We are closing in on the 1 year anniversary of the infamous “Dodge Ram Incident”… and we are getting close to having the final piece of restoration work completed. In order to remove the remaining carpet, we have to dismantle the whisky wall and empty it of its contents.
As you might expect, this is going to be a lot of work, so it was decided to use this opportunity to get the ball rolling on some renovations to the shop. This will happen in stages over the next year or so, and we are starting by building a new Great Wall of Whisky on the East side of the shop. It will expand the section, and allow us to better display products.
This brings us to the first-ever Door Crasher Sale running February 10-12… Truth be told, this is actually our annual Year End Inventory Sale but pushed back by two weeks. The reasons for moving the sale were technical, but also gave us a fun rebranding opportunity!
In any case, the goal is to deplete inventory ahead of the moving of the whisky wall.
I’ve been playing around with OpenAI to create an image(s) to help promote and celebrate the occasion, with mixed but interesting results. No, KWM is not planning to release NFTs or playing cards with my likeness in various outfits and styles… at least not yet. Regardless, we have managed to create some fun graphics (mostly free of gibberish) that will be useful…”
There are plenty of new and returned items to fill you in on in this Malt Messenger, and you can order them without fear of them going on sale Friday, as they will not be included.
The most recent batch of GlenAllachie 10-Year Cask Strength, Batch 8, is arriving on Wednesday, and we will shortly be receiving a quartet of new whiskies from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, including a dynamite new 17-year-old sherried and peated Bunnahabhain. There are new and returned whiskies from Glencadam, Tomintoul, Macallan, and Edradour.
I’ve also taken over Evan’s SMWS Corner this month, with my thoughts on the February 2023 Outturn. It did not disappoint and includes one of my favourite SMWS bottlings in months, and it was a big surprise…
We also have a Random Ballot of assorted whiskies, some new, some not. All limited… why else would we put them in a ballot(?) and no, they are not on sale!
Finally, we have added a couple of new tastings to the schedule. There is a Glengoyne & Tamdhu Virtual tasting with Gordon Dundass on April 1, and an Agave Spirits Virtual Tasting on March 21. We have also added a second seating for the SMWS Canada March 2023 In-Person Outturn, at 8PM. We may have used OpenAI to generate some tasting images too…
Lots of other great tastings coming up, including this Saturday’s Spongerworthy Whiskies with the WhiskySponge himself, Angus MacRaild. We have old bottlings of Ardbeg, Glen Garioch, and Springbank, amongst other things…
As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Online ordering and in-store purchasing are always our preferences, but you can email too.
On behalf of my amazing team here at KWM, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
1. Save The Date – The Door Crasher Sale!
2. Introducing: GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 8
3. New from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
4. Coming Soon: The Glenfarclas 50 Year
5. New & Returned Whiskies from Glencadam & Tomintoul
6. SMWS Canada February 2023 Outturn
7. Edradours Back in Stock
8. The Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak is Back!
9. Random Clean Out My Cffice Ballot
10. New Tastings
11. Other Up Coming Tastings
Save the Date – The Door Crasher Sale
February 10-12 In-Store & Online
Our Year-End Inventory Sale was pushed back by 2 weeks this year, coincidentally coinciding with the 1st anniversary of the break-in, or as we’ve been calling it, the Dodge Ram Incident.
Most In-Stock Whisky & Spirits will be 10 – 40% off.
Introducing: GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 8
The sale pricing will likely go live online before midnight, Thursday, February 9. A Malt Messenger Bulletin, highlighting the best Wine & Whisky Deals first thing Friday morning.
The 8th release of the GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength is arriving on Wednesday. Matured primarily in Oloroso and PX Sherry, but also Virgin oak and ex-Rioja casks. It has been bottled at 57.2%.
It will not be included in this weekend’s sale…
GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 8 – 57.2% – Oloroso, PX, Rioja & Virgin Oak Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bursting with mocha, nutmeg and walnut oil, with notes of heather honey, sweet raisins and dried red berries. Taste: Lashings of cinnamon spice, molasses and honeycomb, followed by ginger and dark chocolate, with hints of nutmeg and fennel on the finish.” – $120 + gst
New from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
A presumably Caol Ila matured in Bordeaux and three far more interesting offerings…
1. Carn Mor Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques – 53.8% – Full Maturation in ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Barriques – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Summer berries with a herbal note and a hint of dry smoke. Taste: Juicy red fruits with cacao and a big waft of smoke.” – $
2. Celebration of the Cask Auchentoshan 1992 – 42.9% – 30 Year – Bourbon Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh oak with dried orange zest, crème brulee, treacle and toffee. Palate: dried spices and earthy aromas followed by sweet (crème brulee and toffee) which takes over again. Finish: warm and delicate.” – $530
3. Celebration of the Cask Bunnahabhain 2004 – 58.3% – 17 Year – Sherry Butt #3714 – My Tasting Note: Nose: dark chocolate, polished leather shoes, bacon dipped in maple syrup, and loads of dried fruits; Cuban cigars and old Armagnac; earthy with burnt orange and charred cedar; a whiff of smoke?! Palate: big, rich and spicy; more dark chocolate, polished leather, Cuban cigar tobacco and Armagnac; the spices build with fennel, clove and hot ginger; drying with more dark fruits and bacon dipped in maple syrup; becomes maritime, salty Dutch licorice and firm tarry smoke that keeps growing; diesel dust and wood ash. Finish: long, drying and spicy with more sherry and smoke; rich and warming. Comment: the nose was good, but it is on the palate and finish where this really shines; I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I do; mature, peated and sherried Bunnahabhain such as this is rare; this one is excellent!” – $390
4. Celebration of the Cask Glen Grant 1997 – 51.4% – 24 Year – Bourbon Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: tropical fruit, gingerbread and citrus with flowering heather and nutty aromas. Palate: tropical fruit and heather honey with nuts and ripe red fruit aromas. Finish: warming with ginger and sticky toffee pudding.” – $415
Coming Soon: The Glenfarclas 50 Year!
Bottled appropriately at 50%, only 836 bottles are being released with just 30 coming to Canada. Its age and bottling strength is no coincidence, the whisky has been bottled to celebrate Glenfarclas Chairman John Grant’s 50th Anniversary in the industry.
Producer Description: “We are thrilled to announce the release of a limited-edition 50-year-old Highland single malt Scotch whisky, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of family member and chairman, John Grant first starting in the industry. The exciting new launch comes mere days after being named ‘Scottish Distiller of the Year 2023’ at the Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Dinner. A stunning copper in colour, reminiscent of the magnificent stills at the distillery, Glenfarclas 50-Year-Old has been bottled at 50% ABV and tells the story of the distillery through its aroma and flavours. Selected for bottling by Distillery Manager, Callum Fraser, and Managing Director, Douglas Belford, the whisky demonstrates the skill of the distillery team 50 years ago, lead at the time by then Distillery Manager, Douglas MacDonald.”
Glenfarclas 50 Year – 50% – Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “The malt offers marzipan, almond and cedar wood on the nose, with a sweet and smoky hint giving way to stewed apples and dark chocolate. On the palate, the rich velvety dark chocolate notes lead to flavours of treacle toffee, mixed peel and a slightly smoky, sweet taste, surprisingly mellow for a single malt of this age. The flavours coat the mouth and provide a gentle, smooth finish which lingers for a long time. By adding water, the whisky evolves further, creating more of a lightly peated aroma on the nose and a sweeter, woodier taste on the palate.” – $15000.00 – 92pts Whiskybase
New & Returned Whiskies
from Glencadam & Tomintoul
Back after a considerable absence…
1. Glencadam 10 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Tangy and fresh with aromas of tropical fruits and citrus bound by a soft vanilla sweetness and baking spices. Palate: Bright and grassy with layers of pineapple, lemon curd and brioche with citrus zest highlights. Finish: Clean and crisp with notes of yellow fruits, vanilla pod and nutmeg spices.” – $105
2. Glencadam 15 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pronounced orchard fruits and vanilla pod mingled with aromas of citrus peels and toasted nuts. Palate: Sweet and creamy with layers of sugared almond and panna cotta followed with notes of dried apple, nutmeg and cocoa powder. Finish: Perfectly balanced with creamy rice pudding and gentle cinnamon spices lingering long on the tongue.” – $130
3. Tomintoul 14 Year – 46% – Cask Type – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet and inviting with aromas of sugar almond, icing sugar, orchard fruits and Creme Brulee with hints of lemon curd. Palate: Madagascan Vanilla Pod and toasted almonds mixed with Cinnamon Danish, oat biscuits and citrus oils. Finish: Warming and toasty with layers of roast hazelnuts, mocha and fresh grassy highlights.” – $105
4. Tomintoul 16 Year – 40% – ex-Bourbon Cask Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Creamy and sweet with aromas of heather honey, soft nougat, vanilla fudge and toasted brioche with lemon zest highlights.Palate: Nutty and well-rounded with layers of creme bruless and boiled sweets mingled with touches of mocha and amoretti biscuit. Finish: Mellow and warming with notes of shortbread, cinnamon icing and brittle toffee lingering on the tongue.” – $125
5. Tomintoul 21 Year – 40% – Cask Type – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Ripe and pronounced with aromas of soft nougat, ruby grapefruit, boiled sweets and dried cranberry lifted by a herbal freshness. Palate: A wash of baked apple, honeycomb, orange peels, danish pastries and Turkish delight bound in white pepper and oak spices. Finish: Fresh and tingly with notes of apple strudel, cedar spice and cinnamon lingering on the tongue.” – $300
6. Tomintoul 25 Year – 43% – ex-Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bold and rich with aromas of tracle toffees, oat biscuits and sultana highlighted with hints of muscovado sugar and toasted oak. Palate: Sweet and complex with layers of salted caramel, rolling tobacco, carmalised nuts and maple syrup bound with oaky spices and stone fruit highlights. Finish: Warming and long with notes of coffee cake, creme caramel and burnt sugar.” – $585
7. Tomintoul Cigar Malt – 43% – Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured & Finished – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bold and pronounced with aromas of dried fruits, sweet spices, pecan pie and subtle peat smoke. Palate: Sweet and rich with layers of chocolate raisins, butter toffees and brambles mingled with black pepper and smoky spices. Finish: warming and long with notes of mocha, maple syrup and toasted oak lingering on the tongue.” – $140
8. Tomintoul Searidh Oloroso Sherry Cask – 40% – Bourbon Cask Matured Oloroso Sherry Finished – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and inviting with aromas of sultana, butterscotch and candied pecans. Palate: Sweet and luscious with layers of dried figs and Christmas cake highlighted with touches of cedar spice. Finish: Warm, nutty and long with notes of chocolate covered raisins, dried fruits and hints of liquorice that fade into a woody linger.” – $80
The SMWS Canada February 2023 Outturn
Andrew Has Put Himself in the Corner This Month
I’m going to take a turn chiming in on the latest Scotch Malt Whisky Society Outturn, because it is fresh in my memory, and because why not… This was a stellar lineup, full of surprises. It featured the first Canadian single malt ever bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled at Shelter Point Distillery on Vancouver Island. Not surprisingly, it didn’t last, but it was far from the only curiosity this month.
The lineup also included the first Rye to come to Canada, bottled by the Society, and a mature “heresy bottling” of 18 year old undisclosed Speyside single malt finished in Australian Muscat Wine Casks. The latter, called Full Bloom, was hands down my favourite SMWS bottling so far this year…
1. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 48.138: Sweet memories on deserted beaches – 52.2% – 12 Year – Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead – Flavour Profile: Spicy & sweet – Bottle Note: “The cool sea breeze touching our warm cheeks as we enjoyed peppermint tea and saltwater taffy. Water added marshmallows and Dutch stroopwafels.” – More on the website! – $143.99
2. Scotch Malt Whisky Society Full Bloom – 50% – 18 Year – 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels finished in Ex-Muscat wine barriques – SMWS Tasting Panel’s Tasting Note: “A lovely initial aroma that evoked tobacco pouches and ester-rich exotic fruits. Melon, mango, lychee and floral rosewater. Also noted were roasted peaches, cinnamon buns, flower honey and burlap. Reduction brought more blossom, strawberry sherbet, tart fruits like gooseberry, dried heather and chopped walnuts. The mouth was initially fruit-forward with raspberry and strawberry bonbons, then apricot, honey granola and lemon balm. With water we found more heady vanilla, flapjack, old dessert wines, white chocolate and custard slices with strawberry drizzle.” – $225
3. Scotch Malt Whisky Society RW5.3: Exploring new frontiers – 55.5% – 5 Year – New American oak barrel – Bottle Note: “Sandalwood, orange oil and spicy Jamaican dark chocolate rum truffles with candied almonds. 95% rye and 5% malted barley.” – $140
4. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 152.1 – 64.5% – 9 Year – 1st Fill ex-Bourbon – Flavour Profile: Young & spritely – Bottle Note: “Attractively sweet (caramel log, toffee, Lebkuchen, marzipan); but zingy and vibrant at the same time (citrus, white pepper, wasabi, pine).” – SOLD OUT
5. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 64.127: Going luxe – 58.4% – 12 Year – ex-Bourbon hogshead finished in a custom hogshead – Flavour Profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow – Bottle Note: “Sweet Virginia tobacco, frankincense and a chocolate and raspberry crème brûlée followed by churros dipped in hot chocolate and café con miel.” – $158
6. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 16.64: Tannic, shamanic, oceanic – 65.7% – 8 Year – Flavour profile: Peated – Bottle Note: “Sauna wood and burnt twigs, bonfire of driftwood and peat (tatties roasted in the embers), burnt sage leaves; caramel popcorn and neoprene.” – $145
7. Scotch Malt Whisky Society Throw the cork away! – 58.4% – 8 Year – Small Batch matured in ex-bourbon hogsheads and 1st fill Oloroso hogsheads – Flavour profile: Peated – SMWS Tasting Panel’s tasting note: “We imagined cooking sesame peanut noodles with umami paste on an old steam tugboat with boiler smoke, engine oils, tar and mechanical rags next to aromas of camphor and creosote. On the palate smoke galore – imagine a peat smoked green olive tapenade made with olives, anchovies, garlic, parsley, olive oil, capers and lemon zest – add some Maggi liquid seasoning and wasabi – you get the picture! Following reduction, the scent was that of dry cured streaky bacon, apples baked with raisins and cinnamon as we made ourselves a Pu-erh tea. The taste now salty, sweet and smoky as well as oily, thick and tarry – terrific! This batch was matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and American oak Oloroso hogsheads. Bottled for the Islay Whisky Festival 2022.” – SOLD OUT
Edradours Back In-Stock!
Three returns from what was once Scotland’s smallest active distillery!
1. Edradour 10 Year – 40% – The sherry matured quotient for this whisky seems to keep rising! – Evan’s Tasting Note (from prior batch): “Nose: Interesting. Quite a bit of sherry cask influence it seems. Dried fruits, a dash of spice, rum raisin pie, hot cross buns, and a touch of anise liqueur (Ouzo or Pernod? You make the call). Palate: I would love to see this same bottled at 46%, but for now, I am happy to take what I can get. Hot chocolate, cinnamon buns with raisins, caramelized brown sugar, peaches and cream, and the touch of anise again. Finish: Rich and full, but not over the top on the finish. Warming for sure, and pleasant. Nutty with some black licorice and fruit on the fade. Comment: I would love to see this same bottled at 46%, but this is a very approachable introduction to the distillery. Fairly rich and mouth-filling considering it is bottled at the bare minimum 40% ABV. Not too surprising though – Edradour might not be the first name that comes to mind when it comes to big, sherried whisky but they are certainly capable of it.” – $96
2. Edradour 12 Year Caledonia – 46% – Caledonia, in addition to be an archaic name for Scotland, is also the name of a popular folk song published by Dougie MacLean in 1979. Originally selected as a single cask by Dougie MacLean to celebrate Homecoming Scotland in 2009, the whisky has been adopted as a permanent addition to the Edraour line. The whisky has been matured at least four years in Oloroso sherry and is very chewy and fruity. – $120
3. Signatory Edradour 10 Year Sherry – 46% – Sherry Butt Cask #284 – Distilled June 2012 – Bottled November 2022 – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: black licorice pipes, Black Forrest cake, stewed prunes, and teriyaki beef jerky; maple syrup on blueberry-heavy pancakes with a side of cheqy bacon. Palate: big, round, rich and very sherried; loaded with raisins, dates, figs and stewed prunes; more blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and Black Forrest cake; leather, tobacco and spices with time; more licorice, but of the salty Dutch sort. Finish: Long, warming and spicy with loads of dark fruit, chocolate, leather, and tobacco. Comments: new-school and a tad dumpy, but otherwise flawless sherry; if you are after a well priced sherry bomb, this is your dram!” – $120
Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak Is Back!
It is back… again… at least it didn’t take a discount this time!
Macallan 12 Year Shery Oak – 43% – Sherry Seasoned European Oak – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: nutty with Werther’s Originals, charred oak, and fresh-cut cedar; dark chocolate and espresso beans; fig jam and maple syrup; soft new leather gloves and fruity cigar tobacco; candied nuts: peanuts, cashews, and walnuts. Palate: big, rich, and nutty with dark fruits, leather, and tobacco; moving towards Christmas cake with more Werther’s Original; licorice Jujubes, fig jam, and quince paste; more candied nuts, leather, and tobacco; toasted oak and burnt cedar; delicate, but decadent spice. Finish: long, soft, and elegant; fruity, nutty, and spicy with loads of toasted oak. Comment: I’m surprised and impressed by how decent this is; it is a tad pricey, but it is just a 12 year old, and it has good complexity at that; I have to admit it has more than surpassed my expectations; well done Macallan, you’ve got my attention!” – $160+gst
Random Clean Out My Office Ballot
There are not many of any of these, and for some, there is less than a handful… Most aren’t really cluttering my office, but a few are… No time for photos!
1. Ardbeg 19 Year Traigh Bhan Batch 4 – 46.2% – Producer Description:“Matured in a slightly higher proportion of Oloroso Sherry casks, this sublime 19-year-old whisky is the epitome of an aged Ardbeg. Part of a highly sought-after and collectable Ardbeg series, Batch 4 is the latest expression. This sublime Traigh Bhan, like the bottles before it, inspired by Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach (pronounced tri-van).” – $415+gst
2. Ardbeg Ardcore Committee – 50.1% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage. Taste: A jaw-dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, punkturing taste buds. Finish: In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.”- $195+gst – YOU MUST BE AND ARDBEG COMMITTEE MEMBER!
3. Bowmore Aston Martin Edition #2 22 Year – 51.5% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Beginning with sweet and fruity notes of heather honey, vanilla with subtle cherries. Palate: Rich, sweet, and malty spicy notes of vanilla fudge. Finish: sweet and woody with notes of liquorice sticks deliver a spicy feel.” –$785+gst
4. Kilkerran 16 Year – 46% – 70% Bourbon & 30% Sherry Casks – $130+gst
5. Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 – 52.2% – Producer Description: “Matured in our iconic warehouse a skipping-stone’s throw from the Islay coast. For flavours of peat, smoke and sea salt that soar with bitter maritime character. Our Càirdeas expression for 2022 reflects how Friends bring out more in each other. This limited-edition single malt, aged in first-fill ex-Maker’s Mark bourbon barrels, dials up our quintessential Laphroaig taste. Classic flavours are elevated by a coastal character that can only come from sea spray and storms. It’s a match made in Islay. Warehouse 1’s rare four-storey construction, with varying levels of temperature and humidity, and exposure to rugged conditions tease out our enigmatic flavours and lend a maritime quality to the final whisky. Bottled at a fixed strength of 52.2% for a memorable experience to share with your Friends.” – $152
6. Macallan Classic Cut 2022 – 52.5% – Producer Description: “Matured in a unique combination of casks with two distinctive wood types, this special single malt exudes flavours of both European and American oak, married together to create a unique tasting experience. With a distinct grapefruit flavour, this whisky emphasises a wide range and complexity of flavours. The two wood types complement and balance together beautifully and offer an experiential journey through flavour, aroma, colour and texture.” – $170
Enter the Ballots Here!
New Tastings Both In Person & Virtual
· Date: Thursday, March 2nd
· Time: 8 PM
· Cost: $60
· IN-STORE TASTING
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s March 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 18 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.
Thursday, March 2 @ 8 PM.
· Date: Saturday, April 1st
· Time: 5 PM
· Cost: $40
· VIRTUAL TASTING
To launch the new Glengoyne 15 and Tamdhu 18, our friend Gordon Dundas has agreed to join us live from Scotland, for a virtual tasting of 8 whiskies from the Glengoyne and Tamdhu Distilleries. You will sample your way through Glengoyne Cask Strength, Legacy 3, 15, and 18 Year, as well as Tamdhu Batch Strength, 12, 15 and 18 Year.
Saturday, April 1, 5 PM
Other Upcoming Tastings
· Date: Saturday, February 11th
· Time: 4PM
· Cost: $150
· VIRTUAL TASTING
· Samples ready for pick-up!
· 9 Spots Left!
Angus MacRaild, aka The Whisky Sponge, has made quite a name for himself over the last decade in the Scotch industry. We have been enjoying his satirical blog, The Whisky Sponge, and its sardonic humour for years. He is also a contributor to Whisky Fun, a website we reference frequently for reviews and tasting notes. In recent years he has started selecting and bottling his own casks under the Sponge and Equinox & Solstice labels. Angus will join us live from the UK for a banging range of Whisky Sponge bottlings: Edradour 2005 Equilibrium 2, Glen Garioch 1991 Ed. 65A, Glenlivet 2007 Ed 57, Highland Malt 1993 No. 59B, Islay Malt 1990 Part 1, Orkney Malt 2005 Ed. 002, and Springbank 1995 Ed. 60B. All in all, we have a range of Spongeworthy whiskies worth more than $5K to sample our way through!
Saturday, February 11 @ 4PM.
Thursday, February 16th @ 7 PM
· Date: Thursday, Ferbruary 17th
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $65
· IN-STORE TASTING
A sumptuous whisky and chocolate tasting for lovers of both, or people who just love whisky or chocolate! Singles, couples and more complicated or unconventional groupings are all welcome.
Friday, February 17 @ 7 PM
· Date: Tuesday, February 21st
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $45
· VIRTUAL TASTING
· Samples ready for pick-up!
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, including the limited edition Aromatic Yeast releases, and three other Japanese, and Japanese-ish whiskies!
Tuesday, February 21 @ 7 PM.
· Date: Thursday, February 23rd
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $50
· VIRTUAL TASTING
· Samples ready for pick-up!
For the longest time, from the 1990s through the first 5 years of the new Millenium, the Lowlands only had three active distilleries: Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie, and Bladnoch. And the Bladnoch Distillery was barely in production for most of that time. It was only in 2015 under new ownership that full time production was resumed, and it would be another 3-4 years until the first bottlings found their way to Canada. A few short years later we find ourselves with a shelf full of Bladnoch single malts, so we’re going to do a range tasting with 7 of them.
Thursday, February 23 @ 7PM.
· Date: Saturday, February 25th
· Time: 5 PM
· Cost: $125
· Samples ready for pick-up!
· 9 Spots Left!
Our friend Boutique-y Dave, aka Dave Worthington, will be joining us from jolly old England to guide us through a tasting of some of the 10th Anniversary releases from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. We have a 31 year old Aberlour, a 45 Year Blended Grain and 25 year old Ben Nevis, Clynelish and Millstone to name just 3 of the whiskies. Andrew and Shawn had the opportunity to sample these whiskies in the fall in London, and they are all excellent… This is a tasting you won’t want to miss, and because the bottles are 500ml, there are olnly 28 spots available!
Saturday, February 25 @ 5PM
· Date: Tuesday, February 28th
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $225
· VIRTUAL TASTING
· Samples ready for pick-up!
We did an epic range of 30-year-old whiskies and whiskies from the 1992 vintage (the year we opened) to celebrate our 30th Anniversary back in May of 2022 (on the 30th of the month if we are being precise). And we’ve had it in the back of our mind to do another such tasting before our 30th Anniversary year was up, but alas there are only 28 days in February. Andrew has been tucking aside 1992 vintage and 30 year old bottles for the occasion for months, but the paucity of both 30 year old and 1992 vintage whiskies was making it hard to flush out the range…so we’ve gotten creative. Our range consists of Bowmore 30 Year 2021 Edition (we sampled the 2020 in May), Glengoyne 30 Year, Springbank 30 Year, our Glenfarclas 1992 KWM 30th Anniversary bottling, and the two 30th Anniversary Cognacs bottled for our store by Chateau Montifaud and Vallein Tercinier. For our 7th bottle we have selected a 1991 vintage Tormore 29 Year from Gordon & MacPhail. True it isn’t from 1992, or 30 years of age, but we are determined to see this tasting go ahead, and it does look very enticing…
Tuesday, February 28 @ 7 PM
· Date: Wednesday, March 1st
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $55
· VIRTUAL TASTING
Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, or work… for the April 2023 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 new, never-before-sampled SMWS bottlings.
Wednesday, March 1 @ 7 PM
· Date: Friday, March 10
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $50
· IN-STORE TASTING
Evan, KWM’s foremost Bourbon Fanboy will be your guide as you taste your way through a range of 7 whiskies from south of the 49th parallel. 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 7 whiskies sampled with nibbles from our neighbour Peasant Cheese.
Friday, March 10 @ 7PM
· Date: Friday, March 17
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $50
· IN-STORE TASTING
An Irish Whiskey tasting on a Friday which just happens to be St. Patrick’s Day… this could be dangerous! The last few years have seen a resurgence of interest in Irish whiskey. 7-8 years ago there were just 4 distilleries in the whole of Ireland, today there are at least 20 with plans for many more! We’ll have a look at Irish whiskey’s past, present and future while sampling some of the finest whiskies from the Emerald Isle. And we’ll, of course, raise a glass to Saint Paddy!
Friday, March 17 @ 7PM
· Date: Tuesday, March 28
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $50
· VIRTUAL TASTING
Evan loves his Bourbon, and everyone enjoys blind tastings, so we are once again fusing these concepts together. This time around we will be including 8 different samples of American Bourbon and Rye to taste through and talk about. We can’t tell you what’s in the lineup, because it’s a blind tasting… but even if we wanted to offer a few teasers, we can’t… Evan still has to pull his lineup together. In any case you can be assured it will be a good one!
Tuesday, March 28 @ 7PM
· Date: Thursday, March 30
· Time: 7-9 PM
· Cost: $60
· IN-STORE FESTIVAL
Sure, we could wait until May, and celebrate our Islay Festival at the same time as the Feis… but who wants to wait another two months?! We’ll be cracking as many Islay malts as we can, as well as some Islayternatives (trademark the Scotch Guy!) all in the name of peat and Scottish West Coast culture. The price includes a KWM logo glass, a chance to sample from 100 odd whiskies and some delicious bites from our neighbour Peasant Cheese!
Thursday, March 30 @ 7PM
· Date: Wednesday, April 5th
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $55
· VIRTUAL TASTING
Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, or work… for the April 2023 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 new, never-before-sampled SMWS bottlings.
Wednesday, April 5 @ 7 PM
· Date: Thursday April 6
· Time: 6 PM
· Cost: $60
· IN-STORE TASTING
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s March 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 18 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.
Thursday, April 6 @ 6 PM.
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.
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403-283-8000
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Regular Store Hours
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Thurs & Fri 10 AM – 9 PM
Sat 10 AM – 8 PM
Sun 11 AM to 6 PM
