The end is in sight… at least that is the perspective from those of us in retail. There are just two shopping days until Christmas – or as our KWM staff call it: “two well-earned days off”.

We love the bustle of the season and helping people pick the perfect gift, but we are definitely counting down the hours, less than 48 at the time of writing. But new products continue to arrive and we’ve managed to get another seven virtual tastings up on the website.

I’ll keep the intro short, as time is fleeting, and leave the rest for you to browse at your leisure, now, in the weeks ahead, or maybe never… Regardless, this is the last time you’ll hear from me in 2021, and from everyone here at KWM, we hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions, comments, or requests (but online ordering works too, in fact, it might be faster…).

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In This Edition…

1. New Whiskies from Hunter Laing

2. Introducing: SMWS Hospital Juice (no this does not cure Covid!)

3. New Whiskies From Paul John

4. New from Amrut… Sort Of!

5. Even More New Tastings: Our January 2022 Tasting Schedule is Online

6. The 2021 Malt Messenger Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide – In Case You Missed It!

New Whiskies from Hunter Laing

We have 7 new whiskies from Hunter Laing, including a pair each from First Editions and Old Malt Cask.

1. First Edition Glenrothes 1997 – 48.8% – 23 Year – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “A light golden coloured whisky with a sweet, mellow nose of vanilla custard, apples, pears, and a hint of mint. It is rich and smooth on the palate with a subtle fruitiness alongside sweet vanilla and caramel, leaving a long, satisfying finish with a hint of soft fruits.” – $450

2. First Edition Jura 2007 – 50.1% – 14 Year – Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “A mellow, rounded, and sweet nose of crème brûlée, vanilla custard, and iced gingerbread. It is smooth, creamy, and sweet on the palate with butter fudge and vanilla shortcake, leaving a long, lingering, slightly dry and sweet finish.” – $150

Old Malt Cask

1. Old Malt Cask Inchmurrin 24 Year – 50% – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruit salad, liquorice, and penny chews. Palate: Strawberries, apples, and caramel chocolate. Finish: Long, with lingering pepper and spice.” – $300

2. Old Malt Cask Talisker 12 Year – 50% – exBourbou Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: vanilla, butter tablet, and chocolate. Palate: creamy with fudge and fresh pineapple. Finish: long and lingering with a hint of fruit.” – $250 – 88pts+ Whisky Base

Authors Series<

We also have a trio of Authors Series releases, a couple of which we’re going to tuck into a tasting! These look very cool, and the reviews are good, but frustratingly, there are no producer-tasting notes…

1. Authors Series Blair Athol 1989 – 45.6% – 31 Year – Sherry Hogshead – $810 – 89pts Whisky Base

2. Authors Series Clynelish 1993 – 53.8% – 27 Year – Bourbon Barrel – $800 – 90.4pts Whisky Base – 1 Per Customer!

3. Authors Series Cragganmore 1995 – 57.2% – 25 Year – Sherry Butt – $700 – 88.75pts Whisky Base

Introducing: SMWS 53.269: Hospital Juice…

We were fortunate to get a better than usual allocation of this Islay single malt because a certain adjacent jurisdiction felt the name was inappropriate or untimely. Once more, who are we to look a gift horse in the mouth?

You do have to be a member to purchase Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings, but if you were considering joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the World’s largest whisky club, this bottle would qualify you for your first year’s membership with purchase.

SMWS 53.269: Hospital juice – 60.5% – 10 Year – Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead – SMWS Tasting Panel’s tasting note: “A crustacean-encrusted blade of raw salt and peat cuts a swathe from the top of the glass. At its edges coagulates notes of antiseptic, sheep wool, fresh oysters stunned with lemon juice, and some limey and gravelly minerality. Water dislodges notes of blue peat smoke, smoked mussels, burnt herbs, bacon sizzling in goose fat, and smoked German beer. The mouth is pure peat oils. Coal tar soap, burlap, squid ink, and mercurochrome all dominate with support from crushed aspirin, TCP, beach pebbles, and BBQ char. Water brings an oiliness and magnifies the viscosity. Notes of peated mead, motor oil, smoked bread, and natural tar essence all emerge. A burning rosemary bush and some salted pecans in the finish.” – $195+gst

New Whiskies From Paul John

There hasn’t been much available from Paul John in recent years, but a new importer could be set to change this. Here are three never-before-seen-in-Alberta Paul John releases:

1. Paul John Christmas Edition – 46% – Finished in Bourbon, Port & Madeira Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Caramel, orange marmalade, berries, malty, coconut and dry raisins. Taste: Creamy, spicy, light smoke, butterscotch, and barley. Finish: Rather long and warming notes with Cocoa, light peat, and spices. Balances: An exotic and multi-faceted peated malt with deep, creamy flavours and a rich finish.” – $90

2. Paul John Oloroso Sherry Indian Single Malt – 48% – Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Peach, apricot and light notes of molassess and blood orange. Taste: Soft and sweet, with nutty chocolate and Melton Hunt cake. Finish: Long, intense, and sweet with delicious heavy spices imbibed from the Oloroso casks, a dash of coffee mocha, and sumptuous dark chocolate. Balance: An intense and a complex single malt with a sensational explosion of incredible flavours.” – $128

3. Paul John PX Sherry Indian Single Malt – 48% – Finished in PX Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fig and apricot with a rare hint of banana. Taste: Sweet barley with creamy butterscotch, dry fruits, and Christmas cake. Finish: Long and exquisite, with chocolate fudge, orange peel, and exotic wine drenched nuts. Balance: Intensely sweet like a dark Spanish dessert sherry, having been gloriously finished in handpicked Pedro Ximenez casks.” – $128

New from Amrut… Sort of!

Amrut has begun independently bottling whisky, under the Single Malts of India range. The first bottling is of a peated coastal single malt, and it is bottled at 46%.

Producer Description

“Ancient Tamil texts, dating back to the Sangam period (300 BC – 300 AD), classify mother earth into five regions called Tinais, each being associated with its own distinct literary style, grammar, mood, subtle as well as overt form of romance, culture and even cuisine. “Neidhal”, according to this classification comprises all Oceans and neighboring regions or in short Coastal Plains and the way of living one associates with them.

“This is a special peated single malt whiskey. The whiskey base is procured from another distillery, matured in charred American oak casks and polished at Amrut. Neidhal “is our first independent bottling,” and the first Chapter of our journey with this series of unchartered waters.”

Amrut Neidhal Chapter 1 “Coastal Plains” – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Notes of tropical fruits, vanilla punctuated by soft phenols, and above all sea salt. Taste: Notes of fruit cocktail and mesmerizing phenols with a touch of iodine. Finish: Finish is phenolic with a touch of sweet vanilla.” – $112

Our January & February 2021 Tasting Schedule

Is Open For Registration

We only just put our first January 2022 Whisky Tastings online last week, but already they are selling fast. The Arran tasting is sold out, there is only one spot left for the Society tasting, and the Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice tasting with Richard Urquhart is 2/3 sold.

Over the last few days we’ve been rolling out our February Tastings, they are all listed below, and they make a great last-minute gift idea!

Look for the March tastings to go online early in January!

SMWS Jan 2022 Virtual Outturn Tasting

·     Date: Thursday, January 6

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now!

·     Only 1 spot left!

Join the KWM whisky team for the first Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Outturn tasting of 2022… You’ll sample 7 SMWS single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies, heading down meandering garden paths with Evan and Andrew while Cam tries to keep them on track. Samples available for pickup December 17. A zoom link will be emailed a day before the tasting. 8PM Thursday January 6.

Evan’s Untitled Bourbon Tasting

·     Date: Tuesday, January 11

·     Time: 8PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early January)

This space was intentionally left blank. Will it be a blind tasting? Will it focus on craft Bourbon, the big distillers, or both? Evan isn’t saying, and we think that is because he is not sure himself yet! Regardless, Bourbon will be the name of the game and there will be 8 samples to be explored.

G&M Connoisseurs Choice with Richard Urquhart

·     Date: Wednesday, January 12

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early January)

Richard Urquhart will be joining us live from Scotland for a tasting of 7 whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice range. G&M has a wood policy second to no other whisky maker in Scotland, and the proof is in the pudding as they say. Our range includes single cask whiskies from Highland Park (2005), Old Pulteney (1997), Glenburgie (1998), Caol Ila (2007), Strathisla (1987) and our two recent KWM Casks: Clynelish 2007 & Mortlach 1998. Wednesday January 12, 7PM

Haggis Not Included: A Virtual Burns Night Tasting

·     Date: Tuesday, January 25

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early January)

It won’t be in person, and there won’t be haggis (unless you procure some of your own) but there will be whisky. Curt & Harmony will be toasting Scotland’s favourite son with a range of whiskies either inspired by The Bard, his life and works, or which we feel he’d approve. 7 drams will be enjoyed in memory of Robert Burns, and it might just include a toast or two! Tuesday January 25, 7PM

An Introduction to Scotch Whisky

·     Date: Thursday, February 1

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early January)

This is an introductory tasting, but far from an entry-level range of whiskies. Curt & Harmony will induct you into the mysterious cult of Scotch Whisky. You’ll learn about the different styles while sampling Single Grain, Single Malt, and Blended Scotch Whiskies. You’ll learn about cask types, peat, the importance of abv, and much more. This tasting is appropriate for beginners, those wanting a refresher, and anyone wanting to sample a cool range at a great price. Tuesday February 1, 7PM.

The Rye-naissance – Exploring the Rye Whisk(e)y Boom

·     Date: Tuesday, February 8

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early-mid January)

Bourbon is the name of the game in the United States. Canadian Whisky has been getting renewed attention. What has been not-so-quietly winning over whisk(e)y lovers both North and South of the border is Rye. Join Evan for an exploration of Rye whisky from both countries – and possibly from the other side of the pond as well! Tuesday February 8, 8 PM

Whisky FOMO: You can’t buy this… Unless you Take Part in This Tasting

·     Date: Thursday, February 10

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $60

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early-mid January)

There is another pandemic sweeping the globe, and it’s very contagious… Whisky FOMO is real, and as yet there is no vaccine, but we may have an antidote. Sometimes we get just 6 or 12 bottles of some of the most in-demand whiskies, and rather than sell them on a first come first serve basis we hold them back for participants in a future tasting. For Whisky FOMO we’ve cobbled together a range of 8 very sought-after whiskies, and your only opportunity to purchase them is if you register for and take part in the tasting. We have whiskies from Highland Park, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Macallan (x2), Springbank (x2), and Talisker. Thursday, February 10, 7 PM.

Into the Boutique-y Whiskyverse with ‘Boutique-y’ Dave Worthington

·     Date: Thursday, February 12

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early-mid January)

Our friend Dave Worthington from That Boutique-y Whisky Company will be joining us again for an irreverent tasting of Boutique-y Whiskies. We have a cool lineup planned, including whiskies from Finland, New Zealand, Texas, and a few stalwart Scottish distilleries like Blair Athol, Glenrothes, and Glen Scotia. We will also be featuring our new exclusive single cask of 20-year-old Clynelish… 5PM, Saturday, February 12.

That Laddie Tasting

·     Date: Thursday, February 17

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $60

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (mid-January)

With the latest annual releases of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, and Octomore having recently arrived, it is high time for another Laddie tasting. We will sample the Black Art 9.1, Port Charlotte PAC:01, and Octomores 12.1, 12.2 & 12.3, as well as a couple of other releases just to round things out. 7PM, Thursday February 17.

Wine vs. Whisky: Lovers Quarrel

·     Date: Friday, February 18

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $55

·     Pick-Up Date: The Day of the Tasting, February 18.

Who emerged victorious in Round One of Wine vs. Whisky? Although it was close call, it’s Abi that took the win back in October of 2021. Like the sore loser he is – Evan called shenanigans and took it personally. Join us for Round Two on February 18 where Evan will have to step up his game if he wants to take the crown from Abi. It is National Drink Wine Day on February 18th. Did Evan plan that with the hopes of unfairly persuading the judges? Join us and watch the sparks fly from the comfort of your own home.

• Tasting kits will be ready for pick up, day of- on February 18, 2022

• This tasting cannot be delivered.

What’s included:

3 x 50ml samples of wine

3 x 15ml samples of whisky

A few snacks for pairing fun!

Classic Kilchoman Whiskies with Anthony Wills

·     Date: Saturday, February 19

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (mid-late January)

We’ve had a love affair with Kilchoman ever since the launch of their first whisky: a 3-year-old in 2009. Over the last 13 years, we’ve had the privilege of bottling 13 exclusive casks. We will sample 4 of them including the new 2013 Mezcal Cask, the 12 Year KWM, and the 14 Year bottled for the MS Society. And, of course, a few other treats. You won’t want to miss this very peaty affair! Saturday, February 19, 5 PM.

Lost in Translation: 100% Japanese Whisky Edition

·     Date: Thursday, February 24

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (mid-late January)

The regulations for Japanese whisky have changed, and for the first time we can now more easily distinguish between true 100% made in Japan, and what we like to call Japanese-ish whiskies. We will sample two releases each from Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, as well two different versions of the Taketsuru Pure Malt, one bottled before and the other after the rule change. Plus, one other 100% Japanese whisky just to round things out. Thursday, February 24, 7 PM.

2021 LAST-MINUTE

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Only time for an abreivated Last Minute Gift Guide…. but we couldn’t let this tradition pass by!

Books & Accessories

Glasses and books for the Whisky Nerd in your life!

1. Glencairn Glass – Our favourite whisky glass! – $12

2. Glencairn Glass Twin Pack – Two is better than one… and so is the price. – $21

3. Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert – No one knows more about Canadian Whisky than Davin de Kergommeaux. This is the second, updated version of his award-winning book. – $25

4. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2022 – Our favourite annual whisky tome is here, the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2022. The book features writeups on most single malt distilleries around the world with a focus on distilleries in Scotland. There are also tasting notes and articles by notable whisky writers. – $34

5. Everything You Need to Know About Whisky: But Are Too Afraid to Ask – A collaboration between Nick Morgan, and The Whisky Exchange, “Everything you Need to Know About Whisky: But Are Too Afraid to Ask” is 250 pages written for whisky lovers, by a man who has dedicated his life to the industry. – $43

6. Glencairn Cut Crystal Glass – Our favourite whisky glass, fancied up a lot with a nice weight! – $59

Gift Packs

We have a decent selection of gift packs this year, not just Scotch whisky, but also Irish and Japanese whiskies. And there is the gift which keeps on giving for a full year, membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

1. Tullibardine Tasting Collection – This collection of 4x 50ml / mini bottles from Tullibardine Distillery includes the following: Sovereign, 225, 228 & 500 – $48

2. Boutique-y Scotch Whisky Set – This 4x50ml gift pack features Scotch whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. – $52

3. Glenmorangie Gift Pack – Just in time for Christmas a gift pack of 4 100ml bottles of Glenmorangie. 10Yr, Lasanta (Sherry Finish), Quinta Ruban (Port Finish), Nectar D’Or (Sauternes Finish). – $57

4. Ardbeg Masters of Smoke – Containing a 20 cL bottle each of Ardbeg’s iconic smoky single-malt whiskies, the Monsters of Smoke trio unleashes flavour in a big way. Each collectable bottle is decorated with a unique artwork hiding beneath the label. Peel to reveal yours. Includes the flagship Ardbeg Ten Years Old, the feisty and youthful Ardbeg Five Years Old Wee Beastie and Ardbeg An Oa, an incredibly complex Islay scotch finished in three different types of cask. – $65

5. Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Set – A handsome wee set of 5x30ml wax dipped Japanese whiskies, perfect for an at home tasting, host gift or stocking stuffer. – $65

6. Drinks by the Dram Irish Whiskey Set – A handsome collection of a dozen Irish whiskies, bottled in wax dipped 30ml bottles, by Drinks by the Dram. The full range of rums is listed below in the tasting note… don’t look if you prefer to be surprised! – $82

7. Boutique-y Premium Scotch Whisky Set – A handsome wee set of 4x50ml Scotch whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Co. It is perfect for an at-home tasting, host gift, or as a stocking stuffer. Includes a range or rare and mature whiskies. – $85

8. Boutique-y Whisky 12 Dram Set – This popular gift pack features 12x30ml wax dipped premium whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Co., mostly Scotch, in an advent calendar style box with 12 windows. The full range of whiskies is listed below in the tasting note… don’t look if you prefer to be surprised!- $122

9. Amrut Bagheera Gift Pack – A handsome collection of a dozen Irish whiskies, bottled in wax dipped 30ml bottles, by Drinks by the Dram. The full range of rums is listed below in the tasting note… don’t look if you prefer to be surprised! – $140

10.   SMWS Membership Pack – 3x100ml Whiskies, 2 Glasses, a Water Jug and a Pippette… all that and 1 years membership to the World’s largest whisky club. – $230

A Few Gift Suggestions

No time to offer dozens of suggestions at different price points, so here are 10 must-have bottles, that would make a great gift!

1. Old Pulteney Huddart – The most curious whisky in the distillery’s new core range, Huddart is bottled at 46% after finishing in casks which previously matured heavily peated single malts. – Regular $83.99 ON SALE! Now $54.59

2. Cadenhead 7 Star Blend – This high-malt-content Blend is superb value. Cadenhead 7 Stars is a historic Blended Scotch Whisky, which hasn’t been bottled in decades… until now! The blend is composed of whiskies sourced from all over Scotland, which are then finished in Oloroso sherry casks “giving it a bolder, yet well balanced, flavour.” – $70

3. Waterford Single Farm Sheestown 1.2 – This single farm origin single malt was produced from barley grown by Philip O’Brien at Sheestown Farm in County Kilkenny. Distilled in 2016 and bottled at 2020 after 4 years at 50%. Matured in a a mix of 33% ex-Bourbon, 19% Virgin American Oak, 25% ex-French Wine & 23% Vin Doux Naturel casks. Produced from the Irina barley variety, and fermented with Mauri Distiller’s Yeast for an impressive 131.5 hours. – $102

4. Tomatin 2009 Private Cask – This 2009 Tomatin cask was selected with the assistance of KWM and bottled for the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). It is an Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, Cask 3450, bottled after 12 years at 59.6%. – $145 – $15 from every bottle will go to the Veterans Foodbank of Calgary!

5. Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary – To celebrate their 185th Anniversary, the Glenfarclas Distillery has created a special multi-vintage bottling, just as they did for their 175th Anniversary. Only 6000 bottles have been released globally, bottled at 46%. – $170

6. Berry’s Orkney Islands 2003 KWM Cask – Proof that Highland Park by another name is just as, if not sweeter… Matured 17 years in a Sherry Butt (Berry’s Cask No.1) before bottling at 59.9% in 2021. It is almost 50% stronger than the Highland Park 18 Year, and about 15% cheaper… that and it’s awesome. Would we ever bottle it if it were not?! – $180

7. Daftmill 2008 Winter Batch Release – From the coolest distillery you’ve likely never heard of. This is a pleasant surprise, another Daftmill release, which we were not expecting. It is also one of the biggest releases of Daftmill we’ve seen, 6000 bottles filled at 46% after maturing 12 years in First Fill ex-Bourbon barrels. 88.25pts Whisky Base! – $200

8. Kilchoman 14 Year MS Society Cask – The oldest Kilchoman yet to come to Canada, has been bottled for the MS Society of Calgary, Calgary and area chapter by Gold Medal Marketing and Kensington Wine Market. Distilled May 24, 2006 the whisky was filled into a Bourbon Barrel (#78/2006), and matured just shy of 15 years before bottling on March 15, 2021, at 53.4%. – $225 – $25 from every bottle purchased by December 31 will go to the MS Society of Canada!

9. G&M CC Mortlach 1998 KWM Cask – One of a pair of casks from Gordon & MacPhail selected by, and bottled exclusively for, KWM in 2021. This 22-year-old is from a First Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, bottled at 58%, and one of only 183 bottles. We were drawn to this cask partly because it is atypical of the distillery style, and because it is a tropical fruit bomb. – $300

10.   Peat’s Beast 30 Year Islay Single Malt – We know absolutely nothing about this whisky, other than that it is a 30-year-old Islay single malt, matured in “oak casks”, and bottled at 50.6%. That and the fact it is utterly gorgeous, and amazing value for an Islay single malt of this age. – $615

FREE DELIVERY

We are proud to offer Free City Wide Delivery on all orders over $100 Monday-Friday! Orders under $100 are subject to a flat rate $10 delivery fee. Note we likely cannot offer delivery before Christmas at this point!

CURBSIDE PICKUP

Physical distancing is made easy with curbside pickup. Order online or by phone, wait for confirmation your order is ready then call us when you are parked in the back or out front. Be sure to let us know what your vehicle looks like!

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Regular Store Hours

Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM

Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM

Sat 10AM – 8 PM

Sun 11PM to 6PM

Holiday Hours

Thursday, December 23 10 AM – 9 PM

Friday, December 24 10 AM – 4 PM

Saturday, December 25 – Closed

Sunday, December 26 – Closed

Monday, December 27 – 11 AM – 7 PM

Dec 28-30 Regular Hours

Friday, December 31, 10 AM -7 PM

and please note we will be closed

January 1-3!

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*