Tormore 28 Year Old 1988 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask sherry butt #14481 bottled November 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask series. 106 bottles. Tormore Distillery was established in 1958 in the Speyside whisky region to supply malt whisky to blending houses. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, President of the Royal Academy and is set in stunning landscaped gardens. Resplendent with green-coppered roofs, decorative pagoda roofs, a clock tower and clock which still chimes Scottish tunes, a rectangular curling pond, topiary and houses for the staff. Tormore Distillery is now operating with eight stills in its tall still house and Tormore malt whisky is still mostly flowing into scotch blends. Whilst official bottling are sparse it features amongst the ranges of a number of independent bottlers including Signatory Vintage and Connoisseurs Choice.

Buy – £135.18

While Champagne may be the beverage of choice for Valentine’s Day, we’d argue the stronger spirits are a more than welcome addition to an evening of romance. Luckily, we have several new arrivals that are sure to titillate and arouse. Leading things off is a 22-Year-Old Single Cask from Tobermory. Loaded with flavors of peaches and cream, it’s a tippler that will appeal to the seasoned Scotch maven and casual imbiber alike. For those on the prowl for something a little more potent, the new exclusive Whistle Pig 10-year, at 117.1 proof, will heat things up real fast. Perhaps you are looking for something a tad more exotic? Then you’ll want to give the Domaine Hubert Pays d’Auge Vieux Calvados a spin. Fruity, feminine, and lissome, this delightful apple brandy from Normandy is all too easy to love. And lastly, to our way of thinking, Valentine’s Day simply wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without some Dickel. Our new “K&L Exclusive” single barrel has arrived and it is pure temptation in a glass. Read on for all the juicy details…

The Newest “Sovereign” Single Barrel Release

Peaches and cream, that’s what they should call this new 22-year-old Tobermory, bottled for us by Sovereign. It’s loaded with fresh stone fruit and a rich creamy texture, to the point that I think even my wife is going to enjoy this one. Tobermory is on the Isle of Mull just across from Oban and it makes a similarly light and vanilla-laden malt. This particular single barrel edition is right on point: a very delicious expression of a textbook Scotch malt character, nothing weird or out of the ordinary, just damn good whisky, with age, at full proof, at a hot price. This will not be the bottle that you drink a tablespoon from every few weeks. You’re going to pour fingers of this stuff and it’s going to be empty before you know it. Dangerously drinkable liquid.

1995 Tobermory 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99) – The Isle of Mull, just north of Islay along Scotland’s west coast, is host to one of the most unassuming of distilleries, called Tobermory, which has quietly made outstanding, straightforward Scotch whisky since 1798. Never the most bold or brash of single malts, neither the loudest nor the most assertive, Tobermory does make a smoky island whisky called Ledaig, but the flagship malt is a fruitier, maltier expression that really starts to sing after two decades in wood. With this 22-year-old single barrel edition bottled for us by Sovereign, the oft-overlooked attributes of Tobermory come into full focus, beginning with an arousing bouquet of nectarines stewing in freshly milled barley. That stone fruit goodness emanates from the glass in waves, morphing into a sweet nectar of honey and peach on the palate. The vanilla from the oak aging starts to shape the whisky on the mid-palate, adding spice and richness toward the finish where the barley becomes the star. The malty, creamy finish is lifted by the 50.8% ABV and that extra proof tingles the taste buds for minutes. There’s nothing new to be had from this exceptional Tobermory expression, just a classically flavored malt whisky for a fabulous price. In a market currently full of anomalies and unique flavors, this is the bottle you’ll return to again and again.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

This is a beautiful single malt that is very easy to drink. The nose is very expressive with pronounced aromas of honey and wax. In the mouth it is round clean, soft and pretty with a long tongue coating finish. With a splash of water the nose becomes a touch more sweet and in the mouth a little softer.I like this producer and it is always a joy to have something from Tobermory in stock.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

This is a spectacular bottling of Tobermory which is a distillery I had long heard of but only tasted one other expression. The whisky here is what people have always told me happens from the place, all the beautiful richness that makes people fall in love with Scottish whisky. Warm white fudge with stone fruit and a creamy deliciousness all mix together perfectly here. Soft, supple, and way to easy to drink this is the best kind of dessert and single malt rolled into one.

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2018

An increasingly rare chance to get you hands on some island (Mull not Islay) malt with 20+ years of age for under $90!? This is an unpeated expression of Tobermory that dances between golden orchard fruit / stone fruit, toasted barley, peanut brittle and buttercream. Then on the finish some lovely savory, saline nuances kick in to add another layer of coastal complexity. I also love that this single cask came down to a perfect 50.8% alc all of its own accord…pour it…drink it.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2018

As my colleague Alex said when I asked if he had tasted our sample bottle, “It’s one of the best scotches that has ever passed my lips.” I think that sums things up nicely. Especially when you consider the context. 22 years old, cask strength, single barrel, etc… I can’t argue. This whisky ranks. It’s loaded with citrus, fresh peat smoke, sugar candy and caramels. It’s a little salty. That classic brine character really shines through and complements the delicate fruitiness that lingers on the palate. Add in the complex herbaceous notes that waft in and out and you’ve got yourself a very complete, very balanced whisky. In short: you’ve got old Bowmore. I expect the only complaints we will register in the Spirits department on this one are about not having enough bottles to sell.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2018

This is one of the best expressions of Islay peat that I’ve ever tasted. The peat is subtle on this one, almost lost in the aromas of honeyed grains and marmalade on the nose. On the palate, the smoke shows up elegantly behind the rich creamy sweetness of the malt, eventually matching that intensity for a full proof, 51% abv masterpiece. The complex and delicious flavors stick around for an incredible finish.

Ralfy hits a peat-high with Ralfy Review 713 – Longrow Rundlets & Kilderkins 11yo

Also see Ralfy Review 713b “Small casks and maturation”

Kensington Wine Market will celebrate International Women’s Day

with its First Annual Lassies Only Whisky Festival

Calgary, AB (Feb.13, 2018) – On Wednesday, March 7, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Lassies Only Whisky Festival will take place at Kensington Wine Market (KWM). Owner of KWM, Andrew Ferguson, will honour International Women’s Day with making this a ladies only event, in support of the Brenda Strafford Society, a local non-profit organization that helps to prevent domestic violence and to provide emergency shelters for women in need. Guests can look forward to trying over 80 whiskies from a variety of whisky vendors, shopping The Bamboo Ballroom pop-up store and enjoying bites from Peasant Cheese and Brasserie Kensington.

With over 15 years experience working in the whisky retail industry, Ferguson has noticed a common misconception of women often associating whisky drinking as a man’s business. The goal of this festival is to make whisky more accessible to women, and give them the opportunity to learn about and taste a variety of styles.

“We struggle with the stereotype that whisky is a man’s drink, because it’s not. But we can also appreciate how some women are intimidated by whisky because of the male dominated culture surrounding it,” says Ferguson”.

Ferguson explains that the the idea of putting on the Lassies Only Whisky Festival came from the idea of giving women an opportunity to explore the world of whisky on their own terms. The entire KWM team are thrilled that the event will go toward supporting the Brenda Strafford Society.

“We are delighted to be participating at the Lassies Only Whisky Festival. Hundreds of women and their children call the Brenda Strafford Society their home each year and the need in our city and at our Centre has never been greater,” says Maeghon Reid, Executive Director of The Brenda Strafford Society. “This festival is great opportunity for us to connect with like-minded women on the issues our clients face and to discuss how important this community support is in supporting women and children to leave domestic violence and live a life of hope and prosperity.”

The Lassies Only Whisky Festival is open to the public and tickets are available online for $40 plus GST at www.KensingtonWineMarket.com/Tastings/Tasting-Schedule/. 100 percent of the ticket proceeds will be donated to The Brenda Strafford Society.

About Kensington Wine Market:

Kensington Wine Market opened its doors in May 1992. Twenty-five years later it has evolved from a modest neighborhood corner store into one of the most dynamic and unique stores in the country. Kensington Wine Market has received a number of local, national and international awards. Recently, they were the recipient of Metro Calgary’s Community Choice Awards for Best Wine Store in 2016 and the only Canadian store to be considered Whisky Retailer of the year, by Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky in 2015 and 2016. Kensington Wine Market hosts on average three tastings per week and are regularly involved in local and regional charity events and art events that give back to the less-fortunate and elevate the Calgary community.

• KWM was Established 1992, one of Canada’s Oldest Private Liquor Stores and has more Than 25 years serving Calgary
• KWM has the largest collection of single malt whisky, the most interesting, eclectic and exclusive wine selections and one of the best curated beer sections in Canada
• KWM was voted FFW Best of Calgary Reader’s Choice “Best Wine Shop” 12 years in a row
• KWM is the only Canadian retailer ever shortlisted by Whisky Magazine, Icons of Whisky, World Whisky Retailer of the Year (5 Times) and twice runner up
• KWM has helped raise over $250,000.00 for the MS Society over the past seven years

Follow @KensingtonWM on Twitter and Instagram and @KensingtonWineMarket on Facebook for updates.

About The Brenda Strafford Society:

The Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence has 34 Second-Stage Shelter apartments where our families can stay for up to 6 months in safe, secure shelter. Individualized counselling for women and their children helps them heal from the effects of domestic violence and child care and parenting support is provided to assist with this. While in Second-Stage Shelter, women are at the greatest safety risk. Nearly half of all spousal homicides occur within two months of leaving their abusive partner, making safe affordable housing, specifically for women and children impacted by domestic violence, essential. In addition we have 51 Progressive Housing apartments where the women and their children can stay up to an additional two years while working on their goals with individualized counselling support provided. Our state of the art facility has been designed to enable women and children to move from Second-Stage Shelter apartments into Progressive Housing, our longer term apartments, all in the same security focused building. We believe that the cycle of violence can be broken by providing women and children with supportive programs and services that support healing, build self-confidence and self-awareness that enable long-term stability for families.

Rare whisky market smashes £25M as global demand soars

The UK’s rare whisky auction market has exceeded £25M in a single year for the first time as global demand for liquid gold soars.

The findings are part of the 2017 annual report published today by whisky analyst, broker and investment experts Rare Whisky 101.

According to the report, both the volume and value of rare Scotch whisky sold at auction increased by record amounts. The £ value of collectable bottles of Single Malt Scotch whisky sold at auction in the UK rose by a staggering 76.33% to a record £25.06m (2016 £14.21m). The number of bottles of Single Malt Scotch whisky sold at auction in the UK increased by 42.47% to 83,713 (2016 58,758).

The most expensive bottle to sell at auction in the UK was a bottle of 62 year old Dalmore (one of 12 originally released) for £95,000.

RW101’s leading index for rare whisky, the Apex 1000 Index, which tracks the best performing 1000 bottles of rare whisky, closed the year up 27.51%, once again outperforming the Liv-Ex Fine Wine 100 (5.28%), FTSE 100 (7.63%), Brent Crude (17.78%) and Gold (13.59%).

December alone saw 8,848 bottles of Scotch sold at auction in the UK, a record month and a large part of the 25,123 bottles sold through the final quarter of 2017. Just four years ago in 2013, a total of 20,211 bottles were sold throughout the full year. From a value perspective, December saw £3.148m sold, slightly ahead of 2012’s full year sales value of £2.911m.

At the end of 2016, ten distilleries had seen a single bottle sell at auction in the UK for more than £10,000. One year on and that number has grown to fourteen.

Andy Simpson, director and co-founder of Rare Whisky 101 said: “We were fully expecting to break £20 million for the first time. However, £25 million shows the level of pure demand in the market at the moment. The volume of bottles on the open market is at record highs, but demand for the right bottles, for now at least, continues to excess these record levels of supply.”

Commenting on the global thirst for liquid gold, co-founder of Rare Whisky 101, David Robertson said: “We are experiencing increasing demand from almost all parts of the globe. South East Asia remains a key factor for the market, but is by no means the exclusive driver. Demand from the domestic market, central Europe and further afield is higher than we’ve ever seen.

“From a rare whisky perspective, approaching on the horizon are the dynamic economies and the burgeoning middle classes of mainland China and India; neither have got to the starting blocks yet, let alone begun to try and win the rare whisky acquisition race. When, and indeed, if they do, we’re expecting demand to hit levels unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”

On the rare whisky auction market’s future prospects, Simpson continued: “As a category, Scotch is appealing to more and more buyers, and the pinnacle product, single malt, is becoming ever more popular with connoisseurs, collectors and investors. Older spirit is still very challenging to come by in the cask and is commanding ever higher prices. We don’t see that changing.

“In certain parts of the world, collecting and investing is still very much in its infancy, but wealthy status buyers are targeting high value bottles and consuming them as they were always intended. This is, in turn pushing prices north, with rarities increasing in price with almost every single subsequent sale.

“The growing importance, almost dominance, of the UK’s auction market, which is the largest in the world, will continue to be underpinned by the rapidly increasing number of rare whisky retailers running auctions in parallel to their traditional retail business. The rare-whisky acquisition landscape has changed forever as the consumer, rather than the retailer, now decides what price they will pay for a bottle of rare and collectable whisky.

“We’ve talked about rare whisky being in an almost perfect storm of diminishing stocks (through consumption) and skyrocketing demand. That situation looks like continuing as the bulls remain in control of the market.”

About Rare Whisky 101
Andy Simpson and David Robertson launched Rare Whisky 101 in 2014 with the aim of offering a whisky valuation service, brokerage and consultancy for whisky connoisseurs, collectors and investors. Having tracked every bottle sold at UK auctions over the past 12 years, the business now offers the world’s first, only and most comprehensive online single malt Scotch & Japanese whisky dataset covering some 276,000 price records over 33,000 different bottle types. In the last 12 months, RW101 have brokered around 20,000 rare whisky bottles around the globe in addition to trading in aged casks from iconic distilleries such as The Macallan, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Springbank, Mortlach, Talisker, Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Highland Park.

Saturday, February 17th, 2:30-5:30PM

Scotch Tasting: Highland Park 

Highland Park whisky is made with pride, integrity and fierce independence, passed down from the distillery’s Viking ancestors to today. The Orkney distillery is known for striking bottlings and hard-to-find releases and has received high honors at the World Whiskies Awards, Scotch Whisky Master Awards, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition among many others.

We’ll be pouring a variety of new releases and highly-rated favorites, with distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts present throughout.

Click Here to RSVP

A Perfectly Balanced (Yet Potent) Exclusive Dickel Single Barrel

The Tennessee whiskies of George Dickel have developed a significant following of late, so we’ve lined up several single cask expressions to meet the demand. This most recent arrival is tailor made to charm bourbon drinkers, as it is loaded with toasty grain notes, baking spices, and a healthy dose of sweetness (but not too much!). At under $45, there’s significant value going on here.

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L7233K1007 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) ($44.99) – When you talk to passionate bourbon drinkers today, most of them are looking for the rich, sweet, boldly flavored, high-proof editions that seem to have completely evaporated from today’s market. Part of the reason the Van Winkle expressions (and the Weller bourbons by default) became so beloved, besides the pull of pop culture, has to do with their sweeter profile due to the lack of rye grain in the mash bill as a balance. While not technically categorized as bourbon (Dickel goes by Tennessee whiskey even though it qualifies as such), the distillery’s high corn, low rye mash of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley results in a whiskey brimming with sweetness, with less of the peppery and herbaceous elements. The only thing that’s ever kept Dickel from becoming the next big thing in the American whiskey scene is the low proof, but that’s where the company’s single barrel program comes in: each K&L selected single cask of Dickel comes with a 9 year age statement and 51.5% ABV, dialing up the sweetness and sending serious bourbon fans into a frenzy. Barrel #1007 is the corniest of the bunch (in a good way) with lots of sweet grainy aromas and notes of buttered popcorn with baking spices on the palate. It’s never sweet or overtly rich, however, in spite of those characteristics. The finish is spicy and lively with hints of barrel char and rich oak that linger for minutes. It’s a whiskey for those looking for bourbon-like alternatives that still retain their favorite flavors.

FORTY CREEK TURNS TO FANS TO CHOOSE 2018 LIMITED EDITION BLEND IN FIRST-EVER SOCIAL RELEASE

CANADIAN WHISKY BRAND USES SOCIAL INTIATIVE TO SEARCH COAST-TO-COAST FOR FOUR CANADIANS TO CAST THEIR VOTE

TORONTO, ON – Award-winning whisky brand, Forty Creek, is once again putting flavour first as it seeks input from Canadian taste buds across the country to determine their next limited edition release. In a contest like no other, fans will have the chance to win an exclusive VIP tasting at Forty Creek’s distillery in Grimsby, Ontario where they’ll cast their vote for the first-ever limited edition social release.

Forty Creek is known for coming “from a good place”; a concept that was introduced last year through the brand’s foray into television advertising. While the TV spots shone a spotlight on Grimsby and the individuals who have been essential in making Forty Creek the success it is today, this new social media initiative aims to take that concept one step further by inviting fans to represent their good place and choose a whisky that is for all Canadians.

Starting February 9, 2018 Canadian whisky fans are encouraged to visit Forty Creek’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FortyCreekWhisky) and comment on why Forty Creek is their whisky of choice for the chance to make Forty Creek history. Four fans from across Canada (excluding Quebec) will be chosen at random and invited to the Forty Creek distillery to sample and vote on a selection of blends that have the potential to be the 2018 Limited Edition. The choice will be in their hands as the blend with the most votes will be crowned the winner. Contest closes March 4, 2018.

“From the very beginning Forty Creek has been a whisky that puts its customers first,” says John Andersen, Senior Brand Manager, North American Whiskies. “While Forty Creek is incredibly proud of our Grimsby roots, we know that there are many other places in Canada worthy of celebration. Knowing that, we wanted to give Canadians from coast-to-coast a chance to represent the tastes of their respective regions and choose, what will ultimately be, a great whisky for Canadians, chosen by Canadians.”

The winning blend will be announced and available for reservation prior to Forty Creek’s annual Whisky Weekend in September.  Whisky Weekend is Forty Creek’s annual celebration all things Canadian and Forty Creek, with tours, tastings, seminars, and the official launch of the annual limited edition release.

About Campari Group:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Campari Group’), 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’s portfolio includes over 50 premium and super premium brands. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, Grand Marnier, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. In 2014, The Group acquired Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., a Canadian spirits company with a portfolio of brands including whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs. Internationally-recognized for its superior taste and quality, the multi-award winning Forty Creek Whisky serves as both the fastest growing brand in its category across North America and Canada’s first successfully launched whisky brand in over 70 years. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 18 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 20 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: http://www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

TRIO OF DESIGNERS BRING SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION

TO JAMESON’S ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY BOTTLE 

Jameson Irish whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has kicked off St. Patrick’s Day 2018 with its seventh annual limited-edition bottle design. For the first time in its history, Jameson has collaborated with a group of artists, representing the bravery, unity and opportunities that are possible when friends come together.

Irish illustrator Claudine O’Sullivan led the design process, recruiting two close friends from different creative fields to form a collective to curate the label. British designer, Alex Mellon, and Irish photographer Leonn Ward joined O’Sullivan, with the result being a design that celebrates the openness and spirit of friendship that Ireland is renowned for.

The 2018 collectable bottle is inspired by the Fianna; Irish mythological warriors known for valuing loyalty and bravery – the foundation of every strong friendship. Claudine’s soaring eagle, drawn by hand, represents the unity felt by the silhouette of three friends on a night out – shot against Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge by Leonn. The three friends on the label are depicted rallying around banners and symbols representing Irish tribes of past and present, drawn by Alex, and are set to inspire whiskey drinkers around the world to come together and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Jameson.

A limited edition for March 2018, each bottle is equipped with a near field communication (NFC) chip which allows consumers to access content on www.jamesonwhiskey.com

where they can find out more about the artists and the story behind their design. The limited edition bottle will be available in 35 countries, including Ireland, Japan and Australia, from February 2018.

Lead designer in the project, Claudine O’Sullivan, commented: “Over the past 18 months, Leonn, Alex and I have come together from our different disciplines with the same vision – to create a clean, fresh and impactful design that brings the spirit of the Fianna and Ireland’s history of embellishment in storytelling to life. On a personal note, it has been a dream come true to work with Jameson.  My family lives on historic Jameson land both in Dublin and in Cork, so the whiskey has been in my life since before I can remember. Sláinte!”

Simon Fay, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers, added: “Dublin has long been a city of artists, adventurers and friends, so for Jameson’s 2018 limited edition bottle we collaborated with three artists with different creative backgrounds to celebrate true friendship. St. Patrick’s Day is Jameson’s second Christmas and is synonymous with great friends getting together, so we are confident that our new seasonal release will encourage modern day adventurers to enjoy Jameson together during their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.”

Notes 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 6.5m cases in 2017. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 71 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. www.pernod-ricard.com