THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES ITS FIRST GLOBAL BRAND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN 

Monday November 19, 2018 (NEW YORK, NY) – The Macallan, the world’s most precious single malt, is launching its first ever global advertising campaign across television, cinema and digital channels. In the USA, the campaign will roll out nationally across digital and social. The focus of the campaign, a 90-second hero film titled “Make The Call”, will launch today, Monday November 19, 2018.

Focusing on key markets including the USA, Mexico, Taiwan, China and the UK, “Make The Call” offers encouragement to a new generation of consumers who are faced with increasingly complex and often daunting life decisions. Concepted by leading global creative agency, J. Walter Thompson, the new long-term integrated brand campaign features a fantastical visual metaphor to bring the brand’s messaging to life.

Paul Condron, Global Brand Controller, The Macallan, said: “The launch of our first ever global advertising campaign marks a new chapter in the long and illustrious history of The Macallan. The ‘Make The Call’ campaign has been developed with the highest level of quality and craft that is truly fitting for the brand and it will be launching in key markets around the world. “2018 has already been a momentous year for The Macallan, having opened our world class new Distillery and Visitor Experience in June. We look forward to building on that and to seeing the reaction of audiences around the world to this fantastical tribute to people who make the call to choose a bigger life.”

Creative Director for creative agency J. Walter Thompson, Paul Rizzello, said, “The pressure of a big decision often makes us hesitate just when success is within reach. We’re so afraid of getting it wrong, we end up avoiding those decisions altogether. This story is about someone who decides to go for it. He makes the call.”

Executive Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Lucas Peon said, “One of the most refreshing things about this campaign is that it avoids category clichés so often seen in whisky advertising around the world. To get the attention of people who wouldn’t necessarily drink single malt, you have to be ready to do something more provocative yet authentic.”

The “Make The Call” film was directed by Juriaan Booij out of RSA Films and shot by John Mathieson, the twice Oscar-nominated Cinematographer behind Gladiator and X-Men. The production has pioneered new techniques from the first use of motion capture in a wind tunnel, to 3D matte paintings created using VR headsets. Creative and strategic work was led by J. Walter Thompson London, with support from network offices including Moscow and Shanghai, and sister agency Hudson Rouge in New York.

NOTES 

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s’ most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in northeast Scotland.

In May 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new $186 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.

For more information visit www.us.themacallan.com. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

About J. Walter Thompson London

J. Walter Thompson London is a communications agency which creates pioneering ideas that build brands and businesses. The agency offers creative expertise across all channels, delivering creative, insight-led and integrated branded content.

The business includes Mirum, global digital innovation technology agency, Colloquial, middle weight social content solutions, JWT Live, the most awarded experiential agency in the UK, Geometry@JWT, shopper insight, strategy and activation, JWT 1-2-1, CRM and customer journey marketing, JWT Inside, employee engagement and JWT Entertainment.

J. Walter Thompson London is part of a global network, with more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, consistently ranks among the top agency networks in the world and continues a dominant presence in the industry by staying on the leading edge.

For more information, please visit http://www.jwt.co.uk and follow us @JWT_London.

We’re nearing the end of our 35th anniversary year, so we thought we’d take a chance to reflect on where we’ve come from and how our iconic green bottles have changed over the years. Feeling a touch nostalgic and in the mood for all things retro, we’ve created a one-time-only bottling featuring a label design that hasn’t been seen in decades. Inside this old-school bottle you’ll find whisky from Cask No. 135.11: Paddle steaming, the perfect tipple to escape the modern-day Black Friday madness and transport you to days gone by.

If you don’t already have a retro bottle on your SMWS shelf, now’s the time to add one to your collection because once they’re gone, they’re unlikely to be seen again. Go on, treat yourself. You’ve been good this year!

BOTTLE DETAILS            LATEST 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

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Black Friday Whisky 2018 Edition

Black Friday is upon us again. When we decided to join in with the festivities of the day a few years back, we decided we’d make things simple: offer a single great whisky at a great price, and try to bring some joy to the world of internet shopping.

Rather than adding another special offer to our already-long list, we’ve bottled a whisky just for the occasion – a great tasting dram that’s incredibly good value and makes Black Friday worth waiting for.

Last year we did our first special Whisky Exchange exclusive Black Friday bottling and it sold out in 20 minutes. This year, we’ve made sure that there’s a bit more of it, but we still don’t expect it to last long. Introducing Black Friday 2018 – an 18-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Orkney.

While I don’t know for sure which distillery it’s from, I’m fairly sure it’s not from Scapa – and there are only two distilleries in Orkney. We really loved when we tried it and it was an obvious pick for our Black Friday dram. It’s a smoky dram bottled from refill casks at cask strength – there are 1400 bottles available, including a few that are in our London shops in Fitzrovia and Covent Garden.

We’re selling it for £69.95 a bottle. And yes, that is about £40 cheaper than other 18-year-old Orkney whiskies that aren’t bottled at cask strength.

You can buy a bottle from our Black Friday whisky page.

Black Friday 2018 Edition

18 Years Old, 54.6%ABV, £69.95

Nose: Heather-covered moors on a chilly day. A bonfire’s almost burnt itself out nearby. Crispy leaves and drooping ferns underfoot as you walk home. Coal smoke drifts from the chimneys. Honeysuckle as you walk down the path, and smoky, dusty, bitter-sweet cocoa powder as you open the polished wooden door. Chocolate flapjacks with candied rose petals are on the coffee table, apple pie sits on the kitchen counter, next to a cooling cast iron stove. Soft spice and citrus rise from freshly prepared clove-studded oranges.

Palate: It’s tea time. Wax-polished oak tables and sooty fireplaces. Rich orange syrup poured over spiced fruit loaf – nutmeg, cinnamon and mixed peel. Stewed apples and pears with a handful of sultanas. Heather honey and fruity caramel. The chocolate flapjacks return, with even more fragrant flowers. Buttery pastry and coal dust drifts in from the kitchen, where a rich and sticky fruitcake sits, with a plate of liquorice sticks on the side.

Finish: It’s back to the meadows. Bracken, gorse flowers and brown leaves crunch underfoot, as a wisp of smoke wafts across the hill.

Comment: It’s Kirkwall on an autumn day. Coal’s burning in the fireplace and and we’ve got a serious tea to eat after a walk. It’s much more fun than heading to the supermarket to fight over cut-price TVs.

You can buy a bottle over on our Black Friday whisky page – maximum two per customer.

If you grab a bottle, let us know about it – we’ll be keeping an eye on #blackfridaywhisky on Twitter and Instagram, and we have both our Facebook page and The Whisky Exchange and Friends Facebook group if you want to talk Black Friday drams.

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Black Friday Whisky 2018 Edition

Just for our Customers

Our range of exclusive bottlings is always hand-selected by our team and bottled just for customers of The Whisky Shop. Each one represents a whisky that we believe our customers will absolutely love. Our latest exclusive comes from The GlenDronach Distillery and is now available to order online while stocks last.

Next day UK delivery available
International shipping

The GlenDronach 1993 Single Cask Exclusive

This Speyside single malt was distilled in February 1993 at GlenDronach and matured for a quarter of a century in a single sherry butt. Chosen exclusively for The Whisky Shop’s customers and bottled in May 2018, only 631 bottles have been produced, each one at a strength of 51% abv. Described by Charles MacLean as a ‘superlative example of sherry cask maturation’, this impressive dram brings notes of Christmas cake, dried fruits and dark chocolate.

£210 Buy Now

Edradour 10 Year Old 2008 Exclusive

Continuing our theme of look-at-me labels. A first fill sherry butt from the little Highland distillery in Pitlochry, bottled at cask strength, what is there not to like! Edradour Distillery was formed in 1825 by a group of eight local farmers. Situated at Milton of Edradour near Pitlochry and still just a farm sized distillery equipped with a Morton refrigerator to cool the worts and two wee stills with their spirit cooled in a single worm tub. Whilst ranked amongst the small working distilleries in Scotland its owners Signatory Vintage have plans to increase its size and output. Official distillery releases include the Edradour 10 Year Old, Barolo Cask and Sherry Cask Ibisco decanters.

Buy – £70.00

Highland Park 2002 Single Cask Exclusive

Awarded Liquid Gold in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bble 2019 with a score of 96 points!

This release from Highland Park’s Single Cask Series is exclusive to Loch Fyne Whiskies. Distilled on Orkney in 2002 and matured in a single refill butt (number 3374) for 15 years before being chosen for bottling for our customers in 2018. Only 458 bottles have been filled, each one at a natural cask strength of 58.4% abv.

£150 Buy Now
Now in stock!

ralfy.com re-awakens an old malt-friend with . ralfy review 753 – Glenfarclas 15yo @ 46%vol: Re-reviewed 2018

https://youtu.be/pCJA3ggTa88

BOWMORE® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY RELEASES BOWMORE® 1965

FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST SCOTCH MATURATION WAREHOUSES 

Matured for 52 Years, this is the Fourth Edition From

The Bowmore® 50 Year Old VAULTS SERIES  

Islay, Scotland (November 16, 2018) – Bowmore®, the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay, has announced the release of Bowmore® 1965 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the latest expression in the 50 Year Old Vaults Series. Bowmore® 1965 has matured for 52 years at Bowmore distillery, the home of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses, the No. 1 Vaults. This extended maturation period has created a rare and refined whisky with the perfect blend of complexity and elegance, exemplifying Bowmore’s history spent perfecting the art of whisky maturation. Only 232 bottles of the rare Bowmore 1965 have been produced for the world and will be available as of this December with a suggested retail price of $30,000 (750ml).

Bowmore 1965 is the latest expression in the Vaults Series, a collection of the rarest whiskies from the home of the No. 1 Vaults. The liquid was one of the first to pass through Bowmore’s then-new steam heated stills in 1965, benefitting from smoother heating and greater control, enabling the distillery to craft a spirit that was perfectly primed to mature over many decades. The expression is a rich reward for those who value the importance of savoring time, with plenty of time spent carefully perfecting every single element of the whisky making process when creating the release. 

“Bowmore 1965 demonstrates the rewards of our meticulous aging process and showcases the quality of whiskies coming from our passionate and dedicated distillery team,” says David Turner, Bowmore Distillery Manager. “The 1965 expression comes from a golden era of distillation and adds another fine single malt to the Bowmore portfolio. The latest addition in our 50 year old Vaults series is sure to obtain legendary status among collectors and whisky enthusiasts.”

Bowmore 1965 is the fourth expression to debut from the Bowmore 50 Year Old VAULTS SERIES, a collection honoring the rare single malts that were first distilled and began aging in the No. 1 Vaults during the 1960s, an era known for producing some of Bowmore’s most collectible bottlings. Bowmore 1965 joins: 1966 50 Year Old (released November 2017); Black Bowmore 1964 50 Year Old (released June 2017); and Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old (released December 2016).

TASTING NOTES – Bowmore 1965, 42% alcohol by volume

This remarkably rare limited-edition bottling has, over its 52-year maturation, unlocked the rich fruit and balanced smoke tastes distinctive of 1960s Bowmore whiskies, which have been savored by connoisseurs worldwide and are renowned as some of the most collectible Bowmore expressions. An outstanding expression, Bowmore 1965 has been elevated to legendary status through maturation that showcases the iconic fruit notes and deep flavors that are revered in Bowmore single malts. On the nose, Bowmore 1965 offers elegant bursts of fragrant fruits, sweet bees wax and intense dark chocolate, developing into burnt heather and a fresh spring flower finish. Perfectly balanced with a touch of jasmine, dried fruit and apricots, this single malt is best savored neat.

THE 1965 BOWMORE BOTTLE AND WOOD CASE

Sitting at the pinnacle of Bowmore’s portfolio, Bowmore 1965 is presented in a hand-blown glass bottle boasting sterling silver adornments and is housed in a hand-crafted cabinet made from Scottish oak.

ABOUT BOWMORE
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky.  The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands.  Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore® is no exception; the malt is carefully smoked in a peat-fired kiln, using skills honed over two centuries to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Time is savoured at Bowmore and the distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of its Single Malts. Today, it prides itself as one of the rare distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Through peerless maturation expertise and sense of timing, Bowmore® is “Time, Savoured” – a rich reward for those that appreciate the value of time and an exquisite whisky coveted the world over.

Bowmore domestic product range: Bowmore 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old and 25 Years Old.

www.bowmore.com; Facebook | Twitter | Instagram: BOWMORE 

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin, and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith and Roku gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and a vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

The Kensington Wine Market 2018 Whisky Advent Calendars are ready, and started trickling into the shop on Tuesday. If you haven’t bought yours yet, there is still time to get in on 25 Days of Dram Fine Whisky, but it is running out. There are less than a ¼ of them as yet unspoken for. We are really excited about this year’s 5^th annual edition, and feel it may be our best yet. It includes more single casks than any previous edition, and some very exciting never before featured whiskies including our first from Japan. The bulk of the Calendar is as always single malt Scotch whisky, but there are also a pair of enticing Blended malts, whiskies from England and France and two different Canadian single malts. Of this year’s 25 whiskies, none have been featured before in any of the previous 4 KWM Whisky Advent Calendars.

There are also the 12 Whiskies of Christmas and Whisky Regions of Scotland, both also from Master Malt! Limited quantities of all three available, details below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. If you can’t make it down to the sale in person don’t forget that you can always submit your order online!

Slàinte!

Andrew

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

!!!KWM 2018 Whisky Advent Calendars Are In!!!  

The 5th Edition is More than 75% Sold 

The 2018 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar, is our 5th annual edition! Whether as a treat for yourself, or as a gift for a whisky lover, there is no finer source of holiday cheer. We like to call it 25 days of Dram Fine Whisky! As with the previous editions, this year’s calendar features 25 all-new whiskies, a custom logo Glencairn glass and a discount card. We have a much higher proportion of single casks and cask strength whiskies in this year’s edition, which is really exciting. We also have whiskies from England, France, Canada and Japan. We ever so desperately want to tell you what’s in the Calendar, but then it wouldn’t be a surprise. What we can tell you is that you will find 24 50ml premium whiskies, one for each day of Advent, a special 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society whisky to toast Christmas Day and a custom logo Glencairn glass. Every day of Advent we will post details on the day’s whisky, and it’s producer on the KWM Blog. We encourage comments and feedback through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. We hope you’ll join us on the journey of whisky discovery!

You can order the Kensington Wine Market 2018 Whisky Advent Calendar in-store, by phone 403-283-8000 and  online.

1. Master of Malt 12 Whiskies of Christmas – We are only expecting 25 of these 12 bottle whisky sets, only 5 left. Not quite a Whisky Advent Calendar, but more than a gift pack! – Producer Description: “Drinks by the Dram have unveiled a the perfect Christmas present for those whisky enthusiasts in your life – The 12 Scotch Whiskies of Christmas! This specially-curated bundle of festive deliciousness features 12 wax-sealed 30ml drams of Scotch whisky, from single malts to single grains, blended malts and more (including whisky worth over £100 per bottle!) – enjoy a different dram each day during the Twelve Days of Christmas (y’know, from Christmas Day onwards).” – $120
2. Master of Malt Whisky Regions of Scotland – If you believe in Whisky Regions, which is a little like believing in Unicorns and fairies, then this is the gift set for you! If you just want to sample 5 very different styles of whisky, or give them away as a wee gift, then this might also be for you… From Drinks by the Dram: “It’s incredible just what a huge range of different styles of whisky that are produced all over Scotland. Drinks by the Dram came up with this tasting set of five 3cl samples to showcase the Regions of Scotland, from the peaty, smoky Islay; to the fruity, malty Highlands; the soft, floral Lowlands; and the honeyed, often Sherried Speyside and more!” – $68

NEW  Kilchoman 100% Islay 10 Year KWM Cask 

Our 7th KWM Exclusive Single Cask 

Our 7th exclusive KWM single cask of Kilchoman is also our most unique, and not because it is 10 years old… we have already had one of those! It is our first KWM exclusive cask of Kilchoman’s 100% Islay. We were touched when Anthony Wills let us have a cask of his 10 year old last year. Cheekily I asked if we could bottle a barrel of 100% Islay this year. I expected the answer to be no, but not only did he agree, but he sent us samples of 10 year old 100% Islay casks… Cue blew my mind meme! Distilled on August 8 2008, the whisky was bottled on August 8 2018 at exactly 10 years of age to the day. Only 209 total bottles at 56.6% after maturing in Ex-Bourbon.

100% Islay is whisky that Kilchoman produces from its own barley, grown, malted, mashed, fermented, distilled, matured and bottled on site. This is farm to bottle whisky, with 100% of the production taking place at Rockside Farm. Kilchoman refers to it as Islay’s only “Single Farm Single Malt”. 100% Islay is peated to approximately 20ppm, though this can vary, considerably lighter than the distillery spec malt at 50ppm.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 10 Year KWM Cask – 56.6% – Ex-Bourbon – Distilled: August 21, 2008 – Bottled: August 21, 2018 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: soft and creamy, delicate smoke, wine gums and white cupcakes with vanilla icing; poached pear and cooked apple, candied lemon and chewy malt; a touch waxy with white chocolate and fresh berries: raspberry and strawberry; so-oh buttery. Palate: still buttery, silky, honeyed and sweet; loads of white chocolate, vanilla and caramel; the soft earthy peat and faintly medicinal smoke build quickly with some seafood-y tones; the mouthfeel is big and oily, delicately coating the palate; more wine gums, berry fruits and candied lemon but also melons and pineapple. Finish: long, coating, buttery and malty with soft earthy peat and bright citrus. Comment: this is confident, elegant and refined; Kilchoman 100% Islay taking full strides and not looking back; a softer take on one of Scotland’s boldest whiskies!” – $195

NEW  Old Malt Cask Mortlach 11 Year KWM Cask 

Not your average, average Mortlach! 

Our first ever exclusive single cask of Mortlach was bottled for us by Hunter Laing, and it is a steal. Bottled at 50% after 11 years maturing in a Refill Hogshead, Ref: HL14889, it is a bargain at just $95! This is only our second Old Malt Cask exclusive single cask in the last few years. The last, a 21 Year Bowmore sold out in just a couple of weeks. The whisky will be in-store on Wednesday October 31, but we have an open bottle in shop for those who just can’t wait that long. We will be tasting it in-store on Saturday with Andrew Laing.

Old Malt Cask Mortlach 11 Year KWM Cask – 50% – Refill Hogshead – My Tasting Note: “Nose: apple-cinnamon pastries, dried pineapple chunks, vanilla extract and white chocolate bars with cocoa nibbs; silky malty, soft citrus and decadent honey. Palate: soft, malty, honeyed and sweet; loads of white fruit, sliced pear and more warm apple-cinnamon pastries; fruity, a touch of melon, more tart pineapple and crisp citrus tones; floral vanilla and white chocolate with cocoa nibbs; warming and toasty. Finish: fresh, malty and honeyed; white and citrus fruits fade slowly along with some spices, warm pastry and raw cocoa. Comment: I remember when we selected the cask, I had very low expectations, they were shattered; for $95 a bottle it is a gem.” – $95

NEW  First Editions Aberlour 1993 KWM Cask 

A Massive, but Smooth 23 Year Old Single Cask!  

This is our 2nd KWM single cask of Aberlour, and our first ever exclusive single cask under the First Editions label. We bottled a very popular Aberlour single cask under the Berry’s Own label about 4-5 years ago. This one is a curiosity for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that we hardly ever see independent bottlings of Aberlour. When we do they are often very light and delicate; the distillery doesn’t seem to trade its more heavily sherried casks. This is a very bold, but balanced and layered single cask of Aberlour, but it isn’t overtly sherried. The term “Refill Hogshead” is rather vague, and could refer to a 2nd or 3rd (or 4th…) fill ex-Sherry or ex-Bourbon hogshead. It also doesn’t stipulate the type of oak, which in the case of sherry casks can be American or European… On the balance of probabilities, and flavours, I would suggest this is probably a refill ex-Bourbon hoggie, which is also not characteristic of Aberlour. Aberlour Distillery’s house style is very much sherry driven. Another reason why this whisky is a little unusual, relates to its age. The oldest official bottling of Aberlour is just 18 years of age, and our single cask was well into its 23 year at the time of bottling. Finally, we think there is something else curious going on here. We think the whisky was made from lightly peated malt, or possibly matured in a barrel which had previously matured a peated whisky. Only 151 bottles were filled from a Refill Hogshead cask reference: HL14881, bottled at 58.8%. This one won’t last long!

First Editions Aberlour 1995 KWM Cask – 58.8% – Refill Hogshead – My Tasting Note: “Nose: old English butterscotch, tarte tatin, pecan pie and candied nuts; the nose is big and oily with candied orange; polished Italian leather shoes, brandy soaked cherries and freshly opened cedar cigar box; is there a slight trace of peat? Palate: sweet, fruity and coating and them boom… wow this packs some power; more old English butterscotch, tarte tatin and candied nuts but also creme brule, ginger-molasses cookies and treacle tarts; leather and tobacco are there too with building spice; as it settles down (and or the palate adjusts) more delicate tropical fruits emerge: mango and papaya; late chocolate and prominent licorice; there is also a delicate thread of smoke?! Finish: long, sweet and very fruity; builds into a crescendo of lovely spices, tobacco, leather and tropical fruits; warming, silky and smooth. Comment: this is a gentle beast of a whisky; the complexity is nearly off the charts including a tantalizing trace of smoke; this is a bold but layered Aberlour, very different from the sherried house style of the Distillery bottlings.” – $180

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

Seventh Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival

April 10 to 13, 2019

November 19, 2018

Sarasota, Florida

The Seventh Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival (WOF) will be held April 10 to 13, 2019 in Sarasota, Florida. Whiskey Obsession is the largest world whiskey festival in the U.S., with four days of classes, tastings, lunch and dinner pairings, bartender activities, interactive panel discussions, cigars, VIP pours, a fabulous grand tasting with hundreds of whiskies and cocktails, plus free live music street party in the heart of downtown. Last year, Whiskey Obsession attracted 3,500 attendees from 20 states and Canada. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, December 1 at www.whiskeyobsessionfestival.com.

New developments for 2019 include the formation of Spirit Guide, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that will sponsor all WOF events, allowing us to strengthen our community and industry partnerships. Whiskey Obsession continues its collaboration with Bourbon Women, an independent resource and inspirational forum, uniting women who share an affinity for bourbon. We are excited to partner with the Black Bourbon Society, bringing together African American bourbon enthusiasts from across the country. WOF welcomes new media partner, Bourbon Plus magazine, telling the stories of farmers, distillers, and mixologists. We’re working to expand the range of Irish, Scotch, and Japanese whiskies presented this year as well.

Having reached capacity at some of our former venues, the Whiskey Obsession Panel of Whiskey Experts and Grand Tasting main event will now be held at The Hyatt Sarasota with more space for vendors and consumers. The Thursday lunch master class will be held at one of Sarasota’s newest hotels, Art Ovation. Our Late Night Brand Showcase will be held at Social Eatery and Bar, and the Sips, Suds, and Smokes cigar and whiskey pairing will be held at Smokin’ Joes. The WOF Fine and Rare Series continues in January, February and March with exclusive tastings of unique whiskies at select Sarasota locations (details will follow).

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Whiskey Obsession Kickoff Dinner @ Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC), 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Elegant dinner pairing with a prominent speaker featuring a special four course menu from executive chef Anthony Puccio. Tickets are $125 per person. Open to the public; SYC membership not required.

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Exclusive Focus Lunch Master Class @ Art Ovation, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lunch whiskey pairing with a prominent speaker, featuring a special menu from the Art Ovation. Tickets $45 per person and include meal, whiskies and commemorative Tervis custom tumbler.

Panelist Small Group Dinner @ The Hyatt Sarasota, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The pre-panel dinner features an intimate meal with a brand ambassador or master distiller. Tickets are $125 per person and include meal, whiskies and commemorative Tervis custom tumbler. Limited to 20 guests.

The Panel of Whiskey Experts Interactive Tasting & Discussion @ The Hyatt Sarasota, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Tickets are $75 and seating is limited to 130 guests. Panelists include eight brand ambassadors and master distillers representing multiple styles of premium whiskies.

Late Night Brand Showcase at the Social Eatery and Bar, 10:00 p.m. until late.

Tickets are $25 and include cocktail, whiskey samples and commemorative Tervis custom tumbler.

Friday, April 12, 2019

Masterclasses at Select Downtown Restaurants, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lunch masterclasses feature prominent speakers in a small group setting. Tickets are $40 per person

and include meal, whiskies and commemorative Tervis custom tumbler.

Grand Tasting and Brand Experiences @ The Hyatt Sarasota, 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

With hundreds of whiskies and cocktails available to sample, the Grand Tasting features dozens of the world’s premium global brands as well as emerging craft distillers from around Florida and the United States.

• 7:00 p.m. VIP Admission
• 8:00 p.m. General Admission
• 10:15 p.m. Last Pour
• 10:30 p.m. Event concludes

Three ticket levels are available:

VIP $195:

• VIP admission is limited to 200 guests and includes one commemorative Glencairn glass and one hour early entrance at 7:00 p.m..
• VIP hour pours of ultra-premium, fine, expensive, and rare spirits (details will be available on the event website). At least 25 premium whiskies will be available during VIP hour.
• One $50 retail voucher for purchases placed with our online retail partner. Note that retail sales will not be conducted on-site.
• Greater opportunity to interact with distillery ambassadors and industry professionals.
• Unlimited tasting of over 200 spirits.
• Priority seating at other WOF events including lunch and dinner classes during the Festival.
• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres.

General Admission $95:

• Limited to 500 guests includes one commemorative Glencairn glass; entrance at 7:30 p.m.
• Unlimited tasting of several hundred whiskies and cocktails.
• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres.

Companion $45:

• Limited to 75 guests includes entrance with VIP or general admission ticket holders.
• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Women of Whiskey Brunch @ Sarasota Yacht Club, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Second annual! We are thrilled to present the Women of Whiskey Brunch in partnership with the Sarasota Whisky Society, Bourbon Women and the Black Bourbon Society, featuring a panel of three prominent women making contributions to the whiskey industry. The event emcee Jennifer Wells and moderator Peggy Noe Stevens will be joined by Samara Rivers to explore the whiskies and discuss the brunch pairings. Two whiskies from each panelist will be paired with a special menu created by SYC Executive Chef Anthony Puccio. Tickets are $40 per person and include meal, whiskies and commemorative Tervis custom tumbler. Open to the public; SYC membership not required and all are welcome!

Sips, Suds, and Smokes presents Beer, Bourbon, and Cigars @ Smokin’ Joes, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Join Bob Howell, Maury Jayson, and Mike Woods from Sips, Suds and Smokes radio show for a multi-faceted pairing of cigars and whiskey. This fun, casual event will be held in the lounge upstairs at Smokin’ Joes. Cost is $25 and includes cigars, beer, and whiskey samples.

Whiskey Rocks Live Music Street Party, @ Lemon and Main Downtown, 6:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Whiskey Rocks continues its third year with great regional and national acts performing live downtown on North Lemon Avenue. Free and open to all ages!

Tickets and information are available at whiskeyobsessionfestival.com.

For more information contact Turner C. Moore, 941.400.9889

Website: www.whiskeyobsessionfestival.com

Video: https://youtu.be/qilNWayZxhc

Whiskey Obsession Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyObsessionFestival