. The profile of the casks within this batch presents a range of fruit notes, from plums, prunes and apricots to orange marmalade, caramelised orchard apples and treacle-covered autumn fruits. The oldest, cask # 1037, is 30 years old and was distilled in December 1985. Bottled at 52.3% vol, this dark amber gold veteran offers notes of fruit malt loaf with a dusting of ground almond and aged-oak spice. As a contrast, the youngest in the batch is cask # 5523, a 12 year old distilled in January 2004 and bottled at 58.3%. White pepper and cinnamon combine on the nose with sweet dates and sultanas, while hints of ginger and vanilla add to a rich taste profile. As we select these batches of The GlenDronach single casks, we continue to discover a treasure trove of aged spirits in our warehouses. Batch 14 is a magnificent collection of rare casks to delight GlenDronach connoisseurs worldwide.

1. Glendronach Batch 14 1985 Cask 1037 – 52.3% – 30 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich raisin fruit cake with subtle hints of dark chocolate and orange marmalade. Palate: Fruit malt loaf with a dusting of ground almond and aged-oak spice. Hints of tobacco leaf, cedar wood and stewed barley linger on the palate.” – $660
2. Glendronach Batch 14 1989 Cask 2662 – 54.8% – 26 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Peppery oak and spices flood through stewed dark fruits and dried apricots. Subtle hints of orange peel add crisp notes to a vibrant nose. Palate: Sour plums drenched in dark molasses with a hint of orange marmalade, all surrounded by rich espresso and cigar box spices.”  – $440
3. Glendronach Batch 14 1990 Cask 2973 – 50.8% – 26 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Crisp, fresh oak and spices contrast with rich orange marmalade over plums, dried prunes and dark chocolate. Taste: Sweet dates, dark prunes and raisins complement vibrant, spicy notes of ginger, black pepper and clove oil.” – $435
4. Glendronach Batch 14 1991 Cask 2683 – 49.2% – 24 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Vibrant oak spice and a rich nutty character infused with caramelised plums. Intriguing waves of wild honey add a gentle, sweet contrast. Taste: Vibrant oak spice and a rich nutty character infused with caramelised plums. Intriguing waves of wild honey add a gentle, sweet contrast.” – $420
5. Glendronach Batch 14 1992 Cask 226 – 58.4% – 24 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Fresh herbal notes infused through roasted coffee beans, combined with black pepper and sweet, ripe Mediterranean fruits. Taste: Stewed dark fruits, demerara sugar and roasted coffee beans combine with hints of spicy cedar wood, clove and mixed peel.”  – $415
6. Glendronach Batch 14 1993 Cask 42 – 58.6% – 23 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet dates and ripe figs, balanced with crisp herbal notes. Milk chocolate rolls through the robust sherry character. Taste: Roasted cocoa beans and vanilla combine with a delicate, lasting herbal note, all backed by a nutty, dried raisin and currant character.” – $395
7. Glendronach Batch 14 1994 Cask 339 – 53.0% – 21 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Fantastic contrast of cigar box spice infused through stewed damsons, demerara sugar and crisp orange zest. Palate: Intense, rich molasses and dark chocolate harmonise perfectly with dried Mediterranean fruits and a spiced, toasted oak back note.” – $350
8. Glendronach Batch 14 1995 Cask 543 – 54.6% – 20 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: An exceptional balance of sweet chocolate, toffee and toasted oak spice combine perfectly with dates, ripe pear and a dusting of barley and vanilla. Taste: Stewed plum compote and orchard apples caramelised in dark muscovado sugar. A citrus twist and aged-oak spice notes create a complex finish.”  – $335
9. Glendronach Batch 14 1996 Cask 1485 – 53.0% – 20 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Robust waves of sour plums dusted in cinnamon combine with a lingering, classic combination of leather and cedar wood. Taste: Dark raisins and stewed plums balanced perfectly with herbs and spices. Cocoa beans with hints of sweet barley sugar linger in the long finish.” – $330
10. Glendronach Batch 14 2002 Cask 1504 – 55.5% – 14 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Milk chocolate with lively oak spice notes, generous helpings of treacle tart and rich plum compote. Taste: A rich, fresh sherry charater. Ripe plums and damsons flow to stewed dark fruits, sweetened by dark chocolate and a gentle touch of vanilla.” – $225
11. Glendronach Batch 14 2003 Cask 4034 – 52.5% – 13 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Crisp oak spice surrounds rich, stewed orchard fruits, with a combination of dark molasses and clean citrus peel. Taste: Mellow hints of vanilla pod flow through rich prune syrup, candied peel and toasted spices, adding warmth to the sweet sherried character and long finish.” – $210
12. Glendronach Batch 14 2004 Cask 5523 – 58.3% – 12 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Warming white pepper and cinnamon combine with sweet dates and sultanas, all infused with hints of ginger and vanilla. Taste: Delicious toffee-drenched raisins and dried apricots laced with warm allspice and soft vanilla, all complementing the rich, full finish.” – $205

 

My Tasting Note on Two 1967 Vintage Scotch Whiskies 

49 Year Single Malt & 48 Year Single Grain from a Pair of Closed Distilleries

Acquiring old good value exclusive whiskies for the shop is something I love to do. When those whiskies also happen to taste good, even better. These two whiskies, one a single malt and the other a single grain are both from very obscure closed distilleries. The single malt, from the closed Lochside Distillery, is the only sub $1000-2000 nearly 50 year old (it is 49 years old) single malt I’m aware of. We don’t see Lochside very often anymore. The Garnheath is even more rare, it is one of only 2 Garnheaths I’ve seen in 15 years in the industry. At 48 years of age it is silky smooth and very seductive. An excellent whisky. We’ve only received 12 of each, and half less than half of the bottles left!

1. Coopers Choice Lochside 1967 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 40.5% – 49 Year – Ex-Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: vanilla bean, toasted coconut shavings, citrus flavoured Jelly Beans, tropical fruits, powdered sugar and doughy fruit flan; almond past, cream cheese, white cake and fondant. Palate: toasty, creamy, floral and decadent; more citrus flavoured Jelly Beans, emerging juicy tropical fruits, Wine Gums, and loads of buttery creamy tones; old but not over the hill with classic delicate antique-y whisky notes; honey and a touch of bitter coffee tones. Finish: long, creamy, coating and very fruity; more fruits and creamy toasty oak. Comment: this is a lovely malt, old but far from over the hill; its been a few days since the bottle was cracked and it has opened up nicely!”  – $800 – Only 5 left!
2. Coopers Choice Garnheath 1967 Single Grain Scotch Whisky – 41.5% – 48 Year – Ex-Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: intensely toasty, almond paste, oak spice, Demerara sugar, French roast coffee grounds, Strawberry Twizzlers and caramel chews. Palate: round, creamy coating and very toasty; orange creamsicle, big juicy Jujubes, tropical fruits and more Strawberry Twizzler; more chewy caramels, Demerara sugars, a touch of French roast coffee grounds, leather and cultured butter with honey. Finish: big, round and fruity with the creamy honey tones leading the charge. Comment: this single grain is showing a touch of oak but still bright and full of character; could be a dangerous one to cozy up to!” – $575 – Only 5 bottles left!

 

Introducing Gordon Macphail Banff 1966 

A nearly 50 year old whisky from this seldom seen Closed Distillery!

This is the first bottling of Banff we’ve seen in years, and it is an old one at 49 years of age. Matured in a Refill Sherry Butt and is bottled at 45.2%. Only 6 bottles are coming exclusively to KWM.

G&M Rare Old Banff 1966 – 45.2% – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet Sherry influences, stewed apple and fig aromas complemented by zesty orange notes. A delicate herbal edge mingles with hints of fresh sea air. Palate: Initially cracked black pepper tingles on the tongue, this is followed by prune, grapefruit and red apple flavours. Cr?me br?l?e notes enhance a sweet edge. Finish: Long and creamy with lingering stewed fruit flavours.” – $2500

 

Three New Single Cask Cask Strength Glenburgies 

Three Sherry Matured Cask Strength Whiskies from this Obscure Distillery

This is a distillery we don’t often hear about. Opened in 1810, it is among the oldest distilleries in Scotland, but a workhorse for Pernod Ricard, producing malt whisky for their blends like Chivas Regal. About Glenburgie courtesy Gordon Macphail: “”Set close to the A96, near the village of Alves, lies Glenburgie Distillery which looks over the Moray Firth. The distillery was originally called Kilnflat, although in 1878 after a period of disuse, it was renamed Glenburgie. Nearby is Burgie Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. For a short while Glenburgie also produced another single malt, Glencraig. This was produced using Lomond stills and is available in our Rare Old range.”

1. G&M Cask Strength Glenburgie 58.1% – 21 Year – First Fill Puncheon – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet vanilla aromas followed by rich Sherry influences with dried apricot, orange, and clove. Palate: White pepper initially with fruitcake influences, ripe banana, fresh lime, and hints of peppermint. A charred oak edge develops. Finish: Long, spicy, and balanced.” – $240
2. G&M Cask Strength Glenburgie 57.9% – 21 Year – First Fill Sherry Puncheon – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich fruitcake aromas mingle with demerara sugar and apricot jam. Subtle candied peel notes devlop and combine with hints of cocoa powder. Palate: Sweet and smooth with rich orange marmalade flavours are complemented by a hint of dried tobacco. Dark chocolate truffle with subtle toasted almond lead to a charred oak edge. Finish: Long and mouth coating with a touch of tobacco.” – $240
3. First Edition Glenburgie 1998 – 54.7% – 18 Year – Sherry Butt HL12311 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: waxy and floral with loads of vanilla; ,honey dew melon, dried apricot and heather honey; decadent and fruity. Palate: big, waxy and decadent; loads of honey, soft vanilla and beeswax; malty with soft fruits: melon, orange and some jammy berry fruits; toasty oak and icing sugars. Finish: long, coating and creamy; the vanilla, honey and fruits linger long outlasted only by the floral notes. Comment: this is a smooth and decadent and very complex malt; great value!” – $160

 

Introducing Box Whisky from Sweden 

Four Interesting New Single Malts

About Box Distillery in their own words: “It’s a story we’ll never tire of telling. A tale of passion. A birthplace that is truly unique. And an unwavering vision – to make the world’s best single malt whisky. Our story starts in a place that some people may consider as ‘far, far away’ – the north of Sweden. In this beautiful location, a series of unique circumstances combine, the result being a single malt whisky of singular character that can truly claim to come from a different perspective. The Box Distillery lies beside the Ångerman River in Ådalen around 100km north of Sundsvall in northern Sweden. With its source lying deep in the mountains, the river provides us with almost unlimited access to crystal clear, chilled water – a defining factor in creating a rich, character filled distillation. For much of the year, the temperature of this water is only a few degrees above freezing. This fresh mountain water is an exclusive resource which allows us to distil more effectively than in any other location in the world.

All of the whiskies were impressive when I sampled them with the importer Jonathan Bray before Christmas, my tasting notes on these are abridged (so don’t judge the whiskies by their brevity). The whiskies were just bottled in November. We asked for and received the Box Distillery PX as an exclusive to KWM. Just 30 to 60 bottles of each are coming to Canada! Bottles are 500ml. The 2nd Step Collection 02 was scored at 90pts by Whisky Advocate.

1. Box Distillery PX – 56.7% – 5 Year (4.13 Years Ex-Bourbon finished in PX Sherry 12+ months) – My Tasting Note: “Nose: syrupy, dark and earthy with loads of malt and soft leather. Palate: big, oily and malty with more syruppy notes, dark fruits and Jujubes. Finish: medium length, nice flavours.” – $157
2. Box Distillery Dalvve – 46% – 5 Year – Matured Ex-Bourbon – 25% Peated Malt – My Tasting Note: “Nose: malty and honeyed with orange and smoke. Palate: very buttery, malty and honeyed with clean smoke, more citrus and vanilla. Finish: waxy with clean smoke and citrus.” – $96
3. Box Distillery American Oak – 50.8% – 4.5 Years in Ex-Bourbon – 8 Months Virgin Oak – 100% Peated Malt – My Tasting Note: “Nose: loads of malt, very Bourbonny with floral perfume, firm peat smoke and big toasty tones. Palate: big, floral and malty with robust peat smoke and big toasty oak. Finish: long, thick, oily and coating.” – $143
4. Box Distillery 2nd Step Collection 02 – 51.2% – Matured in Sherry & Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: malty, caramel, toasted oak, wet leaf litter on fire; dark spices. Palate: still malty, smooth, oily and quite smoky; licorice and clove. Finish: long, dark, smoky and coating.”  – $123 
   

Two New Whiskies from Compass Box 

One is already sold out, but the other is not!

Compass Box is without question the leading boutique blender of whisky in Scotland. While their Peat Monster, Great King Street and Spice Tree expressions are stalwart value offerings Compass Box has also made a name for itself with some legendary one offs including: The General, Hedonism Maximus, The Last Vatted Malt and more. Into this pantheon enter Three Year Old Deluxe and Spice Tree Extravaganza. The former is a not so subtle sharp point stick at one of the Scotch Whisky industry’s insidious little rules around age transparency. Compass Box is leading a charge with their campaign for Scotch Whisky Transparency, which we support. In summary, the right to disclose all the ages of the component whiskies in a bottling, not just the youngest.

We are only receiving a very small number of the Three

Year Old Deluxe, and they were pre-sold. We are trying to get more bottles. I sampled the Spice Treee Extravaganze at the Victoria Whisky Festival, and it is lovely! Here are the detail on both whiskies, pre-order demand for both of these has been high.

1. Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza – 46% – This limited edition Compass Box release is inspired by Compass Box Spice Tree, but kicked up to the next level. The whisky is older with a heavier first fill sherry influence than the first edition, but still relies on Compass Box’s proprietary hybrid casks and is bottled at 46%. The youngest whisky in the blend is 11 years, with the majority of the malt 13 and 19-20 years of age. – Producer Tasting Note: ” Nose: Decadent and playful on the nose, you will find notes of sherry wine, dark berries and the fragrant sweetness of traditional sweet shops. Palate: On the palate there is juicy red fruit, a dark brown sugar richness, the trademark Spice Tree ginger and clove spice character and an endlessly long, spicy, substantial finish.” – $155
2. Compass Box Three Year Deluxe – 49.2% – This very limited whisky was released as an act of rebellion pointed at the rest of the Scotch Whisky industry and the governing body, the SWA. 0.5% of the whisky is 3 year old Clynelish, 90.3% is 24 year old Clynelish and the last 9.3% is 20 year old First Fill Sherry Butt matured Talisker. The only shame is that we aren’t getting more. – Producer Tasting Note: “The rich vanilla notes, waxy mouthfeel and decadent baked orchard fruit notes from the larger parcel of Highland malt whisky provide a beautiful platform on top of which the brooding qualities of the peaty malt whisky and the clean, bright character of the three year-old parcel are able to shine.” – $320 SOLD OUT (We are trying to get more)

 

Two Brewers Release #5 

An Innovative Sour Mash Canadian Single Malt

The 5th release from Two Brewers, an offshoot of Yukon Brewing, is an “Innovative” single malt made from a sour mash. Bottled in February of 2017 at 43%, 1380 total bottles. Order a bottle! $100

Evan’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Salt, some brine as the label states,

toasty with a hint of smoke, salted peanuts, bananas, peaches and hints of cantaloupe, white chocolate and chamomile tea. Palate: Creamy and salty with a light spice notes, nougat, sponge toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, white chocolate almond bark, bananas chips, ginger candies and cinnamon hearts. Finish: The salt and brine and spice stick around, mingling with the softly creamy texture and sweet notes. A hint of smoke lingers. Comments: Another solid release from Two Brewers – more salty notes compared to previous releases keeps this one fresh and leaves you wanting more. I enjoy their small batch release way of doing things. It keeps things fresh underneath the different casks and distillation styles there seems to be a Two Brewers style that can be seen in each release.

Distiller’s Tasting Note: “A rich, briny nose, distinctive of sour mash, is sharp with hints of dill and sweet pepper. The soft, creamy entry expands across the palate in a burst of spice, with fruit and floral malt body. The palate dries with remnants of nuts, sweet dried fruit and a dash of cayenne.”

About Two Brewers: “Yukon Brewing was formed by Bob Baxter and Alan Hansen in 1997, the result of a canoe trip conversation taken well beyond the campfire. After years of building a successful local craft brewery, they decided to expand into spirits and in 2009 invested in a small pot still. Hence came the birth of Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky; made in small batches, with a variety of malted and roasted grains, using different fermentation techniques and a mix of barrels. The goal is that no two releases will be the same, so that as each expression emerges, it is layered and complex and probably never to be repeated.”

Introducing The Nikka 12 Year 

A New Japanese Blended Whisky!

This new Blended Japanese whisky was launched earlier this year to fill some holes in Nikka’s production gap. We are hoping to see more of it in the New Year.

The Nikka 12 Year – 43% – From the Producer: “There is nothing more suitable than a blended whisky to represent Nikka’s way of whisky making. The asymmetry design of the bottle is inspired by the neck of a “Kimono”, just as if the layers visualize all the passion and craftsmanship devoted in the history of Nikka. The honorable golden emblem engraved was designed by Masataka Taketsuru for his very first Nikka whisky bottle. Malty, soft and well-balanced, this expression portrays our gratitude to the heritage and our will to advance our tradition.” – $160

 

New Springbank Whiskies Coming in the Spring 

A new Hazelburn and a new Springbank Local Barley!

The oldest family owned distillery in Campbelton is also Scotland’s most traditional. They have a cult following and it is not hard to see why. They are stubbornly old-fashioned which only adds to their charm, and their limited releases never disappoint. Here are two new ones due in April or May. Both very limited. The Springbank Local Barley is limited

to 1 per customer.

1. Springbank Local Barley  11 Year – 53.1% – Bourbon Barrels – Produced with Bere Barley from the Aros Farm near Machrihanish airport. – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Freshly baked bread with sweet notes of sun dried bananas to contrast with the salted caramel topping. Taste: The promise given in the nose delivers, a lovely creaminess and sweetness of grapes, custard, honeycomb and marshmallow. Finish: There’s a nutty quality about this, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts as wellness an air of indulgence, rich and buttery with an elegant finish that keeps on giving.”  – $160
2. Hazelburn Barolo 9 Year – 57.9% – Triple Distilled – 6 Years Ex-Bourbon – 3 Years Refill Barolo – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy and leathery, soft and creamy with floral tones; polished new leather sofas, creamed honey and chewy malt; Wine Gums and Mandarin oranges. Palate: still very creamy and leathery; juicy malt, waxy fruits and soft but firm leather-earthy tones; more Wine Gums and sweet Mandarin oranges balanced by dark spices: cloves, fennel and Black Licorice Nibbs. Finish: light but long and warming with leather, spices and malt lasting longest. Comment: lots of character for its youthful age, and the wine character is not overwhelming which is good, some wine finishes are overwhelming, but not this one! – $110

 

A Relatively Inexpensive Port Ellen 

Just 3 bottles, Possibly the Last Sub $2000 Port Ellen We Will Ever See Again!

A new Port Ellen release with only 30 bottles coming to Canada, bottled at 46%. The 35 year old whisky was matured in Refill Sherry Butts, and had been bottled in Gordon & MacPhail’s Rare Old line. All other independent bottlings of Port Ellen which have recently been offered, or which we’ve been made aware of are at least double the price. Distillery botlings of Port Ellen are now selling more $5,000 or more a bottle. One of these three bottles of Port Ellen coming are already sold!

G&M Port Ellen 1980 – 46% – Refill Sherry – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Smoky and liquorice influences with fruity undertones and hints of pear. A fresh sea breeze aroma. Palate: Sweet, with peat smoke elements emerging followed by hints of aniseed. Some hints of kippers linger. Finish: Medium – add water with care.”  – $1900

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 Market403-283-8000Andrew FergusonKensington Wine MarketPS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

A Technical MasterpieceThe Macallan x URWERK Flask is a limited edition whisky flask like no other; visualised and designed by one of the most technically advanced and luxurious watchmakers in the world.

The result of a unique collaboration where whisky mastery meets obsessively engineered horology, the flask combines exquisite form with superior functionality.

Taking its design cues from URWERK’s distinct avant-garde watch designs, this is a bold piece of luxury drinking apparatus and will soon be available to purchase.

Limited to only 500 worldwide and available to buy for £2,000 (including international delivery) while stocks last.

For your chance to own one of these highly limited flasks, simply click the button below from 14:00 GMT on 8th March 2017.

BUY NOW

The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, AB38 9RX, Scotland

Craigellachie 21 Year Old 1995 x 2!

Another rollover week at The Whisky Barrel, lots of new whiskies and rums have landed including a pair of sherry butts distilled at Craigellachie and bottled in February 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask and First Editions series.

Craigellachie 21 Year Old 1995 Old Malt Cask – £84.35

Craigellachie 21 Year Old 1995 Old First Editions –  £99.74

 

Macallan 25 Year Old “Distillery Bottling” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) – 3 available ($1,699.99)

Wine Spectator: “An intense candy treat of a whisky that announces itself with rose petal, honey and hard candy on the nose. On the palate this cycles through a number of candied notes-fruity for the most part, with cherry character, but including butterscotch and a slight pine forest flavor. The long finish serves as another tour of the palate, with a nutty element. Sherry casks.” (02/2011)

 

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY NAMED

VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR BY WHISKY MAGAZINE

Buffalo Trace Visitor Center Manager Highly Commended 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 2, 2017) – Whisky Magazine has named Buffalo Trace Distillery its 2017 Icons of Whisky America Visitor Attraction of the Year. The Distillery received this award Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Whisky Magazine Awards America presentation in New York City where it was honored for its visitor experience. The Distillery’s Visitor Center Manager, Matt Higgins was also highly commended for Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year.

“We hold a strong commitment to providing an exceptional visitor experience for our guests and work very hard to continually expand our abilities to support the growing number of people we welcome,” Meredith Moody, marketing services director said. “We are thrilled and beyond honored to be named Visitor Attraction of the Year.”

To support its ever-growing visitation, Buffalo Trace Distillery has more than doubled capacity with the expansion of its Visitor Center, and is continually expanding its tours. In calendar year 2016, the Distillery welcomed 170,587 guests, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year, and a 227 percent increase since 2010.

The Distillery currently offers five unique tours and provides all tours and tastings complimentary to its guests. With its visitors and the preservation of its history in mind, Buffalo Trace will also be incorporating the recent discovery of the intact O.F.C. Distillery foundation and fermenters into a future tour yet to be announced.

Buffalo Trace Distillery will now go on to compete for this title on a global level. The global Icons of Whisky awards will be announced March 30 at the Whisky Magazine Awards Dinner in London.

American Icons are determined following nominations from producers, retailers, distributors and importers, which are then voted on by those in the industry before Whisky Magazine’s editorial panel reviews and draws up a shortlist from which the winners are selected.

For more information about the World Whisky Awards and the Icons of Whiskey, visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/ and http://iconsofwhisky.com/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

Our very own David Driscoll worked with the Maker’s team to craft a whiskey that would rival the famed wheaters from Pappy Van Winkle. At a tasting last week at San Francisco’s Hard Water the final product of their efforts was revealed. Let’s just say they hit it out of the park. For those who love big, sweet, bourbons that pack a punch the Maker’s Mark 46 delivers.

THE BIG, SWEET WHEATER YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR…

Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $69.99

Since the turn of the decade and the explosion of boutique whiskey consumption, there’s been one question that we get asked invariably on a daily basis at K&L: What do you have that tastes like Pappy that isn’t Pappy? It’s not that these numerous inquisitors aren’t looking for Pappy Van Winkle, that unicorn of wheated whiskies, it’s just that they know they’re probably not going to find it. Therefore, the question becomes: what’s the next best thing? In my humble option, the next best thing to Pappy (a big, sweet, wheated Bourbon) is Kentucky’s other famous home of wheated whiskey: Maker’s Mark. Not only is the recipe of Bill Samuels the smoothest and creamiest Bourbon on the market, it’s been a staple of the American bar for decades. The problem with Maker’s Mark as a comparison to Pappy, however, is that one is impossible to find and the other you can get just about anywhere. When you get down to the nitty-gritty, you start to realize that a lot of Pappy Van Winkle’s appeal is its rarity. If most drinkers were simply looking for delicious, powerful, full-throttle wheated Bourbon they’d grab the Maker’s Mark Cask Strength edition, which to me is the best consistently available Bourbon on the market. However, sometimes we all want to feel a little special. We want something unique and out of the ordinary. We want to surprise a friend or a loved one with an interesting gift, something they wouldn’t normally see on the shelf. That’s what you all depend on K&L for, isn’t it? To find you those delicious little rarities that the other guys can’t seem to get their hands on? When I went out to Maker’s Mark distillery this last November I decided I was going to try and create exactly what our customers were looking for: a big, sweet, high proof, wheated Bourbon that stood out from the pack of everyday bottles. I was there to create a custom barrel of Maker’s 46 using a variety of different staves to add additional richness to the whiskey. But I didn’t play around with any of the fancy French oak staves they had as part of the process. I knew exactly what I needed going in. I chose straightforward American oak planks, put them into the barrel, and let those babies soak for a few months in the hope that they would create exactly what I needed: a limited, affordable, big, sweet, wheated, high proof Bourbon that you couldn’t just get anywhere and would only be available for a short period of time. – David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

Maker’s Mark 46 “K&L Exclusive” Private Select Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($69.99)

Julio Santos | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 04, 2017

Makers has always been one of my favorite bourbons. But I admit I often overlook it when I feel like having great wheated bourbon. I will not neglect this bottling it is damn good. It is rich in vanilla, molasses, caramel and toffee with baking spices sprinkled throughout the lengthy palate. A pleasant high proof bourbon.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2017

A wonderful version of Marker’s Mark Bourbon. There are beautiful sweet brown sugar aromas that are very inviting. In the mouth it is big and full with lush and easy flavors. If you like your Bourbons rich and pretty this bottling is for you. It is a pleasure to drink alone and makes great cocktails.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2017

This is the big, beautiful rich wheated bourbon that people actually want to drink even if it doesn’t have the glamour of being impossible to find. Maker’s Mark has consistently put out a smooth, wheated whiskey for years and that level of expertise is evident and put on display in all of its glory in this cask strength edition. By keeping the staves entirely American Oak David allows the Maker’s Mark 46 to become fully what it should be. Sweet, rich, spicy and so delightfully sippable that even at cask strength I was drinking it sans water last night. It will not last long and it is completely worth owning.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2017

Customers often ask me what I mean when I say that cask strength whisky just amps up the flavors making it more punchy and intense. This is the perfect time to find out what higher proof bottling is all about. This exquisite cask of Maker’s 46 has been amped up in more ways than one. In addition to getting the extra intensity from the full octane proof, you’ve also got American Oak gone wild here. Loads of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and burnt sugar dance around the richness bestowed by the wheat. It’s rich, lush, and more than a little sexy. A dissertation on American Oak and Wheat Bourbon – top marks.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2017

The name Makers Mark is a synonym for smooth, rich, illustrious bourbon; my go-to safe bet when I need it. Imagine my delight when I heard we had created our own blend of the ultra-premium Makers 46. The richness and depth are stunning. Molasses, caramel, toast, clove, cinnamon and oak all vie for the spotlight on the palate, resulting in a powerful but balanced bourbon that is silky and viscous on the palate. Please dont waste your time tracking down an impossible to get cult bourbon for hundreds of dollars before you try this gem.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2017

It’s here and it’s everything we hoped it would be. Maker’s Mark at full proof is, in my humble opinion, the best wheated Bourbon that doesn’t have the word “Pappy” in the name, and with this custom stave recipe we’ve dialed up the American oak to near decadent levels. Imagine soaking seasoned American oak staves in a Bourbon barrel like a tea bag and letting that whiskey soak up that additional vanilla and wood for an additional few months. That’s what happened here. Imagine Maker’s Mark at 110 proof with additional oak and that’s this Bourbon in a nutshell. It’s a big, fat, creamy, spicy, sweet whiskey that scratches all your wheated Bourbon itches. Man, is it good.

Single Malt Saturday – Two Tastings on March 11th!

Saturday March 11th 11AM-12PM:
Glen Grant with Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm

Come by this Saturday for a tasting of legendary Speyside distillery Glen Grant, presented by master distiller Dennis Malcolm!  For the past 50 years Dennis Malcolm has dedicated his life to maintaining the quality and integrity of Glen Grant, beginning as an apprentice cooper when he was just 15 years old. As Glen Grant’s current master distiller, Malcolm was responsible for the creation of the distillery’s new 12-year-old and 18-year-old expressions, as well as a non-chill-filtered 12-year-old. His accomplishments within the whisky industry have netted numerous awards, the most recent being an OBE on the Queen’s 90th birthday. Come by to have your Glen Grant bottle signed, or just to enjoy a dram.

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MARCH OUTTURN

Introducing our new look bottle…March Outturn brings a colourful explosion of flavour with 18 vibrant single casks to taste and explore.

ADVENTURE SEEKERS

For those seeking an adventure in a glass, look no further than 29.209. With complex flavours (fish, fennel, shrimp, oak, vanilla, oven-roasted parsnips and chocolate cake, infused with peat-smoke, herbal medicines and volcanic ash) this dram is an explosive journey.

Read the full outturn on line

OUTTURN

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

Ralfy eventually gets round to reviewing an over-processed official bottling with Ralfy Review 631 – Dalmore 15yo malt scotch @ 40%vol

SAZERAC NEARS COMPLETION OF THE OLD MONTREAL DISTILLERY 

MONTREAL (Feb. 28, 2017) Canadian whisky will soon be made in Montreal again. The Sazerac Company’s Old Montreal Distillery is nearing completion of its whisky distillation capability with plans to begin distillation of super-premium Canadian Whisky in the fall of 2017.

Currently the Distillery has long had the capacity to distill spirits, including award winning Genever gin, but has recently added a 4,000 gallon mash cooker, converted some existing equipment, and is in the process of having a 18 foot still built by Vendome in Louisville, Ky, all to prepare for making super-premium Canadian whisky.  The Distillery will also have the capacity to experiment with new whiskies, much like it does at its other distilleries.

“We’re excited to expand our distilling operations in Montreal and bring back Canadian whisky making to a city steeped in distilling history, not least of all as the headquarters of the legendary Seagram Company and its patriarch Sam Bronfman,” said Sazerac President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Brown. “We have wanted to undertake this project since we purchased the Old Montreal Distillery six years ago and it is very nice to be able to now make it a reality.”

Barrel storage will be mostly on-site, with the possibility of using other facilities in the future. A formal christening of the still will be held sometime in 2018, and it is likely tours will be added sometime after.

The Old Montreal Distillery, located in the downtown area adjacent to the Port and Old Montreal, dates back to 1929.  It currently employs over 100 people. The addition of the new distilling operation will add more full time employees. Caribou Crossing, the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky, is bottled at the Old Montreal Distillery, along with many other long time favorites.

About the Sazerac Company

         Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, California, United Kingdom, France, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit http://www.sazerac.com/.