It seems like ages ago, we announced the imminent arrival of the Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year, at 80 years of age, the world’s oldest whisky. It was 6 months ago to be precise, in October of 2021. We had originally planned to launch it in late Fall 2021 or early in 2022. But as with many things, the pandemic got in the way.

In the interim, Macallan has launched an 81-year-old to claim the record for oldest whisky. The whisky, it should be noted was all but certainly sourced from Gordon & MacPhail. Even though the Glenlivet 80 Year only held the title for the oldest whisky ever bottled for just a year and a half, it is still in rare company, and will forever hold the title of the world’s first 80 year old whisky.

Richard Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail Head of Sales (Americas), and the 4th generation of his family to own and operate the company will be joining us today to launch the Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year in-store. We invite you to drop in between 4 and 6PM to meet Richard, view the bottle (possibly your only chance), and sample a couple of Gordon & MacPhail whiskies… not the 80 year though!

A little over a decade ago, Kensington Wine Market was selected by Gordon & MacPhail to launch the Generations Glenlivet 70 Year. A sister cask to the 80 Year, and also at the time of its bottling, the oldest whisky ever bottled. I thankfully kept a tiny sample of the Glenlivet 70 Year from a press kit for a special occasion, and as such, was able to sample the two whiskies side by side. The video of the tasting is on our KWM YouTube page!

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…).

Wishing you all a Happy Easter & Passover from your friends at Kensington Wine Market.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In This Edition

1. Free Drop-in Tasting Today – 4-6PM

2. The Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year

3. Upcoming Tastings

4. On Sale

FREE DROP IN TASTING 4-6PM TODAY

MEET RICHARD URQUHART OF GORDON MACPHAIL

Drop-in today between 4 and 6 PM today to meet Richard Urquhart and sample a few Gordon & MacPhail whiskies.

About Richard Urquhart

Richard Urquhart is a member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail. Established in 1895 and based in Elgin in the north of Scotland the company is famous for selecting, maturing and bottling some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies.

Richard joined Gordon & MacPhail in 2009 after working in Information Technology for six years. His career at Gordon & MacPhail started by spending two years working through all of the departments within the business. Since then, Richard has worked in UK Sales and Marketing before moving to the International Sales team in November 2013, a department that exports the company’s whiskies to over 50 international markets. Richard is a Keeper of the Quaich, a prestigious society whose purpose is to recognize those that have made an exceptional contribution to the Scotch Whisky Industry in 2015.

THE GORDON & MACPHAIL

GENERATIONS GLENLIVET 80 YEAR

THE WORLD’S FIRST 80 YEAR OLD WHISKY

As if they needed yet more proof of being one of the world’s most forward-looking whisky firms, Gordon & Macphail has gone and done it again, launching once again, the world’s oldest whisky… the Gordon Macphail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year is coming to Canada, exclusively in Alberta to KWM. 250 decanters have been released globally with just 4 of them slated to come to Canada.

Producer Description: “On 3rd February 1940 in a quiet corner in the north of Scotland, George Urquhart and his father, John, had the extraordinary foresight and vision to lay down spirit from Glenlivet Distillery in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed by future generations.

“On 5th February 2020, leaning on the unique skill and experience acquired by over more than 125 years, the decision was taken to finally bottle the cask’s precious out-turn of 250 decanters.”

The Generations Glenlivet 80 Year is bottled in a decanter and packaging, designed by internationally acclaimed architect and designer, Sir David Adjaye OBE.

Producer Description: “On 3rd February 1940 in a quiet corner in the north of Scotland, George Urquhart and his father, John, had the extraordinary foresight and vision to lay down spirit from Glenlivet Distillery in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed by future generations.

“On 5th February 2020, leaning on the unique skill and experience acquired by over more than 125 years, the decision was taken to finally bottle the cask’s precious out-turn of 250 decanters.”

The Generations Glenlivet 80 Year is bottled in a decanter and packaging, designed by internationally acclaimed architect and designer, Sir David Adjaye OBE.

“When collaborating, I am looking for like-minded partners in terms of their craft, beliefs and traditions. I loved Gordon & MacPhail’s rigour and obsession with their products and their craft – a romantic commitment that enables one to do exceptional things. Our partnership felt so organic.”

– SIR DAVID ADJAYE, OBE

Only 4 bottles are coming to Canada, 2 of them to Kensington Wine Market!

G&M Generations Glenlivet 80 Year – 44.9% – First fill Sherry Butt Cask #380 – Distilled: 3 February 1940 – Bottled: 5 February 2020 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: deep, antique-y (as you’d expect), old school sherry tones; creme caramel, creme brule and toasted coconut; soft elegant leather, damp cigar tobacco, and high cocoa content dark chocolate; Australian licorice and Christmas cake; ripe mango, papaya and grilled pineapple; candied orange peel and dried apricot; you can tell its old, but also far from over the hill. Palate: round, rich, decadent, and distinguished; still antique-y, this is a fine example of old school sherry matured whiskies, but also far from over the hill, with none of the telltale signs of over oaked spirit; juicy tropical fruits, more mango, papaya, melon, and grilled pineapple; some kiwi fruits, fig and apricot jams too; Manuka honey, treacle toffee, dark chocolate, and Christmas cake; old Armagnac, polished old leather sofas, and Cuban cigars; some faintly musty-earthy dunnage notes slide in with delicate spices. Finish: warm, coating and elegant with soft smooth sherry tones, dark chocolate, subtle spices and tropical fruits. Comment: what is most remarkable about this beautiful whisky, is how well it has aged; it is more sherried than the Generations Glenlivet 70 Year, but as with its sister cask bottling still vibrant and far from over the hill; it is an absolute treat and a real privilege to have had the opportunity to sample this whisky; well done Gordon & Macphail!” – $140,000.00 – 93pts Angus @WhiskyFun.org

UpComing Tastings – Including a Festival…

Our First In-Person Event in 2+ Years

We launched our first in-person events for more than 2 years a couple of weeks back, Whisky Festivals to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. We are working on our lineups for these tastings, but as a teaser, I can tell you there will be bottles open for tasting and purchase at both events, which will not otherwise be available for sale… in case you needed another reason to join us!

SMWS CANADA MAY 2022 VIRTUAL OUTTURN TASTING

·     Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready now!

·     Only 13 spots left! 

Join the KWM Whisky Team for the May 2022 SMWS Canada Outturn tasting. Follow along as Evan and Andrew taste and talk about the whiskies, possibly wandering on to tangentially related things. This tasting is open to both members and the curious. Wednesday May 4, 7PM.

 

30TH ANNIVERSARY WHISKY FESTIVAL NIGHT 1

·     Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $80

·     Pick-Up Date: No pickups… it is in person!

Our Fall and Spring Single Malt Festivals pre-Covid were, to say the least, a hot ticket. Often they would sell out so quickly that we felt compelled to offer a second night. And given that Covid isn’t completely behind us yet, it doesn’t feel right cramming 100 of our whisky friends into the shop just yet. Accordingly, we are offering two more or less identical 30th Anniversary Whisky Festivals, one week apart, for a smaller crowd than usual, to give as many of our whisky friends as possible a chance to attend. As always, our neighbour Peasant Cheese will be lining your stomachs with delicious cheese, charcuterie, sausage rolls, and other treats! Both Festivals are limited to 70 participants and we are asking people to only register for one date or the other, and not both, out of respect for other customers. Thursday, May 19, 7 PM – 9 PM.

ARCHIVES WHISKIES WITH THE WHISKYBASE GUYS

·     Date: Friday May 20

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $75

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready now!

We recently received a very cool range of whiskies from our friends at Whiskybase, who are best known for their “Fishes of Samoa” series of Archives bottlings. We’ll be joined in the tasting by CJ and Abby of the Whiskybase team as well as their Canadian importer Igor Kossov. Our range will include: Balcones 2017, Benrinnes 1997, Burnside 1996, Glentauchers 1989, Glentauchers 1996, Irish 1990 and Secret Speyside 1998. Note: the photo was taken before we tweaked the range to add the Irish single malt. This is a truly awesome range, and you don’t want to miss it! Friday, May 20, 5 PM. *Please Note the 5 PM start time!*

30TH ANNIVERSARY WHISKY FESTIVAL NIGHT 2

·     Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $80

·     Pick-Up Date: No pickups… it is in person!

·     Only 18 spots left!

Our Fall and Spring Single Malt Festivals pre-Covid were, to say the least, a hot ticket. Often they would sell out so quickly that we felt compelled to offer a second night. And given that Covid isn’t completely behind us yet, it doesn’t feel right cramming 100 of our whisky friends into the shop just yet. Accordingly, we are offering two more or less identical 30th Anniversary Whisky Festivals, one week apart, for a smaller crowd than usual, to give as many of our whisky friends as possible a chance to attend. As always, our neighbour Peasant Cheese will be lining your stomachs with delicious cheese, charcuterie, sausage rolls, and other treats! Both Festivals are limited to 70 participants and we are asking people to only register for one date or the other, and not both, out of respect for other customers. Thursday, May 26, 7 PM – 9 PM.

The 30 for 30 on 30 – 30th Anniversary Whisky Tasting!

·     Date: Monday, May 30, 2022

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $215

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready now!

We wanted to do an epic range of 30-year-old whiskies, and whiskies from 1992, the year we opened to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. We also liked the idea of hosting the tasting on the 30th… just for effect. Our range includes a few bottles we held back just for a special tasting. Our full range is: Archives Secret Speyside 1990, Bowmore 30 Year, GlenAllachie 30 Year, Glenfarclas 30 Year, Peat’s Beast 30 Year, Signatory Jura 1992, Whisky Fassle Aberlour 1990 30 Year and Whisky Fassle Glen Keith 1992. The tasting also includes a special KWM 30th Anniversary Logo glass… provided they arrive in time! Monday, May 30, 7 PM

ON SALE!

Deals, deals, deals! Especially on Waterford, and more than what I have highlighted below too. You can browse the full sale list online!

1. Smokehead Rum Rebel Islay Single Malt – 46% – This undisclosed Islay Single Malt is rumoured to come from Ardbeg and has been finished in rum casks. – Was $92 – Save 20% – Now $72.79

2. Smokehead Sherry Bomb Islay Single Malt – This undisclosed Islay Single Malt is rumoured to come from Ardbeg and has been finished in sherry casks. – Was $115 – Save 20% – Now $91.99

3. Lismore The Legend 21 Year – 43% – Undisclosed Speyside single malt from the owners of Glenfarclas, with a soft sherried character. – Was $165 – Save 20% – Now $131.99

4. Jura Seven Wood – 42% – Not content with double wood or triple wood, Jura has gone right to SEVEN WOOD with this bottling. – Was $121.99 – Save 35% – Now $79.29

5. Cragganmore Distillers Edition – 40% (boo) Diageo is still playing catch up, so this is still on sale. – Was $107.99 – Save 25% – Now $80.99

6. Cragganmore Flavour Led – 55.7% – Old NAS Cragganmore with good reviews that is a lot more palatable on sale than at full price! – Was $1199.99 – Save 30% – Now $839.99

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.

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

*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.*