Kensington Wine Market’s E-Whisky Newsletter

I hope this finds you well, and enjoying the first few days of fall!

As I teased last week, we have three new KWM-exclusive single casks launching today from Arran, Amrut, and Kavalan Distilleries.

Let’s start with the Arran 2013 KWM Sherry Cask 930, which is our 14th KWM exclusive single cask from the distillery. The only other distillery we’ve bottled nearly as many casks from is Kilchoman, and we have another of those coming in late October, or early November! This 9-year-old Arran is a bold but balanced sherried malt, and emblematic of what we love so much about the distillery.

The Amrut 9 Year KWM Port Pipe Cask 4660 is our 3rd store-exclusive cask of Amrut. When we selected it with Ashok Chokalingam last fall, it was to the best of our knowledge the 145th KWM exclusive single cask bottling… Ashok was so impressed that we had bottled 145 casks in less than 16 years, that he wanted to note that it was our 145th cask on the label. The whisky is lovely, but I want you to reflect on the age of the whisky for a second… it is 9 years old… very few Amruts ever reach this age!

The third cask is our first-ever Kavalan pick, the Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry KWM Cask. We’ve been fans of Kavalan ever since we help launch the brand in Canada nearly a decade ago. We are thrilled to get this bottling, not just because it is excellent, but because the Solist Sherry has only been intermittently available in recent years. Just a touch over 200 total bottles!

Also in this edition, the Compass Box Peat Monster Cask Strength, Diageo 2023 Special Releases, a Wee Ballot and more!

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. You can email your requests in… but they won’t be dealt with as quickly as the web orders.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In This Edition

1. Introducing: the Arran 2013 KWM Sherry

2. Introducing: the Amrut 2013 KWM Port Pipe

3. Introducing: the Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry KWM Cask

4. Coming Soon: Compass Box Peat Monter Cask Strength Origin Story

5. Diageo Special Releases 2023 – We’re finally worthy!?

6. A Wee Ballot of Stuff

7. KWM 2023 Whisky Calendars Update

8. On Sale!

9. Upcoming Tastings

Introducing:

the Arran 2013 KWM Sherry Cask 930

Introducing: the Amrut 2013g

Our 3rd KWM exclusive cask of Amrut was selected last fall when our friend Ashok paid us a visit to the store. Distilled in August of 2013, the whisky matured 9 years in an ex-Port Pipe No. 4660, before bottling in December of 2022, after 9 years at 60%.

When Ashok was going through the samples with us, he was astounded to learn that his Amrut would be our 145th KWM exclusive cask bottling… so he put that little tidbit on the label. Shipments from India don’t happen overnight however, and in the 10 months since the cask was bottled, we’ve launched more than 10 other exclusive bottlings… But 10 months is an improvement, the last Amrut KWM cask took nearly a year and a half to reach us after selection.

It is worth noting, that at 9 years of age, this is a very mature bottling of Amrut. It is also almost certainly the first KWM-exclusive cask bottling from an ex-Port cask.

One final curiosity is the bottling strength of 60%. This is not cask strength, Amrut waters its bottlings down to 60%, if they are above, to save an enormous amount of Indian excise taxes…

Amrut 2013 9 Year KWM Port Pipe 4660 – 60% – ex-Port Pipe – My Tasting Note: “Nose: deep, jammy, and rich, with loads of chocolate and dunnage notes; soft leather and juicy tobacco; chocolate truffles, dark milk chocolate, acai berries dipped in chocolate, and chocolate fudge brownies; Fruit Source bars, stewed prunes, figs in honey, and blueberry compote; musty old oak and dunnage warehouse notes. Palate: rich, jammy, and chocolatey… so chocolatey… more acai berries dipped in chocolate, goats milk dark chocolate, fudge brownies, and cocoa nibs; soft new leather, sweet cigar tobacco, and more musty old oak; loads of dried and dark fruits: raisins, dates, and prunes; building warm spices poke out from underneath all that chocolate along with oranges and melons; and with patience it even starts going tropical! Finish: long, warming, and spicy, with oh so much chocolate… as well as a little leather and tobacco. Comment: add this to the list of things I said would never happen… we’ll never bottle a port cask matured whisky… well Ashok pulled another rabbit out of the hat for us… so much chocolate… a modicum of spices, dark fruits, leather and tobacco… and a little bit of tropical fruits to boot!” – $215+gst

Introducing:

the Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry KWM Cask

Our first-ever store-exclusive cask of Kavalan is a Solist Oloroso Sherry cask, S1705181510, to be specific. We haven’t seen much of this expression in the market in recent years, so we asked if they’d consider sending us a few samples so we could bottle our own cask. They did, and one of them stood head and shoulders above the other.

Hot climate maturation supercharges maturation, and also the angels share. So there are only 205 total bottles. Get ’em while they’re hot!

Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry KWM Cask – 52.4% – Oloroso Sherry Cask S1705181510 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: fruity, earthy, and nutty; fresh-picked raspberries, strawberries and blackberries; Marocan marmalade, canteloupe, and guava; polished oak church pews with plush leather knee cushions; cinnamon sticks, ginger root, and licorice sticks; no heat or rough edges. Palate: gorgeous delivery; fruity, spicy, and toasty; the woody spices and fruits are battling it out for supremacy while the leather, chocolateand tobacco watch from the sidelines; fennel seed, nutmeg, and clove add to the ginger, cinnamon, and licorice found on the nose; more freshly picked berry fruits, but also a dollop of jam too; marmalade and chocolate orange; more soft leather and polished out with some firm Dominican cigar tobacco. Finish: spicy, fruity, and toasty with a warming coating mouthfeel; more berry fruits, wood spices, and big sherry tones. Comment: it feels tightly wound, and ready to explode at any moment, which is saying something as it is already rather complex; but no time for that today; it is every bit as good as the sample we tried, and then some; I’d love to see how this stacks up to a twentysomething Speymalt Macallan… blind tasting coming?” – $260+gst

Coming Soon: Compass Box

Peat Monster Cask Strength Origin Story

Sadly 9000ish bottles don’t go very far when you have a global brand like Compass Box… so the Peat Monster Cask Strength is limited to 1 per person!

“To mark its 20th birthday, and to celebrate America’s influence on Scotch whisky more broadly, we have brought The Peat Monster back to where it all began. We originally created a peaty whisky called Monster for the Goldstein family at Park Avenue Liquor Shop in New York City, in 2003. It turned out to be so popular that we created a new batch, renamed it The Peat Monster and it joined our core range. The Peat Monster – like most Scotch whiskies – owes its maturation vessels to the US whisk(e)y industry and its practice of using casks only once.”

Peat Monster Cask Strength Origin Story – 56.7% – Producer Description: “To highlight the art of American coopering even further, we have finished part of the whisky used for this special Limited Edition in seasoned virgin American oak barrels, made for us in Missouri. You will notice an increased presence of vanilla and cinnamon notes compared to The Peat Monster you may be familiar with.” – Producer Tasting Note: “On the nose; sooty barbecue smoke, green apple and powerfully aromatic citrus oils, all underpinned by warming cinnamon. On the palate; tarry, smoked almond, with the seasoned virgin oak delivering added richness and vanilla notes alongside seaweed, cayenne pepper and saltiness.” – $174.99 – Limit 1Per Customer!

Diageo Special Releases 2023

We’re finally worthy!?

Finally, after years of being snubbed, or more likely just repeatedly overlooked by a clueless giant corporation that has difficulty viewing those that toil in its own shadow…, the Whisky God or Gods (if there are any) have finally seen to bestow upon us a taste of the Diageo Special Releases.

There was a time, 12+ years ago, when KWM was one of the few stores in the country that could actually sell such rare treasures, but time marches on just like that bloke named Johnnie with the giant stride.

A touch of sarcasm, in place of unconditional gratitude, might be courting hubris and it is certainly a classic case of looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth… but I am who I am, and KWM has a brand to uphold… nihil sacrum!

Only 6-12 bottles of each, and we have no plans to steamroll any of them. First come, first serve!

About the Diageo Special Releases 2023

“The eight (we were only offered 7 of them) distillery first expressions have been expertly crafted by Malt Master Dr. Stuart Morrison in an unexpected collision of craft and culture. To bring the Special Releases to life, eight artists from across the world were chosen to illustrate the stunning packaging design, as well as inspire the liquid selection and cask finishing.”

1. Clynelish 10 Year – The Jazz Crescendo – 57.5% – Matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon American Oak casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “A richly composed, subtle example of Clynelish, elegantly imbued with rich caramel sweetness and vanilla spice while retaining excellent distillery character. Very pleasant to drink, it brings to mind a summer moorland.” – $255+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

2. Glenkinchie 27 Year – The Floral Treasure – 58.3% – Matured in refill American & European Oak barrels and butts – Producer Tasting Note: ” One of the oldest Glenkinchie releases ever bottled, with clear features remarkably little marked by age, wears a coat of rich spiciness while its grassy heart still beats within.” – $475+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

3. Lagavulin 12 Year – The Ink of Legends – 56.4% – Finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks – Producer Tasting Note: “To a Lagavulin at its most vigorous, delicious to drink and full of distillery character, the tequila finishing casks have brought indelible layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit.” – $215+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

4. Mortlach – The Katana’s Edge – 58% – Finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese Whisky and ex-Pinot Noir Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Vigorous, vibrant and vital, the subtle influence of the finely balanced finishing casks helps show a side of Mortlach never before encountered that is deeply fruity and richly rewarding.” – $450+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

5. Roseisle 12 Year – The Origami Kite – 56.5% – First-fill ex-bourbon and refill casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “A fine baptism for a smoothly assured new malt that, in the style of this first-ever release, as in location, cleverly inhabits a country between the rich grassy, fruity bounty of central Speyside and the nutty- spicy notes of the highlands.” – $195+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

6. The Singleton of Glendullan 14 Year – The Silken Gown – 55% – Finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks – Producer Tasting Note: “A Singleton of perfect poise and balance that is quite delicious and easy to enjoy. The finishing casks have brought a lovely smooth summery brilliance to a balanced dram.” – $185+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

7. Talisker – The Wild Explorer – 59.7% – Finished in Ruby, White, and Tawny Port Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “A full-on Talisker with rich, robust flavours that has gained rounded, fruity notes from subtle finishing, which embrace but do not tame the classic Talisker character.” – $190+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer

A Wee Ballot of Stuff

Owing to an incident we can’t speak of, there is only a tiny amount of Compass Box Delos available in Alberta, so we have lumped it into a ballot to give everyone a chance at a bottle. Rounding out this small selection is a new Speymalt Macallan from G&M, and the Michter’s 10 Year Rye. As with previous releases, we don’t have any specifics on the Macallan, other than it will be sherried… and delicious!

Before Entering the Ballot Please Read The Following

1. Note we have just 3-6 bottles of two of these, and not that many more of the other, so kindly set your expectations accordingly.

2. Don’t ask me for your favourites, or to enter you in the ballot, you can do that yourself… I will delete the email without replying… I get too many emails most days as it is!

3. The deadline to enter the ballot is 8AM MT, Monday, October 2.

4. In order to enter the ballot, you must be in our POS at KWM, and have made at least one purchase of $0.01 or more since April 1 of 2023. I do check this, and I excluded 50 entries in last month’s Springbank ballot.

5. Please do not call or email to ask if your name has been selected, we will try to contact those not selected to purchase a bottle by October 6, if not sooner.

6. Please do not enter into the ballot for any bottles you do not intend to purchase.

7. And we kindly ask that you not be a dick by entering the ballot for any bottles you have already managed to acquire elsewhere. Please give someone else an opportunity to buy it!

Bottles available in this ballot:

1. Compass Box Delos Blended Scotch Whisky – 49% – Producer Description: “Littered with mosaics and ruined ancient temples, the island of Delos embodies the ideal of a beautiful, classical sanctuary. It is the perfect name for a whisky that reimagines Asyla using antique, rarefied components. Malt whiskies from the Glen Elgin, Imperial and Miltonduff distilleries – all from American oak barrels – bring enticing exotic fruit and vanilla notes while lush and fragrant grain whisky preserves the delicate mouthfeel that was Asyla’s hallmark.” – Producer Tasting Note: “A sweet succulence that breaks upon the nose in soft waves: ripe pear, pineapple, orange oil and vanilla cream. A medley of fruit tarts and white chocolate soothe the palate, while the maturity of the component whiskies gradually builds to reveal guava, heather honey and chai spices.” – $450+gst – Only available by ballot!

2. G&M Speymalt Macallan 2001 – 54.6% – Bottled 2002 (we think) – Producer Tasting Note (prior release): “Rich stewed fruit aromas with vanilla pod. The palate hods summer berries, Seville orange and black pepper. The finish is spicy with lingering charred oak.” – $515+gst – Only available by ballot!

3. Michter’s 10 Year Rye – 46.4% – Producer Description: “One of our most limited production items, Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye continues the legacy of America’s first whiskey variety (rye) from America’s first whiskey company (Michter’s, originally known as Shenk’s). After a nearly three year absence from the market, Michter’s then Master Distiller Willie Pratt finally gave the green light for the re-release of Michter’s 10 Year Straight Rye in April 2014.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Deep notes of vanilla and toffee, toasted almonds and cinnamon with an ample dose of crushed pepper and a hint of orange citrus.” – $275+gst – Only available by ballot!

ENTER THE BALLOT HERE

KWM 2023 Whisky Calendars Update

Pre-orders have been brisk for the KWM 2023 Whisky Calendar and UBER Whisky Calendar. A little over half of our production of the KWM 2023 Whisky Calendars have already been reserved.

The calendars are ready for pickup, and we are hopeful we’ll be able to share the artwork next week.

I won’t fill up this newsletter rehashing all the details, you can read about them on our website, linked below!

KWM 2023 Whisky Calendar – 25x 28ml premium whiskies most of them aged 14 years or more with five of them in their twenties. The calendar includes a wee Glencairn Glass, discount card, and we will be doing 5 day recap tastings in December. Visit the website for more info! – $290+gst

This is just a short list of some of the current deals, you can browse all sale items here!

1. Bushmills 16 Year – 40% – Matured in Bourbon and Sherry Casks, and Finished in Port – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: The robustness of the three woods is immediately evident with big aromas of treacle toffee intermingling with sweet spice accents of cinnamon and nutmeg. Taste: Robust flavours of caramelised peaches and mango marry notes of toasted almonds and walnuts, giving exceptional depth and complexity. Finish: Layered and lingering, initial notes of concentrated jammed berries lead to a silky milk chocolate finish.” – Regular $135 – Save 25% – SALE $101.24

2. Compass Box Orchard House – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Aromas of apple and pear dominate, with hints of pineapple, lemon and lime zest, and Earl Grey tea. Take a sip and note the malty and gingery flavours. These are soon joined by honey, wild strawberries and vanilla shortbread.” – Regular $74 – Save 20% – SALE $59.19

3. Glen Scotia Double Cask – Regular – 46% – – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Crème Caramel, Toffee, Apple and Peach, Sea Spray. Taste: Rich spicy fruits, toffee, fudge. Finish: Vanilla oak and gentle spice.” – $78 – Save 25% – SALE $58.49

4. Woodford Reserve Bourbon – 45.2% – Evan’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Big cherry notes right off the get-go. Red Twizzlers, peach nectar, hickory-smoked peanuts still in the shell, brown sugar, and puffed wheat squares. Palate: Cherry-flavoured cough syrup, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, peppermint tea, fresh peach slices, bananas, and cinnamon sugar doughnut twists. Finish: Fruity and sweet but a bit drying – like a heavily steeped tea on the fade.” – Regular $61 – Save 25% – SALE $45.74

Upcoming Tastings

Old Pulteney Distillery Vertical with Maurice Chevallier

·     Date: Tuesday, October 3rd·     Time: 7 PM·     Cost: $80·     VIRTUAL TASTING·     Only 9 spots left!
UPDATE: Maurice Chevallier, Old Pulteney Brand Ambasador, will be joining us for the tasting! The staff here at KWM have a soft spot for the savoury whiskies from the Pulteney Distillery on Scotland’s North Sea coast. With the return of the Old Pulteney 25 Year, and a 1982 vintage Gordon & MacPhail bottling kicking around, there was no better time to pull together an epic vertical of whiskies from the Pulteney Distillery. Participants will sample through 7 Pulteney whiskies, with a collective age of about 130 years… Andrew might even dig up some of his photos from the distillery! Tuesday, October 3rd @ 7 PM

Our full fall tasting schedule is now live online!

Benromach 2002 KWM Cask Launch with Richard Urquhart

·     Date: Tuesday, October 10th

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

·     Only 9 spots left!

To celebrate the launch of our 5th KWM exclusive cask of Benromach, we are putting on a vertical tasting of 8 Benromach whiskies, half of which are single casks. The lineup includes the Benromach Core Range bottlings of 10, 15, and 21-year-olds, as well as the Benromach Contrasts Triple Distilled. For the single casks, we have the new Benromach Polish Oak, a 2007 cask bottled for Calgary’s SinDicate whisky club, and two different KWM casks: our sold-out 2003, and the new 2002. Best of all, and this is late-breaking news… Richard Urquhart will be joining us for the tasting! Tuesday, October 10 @ 7 PM

Wolfburn 10 Years in the Making with Mark Westmorland

·     Date: Thursday, October 12th

·     Time: 6 PM

·     Cost: $25

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

Wolfburn is the first of the dozens of Scottish distilleries which opened in the 2010s to bottle a 10-year-old whisky. To mark the occasion we’re doing a Wolfburn vertical tasting with Brand Ambassador Mark Westmorland. We’ll sample through 7 different expressions of Wolfburn, including the soon-to-be-released Wolfburn 10 Year old! Thursday, October 12th @ 6 PM

Admiring Archives Whiskies

·     Date: Friday, October 13

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $70

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

We can’t resist the beautiful labels Whiskybase puts on their Archives whiskies, and as for the liquid, it doesn’t disappoint. Our selection for this tasting includes whiskies from Benrinnes, Caol Ila, Fettercairn, Longmorn, Miltonduff and a Secret Islay from 1990… And maybe, just maybe we might be able to get one of the Whiskybase guys to join us! Friday, October 13, 5PM

Battle of the Bens: Ben Nevis⁷

·     Date: Tuesday, October 24

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $100

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

The concept here is pretty simple, we are pitting 7 Ben Nevis bottlings in a head to head to head… you get the idea… tasting! We have cobbled together a range of Ben Nevis’ from Boutique-y, Decadent Drinks, Maltbarn, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and Whiskybase. Which ones will reign supreme… only those who join us in battle will find out!

Tuesday, October 24, 7PM

Whisky Agency Wonders

·     Date: Tuesday, October 31

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $90

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

Looking for something to do after the kids crash from their sugar high, or while you hide in the basement with the lights off so no one comes trick or treating at your door? We have the tasting for you!

German-based The Whisky Agency is one of the most interesting and influential independent bottlers whose whiskies are highly sought after in Europe and Asia. We recently got a very interesting shipment we are just dying to try, so naturally we built a tasting around them. In you have the courage to join us, you’ll taste your way through Bowmore 1996, Bruichladdich 2004, Glenburgie 1995, Ledaig 2009, a pair of Macduffs from 2011 in sherry, and a 2007 Secret Islay single malt. Tuesday, October 31 @ 7PM

Elements of Islay & More with Celine Tetu

·     Date: Friday, November 3

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     IN PERSON

Our friend Lily, aka Celine Tetu, will be our special guest as we sample our way through the new Elements of Islay core range and some other treats from the Elixir Distillers Portfolio; think Single Malts of Scotland and Port Askaig. While this lineup will be peat forward, you can be assured something old and dignified will make an appearance too! Friday, November 3 @ 7PM

Introducing Claxton’s with Thomas Roskams & Martin Burnett

·     Date: Saturday, November 4

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

We are thrilled to introduce Claxton’s whisky to the Canadian market, and will be joined for this virtual tasting by Claxton’s Whisky Director Tom Roskams & General Manager Martin Burnett. For the occasion, we’ve pulled together an eclectic selection of malts, both young and old: Arran 2011, Glasgow 2017, Glen Grant 1998, Glenrothes 1988, Mannochmore 2008, Royal Brackla 2010, and Tobermory 1995. The early start time is to accommodate our special guests, who will be joining us live from the UK! Saturday, November 4, 5 PM

Revisiting BenRiach & GlenDronach

·     Date: Tuesday, November 7

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

It has been a wee while since we shone a little light on BenRiach and GlenDronach, two of our favourite Speyside Distilleries. So we’ve pulled together a selection of 7 malts, 3 from BenRiach (including the new 16 Year and a 1997 single cask) and 4 from GlenDronach (including the 15, an old 18, and the 21). The KWM whisky team will be joined by Calin Manuel from Brown Forman Canada for the occasion. Tuesday, November 7 @ 7PM

Fall Single Malt Festival – Night 1

 

·     Date: Thursday, November 9

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $65

·     FESTIVAL

Our ever popular Fall Single Malt Festival is back, and as with last year, we are offering two more or less identical Fall Single Malt Festivals, two weeks apart, to give as many of our whisky friends as possible a chance to attend. There will be up to 100 whiskies to sample, and the price includes a KWM logo glass Glencairn whisky glass. 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 90 participants and we are asking people to only register for one date or the other, and not both, out of respect for our other customers. Thursday, November 9, 7 PM – 9 PM.

The Scotch Guy’s First 20 Years: A Retrospective Tasting – Virtual

·     Date: Tuesday, November 21

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $60

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

Andrew, aka the Scotch Guy, started his career in whisky at KWM on November 24, 2003, making this his 20th Anniversary in the business. One of our other whisky team members came up with the idea of doing a retrospective tasting, where he could reflect back on his journey, and some of the interesting brands that helped chart his course. Andrew will host both virtual and in-person versions of this tasting (on different nights), with the same range of whiskies. The lineup is still in flux… but it will include a new 10-year-old cask of Kilchoman 100% Islay, bottled to mark his anniversary, and some long sold-out KWM exclusive casks of Arran (19 Year) and Imperial (29 Year), as well as whiskies from Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Springbank, and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. You’ll sample 8 great whiskies, while Andrew waxes nostalgic sharing some of his favouirte stories, a few tall tales, and a handful of old photos! Tuesday, November 21 @ 7PM

Fall Single Malt Festival – Night 2

·     Date: Thursday, November 23

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $65

·     FESTIVAL

Our ever popular Fall Single Malt Festival is back, and as with last year, we are offering two more or less identical Fall Single Malt Festivals, two weeks apart, to give as many of our whisky friends as possible a chance to attend. There will be up to 100 whiskies to sample, and the price includes a KWM logo glass Glencairn whisky glass. 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 90 participants and we are asking people to only register for one date or the other, and not both, out of respect for our other customers. Thursday, November 23, 7 PM – 9 PM.

The Scotch Guy’s First 20 Years: A Retrospective Tasting – In-Person

·     Date: Friday, December 1

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $65

·     IN PERSON

Andrew, aka the Scotch Guy, started his career in whisky at KWM on November 24, 2003, making this his 20th Anniversary in the business. One of our other whisky team members came up with the idea of doing a retrospective tasting, where he could reflect back on his journey, and some of the interesting brands that helped chart his course. Andrew will host both virtual and in-person versions of this tasting (on different nights), with the same range of whiskies. The lineup is still in flux… but it will include a new 10-year-old cask of Kilchoman 100% Islay, bottled to mark his anniversary, and some long sold-out KWM exclusive casks of Arran (19 Year) and Imperial (29 Year), as well as whiskies from Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Springbank, and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. You’ll sample 8 great whiskies, while Andrew waxes nostalgic sharing some of his favorite stories, a few tall tales, and a handful of old photos! Friday, December 1 @ 7PM

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HARDIN’S CREEK™ STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY DEBUTS

HARDIN’S CREEK BOSTON, ITS THIRD AND LAST EXPRESSION

FROM ‘THE KENTUCKY SERIES’

Clermont, Kentucky (September 13, 2023) – Today, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. is launching the third expression within the Hardin’s Creek™ Kentucky Series (announced June 2023),  called Hardin’s Creek™ Boston. The Kentucky Series features three Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys and takes whiskey fans on a journey of ‘Kentucky Terroir’. All three expressions are aged for 17 years with the same mash bill — the only difference being the location of aging. This limited-edition collection of ultra-rare expressions includes Hardin’s Creek Clermont (released June 2023), Hardin’s Creek Frankfort (released August 2023), and Hardin’s Creek Boston (launching now).

Hardin’s Creek Boston is a 17-year-old Bourbon, aged at The James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Boston campus in Kentucky, also known as The Booker Noe campus. This location is unlike any other – rack houses are spread out generously in the golden sunshine and clear air, ideal for maturation. These unique conditions mean fast, richer aging and result in a bold and characterful liquid, much like Booker Noe himself.

“The Boston campus creates a flavor profile my Granddaddy Booker Noe looked for and talked about. I think he would have loved this,” said Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery.

Launched in 2022, Hardin’s Creek is a series of ongoing releases featuring some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s rarest and most unique whiskeys, grounded in rich distilling expertise. The releases showcase the breadth and depth of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s whiskey-making credentials inclusive of age, blending, mash bill, distillation, barrels, rack house locations and more.   

For real-time information about Hardin’s Creek, we encourage whiskey fans to follow along on Instagram @HardinsCreek or visit www.hardinscreek.com.

HARDIN’S CREEK KENTUCKY SERIES, BOSTON – 55% ABV | Suggested Retail Price: $169.99

The third and last expression from the Kentucky Series is Hardin’s Creek Boston, aged on the Boston campus and bottled at 204 months.

COLOR       Rich amber with darker tones

NOSE          Toasted marshmallow, dark chocolate, and slight coconut

PALATE      Soft caramel and vanilla with oak tones, faded hazelnut

FINISH       Sweet baking spices

Hardin’s Creek Boston is best enjoyed neat or served over a large ice cube in a lowball glass where its complex flavors can be appreciated with each sip.

About Hardin’s Creek

Hardin’s Creek is a series of ongoing releases featuring some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s rarest and most unique whiskeys, grounded in 227 years of rich experience and distilling expertise. The brand launched in 2022 with its inaugural expressions, Jacob’s Well and Colonel James B. Beam, and released The Kentucky Series in 2023. Each Hardin’s Creek release will showcase the breadth and depth of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s whiskey-making credentials inclusive of age, blending, mash bill, distillation, barrels, rackhouse locations, and more. Hardin’s Creek celebrates whiskey’s past while charting its future.

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.  

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com 

Basil Hayden Explores The More Refined Side Of Rye With New Permanent Offering – Malted Rye

The Hearach Isle Of Harris Single Malt

Unveiled by Isle of Harris distillery, The Hearach is a single malt that pays homage to its Hebridean home. Crafted by local people, it revives the distilling culture lost in the 1840s. A minimum of five years’ maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, Oloroso and Fino sherry butts, and Peat Fire smoke, creates a 46% abv whisky presented without chill filtration and in its natural colour. Each drop of Hearach yields unique delectable notes – from fruity, floral fragrances to sweet-spicy aromas – that captivate the senses.

£64.99

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NEW IN AT
THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Just in, the 2023-release of Deanston’s Virgin Oak Cask Strength, bottled at 58.8% abv. This is a great expression of Deanston’s waxy, citrus character with added layers of warm spice, candied fruit and toasted heather.

We’ve also added the fourth batch of Fettercairn 16 Year Old, matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and first-fill Port pipes, a cask strength expression of the heavily peated Torabhaig Allt Glean, and released more of Redbreast Tawny Port Edition which flew off our shelves last week. Explore our new products page for even more releases including an influx of world whiskies from New Zealand, Denmark, England and Sweden.

SHOP NEW ARRIVALS

 

Finalist Announced in
5th Annual
Scottish Whisky Awards 

The Scottish Whisky Awards, the national celebration for achievements in the Scotch whisky industry, has unveiled its list of finalists as part of its 5th annual competition. 40 distilleries and 174 Scotch Whiskies have been selected in the competition following judging which included a comprehensive blind tasting event when over 1200 samples of whisky were poured and presented to an expert judging panel.

With results now processed and independently audited, finalists in 11 taste categories and 6 business categories have now been revealed in the awards, the only one of its kind in Scotland.

Learn More

£75

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https://youtu.be/k5uT4cwn-kY

Turntable Sprits: Paradise Funk!

We had a lovely little session with Turntable Spirits a few months ago, and now they’re back with their core range of blended whiskies.

Paradise Funk is an interesting blend of:

30% Unamed Speyside Virgin Oak

20% Benrinnes Chinkapin Oak

18% Invergordon Ex-Cognac Oak

13% Knockdhu Virgin Oak

11% North British Virgin Oak

8% Blair Athol Ex-Bourbon Oak

These barrel influences already give a huge insight into what this liquid is all about mango, peach, fruit syrups, all topped off by indulgent toffee popcorn. I’m a huge fan of virgin oak maturation on all whisky types, they don’t always work, but this is a must have for Scottish whisky and Bourbon whisky fans.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD CELEBRATE PIONEERS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN SPIRITS

Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd have announced the launch of The Collective, an annual release of spirits which brings together a group of like-minded distillers. These people share a common passion and Berry Bros. & Rudd celebrate their achievements by sharing their stories around the world.

The Collective #1: The Pioneers is centred around ‘Pioneers in Sustainability’ within the spirits industry and spotlights ten distillers who are dedicated to making exceptional spirits whilst caring for the future of the planet.

Berry Bros. & Rudd will be releasing a series of ten bottlings to showcase the sustainable talents spirit producers from around the globe:

• Oskar Bruno – Agitator 2018 Single Malt Swedish Whisky
• John Stirling – Arbikie 2017 Single Grain Scotch Whisky
• Alex Bruce – Ardnamurchan 2017 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Peter Bignell – Belgrove 2016 Single Rye Tasmanian Whisky
• Matthew Farmer – Glen Wyvis 2018 Quarter Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• John Letts – Oxford Artisan 2019 Single Rye English Whisky
• Annabel Thomas – Nc’nean 2017 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• David & Fiona Boyd- Armstrong – Shortcross 2017 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
• Matt Hoffman – Westland 2014 Madeira Finish Single Malt American Whisky

Each has been meticulously selected by Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits Reserve Whisky Manager, Jonny McMillan, in collaboration with Mr Lyan, a proven pioneer in the drinks industry and the world’s most awarded bartender, who shared the same values as Berry Bros. & Rudd: passion and knowledge for both sustainability and exceptional spirits.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits Reserve Manager, Jonny McMillan, commented:

“There is no set path on the sustainability journey, nor one single solution. The beauty of Collective #1 : The Pioneers is that each distiller has taken a different approach to sustainability, with the strength being in the diversity and combination of practices, making a whole entity, with continuous learnings.’

‘We looked to find a broad spectrum of producers from various traditions of whisky and cognac making with each distiller taking a slightly different approach to sustainability, some focusing on soil health and regenerative farming, others on lowering energy use or green power.  For each distiller there is a different solution that fits the location and character of their distillery, together they form a great overview of what’s going on with environmentally pioneering producers.”

Lizzy Rudd, Berry Bros. & Rudd Chair, added:

“As a family business with a long history, the notion of sustainability is a natural part of our ethos and our long-term mindset, a key to our resilience and longevity. The purpose of business is fast becoming defined by its impact rather than the products or services it sells.

Today, the most important decisions we face are about how to reduce our impact on the planet now, and in the future. This is why our goal is to be net zero carbon and plastic free by 2030.

Our producers are the best in the world at what they do. Like us, they believe that protecting our planet is the only way to ensure the future of fine wine and spirits. We believe that, together with our producers, we can improve practices around the use of water, energy and plastic.

We are not just a business, we are family, a family who are the custodians of a legacy for future generations.”

The spirits featured in The Collective #1 : The Pioneers have been sourced from across the globe, from countries including America, England, Ireland, Sweden, Tasmania, and the undisputed homeland of whisky, Scotland.

Each whisk(e)y from The Collective #1 is priced at £125.00 and cognac at £75.00, available to purchase from 27th September 2023 from Berry Bros. & Rudd (bbr.com), Master of Malt (masterofmalt.com) and Royal Mile Whiskies (royalmilewhiskies.com).

TASTING NOTES

Agitator 2018 Cask #741 Single Malt Swedish Whisky

RRP £125.00

57.7% ABV

Few distilleries push production boundaries like Stockholm’s Agitator. Led by Oskar Bruno, the distillery offers vacuum distillation and endless experimentations with yeast, barley and wood. Energy efficiency is equal to quality in their mindset, making this one of Europe’s greenest distilleries.

Produced with 40ppm barley and fermented with a Saison yeast, buckle up! The nose is near overwhelmingly complex, dried mushrooms, forest floor, peat smoke, wonderfully umami. The palate is pleasantly dirty, bringing notes of new leather, pink wafer biscuits, garden bonfire with a pleasing coastal backbone. Smoke and dried fruit linger on a stunned palate. Idiosyncratic brilliance, distilled by either a madman or a genius.

Arbikie 2017 Cask #69 Single Grain Scotch Whisky

RRP £125.00

58.3% ABV

Founded by the three Stirling brothers on the family’s East Coast estate, sustainability has been at the heart of Arbikie’s production from day one. From the distillery’s ground-breaking use of hydrogen fuel to their carbon positive crops, Arbikie is truly a leader in green distilling.

Sweet aromas of Icelandic rye bread, honeyed sponge cake and cloves open the bouquet with some nutmeg emerging with time. The palate is lively and joyous, showing sweet rye spice, crème brûlée and dark chocolate cookies. It is immensely quaffable. Baking spice and dry rye come in waves over the finish. Scotland isn’t known for its rye whisky but if this dram is anything to go by, it soon will be.

Ardnamurchan 2017 Cask #374 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

RRP £125.00

59.7% ABV

The prestigious independent bottler, Adelphi, prioritised sustainability when building their distillery in the wilderness of Ardnamurchan. The distillery runs on hydroelectric, solar and biomass power managed from its own forestry. The result is a heavily textured, peated style whisky tipped to become a West Coast classic.

The nose opens with vibrant aromas of bacon fat and cocoa powder lunging from the glass. The palate follows suit with flavours of smokey bacon, farmyard, tea leaves and warm blackcurrants. It is a masterclass in peaty complexity. More dark cocoa shows on the finish with lingering smoke. This is a powerful statement from the young distillery, perhaps Brora’s baby brother.

Belgrove 2016 Cask #170216 Single Rye Tasmanian Whisky

RRP £125.00

61.1% ABV

Pete Bignell not only grows his own rye on the farm but even built his own stills which are direct fired from used chip fryer oil. This farm distillery is an almost entirely closed loop with bio-oil being the only input and whisky the only output.

The nose immediately makes clear that this glass contains a huge, characterful dram. Farmyard aromas introduce rye dough, spiced vanilla, popcorn and warm gingerbread. These flavours are only magnified on the palate with burnt sugar and salted caramel cascading into rye beer, shortbread and clove. Spice lingers on the finish. This is an immense, intense and unique offering from the distilling folk hero of Tasmania.

Glen Wyvis 2018 Cask #1501/1502 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

RRP £125.00

53.9% ABV

In 2015, GlenWyvis became the first Scots distillery to be founded as a Social Enterprise, running for the good of the community. Set on a picturesque ridge at the foot of Ben Wyvis, the distillery utilises hydro, solar and biomass energy in its production.

Vibrant aromas of fresh fruit sing from the glass with honeyed cantaloupe melon, warm gorse and zesty green apples. A zap of citrus opens the palate, bringing spiced pears, soft vanilla and more crisp apple. Pine wood and cinnamon dance together across the finish. This is a wonderfully invigorating Highland malt and would be perfect to enjoy in a crisp breeze on the summit of Ben Wyvis.

The Oxford Artisan 2019 Cask #21 Single Rye English Whisky

RRP £125.00

 54.5% ABV

The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses regenerative agriculture to create a whisky with terroir like no other. Their Head of Farming, John Letts’ continuous grain cropping technique ensures each field’s revived heritage grain population is unique and able to adapt to any climate and flourish.

This refill cask allows the rye distillate to sing with enticing savoury aromas of white chocolate, Danish rye bread and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate brings out more full-bodied rye notes, alongside citrusy Japanese Miyagawa, poppy seeds and spice. Few producers put as much thought into their grain and this dram serves as testament to that wisdom.

Nc’nean 2017 Cask #198 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

RRP £125.00

57.3% ABV

Founded by Annabel Thomas and opened in 2017, Nc’nean has become Scotland’s first carbon neutral distillery. The distillery uses 100% organic barley and utilises its own forestry to fuel a biomass boiler. Few other distilleries can be said to be leading environmental ethics in distilling with the same passion as Nc’nean.

Luscious green fruit aromas rise from the glass with animated notes of pear drop, wine gums and tinned pineapple emerging with time. The palate shows more weight with excellent balance of fresh orchard fruits and some fermentation driven tropicality. A wave of marzipan and coconut follow with the addition of water. This is a wonderfully characterful Highland dram with plenty to say both inside and outside of the glass.

Shortcross 2017 Cask #48 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

RRP £125.00

55.1% ABV

Built within the beautiful Rademon Estate by David and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, Shortcross is a true labour of love. Their passion for quality spirit, Irish tradition and of course the estate itself shows in all they do. All the energy for the distillery comes from the estate’s own solar and hydro.

This Irish Pot Still explodes out of the glass with an incredible array of fruits. Notes of dried pineapple and mango, grapefruit fizz and lemon oil all astound the senses. The palate shows a masterful balance of wood and fruity distillate. The powerful, oak-driven vanilla flavour integrates perfectly with honeyed tropicality from the spirit. Clove rock and cinnamon rolls over the finish. The term ‘fruit bomb’ barely does justice to describing this magical pot still whiskey.

 Westland 2014 Cask #6235 Single Malt American Whiskey

RRP £125.00

53.0% ABV

Since its inception in 2010, Westland has deservedly become the biggest name in American single malt and is always pushing the boundaries in pursuit of quality. Global acclaim not quite being enough, Westland are now pioneering research in barley sustainability.

The nose offers juicy notes of ripe pawpaw, apricot and luscious oak as an inviting glimpse of what’s to come. The palate is notably thick, showing phenomenally firm structure with apricot jam, mango, brioche and fudge coating the mouth. Fruit and nut chocolate flavours linger on the finish with a moreish sensation. This is a masterful pairing of supreme spirit and oak from one of the USA’s finest distilleries. 

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Tracing its history back to 1698, when an enterprising woman called the Widow Bourne started an “Italian grocers” at No. 3 St James’s Street in London, selling tea, snuff, spices and the most fashionable drink of the day, coffee. In due course, the focus shifted to something a little bit stronger. As wine became important to the business, so too did spirits, and Berry Bros. & Rudd started bottling casks under its label in the early 19th century, making it Britain’s oldest independent spirits bottler.

Our September 2023 Auction ENDS TONIGHT!

Auction closes from 8pm (BST ~ Tuesday 26th September, 2023)

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

Browse our listings to bag a bottle worth bragging about!

Macallan – James Bond 60th Anniversary – Decade I – VI,

Prints & Globe-Trotter Case (6 x 70cl)

These single malts celebrate the legacy of 007. The remarkable James Bond 60th Anniversary Release is a celebration of 007 and The Macallan as modern innovators linked by their Scottish heritage. Each bottle’s packaging features an original illustrative design and colour to denote the decade it represents.

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