We will formally begin taking pre-orders for the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar on Monday August 7; but we will track any requests made before then. In the meantime we are diligently working to finalize the price!

Independents Day, Tasting 

Tuesday August 8, $50

With the price of distillery bottlings soaring, Independent Bottlers are offering some of the best value single malt whiskies, especially when it comes to mature bottlings. Join us for an exploration of independently bottled single malts from some of our favourite bottlers including: the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Gordon Macphail, Signatory Vintage, Old Malt Cask, Coppers Choice, Maltbarn, The Whisky Agency and more!

Call 403-283-8000 or register online!

 

The Whiskies of Summer Festival 

Thursday August 17 2017 – $50 Including a Glencairn Glass 

This festival style tasting will feature 80-100 whiskies with a high proportion of single malts, highlighting some of the newest arrivals in store. We have several new KWM exclusive casks, Gather your friends and fellow whisky connoisseurs for a night of great whisky.

Call 403-283-8000 or register online!

Two New Amazing Value KWM Exclusive Arran Casks 

Both 20 Year Old Sherry Hogshead Casks, at Cask Strength and just $150! 

Arran has been one of our favourite malts for a long time now. The distillery is now in its 22nd year and it is still one of our best value propositions. When we ask for cask samples from the distillery, to select our own casks, rather than having a hard time selecting, we have a hard time turning casks down. That’s why when presented with the opportunity to bottle our first 20 year old Arran, the oldest bottling of Arran yet to come to Canada, we couldn’t settle on just one cask we had to have two. These are our 9th and 10th exclusive single casks of Arran at KWM!

1. Arran 1996 KWM 20 Year Cask 964 – 52.5% – Sherry Hogshead – 262 Bottles – Distilled: 12/08/1996 – Bottled: 05/04/2017 – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: bright, floral and citrussy; lemon slices, peeled orange and tangerines; cinnamon spiced honey butter and soft leather leads to appricots and dried dark fruits; all along there is a creamy base with bright floral top notes. Palate: very honeyed: liquid, honey butter and honey sticks; more orange and tangerines, big juicy citrus tones and a base of creamy, floral vanilla bean (American oak?); chewy with sweet waxy Starburst fruit candies and a touch of darker dried fruits; more dried apricot and soft silky leather; some gentle earthy tones and soft leather hinting at sherry seasoning and dunnage warehouse maturation. Finish: long, sweet, coating and citrussy with more bright floral tones and all kinds of honey. Comment: despite its age which has given it a silky backbone, this malt is still bright, fresh and layered; it is to borrow a phrase, eminently quaffable; perhaps dangerously so!” – $150
2. Arran 1996 KWM 20 Year Cask 1649 – 50.8% – Sherry Hogshead – 233 Bottles – Distilled: 28/10/1996 – Bottled: 05/04/2017 – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: jujubes, melon, Seville orange and soft polished leather; bread and butter pudding with a side of Christmas cake; very jammy: raspberry, strawberry, plums and figs; infused dark chocolate, toasted oak and honey; darker than cask 964, but far from over the top. Palate: round, fruity, citric and honeyed(it is after-all still an Arran) with lovely decadent spices, dark sugars and more soft polished leather; the fruit and spice infused dark chocolate is still there with more jammy tones (mixed berry and fig being the most prominent); the oak notes are soft, silky and balanced. Finish: long, coating and decadent with loads of fruit, honey, chocolate and gentle oak spices. Comment: like the sister cask, 1649 is also fresh, silky; layered; darker in profile it is a more traditional sherry matured whisky; darker, spicier and more decadent but still complex.” – $150

NEW Whisky-Fassle ‘extra old’ Blended Malt 

Only 42 Bottles Filled Exclusively for KWM’s 25th Anniversary!

This curious blended malt was offered to us by Whisky Fassel, a boutique German independent bottler and blender of Scotch Whisky. They were established in 2006, and that is about all I can tell you about them. Only 42 bottles of this curious whisky were offered to and have been bottled for KWM for our 25th Anniversary. The strength is 45.4%, possibly cask strength as the producer says: “matured very long in a sherry butt bottled 2016.” It doesn’t have our logo on it, as that looked too busy, so you’ll have to take our word for it… but it does say “bottled for Canada”! Oh and there is some sort of mallard duck on the label.

I included the original proposed KWM version of the logo on the right as proof of intent.

Whisky-Fassle Blended Malt KWM 25th Anniversary – 45.4% – Sherry Butt – 42 Bottles – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: big, thick and chewy; chocolate fudge, gentle ashy smoke and a cedar spice box full of decadent spices; warmed brown sugar and candied ginger; orange peels and a touch of mincemeat. Palate: round and fruity; dark, rich and layered; building gentle, ashy peat-smoke and dark bakers chocolate; more mincemeat in a buttery pie crust, bright candied orange peel and big candied fruits; soft sweet cigar tobacco and some late melons. Finish: like a fine Cuban cigar… more dark chocolate, mincemeat, fading gentle ashy peat and again with the melons. Comment: this is a lovely Blended malt, and I suspect another Edrington Group special… it has Macallan, Highland Park and even a touch of Glenrothes on it… regardless it is lovely!” – $220

 

New Whiskies From Springbank & Glengyle 

Hazelburn, Kilkerran and Longrow Oh My! 

There are three new single malts from the J.A. Mitchel & Co. family, Springbank and Glengyle distilleries. These Campbeltonian malts are very limited, with no more than 120 bottles having come to Canada.

1. Kilkerran 8 Year Cask Strength – 52.6% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: The peat aroma from the lightly peated barley is apparent from the off and some of the green apples which are becoming a feature of Kilkerran are also present. This whisky is like a favourite dessert, rhubarb crumble, stewed rhubarb, vanilla and all butter shortbread. Palate: There’s an earthiness and saltiness, exactly what you want to taste in a Campbeltown dram. This is combined with icing sugar and puff candy which gives a sweetness to the whisky, along with milk chocolate and walnut flavours. Finish: The peat remains, along with a sootiness, pencil shavings and a liquorice influenced maltiness.” – $85
2. Springbank Hazelburn 13 Year Sherry – 47.1% – Matured in Oloroso Sherry – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Initially raisins, marzipan, Demerara sugar followed by treacle, sticky toffee and wood shavings. Taste: Homemade strawberry jam, sugary and filled with cream, orange zest, brandy snaps and a white chocolate creme brûlée. Finish: Chocolate orange, creamy coffee liqueur, buttered popcorn, cocoa beans and mocha coffee with a delicate finish of sweet orange marmalade.” – $118
3. Springbank Longrow Red 13 Year Malbec – 51.3% – Matured in ExRed Wine Malbec Casks – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: A very coastal beginning; sea salt with a fresh sea air breeze, then becomes very fruity. Sweet cocktail cherries, blackberries and red currants. A faint and subtle note of cigar boxes and tobacco comes through. Palate: The fruitiness continues with rhubarb crumble, stewed apples and juicy plums. Cured ham follows with a very soft and delicate touch of peat with more coastal, sea salt notes. Finish: Red wine tannins dominate, combined with smouldering campfire smoke and the ever present fresh fruit notes of prunes and cherries.” – $112

NEW Coopers Choice Whiskies Including a KWM Exclusive 

Some amazing value Single Malts, Single Grains & Introducing the 25th Anniversary Family Silver, a 44 Year old Blend 

First and foremost the Cooper’s Choice 25th Anniversary Family Silver bottling, a 44 year old Blend created with a rare old single malt and two rare old single grains, all distilled in 1972. The blend consists of 40% Lochside 1972 Single Malt, 30% Garnheath 1972 Single Grain; and 30% Invergordon 1972 Single Grain. The whiskies were married in a single cask, yielding just 480 bottles. Only 30 are coming to Alberta, exclusively to KWM.

Cooper’s Choice The Family Silver 1972 Blended Scotch Whisky – 41% – 44 Year – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Coconut and stewed fruits. Orange blossom. Palate: Oaky vanilla. Peaches. Chocolate orange and tropical fruits. Exceptionally smooth.  Finish: Soft and sweet. The fruit and coconut lingers long in the memory.” – $300

Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: very oily, decadent and juicy; loads of creamed honey, Scottish tablet, floral tones, waxy pears and corn syrup; honeydew melon, peaches and some bright orange. Palate: thick, creamy, coating, decadent and fruity; warm oatmeal with cream and brown sugar; more waxy pears, dried apricot, honeydew melon and orange pith; soft, decadent crisp spices; still sweet and decadent with clean silky grains notes. Finish: long, coating, creamy and silky with floral vanilla and more soft fruits: melon, citrus and apricots. Comment: this whisky is both showing its age, but still very lithe and elegant; there are no bitter edges in this grain forward blend; not mind blowing but very good, especially for the price! – $300

As to the other Cooper’s Choice bottlings, there is Croftenga, a peated single malt from the Loch Lomond distillery, which is fairly rare; and the price on this one is very competitive compared with some others we’ve seen. We also don’t see many bottlings of Ben Nevis anymore, and this 20 year old is very reasonably priced. The Glen Keith is also the most equitably priced bottling from that distillery we’ve seen in a while; although the distillery is still open, it had a long period of closure and its whisky is not often as often see bottled as it was… The distillery did go through period of closure by was recently reopened. The Invergordon at Cask Strength looks like the best deal, a 30 year old for less than $180… and the Cameronbridge actually sold out instantly. Fortunately we were able to find another case. We are expecting just 12 bottles of each whisky, and have just 6 of the Cameronbridge left!

1. Cooper’s Choice Ben Nevis 1996 –  46% – 20 Year – Sherry Cask – $180
2. Cooper’s Choice Cameronbridge 1995 – 46% – 21 Year – Hogshead – $120
3. Cooper’s Choice Croftengea 2006 – 46% – 10 Year – Heavily Peated – $86
4. Cooper’s Choice Glen Keith 1996 – 46% – 20 Year – Jurancon Finish – $165
5. Cooper’s Choice Glenlossie 1997 – 46% – 19 Year – Madeira Finish – $163
6. Cooper’s Choice Invergordon 1984 – 57% – 30 Year – Refill Butt – $178

NEW Whiskies From Heads & Tails 

Jack Wiebers, Maltbarn, Whisky Fassle & The Whisky Agency 

There is an assortment of very limited and unique new whiskies from Jack Wiebers, Maltbarn, The Whisky Agency and & Whisky Fassle on the market. Look for these to trickle into the shop over the next couple of months. More than half have tasting notes from Serge @ WhiskyFun.org or Ruben @ WhiskyNotes.be . Some of them have gotten very good reviews. The mystery Speyside malt from 1973 is especially interesting. We don’t see many 43 year old, possibly “Glenfarclas” bottlings for around $600 anymore!

Details are thin on some of them, we will be updating our website with them as time permits.

Jack Wiebers

1. Jack Wiebers Ben Nevis 1996 Old Train Line – 52.9% – 20 Year – Bourbon Barrel – No Tasting Note at this time! – $340
2. Jack Wiebers Glenrothes 1996 Old Tran Line – 49.1% – 21 Year – Bourbon Cask – No Tasting Note at this time! – $320

Maltbarn

1. Maltbarn Capperdonich 1994 – 49.8% – 22 Year – Bourbon Cask – No Tasting Note at this time! – $350
2. Maltbarn Craigellachie 2007 – 48.6%- 9 Year – Sherry Cask – No Tasting Note at this time! – $200

The Whisky Agency

1. The Whisky Agency Blended Malt XO Three Rivers Tokyo – 45.8% – Ex-Sherry – No tasting note at present. – $210
2. The Whisky Agency Cragganmore 1989 – 52.1% – 27 Year – Hogshead – 90pts Serge @ Whisky Fun: “Nose: crustier, maltier, cakier, and above all, more mineral and earthy, while the background remains very orange-y. More multi-dimensional, with also some camphor, humus, damp pipe tobacco, and autumn leaves. The others where more ‘immediate’, perhaps thanks to the sherry, while this one’s more complex. With water: these notes of fresh plaster and wet chalk that I enjoy so much. A little menthol. Mouth (neat): a lot of peppermint, lemon curd, earthy stuff, drops of cough syrup, mint cordial, bitter oranges as always… I find this extremely good, and perhaps a tad more ‘islands’ than the average Cragganmores. With water: I’ll tell you, it loves water. Totally loves water, totally (Donald, come out of this body!) Cointreau and crème de menthe, with a little wax. Finish: long, soothing, herbal, lemony, mineral, Sancerre-y. Comments: an unusual Cragganmore, perhaps ex-Clynelish wood? Right up my alley – and did I tell you that it loves water?” – $385
3. The Whisky Agency Fettercairn 1988 – 49.9% – 28 Year – Hogshead – No tasting note at present. – $390
4. The Whisky Agency Glen Elgin 1995 – 53.5% – 21 Year – No oak type specified – No tasting note at present. – $245
5. The Whisky Agency Irish Malt 1990 – 48.1% – 27 Year – Ex-Bourbon Barrel – 91pts Whisky Notes: “Nose: luscious fruits, ranging from gooseberries to tangerines, lime, pineapples and fresh banana. Also a warmer side of guava and tiny hints of vanilla ice cream. Hints of rapeseed oil. Mouth: pretty stunning (again). Always a pleasure to find so much pineapple, bananas, coconut, mango and lychee in whisky. Simple pleasures. There’s a slight herbal edge which becomes rounder with a drop of water. Finish: long, still tropically fruity but with a drier feel to it now, more coconut and an almost mineral finale.” – $490
6. The Whisky Agency Irish Malt XO – 45.8% – Average age of 18-30 Years – Bourbon Barrel – A joint bottling with Head’s & Tails – No tasting notes at this time! – $255
7. The Whisky Agency Mannochmore 1988 – 46% – 28 Year – Hogshead – 87 Points Serge @ Whisky Fun: “Colour: straw. Nose: it’s very fruity! No varnish this time, no nail polish, rather marshmallows aplenty and a rather perfect maltiness, plus green branches and leaves. It’s rather sharp, ‘nervous’, and kind of delicate at the same time. Wulong tea, kiwis, rhubarb… There’s an obvious parentage with the F&F, but this is rather deeper. Old age, I suppose… Mouth: very good, green-fruity, with more kiwis, more grapefruits, and indeed more rhubarb, greengages… It’s got a perfect acidic side, very refreshing, and you don’t even need to add ice. Perfect body. Finish: rather long, superbly acidic and green. And wait, in the aftertaste, some green melons! Comments: an uplifting Mannochmore, and quite bizarrely, the exact opposite of Loch Dhu. Do you know Loch Dhu? Do you know Rosebank?” – 6 Left – $375
8. The Whisky Agency Speyside 1973 – 46.9% – 43 Year – Hogshead – 92pts Serge @ Whisky Fun: “There’s no doubt whatsoever that this will be excellent. Colour: pale gold. Nose: walnut oil, ink, paraffin, beeswax, plantain bananas, and a wee slice of white ham. Austere, beautifully so. Also leaves, bay leaves, cut grass, and apple peel. Mouth: hell. Mint, sauerkraut, turnips, green olives, green bananas, manioc, turmeric, and some guava juice to make all that sweeter. We’re clearly in riesling territories, and since the bottler is German, I’d say Knipser’s Steinbuckel. Great German Riesling – this from an Alsatian, so take my word! Finish: medium to long, a tad sweeter and rounder. Orange and passion fruit compote, and a wee touch of lavender honey for good measure. Comments: these are the malts to buy these days. There’s no better new old Speysiders, anywhere. Yeah, unless, you know, at auctions for hefty prices… Seriously, buy this if you can find it! Or its siblings…” – $620
9. The Whisky Agency Teaninich 1973 – 48.8% – 43 Year – Ex-Sherry Butt – Bottled under “The Perfect Dram” Label – Only 1 bottle left! – $650
10. The Whisky Agency Tennessee Bourbon 2003 – 52.6% – 13 Year – 88pts Whisky Base: “Nose: much more caramel aromas now, with waxed furniture. The polished aspect of oak, rather than the spicy, plankish notes. Very round. Sweet corn. Coconut cream, hints of Mexican chocolate. The most liqueur-like of the three. Almonds and pecans, almost sherried in a way. Mouth: very much on the coconut flakes again. Hints of pomegranates, then the eucalyptus and herbal tea. Cloves. Somehow smoother than you’d expect from a 13 years old bourbon. Finish: long, on polished oak, char and spices.” – $235 

Whisky Fassle

1. Whisky Fasle 1964 Single Grain – 47.7% – 52 Year – Ex-Bourbon Barrel – Undisclosed Lowland Grain Distillery – Whisky Notes Tasting Note: “Nose: nicely vannilled and syrupy, with pear juice and warm oak. Hints of both American bourbon and exotic rum. Coconut and bananas flambéed. Hints of pencil shavings. Creamy mocha candy. A little toasted oak and warm brioche. Crushed mint in the back. Easy to like, more complex than expected. Mouth: now more bourbonny than rummy, but still quite smooth. Honey and caramels, vanilla custard, a little leather. Heavily baked cake. Coconut. Maybe some papaya. Certainly influenced by the oak (baking spices) but not tired or woody, very smooth and creamy actually. Finish: long, slightly spicier now (pepper, clove). Something of flan with sweet oranges and burnt sugar.” – Only 12 Bottles – 6 Left – $730
2.  Whisky Fassle Irish Malt XO – 50.6% – A marriage of Irish Single Malts Distilled 1989-91 and 2000-3 – Bottled 2016 – Whisky Notes Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh, bright and very fruity. Banana, lemon, pineapple, whitecurrant. Rather great. Sweet barley. Hints of lime blossom, grasses, buttercups and light honey. Mouth: same fruitiness. Melons, pears, pineapple, sweetened grapefruit juice too. More of a vague Haribo fruitiness, lacking some of the unique passion fruits of the old (non-blended) Irish malts, if you know what I mean. Some minty notes and young grassy touches. Back to powder sugar and almonds. Hints of vanilla, and perhaps a little latte. Green spices too. Finish: long, on biscuits, fruits and a little green oak.” – Only 12 Bottles – $315
3. Whisky Fassle KWM ‘extra old’ Blended Malt KWM 25th Anniversary – 45.4% – Sherry Butt – 42 Bottles – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: big, thick and chewy; chocolate fudge, gentle ashy smoke and a cedar spice box full of decadent spices; warmed brown sugar and candied ginger; orange peels and a touch of mincemeat. Palate: round and fruity; dark, rich and layered; building gentle, ashy peat-smoke and dark bakers chocolate; more mincemeat in a buttery pie crust, bright candied orange peel and big candied fruits; soft sweet cigar tobacco and some late melons. Finish: like a fine Cuban cigar… more dark chocolate, mincemeat, fading gentle ashy peat and again with the melons. Comment: this is a lovely Blended malt, and I suspect another Edrington Group special… it has Macallan, Highland Park and even a touch of Glenrothes on it… regardless it is lovely!” – $220

NEW Teeling Whiskies 

Two New SIngle Malts from Ireland’s Most Innovative Whisky Firm 

Two new limited edition single malts from the Teeling Distillery have just arrived. The first is the third release in the Teeling Revival Series, Volume 3. The whiskey is a 14 year old finished for a year in Pineau des Charentes casks, after maturing 13 years in Ex-Bourbon. The other malt is the first in the new Barbazon series, released to highlight the influence of different oak types on the maturation of whiskey. The first is matured in ex-Sherry. Both are available now and are not expected to last long!

1. Teeling Revival Volume 3 14 Year – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Finished 1 Year in Pineau des Charentes – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Earthy dried fruit and roasted hazelnut, with marmalade, peach, plum and burnt toffee. Taste: A rich sherry sweetness, red berries, nuttiness and toffee, with a hint of liquorish and clove. Finish: Lingering mixed spice, trail-mix, crisped marshmallow, dry tannins and spice with toasted wood.” – $175
2.  Teeling Barbazon Single Malt Series 3 – 49.5% – Matured in Ex-Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Earthy dried fruit and roasted hazelnut, with marmalade, peach, plum and burnt toffee. Taste: A rich sherry sweetness, red berries, nuttiness and toffee, with a hint of liquorish and clove. Finish: Lingering mixed spice, trail-mix, crisped marshmallow, dry tannins and spice with toasted wood.” – $108

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2017 

Just landed… it won’t last long!

Loch Gorm was the second core release from the Kilchoman distillery, and it has been one of its most consistently popular, so much so that it is released once a year and sells out almost immediately. The whisky was distilled in 2009, matured in Oloroso Sherry and bottled in 2017 at 46% without colouring or chillfilerting. Alberta’s once annual allocation has arrived, it will not last long.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2017 – 46% – Matured in Oloroso Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: an Ileach Christmas: Christmas Cake by the peat fire, after a seafood supper, with a healthy sherried dram; cedar spice box, salty Dutch licorice, dark chocolate shavings and tobacco. Palate: round, rich and oily; more Christmas cake, oily peat and salty Dutch licorice; a touch of tar, dark chocolate and loads of spices; the warm cedar note is still there; some subtle citrus tones underneath with a base of juicy malt. Finish: medium long and coating; oily and sherried with gentle peat, salty licorice and more juicy malt. Comment:

this is a very drinkable Loch Gorm, the softest I can remember sampling; truly an Ileach Christmas in a glass! – $118

Producer Description: ” Loch Gorm is the name given to our annually bottled sherry cask matured limited edition. The 2017 edition is the sixth and oldest instalment of the range, having been matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts filled in 2009. With the majority of our whisky being matured in ex bourbon barrels, Loch Gorm is the only release to be maturated exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, only 13,500 bottles will be available worldwide. Like many of our expressions, Loch Gorm releases have been evolving over the years and this, the 2017 edition, is the oldest yet.  This extra maturation has afforded it a full-bodied richness which combines with the peat smoke and fruity flavours typical of Kilchoman to create a truly unique Islay single malt.” – $118

Glenfarclas Family Cask Pricing 

Taking Requests Until August 13th, for Late Fall Delivery 

We have been offered pricing on available Glenfarclas Family Cask bottlings, including a large number of new bottlings. The Glenfarclas Family Casks have become a global commodity since they were first launched more than a decade ago. They could sell everything they release to Taiwan and Asia, who are the principal driving force on price, but they make an effort to spread it around. Attached you will find pre-order pricing for Glenfarclas Family Casks. Bottles would be delivered in late 2017. You’ll note some of them have surged in the last few years. Vintages with prices which look inflated, are a reflection of the fact the distillery is nearly out of whisky from that year. Please get back to me ASAP, available quantities of some of these whiskies is limited, and this offer was sent out to retailers around the world! The Order Deadline is August 13 2017.

Please note, we used a formula to calculate the pricing, you’ll note it has not been rounded. Prices do not include GST. The pricing is only valid through August 13, 2017, while we put together our order! Bottles should arrive late in the fall. >

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

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 and 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

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Kensington Wine Market 403-283-8000