Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

3, 2, 1, go!!!! Our 2012 Winter Tasting Schedule (January through March) is now open for registration in store, over the phone 403-283-8000 and online https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php  !

Members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have had a head start, and have already claimed ¼ to 1/3 of the spots in the three First Friday tastings. For those of you who aren’t already aware of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it is the world’s largest whisky club. The Society bottles whiskies exclusively for its members, all of them at cask strength without colouring or chill filtering. The First Friday of every month the Society hosts a tasting of its latest offerings, usually 7 new whiskies!

The Society was launched in Canada in October and has been a huge hit. We’ve sold close to 100 memberships and have already launched 22 single cask whiskies, many of which have already sold out! We are launching another 7 whiskies on Friday at our second First Friday Tasting. There are still tickets left for Friday if you’d like to attend. We’ve broken the tasting down into two 1 hour sessions: the first from 6 to 7 and the second from 8 to 9. There is 1 spot available for the 6PM seating and there are currently 3 for the 8PM seating. Drop me an email or give me a call 403-283-8000 if you are interested in either! But if you can’t make it this Friday don’t sweat it, the Society will be hosting a First Friday tasting the first Friday of every month in 2012!

Speaking of upcoming events there is an incredible whisky dinner being put on this coming Monday at Buchanan’s Chop House. The event is being co hosted by Mahesh Patel (Nth, Vegas Whisky Show) and David Robertson (Rare Whiskies Manager of Whyte and MacKay). They’re coming to Calgary (at present the only date in Canada) to put on a very special whisky dinner Monday night, as part of a multi-city North American tour. The event will feature an incredible range of Dalmores: Cigar Malt Reserve, Castle Leod, 1981, 40 Year Astrum and 45 Year Aurora, as well as three whiskies from a new premium independent bottling line. “Sirius” is a line of very old, carefully selected, premium Scotch whiskies being launched by Mahesh Patel. They include a 1965 Carsebridge, 1966 Fettercairn and a 44 year old Dalmore. The dinner costs $350 US, which is a reasonable price given the range of whiskies on offer, not to mention the dinner. There are still tickets for the dinner available, and it would be great to see this event fill, and further cement Calgary’s reputation in the whisky world. You can register for it through: http://universalwhiskyexperience.com/events/tickets .. I have my ticket, do you have one?

Finally, to the meat and potatoes of today’s Malt Messenger Bulletin, the Winter 2011 Tasting Schedule. January, February and March are the coldest and darkest months of the year, but take heed, we’ve got some inspiring and tantalizing events to warm you body, mind and soul during these dark days. Early in the New Year there is the Ultimate Glenmorangie Tasting which will feature the full range of Glenmorangie including the yet to be released 1981 Pride ($4249.99). Right on the heels of this is the First Annual Calgary MS Whisky Festival at the Art Gallery of Calgary. This event will feature whiskies from all the major players and there will be room for 300 participants. Come for a few drams and help support a worthy cause. Later in the month there is our 7th Annual Robbie Burns Supper, Scots Wha Hae! Our special guest will be the larger than life George Grant (6th generation owner) of Glenfarclas distillery who will be helping us celebrate the launch of a new cask: the first private bottling of Glenfarclas in Canada! Moving through February and March there are many other events to delight you including a 40 year olds tasting. That’s right, for two consecutive nights at the end of March we will be cracking open not 1, not 2 but 6 40 year old single malt whiskies for our Ancient Malts tastings which will be sure to blow your mind!

I know Christmas is front of mind and just around the corner, but 2012 isn’t far behind! I hope you find something to enjoy in our winter tasting schedule. Don’t forget you can register online https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php  by phone 403-283-8000, and in store!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

Winter Tasting Schedule

1. Scotch Malt Whisky Society First Friday I – Friday January 6th – Join the world’s largest whisky club and taste their latest, exclusive offerings. We host SMWS tastings the first Friday of each month. Members save $10 on class registration. Want to know more? smws.ca. $35 (members) $45 (others)

2. Ultimate Glenmorangie Tasting – Thursday January 12th – To celebrate the launch of Glenmorangie’s latest opus, The Glenmorangie Pride, we are throwing a no holds barred tasting of the full line: The 10 Year Original, The Pride, The extra matured range, The Signet, The Quarter Century…and all things in between. To commemorate the event everyone will receive a monogrammed whisky glass! – $150

3. MS Calgary Whisky Festival – Thursday January 19th – The Kensington Wine Market is proud to support an unforgettable evening of whisky tasting, art and music in support of The MS Society of Southern Alberta and those affected by MS. The event will feature more than 100 whiskies from the best distilleries in Scotland as well as select whiskies from around the world. 100% of proceeds to charity! **Location: Art Gallery of Calgary, 117 Stephen Avenue Mall 6 to 9PM** – $95

4. Scots Wha Hae! – Wednesday January 25th – Caledonians Unite! It’s time to celebrate all things Scottish. Glenfarclas is the featured distillery for our 7th annual Robbie Burns Supper, and George Grant is our special guest. We’ll have bagpipes, poetry, haggis with neeps and tatties and six amazing single malts all from Glenfarclas, including—a Canadian first—a new single cask bottling of Glenfarclas exclusive to KWM!. No previous whisky experience required. Location: **Fort Calgary 750 – 9th Avenue SE 7:00PM** – $99

5. Classic Single Malts – Tuesday January 31st – It’s called back to basics. Classic Malts is our introduction to the world of Scottish single malt whisky, its regions, history, and taste profile. – $35

6. Scotch Malt Whisky Society First Friday II – Friday February 3rd – Join the world’s largest whisky club and taste their latest, exclusive offerings. We host SMWS tastings the first Friday of each month. Members save $10 on class registration. Want to know more? smws.ca. – $45

7. Whisky, Women & Chocolate – Friday February 17th – Round up the gals and join our scotch expert, Andrew Ferguson, for a pairing of fine whisky and premium chocolate. Lassies only! – $50

8. Rare Malts – Thursday February 23rd – Only the oldest and rarest whiskies need apply. Taste whiskies which have been matured more than 20 years, are from closed distilleries or are exceptionally rare. – $75

9. Scotch Malt Whisky Society First Friday III – Friday March 2nd – Join the world’s largest whisky club and taste their latest, exclusive offerings. We host SMWS tastings the first Friday of each month. Members save $10 on class registration. Want to know more? smws.ca. – $45

10. Ancient Malts I – Thursday March 29th – Our blockbuster tasting for 2012 is going to feature not one, not two, not three, but SIX 40 Year Old distillery bottled whiskies. We are offering two tastings over two consecutive evenings, take your pick. Each participant will receive a monogrammed glass to commemorate the event. – $275

11. Ancient Malts II – Friday March 30th – Our blockbuster tasting for 2012 is going to feature not one, not two, not three, but SIX 40 Year Old distillery bottled whiskies. We are offering two tastings over two consecutive evenings, take your pick. Each participant will receive a monogrammed glass to commemorate the event. – $275

* You can register for these tastings online at: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php, by phone at 403-283-8000 or 888-283-9004 and in store.

____________________

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com .. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy