Once again my ambition has crashed head-on into the general busyness of the season, with the hours in the day grossly insufficient to allow time for writing and newsletters. Accordingly, this email is more than a little late – a week late to be exact – in coming out. But with just 10 shopping days until Christmas, perhaps it is timely too…
Before we talk about what’s for sale, I just want to highlight two auction items we’ve contributed to the CBC Calgary Foodbank Drive.
Holiday Beverage Survival Crate – We’ve included all the adult beverages you will need to survive the Holiday Season in a 12-bottle crate with a bow on it – Current Bid $315 – Value $600
Private “Rare Single Malts” Scotch Tasting – Andrew Ferguson, Scotch expert and owner of Kensington Wine Market, will guide you and up to 20 of your friends, through a range of six whiskies, in the comfort and safety of your homes. – Current Bid $500 – Value $2500
Bidding closes at 7 PM, Friday September 17.
Browse All Calgary Foodbank Auction Items Here!
In addition to the Calgary Foodbank, we also have two items on sale in support of other causes. We are donating $15 from every bottle sold until December 19 of the Tomatin 2009 Private Cask we bottled for the Canadian Scottish Regiment to the Veterans Foodbank of Calgary.
We will be donating $25 from every bottled sold of the Kilchoman 14 Year MS Society Cask to the MS Society of Canada!
Last month we launched 3 new KWM exclusive casks: the Arran 2009 KWM Sherry Cask #838, as well as two from Gordon & MacPhail: the G&M CC Clynelish 2007 KWM Cask & G&M CC Mortlach 1998 KWM Cask. Unsurprisingly, the Arran and Clynelish, are going fast. In just a little over 2 weeks, the Arran is more than 2/3 sold and the Clynelish is all but sold out… they might not make it until Christmas! So it’s a good thing we have two new casks to tell you about, including another Clynelish…
We have two more KWM Exclusive Casks to add to the lineup this month, one each from That Boutique-y Whisky Company and Kilchoman. The Boutique-y bottling is an undisclosed 20-year-old single malt, from a well-regarded Highland Distillery in Brora with a distinctly waxy profile. That in itself should make this whisky an exciting proposition, but it is the artwork on the label on our Boutique-y Highland #2 20 Year KWM Cask which is sure to be a conversation starter… details below!
Our 11th Kilchoman cask might just be our most unique yet… as it was finished in a Mezcal cask! Tequila and Mezcal casks were not acceptable vessels to mature Scotch whisky in until the industry heavyweights themselves thought it would be a good idea. We love Kilchoman’s smoky, citrussy profile, and we were blown away by a sample of its whisky finished in a Mezcal seasoned cask. We have two Kilchoman casks on the go right now, a 12 and 14 year, and we didn’t exactly need another stack of Kilchoman on the floor, but how could we refuse this one? Besides…they also did minis for us of our Kilchoman 2013 KWM Mezcal finish Cask.
In addition to the casks above, we are also expecting new whiskies from both Kilchoman and That Boutique-y Whisky Company this week. Details below. We are also expecting new whiskies this week from Douglas Laing, North Star Spirits, Cadenhead & Aberfeldy, as well as rums from Cadenhead. We also have a new Bourbon producer hitting the shelves: Woody Creek Distillery from Colorado.
I know a lot of you have been patiently waiting for some new virtual tastings… and we have just put our January 2022 tastings online! We have some cool events planned for January-March, which will remain online only, at least until Easter. The February/March tastings will be put up in the days and weeks ahead.
Last but not least, the Malt Messenger Last-Minute Christmas Gift Guide has been a long-standing tradition, for nearly a decade and a half. And it might even be early this year! Including today, there are still 10 days until Christmas!
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. Introducing: Our Boutique-y Clynelish 20 Year Cask
2. Introducing: Our Kilchoman 2013 Mezcal Finish Cask
3. Kilchoman 100% Islay – 11th Edition
4. New Whiskies from That Boutique-y Whisky Company
5. New Whiskies from Douglas Laing
6. New Whiskies & Rum from Cadenhead
7. New Whiskies from North Star
8. Three New Ones from Hunter Laing
9. Introducing: Aberfeldy 18 Year Pauillac Edition
10. Introducing: Woody Creek Whiskey
11.New Tastings: Our January 2022 Tasting Schedule is Online
12.The 2021 Malt Messenger Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide
Introducing: The Boutique-y Highland Malt #2 20 Year KWM Cask (aka Clynelish)
The story behind this label is a good one, but also long and winding. The short and sweet of it is this: In 2005/6, Sam Simmons (aka Dr. Whisky, now Head of Whisky at Atom Brands) & I, independently hiked up a mountain in Scotland and peed on the Duke of Sutherland monument above Golspie. We were motivated by a mutual antipathy for one of the worst practitioners of the Highland Clearances.
My connection to the monument and the infamous Duke is very personal. My mother is a Gunn, and her ancestors roamed the lands now known as Caithness and Sutherland in the far north of Scotland for centuries. That is until they were displaced to make way for sheep, and found their way to Nova Scotia.
When we were offered a cask of undisclosed Highland Single Malt, with a distinctly waxy profile, from a northern Highland Distillery located very near the Duke of Sutherland’s monument, I had a saucy idea for the label. That Boutique-y Whisky Company is famous for its cheeky-narrative labels, filled with details and Easter eggs that often tell a story. I wanted to tell the story of the Highland Clearances, and not only my family’s connection to them, but also that of the Clynelish Distillery.
The Duke of Sutherland was the second-largest landowner in Europe after the King of England in his day. After cruelly driving most of the peasants off his lands, the Duke opened the Clynelish Distillery to put the last handful of trespassers, eking out a meager existence illicitly distilling, out of business. He was not a very nice man, despite what the plaque he had erected on his monument says…
My idea for the label was for yours truly to be standing at the base of the monument, unceremoniously relieving myself on the Duke’s vanity tower with sheep grazing in the distance. I emailed the idea to Sam and was sure he, or his firm, would reject it. Minutes later I got a call from Sam, prodding me to check my email, it was well after 1 AM in London and my idea struck a chord. It seems we had a shared memory…
So that is how Dr. Whisky, a native Torontonian, and I, find ourselves on the label of this whisky, standing with our backs to the viewer, in front of the monument. What is it we are doing? A ship has set sail for Canada, while sheep graze on the coastal plain below Ben Bhraggie. From left to right, Keith, Evan, Shawn, and Curt (members of the KWM Whisky Team) can be seen drifting past a cloud that looks like the symbolic Wild Highland Cat of a certain distillery, in a candle-powered hot air balloon. One last little nugget: Keith, who is a personal trainer and headed to Beijing as a Team Canada Skeleton coach, felt his arm didn’t look appropriately burly in an early draft of the label. So we had the artist, Emily Chappell, ‘bugs bunny’ his arm… In case it isn’t already apparent, nothing is sacred!
I think the Boutique-y chaps sum things up pretty nicely on the back of all of their labels: “We are passionate about great whisky, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we LOVE a good story.” Is it any wonder why we enjoy working with them as much as we do?
Boutique-y Highland #2 20 Year KMM Cask Single Malt – 51% – Cask Type Not Specified 578 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: rich, honeyed and fruity; floral with notes of heather and golden grasses which transport me back to the top of Ben Bhraggie; leather, chocolate, candied orange, and spices; melons, apricots, and soft waxy tones; later it becomes doughy with bright berry fruits and honeycomb. Palate: honeyed, rich, and very fruity with soft sherry notes and crisp spices; candied nuts, firm leather, and milk chocolate with cocoa nibs; more honeycomb, berry fruits, and a building waxy tones; creamy vanilla, cream soda, melons, and apricots; still a touch floral, more heather and early spring flowers. Finish: long, coating, and spicy; Clynelish signature waxy profile coats the palate while notes, of heather, honey, leather, and fruits slowly fade away. Comment: when we were offered this cask, there wasn’t an opportunity to sample it, this was a take it or leave it proposition; and when you are offered a 20-year-old Clynelish at a halfway decent price with the opportunity to create your own label, it’s best not to look the gift horse in the mouth; regardless we are very happy with the liquid and the label, and know you will be too!” – $210 (500ml)
Introducing: The Kilchoman 2013 KWM Mezcal Finished Cask
Wait, What? Mezcal Finish? You betcha! This is our 11th KWM exclusive single cask of Kilchoman, 12th if you count the 14 Year cask we bottled to help raise funds for the MS Society of Canada!
When we saw that Kilchoman had released a Mezcal Cask Finish, we immediately inquired about getting cask samples. We didn’t need another Kilchoman cask, we already have 2 stacked on the floor, but we couldn’t resist one of the samples. Our pick, a 7 year old, started its life in an ex-Bourbon barrel before being transferred to an ex-Mezcal Cask for 8 months for finishing. Bottled at a cask strength of 55.2%, there are only 199 bottles (because some of them were filled as 50mls for our KWM 2021 Whisky Calendar)!
Kilchoman 2013 KWM Mezcal Finish Cask – 55.2% – 7 Year – Matured in ex-Bourbon / Finished 8 Months in a Mezcal Cask – My Tasting Note: “Nose: mezcalritas right off the hop; Kilchoman’s firm clean smoke and crisp citrus meet the vegetal volatile acids of mezcal; juicy malt, freshly trimmed pinnas, and salted caramel; agave nectar, lime spiced tortilla chips, and doughy fruit flan; ceviche and grilled langoustines. Palate: big, intense and muscular; the fusion of Kilchoman malt and Mezcal continues with intense citrus leaning heavily in the lemon and lime department, salty-maritime tones and layers of smoke: clean peat smoke and that faintly plastic medicinal mezcal smoke; more ceviche, scallops seared in butter and citrus drizzled in honey; more agave nectar, mezcalritas in salted tumblers, and doughy fruit flan. Finish: bright citrus, toasted oak, and juicy malt tinged with flaked kosher salt and seafood ceviche; long coating and mouth-watering. Comment: I was skeptical about mixing Islay malt and Mezcal, but this really works; we had the chance to sample a range of Kilchoman finished in tequila and mezcal casks, and while we weren’t looking for a new cask, we couldn’t turn this one down!” – $160
Kilchoman 2013 KWM Mezcal Finish Cask 50ml – Same details as above… only smaller! – $28
Kilchoman 100% Islay – 11th Edition
Let’s be honest, farm to bottle is pretty sexy… There is definitely a romanticism attached to the idea of a distillery growing and malting its own barley on-site, not to mention maturing and bottling it too… Growing barley on Islay is no small feat, the land and weather aren’t exactly ideal, and then there are the tens of thousands of barnacle geese. Islay serves as a wintering ground for 60% of the species’ total population. And then there is the unpredictability and inconsistency of traditional floor maltings. Regardless, or maybe because of this, the Kilchoman 100% Islay has routinely been my favourite style of Kilchoman, even if it is considerably less peaty than the rest of the production!
Kilchoman 100% Islay 11th Edition – 50% – 9 Year – Bourbon & Sherry Casks – Producer Description: “The 100% Islay 11th Edition was matured in 26 bourbon barrels and 7 oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 9 years.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Intense floral sweetness gives way to layers of rich spices, plums, dates and leather. Palate: Grilled fruit, mild spices, malt and vanilla. Finish: Waves of clean fresh peat smoke and citrus sweetness.” – $135 Limit 1 Per Customer!
New Whiskies From That Boutique-y Whisky Co.
We have some exciting new whiskies with which to tempt you from our friends at That Boutique-y Whisky Company. We have a release of Balcones, a Campbeltown single malt which has been teaspooned as well as a single malt from Finland and a Kiwi Blend… We will be including them all in a February tasting with Boutique-y Dave Worthington!
1. Boutique-y Balcones Batch 4 2 Year – 50% – Corn Spirit Matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask – Producer Description: “It’s our 4th batch from the Texas distillery Balcones, but our first corn whisky from them. It’s a big, bold, corn spirit made from Hopi blue corn. The whisky is smoked before being matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Blackberries, blackcurrants, liquorice, treacle, and hints of dark chocolate and scorched wood. Taste: Sweet and fruity, with prunes, dates, figs, and raisins. Hints of coffee and tobacco, and as the wood spices build, a woody smokiness comes through.” – $118
2. Boutique-y Campbeltown Batch 2 6 Year – 51.9% – Producer Description: “You’ll notice this is labelled as a ‘Blended Malt’ but you should also see some spoons. Yes, this is a teaspooned malt, from Campbeltown. With only three distilleries in this once booming whisky town, you’ll quickly be able to establish what malts are in this ‘blend’. The glorious ‘disco cows’ are a reference to the old Glen Scotia packaging released back in 2014 – a clue perhaps?” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Savoury start with bay leaves, cured meats and dried fruits. Mint chocolate, ginger and honey, too. Palate: Stewed plums, grapefruit peel, malted milk biscuits, nutty texture and a long spicy finish.” – $65
3. Boutique-y Blair Athol Batch 13 14 Year – 52.1% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Herbal with tea and hard, green cherries. Walnuts, raisins, and cigar box. Palate: Strawberry, dried petals, minerality lifted with mint and roasted pecans.” – $78
4. Boutique-y Glenrothes Batch 11 12 Year – 53.1% – – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Buttermilk, creamy milk chocolate, walnuts and black olives. Some herbal tea notes and galangal. Palate: Fudgy and floral, with plums and citrus and toasted oak and roasted coconut. integrated wood. Rich oak spice and black tea.” – $76
5. Boutique-y Teerenpeli Batch 1 5 Year – 47.6% – Full Maturation in Spanish ex-Oloroso Sherry Oak – Producer Description: “Another brand new label with our first Teerenpeli release! Family owned Teerenpeli Distillery was established 2002 in Lahti, Finland. Today the distillery is the biggest distillery in Finland specialized in producing single malt whiskies. Our Teerenpeli is a 5 Year Old single malt with full maturation in a Spanish ex-Oloroso Sherry cask which really does bring out those darker flavours.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and fruity with a distinct nuttiness. Fruit cake with candied fruits. Hints of burnt sugar, cinnamon and liquorice. Taste: Sweet and fruity; Chinese peach apricot, grape juice, with some vanilla sponge cake too.” – $120
6. Boutique-y Willowbank Batch 2 18 Year – 50.5% – Blended New Zealand Whisky – Matured in ex-Red Wine Casks – Producer Description: “This is our second batch of Blended Whisky from this long closed New Zealand distillery. It’s an 18 Year Old, bottled at 50.5% abv.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Deliciously fruity, with blackberries and blackcurrants. There’s leather and dark chocolate too and earthy woodiness rancio too. Taste: Chocolate and cherry in a Black Forest Gateau. The tannins come through towards the finish, leaving the mouth very dry.” – $275
New Whiskies From Douglas Laing
We have some cool new things from the Douglas Laing clan, a couple of Old Particular grain and some old single malts from Xtra Old Particular ranges!
1. Old Particular North British 18 Year “The Midnight Series” – 48.4% – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: Nose: dark toffee gives way to baking spice, chewed leather, and ripe, autumn fruits. Palate: cocoa and mochoa alongside a creamy cereal style with juicy plums and grape juice. Finish: spiced, damp oak lingers on and on with a dark chocolate and Sherry sweetness.” – $150
2. Old Particular Loch Lomond 25 Year Single Grain – 48.7% – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: Nose: big, round and rich with a coconut sunscreen style, carrying fruit toffee. Palate: coats the mouth richly in muscovado sugar, honey, syrup, and vanilla qualities. Finish: so attractively spiced, plus loads of cereal. But the vanilla is still majoring.” – $230
3. XOP Caol Ila 40 Year – 54.6% – 1980 – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Expect immediately oceanic, West Coast of Scotland character, with enticing yet subtle phenols coming through. Palate: The palate reveals leather, malted barley, spices and a honey-glazed smoked meat quality. Finish: The finish is exceptional, with more peat smoke, dried citric fruits and oak bonfire embers (CGL).” – $3000
4. XOP Craigellachie 25 Year – 53.7% – 1995 – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Opens with a waxed lemon and citric quality, warmed pecans, golden syrup and home baking. Palate: New leather, fresh oak and Speyside Malted barley. Finish: Exceptionally long with glazed red apple, strawberry candyfloss and raspberry crème brûlée.” – $1050
5. XOP Glen Grant 35 Year – 55.5% – 1985 – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: A spicy, damp oak style gives way to mocha and raspberries with a dark toffee sweetness on the nose. Palate: The palate is thick and moreish… treacle, chocolate coated raisins and ginger balanced by a buttery barley character. Finish: From allspice to espresso, juicy plums and orange zest, the finish lingers wonderfully.” – $1250
New Whiskies From WM Cadenheads
We have 6 new Cadenheads from the Original Collection:
1. Cadenhead Original Auchentoshan 11 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Apple sours, peaches and cream, apricots and soft mint. Taste: Butterscotch, cream cheese frosting, summer fruits. Finish: Toffee, chewy meringue, very tropical.” – $148
2. Cadenhead Original Aultmore 11 Year – 46% – 2010 – 50% Bourbon 50% Palo Cortado Sherry – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Green apples, pastry, rich creamy caramel. Flavour: Rhubarb, subtle sherry notes. Finish: Mixed berries, gooseberry, kumquat.” – $120
3. Cadenhead Original English Distillery Co. 12 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Vanilla, heather, fishing nets, burning tree branches. Taste: Honey roasted cashews, vanilla essence, syrupy, subtle peat notes. Finish: Burnt orange, heather honey, smoldering pine forest.” – $158
4. Cadenhead Original Fettercairn 13 Year – 46% – Bourbon & Ruby Port Since 2019 – – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Earthy, musty, toffee, blackjack sweets. Taste: Custard cream biscuits, flat cola, green tomatoes, buttered candies. Finish: Liquorice, butterscotch, dried spices, cardamom.” – $136
5. Cadenhead Original Glentauchers 10 Year – 46% – 50% Bourbon, 25% Manzanilla Sherry, & 25% Oloroso sherry – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Orange marmalade, lemon sherbet, brown toast. Taste: Dried fruits, malted rye bread, sticky toffee pudding. Finish: Creme brulee, golden raisins, fruit and nut chocolate.” – $120
6. Cadenhead Original Glen Keith 22 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Fruit syrup, tropical fruits, herby, elderflower, raspberries.Taste: Lemon sherbet, velvety, fresh orange juice. Finish: Creamy, wood spice, cardamom, pine notes.” – $335
New Whiskies from North Star Spirits
We are expecting some cool new whiskies from North Star Spirits this week. There are a few seldom-seen independent bottlings, some great value Blended Malts, and a curious Caol Ila!
1. North Star Auchentoshan 2007 – 55% – 13 Year – Oloroso Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Cherries in syrup, old sweet shop hard-boiled sweets and fizzy apple juice. Palate: Oily hazelnuts, rich dark chocolate, and hints of fresh leather. Finish: Peanut butter and Dundee marmalade on the toast.” – $175
2. North Star Dalwhinnie 2008 – 52% – 13 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Amaretto coffee liqueur, overripe bananas, and fruit salad. Palate: Tarte but extra sweet lemon drizzle and hot buttered croissants. Finish: Wee hints of brine with a long oaty biscuit finish.” – $130 – 86pts Whisky Base
3. North Star Inchfad (Loch Lomond) 2007 – 49% – Oloroso Sherry Barrique – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Hot apple cider, smoky ginger green tea, and marshmallows. Palate: Allspice in black coffee, charred wood. Finish: Long-damp leaves, sweet ash smoke, and burnt porridge.” – $128 – 88.67pts Whisky Base
4. North Star Tobermory 1995 – 51% – 26 Year – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Salty air, barley, hints of juicy pears and mineral notes. Palate: Vanilla custard tarts, stewing peppermint tea & a fistful of fresh mint leaves. Finish: Long-salted caramel, more hints of menthol, and fresh green apples.” – $300 – 87.8pts Whisky Base
5. North Star Chaos Batch 3 Islay Single Malt – 50% – Caol Ila – Mariage of 2013, 2014 & 2015 Casks Bottled in 2021 – 4 RubyPort Octaves, 1 Refill Hogshead & 1 Sherry Butt – $100 – 87pts Whisky Base
6. North Star Supersonic Mach 2 2013 – 50% – Matured in Sherry Butts – Distilled 2013 – Bottled 2021 – $85 – 87pts Whisky Base
7. North Star Supersonic Mach 3 2013 – 55% – 7 Year – Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Matured in Sherry Butts – $88 – 86.75pts Whisky Base
Three New Ones from Hunter Laing
We try to maintain a little distance between the Hunters and the Douglases, even in our newsletter… We have a trio of curious new Hunter Laing bottlings including a seldom-seen IB of Talisker, and dynamite bottles of both Craigellachie and Blair Athol!:
1. Hepburn’s Choice Talisker 8 Year – 46% – Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Gentle peat, citrus, and pepper. Palate: Smoke, sweet apples, and blackcurrants. Finish: Dried fruit, with a lingering sweetness.” – $160
2. Old Malt Cask Craigellachie 13 Year – 50% – Sherry Finished – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Dark chocolate, coffee, raisin, vanilla. Palate: Full-bodied, spicy with a pleasant sweet/savoury profile. Finish: Long, rich with a touch of dark chocolate coated ginger.” – $152
3. Old Malt Cask Blair Athol 25 Year – 50% – Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruity and herbal with stewed prunes, black tea and caramel. Palate: Pleasantly spicy with nutmeg, ginger and cocoa powder. Finish: wonderfully long, satisfying and complex.” – $385
Introducing: Aberfeldy 18 Year Pauillac Edition
This curious limited edition Aberfeldy was matured 18 years in ex-Bourbon and Re-fill Re-char casks, before finishing for a furthur 4-5 months in French Red Wine Casks from Pauillac, Bordeaux.
Aberfeldy 18 Year Pauillac Edition – 43% – Matured in ex-Bourbon & Re0fill Re-char Casks / Finished 4-5 Months in Pauillac Casks – Cask Influence: “Pauillac casks, the aristocrats of the Medoc, provide notes of black cherries, blackber r ies and a cedar wood spice to Aberfeldy 18.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aberfeldy’s wonderfully soft signature honey and creamy vanilla notes are invigorated with swathes of plush ripe cherries and lovely nutty aromas of toasted almonds to create an incredibly elegant and fruitful whisky.” – $182
Introducing: Woody Creek Whiskey
Woody Creek is a Colorado Distillery owned in part by actor William H Macey.
About Woody Creek in Their Own Words
“When we founded Woody Creek Distillers, our mission was simple: To pour everything we are into everything we make. We set out to make nothing but the finest craft spirits, each with a unique taste and character that was true to the origins of that spirit. It’s a standard we hold ourselves to every day. We never use neutral grain spirits or blend with base spirits from other distillers. We grow and harvest many of our own ingredients, like the Rio Grande potatoes for our premium vodka. We only source our grains from trusted Colorado farms, like the rye in our 100% rye mash whiskey. For the finishing touch, we distill every spirit we make in our own custom CARL stills – a shining copper example of engineering and art that turns the Earth’s freshest ingredients into the world’s most treasured spirits. This is without a doubt the perfect place to raise a drink.”
Woody Creek Bourbon – 45% – $80
Woody Creek Rye Whiskey – 45% – $80
Woody Creek Bourbon Cask Strength – 59.5% – $122
Woody Creek Wheated Bourbon – 47% – $90
Our January 2021 Tasting Schedule
Is Open For Registration
It is likely that some in-store tastings will resume in the Spring, but Covid-19 concerns aside, we just don’t have the space right now to accommodate them! …but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some cool things planned!
· Date: Thursday, January 6
· Time: 8 PM
· Cost: $45
· Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (before Christmas!)
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.
· Date: Friday, Janaury 7
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $35
· Pick-Up Date: To Be Confirmed (early January)
When people ask us what the best value single malt we have is, the answer more often than not is Arran! Whether it is Arran 10 Year, the 18 Year, or the “Sherry Cask: The Bodega,” there is excellent value and phenomenal quality throughout the range. We have also been blessed with access to amazing single casks, and have bottle more casks of Arran whisky, than we have of any other distillery. Join us for a vertical of the Arran range up to and including the Arran 21 Year, and our stunning new Arran 2009 cask! Friday, January 7, 7 PM
· 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.
· 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
· 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
· 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.
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 purchased by November 19 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 tropicl 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 and 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 deliver fee.
We are expecting high demand for delivery after the sale so please be patient!
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
Store Hours
Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM
Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM
Sat 10AM – 8 PM
Sun 11PM to 6PM
*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.*
403-283-8000
888-283-9004
Store Hours
Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM
Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM
Sat 10AM – 8 PM
Sun 11PM to 6PM
*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.*
