I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer, and that this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well. The weather is glorious in Southern Alberta, and if the first few days of September are any indication the rest of the month should be great. With the Labour Day weekend, and Labour Day Classic (Calgary won… in case you didn’t already know!) football game behind us it is time to open up our Fall Tasting Schedule; and we have an incredible lineup this year!

September will be starting off with a Trio of tastings for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada, which will feature the first of the 30th Anniversary bottlings released to celebrate the Society’s first 30 years. There is still room in the Friday 6PM seating, as well as the Saturday 5PM seating, and non members are welcome! The following week Graeme Macalanoey will be back for another free tasting to highlight his planned Victoria Caledonian Distillery. The first one sold out quickly, so don’t hesitate. Later in the week we will be hosting the rescheduled Last Samurai Part 2 tasting, which will feature of range of Japanese whiskies, including 4 from the new Chichibu distillery.

This fall we have an exciting number of special guest presenters peppered through our tasting schedule. Starting with Wee Willie Tait of Jura Distillery on September 17th, and followed less than 2 weeks later by Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich fame. Both are wonderful ambassadors for their brands, and very entertaining speakers. Other notables who’ll be gracing the store this fall include: Michael Urquhart of Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail; Ranald Watson of Springbank Distillery, George Grant of Glenfarclas; Stewart Buchanan on behalf of BenRiach and Glendronach distilleries; and last but not least James Robertson of the retooled Tullibardine distillery. All will be excellent tastings, and two of these events will be Whisky Dinners at Buchanans; you’ll have to browse the schedule to determine which.

Some of the usual staple tastings have returned, including: the Fall Single Malt Festival, Classic Malts, Raucous Rums, Master Malt, Whisky Americano and a really special tequila tasting, Tequila Sunrise. For this special tequila tasting we will be opening a bottle of 1800 Ortis Tequila (valued at $1800). Our by annual Single Malt Festival sells out quickly, so don’t delay in buying your ticket for it.

Our full Fall Tasting Schedule can be viewed online at: http://tinyurl.com/mxo4vx7 , where you can purchase your tickets through our website. You also find the full list complete with descriptions below.

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well, and that we’ll see you at one of these great events this fall.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/scotch_guy  and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Our Fall 2013 Whisky Tasting Schedule

1. SMWS First Friday IX – Every month the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Calgary branch holds a couple of tastings to feature the month’s new releases. This month we are holding two Friday sit down tastings, and a third on the Saturday. For more info on the World’s largest whisky club visit: www.smws.ca Friday September 6th – 6PM – $45/$35 for Members – Only 4 Spots

2. SMWS First Friday IX Friday September 6th – 8PM – $45/$35 for Members – Sold Out

3. SMWS First Friday IX Saturday September 7th – 5PM – $45/$35 for Members – Only 8 Spots

4. Macaloney Distillers Free Tasting – Join us for a free tasting and information session, Monday September 9th at 6PM with Graeme Macaloney of Macaloney Distillers. Graeme Macaloney PhD, an experienced fermentation engineer and a Scotsman, is launching a full scale single malt & pot still whisky distillery, and real ale brew pub – the Victoria Caledonian Distillery – and is conducting a series of complimentary “Show & Tell” presentations including complimentary whisky tasting. – Monday September 9thth 6PM – $FREE

5. Last Samurai Part 2 – My recent whisky trip to Japan has left me with a treasure trove of photos and insight into one of the world’s lesser known whisky producers. We are proud to offer North America’s largest selection of Japanese whiskies, and when it came time to putting on July’s Last Samurai tasting it quickly became apparent we had too many photos and too many whiskies to limit ourselves to just one tasting. The Last Samurai Part 2 will consist of four whiskies from the Chichibu distillery, as well as others from Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. This event is sure to delight, and not leave you feeling Lost in Translation! – Thursday September 12th – $50

6. Jura Distillery w/ Willie Tait – They may call him Wee Willie Tait, but don’t be fooled, as he is one of Scotland’s biggest whisky personalities. Willie will guide us through a range of whiskies from the Isle of Jura Distillery, Scotland’s loneliest whisky isle, including the new 30 year and 1977 vintage – Tuesday September 17th – $60

7. Tequila Sunrise – To launch the new 1800 Ortis Tequila ($1800/bottle) we are holding a special tasting of the 1800 tequila range as well as a selection of other premium tequilas. – Tuesday September 24th – $75

8. Bruichladdich Distillery w/ Jim McEwan – Jim McEwan is one of the whisky industry’s most iconic and charismatic figures having long served as the distillery manager at Bowmore before taking a leading role in the resurrection of Bruichladdich. Join us for a very memorable tasting of Bruichladdich single malts guided by the man who crafted them. – Friday September 27th – $50

9. Classic Single Malts – This is our classic introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made, and sample six distinct styles. – Thursday October 3rd – $30

10. Raucous Rums – We’ll round up of some of the finest sipping rums the world has to offer. Come sip a sampling of new, old and rare offerings, including unique independent rum bottlings. – Thursday October 17th – $50

11. Benriach/Glendronach Dinner w/ Stewart Buchanan – Stewart Buchanan only recently took over as Brand Ambassador after spending the last couple decades making whisky and managing distilleries. He’ll guide us through a tasting of 7 BenRiach and Glendronach whiskies including a new KWM cask. That’s not all! Enjoy a sumptuous 3 course dinner at: Buchanan’s Chop House, 738 3rd Ave SW, 7PM. – Friday October 18th – $150

12. Whisky Americano – Bourbon may hog all the attention, but there’s much more to American whisk(e)y in the lower 48 states than what Kentucky produces. Sign up for a taste discovery of the Americanos. – Thursday October 24th – $45

13. Tullibardine Distillery w/ James Robertson – Tullibardine Distillery may have sold recently and revamped its core range, but their gregarious Brand Ambassador, James Robertson, is still with the team. We’ll sample their new range and at least one older expression. – Monday November 4th – $30

14. Springbank Distillery w/ Ranald Watson – Ranald Watson will guide us through a range of Springbank whiskies including expressions of Hazelburn, Springbank and Longrow. We’ll be featuring the new Gold Medal Marketing exclusive cask for Alberta and the 21 Year. – Tuesday November 5th – $35

15. Glenfarclas Distillery w/ George Grant – Gorgeous George will be hosting a whisky tasting for KWM for the 6th year in a row which will feature some vintage Glenfarclas, as well a couple of special editions, including the new 25 Year Quarter Cask release. – Thursday November 7th – $50

16. Benromach/Gordon & MacPhail Dinner w/ Michael Urquhart – The scotch whisky industry’s gentleman statesman, Michael Urquhart, will be hosting a whisky dinner featuring whiskies from Benromach Distillery & Gordon & MacPhail, including: Benromach 1969 & 30 Year, Highland Park 1973 and Dallas Dhu 1979. The whiskies will be paired with a 3 course meal at Buchanan’s Chop House 738 3rd Ave SW, 7PM. – Friday November 8th – $125

 17. Fall Single Malt Festival – Our iconic whisky festival is back for another year with a lineup of 100+ premium whiskies from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries. Don’t hesitate as this one sells out early every year and tickets are strictly limited! – Thursday November 14th – $60

18. Master Malts – Only the rarest and very special whiskies are showcased at this tasting which always highlights some of the most exciting new whiskies in the world! – Thursday November 28th – $99

To register for one our our great tastings please call the store at 403-283-8000 or register online at: http://tinyurl.com/mxo4vx7  .

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

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, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000