ADDITIONAL CARGO

Our first ever blended malt whisky was released in August, and it sailed off into the sunset in record time. But don’t worry if you missed out – we’ve uncovered some final bottles of Exotic Cargo, hiding in the depths of our warehouse. These are the very last bottles remaining from this extremely limited release, so act quickly to guarantee your trip on this ‘sherry-soaked cruise into paradise.’

VEIW 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

My colleague and friend David Othenin-Girard is out of town this week, so I’m here to tell you about his latest two Jefferson’s selections that have just landed in all of our retail locations. We’ve got a dynamite thirty dollar value with the “Very Small Batch” and a richer, more luxurious tasting option with the forty dollar Reserve. Those who have no problem buying one of each will find two completely different Bourbons here in terms of flavor profile and character. The “Very Small Batch” has a lovely grainy flavor to it, bolstered on the back end by notes of cinnamon and oak spice. Those who like something leaner to mix with, but without giving up weight or concentration will surely dig this. I have to think it would be a great rocks drinker or Manhattan mixer, especially if you’re like me and you don’t like adding sweet to sweet. I look for Bourbons exactly like this when shopping for my home bar. The Reserve can be your straight sipper as it’s sweeter, more lush on the palate, and softer on the finish. The DOG did a great job selecting these two and I’ll post his notes below:

Jefferson’s “K&L Exclusive” Very Small Batch Bourbon (750ml) $29.99 View

The wonderful Jefferson brand has a long history of bottling exceptional bourbon. Founded in 1997, right before the explosion in interested the American Whiskey category by Trey and Chet Zoeller, Jefferson’s has long been a leader in innovative new ways to create and offer ultra high quality bourbon drinking experiences for an affordable price. They’ve recently partnered with the exciting experimental distiller Kentucky Artisan Distillery to have a true home for this special brand. From their exceptional Presidential Select range to the unparalleled Ocean Aged at Sea expressions, they’re consistently offering exceptional quality for your dollar. The entry level Jefferson’s Small Batch is no exception. This is a single barrel blend of four different whiskies. Each tiny blended batch rests and mingles in a single barrel to allow the various components time to marry and then we select from a range of several casks. They’re always delicious but this barrel was particularly approachable. That’s exactly what the small batch does, offers an undeniably easy and pleasurable drinking experience that nearly any drinker can appreciate. Sweet easy barrel spice and soft sweet vanilla with a medium body and subtle candied citrus finish, make this special K&L Exclusive one of the easiest to get behind ever. Bottled at 41.15% ABV.

Jefferson’s “K&L Exclusive” Reserve Very Old Small Batch Bourbon (750ml) $39.99 View

While not labeled with an age statement, you can taste the extra richness in the Reserve “Very Old’ versus the standard “Very Small Batch,” especially when tasting side by side with our two recent single barrels. There’s a more concentrated note of charred oak and creme brulee in the Reserve and that sweetly-spiced vanilla character lasts long on the finish without ever becoming overly woody or dry. There’s a flurry of clove and charred wood on the entry and it morphs seamlessly into a supple and mouthcoating texture that all Bourbon fans should greatly enjoy. Bottled at 45.1% ABV.

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

“Perfumed Garden” Photo Credit – Peter Dibdin at Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY UNVEILS NEW COLLECTION FOR EXCEPTIONALLY RARE RELEASES 

The first two releases in The Vaults Collection showcase the unique whisky available to Society members

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (www.smws.com)has unveiled The Vaults Collection, a prestigious new series, with the release of two of its most rare single cask single malt whiskies.

The first releases in the new series are ‘In a perfumed garden’ (£875), a 26-year-old single malt from a now-closed Lowland distillery, and ‘Meeting an old master’ (£980), a 27-year-old single malt from a renowned Speyside distillery. Whisky expert Charles MacLean has praised both releases.

They will be released on 2^nd October exclusively to members of the Society, highlighting one of the key benefits of joining the whisky club. The Vaults Collection will focus on the Society’s rarest aged releases and exceptional examples of single cask, single malt whisky.

‘In a perfumed garden’ (£875) is one of only 170 bottles from a single cask of whisky from a distillery that closed in 1993. It was matured in a refill barrel before being transferred for further maturation to a second-fill Sauternes hogshead for 18 months.  Finally, it was moved back to a second-fill bourbon barrel where it rested for a further year before being released under the Society’s Sweet, Fruity & Mellow flavour profile. The Society’s expert Tasting Panel describes the whisky as transporting the drinker to “a perfumed garden on a sunny day, with herbs, roses, and delicate, gentle blossoms.”

Charles MacLean added his thoughts saying: “This is an exceptional example of this closed distillery’s remaining stock, which is rare and diminishing with every passing day. Its freshness and vibrant character shine through in a classic example of what was considered the Lowland region’s leading distillery. You’ll never see its like again.”  

‘Meeting an old master’ (£980) isone of only 437 bottles drawn from a single cask of whisky that was distilled on 7^th May 1990. The Speyside whisky matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry cask before further aging in a first-fill Pedro Ximenez sherry butt.

From the Society’s Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits flavour profile, the whisky is described as being “dark yet sweet, with chocolate-covered Brazil and macadamia nuts, figs, prunes and old leather, followed by Muscovado sugar, all spice and a finish of rye whisky with dark, strong coffee”.

Commenting again, Charles MacLean added, “An absolutely gorgeous dram and a wonderful example of this distillery’s traditional style of classic sherried whisky, as it was made in a previous era. It is big, voluptuous and stimulating, with a deeply complex texture. Precious as it is, I wanted to pour myself another dram immediately.”

Kai Ivalo, Spirits Director at the Society, said: “The Vaults Collection encompasses the finest and rarest casks from our treasure trove of single cask whiskies. These casks have been stored over decades and nurtured through their maturation as the ultimate expressions of their kind – these are once-in-a-lifetime bottling of liquid history.”

The Vaults Collection bottles ‘In a perfumed garden’ and ‘Meeting an old master’ are available to full SMWS members in the UK and EU from 2^nd October with key allocations following in the US and Asia. 

‘In a perfumed garden’ TASTING NOTE

The nose, true to the distillery’s name, takes us to a perfumed garden on a sunny day, with herbs, roses, and delicate, gentle blossoms. Someone is handing out fruit jelly sweets and elsewhere there is a waft of cigar smoke. The palate also evokes gardens – sophisticated afternoon tea-parties, with Lady Grey tea, oranges, walnuts, cinnamon toast, tropical fruits and milk chocolate on offer. With water, the nose turns more masculine again, with fresh tobacco leaf, dry oak, eucalyptus, tangy citrus and dark chocolate, coconut and raspberry. With water there are medicinal notes, oak and spice underpinned the pomegranate, physalis, cranberry and Torrontés wine.

‘Meeting an old master’ TASTING NOTE

The whisky cascading into the glass is like a sunset over the Sahara desert, burning the sky with a life-enhancing deep orange radiance. First nosing reveals an old artist’s studio with old easels and the smell of thick canvas, linseed and sandalwood oil. The blinds are pulled shut to direct a single beam of sunlight through the darkness, illuminating a still life with stark contrasts. It intensifies the vibrant colours of the oranges, prunes and dried apricots carefully positioned beside a dusty bottle of tawny port and a glass of sweet Tokaji wine. The palate is dark yet sweet, with chocolate-covered Brazil and macadamia nuts, figs, prunes and old leather, followed by Muscovado sugar, all spice and a finish of rye whisky with dark, strong coffee.

https://www.smws.com/blog/news/the-vaults-collection/

https://www.smws.com/whisky-club-membership

@smwsuk #smws

https://www.facebook.com/thesmwsuk

“Meeting an Old Master” Photo Credit – Peter Dibdin

Notes to editors:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an international whisky club that bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The Society only ever bottles single casks – each cask is unique, making every Society bottling a limited edition
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 132 distilleries in its history
• The Society releases a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers different levels of membership

o   Membership Pioneer with gift box containing three samples, £122

o   Member at £61.50 – without gift box

o   Visit www.smws.com/society-membership

• For more information about the Society, visit www.smws.com

Cotswolds Distillery releases highly-anticipated Single Malt Whisky

The award-winning distillery, the first ever in the Cotswolds ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, will launch their ‘Inaugural Release’ limited edition in the first week of October. Comprised of just 4000 bottles, the public allocation sold out through pre-sales last year.

Production of the single malt began in September 2014 at the site in the North Cotswolds under the guidance of renowned industry expert, the late Dr Jim Swan, whose work with ‘new world whisky’ distilleries has brought whiskies such as Kavalan, Amrut and Milk & Honey to global attention.

The distillery (whose Cotswolds Dry Gin was voted ‘Best London Dry Gin’ at the 2016 World Gin Awards) has received growing attention following praise from industry specialist Jim Murray, who awarded the young previews of the spirit 94/100 and a ‘Liquid Gold’ award in both the 2016 and 2017 editions of his annual Whisky Bible.

Rich and fruity in style, the Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky has been matured in a combination of first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and specially shaved, toasted and re-charred red wine casks, resulting in a striking depth and balance in such a young expression.

The provenance of the raw ingredients is highly important to the distillery, who have unusually committed to using only Cotswolds-grown, floor-malted barley in all their single malt whiskies. And in a move that chimes in with the growing (but controversial) transparency movement in the whisky industry, the barley variety and local farm it was grown on will be listed on each bottle, with detailed production data for each release given on the distillery’s website.

Daniel Szor, founder and CEO, Cotswolds Distillery commented: “Our Single Malt is the culmination of years of hard work, combining over five decades of ‘grain to glass’ production knowledge from internationally-renowned experts with the region’s best-in-class ingredients. We’ve managed to produce something truly remarkable, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved.”  

Tasting Notes: On the nose, honey and butterscotch, layered with light fruits (peaches, apricots) and a hint of marzipan. The palate is rich with malt, oils and dark sugar. Spice and caramelised bitter orange lead into a long, resinous finish with dark red fruits and a hint of treacle.

The non-chill filtered whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and is available at an RRP £44.95 for 70cl.  For more details on the distillery and its Single Malt Whisky, visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

NOTES: 

• The Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky launches at Whisky Live Paris (23-25 September) and the Whisky Show London (30 September – 2 October). Small allocations are available to sample at these shows, but the majority of bottles from the inaugural release were made available for pre-sale when production began, and sold out in 2016.
• Bottled at 46% abv | non-chill filtered | natural colour | 70cl | RRP £44.95.
• Subsequent releases of Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky will be on sale from November 2017, available to purchase directly from the distillery, and in retail across the world.
• Prestigious accolades for the Cotswolds Dry Gin include ‘Best London Dry’ at the World Gin Awards 2016 and a Gold-Outstanding award at IWSC 2017. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.
• Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 23 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands, and it won ‘Best London Dry Gin’ at the World Gin Awards 2016.
• The distillery has become a premier local attraction, offering tours and tastings daily, and receives nearly 30,000 visitors a year.  It represents an investment of nearly £7 million by the founder, backed by a group of passionate local investors, as well as its highly successful ‘Angels’ Share’ crowdfunding round in 2016.

We are already a little more than halfway through September, and that means there are just two weeks left to take advantage of the early bird price for Kensington Wine Market’s 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. We managed to bring the cost down on this year’s edition to $375, but you can have it for $340, and save $35 if you order before October 1st!

Our Fall Tasting Schedule, and Fall Wine Times Newsletter have been out for a few weeks now. If you don’t get the Wine Times by snail-mail or e-mail, you can view it on our website.

The Fall Tasting Schedule has been online for just a couple of weeks, and not surprisingly the Fall Single Malt Festival was the first tasting to sell out. But there is far more to this fall’s tasting lineup than just that one event.

We have had a few new whiskies trickle into the shop over the last couple of weeks. First there is the latest Viking influenced Highland Park bottling, Valkyrie. The whisky is a more heavily peated Highland Park expression than we are used to seeing, produced with 50% fully peated malt. The Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA is finally in. If like me you enjoy both single malts and IPAs, this might just be the whisky for you.

Finally, our best selling exclusive whisky is back in stock. The Ileach Cask Strength, a mysterious sherried Islay single malt is back. The producers can’t tell you what it is, be we are under no such restrictions. This young Lagavulin is great bang for you buck at $80, but don’t take our word for it, pop in for a taste!

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Paul John Whisky Tasting with Madhu Kanna – Monday
2. Kilchoman KWM Cask Launch with Anthony Wills
3. Other Up-Coming KWM Whisky & Spirits Tastings
4. Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon for The Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar
5. Introducing Highland Park Valkyrie
6. Introducing Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA
7. The Ileach Cask Strength is Back

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

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

We Have Two Amazing Value 20 Year Old KWM Exclusive Arran Single Sherry Casks

We have bottled two very different sherry casks of Arran for our shop. The samples were too tasty and the pricing too good to limit ourselves to just one of them. Read more about them here, or pop into the shop to sample them!

 $150 Each

More Information

NEW Compass Box KWM 25th Anniversary Blend

This is one of our most exciting exclusive whiskies ever… It is a Compass Box Blend that we’ve created in collaboration with John Glaser of Compass Box. The whisky was inspired by some of John’s greatest hits, and it is stunning.

$160

More Information

Up-Coming Whisky Tastings at KWM 

Our Busiest Season of Fall Tastings Ever!

But there is so much more than that. We have more than 10 Brand Ambasador led Master Classes this fall. Madhu Kanna’s “From Goa with Love” tasting is coming up on the 18th and We welcome Anthony Wills of Kilchoman to the shop the following night, September 19. And that is just a taste. Here is the full KWM Fall Whisky & Spirits Tasting Schedule:

1. Craft vs. Classics: American Whiskey – Tuesday September 26, 7PM – American Whiskey $35 American craft whiskey is on the rise, but is it ready to go toe to toe with the established Bourbon and Rye brands? There is only one way to find out!  – $35
2. Balvenie with Jamie Johnson – Wednesday October 11, 7PM – For her first ever Master Class at KWM we’re going vertical with Balvenie’s Brand Ambassador Jamie Johnson. We’ll tackle the range from 12 – 25 years of age. – $35
3. Millstone Whisky with Patrick van Zuidam – Thursday October 12, 7PM – Patrick van Zuidam is one of the Netherland’s most respected distillers. He’ll walk you through a range of some of the best single malt and rye whiskies in the world, including a new cask bottled for KWM! – $25
4. An Introduction to Single Malt Scotch – Thursday October 19, 7PM – Your inception into the complex world of single malt whisky. We’ll debunk the myth of regions while introducing you to a range of different styles. – $30
5. Spectacular Speysiders – Tuesday October 24, 7PM – Quite simply this is a range of our favourite Speyside whiskies new and old… you won’t be disappointed! – $75
6. Legendary Gordon Macphail w/ Alastair Milligan – Sunday October 29, 4PM – We’ll sample a range of Benromach and Gordon Macphail whiskies with Brand Ambassador Alastair Milligan, including a pair of very rare 1982 vintage whiskies from St. Magdalene and Brora. – $80
7. Going with the Grain – Monday October 30, 7PM – This will be an exploration of single and blended grain whiskies with an emphasis on old and rare. Three of the whiskies sampled will be north of 50 years of age, and two others over 40! – $100
8. Head to Head to Head – Tuesday October 31, 7PM – This time it will be Evan, Hunter and Marty going head to head to head. Which expert’s whisky picks will reign supreme in this KWM Battle Royale! – $30
9. Hunter Laing with Andrew Laing – Thursday November 2, 7PM – We are thrilled to be launching our first ever single cask of Bowmore, with special guest Andrew Laing of Hunter Laing. It is our first exclusive cask of Old Malt Cask, since the Port Ellen we bottled with Andrew’s father Stewart many years ago. This will be a stand-up mini-festival including a glass! – $30
10. Springbank with Melanie Stanger – Friday November 3 – Springbank is the most stubbornly traditional distillery in Scotland. We love its spirit of independence, and of course its whisky! Special guest Meanie Stanger will take us through a range of whiskies representing its three spirit styles and Kilkerran whisky from its sister distillery Glengyle. – $30
11. Masters of Malt – Thursday November 23, 7PM – Only the rarest and very special whiskies are showcased at this tasting which always highlights some of the most exciting new whiskies in the world! – $125
12. Whisky Advent 2017 Launch Party – Thursday November 30, 7PM – Twas the night before Whisky Advent and all over the floor, there were tables full of whiskies for sampling throughout the store! A mini whisky festival celebrating the launch of our 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar (event price includes a complimentary Glencairn glass). You have the opportunity to attend this event FREE (1 ticket-per calendar) with the purchase of our Advent Calendar, but space in the event is limited so buy your calendar soon and register for the party! – $25 (FREE with the purchase of an Advent Calendar)
13. Glenfiddich with Beth Havers – Tuesday December 5, 7PM – Glenfiddich is launching three new expressions this year, and our friend Beth Havers, Glenfiddich Canadian Brand Ambassador, is making a special trip to Calgary just to showcase them! – $30

Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon for the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar 

Just Two Weeks Left to Save $35, Ends September 30th! 

We were a little late getting out word on our Whisky Advent Calendar this year… A couple of products fell through very late in the game, which left us scrambling. Fortunately we managed to figure things out, we found a couple of other gems and we have pulled together another exciting offering for 2017. We also succeeded in bringing the base retail price down by $25, and we are extending the early bird price until the end of September. Save $35 by ordering before September 30, $340+GST, $375+GST thereafter!

Here are the details on the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar:

This year we have 25 all new whiskies, never before featured in the KWM Advent Calendar, including a Dutch whisky and three KWM exclusive single casks… We are really excited about our 2017 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. For the fourth straight year we have designed and built our own exclusive Whisky Advent Calendar, featuring  24 50ml whiskies, a 100ml Christmas Day bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (The Society) and a custom logo Glencairn glass. The Society is the world’s largest whisky club, and bottles whiskies exclusively for its members. This year’s Calendar has a single cask from the Society that has been selected and bottled exclusively for the Calendar and Canadian Society members (750ml bottles will be made available to Society members in 2018!). Since Society whiskies are exclusively available to Society members, this is an opportunity for non-members to get their hands on a Society whisky. Recipients of the KWM Whisky Advent Calendar will be the first people to sample this exciting new whisky!

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

A deposit of $150 will be charged for each calendar requested. This helps KWM with the production costs. The balance of the payment will be taken a few days before delivery to our shop. ETA is late October, early November!

Order a Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar!

Introducing: Highland Park Valkyrie 

The First in a Series of New Orcadian Single Malts!

The Valkyrie, bottled at 45.9% is the first in a series of the 3 Highland Park releases, with Valknut and Valhalla to follow in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Valkyrie is a smokier than typical expression of Highland Park, made with a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt than is typical in distillery bottlings.

Highland Park famously malts roughly 18-20% of its own barley on traditional floor maltings. It does this with Orcadian peat from the legendary Hobister’s Hill. Orcadian peat is very different from that in other parts of Scotland, because the Orkneys are too windy for trees to take root. Consequently the peats on Orkney are light and more floral than their darker and woodier mainland counterparts.

Most Highland Park bottlings are composed of whiskies distilled from 1/4 heavily peated Highland Park malted on site and 3/4 unpeated commercial malt. The Valkyrie is composed of half and half, make it one of the peatiest Highland Park’s the distillery has ever released.

Highland Park Valkyrie – 45.9% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed with bright freshly picked oranges and dark chocolate; doughy with some fruit flan, clean fragrant smoke and waxy tallow candles. Palate: starting light, citrussy and silky it quickly builds into something richer and more savoury; firm smoke and oily peats mingle with chocolate, spices: liqourice root, fennel and cloves; still fruity with tobacco and leather; Finish: big, long firm; the rich smoke and savoury maritime notes mingle with chocolate and fruits. Comment: this whisky proves I’m not crazy, I’ve sampled some uncharacteristically peaty Highland Park single casks over the years… it is an interesting style that I hope we see more of! – $105

Highland Park Valkyrie  – 45.9% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Green apples | Sun-ripened lemons | Oriental spices | Vanilla | Preserved ginger | Dark chocolate | Salty liquorice | Warm aromatic smoke.” – $105

87pts Whisky Advocate: “Valkyrie replaces the current Dark Origins expression and was matured in a combination of first-fill American oak sherry casks, American oak bourbon casks, and European oak sherry casks, along with some refill casks. Apricots and aromatic wood smoke on the nose; slightly oily, with raisins. Stewed fruits on the palate, with earthy peat, licorice, and black pepper. Aniseed, dark berry notes, and wood spice in the finish.”

From the Producer: “Plunging down from the dark heavens, the Valkyries would descend like avenging angels on horseback to comb the battlefields for the bravest of the fallen warriors, heroes fit to enter the great Norse god Odin’s hall, Valhalla. VALKYRIE celebrates our rich Nordic ancestry here on Orkney, where we were once part of a vast Viking kingdom, and its packaging was designed by internationally renowned designer and Viking Soul, Jim Lyngvild. Exquisitely balanced and delivering wave upon wave of warm aromatic smoke and richly ripened fruit, VALKYRIE is the first in a series of three special Viking Legend releases and has just been awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, scoring 99 out of 100.

“The Valkyries go weaving with drawn swords, Hild and Hjorthrimul, Sanngrid and Svipul. Spears will shatter, shields will splinter, Swords will knaw like wolves through armour. Darraðarljóð (Song of Oarrador), Njal’s Saga”

Describing the fall of Brian Boru to Viking forces at the Battle of Clontarf, 1014

Introducing Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA 

A Whisky For Lovers of All Things Hoppy!

Billed as the first single malt matured in an IPA cask, the distillery commissioned Speyside Craft Brewery to produce a beer specifically to season the casks. The beer was matured for a month in ex-Glenfiddich casks before the casks were returned to the distillery to finish a single malt batch for 3 months. Bottled at 43%. This is a limited edition and will not last long.

Andrew’s Tasting Note

Nose: creamy, doughy and fruity; citric and floral: subtle raspberry and marmalade with a touch of hop oils.

Palate: round, creamy and oily with grassy malt, lemon slices on goat cheese and gentle hop oils; very floral with a prominent hop component and moderately decadent with soft honey and sugars; creamy, it becomes more herbaceous and vegetal.

Finish: long, coating and vegetal with lemon, goat cheese, cream and oily floral hops.

Comment: the concept is unique, and it has created a unique whisky; like the beer who’s barrels it was matured in the whisky is refreshing and crisp, a great summer sipper.

Distiller’s Tasting Note

“Vibrant with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of hops.”

The Process

1. Our collaborators had a momentous task ahead. First, they had to design and create three separate brews of different strengths – freshly brewed IPA craft beer that could rest in whisky casks, later to be used to finish the Experimental Series variants.
2. Back at our Distillery, Brian secretly kept up to nine barrels seasoning at any one time, hidden from view in his warehouse. He varied the time the craft beer spent penetrating deep into the oak casks, before filling the casks back up with whisky to see what new flavours would be revealed.
3. It was a lengthy, experimental process but they finally decided on their favourite: Brew 2. The science of seasoning, beer strength and the time the whisky spent being finished all had a remarkable effect on the final, distinctive flavour.
4. What began as a quirky idea had quickly turned into an intensive experiment. Not only had Brian pioneered a new malt, but he had created a new craft beer in the process.

The Ileach Cask Strength Is Back 

Our Best Selling Exclusive Whisky

It is back and exclusive to KWM in Calgary again, bottled at 58%. And it is enormously darker… this is new and exciting! The Ileach Cask Strength is a mystery malt from Islay. In other words, the distillery of origin is a mystery but, look closely at the label, and you’ll see a couple of clues: the distillery has its own bay, presumably passable on only the one side; it’s water-front has a distinct appearance; and could that be the ruins of the Dunyvaig Castle on the far right?

The Ileach Cask Strength – 58% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: pungent, this is classic Islay, maretime, smoky, salty and medicinal; lots of brine and chewy malt, some dark fruits, chocolate, leather and earthy tones; underneath a base of vanilla and toasty oak. Palate: still maretime, smoky, tarry and medicinal, the whisky is earthy, leathery and malty; it is also big and rich, there is leather, tobacco and chocolate with loads of spices too. Finish: tarry, leathery, peaty and chocolaty with salt and oils. Comment: classic sherried Islay single malt with a very prominent sherry cask influence. Is it Lagavulin, Caol Ila, peated Bunnahabhain? We’ll never know, but the whisky’s label has clues!” – $80

To Register: pop into the shop, call 403-283-8000 or register online! 

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

Maltbarn is a tiny independent bottler based in Germany. We love them, and here is why:

1) A pure love of honest whisky, no caramel colouring or chill-filtration (Not even finishing casks!)

2) Simple labels

3) All weird and wonderful old stocks

4) The owner keeps casks of whisky in a barn on his farm!

One of the smaller distilleries in Scotland, Glen Elgin got off to rough start at the end of the nineteenth century, will multiple closures and sales of the distillery. However, since the 1930s, the distillery provides a lot of malt to the classic White Horse blend (hence the limited visibility on the marketplace). This edition is a single cask pick, with a delightful pale amber hue, expect roasted vanilla and rich custard cream notes. This is a stunning whisky, and very little of it available in the country. This is available at the Web Exclusive Price of £149.95 Not one to miss!

Buy Maltbarn Glen Elgin Now

Tobermory distillery is an absolute favourite amongst the bar team at Milroys. The distillery has an non peated offering as well as its peatier big brother, Ledaig. It is on the idyllic Isle of Mull and represents the only distillery on the island. This smells incredible, it has the classic oiliness of the spirit along with green apple skin. On the palate it is like tarte tatin. Freshly baked pastry with caramelised pear and pastry cream. £134.95

Buy Tobermory 22 Year Old Now

Fettercairn (loosely translated as the foot of the mountain) is a classic Speyside whisky, with a light floral note. The distillery was established in 1824, a year after the Excise Reform Act, and was sold by the original owners to the Gladstone family. William Gladstone, as prime minister, was instrumental in the reforms of the latter half of the nineteenth century. This example is a single cask that has rested for a slow 29 years, which brings forth the nuttiness of the heavier style spirit, the perfect combination of spirit style and ageing potential. Only 3 bottles in store. £229.95

Buy Fettercairn 29 Year Old Now

Millburn was one of the smallest distilleries in the Inverness area. It is characterised by a light peatiness. Unfortunately the distillery did not outlive the tumultuous time of the 1980s in Scotland and closed back in 1985. Nowadays the site is used as a hotel. The small nature of the distillery at the time means incredibly limited casks that have matured on the market since. This single cask was distilled in 1971 and bottled in 1991. Expect the perfect balance of smoke, tropical fruit and leather notes. A great bottle for any collector… £309.95

Buy 1971 Millburn Now

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 177: Tomatin Legacy 

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a NAS release from Tomatin. Tomatin, deep in the Monadliath Mountains at a height of 315 meters, was founded in 1897. In 1906 it closed due to the Pattison Crash, but reopened in 1909. Between 1956 and 1974 the stills were increased from 3 to… 23! It became the largest producer of malt at that time. In 1986 it was the first Scottish distillery to be owned by a Japanese company, who reduced the stills back to 12. And it was positioned in the market as a single malt under that Japanese stewardship. The Legacy, which was introduced a couple of years ago and is now part of the core range, is an entry-level no-age-statement release to celebrate the legacy that the distillery brought to the town of the same name, providing employment and housing for the distillery workers and thus putting Tomatin on the map.

https://youtu.be/J3_bfFQEhL4

Glenmorangie 19 Years Old brings a rare elegance exclusively to Travel Retail

Highland single malt’s signature style is amplified as never before

For 19 years, its rare and elegant spirit has lain undisturbed in the deep peace of a warehouse at Glenmorangie’s Highland Distillery. This September, released exclusively in Travel Retail, Glenmorangie 19 Years Old single malt whisky brings new levels of intensity to the Distillery’s signature style.

Matured only in the finest ex-bourbon casks, Glenmorangie 19 Years Old showcases the mastery and vision with which the award-winning Distillery has approached its whisky creation since 1843. Crafted from the most delicate aged parcel of single malt whisky, the expression augments Glenmorangie’s soft and smooth character with a deep complexity, extraordinary smoothness and surprising zestiness.

Glenmorangie 19 Years Old was created by Brendan McCarron, Glenmorangie’s Head of Maturing Whisky Stocks, under the watchful eye of Dr Bill Lumsden, the Distillery’s acclaimed Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks. The pair were intrigued to see how they could magnify the vibrant citrus notes and creamy style for which Glenmorangie is renowned. In pursuit of the expression they had in mind, Brendan selected a parcel of whisky which had been allowed to mature undisturbed in slow-growth American white oak ex-bourbon casks, for almost two decades. From these casks, he chose only the spirit which still retained the utmost finesse, to form the delicate character of Glenmorangie 19 Years Old.

Brendan said: “Often, a longer maturation will tone down a spirit’s more perfumed notes. But Glenmorangie 19 Years Old retains a wonderful vibrancy and zest. Unusually for a whisky of such age, perfumed aromas of rose, lilac, carnation and mint emerge in abundance. Its long maturation in the finest-quality casks, brings the expression a smooth, buttery mouthfeel. Connoisseurs will be mesmerized by its tastes of apple, apricot, tangy oranges, toffee, menthol and butter candy – and the finish filled with oak tannins and lingering citrus fruit. For travellers who love Glenmorangie, this whisky wonderfully amplifies the character of the spirit they know and adore.”

Five Questions with David Stewart – Malt Master, The Balvenie

David Stewart is malt master at The Balvenie, and has worked in the Scotch whisky industry for more than 50 years. We spoke to him about his career and his latest whisky, Balvenie 2002 Peat Week 14 Year Old.

David Stewart joined William Grant & Sons in 1962 as a whisky stocks clerk

1. How did Balvenie Peat Week come about?

We started some trials with peat in 2001 and did a small run of peated whisky for just one week a year. Peat Week is peated to 30ppm, which comes out at about 5-6ppm in the finished spirit. I didn’t want the peat to dominate, just give a soft, subtle smokiness in the background. It’s Highland peat, too, not from Islay, so it’s less seaweedy and more grassy and herbal. It will appeal to people who drink smoky whisky, and those who like Balvenie will try it and not be disappointed – it’s still got the DNA of Balvenie: honey, citrus and vanilla.

2. How long have you been working at The Balvenie?

I started off as a whisky stocks clerk in 1962 – I didn’t even know what a master blender was. I was brought in to do clerical work: stock ledgers, passing invoices, that sort of thing. Then they brought me into the sample room and I got more involved in the business. When I joined, there was no single malt whisky; it was all blended. I’ve seen how Glenfiddich has grown. The industry has contracted but at the same time, there’s a lot more interest. Twenty years ago, people didn’t really care what their whisky tasted like – they just bought a bottle and drank it.

Balvenie’s latest release: Peat Week 2002 14 Year Old, peated to 30ppm

3. Who do you admire in the whisky industry?

All the other blenders! Richard Paterson, Bill Lumsden, Colin Scott, Rachel Barrie, Jim Beveridge – I know them all. And the thing is, we all know what each other’s challenges are and we depend on each other. For example, we use 40 different malts in our blends; Diageo takes our grain which goes into Johnnie Walker, and we send tankers into their distilleries and take their new-make spirit away!

4. What does a typical day for you involve?

Well, I live in Glasgow; I’m not based at Balvenie, which shocks and disappoints a few visitors! I go up to the distillery two to three times a month and when I’m there, I’ll meet visitors or nose a whole vatting of whiskies. But normally, I go to our head office at Strathclyde Business Park and head for the sample room. And then there’s the travelling round the world whenever we do a launch.

5. What do you drink when you’re not drinking whisky, and what hobbies do you have?

I enjoy white wine, particularly from France or South Africa. I also like Guinness, and I really like golden rum, which is probably the closest thing to whisky. I’m a big Ayr United fan, too. I’m a season-ticket holder and I take one of my sons down to watch them. The only problem is they don’t serve Balvenie in the bar…

Balvenie 2002 Peat Week 14 Year Old is available to buy now from The Whisky Exchange.