The Good Dram Show – Episode 263 ‘Douglas Laing Xtra Old Particular’ and features the April releases in their Xtra Old Particular range.
THE GLENLIVET EXPLORES NEW FRONTIERS WITH LAUNCH OF
COGNAC CASK FINISH EXPRESSION
The Glenlivet is set to re-assert its credentials as the definitive Single Malt Scotch whisky with the release of a contemporary new expression; Captain’s Reserve, a Single Malt selectively finished in high-quality Cognac casks. The launch is set to push the boundaries of modern Scotch through its distinctive cask combination.
Captain’s Reserve is the result of flavour and cask experimentation. This combination of the raisin-rich intense taste of Cognac with the signature citrus notes and creamy smoothness of The Glenlivet offers consumers the opportunity to broaden their Single Malt Scotch repertoire. The new flavour and taste experience also encourages new consumers to explore the thriving Single Malt Scotch category, which is one of the fastest growing spirits categories globally, and is expected to continue its growth at +6%[1].
This new expression, which will sit as part of The Glenlivet range, is a tribute to Captain William Smith Grant, great-grandson of George Smith, founder of The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside Single Malt. The Captain not only fought in the First World War in France, but later went on to fight for The Glenlivet, guiding the brand through the difficult Prohibition years and leading the Single Malt Scotch whisky revival in the UK and US. This unique story is brought to life through Captain’s Reserve by uniting the definitive Speyside Single Malt and the opulent rich flavours of Cognac.
Alan Winchester, The Glenlivet Master Distiller, comments: “We know that Single Malt consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous and are seeking to explore new flavour profiles and finishes in the category. Research shows that the global consumption of Cognac is expected to increase by some 2m cases by 2021[2]. By introducing the Cognac casks into our maturation process, we are able to capitalise on the popularity of this flavour and add another dimension to our world-renowned portfolio. The Cognac casks’ influence will bring a real richness to the smooth and fruity style of The Glenlivet, which we’re confident new and existing Single Malt Scotch enthusiasts will enjoy.”
Captain’s Reserve is available globally, with an RRP ranging from £45-48 (or local equivalent).
For more information, or high-resolution images, please contact:
Notes:
The Glenlivet Captain Reserve Tasting notes:
NOSE: Bursting with sweet and fruity aromas. Rich in honey and apricot jam, with notes of sweet cinnamon bread and a subtle sensation of spicy liquorice.
TASTE: Succulent flavours of mandarins in syrup, ripe poached pears and chocolate-dipped raisins.
FINISH: Incredibly smooth and luscious.
About The Glenlivet:
Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is The Definitive Speyside Single Malt, renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malts category. With its smooth and fruity flavour profile, The Glenlivet has contributed the biggest volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the past five years (IWSR, 2016). Acting as the guardian for outstanding quality and craftsmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Cipher, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, a great representation of the distillery’s signature style.
About Chivas Brothers:
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.
[1] IWSR, 2016
[2] The Global Cognac Insights report, 2017
AUTHENTIC SEACOAST DISTILLING COMPANY WINS MEDALS AT PRESTIGIOUS SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION
Guysborough, Nova Scotia – Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd has continued its winning streak at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), bringing five medals home to Atlantic Canada from the 18th annual competition. The distillery received a:
• Gold Medal for its GLYNNEVAN® 12 Year Old Straight Canadian Rye Whisky,
• Silver Medal for its GLYNNEVAN® Cabot Triple Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky
• Bronze Medals for its GLYNNEVAN® Double Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky
This is the fourth consecutive year Authentic Seacoast Distilling has been recognized for excellence with their spirits.
Regarded as the most influential spirits competition in the world, the 2018 SFWSC was the largest in its history, featuring more than 2,200 submissions. Medal winners are chosen through a rigorous blind tasting process over four days to ensure integrity and impartiality. As a result, a SFWSC medal is a recognized affirmation of high quality and one of the most reliable and universal indications of spirits excellence.
“I am absolutely delighted to have our GLYNNEVAN® Whisky, recognized by the most prestigious spirits competition in the world”, said Glynn Williams, President and Distiller, Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd.
“These impressive results provide us with independent third party validation of the very high quality of our products on a global basis.”
A new Canadian tradition where the spirit of prairie grain comes to rest in barrels in the Authentic Seacoast Distillery on the historic Guysborough harbour, GLYNNEVAN® Whisky brings a distinct Maritimes character to Canadian rye whisky. Read more about GLYNNEVAN at www.glynnevan.com.
About Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company
Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company produces small batch, craft blended and distilled spirits including GLYNNEVAN® Whisky, Fortress® Rum, Virga® Vodka and Sea Fever® Rum at its distillery on the historic Guysborough harbour, and is part of Authentic Seacoast Company, which includes Osprey Shores, historic DesBarres Manor Inn, Full Steam® Coffee, Harbour Belle Bakery, Authentic Seacoast Brewing Co. (makers of Rare Bird® Craft Beer), Glanbùrn Artesian Water, Authentic Seacoast Soaps and the Authentic Seacoast Store.
About Authentic Seacoast Company
Authentic Seacoast Company’s vision is to restore the proud trading legacy of a seacoast village in Nova Scotia and to create jobs in the community on a sustainable basis by producing and sharing high quality products and experiences that are authentic and memorable. The Authentic Seacoast Company embodies the fresh sea air, industrious people and proud determination that has kept this special place by the sea alive over the past four centuries.
Read more at: http://www.authenticseacoast.com
FESTIVAL FLAVOUR DISCOVERY PACK
May First Friday raised our festival fever levels with the release of our celebratory Speyside and Islay bottlings. Temperatures are set to rise again with the release our Festival Flavour Discovery Pack. The five-dram pack features 25ml bottles, with two casks from Speyside and three from Islay. Pack numbers are extremely limited and include 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams, which is only available to buy at the Islay Malts and Music festival at the end of the month.
The Festival Flavour Discovery Pack includes five 25ml bottles:
107.13 Andalusian gazpacho
9.143 Graceful gravitas
10.141 Indulgence by the sea
3.307 A journey into joy
29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams
ISLAY FESTIVAL: SMWS PROGRAMME
For those lucky members who are making the whisky pilgrimage to Islay, be sure to check out our programme of festival events happening at Islay House – with our annual Open Day on Friday 25 May and masterclasses and shop running from Monday 28 to Wednesday 31 May.
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
Springbank Society Members
May Releases
We are delighted to announce that we have 3 new releases that will be available in the UK from tomorrow (9th May). A new Springbank, a new Longrow and a new Hazelburn – all the details are below.
As we have mentioned in previous announcement emails, this email is designed to replace the old ‘Available Now’ Newsflash that was traditionally sent out on the launch day as a number of members have requested that we let you all know sooner. As such, notifications on the launch day itself will only be made on social media. We do urge members not to publish the details below on social media before we announce it ourselves through our own social media channels. This will hopefully let you all get first bite of the cherry although we would highlight that we do not control how shops sell their stock, if they take pre-orders etc. Even the Cadenhead shops are out-with our control so if you have any enquires about what stock individual shops have please contact them directly.
Springbank 21yo 46%
The latest Springbank 21yo has been matured in 70% rum casks and 30% bourbon casks and has been bottled at 46% ABV.
Nose: A burst of heather and freshly mowed grass followed by honey, pear skin and wood shavings. Hints of butter; cheesecake, fresh cream and digestive biscuit.
Palate: Elegant and gentle. Butterscotch and vanilla, sugar cane and molasses develop as the rum cask influence brings apricots, peaches and paprika.
Finish: A soft smokiness is present in the background. Toffee apples, raisins and oat biscuits emerge. In the foreground; peppercorn, almonds and apricot jam are prominent.
Longrow 18yo 46%
This new 18yo Longrow was matured in 60% sherry casks and 40% casks are will be bottled at 46%.
Nose: Elegant and refined. Sea salt and Wakame seaweed followed by pine cones, wood shavings and honey.
Palate: Rich and creamy with subtle peat and juicy sweet flavours. Salted popcorn, Tofu, Butterscotch and Vanilla. Tobacco leaf, wood shavings and Black Forest gateau.
Finish: Pecan nuts followed by soft peaty embers with dark chocolate and earthy notes.
Hazelburn Sherrywood 13yo
The next chapter of the Hazelburn sherrywood series introduces us to this 13yo Oloroso cask matured edition bottled at 47.4%.
Nose: Full bodied; creamy and rich with dark chocolate. Rose petals and ginger biscuit snaps with freshly brewed espresso coffee.
Palate: Bursting with fresh cream and strawberries, all developing due to the maturation in Oloroso Sherry; Turkish delight, clotted cream, strawberry jam followed by marzipan and walnuts.
Finish: Brown sugar, dates and toffee; sticky toffee pudding! Cream coffee liqueur, red apple peel, banana chips, vanilla and black pepper.
These whiskies are available in the UK from tomorrow – for more information on when they will be released in different countries/markets please contact your local Springbank retailers and stockists, details of whom can be found by visiting: http://springbank.scot/distributors/.
Once again, we urge members not to publish the details in this email on social media before we announce it ourselves through our own social media channels. And please remember that these are distillery bottlings, not under the control of the Society, so we are unable to reserve bottles and you cannot place orders through the Society.
Slainte
Springbank Society
Springbank Distillers Ltd.
To join the Springbank Society please email them at Springbank Society society@springbank.scot
Friday, June 15, 2:30 – 5:30 PM
Single Malt Tasting:
Glen Grant with Robin Coupar
Join us for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch, presented by global brand ambassador and whisky expert Robin Coupar! Established in 1840, this centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world. Whisky ambassador Robin Coupar will present a guided tasting of Glen Grant’s new and rare releases, providing insider knowledge of what goes into making these incredible drams and the stories behind them. Pourlist to be revealed as event approaches- RSVP to keep up-to-date.
Ralfy introduces big peatiness, but not Islay peatiness with Ralfy Review 725 – Ledaig 13yo Amontillado malt @ 59.2%vol:
‘BURNING OF THE BEAR CEREMONY’ IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD WHISKY DAY AND ROYAL WEDDING AT SPIRITUAL HOME OF SCOTCH WHISKY
The bear set aflame to celebrate the opening of the distillery
There can be no more unique way to celebrate World Whisky Day (19 May) than at the spiritual home of Scotch whisky, witnessing a 100ft high bear carving set aflame on a hillside.
On the hill overlooking our still-house, you will see a bear holding a ragged staff, ploughed into the ground. It is a depiction of the stone statue that was taken from the Abbot’s lodgings at the Abbey during the Reformation. The bear and ragged staff is a device of the Earls of Warwick – Guido, the first Abbot of Lindores, was a younger son of the Warwick family. Each year we light the outline of the bear to remind ourselves of the importance of our past and to toast the coming year’s distillate.
This year’s bear burning event will take place on World Whisky Day, 19 May, between 7pm and midnight. There will be food, music and dancing; celebratory toasts to the bear and the newly married Harry and Meghan will be made with Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae cocktails.
Tickets for 1494 Members are free, Preservation Society Members tickets are £10 and General Admission is £12.50 For further information, interviews and images, please contact Poppy McKenzie Smith
E: poppystill@lindoresabbeydistillery.com T: +44 (0) 7446 074 308
Double cause for celebration as ambassadors are honoured at the launch of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2018
A five-day festival celebrating Scotland’s national drink kicks off in earnest today (Thursday, May 3) but revellers on Speyside – the spiritual home of the country’s whisky industry – have already had plenty cause for celebration.
A gala dinner to officially launch the start of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival took place last night, during which three winners were crowned with prestigious awards recognising those who have a special place in the event’s heart.
Festival goers from all over the globe joined those involved in the region’s whisky production to see industry veteran Ian Urquhart – a former managing director of world-renowned merchants Gordon & MacPhail – presented with the Spirit of Speyside Award.
Last night’s gala dinner at Benromach Distillery in Forres was something of a homecoming for Mr Urquhart, who played a significant role in Gordon & MacPhail’s decision to purchase the distillery. Production restarted there in 1998, and the host venue is celebrating 20 years of distilling under the company’s ownership this year.
Festival chairman James Campbell said: “Ian has played a pivotal role in developing the Scotch whisky industry at home and abroad and is an obvious choice for this very prestigious honour.
“He not only spent 41 years with Gordon & MacPhail, helping to steer it on the path to international growth and to become the multi-million-pound operation that it is today, but he played an integral part in getting Benromach back into production, leading to the creation of some of the finest malt whisky that Speyside has to offer.
“The festival also owes him a debt of gratitude: in his role as company secretary from 2006 to 2011, he played a key role in developing the event into the festival that we know and love today. Without his support, we would not be welcoming visitors from countries from Kazakhstan to El Salvador. We are now a truly international event, and that is in no small part down to Ian’s knowledge, passion and enthusiasm.”
In addition to his work with the whisky industry, Mr Urquhart is director and chairman of another famous Speyside firm – Johnstons of Elgin cashmere mill – and has been a past director of Food and Drink Scotland. He’s a deputy lord lieutenant of Moray and a director of tourism organisation North Coast 500 Ltd.
It was another leading light in the local tourism industry that picked up the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival ambassador award. Laurie Piper, operations manager for Moray Speyside Tourism, has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the region since joining the organisation two years ago.
Mr Campbell said: “His buzzword in the past two years has been collaboration: he has achieved great things by helping town partnerships and local businesses work together to the same end results, and in doing so has ensured Moray Speyside is recognised far and wide as a great place to visit.”
Laurie, who has worked on several high-profile events over the years – including Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – has been instrumental in raising awareness of the local area with the travel trade, and many have now introduced new itineraries to include the Moray Speyside region. His work also led to BBC Countryfile naming the area as it’s only Scottish finalist in its Holiday Destination of the Year awards.
Germany was the destination for the third accolade of the night – the international ambassador award. It went to Peter Klas, a Cologne-based businessman who opened a Scottish luxury goods store after being inspired by a visit to the festival.
“One of the key events of the festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards – a contest in which members of the public vote for their favourite Speyside whiskies following a blind taste test. The fact that these judging sessions are now held in a number of international destinations as well as here at the Festival is down to Peter,” said Mr Campbell.
“On one of his visits to the festival, we suggested that we could possibly visit Cologne and have a session of the whisky awards judging there. The rest, as they say, is history. We now hold awards in eight international destinations, and more will be added in future.
“Peter comes back to the Festival each year, bringing with him more and more of his friends. He stages two whisky tastings every day in his shop and we are incredibly grateful that he introduces people to our great Speyside whiskies, and recommends that they come to pay us a visit.”
Hundreds of guests attended the gala dinner, which kick-starts the festival. It takes place over the next five days and comprises over 500 events. From exclusive behind the scenes distillery tours and whisky and food pairings, to heritage walks embracing the local landscape and fun, family-friendly events, there is something for everyone on the programme.
The festival has now been running every May Day bank holiday weekend for the past 19 years. This year looks set to be one of the most successful yet, with a record breaking number of tickets sold.
A staggering 116 events sold out within 24 hours of tickets being launched, but revellers who are planning a last-minute trip to Scotland’s malt whisky country will still be able to find events to attend right up until Monday evening.
Details about events with ticket availability can be found at www.spiritofspeyside.com. There are also regular updates on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter. Use the hashtag #dram18 to search.
Picture captions
(From left to right) Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell with award winners Laurie Piper, Ian Urquhart and Peter Klas.
Malt Messenger No. 86 – The Massive Edition
It has been quite a while since the last full Malt Messenger, and there is unsurprisingly a lot to fill you in on. I am just back from two and a half weeks of whisky and wine touring in Europe. My trip saw me pay visits to drinks events, wineries, distilleries and breweries in seven countries. The fruits of those tough labours will start to appear by the Fall.
Before we get on to the business of new whiskies, I have two events to tell you about. Firstly, tonight, we have an insane Single Grain Scotch Whisky tasting at the shop. We are opening a range of 7 whiskies with a collective range of 291 years… The full range retails for just under $5000, making the tasting a steal at $75. More details below and on the KWM Tasting Schedule page.
Another batch of whiskies from the Elements of Islay have just landed, three of which are exclusive to KWM in Calgary. On the exclusive side there is a Bowmore (Bw7), Laphroaig (Lp8) and a peated Bunnhabhain (Margadale, Ma2). Only 30 each of the Bowmore and Laphroaig, and just 18 of the Margadale are available. We also have exclusivity on the six bottles of North of Scotland 50 Year, which just arrived in-store. This is the first and only Official bottling of North of Scotland ever released. It is going to be tasted tonight at the shop.
The Compass Box Hedonism Muse will be arriving in-store on Wednesday. John Glaser’s latest opus, is a Blended Grain Scotch whisky built around an “exceptional parcel” of casks. We will be sampling the whisky at the Compass Box Hedonism Muse Launch on Monday!
There are two very limited releases of Springbank in the market. The latest batch of Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength is excellent, more sherried and peaty than is often the case. It is also all but sold out. We have less than a dozen bottles left, due in-store tomorrow. We have also recently sampled the 2017 edition of Springbank 21 Year. It too does not disappoint, very delicate and layered, it is less sherried than recent bottlings and more reminiscent of the legendary Springbank 21s from the early 2000s.
We have a dozen new Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies coming in to store starting this week. There are some very interesting offerings including a 42 year old Glenlossie, a 1997 Mannochmore (we don’t see many independent bottlings anymore), a 1989 Bunnahabhain and a 20 Year old Vatted Islay Malt. We only received between 6 and 18 bottles of each, some of them won’t last long. We also have 7 Cadenhead 175th Anniversary Rums including a pair of rums at the 25 and 26 year old marks. More details on these rums and the Cadenhead whiskies below.
We have loads of Highland Park news in this newsletter, including latest limited annual release, Highland Park The Dark 17 Year. There are also some very old Highland Parks available. The 25 and 30 Year olds, which are increasingly rare, have both returned to market. So has the Highland Park 40 Year, which we haven’t seen in Alberta for more than 8 years… A decade after it was released this whisky is still excellent, and relatively reasonably priced for its age, compared to other distillery bottled 40 year olds. My folks and I visited the distillery a year ago, and I was reminded both how beautiful the distillery is, and how enchanting its old whisky is. We are so excited about the huge range of Highland Park whiskies currently available in Alberta, that it inspired me to write a Distillery in Focus profile. This is the first of its kind in a long while…
We have 4 new whiskies from The Whisky Agency. I met the owners of this indie bottler at the Limburg Whisky Fair in Germany a few weeks back. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year, and they have some really exciting whiskies coming out. We should see them in Canada late summer or early fall.
There is also a reasonably priced Caledonian 40 Year single grain, the first Single Malt in Alberta from the Odd Society in BC, Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 09, and the Thompson Brothers Organic Highland Gin. The Gin comes from the Dornoch Whisky Castle and Distillery, which is one of the best destinations for drinking whisky in the world. The gin is very small batch and exclusive to KWM for the timebeing.
There are also a couple of Special Offers available from KWM right now: The Amrut Peated Port Pipe cask bottled for Western Canada is on Sale for $100. It was $155. We also have a steal of a deal on the anCnoc 22 Year. It was $192, however we were offered a big discount to clear it out and have it pegged at $155. There are not many sherried, 22 year old distillery bottled single malts bottled at 46% available for $200 a bottle, let alone $155! Details below.
We also have some exciting (and tasty) exclusive Whiskey and Tequila from California bottler Savage & Cooke. There is a Bourbon, and an American Whiskey, finished in Red Wine Barrels, and a pair of Tequilas finished in ex-Chardonnay. And last but not least, there is the Macallan Edition 3. The third edition was produced with a Master Perfumer, and is in my opinion, the best in the series.
I hope this Malt Messenger finds you well. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.
Slàinte!
Andrew
In This Edition
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
NEW Whiskies from Elements of Islay
3 KWM Exclusive Single Malts and a Blended Malt
This is only the second batch of whiskies from the Elements of Islay range to come to Canada. This time around we have Bowmore, Margadale (Peated Bunnahabhain) and Laphroaig. All three are semi-exclusive to KWM, and very limited in availability. Here are the details:
Introducing: North of Scotland 50 Year
The Only Ever Official Bottling from This Closed Grain Distillery!
This is the first ever official bottling of North of Scotlad single grain whisky, bottled after maturing “over 50 years” in Ex-Bourbon barrels. Only 6 bottles are coming to Alberta, exclusively to KWM!
North of Scotland 50 Year – 40.4% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pecan nuts and Custard Creams with aromas of nectarine and raspberry. Classic notes of sweet grain – toffee, golden syrup and baked apple with a touch of polish and dusty cinnamon giving a hint to the age. Richer notes of crème caramel, blood orange and glacé cherries build. Palate: A thick creamy mouthfeel that becomes juicy after the second sip. Flavours of custard and dry spice – nutmeg and cinnamon – set you salivating. Notes of tarragon and oregano blend with blood orange and toasted hazelnuts. Finish: Walnut and toasted almonds with vanilla fudge linger and slowly fade, leading you on to the next sip. Comment: Well-aged spirit such as this is a rare and incredible treat. The classic sweet notes found in many grain whiskies have been tempered by the time in good wood.” – $1600 – Only 6 Bottles for Alberta!
About North of Scotland (From the Producer)
“North of Scotland was founded in Cambus, Alloa in 1957 by George P Christie. He bought a brewery and converted it to produce whisky, reopening by 1958. Along with grain whisky, he also produced malt whisky under the name Strathmore. However, the malt didn’t last long due to a huge demand for his grain whisky, and the pot stills were removed in 1959 to make way for a bigger mash tun.
“By the 1970s demand for grain had begun to diminish, and following the deaths of the distillery’s directors, Christie closed the North of Scotland for good in 1980. The site was sold to DCL, a forerunner of Diageo, who transferred the equipment to nearby Cambus distillery and converted the buildings into warehousing. Today, it is used as a bonded warehouse.”
Coming Soon: Compass Box Muse
Limited Edition “Exceptional Mysterious Grain Scotch Whisky!”
The latest limited release from Compass Box is Hedonism: The Muse, a Blended Grain Scotch Whisky built around an “exceptional” mysterious old grain whisky. The whisky has been bottled at 53.3% with a label designed by Compass Box as a tribute to the roll women play in the industry, especially at Compass Box. Just a dribble over 3,000 bottles were produced with only a tiny fraction of this coming to Canada!
John Glaser’s Description: “When we recently discovered a cask of exceptional aged grain whisky of unknown origin in the spectrum of flavours of a Hedonism whisky, we were inspired once again to go back to where it all started. This time, the label design reimagines the woman portrayed at the centre of all our Hedonism labels – the first woman, as far as we know, ever to feature on a Scotch whisky label. Women now make up the majority of our team here at Compass Box, which is unusual in our industry. This diversity of perspective makes us, I believe, a better business. Hedonism, The Muse combines this single cask with other rare and remarkable grain whiskies of varying ages from four distilleries to create something we believe is utterly compelling; a whisky that has all the flavour hallmarks of our classic Hedonism, with even greater depth and intensity. We invite you to join us, in this, our toast to women in whisky.”
Compass Box Hedonism: The Muse – 53.3% – Producer Tasting Note: “Aromas and flavours reminiscent of vanilla, marzipan and honey. Full on the palate, round and with a very sweet impression. Very long finish that echoes the vanilla and marzipan.” – $375
Two Very Limited Springbank Expressions
Of 12 and 21 Year Olds…
The semi-annual release of Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength is always in high demand and short supply. It also rarely disappoints. The current release is no exception, peatier and more sherried than recent releases, but still layered and complex. 180 bottles have come to Canada. KWM being the World’s only Springbank Society Embassy, other than Campbletown, got a good quantity of that, but we are down to just 24 bottles remaining, and they won’t last. The 21 Year is the 2017 edition, and it is in my humble opinion the best bottling of 21 year in several years. It is reminiscent of the legendary Springbank 21 Year olds from the early and mid-2000s.
New Cadenhead Small Batch Releases
Batch 19 – 10 Single Malts, 1 Blended Malt & 1 Single Grain
There is a lot of interesting stuff in the 19th Batch of Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies. We have just 6 -18 bottles of each. Most of the whiskies are in the 20-25 year range, with some very reasonable pricing, when you consider where Whiskyflation is taking us these days. Look for many of these whiskies to open in up-coming KWM whisky tastings. The bottling details and price for each are available below, as is the producer’s tasting note. The whiskies will begin trickling into the store next week.
Introducing Highland Park The Dark 17 Year
The Latest Annual Limited Release – Matured in 1st Fill Sherry Seasoned European Oak
This new limited edition Highland Park has been bottled at 52.9% after maturing in First Fill Sherry Seasoned European Oak casks.
Highland Park The Dark 17 Year – 52.9% – Matured in First Fill Sherry Seasoned European Oak – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “FLAVOURS: “Dried fruits | Cinnamon | Toasted almonds | Light peat | Cedar wood | Fruitcake | Light smoke”. – $450
Producer Description: “THE DARK is a rich and powerful expression of Highland Park, matured in sherry seasoned European oak casks to deliver a distinctively deep flavour.This special release of 28,000 bottles shares the story of the noble Viking warriors who are our ancestors, of our contrasting island seasons and of the intense balance of our whisky.
“It is a celebration of autumn and winter on Orkney; a time to escape from the wild weather outside and gather together with friends and family, sharing long nights of conversation and laughter around the table, around the fire. Presented in a beautifully embossed black glass bottle, the serpent dragon design takes its inspiration from the great Norse sagas and embraces both the high sun of summer solstice and the low sun of winter solstice – the polar opposites of our island seasons – while the runic writing reflects the ancient carvings of our Viking ancestors, here on Orkney.”
Older Highland Park Expressions Available
25, 30 and 40 Year Olds, Plus Two Orcadian Vintages…
It has been almost a decade since we last saw the Highland Park 40 Year. It was originally released in 2008 and for a brief shiny period it was a hit. But nothing last forever, especially old whisky. For the last 8 years Highland Park 40 has been available globally, but not in Canada. I had the opportunity to sample it in the last year at the distillery. It is still just as stunning a malt as it was when first released a decade ago. Back then the Highland Park 25 and 30 year olds were almost “everyday” whiskies… Well times have changed, in the era rampant “Whiskyflation”, not only have the prices soared for the 25 and 30 year olds, but they are also only periodically available. The 40 year is available now, but for how long, no-one can say!
There are also two even rarer vintage Highland Parks available. Only one bottle each of Highland Park Vintage 1970 and 1976. Both have good reviews from Serge @WhiskyFun.
Distillery in Focus: Highland Park
One of Scotland’s Oldest and Most Remote Distilleries!
Highland Park has one of the biggest ranges of any distillery in Scotland. In addition to the six whiskies featured above, there are an additional 10 distillery bottlings currently available in Alberta. And this isn’t even touching the Duty Free releases. So it is high time to shed some light on this mysterious northern distillery with proud Viking roots.
There is more than one version of the founding of Highland Park Distillery. The one the distillery clings to is the one built around the colourful Magnus Eunson. Magnus was a Church officer and butcher by day, and apparently a whisky smuggler by night. One story surrounding Magnus involves a close call with the exciseman, in which Magnus hid his barrels of whisky in a church under a dark cloth and coffin. When the government man arrived a crowd of people surrounded the coffin as in mourning. Magnus is said to have whispered “the pox” and that was all the official needed to hear. Eventually the taxman caught up with Magnus and he and the distillery were forced to take out a license to distill.
A more plausible story surrounds an Orcadian businessman named David Robertson who might have founded the distillery in 1798 under the name Rosebank. It was later renamed Kirkwall after the Orkney capital it gazes down onto, and only later Highland Park. In this telling of the story, the distillery is built on the site where Magnus Eunson may have been distilling illicitly in the decades before. In 1816, John Robertson, an Excise Officer, took over the distillery. Curiously, it would be another decade before the distillery was granted a license to distill. Funny how power corrupts.
The Borwick family acquired the distillery and its license in 1826. They would operate it, albeit in a deteriorating state, until 1876 when it was acquired by William Stuart of Stuart & MacKay, owners of Miltonduff Distillery. That same year the distillery’s whisky was exported to Norway and India. In 1885 Stuart went into partnership with James Grant of Glenlivet Distillery. Ten years later Grant acquired the rest of the distillery, and doubled its capacity in 1989. It remained in his hands until acquired by Highland Distillereis in 1937. Highland Distilleries would eventually become part of the Edrington Group in 1999.
In 1979 the distillery’s whisky began being sold as a single malt in earnest, and sales began to take off. In 1986 the distillery opened a visitor’s center, one of the earliest in the industry, and regarded at the time as one of the finest. In the decades that followed the distillery’s fame and range grew. In 2008 they launched a 40 year old expression, one of but a few distilleries with a regularly available whisky of that age!
Highland Park is one of just a handful of distilleries with its own malting floor, and this is very important to the distillery’s flavour profile. All Highland Park expressions are peated, but more delicately so than most other moderate to heavily peated whiskies. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, all of the peat burned for Highland Park is done at the distillery. Every batch of spirit (with a few exceptions), is made from a blend of 80% unpeated malt from the mainland, and 20% peated malt, floor malted at the distillery. Secondly, and most crucially, the peat burned by Highland Park is sourced from Hobbisters Hill on Orkney island. The Orkney islands, unlike the mainland of Scotland, have never had trees, and as such their peat lacks the lignum which makes mainland peated malt smokier. Islay peats are exposed to more marine vegetation and as such produce malt with tarry tones owning to more creosol. Orkney peat is composed almost exclusively from grass, moss and heather, and produces whiskies with more delicate and floral smoke.
The official bottlings of Highland Park are primarily built around whiskies matured in Ex-Sherry casks, a fact the distillery puts great pride in. Sherry seasoned barrels cost 10-15 times as much as Bourbon seasoned ones. The distillery has only filled either American or European oak sherry sherry seasoned casks since 2004, but does also refill casks. I have long been a big fan of the distillery, and its whiskies, especially those in the 18 years of age and up range. The distillery is one of the most beautiful and interesting in Scotland and well worth the trek up to the Orkney islands.
The following Highland Park whiskies are currently available in Alberta, in addition to those in the two sections above:
New Whiskies from The Whisky Agency
Four New Whiskies, All of Them Excellent!
There are four new Whisky Agency whiskies bottled for Canada. Here are the details along with my tasting notes. The glasses on the Bunnahabhain label are an inside joke between Heads & Tails and The Whisky Agency:
Xtra Old Particular Caledonian 40 Year
Very Well Priced 40 Year old Scotch Whisky!
It is not that we don’t like Douglas Laing whiskies, far from it, we just don’t like dealing with the old importer. We have been pushing for a change in Alberta for a number of years, and on a positive note a number of Douglas Laing brands are now coming through a different agency. Hopefully in time that will also be the case for Old Particular, Big Peat and more relevant to this email Xtra Old Particular. Having said that a deal is a deal, and we couldn’t resist the price on the Old Particular Caledonian 40 Year.
Xtra Old Particular Caledonian 40 Year – 55.1% – Distilled April 1976 – Bottled June 2016 – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: maple syrup, sweet and distinctly spiced: ginger style – plus late citrus. Palate: think mature Americana, incredibly sugary with corn, oil and vanilla. Finish: with a surprising length for a grain – all those flavours create a medley.” – $550
About Caledonian Distillery: (ScotchWhisky.com)
Caledonian was, for several decades, the largest distillery in Scotland. It initially housed one Coffey still, which James Grant described as ‘the greatest still in Scotland’ in Old and New Edinburgh, Vol. 2 in 1882. The distillery also produced an Irish-style grain whisky distilled in two large pot stills, a style revered among blenders at the time for its consistency. Some old parcels of Caledonian have been bottled as a single grain by indie bottlers in recent years. It has never been bottled as a single grain, save for a commemorative bottling for the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, while Diageo released a 40-year-old, 1974 vintage under ‘The Cally’ label, as part of its 2015 Special Releases.
Introducing: The Odd Society Single Malt
New Craft Canadian Single Malt Bottled for Alberta
This is the first release of Odd Society Single Malt to come to Alberta, from the Powell Street distillery in East Vancouver. The distillery’s aim is to mesh old world distilling techniques with new world ingredients. (They get a tax break if they use BC grains…) This single malt has been bottled at 43%, made from Prince George BC Barley, and was matured in an American Oak ex bourbon Octave cask. Only 96 bottles for Alberta!
Odd Society Canadian Single Malt Alberta Release – 46% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: thick caramel, spicy-dill-rye-like tones, baked apple and freshly mowed green grass; vanilla icing sugar and peanut brittle. Palate: sweet, nutty and very toasty; a touch punchy, big spices and decadent toasted oak notes: creamed honey and vanilla icing sugar; more baked apple and orange. Finish: long, warm and spicy, more peanut brittle, baked apple and vanilla icing. Comment: it shows its youth in the heat it packs at 43%, still it isn’t sharp and the flavours are good; more reminiscent of a high-rye Bourbon than a single malt.” – $83
Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 09
PX Sherry Finish
The 9th release of Yukon Single Malt from Two Brewers is a return to their “Special Finishes” program. We are very happy to see it bottled at 46%. Two Brewers was the Canadian Micro Distillery of the Year in the “2018 Canadian Whisky Awards”. Release 02 was also a PX Finish, but a different mash and in the distillery’s opinion a completely different whisky. It is a blend of whiskies from 4-8 years of age, with 40% 6 and 20% 8 years of age. The whisky was finished in PX Sherry for 7 months before bottling.
Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 09 – 46%- 4 Year – Finished 7 Months in PX Sherry – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “The tawny colour and vibrant malt & oak aromas predict a complex sherry heart. The entry is crisp while a creamy core coats the palate, stone and tropical fruit emerge throughout. Plum, mango and kiwi are wrapped in sweetness for the gentle, lingering finish.” – $100
Special Offer: Amrut Peated Port Pipe
Was $155 – Now $100 – Only 16 Left!
The importer for Amrut has dropped their pricing on the Amrut Peated Port Pipe to clear it out. So we stocked up. This bottle typically sells for ~$155 – HOWEVER – we were able to grab a few cases of this awesome Malt at a special price! This pricing is only available for a limited time. Bottled from a single port pipe at 59% the entirety of this peated Indian single malt cask, is coming to Canada. Cask 2712 is a monster, made of peated malt and matured a little over 5 years, but in Bangalore India, so it drinks much older! Distilled in January 2011 and bottled in February 2016, 660 Bottles.
Amrut Peated Port Pipe Single Cask – 59% – Bottled Exclusively for Western Canada – My Tasting Note: “Nose: smoky bbq sauce and salsa; Dutch licorice, sea salt, cayenne infused dark chocolate, lightly burnt bacon, grilled prosciutto wrapped dates and figs; musty old wood, Late Bottle Vintage port wine and black tarry smoke. Palate: a pleasant but powerful assault of smoke, sea salt, malt, Dutch licorice and burnt bacon; leather and sharp tobacco make way for pineapple, melon and mango; more smoky bbq sauce and salsa; bacon infused dark chocolate, grilled figs and dates and firm wine tannins. Finish: long drying, coating and anesthetizing with a mild numbing sensation; the bbq notes, salt, fruit, smoke and leather linger long. Comment: this is the biggest, badest Amrut I’ve ever had, a monster; fans of Islay single malts like Supernova and Octomore will love this!” – Was $155 – !!!Now $100 While They Last!!!
Special Offer on anCnoc 2000 & 22 Year
22 Year Old Single Malt at 46% is Almost Unheard Of…
You gotta love it when the deals come to you… Just before Christmas it was the Mackinlay’s Shackleton, now it is a pair of anCnocs. We were given a $10 break on the anCnoc 2000 and close to $40 on the anCnoc 22 Year. Here are the details:
anCnoc 2000 – 46% – Matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry & Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet and fruity with a mix of strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; the whisky is delicate and floral, there are jujubes, some chewy malt and citrus notes. Palate: creamy with licorice, soft leather, spices and earthy notes; some honey with nutty sherried tones and more strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; a touch of malt, candied citrus, more jujubes and dark spices: fennel, clove and anise. Finish: long, coating, leathery and spicy with more licorice and candied fruits. Comments: excellent value middle aged vintage whisky.” – Regular $100 – SAVE $10 – Special Price $90+gst
– Producer Description: “Matured predominately in American oak, ex-bourbon casks as well as Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts, anCnoc 22 Years Old displays complexity and a wealth of character but its long lasting rich, smoky finish sets this dram apart from the younger offerings.”
anCnoc 22 Year – 46% – Matured Ex-Bourbon & Ex-Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Notes: “Nose: soft damp tobacco in an old leather patch, chocolate shavings on a piping cappuccino; some candied fruits, lemon drops and wine gums; some delicate malty-floral top notes emerge with some soft toasty oak. Palate: rich, fruity and very soft, wow this is really something; lots of chocolate with more soft leather and tobacco; more candied fruit and wine gums with some emerging mango, papaya and honey dew melon. Finish: an absolutely beautiful balance of both sherry and bourbon notes, the finish is long rich and spicy; finishes fruity and floral. Comment: I’m really caught off guard by this, wow it’s good!” – Regular $192 – SAVE $37 – Special Price $155+gst
– Producer Description: “anCnoc Vintage 2000 has matured in Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels and has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered nor coloured. As a result this dram may develop a light haze with the addition of water or if kept at a cold temperature. This haze is a natural characteristic of whisky that is non-chill filtered.”
– Silver Medal Whisky Magazine – 87 Martin Nouet & 86 Rob Allanson
Introducing Macallan Edition 3
Whisky Blended with a Master Perfumer
Macallan Edition 2 was good, I think Edition 3 is a step up, and the best yet in the series!
Macallan Edition No.3 – 48.3% – A collaboration with Master Perfumer Roja Dove. Roja and Bob Dalgarno crafted the whisky from a combination of European and American oak casks. – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: nutty, toasty and leathery with notes of firm oloroso; coffey beans and tobacco leaf; candied orange and ginger, cooked dates and figs wrapped in proscuitto; Manuka honey. Palate: soft and fruity; very decadent and sugary balanced by earthy dunnage warehouse notes; Panda brand licorice, molten brown sugar, nutty sherry tones and loads of dark dried fruits: raisins, grilled proscuitto wrapped dates and figs; dark milk chocolate and Jujubes; more candied ginger and orange. Finish: rich, fruity and quite lovely; sherried but far from over the top; nice balance. Comment: its good, very good; excellent structure, lots of layers and very well balanced; the higher proof does it justice!” – $172
Casks used in the creation:
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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
403-283-8000
