We’re continuing to explore all the colourful contrasts the Society offers this month, and to start the week we’re delighted to introduce an exciting new distillery to our members – all the way from Taiwan. Distillery 138 has arrived with its first cask, 138.1 All in the game. A four-year-old gem from our Peated flavour profile, the cask hails from an award-winning distillery located in the heart of Taiwan (and it’s perhaps not the one you’re thinking of!). As always, we expect the first bottling from this mysterious new distillery to be in high demand so we’re opening a ballot to give every member an equal chance to buy a bottle.

To grab your opportunity, sign up below before the ballot closes at MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY, 12 MARCH. We’ll draw 30 lucky names at random from all entries, and one of our Member Services team will get in touch to arrange their purchase.

 

This bottling is strictly limited to ONE PER MEMBER so we can share it with as many of you as possible, and if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on it, we encourage you to crack it open and share it with your nearest and dearest. Please don’t be that member that puts it on an auction site.

Get your name in quickly and good luck!

YOU MUST BE A SMWS MEMBER TO SIGN UP! 

To Join please see the information below

Terms and Conditions: Draw closes at midnight on Tuesday, 12 March. 30 names will be drawn at random from the list of all entries received and will be contacted with the opportunity to buy 1 x bottle of Cask 138.1 All in the game for £85. If a winner refuses their right to purchase a bottle, an alternative name will be drawn until all bottles have been sold.

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

Mortlach Strikes a New Path

Exciting new things are afoot at the Speyside distiller Mortlach. A re-envisioning of the brand has brought forth three new releases that are already taking the whisky world by storm. Mortlach, affectionately called the “Beast of Dufftown,” has forged its identity by crafting big and burly single malts with tons of personality, and this new line up does not disappoint. The most classic of the malts in their new set is definitely the 16 Year Old “Distiller’s Dram” aged in a combination of refill and first fill sherry barrels of both European and American oak. It’s beautifully balanced, and rich with cocoa, dried fruit, leather, and caramel. The signature meaty richness of Mortlach fills every nook and cranny of your palate. At just $100, it’s a knockout and an incredible value. The 12 Year Old “Wee Witchie” displays the most spirited character of the distillery by nature of being the youngest. It’s aged in ex-bourbon and sherry casks with the natural fruit, marmalade, and meatiness of the new make spirit on full display. For $50 bucks, it is your new daily drinker single malt and deserves a spot in any liquor cabinet. The 20 Year Old “Cowie’s Blue Seal,” exclusively aged in American oak ex-sherry casks, is perfection. For sherry lovers, it’s a clean and robust malt showing off the beastly nature of the distillery, but the careful selection of quality casks for long term aging. Get one for the collection and one to drink now.

While these should eventually be freely available going forward, the initial launch is limited, so you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity and have to wait around for the California market to get reloaded.

Mortlach 12 Year Old “The Wee Witchie” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (ships like a 1.5 L bottle due to shape) ($49.99)

Finally, a proper distillery bottling of Mortlach. Named for the unusually small 6th still that helps creates Mortlach’s unique 2.81 distilled spirit, the new 12 Year Old replaces the “Rare Old” Mortlach which did not have an age statement. A mixture of ex-bourbon and sherry matured whiskies all aged at least 12 years, this begins to show the incredible depth and potential of this special Speyside distillery. While not as dense and powerful as the older versions, we’re beginning to see why this distillery has been dubbed “The Beast of Dufftown.” Richness and texture are Mortlach’s hallmarks and the 12 Year Old is no slouch in that department. Deep dried fruits and fresh toasted vanilla only hint at the savory beast that might blossom in later years. A welcome addition to the Diageo portfolio.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

It’s incredibly refreshing to see some new distillery releases from Mortlach that come in at excellent prices. The 12 year “Wee Witchie,” named for their tiny “extra” still, is robust in flavor, but incredibly smooth and approachable. The meaty character of Mortlach is readily apparent, yet without any trace of the phenolic character the distillery typically shows. This is supple and extravagant daily drinking at its best. Lots of pretty dried fruits and pleasant woody tones carry throughout the nose, palate, and finish.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2019

The new distillery releases of Mortlach are the perfect counter balance to the complete disaster that the previous offerings represent. Each is a wonderful expression of the distillery, somewhat different in style than the next and absolutely reasonably priced. The 12 Year Old captures the essence of Mortlach without pushing the limits too far. This is the perfect expression to introduce someone the Beast of Dufftown. A blend of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks offer tons of classic Mortlach character without totally overtaking the complex maltiness of the spirit. The nose has rich vanilla bean, nougat, caramel and cocoa. The palate brings in some spice and baked orchard fruits with the sherry framing the spicy malt perfectly. A great value at $50.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

Mortlach is known for producing some beefy, big whiskeys, and though the 12 Year Old is certainly not lacking in power, there is an elegance and lift to it I haven’t seen from Mortlach in the past. A rich mouthfeel thanks to the use of French and American oak brings lingering notes of citrus, light spice, and subtle toast. There is no obvious peatiness, only perhaps a very subtle hint of smoke from the barrel char. The distillery style shows through on the finish, which packs some power, savory game notes, and hints of leather. Overall a great offering from Mortlach at a pretty unbeatable price.

Mortlach 16 Year-Old “Distiller’s Dram” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (ships like a 1.5 L bottle due to shape) ($99.99)

91 points Whisky Advocate: “With worm tubs and a fiendishly complex partial-triple distillation, Mortlach has adhered to an old style of making whisky and older, richer, darker flavors. Big and bold, it is at its best in ex-sherry casks. The nose is meaty (think gravy/beef stock) with fig, raisin, and molasses. In the mouth its concentrated, with good grip and a savory sweetness. A cult malt. (DB, Fall 2011)”

K&L Notes: The excellent new 16 Year Old bottled by the Mortlach distillery is a truly welcome expression from “The Beast of Dufftown.” The 16 Year Old replaces the much loved Flora & Fauna expression that was never exported to the US and the often maligned 18 Year Old expression that failed to gain a following due to its exceedingly high price. Tons of dense sherry flavors, deep dried berry, and roasted nuts balance perfectly against the bold savory malt character that Mortlach is known for. We’ve long craved an affordable older age-stated bottling from this exemplary Speyside distillery, and now we finally have it. The 16 Year Old is distilled 2.81 times in Mortlach’s unique 6-still set up and aged in a mixture of first sherry and refill butts.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

The 16 Year Old is the slam dunk of the new Mortlach lineup. If you only try one bottling, this is the one. It’s exceptional. Robust sherry of the highest quality imparts a bit of rancio which plays perfectly with the natural meatiness of the spirit and a ton of dried sultanas and figs, lending a beautiful supple sweetness. The palate is extremely full, filling every nook and cranny and hitting every taste bud. The finish lingers on and on and is where you really see the quality of the clean sherry casks used.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2019

Easily unseating the old Flora & Fauna bottling as the benchmark expression of Mortlach, this distillery seems to sing under sherry and at this age it’s completely developed the dense character and meaty savoriness that we crave from the Beast of Dufftown. On first nosing expect deep dried fruit, dark chocolates, roasted meat juice, tangy clove stuffed pear. Deep and spicy on the palate with the oily texture one demands of the great malts of Mortlach. Hints of fresh herbs, candied tropical fruit and Old Bay spice. Truly a worthy example of this special distillery and well worth the $100 they’re asking.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

It’s almost unheard of to find a 16-year-old sherry cask whiskey of this caliber from such a well-respected producer at this price point. Spicy, dark, bold, and complex, this is Mortlach at its finest. This bottling is a little meatier and with more chocolate notes than the 12 Year Old because of the use of straight sherry cask. Dark, nearly dried fruits meld seamlessly with leather and tobacco notes. The smoke quotient is quite low here, but there is a roasted note coming through. This is complex, smooth, and a great middle ground between the lightness of the 12 Year Old and gaminess of the 20 Year Old.

Mortlach 20 Year Old “Cowie’s Blue Seal” Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (ships like a 1.5 L bottle due to shape) ($199.99)

The elegant older sibling of the two younger bottlings, this wonderful old expression of the special Dufftown distillery is aged exclusively in sherry butts. Deep and complex with tons of richness, the 20 Year Old doesn’t have quite the bite of its younger siblings, but it easily outperforms the old 25 Year Old, which it replaces at a fraction of the price. We don’t see a whole lot of mature sherried Mortlach and there’s no doubt that the distillery is picking the very finest casks for this new expression. Considering where the market is going for older sherried distillery bottlings, the new 20 Year Old is a steal. Now if only we can get them to bottle this as a cask strength single barrel!

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

Much more bass tones than the 12 or 16 Year Old releases. This has that big meaty quality of Mortlach underpinned by a very savory wood profile. That base of bass flavors is topped by higher toned citrus, particularly orange peel and a bit of fresh lemon zip. Chocolate and mocha make up the middle and give way to another long and clean finish. If you’re already a fan of Mortlach, this is not to be missed.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 02, 2019

The Mortlach 20 Year Old is the most intellectual and brooding of the three new editions. I found it was pretty closed compared to the 16 on first nosing, but with some air and time, its refinement and elegance set it apart from the other two. 100% sherry cask leaves it sitting thick in the glass with a deep, nutty red hue. The nose after some air starts letting go deep savory aromatics and tons of exotic wood. More on the spice, with some dark chocolate again and some deep red fruits as well. Textured and elegant with tons of oils to coat the palate, the beefy qualities build as you continue through the glass. A fine example of what old Mortlach in sherry looks like and certainly a beautiful pour if you really want to sit and contemplate the meaning of life and whatnot.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2019

This is one of the truest expressions of a Mortlach whiskey, with subtle power, perfectly melded characteristics, and a rich, lingering palate. Carrying the most umami notes of the three expressions, the meatiness is well balanced by dark plummy fruits and Christmas spice. Blackberry and cacao lead and these flavors are backed by earth, leather, and a very subtle barrel char. Though this is a bit more of a splurge, its not too hard to justify from such a classic, highly-respected producer.

GlenDronach Master Vintage 1993 Aged 25 Years

GlenDronach have been on a quest for nearly two centuries, to master a signature style which is elegant, rich and robust, maturing The Glendronach in the finest sherry casks from Andalucia, Spain. Malt aficionados give the highest of praises to sherry casks laid down in 1993 and The GlenDronach 1993 Master Vintage shows that such reverence is well-deserved. A small number of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks have been hand-selected to create a marriage of exceptional richness and complexity. The result is a truly masterful expression from The GlenDronach.

After twenty-five years in the finest sherry wood, The Glendronach 1993 Master Vintage is an  extraordinary limited edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Expect profound layers of  depth  and complexity, leading to an exceedingly long, voluptuous and memorable finish.

£250.00 – Buy Now

Unique | Different | Interesting

Buy GlenDronach Master Vintage 1993 Today

Tasting Notes

Colour: Mahogany with a golden walnut hue.

Nose: Rich brandy-laced fruitcake and marzipan on a base of smoked walnut and toasted sultana bread.

Taste: Sip cocoa-dusted coffee and sultana brioche enlivened by a twist of baked orange  rind and the juiciness of prune oil.

Finish: Savour the long velvet taste of rich cocoa and dates as pecan toffee lingers  into the sumptuous finish.

ABV: 48.2%

£250.00 Buy Now

Learn more here

Designs for new distillery unveiled

Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled images of the new distillery the company hopes to build in the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland.

The distillery, which would be built at Craggan near Grantown-on-Spey, has been designed to take advantage of stunning views across the River Spey to the Cairngorm mountains.

The circular design of the building would disguise much of the day to day working of the distillery within the service yard. Sedum roofs will help the buildings blend into the surrounding environment when viewed from higher ground.

More than 150 people visited the exhibition and viewed the plans, which included computer generated images of the distillery and associated buildings.

The family owned firm, who also own Benromach Distillery at Forres, announced last year that it hopes to build a second distillery at Craggan. The production rate will start at 375,000 litres per year, although the distillery will be capable of producing 2 million litres of alcohol in the longer term.

Response locally to the plans has been overwhelmingly positive. Ewen Mackintosh, Gordon & MacPhail’s managing director, said they had been delighted at the response at an event held as part of the planning process. “We’re really pleased at the number of people who came along to see our plans, we couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. People are saying how excited they are to see a distillery being proposed for the area as they believe it has the potential to support Grantown-on-Spey as a destination and encourage visitors to stay longer in the town.”

Gordon & MacPhail has been working closely with architects NORR to create the designs for the distillery, the first new build Scotch malt whisky distillery to be built in the Cairngorm National Park.

Members of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail, were at the exhibition to hear the views of the local community and emphasise the company’s commitment to the area.

As Stuart Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail Operations Director, explained: “We are a longstanding family-owned business with strong roots and commitment to the north of Scotland. Building and operating our second distillery is part of our generational plan to grow a long-term sustainable business, whilst continuing to be part of the fabric of the local community.”

Gordon & MacPhail is a family owned business which has built its knowledge and experience of the Scotch whisky industry over a 120-year history. In 1993, the Urquhart family realised a long-held ambition when they acquired Benromach Distillery and reopened it after extensive refurbishment in 1998.

A member of the world famous Malt Whisky Trail, Benromach Distillery attracts around 15,000 visitors to the area every year, a figure they aim to increase further with the opening of their Red Door Gin visitor experience this year.

Notes

Speymalt Whisky Distributors Ltd trades as Gordon & MacPhail and owns Benromach Distillery. Owned by the Urquhart family, with headquarters in Elgin, Moray, the business employs 160 people.

Benromach Distillery is based in the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres, Moray. Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when Speymalt Whisky Distributors Ltd purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

Last year the company released Red Door Gin, named after the distinctive red doors which are a feature of Benromach Distillery. The Red Door Gin visitor experience aims to significantly increase the number of visitors to the distillery in the coming years.

WIN a trip to Campbeltown malts festival

Win a 2x Tickets to Campbeltown Malts Festival and accomodation with Glen Scotia

Have you ever wanted to visit the famed Campbeltown Malts Festival?

We’re giving away 2x tickets to the festival with accommodation. To be in with a chance of winning simply purchase any Glen Scotia bottle before 7th May 2019.

The prize includes 2 tickets to the spectacular Ardshiel Dinner at the the Ardshiel Hotel: 3 times winner of Whisky Bar of the Year with 1 night accommodation at the Royal Hotel.

You’ll also have access to every Glen Scotia tasting during the festival.

Buy any Glen Scotia bottle before 7th May to be in with a chance of winning this wonderful prize.

glen scotia 18 year old

This 18 year old single malt was distilled at Campbeltown’s Glen Scotia distillery before beginning its maturation in refill bourbon casks and refill American oak hogsheads. The finest casks were then hand-selected by the Malt Master to be vatted together in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks for a period of 12 months. The nose has perfumed floral notes with thick, sweet toffee and a crisp Campbeltown saltiness. The palate has a rich and deep vanilla fruit character with apricot and pineapple amidst rich sultanas. The finish is long and dry with a gentle, warming spice. Liquid Gold: Scored 95/100 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019

£89.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

GLEN SCOTIA 25 YEAR OLD

Matured in the finest American oak barrels and married in first-fill bourbon casks before bottling, this Campbeltown single malt from Glen Scotia distillery has spent a quarter of a century coming of age. The nose brings maritime notes akin to a bracing Atlantic breeze. The palate offers red apple, orange peel and vanilla syrup with a sweet caramel note, before a long lingering finish with spicy ground ginger. Liquid Gold: Awarded 94/100 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019

£275.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

GLEN SCOTIA 2006 BOURBON CASK

THE WHISKY SHOP EXCLUSIVE

Distilled in December 2006 and matured in a single first-fill ex-bourbon barrel for eleven years, this Campbeltown single malt was bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop in April 2018. Just 212 bottles have been filled, each one presented at a cask strength of 55.6% abv. The nose has juicy fruit notes with a trace of vanilla and a subtle maritime influence. The palate is smooth, with sweet notes from the bourbon cask adding to the classic salty Campbeltown character. The finish brings a gentle spice with oak notes lingering.

£85.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

GLEN SCOTIA VICTORIANA

Each cask of this Campbeltown Single Malt is selected for its rare character and exceptional maturity. Finished in deep charred oak before bottling straight from the cask, this non chill-filtered expression combines subtle wood and vanilla flavours with a full-bodied spicy fruit aroma. The nose is elegant with oak and creme brulee notes leading to caramelised fruit and polished oak. The palate is sweet and concentrated with blackcurrant jam, subtle wood and vanilla, while the finish is clean and sweet with cocoa tones.

£73.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

GLEN SCOTIA 15 YEAR OLD

Gently matured in the finest American Oak barrels for 15 years before bottling, this Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky offers hints of vanilla oak on the nose, interwoven with the subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits.

£63.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Springbank Society 

New Society Exclusive Release: Longrow 11yo Refill Re-charred Sherry, 56.9%

It is about time we released a new Society Bottling, don’t you think? Planning for this release started months ago in Springbank Towers so we are all just as excited as you guys that this bottling is almost here – not long to go now!

This Longrow 11yo Re-fill Re-charred Sherry bottling is available from 12pm (GMT) on Monday 11th March and will be sold online through the Cadenhead’s website  –  we will provide a link via email to allow you to purchase a bottle when the web page goes live. Email and phone orders will not be accepted.

Cask type;    Refill re-charred sherry butts

Distilled;    November 2007

Bottled;     March 2019

Strength;    56.9%

Outturn;    2,250 bottles

Price;         £55.00

Tasting Notes :

Nose : Toffee apples, orange peel and marmalade shreds. Burnt caramel and Jaffa cakes

Taste : Chocolate eclairs, smoked beef jerky, chunky peanut butter and pistachio

Finish : Ginger, sea salt, smoked gouda cheese, milk chocolate, raisins, walnuts and pumpkin pie

Please note: You will require your society number. If you are unsure of what your society number is please contact us at the usual email address: society@springbank.scot.

The Longrow 11yo, 56.9%, Society bottle is limited to one per member.  Should stock remain after initial orders have been processed, we will make a further announcement to alert members that they can purchase a second bottle.

Once again, the bottles will go on sale at 12pm (GMT) and a link will be provided in an email when the web page goes live on the day of sale. Full terms of sale will be included on the web page too.

If you have any questions in the meantime (& on how to join the Society), please email us: society@springbank.scot

Slainte,

The Springbank Team

A quick update on a few stock items that may be of interest. We have listed below a selection of new whiskies for your perusal. Please note that the stock that we carry of these products is very limited. This is only a tiny representation of our Single Malt Whisky Range, for more details on the full selection visit our New Arrivals, Old & Rare, Collectible, Luxury and our Non-Auction sections online.

Click on the red seal to take you to New Arrivals.

Kind Regards
Robbie

GLENDRONACH 25 YEAR OLD 1993 MASTER VINTAGE

Glendronach 25 Year Old 1993 Master Vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Limited release matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER. Nose: Rich brandy-laced fruitcake and marzipan on a base of smoked walnut and toasted sultana bread. Taste: Sip cocoa-dusted coffee and sultana brioche enlivened by a twist of baked orange rind and the juiciness of prune oil. Finish: Savour the long velvet taste of rich cocoa and dates as pecan toffee lingers into the sumptuous finish.

Shop – GlenDronach Master Vintage – $282.03

Glendronach Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whiskey region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Glengoyne 30 Year Old Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in the finest sherry casks, limited release of 5,200 bottles. Black cherry, marmalade, rum & raisin, plum compote, cinnamon and cloves.

 

 

Lots to fill you in on in this edition of the Malt Messenger, but before I do I want to take a moment to talk about a charity we are supporting with an event this Friday at Kensington Wine Market. I paid a visit this morning to the Brenda Strafford Center, a 2nd stage domestic violence shelter in our area, and the largest one of its kind in Alberta. 100% of the ticket sales from our 2nd Annual Lassies Only Whisky Festival, this Friday, will be going to the Brenda Strafford Center to help them continue to offer a safe place for women and children to transition.

I, like most of you, have had a very privileged upbringing, and am very grateful for all the opportunities I have had. I have never had to worry about a safe place to sleep, where my next meal was coming from or how to acquire the necessities for basic hygiene. But this is the reality for many people in our community, and is an ongoing challenge for the Brenda Strafford Center. We are proud to be putting on the Lassies Only Whisky Festival this International Women’s Day, if only to play a small part in helping make the lives of these women and children a little better. In addition to donations, the center is always in need of volunteers, and I highly encourage you to check them out if you are in a position to donate some of your time or money. There are still a few tickets left for the event this Friday, and there is also an opportunity to meet representatives of the center at the event. I hope all you whisky-loving Lassies out there will join us. Sorry Gents, this one is only for the Ladies!

On to the bread and butter of the Malt Messenger. In addition to the Lassies Only Whisky Festival, we have a number of events coming up over the next couple of weeks, including an Adelphi Master Class with Connal Mackenzie on Wednesday. The cost for the Adelphi tasting is just $25, for a range of 7 new whiskies, including a 1997 Bowmore and the lastest release of Ardnamurchan spirit. Our rebooted  Very Curious Cadenheads tasting is just over a week away. You definitely don’t want to miss this one, it will include Paul John whisky from India, 20 Year Laphroaig and 1989 Highland Park to name just a few. Finally, our first ever Not Scotch Festival is coming up on March 28. It will be a celebration of all whisky styles… except Scotch!

Five long awaited Kensington Wine Market exclusive single casks are here, or arriving in-store tomorrow. First there is the Macallan 1995 23 Year. This ex-Bourbon matured Macallan was delicately finished in an ex-Sherry octave cask. Only 66 bottles, more than half of which are already sold.

Secondly we have our latest exclusive Glenfarclas, the Glenfarclas 15 Year KWM Cask Strength. Our good friend George has bottled up a batch of Glenfarclas 15 year at cask strength for KWM. The whisky is lovely, and the price fantastic, just $110.

Thirdly there are our exclusive bottlings from our friends at Berry Bros. & Rudd. We managed to score more of the lovely Berry’s 40 Year KWM Blended Scotch whisky they bottled for our 25th Anniversary a few years back. This blend tastes like old, sherried single malt (cough Macallan), and at 46% and $440 a bottle it is a steal! We also have 2 new ones: the Berry’s Ardmore 2010 KWM Cask, an 8 year old lightly peated Highland whisky, matured in an ex-Laphroaig cask; and our Berry’s “Orkney Islands” 1999 18 Year KWM Cask. Both are lovely, and very good value, but the Orkney especially so. If I can let you in on a little secret, it is Highland Park… 18 year old cask strength Highland Park for just $128!

We have some new Cadenhead releases to fill you in on too. Cadenhead Small Batch 23 is here, and it includes some very curious whiskies, as our tasting above has hinted. I am really looking forward to trying the Laphroaig and Paul John. We also have a very curious Cadenhead 20 Year Blended Scotch Whisky! The whisky isn’t even arriving until tomorrow, and only 7 of the 30 bottles remain!

There are some very cool and very limited releases new from Gordon & MacPhail too. There are two new entry level Connoisseur’s Choice releases from Caol Ila (2005) and Bunnahabhain (1998), as well as a pair of “Uppers”, Scapa (1988) and Linkwood (1984). From the new Private Collection range we have a Glenrothes 1974 and an Inverleven 1985. I don’t even remember the last time we had an Inverleven on our shelves, so I checked. It was in 2013!

Three other new whiskies to tell you about. Firstly, the Kilchoman Sauternes Finish, which is not to be confused with the Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured from a few years back. The latter was full term maturation, and the former (the new one) a finish. I like the new release a lot more than the previous one. I hope to get a tasting note out soon. I am also hoping to share my own thoughts on the new Arran Marsala Cask Finish. It came in last week, but we have more coming. Also one final one I am afraid to even mention: the Springbank Local Barley 9 Year. This annual release has grown a cult following!

Last but not least, I want to highlight a few other things. Firstly, the Glenfarclas 30 Year is coming back in stock this week. We grabbed some before a huge price increase takes effect this Friday. Also the Springbank 10 & 15, a couple of staples, are back in stock. These whiskies are increasingly hard to come by!

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

1. Adelphi Tasting Wednesday with Connal
2. The 2nd Annual Lassies Only Whisky Festival
3. Very Curious Cadenheads Resurected
4. The Not Scotch Festival
5. Introducing: Macallan 1995 23 Year KWM Cask
6. Our Glenfarclas 15 Year KWM Cask Strength Is Here!
7. Our Berry Brothers KWM Casks Are Here!
8. Introducing: Cadenhead Small Batch 23
9. Introducing: Cadenhead 20 Year Blended Scotch Whisky
10. New Whiskies from Gordon &MacPhail
11. Introducing: The Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish
12. Introducing: The Arran Marsala Cask Finish
13. Introducing: Springbank Local Barley 9 Year
14. Glenfarclas 30 Year is Back… and the Price is Going Up!

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

Just $25 for a Selection of Adelphi’s Latest Releases!

Connal Mackenzie, Brand Ambassador for Adelphi and their new Ardnamurchan Distillery, is swinging through Calgary for our Lassies Only Whisky Festival, but he’s also going to be putting on a Master Class tasting at the shop. We’ll have an exciting range of new whiskies just in time for his visit!

– $25 – A steal at twice the price!

Register in-store, by phone 403-283-8000 or online!

The Second Annual Lassies Only Whisky Festival 

In Support of the Brenda Strafford Society, a Domestic Violence Shelter! 

Sorry gents, this whisky festival is just for the ladies! Our 2nd annual Lassies Only Whisky Festival is in support of the Brenda Strafford Society is coming up on International Women’s Day, Friday March 8. 100% of the registration fees from this event will go to the Center, which aids women and children escaping abusive relationships. Guests will have the opportunity to sample from up to 80 different whiskies and chat with representatives of the Brenda Strafford Society.

Register in-store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online!

Very Curious Cadenheads – Rebooted 

A Tasting So Exciting, We Had to Wait for the Whiskies…  

We had to postpone the tasting due to some rail and port logistical issues in February, but the stock is here now and we are ready to proceed. The 23rd International Release of Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies has some real curiosities… Paul John whisky from India, 20 Year Laphroaig and 1989 Highland Park to name just a few. We’ll sample 7 of them, so be there, or be square! – $60

Register in-store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online!

The Not Scotch Festival 

There Will Still Be Tons of Whisky… Just No Scotch! 

A range of more than 80 whiskies from around the world will be featured: Blends, Single Malts, Rye, Single Pot, Bourbon and more… just no Scotch. Includes a KWM Logo glass. $50

Register in-store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online!

Introducing: Macallan 1995 23 Year KWM Cask 

An Opportunity We Couldn’t Pass Up 

From the people who brought you “The Infamous”, we were offered the opportunity to bottle a bespoke 23 year old Macallan, and who were we to say no?! Matured in Bourbon, finished in a Sherry Octave, then bottled at 46.4%. Only 66 bottles, and at the time of writing, in less than a week, more than half have pre-sold!

Macallan 1995 23 Year KWM Cask – 46.4% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Finished in a Sherry Octave – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Caramilk bars, rum-raisin, butter tarts and damp Jujubes; dark milk chocolate with pink peppercorns; assorted wood shavings from a High School shop class, carrot cake doughnuts with cream cheese icing and a touch of black licorice Nibbs. Palate: soft and fruity to start, it quickly builds into thick caramel, chocolate and spices; more rum-raisin, butter tarts and carrot cake doughnuts with creme cheese icing; the black licorice Nibbs are still there with chocolate and spices: pink peppercorn, hot candied ginger and cinnamon hearts; a touch earthy with soft leather, there is underlying honey and sweet-floral vanilla. Finish: fresh and lively with fruits, spices, leather chocolate and lots of caramel; the mouth is left drying and tingling while it salivates for the next sip. Comment: a lovely whisky with lots of layers; I was initially a little concerned about it finishing in a sherry Octave (60L cask); I have experienced many such whiskies which were way overcooked; this is not the case here, the sherry Octave has made its impact but not overwhelmed the spirit; this is not mind-blowing, but it is good, and excellent value for a Macallan of its age!” – $420

Our Glenfarclas 15 Year KWM Cask Strength is Here! 

A Cask Strength Glenfarclas, Bottled Exclusively for Our Plucky Shop!

Our latest exclusive Glenfarclas bottlings is finally here, and it will be in-store on Wednesday. It is a cask strength version of Glenfarclas 15 Year, bottled at 58.2%, exclusively for Kensington Wine Market. Approximately 390 bottles.

Glenfarclas 15 Year KWM Cask Strength – 58.2% – Sherry Cask – Andrew’s Tasting Note: Nose: decadent and nutty; beer nuts, candied almonds and dry oloroso sherry tones meet treacle sauce, maple butter and bright citrus tones: candied orange and freshly peeled grapefruit; lots going on here, damp leather, dark chocolate and firm spices. Palate: sweet, creamy and fruity to start before the drier, nutty and leathery sherry tones take over; licorice and fennel, milk chocolate almonds and dark chocolate espresso beans; more bright citrus, candied cherries, dried dates as well as cooked raisins and prunes; the maple butter and treacle sauce notes emerge after the spices balance out. Finish: long, drying, spicy and smooth with bold oloroso sherry tones balanced by creamy and decadent notes. Comment: this is a big, nutty and drying almost sherry bomb, balanced with bright fruits and a decadent creamy base.” – $110

KWM Exclusive Berry Bros. Casks Have Arrived! 

Two New Exclusive Casks & an Unexpected Return 

The following Berry Brothers Whiskies are due to arrive in the next week or so:

1.  Berry’s 40 Year KWM Blend – 46% – Sherry Matured – When we asked the chaps at Berry’s if they had any other old blended Scotch whisky they could sell us, like the 40 Year they bottled for our 25th Anniversary, we were quite pleasantly surprised to learn they had more of the same! So our Berry’s Own KWM 40 Year Blended Scotch is coming back, soon! The exact nature of the blend is a mystery, but we suspect it is mostly composed of sherry cask matured Macallan! – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Christmas cake, new leather sofas, old Armagnac and paring dark chocolate with Cuban cigars; on top of the candied fruits there is some bright orange and more delicate tropical tones: mango and papaya; silky caramel and creamy vanillas emerge later with some light but crisp spices. Palate: big, rich, fruity and spicy; huge Christmas cake notes merge into espresso beans and more soft but crisp spices; the second sip settles down into tobacco, dark bakers chocolate and loads of fruit: some candied, dried dark fruits and the more delicate tropical ones from the nose; more hints of old Armagnac, there also notes of jujubes soaked in nutty Oloroso sherry. Finish: long, coating, fruity and spicy; dark chocolate, sherry, tobacco and oranges mingle and fade into the distance with the faintest whiff of smoke! Comment: this is a beautiful old whisky in the vein of 25+ year old GlenDronachs, the long lost Gordon & MacPhail Strathisla 40 Year and sherried old Glenfarclas… we can only begin to speculate on the component whiskies, but who doesn’t love a little mystery?!” – $440
2. Berry’s Ardmore 2010 KWM Cask – 58.2% – Matured in an Ex-Laphroaig Cask – Our first exclusive single cask for a couple of years from Berry Bros. & Rudd is a 2010 8 year old Ardmore. The whisky has been bottled exclusively for KWM at 58.2% after maturing in an ex-Islay Bourbon Barrel… Ardmore is lightly peated as it is, but this is sure to kick it up a notch! As Ardmore is owned by the same company as Laphroaig, is it too much of a leap to assume this was matured in an ex-Laphroaig cask? – Andrew’s Tasting Note: ” Nose: fresh, honeyed and ashy with juicy malt; heathery honey, marmalade and peanut brittle; a touch of pork belly with an apple jelly. Palate: big, honeyed and ashy with loads of chewy juicy malty, more marmalade, a touch of tar and briny maritime notes; crispy pork belly with apple jelly and dark spices: clove and fennel. Finish: big, long and coating; more juicy malt, ashy peat and honey. Comment: young and rambunctious; we are going to try and pretend that this is enormously complex, it is 8 years old, but it is a solid peaty malt and a steal at $75 a bottle!” – $75
3. Berry’s Orkney Islands 1999 KWM Cask – 53.5% – 18 Year – Sherry Hogshead – This might be the most exciting single cask we’ve brought in, in a wee while (SOMEBODY forgot about the Shelter Point Single Cask Rye! – Evan). Although it can’t be stated so on the label, this is a cask of Highland Park Single Malt Whisky. Selected by and bottled exclusively for KWM from a single Refill Hogshead at 53.5%. So wrap your head around that fact, 18 year old cask strength Highland Park for less than $130! – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: honey pots and marmalade; candied fruits and nuts; beeswax candles and honey comb; hints of clean smoke in maritime air; oak shavings and smooth old leather; Jelly Bellies and orange peels in Old Fashioneds. Palate: honeyed and creamy with ethereal elegant smoke and a silky-coating-waxy mouthfeel; more beeswax and honeycomb; bright Moroccan marmalade, orange peels and Old Fashioned cocktails; clean earthy peat smoke and soft leather with melons and papaya; becomes increasingly savoury with leather and spices; late tobacco and chocolate. Finish: long, waxy, honeyed and smooth with more gentle peat smoke, fruits and a touch of maritime air. Comment: this is not the distillery bottled Highland Park 18 year, but frankly that one hasn’t been itself either for some time now; this is a soft, no silky, middle aged single malt with clean elegant smoke and bags of honey and fruits; this is Highland Park!” – $128

Introducing: Cadenhead Small Batch 23 

13 Exciting New Releases… 2 Of Which Are Already Sold Out! 

We have been waiting for this one for a while now. We even had to reschedule a tasting around it… Very Curious Cadenheads is now scheduled for March 13. We are only receiving 6 bottles each of the Glenlossie and Highland Park, and they are already spoken for. Springbank Society Members get a head start on both Springbank and Cadenhead whiskies. The Laphroaig and Paul John are also both limited, and will be restricted to 2 per customer. The stock is arriving this week and next.

1. Cadenhead Small Batch Creations 2007: Light, Creamy, Smoky 2007 –  60.5% – 10 Year –  Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “lemon zest, vanilla pods, dunnage warehouse. Palate: Creamy, buttery shortbread, gentle smoke builds. Finish: cloves, rock salt, lemon zest returns. – $115
2. Cadenhead Small Batch Speyburn-Glenlivet 2008 – 46.0% – 10 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Buttery, lemongrass, dried raisins. Palate: Chocolate truffles, Orange sweets, aniseed. Finish: Cinnamon, wood spice, lime zest.” – $110
3. Cadenhead Small Batch Auchroisk 2006 – 55.3% – 12 Year – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Lemon sponge cake, slightly floral, hint of mint leaves. Palate: Milk chocolate, marzipan, coconut shavings. Finish: Cocktail cherries, orange peel, vanilla.” – $120
4. Cadenhead Small Batch Benrinnes 2004 – 55.4% – 14 Year – Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Buttered raisin toast, barley water, watermelon. Palate: Green apples, cucumber water, rhubarb. Finish: Dried herbs, tinned pineapple, honey and lemon.” – $145
5. Cadenhead Small Batch Deanston 2008 – 56.2% – 10 Year – Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Cocoa leaves, wood spice, roasted pine nuts. Palate: Almonds, dry roasted nuts, kiwi fruit. Finish: Hints of ginger. Quite herbal with thyme coming through.” – $118
6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenrothes-Glenlivet 2001 – 53.0% – 17  Year – Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Honey, toffee, slight waxiness. Palate: Orange marmalade, lemon sherbet, green tea. Finish: Dark chocolate, walnuts, hints of sandalwood.” – $145
7. Cadenhead Small Batch Inchgower 2009 – 56.5% – 9 Year – Sherry Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Raisins, digestive biscuit, parma ham. Palate: Blackcurrant syrup, plum jam, stewed fruits. Finish: Hints of peppermint and green tea. Quite chewy.” – $115
8. Cadenhead Small Batch Laphroaig 1998 – 54.3% – 20 Year – Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Sea saltiness strikes then zesty orange notes follow. Palate: Meaty initially then black cherry fruitiness come through. Finish: Oysters, spiced ham, smoke gradually builds through.” – $395 – Limit 2 per customer!
9. Cadenhead Small Batch Ord 2005 – 56.5% – 13 Year – Hogshead & Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Strawberry jam, icing sugar, toffee sweets. Palate: Rye toast, blackcurrants, butterscotch. Finish: Treacle toffee, rock salt, dried fruits.” – $125
10. Cadenhead Small Batch Paul John 2011 – 56.6% – 6 Year – Bourbon Barrel & Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Green apples, hints of cinnamon, caramel. Palate: Chewy toffee, slight smokiness builds up. Oiliness coats the mouth. Finish: Orange zest. Smoke continues then rye notes come through.” – $225 – Limit 2 per customer!
11. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathclyde 1989 – 55.7% – 29 Year – Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Rummy! moscovado sugar, fudge. Palate: Very chewy. Cinnamon toast, hints of lime. Finish: Hint of paprika, peppermint, dark chocolate.” – $235
12. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenlossie-Glenlivet 1993 – 53.6% – 24 Year – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Tropical fruits with mangoes & peaches. Very creamy. Palate: Honeycomb, pistachio nuts, apricot yogurt. Finish: Cayenne pepper, ginger, cookie dough.” – $250 – SOLD OUT!
13. Cadenhead Small Batch Highland Park 1989 – 40.6% – 29 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: “Light peat smoke, licorice, salted caramel. Palate: Tropical fruits, gooseberries, white grapes. Finish: Smoke reappears with lemon zest and more orchard fruits.” – $480 – SOLD OUT!

Introducing: The Cadenhead 20 Year Blended Scotch Whisky 

A Very Small Batch Blend! 

This very small batch blend was created with a cask each of Glenrothes (single malt) and Strathclyde (single grain). It is very heavily sherried… can’t wait to try it! 46%.

Cadenhead 20 Year Blended Scotch Whisky – 46% – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich sherry, chocolate and dark cherries with almonds, hints of bubblegum and faint dry spices. Palate: Obvious dark fruits, brambles, raspberries and a whiff of smoke. Drying wood spice with cloves and orange oils. Finish: Starts soft and then grows chewier with pecans, maple syrup and cracked black pepper.” – $125 – Limit 2 per person!

New Whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail 

Six New Releases from the Rebranded Connoisseur’s Choice & Private Collection 

Some curious new Gordon & MacPhail single cask single malts have just landed in Alberta. There are a pair of lovely Ileachs: a Caol Ila and a Bunnahabhain. There are also a pair of “Upper” Connoisseurs Choice releases from the 1980s, and two Private Collection releases. The Glenrothes is one of the oldest whiskies we’ve ever seen from the distillery, at 43 years of age. The Inverleven is the first whisky we’ve seen from that distillery since 2013.

1. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Bunnahabhain 1998 – 47.8% – 19 Year – 71 Bottles – Refill American Oak Hogshead – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet and fruity; a layer of thick honey encases banana, lime and coconut. Malty undertones develop, and with time, gentle hints of menthol emerge. Palate: initial sweetness of soft vanilla fudge and white chocolate opens in to cracked pink peppercorn and tasty grapefruit flavours. Bursts of fresh citrus linger. Finish: sweet and balanced with a citrus and charred oak edge.” – $260
2. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 2005 AB Cask – 52% – 13 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: distinctive peat smoke aromas layered with sweet cured meats, fine pipe tobacco, and delicate floral notes. A fruity interlude of candied peel and bursts of orange merge. Taste: full-bodied; warming; with nuance of chilli: flavours of chocolate intertwined with cinnamon baked apple, vanilla crème brulee and soft stewed fruits. Finish: lingering bonfire embers and camp-fire ash evolve into warming white pepper.” – $185
3. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Linkwood 1984 – 58.1% – 34 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: rich sherry aromas mingle with juicy blackcurrant, blackberry, stewed cherries and plum. Hints of jasmine and rose petals add a distinctive edge. Taste: indulgently sweet; butterscotch flavours infused with aniseed and cinnamon. Orange and raspberry notes, dusted with delicately drying cocoa powder, are complemented by nuances of oak. Finish: lingering; dry tobacco and forest fruit fade in to subtle oak.” – $1200
4. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Connoisseurs Choice Scapa 1988 – 53.8% – 30 Year – Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: initially stewed pear combines with a wax lemon zest note. Gentle aromas of flowering gorse and sweet hints of Turkish delight develop. Fresh vanilla aromas add depth. Taste: intense creamy sweetness balanced by bursts of chili chocolate; grapefruit flavours add complimentary drying element. Walnut and toasted almond notes bring a subtle nuttiness. Finish: nuances of dried tropical fruit and chocolate praline linger.” – $900
5. G&M Private Collection Glenrothes 1974 – 49.5% – 43 Year – Refill Sherry Puncheon – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: complex; aromas of sherry soaked fruitcake filled with stewed sultanas mingle with sticky medjool dates. Dark chocolate and citrus peel note develop; a gentle woodiness with a delicate herbal edge comes to the fore. Taste: elegant, smooth, and sweet; subtle cinnamon and nutmeg flavours balance the mature oak and sherry influences. Notes of fruit and nut chocolate, toasted walnut, and hints of raisin emerge and evolve into zesty citrus. Salted toffee develops towards the end. Finish: a modest, medium sweet finish fades; hints of charred oak and chocolate remain.” – $2800
6. G&M Private Collection Inverleven 1985 – 57.4% – 33 Year – Refill Bourbon Barrel – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: Intense tropical fruit aromas to begin – cooked pineapple, honeydew melon, coconut cream, and little burst of sharp yet sweet lime. A sweet creaminess continues with notes of vanilla ice-cream, sugared red apples, apricot jam, and white chocolate. Hints of overripe cherry and almond marzipan develop into flowering gorse. Taste Creamy and mouth-coating; warming white pepper notes transform into sweet flambéed banana, madagascan vanilla pod, and salted toffee. subtle spicy undertones remain as toasted malt comes to the fore; a drying cocoa and charred oak edge develops. Finish: A long and lingering charred oak finish with a subtle floral edge.” – $2250

Introducing: Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish 

The Latest Release in Kilchoman’s Wine Finish Collection 

This is a limited edition 2012 vintage Sauternes cask finished single malt bottled at 50%. Little more than 120 bottles are coming to Alberta, we are limiting it to 2 per customer. I had a chance to sample it at the distillery the day before it was released, and it is lovely. I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous release, but this one is lovely!

Producer Description: “Sauternes Cask Finish, a limited edition release of just 30 casks, is on its way around the world, hitting shelves any time from Monday 1st October. The Sauternes Cask Finish follows a range of wine cask releases we’ve bottled over the previous five years. This latest offering differs in that it was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into fresh Sauternes hogsheads for five months prior to bottling. This finishing period allows the caramel and vanilla influence of bourbon barrels to be accentuated by the buttery sweetness of the desert wine casks. Meanwhile the classic peat smoke and citrus character of the Kilchoman spirit brings a distinct depth and punch to the whisky, emphasised at the increased strength of 50%.”

“We have previously favoured full-term maturation for our wine cask releases, bottling fully matured Port, Madeira, Red Wine and Sauternes editions every other year since 2013. The Sauternes Cask Finish approach has arguably provided a more balanced character, combining both the maritime peat smoke and tropical fruit typical of Kilchoman with the softer buttery floral notes characteristic of the Sauternes casks. As with all recent limited editions, a neck tag details the number of bottles (10,000), casks, ages and cask types used in the vatting; in this case, the Sauternes Cask Finish is a combination of thirty 2012 bourbon barrels married in Sauternes wine casks for five months before bottling.”

Kilchoman Sauterne Cask Finish – 50% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon / Finished in Sauternes Barriques – Producer Tasting Note: “This latest offering differs in that it was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into fresh sauternes hogsheads for five months prior to bottling. This finishing period allows the caramel and vanilla influence of bourbon barrels to be accentuated by the buttery sweetness of the sauternes cask.” – $135 – Limit 2 per customer!

 

Introducing: The Arran Marsala Cask Finish 

A Limited Arran Release, Only Coming to Alberta in Canada! 

Apparently this is coming only to Alberta in Canada. Bottled at 50%, the Marsala Finish is a limited edition released late in 2018. The whisky began its life in more tradition oak before finishing in casks sourced from an artisan Sicilian wine producer.

Producer Description: “After initially maturing in traditional oak casks over a number of years The Arran Single Malt in this bottling was ‘finished’ in a selection of Marsala wine casks sourced from an artisan producer of this iconic Sicilian wine. Our Master Distiller, James MacTaggart, has carefully monitored this period of secondary maturation to ensure the perfect balance is struck between the Marsala casks and the intrinsic sweet-fruity character of The Arran Malt. The end result is a Single Malt with a decadently fruity, gourmet character, full of complexity and quality.”

Arran Marsala Cask Finish – 50% – Finished in Marsala Casks – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: A rich, sweet spiciness that carries hints of pear and candied orange peels, beautifully complimenting the signature citrus flavor of the Arran Single Malt. Palate: A delicate fruitiness that develops into a deep caramel and vanilla, followed with roasted chestnuts. Finish: The Marsala expression leaves memory of a sweet oak and toffee apples, under toned by notes of fresh ginger and pine nuts. A complex yet well-balanced dram which demonstrates perfectly the balance between the rich Marsala cask and the fruity Arran Single Malt.” – $82

Introducing: Springbank Local Barley 9 Year 

I’m Afraid to Mention This One… Because it is So Limited! 

This is the 5th release of Springbank Local Barley. It is a beloved annual release because it is even more variable than the core releases, relying on local barley, subject to more difficult growing conditions on the cold, damp, Kintyre peninsula. We limit this release to one per person out of fairness.

Springbank Local Barley 9 Year – 57.7% – Producer Description: “Matured in 80% Bourbon casks and 20% Sherry casks, this release is the fourth in our series of 5 annual bottlings from barley grown in the local area. For this year’s release we used Optic barley that was grown at High Cattadale Farm.”  Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Traditional Springbank aromas; saltiness, sea shells and fresh oysters bursting through. Followed just as intensely by pepper-jack cheese, honeycomb and vanilla pods. Palate: Whipped cream, pear drops and a heathery note are quickly engulfed by barley water, sherbet mix, sugar cane, nectarines and dandelions. Finish: A gentle dry peat circulates before squashed plums, raisins, cracked pepper and dry straw emerge.” – $170 – 1 per Person

Springbank 10 & 15 Year Back In Stock 

Two of Our Favourite Every Day Drams are Getting Increasingly Hard to Come By 

I think what I love most about Springbank whisky, other than the quirks of the distillery and its lovely people, is the batch variation. The distillery does everything by hand, including the malting, which is the first opportunity for variation. Floor maltings are notoriously inconsistent, but in the best possible way. Some batches of Springbank are lightly peated, others much more heavily so. I have never had a bad batch of Springbank 15, but a few of them, especially in recent years, have been spectacular. I credit this to Frank McHardy, the long-time distillery manager who came to the distillery in the late 1990s. He overhauled the wood policy, and much of what has been distilled and filled into cask since has been spectacular.

1. Springbank 10 Year – 46% – Producer Description: “Our 10-year-old offers whisky drinkers the perfect introduction to the Springbank range. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it is perfectly balanced from the first sip through to the full, rich finish.” –  Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Orchard fruit (pear) with a hint of peat, vanilla and malt. Palate: Malt, oak, spice, nutmeg and cinnamon, vanilla essence. Finish: Sweet, with a lingering salty tingle.” – $82
2. Springbank 15 Year – 46% – Producer Description: “Like a storm gathering off the Kintyre coast, our 15-year-old Springbank is dark and ominous, yet delicious. Best enjoyed after dinner or with your favourite cigar, this is a true classic.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Demerara sugar, dark chocolate, Christmas cake, almonds, toffee, oak. Palate: Creamy, raisins, dark chocolate, figs, marzipan, brazil nuts and vanilla. Finish: Oak and sherry notes sustain and mingle with hints of leather.” – $120

Glenfarclas 30 Year is Back! 

The Price is Moving on Up! 

To be honest, with the recent surge in pricing on the Glenfarclas Family casks, I’m surprised this didn’t happen sooner. I just got notice that the Glenfarclas 30 is going up in price by $75, from $625 to $700. We have a modest amount of stock and access to a few more bottles later this month. If this is of interest, best be letting me know sooner than later!

Glenfarclas 30 Year – 43% – Matured in Sherry Casks – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Full complex aromas with fruit and full sherried malty tones. Palate: With Sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, nuts, marzipan (and even icing), this is a wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake, in a glass! Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t. The finish is exquisite with a real taste of burnt chocolate at the back of your mouth.” – $625 for now, but going up to $700 very soon… shortly after the next order arrives!

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.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada