AVAILABLE NOW
Tasting on 31 March 2021

The Macallan has been making great whisky for nearly 200 years and the distillery’s limited Edition series emphasises their commitment to – and borderline obsession with – exploring and pushing the boundaries of their craft.

Join The Macallan brand ambassador David Sinclair and The Whisky Exchange ambassador Billy Abbott for an exclusive virtual tasting of releases 1-6 in The Macallan Edition series. They’ll be taking a deep dive into the driving ideas and principles behind these great whiskies as well as, of course, how they taste.

The tasting will take place on 31 March 2021 at 19:00 BST, on Zoom, and invites to join the Zoom call will be issued to all Macallan Editions Virtual Tasting Set purchasers in advance of the event. The tasting will also be livestreamed on Facebook for free, should you wish to watch along without a tasting pack, and will remain available to watch on Facebook once the event has finished.

BUY NOW

AN EVENING OF MAGIC, ART & SCIENCE

We want to take you on an adventure. At Compass Box, we’ve got a healthy obsession with seeking out new flavours, experiences and most importantly, people to share it all with. That’s why we’re inviting you to An Evening of Magic, Art & Science to mark the launch of our new limited edition Magic Cask. We’ll be unravelling a few mysteries and even creating one or two right before your very eyes. It’s all happening on Sunday, March 21st at 8pm (GMT). Sign up here to be a part of it.

Our founder John Glaser and whiskymaker James Saxon will also be joined by Guy Pratt from Stranger & Stranger, who designed the label for Magic Cask, and world-renowned magician Joshua Jay, who has appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, will be bringing his own kind of wizardry to entertain us.

YOU’RE SUCH AN IMPORTNAT PART

This is an event where everyone can get involved, and for us, the Q&A segment is always fascinating. We invite you to ask us anything about whisky! We will share all of the questions along with our answers following the event.

As an extra treat, we’ll also be gifting ten beautiful Magic Cask limited edition jigsaw puzzles to a lucky few. So, to be in with a chance of owning one, just tune in on the day. The winners will be randomly selected from all the participants after the event

JOIN US FOR A DRINK?

You don’t need to have the whisky at home to enjoy the event, but if you want to sip along with us, you can buy Magic Cask via our website or reach out to your local specialist spirits retailer for availability. Get in touch with us at hello@compassboxwhisky.com if you have any queries about stockists in your area. It’s set to be a great event so spread the word and invite your friends to register.

We hope to see you there!
The Compass Box Team

P.S. Don’t forget that Daylight Saving Time begins in the US on March 14th so please check the start time of the event (8pm GMT) in your local area.

Malt Messenger No. 119

IRISH TAKEOVER EDITION

I have some exciting news, our second shipment of Waterford Whisky has arrived. Waterford Distillery has very quickly made a name for itself since releasing its first whiskies last Spring. Some of us had them on our radar well before that, in part because the visionary behind the distillery is Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich fame.

I love what they’ve done with the distillery and their whiskies, and I’m really excited to share this new batch with you. There are four new whiskies, two Organic “Gaia” Cuvee Single Malts, and two Single Farm Origin Single Malts. We held back a few bottles each of the first two Single Farm releases, meaning we have a range of six Waterford Whiskies for a tasting… Details on the whiskies and the tasting can be found below!

The arrival of the Waterford whiskies is serendipitous, given that St. Patrick’s Day is this week. We are marking Ireland’s Day with an Irish whiskey tasting on Tuesday (sold out), and an Irish Whiskey Sale. You can save 10% on all in-stock Irish whiskey (excluding the new Waterfords), now through Sunday, March 21, in-store and online. There is also a selection of 10 Irish whiskies which are 15-35% off, while stocks last!

Before we get to the meat of this Malt Messenger, Evan has sat in front of the typewriter and banged out a few words on Irish Whiskey, as he sees it. Much more besides in this Irish Takeover Edition of the Malt Messenger.

As always, please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

If you are able to, please order online. Most days I receive more emails than I am able to reply to in a timely fashion.

In the event of a discrepancy in price, the Point of Sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In this Edition

1. New Waterford Virtual Whisky Tasting

2. Other Up-Coming Virtual Whisky Tastings

3. A Few Words on Irish Whiskey

4. Waterford Whisky – Round II

5. Irish Whisk(e)y Sale

6. In Case You Missed Them: Our 3 Latest KWM Exclusive Casks

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

NEW WATERFORD WHISKY

VIRTUAL TASTING

What’s All the Fuss About Waterford Whisky?!

·     Date: Apri 16, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $45.00

·     Pick-Up Date: March 22

Mark Reynier’s Waterford Distillery has been making waves in the Whisk(e)y world over the last year. The Irish distillery’s first whisky releases have received acclaim from critics and members of the trade. Waterford’s focus is on the barley, paying very close attention to what they call Teireoir. But that is just a part of their recipe for the quality of their young whiskies. Long fermentation times, yeast selection, very precise distillation and rigorous cask selection all play an important role. We’ll sample our way through the first 6 Waterford Whiskies to come to Canada, as well as a surprise 7th whisky. The tasting will consist of 7 15ml samples. A zoom code will be emailed a day before the tasting.

OTHER UP-COMING

VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

Independents Day: The Whisky Agency

·     Date: March 26, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $55.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now

·     15 Spots Left!

The Whisky Agency has earned a cult following at KWM over the last few years for one simple reason: they source and bottle some exceptional single casks. From humble beginnings in the early 2000s sourcing casks for the Limburg Whisky Fair (one of the best Whisky Festivals in the World) it is now a respected international player. We’ll sample 6 Whisky Agency whiskies from: Glen Elgin, Ledaig and a number of “Secret Distilleries!” Many of these whiskies are only available in Canada… We’ll also sample one very old Cognac from 1973. Included seven 15ml samples. A zoom code will be emailed a day or two before the tasting. 8 PM Friday, March 26.

Independents Day: Hunter Laing Whisky

·     Date: April 8, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Friday, March 12

·     Only 4 Spots Left!

Join us for an exploration of the Hunter Laing whisky portfolio, guided by Andrew Laing. We will sample whiskies from Caol Ila, Tullibardine, Glendullan, Macduff and Tormore from the Hepburn’s Choice, First Editions and Old Malt Cask ranges. We will also be sampling a pair from the Old & Rare range, a sherried Tomatin 25 Year and a special release of “Heritage” Tamdhu 30 Year. The tasting will consist of seven 15ml samples as well as a 50ml mini bottle of Scarabus Islay Single Malt. 8 PM Thursday, April 8. A zoom code will be emailed a few days before the event.

*SAMPLES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP ON MARCH 12.*

Rare & Old: Things Andrew Wants to Taste Pt.1

·     Date: April 22, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $150.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Monday, March 22

Demand for this tasting was so high we’ve doubled the number of spots for it. Only 19 left!

The Covid-19 pandemic hit just days before we were supposed to host our first-ever Rare & Old Whisky Festival. We were gutted to have to pull the plug, but it was the right decision. It may still be a year or more before we can put on a festival-style tasting in-store, but we can still have some fun. There are more than a few old and rare whiskies we want to taste, and we know we are not alone in this. So we are putting on a new virtual tasting series, “Rare & Old: Things Andrew Wants to Try!” As the name implies it is built around a range of old and rare whiskies Andrew wants to sample. The first session will include: Auchentoshan 1988 PX, Bladnoch 25 Year, Blackadder Raw Cask Glen Scotia 1991, Glengoyne 30 Year, Pittyvaich 29 Year and Port Askaig 45 Year; a range of whiskies which would set you back about $6000+gst. Andrew’s sampled the Port Askaig 45 Year on numerous occasions… but he loves it and wants to taste it any chance he gets! 8 PM Thursday, April 22. Includes 7x15ml samples. A zoom code will be emailed a few days before the tasting.

A FEW WORDS ON IRISH WHISKEY

by Evan Eckersley

Irish Whiskey is in the middle of a boom the likes of which it has not seen in more than a century. For part of the 20th Century, there were only two distilleries in all of Ireland making whiskey, which was far from its peak.

In the 1800s, Ireland was the largest producer of whiskey in the world. What doomed the industry was a combination of taxes, wars, technology and Prohibition. Scotch Whisky eventually became more popular due to Scotland’s adoption of the Continuous still – specifically the Coffey Still which was created by Irishman Aeneas Coffey. Coffey’s invention allowed for less expensive and more efficient alcohol production and was embraced and purchased by many distilleries in Scotland and the world over, but it was virtually shunned in Ireland. In Scotland, the whisky from these stills was used primarily in blended Scotch Whisky which gained popularity in the UK, Europe and South America, and also in the United States after prohibition ended in December of 1933.

Nearly 30 Irish Whiskey distilleries operated and existed in the early 1900s, but their numbers slowly dwindled through the first half of that century. By 1966, through a combination of closures and consolidation, there were only two remaining: Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland and Old Midleton Distillery in the south, In 1987 a new player entered the game – Cooley Distillery – which brought that number to three. Over the next thirty years, Irish Whiskey has consistently been the fastest-growing spirit segment in the world, which has led to a modern revival of whiskey production in the country. There are currently more than thirty distilleries once again operating in Ireland, including the highly touted Waterford Distillery which we will be receiving new bottles from next week!

Much of what many of us believe to be factual about Irish Whiskey is actually a combination of marketing and myth.

·     Irish Whiskey is smoother than Scotch Whisky because it is triple distilled.

There are Irish Whiskies that are triple distilled (such as the Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey), but not all of them are. Plus, there are triple distilled Scotch Whiskies available as well.

·     Irish Whiskey is not as rough as Scotch Whisky because it is not peated.

While most Irish Whiskey is indeed unpeated, there are peated Irish Whiskies in the market. Connemara, from Cooley Distillery, is a stellar example of this. Hinch Peated Irish Whiskey is also worth checking out (and it likely comes from the same distillery…) Plus, there is more unpeated Scotch Whisky produced than actual peated Scotch Whisky, even in this era of smoky renaissance that Scotch Whisky finds itself in.

·     All Irish Whiskey contains unmalted barley.

There are indeed Irish Distilleries (like the Shed Distillery – creators of Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey) that use this distilling method that emerged in the late 18th century as a creative form of tax evasion, but not all do. While the origins of this style are Irish, not all Irish Whiskey is Single Pot Still and there are other whiskies from around the world that utilize some unmalted barley in distillation as well, including Vancouver Island’s Shelter Point Distillery with their Montfort 141 Single Grain Whisky.

·     Irish Whiskey is better/worse/different than Scotch Whisky.

At least the ‘different’ part is true – geographically. Irish Whiskey has to be made in Ireland just like Scotch Whisky has to be made in Scotland. Beyond that, you could make the same style of whisky in both countries if you wanted, or in many other parts of the world. That would not make it better or worse. It would just make it different.

WATERFORD WHISKIES ROUND II

Waterford Arcadian Series Organic Gaia 1.1 – 50% –  Matured in a mix of 35% First Fill ex-Bourbon, 29% Virgin American Oak, 17% ex-Wine French Oak and 19% Vin Doux Naturel Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: orange zest, malty figs, seaweed, hay in the field after light rain, salted caramel, peppermint, rosewater, freshly turned soil. Taste: heat and zesty pepper on the tongue, cloves, figs, oiliness that dries in the mouth, cherries, butterscotch, pears, malty, layers of spice. Finish: long and zesty oiliness that dries, but leaves you chewing; a sweetness that comes right at the end.” – $110+gst – Strictly limited to 1 per person! – 90pts Serge @ Whisky Fun!

Waterford Single Farm Ballymorgan 1.2 – 50% – Matured in a mix of 34% First Fill ex-Bourbon, 20% Virgin American Oak, 23% ex-Wine French Oak and 23% Vin Doux Naturel Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Dried herbs, malt, red apple, plums, milk chocolate, vanilla, fennel seeds and custard. Taste: Apple crumble with toffee, milk chocolate, slight fudge, cloves, a green apple collated in caramel, with pepper heat and aniseed. Finish: Lingering spice heat with a mouth-watering oiliness that turns mouth puckering.” – $102+gst – Limit 2 Per Customer – 87pts Whisky Fun

The following Waterford whiskies have arrived at KWM! We are limiting them to a maximum of 2 bottles each per customer, and 1 per customer of the Organic Gaia 1.1.

Waterford Single Farm Sheestown 1.2 – 50% – Matured in a mix of 33% ex-Bourbon, 19% Virgin American Oak, 25% ex-French Wine & 23% Vin Doux Naturel Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Malty, honey, fruit cake, pears, sherry trifle, cookie dough, a summer hay note, orange peel and an earthy note. Taste: Spices and clove that gently warms then dries; blood oranges, honeycomb, barley sugar and ginger. Finish: Long with a gentle spice and citrus that tingles.” – $102+gst – Limit 2 Per Customer – 87pts Whisky Fun

Waterford Arcadian Series Organic Gaia 1.2 – 50% – Matured in a mix of 35% First Fill ex-Bourbon, 29% Virgin American Oak, 17% ex-French Wine & 19% Vin Doux Naturel Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: a rose bed after a summer shower, white pepper, rhubarb tart, salted caramel, popcorn, fudge, marshmallows, cherries, vine tomatoes. Taste: white pepper, orange zest, almond, dates, lemon sherbet, liquorice, gentle maltiness and warm chocolate brownie. Finish: warm spices that gently goes to leave a cherry biscuit note.” – $110+gst – Limit 2 Per Customer

SAVE UP TO 35%

ON A LOAD OF IRISH WHISKIES

We’ve got some great deals on Irish Whiskey right now. All in-stock Irish Whiskey is at least 10% off (excepting the new Waterford Whiskies above), now through March 22nd. There are also some even better deals, with savings of up to 35%, which we’ve listed below.

Jack Ryan 12 Year Single Malt (the original) – 46% – Matured in ex-Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very tropical, bright sugars, wine gums and Jelly Bellies; juicy malt, layers of fruits and minty mojitos. Palate: big juicy malt, soft toasted oak and subtle spices with more sugars; still tropical, loads of fruit, Jelly Bellies, wine gums; some late licorice and leather with more mint. Finish: long, rich and very layered, loads of fruit, full of character. Comment: another stunning single malt from the Cooley distillery, excellent value! – Was $122.99 – Save 30% – Now $86.09

Jack Ryan 10 Year Toomevara Single Malt – 46% – Matured in ex-Bourbon/Finished in Château du Breuil Calvados Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Three shades of apple. Dry and yeasty stewed apple warmth, sour green apple gummies, and the leafier tang of green apples themselves. Beneath that, sap, cut grass, and orange cream soda which, after a little honey cuts the grasses with the creams, turns to actual orange peel. Leafier with water. Palate: Apple pie in a glass. Soft cinnamon, rich applesauce, a light zesty tang as if those apples were unripe, a slight trace of citrus peel and enough mouth-watering juice to bind the sauces to the fruits. Finish: Sandalwood edges round the lingering sauce. Dusty, dry, and even a little yeasty although the sweet green apple tang from the nose still sidles past the finish. One for the grey days.” – Was $150 – Save 30% – Now $104.99

Jack Ryan 12 Year Finisher’s Single Malt – 46% – Matured in ex-Bourbon / Finished in Madeira Casks from Justino’s of Santa Cruz – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Clean orange sweets not cut by grass- lifted by it – and plenty of quirky wood sugars injected into citrus. An ode to orange in notes of bark. Orange honey, subtle saps, Old-fashioned hotel candy coexists with actual blood orange as well as marmalade, tannin, and a waxier leafiness drying back to citrus leaves. Flirts after water, between honeydew and honeysuckle with a glance back to citrus leaves. Palate: On to the cousins. Clean clementine, clean tangerine, a little dark blood orange, that leaf and tanning counter-note now seamlessly engrained into the subtleties of the orange. With water, a pithier drop with more tanginess than sweetness and more crackle than wax. Finish: The pendulum finally swings from the oranges to their trees and leaves. Not zesty or even spry so much as leafy and pale, but with a mouth-drying taste that makes the surviving sweet citrus linger long after the sip. Water adds a lingering tang at the price of those leaves.” – Was $170 – Save 30% – Now $118.99

Jack Ryan 11 Year Haddington Single Malt – 46% – Matured in ex-Bourbon / Finished in Rum Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Cinnamon, ginger and a light pinch of nutmeg over a bowl of brown sugar. The sweet rum plays tag, with a spryer more resinous streak from the distillate and a slight dusty dryness from the oak. A sweet nose, but more bakery than sweet shop sweetness and with just enough spry grass interrupting the rum to keep the whole game interesting. With water, the ginger starts to fuse with the oak into something between cinnamon pastry and freshly peeled bark. Palate: Golden brown, texture like sun… Demerara sugar, warm maple syrup, and old-fashioned rum. Leads after water into honeycomb, nutmeg and thickly honeyed graham cracker glory with a few prickly resisns from the nose’s mown grass keeping all that spiced. Finish: Old dusty floorboards, gingersnap biscuits, and some actual ginger keeping our brown sugar spry.” – Was $154.99 – Save 30% – Now $108.49

Blackwater Retronaut 17 Year Single Malt – 46% – ex-Bourbon Casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: dusty, floral and decadent; spring flowers, French vanilla and bright citrus; glazed donuts and pastries dusted in powdered sugar; banana chips and kiwi fruit. Palate: soft, waxy and very toasty; toasted coconut, marcona almonds and more French vanilla; building peppery spices, along with ginger, cinnamon and Demerara sugars; still floral with more citrus, banana and pastries dusted in powdered sugar. Finish: long, drying and spicy with traces of decadent oak and fading citrus fruits. Comment: decadent, silky and spicy, it is almost tropical, but the oak and floral notes take center stage.” – Was $220 – Save 35% – Now $142.99

Velvet Cap Irish Whiskey – 40% – Producer Description: “Velvet Cap Irish Whiskey is a small batch blend of malt and grain whiskies sourced from some of Ireland’s finest distilleries. After blending, we rest the whiskey in a selection of bourbon, port and stouted rye casks to let the flavours marry.” Producer Tasting Note: “On the nose expect candied banana, honey, dark stonefruit & almond leading way to a luscious mouthfeel with flavours of vanilla, plum, and agave.” – Was $74.99 – Save 25% – Now $56.24

*Not all bottles come with tubes!

J.J. Corry The Gael Irish Whiskey – 46% – Irish Blended Whiskey composed of 40% 7 Year Single Grain, as well as malts 11 Years (27.5%), 15 Years (27.5%) and 26 Years (5%) old. – My Tasting Note: “Nose: soft, floral and toasty with some juicy citrus and apricot notes; vanilla wafers and white chocolate Hershey’s kisses; green apples on sharp cheddar and window putty. Palate: soft, silky honeyed and fruity; bright citrus, vibrant floral notes and crisp spices meet silky toasted oak tones; nutty with peppery spices, white chocolate and soft fruits: green apples, apricots and pears; more sharp cheddar. Finish: fresh, toasty and fruity with firm spices, honey and vanilla; long, drying and fresh. Comment: curious stuff, it has some weight for an Irish Blend… must be the high malt content; the young grains give a bit of warmth, while the single malts (probably Cooley) add some nice fruits.” – Was $110 – Save 20% – Now $87.99

Bushmills 10 Year – 40% – Producer Description: “Bushmills 10 year old single malt whiskey is triple distilled from 100% malted barley and matured for at least 10 years in sherry and bourbon seasoned barrels, which give it a honey, vanilla and milk chocolate flavours. ” – Producer Tasting Note: “Bushmills 10 year old single malt is a very elegant style of Irish whiskey that leaves you with an exceptionally smooth finish. Triple distilled from 100% malted barley, it has the distinctive Bushmills’ light fruity aroma that travels over the lip of your tumbler to deliver 10 years of maturation mostly in bourbon seasoned barrels.” – Was $50.99 – Save 20% – Now $40.79

Teeling Single Malt Whiskey – 46% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: clotted cream of fresh baked scones and vanilla icing sugars; white fruits and citrus, toasty and honeyed with almonds. Palate: creamy and very honeyed, more clotted cream on scones and vanilla icing on white cupcakes; still toasty, a touch of white pepper, more citrus and white fruits with some honeydew melon; soft and malty with a hint of licorice and dark fruits. Finish: long, malty citric and sweet. Comment: a very pleasant malt, youthful but complex and eminently drinkable.” – Was $92 – Save 20% – Now $73.59

Redbreast 12 Year Single Pot Still – 40% – Matured in ex-Bourbon & Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: A complex spicy and fruity aroma with toasted wood notes evident. Taste: Full flavoured and complex; silky smooth with a harmonious balance of spicy, fruity, sherry and toasted notes. Finish: Satisfyingly long, the complex flavours linger on the palate.” – Was $100 – Save 15% – Now $84.99

IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM:

OUR 3 LATEST KWM EXCLUSIVE CASKS

Late last month 3 new KWM exclusive single casks hit our shelves, a Dutch Rye from Millstone, as well as single malts from Benromach & Old Pulteney. All three have been a hit, but the Benromach and Old Pulteney especially are going fast… The Benromach, our 3rd, is moderately peated, very creamy and fruity. The Old Pulteney, our 2nd from the distillery, is decadent and fruity with a savoury coastal flourish. The Millstone 100 Rye is our 2nd cask of Rye from the distillery. It is very complex and spicy.

Benromach 2007 KWM Cask 134 – 57.7% – 13 Year – First Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: soft, fruity and decadent; vanilla icing sugar, creamed honey and agave nectar; Jujubes, Five Alive and bright candied orange; cantaloupe and apricots; hints of chocolate, gentle spices and clotted cream. Palate: a surge of chewy malt, gentle earthy peat, fruits and toasted oak; more creamed honey and agave nectar with corn syrup; candied orange and crisp lime with more Jujubes and Five Alive; dark milk chocolate and lightly salted caramel. Finish: silky, warming and coating; the fruits, spices and chocolate linger long into an elegant finale that finishes with a flourish of clean earthy peat. Comment: a young malt with a maturity well beyond its years; the citrus fruits, chocolate and subtle smoke are in almost perfect balance.” – $145+gst

Old Pulteney 2004 KWM Cask 236 – 55% – 16 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: thick and honeyed with coconut cream icing, salted caramel and firm oak spices; lime zest, candied orange peel and grassy malt; Jolly Ranchers and tarte tattin. Palate: still thick, oily, creamy and coating; more coconut cream icing sugar on vanilla cupcakes; crème brulee and dulce de leche to go with the salted caramel; candy apple and candied orange with lemon and lime zest; warming spicy oak blankets the palate in a comforting way. Finish: warm, spicy and coating it lingers long with toasted oak, honey, coconut and salted caramel. Comment: this must be a first-fill ex-Bourbon Barrel; the oak presence is lush, but far from overdone; this isn’t as subtle as our last cask of Old Pulteney, but it is a banger none the less.” – $170+gst

Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask #2 – 54.7% – New American Oak – My Tasting Note: “Nose: spicy, oily and jammy right off the bat; German pumpernickel rye style bread and fresh dill; moist jujubes, treacle sauce and barrel-aged maple syrup; Dutch licorice, Goodies and candied fennel seeds; herbaceous, a touch of Fernet Branca and vanilla extract; ginger & molasses cookies. Palate: thick, sweet. syrupy and layered with decadent spices; still dill-y, more German pumpernickel-rye bread and ginger & molasses cookies; floral and herbaceous; loads of licorice: more goodies, Dutch licorice and candied fennel; more Jujubes, raspberry jam and orange-infused chocolate; more maple syrup and treacle sauce; floral French vanilla. Finish: fresh, fruity, floral and layered; more licorice, syrup and chocolate; dill, rye bread and Fernet Branca. Comment: this is a little less decadent from our first KWM Cask of Millstone Rye, but it might just be even more complex; this is proper rye whisky, insanely complex and a delight to nose and drink; sadly just over 100 bottles available; not sure I’ve ever put Fernet in a tasting note before!” – $105

ANDREW’S PERSONAL IRISH WHISKEY PICK

After being in the business of selling and tasting whisky for nearly two decades, there is not much that could shake our beloved leader Andrew Ferguson to the core – but this release from MMA ‘icon’ Conor McGregor has certainly done just that. Not only has it revived his faith in humanity, but it has also left his palate yearning for more celebrity-shilled bottles!

To celebrate Andrew’s fine taste and renewed lease on life, the KWM whiskey staff are proud to offer this splendid bottle with a bespoke brown paper bag signed by the one and only Andrew Ferguson himself at no extra charge!

Secure yours now, as these bags are limited to 40 only to ensure both collectability and resellability. Order soon or be stuck paying secondary market prices later!

Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey – 40 bucks well spent plus GST.

STAY HOME… WE’LL DELIVER!

We Are Offering Some Great Deals

&

Free City-Wide Delivery for Orders Over $100

FREE DELIVERY – We are offering free delivery for orders over $100 placed online or over the phone, and will do our best to deliver within 72 hours.

CURBSIDE PICKUP – Place an order, we’ll let you know when it is ready. Call us when you are out front or parked in the back lot and we’ll bring it out. Simple as that!

GIFTING – Want to send someone a care package? All gifting options are still available. Quarantined parents and closed schools qualify as a “wine emergency”. Gift cards are also available and can be used over the phone.

If you are able, please submit your order online. We will answer any questions you might have before finalizing and processing your order. You are not automatically billed when you submit your order.

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

We will do our best to answer and process as many phone orders as we can. Call us at 403-283-8000.

COVID-19 Precautions at KWM

To protect our staff and customers we have implemented some policies!

Please do not enter the store if:

·     You have returned from Outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks, or you live with someone who has!

·     You are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

If the above applies to you, please order online or by phone and we can deliver!

Precautions we are taking in-store:

·     All of our staff are wearing masks, and we’d appreciate if you would do so too!

·     We are only allowing 6 customers in the store at any given time.

·     We have hand sanitizer throughout the store for the use of customers and staff.

·     We kindly ask that you do not to pick up products unless you intend to purchase them.

·     We are frequently disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and high contact areas within the store.

·     We are also not accepting cash payment at this time.

·     Staff are frequently washing and disinfecting their hands.

·     We have cancelled all in-store tastings.

·     We are monitoring our staff for symptoms.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this challenging time!

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Store Hours

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm

Sat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

WELCOME TO THE KILBEGGAN MARCH

This month-long, multi-pronged, multi-experience activation brings Kilbeggan, Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery, into people’s homes and lives – from Cocktails-To-Go to DIY Irish Coffee Kits to a Virtual St. Paddy’s Day Toast.  There will be local activations taking place in cities including Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Portland and Rochester, as well as national activities such as a Live Virtual Toast on St. Paddy’s Day.

At the heart of Kilbeggan Distilling Co.’s Irish Whiskeys is a tightknit Irish community, one that rallies together in the face of adversity and carries a strong sense of spirit and compassion for one another. As you may know, it was the townspeople of Kilbeggan that worked together to save the Distillery when Prohibition threatened to close its doors. This St. Patrick’s Day marks almost one year since our world went completely sideways, and after the year we’ve all endured, only one day of celebrating just won’t do. So, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is encouraging people to let the happiness of St. Patrick’s Day last for the entire month of March.

KILBEGGAN MARCH COCKTAIL-TO-GO KITS AT SELECT BARS & RESTAURANTS

Exclusive KILBEGGAN MARCH COCKTAIL TO-GO KITS will be available for takeout and delivery purchase (where available) all month long in Chicago, Denver, Portland and Philadelphia (and more cities as we bring them on). The full list of participating bars and restaurants can be found here. These Kilbeggan March Cocktail Cocktail To-Go Kits will include Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey cocktails packaged in a Kilbeggan Tote with a Kilbeggan March Tasting Map (info about Kilbeggan and a map of all the participating bars and restaurants) and exclusive branded swag. On the Kilbeggan March website, people can watch cocktail tutorial videos to learn how to make their cocktail from beloved local bartenders.

KILBEGGAN MARCH DIY IRISH COFFEE KITS AT SELECT LIQUOR STORES

People who visit select local liquor stores in Upstate NY, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver and Portland are able to purchase the KILBEGGAN MARCH DIY IRISH COFFEE TO-GO KIT. This Kit contains the tools needed to make the perfect Irish Coffee. With the purchase of any bottle of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, consumers will receive a Kilbeggan Tote containing Kilbeggan Irish Coffee glasses, a bag of fresh ground coffee, an Irish Whiskey spoon and a simple but incredibly effective plastic squeeze bottle to make the cream to top the coffee (this squeeze bottle is our secret weapon to perfect Irish coffees!).

THE KILBEGGAN ST. PATRICK’S DAY VIRTUAL TOAST – March 17

Join Kilbeggan’s Brand Ambassador, Michael Egan on Wed, March 17 for a special live St. Patrick’s Day toast! All are welcome! Follow @KilbegganWhiskey on Instagram for details.

ABOUT KILBEGGAN IRISH WHISKEY — www.kilbegganwhiskey.com

At the heart of Kilbeggan Distilling Co.’s Irish Whiskeys is a tightknit Irish community, one that rallies together in the face of adversity and carries a strong sense of spirit and compassion for one another. In fact, it was the townspeople of Kilbeggan that worked together to save the Distillery when Prohibition threatened to close its doors. Since 1757, Kilbeggan® Distilling Company has crafted beloved Irish whiskeys unlike any other. As the oldest continuously licensed distillery in Ireland, Kilbeggan continues to push Irish whiskey conventions while remaining true to classic distilling traditions, keeping the spirit of Irish whiskey alive.  Built on the idea that “if it’s to be, it’s up to we,” every bottle of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is crafted with the true spirit of the community that runs through our stills and into our award-winning portfolio.

American Whiskey Magazine: What’s In A Name?

“There was no stopping their vision and the launch of the brand’s new American single malt whisky, Courage & Conviction.”

Our team recently sat down with American Whiskey Magazine to discuss what it’s been like to release a brand new American Single Malt whisky during a global pandemic.

READ MORE

Join Us For a Virtual Tasting on Facebook Live

On March 18th at 7pm ET, join us for a Facebook Live virtual tasting as we discuss the trio of newly announced American Single Malt expressions in the Courage & Conviction family. We’ll discuss tasting notes, the differences between each expression, and open up to a Q&A session with our team.

REGISTER HERE

Jameson Irish Whiskey invites the world to ‘join in’ with its month long St Patrick’s Day celebration

Jameson Irish Whiskey is extending a global invite to join in this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, with a series of curated events, special edition party-at-home kits, and competitions that will run throughout March 2021.

The showcase of events will include a series of live streams, including performances from Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez alongside Dublin rappers Denise Chalia and Kojaque, R&B artist Savannah-Re, and Canadian rapper Junia-T on St Patrick’s Day (17^th March).

Fans will also be invited to tune into a weekly live stream, from the beginning of March, via Boiler Room, and to join the Jameson team through the brand’s collaboration with Brooklyn-based internet football club, Nowhere FC.

Highlighting emerging talent and creatives from across the world, Jameson hopes to connect fans with communities by sharing unique experiences only accessible through its online partners, or via its Jameson Connects platform.

To kick off the global celebration Jameson will be bringing back its partnership with online music broadcasting platform Boiler Room, streaming sets every Wednesday in the run up to St Patrick’s Day, kicking off on 3^rdMarch. The two performances are focused on connecting Jameson consumers with local talent, bringing the best of Dublin Rap and Indie to screens across the globe, allowing music fans to join in the celebration wherever they are. Customers can stream the gigs live via the Jameson Connects platform

The highlight of the month will fall on St Patrick’s Day, as Jameson streams into homes across the globe with a series of immersive performances. Celebrating hometowns and communities, fans will be brought to the streets of Toronto, Canada – home to Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning artist Jessie Reyez, the headline act of the main event Jameson Connects Jessie and Friends. Reyez, a long-time fan of Jameson, will be performing some of her critically acclaimed tracks including Coffin, Shutter Island and Figures. The global livestream will be available across four time zones on the 17^th of March 2021, via the Jameson Connects platform. The performance is set to feature, Dublin based rappers Denise Chalia and Kojaque, alongside two Canadian artists Savannah-Re and Junia-T. Sign up for free tickets and check performance times on the Jameson Connects website.

In addition to the performance series, Jameson as also collaborated with Nowhere FC, the borderless internet football club based in Brooklyn, to create a collection of three limited edition football shirts, and accessories. The collection blends the aesthetics and histories of both partners, through the colours, style and motifs present on each design, symbolising the coming together of the Jameson and Nowhere FC communities as they join in with the St Patrick’s Day celebration. Fans can join the team, when the collection launches on on 10^th March via Jameson.com and NwFC’s website.

Finally, Jameson will be launching a competition to offer one fan the ultimate opportunity to join in with its global celebration, by giving away a once in a lifetime St Patrick’s Day experience for 2022. All fans have to do is let the team at Jameson know – via the brand’s social channels and Jameson Connects platform – where they would like to spend St Patrick’s Day next year and why. , with one lucky winner being given the opportunity to live out their ultimate celebration in 2022.

Brendan Buckley, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers, explains: ““St Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate all that Ireland represents – culture, music and togetherness. Jameson is ensuring that this year is no different as the whiskey brings its proud Irish spirit to life through a series of global virtual events and collaborations that encourage everyone to adapt an Irish state of mind and join in to safely celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2021.”

For more information on Jameson’s St Patrick’s Day Celebrations head to the Jameson Connects platform that will house all of the activity mentioned above or follow via social media @jamesonwhiskey.

Notes

Key links for the Jameson’s SPDS ’21 celebration:

• To stream the Boiler Room gig click here.
• For Jessie Reyez’s & Friends tickets click here.
• To purchase the NwFC collection click here.
• To purchase a St Patrick’s Day cocktail kit click here.

About Jameson

Jameson Irish Whiskey was established in 1780 by John Jameson, founder of the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street in Dublin. Over the past 200 years, Jameson has won fans in more than 130 countries for its signature smooth taste profile, the result of triple distillation, its Irish character and authenticity. Today, the Jameson family consists of Jameson Irish Whiskey, Jameson Caskmates Series, Jameson Black Barrel, Jameson Triple Triple, Jameson Crested, Jameson 18 Year Old and Jameson Cold Brew. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey through 30 years of consecutive growth and selling a record 8m cases in 2019.

www.jamesonwhiskey.com

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 7.6m cases in 2020. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.It employs over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

Golden Dram Competition:
WIN a bottle of Redbreast 21 Year Old!

The next edition of our Golden Dram competition is here already! And this one’s a cracker, with a bottle of Redbreast 21 Year Old up for grabs.

We’ve hidden a bottle of Redbreast 21 Year Old in one of our Redbreast 70cl boxes. To enter, simply buy any 70cl bottle from the Redbreast range online before midnight on Wednesday 17th March.

The oldest and richest expression of the Redbreast family, Redbreast 21 Year Old has spent over two decades in bourbon barrels and first-fill oloroso casks, introducing new levels of depth and flavour to its sherry character. Tropical fruits lead on the nose, followed by vanilla and cinnamon on the palate, before a lingering oak spice in the finish. Incredible!

Win or lose, you’ll be gaining a brand new bottle of delicious whiskey! So, what are you waiting for? Enter now while stocks last and you might just be the lucky one to find the golden dram in your order…

Shop the
Redbreast Range ›

To say the last year was crazy would be an enormous understatement. It was in short the busiest of my 17 years in the business. A lot of things were pushed to the side in November and December, and even January, because we just couldn’t deal with them. We made some progress catching up in January, but then there was the yearend inventory sale, and inventory and all the yearend stuff… it has taken the month of February to fully catch our breath.

In the grand scheme of things, and the chaos of the Covid-19 economy, we have been very lucky, and we don’t take that for granted. We donated more than $20,000.00 in cash to local charities over the last year, like the Calgary Foodbank, the Brenda Strafford Society to name just a few.

We are currently running a promotion on our main Instagram feed: instagram.com/kensingtonwm/ promoting a dozen of our neighbouring businesses in Kensington. Every day for 12 straight days we are giving away a $75 gift card to one of these great local businesses. It has been a tough year for most small businesses, and they need your support. I hope you will continue to consider shopping small and local.

This is the first full edition of the Malt Messenger since early January, and there is a lot to catch you up on. For starters, we just opened up three new virtual tastings for registration on our website,  The whisky tastings include a pair of independent bottlers: The Whisky Agency & Hunter Laing.

There is also the first in a series we are calling “Rare & Old: Things Andrew Wants to Taste.” We had to pull the plug, understandably, on our Rare & Old Festival last Spring as the pandemic hit. There are still a load of Rare & Old Whiskies we want to taste though, so we are going to break it into chunks.

I’ve tried to keep the lid on some new releases over the last few weeks as we endeavoured to catch up, with varying degrees of success. We have 3 exciting new KWM Exclusive Casks to fill you in on. The first, our 2^nd Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask, won’t be a secret to any of you who took part in the KWM Whisky Calendar this year. It was our Day 1 whisky, it was a hit, and it has finally arrived in-store.

We also have our 3^rd exclusive single cask of Benromach. It’s been about 7-8 years since the first two, but though those young casks were good, it has definitely been worth the wait for something with a little more age and maturity… The Benromach 2007 KWM Cask 134 is a whisky with a profile and complexity well beyond its 13 years of age!

Then there is our 2^nd KWM exclusive single cask from Old Pulteney. Our first Pulteney cask was a world traveller (long story, but not an exaggeration), it almost took a year and a half from the time it was selected until it hit our shores. This one was much more timely, and like its predecessor, the Old Pulteney 2004 KWM Cask is a cracker!

Three new casks arriving is exciting news in its own right. But I have much, much more to fill you in on than that. We have six new whiskies from Gordon & Macphail, three of them exclusive to Canada. The G&M Archives Collection is a trio of whiskies bottled in G&M’s old bottle and packaging. But that’s not the only thing about them that’s retro. The prices are a bit more approachable than much of the new releases. There are also 3, very rare, closed distillery whiskies released to mark Gordon Macphail’s 125^th Anniversary. The 47-year-old Glenury Royal is only the 2^nd whisky we’ve ever seen from the distillery. And we’ve had fewer bottlings of Mosstowie and Coleburn than most people have fingers on one hand.

We tried to keep the arrival of a few other releases quiet too, including the Artist Collective range from La Maison du Whisky. It was a hit with those who took part in a recent virtual tasting. There are a few sherried whiskies in the mix and not one of the bottlings disappointed. The Ardmore matured in ex-Laphroaig casks was one of the most notable to me.

We have new releases to tell you about from The Single Cask, Morrison MacKay’s Carn Mor Strictly Limited range and Adelphi. Many of these are limited and won’t last long. Evan has also done a round-up of the February SMWS Canada releases.

In addition to all the new releases, we have also welcomed back the newly rebranded Benromach core range, as well as the second release from Glengoyne’s Legacy Series.

There are also a number of notable returned whiskies including GlenAllachie 15, two anCnoc’s released for the distillery’s 125^th Anniversary, the Holyrood Spirits Merchants whiskies and a bit more of the Peat Monster Arcana.

As always, please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

If you are able to, please order online. Most days I receive more emails than I am able to reply to in a timely fashion.

In the event of a discrepancy in price, the Point of Sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In this Edition

1. New Virtual Whisky Tastings

2. Introducing: The Benromach 2007 KWM Cask

3. Introducing: The Old Pulteney 2004 KWM Cask

4. Introducing: The Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask #2

5. Introducing: The Gordon Macphail Archive Collection

6. The Gordon Macphail 125th Anniversary Whiskies

7. New Whiskies from Adelphi

8. Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Morrison MacKay

9. Introducing: The Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter 2

10.  Evan’s SMWS Corner

11. The Benromachs are Back!

12. GlenAllachie 15 is Back!

13. The anCnoc 125th Anniversary Whiskies are Back!

14. The Peat Monster Arcana is Back

15. The Holyrood Spirits Co. Whiskies Are Back!

16. Our SMOS Caol Ila 8 Year KWM Cask Is Nearly Gone!

17.  A Few More Deals

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

NEW VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

We have just listed 3 exciting new Virtual Tastings online

Independents Day: The Whisky Agency

·     Date: March 26, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $55.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now

The Whisky Agency has earned a cult following at KWM over the last few years for one simple reason: they source and bottle some exceptional single casks. From humble beginnings in the early 2000s sourcing casks for the Limburg Whisky Fair (one of the best Whisky Festivals in the World) it is now a respected international player. We’ll sample 6 Whisky Agency whiskies from: Glen Elgin, Ledaig and a number of “Secret Distilleries!” Many of these whiskies are only available in Canada… We’ll also sample one very old Cognac from 1973. Included seven 15ml samples. A zoom code will be emailed a day or two before the tasting. 8 PM Friday, March 26.

Independents Day: Hunter Laing Whisky

·     Date: April 8, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Friday, March 12

Join us for an exploration of the Hunter Laing whisky portfolio, guided by Andrew Laing. We will sample whiskies from Caol Ila, Tullibardine, Glendullan, Macduff and Tormore from the Hepburn’s Choice, First Editions and Old Malt Cask ranges. We will also be sampling a pair from the Old & Rare range, a sherried Tomatin 25 Year and a special release of “Heritage” Tamdhu 30 Year. The tasting will consist of seven 15ml samples as well as a 50ml mini bottle of Scarabus Islay Single Malt. 8 PM Thursday, April 8. A zoom code will be emailed a few days before the event.

*SAMPLES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP ON MARCH 12.*

Rare & Old: Things Andrew Wants to Taste Pt.1

·     Date: April 22, 2021

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $150.00

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Monday, March 22

The Covid-19 pandemic hit just days before we were supposed to host our first-ever Rare & Old Whisky Festival. We were gutted to have to pull the plug, but it was the right decision. It may still be a year or more before we can put on a festival-style tasting in-store, but we can still have some fun. There are more than a few old and rare whiskies we want to taste, and we know we are not alone in this. So we are putting on a new virtual tasting series, “Rare & Old: Things Andrew Wants to Try!” As the name implies it is built around a range of old and rare whiskies Andrew wants to sample. The first session will include: Auchentoshan 1988 PX, Bladnoch 25 Year, Blackadder Raw Cask Glen Scotia 1991, Glengoyne 30 Year, Pittyvaich 29 Year and Port Askaig 45 Year; a range of whiskies which would set you back about $6000+gst. Andrew’s sampled the Port Askaig 45 Year on numerous occasions… but he loves it and wants to taste it any chance he gets! 8 PM Thursday, April 22. Includes 7x15ml samples. A zoom code will be emailed a few days before the tasting.

INTRODUCING:

THE BENROMACH 2007 KWM CASK

Our 3rd KWM exclusive Benromach cask is a First Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, bottled after 13 years at 57.7%. Our 1st and 2nd KWM exclusive Benromach casks were here in 2013. They were young, but very well received. The outturn for cask 134 was 221 bottles. Benromach produces a lightly peated, traditional Speyside style of whisky.

Benromach 2007 KWM Cask 134 – 57.7% – 13 Year – First Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: soft, fruity and decadent; vanilla icing sugar, creamed honey and agave nectar; Jujubes, Five Alive and bright candied orange; cantaloupe and apricots; hints of chocolate, gentle spices and clotted cream. Palate: a surge of chewy malt, gentle earthy peat, fruits and toasted oak; more creamed honey and agave nectar with corn syrup; candied orange and crisp lime with more Jujubes and Five Alive; dark milk chocolate and lightly salted caramel. Finish: silky, warming and coating; the fruits, spices and chocolate linger long into an elegant finale that finishes with a flourish of clean earthy peat. Comment: a young malt with a maturity well beyond its years; the citrus fruits, chocolate and subtle smoke are in almost perfect balance.” – $145+gst

INTRODUCING:

THE OLD PULTENEY 2004 KWM CASK

This is our 2^nd exclusive single cask of Old Pulteney, and it is another lovely, savoury single malt. Only 216 bottles it is thick and honeyed with bags of coconut, citrus and gentle toasted oak. 

Old Pulteney 2004 KWM Cask 236 – 55% – 16 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: thick and honeyed with coconut cream icing, salted caramel and firm oak spices; lime zest, candied orange peel and grassy malt; Jolly Ranchers and tarte tattin. Palate: still thick, oily, creamy and coating; more coconut cream icing sugar on vanilla cupcakes; crème brulee and dulce de leche to go with the salted caramel; candy apple and candied orange with lemon and lime zest; warming spicy oak blankets the palate in a comforting way. Finish: warm, spicy and coating it lingers long with toasted oak, honey, coconut and salted caramel. Comment: this must be a first-fill ex-Bourbon Barrel; the oak presence is lush, but far from overdone; this isn’t as subtle as our last cask of Old Pulteney, but it is a banger none the less.” – $170+gst

INTRODUCING:

THE MILLSTONE 100 RYE KWM CASK #2

<Our 2nd KWM exclusive single cask of Millstone Rye has just landed in-store. It featured on Day 1 one of our KWM 2020 Whisky Calendar… Bottled at 54.7% the whisky is made from a 100% Rye mash, milled by Dutch windmills, and matured in a single New American Oak Cask.

Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask #2 – 54.7% – New American Oak – My Tasting Note: “Nose: spicy, oily and jammy right off the bat; German pumpernickel rye style bread and fresh dill; moist jujubes, treacle sauce and barrel-aged maple syrup; Dutch licorice, Goodies and candied fennel seeds; herbaceous, a touch of Fernet Branca and vanilla extract; ginger & molasses cookies. Palate: thick, sweet. syrupy and layered with decadent spices; still dill-y, more German pumpernickel-rye bread and ginger & molasses cookies; floral and herbaceous; loads of licorice: more goodies, Dutch licorice and candied fennel; more Jujubes, raspberry jam and orange-infused chocolate; more maple syrup and treacle sauce; floral French vanilla. Finish: fresh, fruity, floral and layered; more licorice, syrup and chocolate; dill, rye bread and Fernet Branca. Comment: this is a little less decadent from our first KWM Cask of Millstone Rye, but it might just be even more complex; this is proper rye whisky, insanely complex and a delight to nose and drink; sadly just over 100 bottles available; not sure I’ve ever put Fernet in a tasting note before!” – $105

INTRODUCING: THE GORDON & MACPHAIL ARCHIVE COLLECTION

The whisky is old, and so is the packaging, but the bottlings are new. These Archive releases were bottled exclusively for Western Canada, at prices you won’t soon see again. Higher than the G&M prices of yesteryear, but considerably lower than more recent offerings. There are three whiskies, and KWM is expecting just 6 bottles of each… I’ll have my own tasting notes out for them soon!

1. G&M Archive Release Glenlivet 1979 – 46.2% – 39 Year – Refill American Hogshead – Distilled: 24th September 1979 – Bottled: 12th October 2018 – Producer Tasting Note: “Ripe fruit aromas with vanilla and delicate elderflower aromas. The palate has fresh peach and some ripe melon flavours with underlying lime. Medium bodied the finish has a touch of pepper, oak and citrus.” – $2000+gst

2. G&M Archive Release Linkwood 1967 – 42.4% – 50 Year – 1^st Fill Sherry Hogshead – Distilled: 23rd February 1967 – Bottled: 26th January 2018 – Producer Tasting Note: “Intense dried fruit aromas with plenty of oak and spices. A subtle hint of roasted hazelnut and underlying soft smoke. Mouth clinging and spicy – cloves, bitter orange and oak tannins offer a robust palate. Mouth drying, dark liquorice and oak persevere on the finish.” – $4250+gst

3. G&M Archive Release Glen Grant 1952 – 54.6% – 56 Year – 1^st Fill Sherry Butt – Distilled: 17th September 1962 – Bottled: 18th September 2018 – Producer Tasting Note: “Rich Sherry influences, dark fruits – dried figs and blackcurrant with spicy cloves. Thick treacle notes give way to polished oak and aged leather. The palate has fruitcake, intense spices , Seville orange and charred oak flavours. Morello cherries and liquorice give way to a charred edge and subtle coffee grounds. The finish is long and full bodied with plenty of spice and oak.” – $4750+gst

THE GORDON & MACPHAIL 125TH ANNIVERSARY WHISKIES

The first of the 125^th Anniversary releases from Gordon & MacPhail, the world’s preeminent Independent Bottler, have arrived. The three releases below are all from closed distilleries or silent stills. The Glenury Royal 35 Year is only the second whisky we have ever seen from that closed distillery. We’ve not seen much more from Coleburn and Mosstowie (a whisky produced by a Lomond still at Miltonduff Distillery) either. G&M’s global release for all of these whiskies is less 400 bottles, and just 164 of the Mosstowie… All three are limited to 1 per customer.

G&M 125^th Anniversary Coleburn 1972 – 62.4% – 47 Year – Refill Sherry Puncheon Cask 3511 – Producer Description: “The first of the 125th anniversary whiskies to be released is the Gordon & MacPhail 1972 from Coleburn Distillery in Speyside. Coleburn Distillery, situated just four miles from the company’s Elgin home, started production in 1897 and it remained active until 1985. Just 363 bottles of the sweet, intense and complex 47-Year-Old whisky from Coleburn Distillery are available. After spending its entire maturation in cask 3511, a refill sherry puncheon, the golden-hued whisky has been bottled at cask strength (62.4% ABV), developing a sweet aroma with butterscotch notes.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet butterscotch, ripe fruit and subtle floral aromas. Caramelised sugar develops alongside waxy citrus peel, slowly transforming into fresh guava. Taste: Intensely sweet; fruity flavours of apricot and cooked apple with a subtle mouth-warming chilli spice edge. Subtle charred oak flavours give way to a soft undertone of mint leaves. Finish: A medium finish with sweet and ripe autumnal fruit and a lingering dry herbal note.” – $3000 – Limit 1 Per Customer! – 93pts Angus @WhiskyFun

G&M 125th Anniversary Glenury Royal 1984 – 49.1% – 35 Year – First-Fill Sherry Butt Cask 2355 – Producer Description: “The second of the 125th anniversary whiskies to be released is the Gordon & MacPhail 1984 from Glenury Royal Distillery in Stonehaven. No spirit has been distilled at Glenury since 1985, when it closed its doors for the final time and was demolished after a long history stretching back 160 years. Just 397 bottles of this elegant 35-year-old whisky are available. Laid down on Thursday 7 June 1984 and has been fully matured in cask number 2335, a first-fill Sherry Butt.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Stewed fruit aromas and soft notes of polish give way to cocoa powder. Cinnamon spice comes to the fore alongside tart plum skin, treacle and subtle traces of toasted oak. Taste: Sweet and drying with fresh cherry and orange peel flavours. Burnt sugar and notes of dried fig develop accompanied by blackcurrant and fresh coffee grounds. Finish: Medium and fruity with lingering aniseed and sherry influences on the finish.” – $3000 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

G&M 125^th Anniversary Mosstowie 1979 – 49.8% – 40 Year – Refill Sherry Hogshead Cask 20323 – Producer Description: “The penultimate of the 125th anniversary whiskies to be released is the Gordon & MacPhail 1979 Mosstowie from Miltonduff Distillery. Only 164 bottles are available worldwide of this full-bodied whisky, full of sherry influences and dark chocolate notes. The 40-year-old whisky was laid down in Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin warehouse on Thursday 13 September 1979 in cask number 20323, a refill Sherry Hogshead.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fragrant vanilla pod and butterscotch aromas lead to candied peel and hedgerow blossom. Leather and stewed apple notes come to the fore alongside blackcurrant leaves. Taste: Flavours of black pepper complement spiced grapefruit and subtle sherry influences. Dark chocolate undertones develop accompanied by tart raspberries and strawberry liquorice. Finish: Long and medium-bodied with a hint of fresh mint leaves on the finish.” – $3000 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

INTRODUCING: THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE FROM LA MAISON DU WHISKY

A new to Canada range of independently bottled single malts from the legendary La Maison du Whisky. Only 6-18 bottles of each have come into the market, and none of them disappoint!

About the Artist Collective Range

“Since the dawn of time, artist collectives have been a place of exchange, inspiration and creativity. In the same way, each of the single malts found in our Artist Collective range draws the richness of their olfactory and gustatory palettes from the marriage of various casks. Devoted to diversity, every region and every style of Scottish single malt, peated and unpeated, are represented. Within this range we also find 43%, 48%, 57.1% (100 proof) and cask-strength bottlings. To illustrate the labels of the six bottlings in our first collection, La Maison du Whisky has called on contemporary artists from very different backgrounds. Each of them brings their own very personal touch that echoes the richness of the single malts selected!”

1. Artist Collective 3.6 Ardmore 9 Year – 43% – Matured in 7 in 7 ex-Laphroaig Bourbon Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy and empyreumatic. On the first nose, gum arabica envelops an oily, floral (violet, dandelion, daisy) peat. On a chromatic front, a background of candied lemon and juicy pear brings beautiful golden tones. Allowed to breathe, malted barley grains, medicinal notes (mustard poultice, camphor) and ash accentuate the feeling of warmth emanating from the aromatic palette. Gradually, placed on the same slate, exotic fruits (banana, pineapple) and aromatic plants (sage, verbena) appear. Palate: lots of eloquence and vitality. The milky attack (coconut, fromage blanc) reveals an impressive herbaceous freshness (cut hay, mint). The peat is perfectly integrated into the heart of the taste palette. Nestled between fresh fruits (pear, peach), sweet almond and lavender honey, it overflows with mineral salts and rooty particles (gentian, ginseng). The leguminous (leek, courgette) end of the palate is incredibly rich.” – $130 – More details online!

2. Artist Collective 3.3 Aultmore 13 Year – 48% – Matured in 2 First Fill Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: refined, complex. Lovely notes of apricot, almond and quince paste bring lots of nobility and drive to the first nose. Allowed to breathe, it gains even more depth. Bourbon vanilla, toffee and nectarine then arrive, enriching the aromatic palette. The sherry’s influence focuses on a wonderfully elegant oxidation (precious wood, brandied cherry). Gradually it becomes powdery (cocoa), spicy (ginger) and honeyed (pine, heather). Palate: distinguished, precise. On the attack, lime blossom, infused verbena, apricot stone and orange zest play off one another with inspiration and eloquence. The mid-palate then focuses on malted barley and beeswax. This rich and sweet interlude leads to increasingly herbaceous tones (cut hay, straw). With time, dark chocolate and exotic fruits (mango, guava, persimmon) bring lots of style to the wonderfully long end of the palate.” – $178 – Only 3 Left! – Limit 1 Per Customer! – More details online!

3. Artist Collective 3.1 Benrinnes 22 Year – 51.4% – 3 Hogshead Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: refined, distinguished. A subtle mixture of ripe fruits (pear, Mirabelle plum) and heady florals (lily, iris), the first nose is particularly elegant. Allowed to breathe, florals (daffodil, buttercup), cut hay and lucerne bring the tasting to a very inspired rustic register. Later, tobacco and noble spices (cardamom, clove) appear alongside the intoxicating fragrance of patchouli. In a grand finale, acacia honey brings lots of sweetness to the aromatic palette. Palate: clean, precise. With authority, the attack reveals fruity (wild peach, lime), milky (coconut) and vanilla flavours. On the mid-palate, verbena and sage bring beautiful green and iridescent nuances to the chromatic palette. With lots of flair, the end of the palate evokes a mint tea, chamomile infusion or even a creamy vanilla flan. The end of the palate is roasted (coffee) and cocoaey.” – $310 – More details online!

4. Artist Collective 3.2 Caol Ila 9 Year – 48% – Matured in Refill Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: lively, powerful. Right away, the first nose invites us to discover a Caol Ila that is clearly more peaty than usual. In fact, cartloads of peat literally spill across an aromatic palette bursting with salts. Allowed to breathe, candied lemon and juicy pear appear alongside intense smoke, tar and soot. To ensure the presence of every element required for a great peated malt, medicinal (camphor, iodine tincture) and mineral (schist, slate) notes arrive in a grand finale. Palate: sharp and creamy. On the attack, the same marine peat seizes the taste buds. Out of this, smoke rings from a chocolatey Havana cigar, frangipane flavours, ash, candied pear, almond milk and a number of aromatic plants (sage, wicker) appear. The herbaceous (cut hay) mid-palate is profoundly malty and aniseedy. Just like on the nose, our peatometer registers an unusually high ppm content for Caol Ila. And yet, and it really is quite a feat, this single malt’s DNA is perfectly recognizable.” – $170 – More details online!

5. Artist Collective 2.3 Glen Grant 23 Year – 48% – Matured in 6 Refill ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: refined, lively. At once vanilla, herbaceous and camphoric, the initial nose is very complex. Allowed to breathe, it becomes milky (coconut), lemony and spicy (clove, ginger). In the background, we glimpse notes of malted barley, black pepper and aromatic plants (verbena, chamomile). This aromatic ensemble shows lots of distinction. Palate: neat, resolute. The attack takes on the malty character of the nose, offering a starting point that leads to particularly fruity (pear, Mirabelle plum, Golden apple) tones. The mid-palate is then creamy and vanilla. Next, spices (star anise, cinnamon), tiger balm and plants (fennel, aniseed) highlight its medicinal character.” – $270 – More details online!

6. Artist Collective 2.1 Linkwood 21 Year – 58% – 5 Sherry Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: full-bodied, complex. Wavering between notes of exotic rancio (mango), crème brûlée and sticky rice cake, the initial nose boasts remarkable finesse and generosity. Allowed to breathe, the fruit becomes more intense (Mirabelle plum, yellow peach, apricot), as noble spices appear (cardamom, cinnamon). Rose petals are then gradually deposited on the aromatic palette. Palate: rich, concentrated. The very typical Linkwood attack is delicately powdery (cocoa, almond) and spicy (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove). Mango and persimmon bring a touch of the exotic to the mid-palate, which is vanilla, deliciously caramelized and roasted (pipe tobacco), praline). Characterized by notes of precious wood (wax, oak), the end of the palate gradually becomes more and more malty.” – $310 – Only 3 Left! – Limit 1 Per Customer! – More details online!

INTRODUCING:

THE SINGLE CASK

I’ve seen whiskies from this importer around before, but never in Canada… limited quantities of both whiskies have come in. But let’s be honest with each other. I know most of you will see “Ben Nevis” and glaze over the grain… We don’t have a lot of it, so it is limited to 1 per customer!

1. The Single Cask Ben Nevis 20 Year – 53% – 1999 – Hogshead – Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt: “Nose: Fragrant, almost perfumed at first, with sandalwood and citrus blossom. Soft caramel richness develops later on. Palate: Still floral, but with apple and pear growing. Chew dates and walnut in the background. Finish: BBQ citrus and bourbon biscuits.” – $300 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

2. The Single Cask Strathclyde 26 Year – 55.3% – 1993 – ex-Bourbon Barrel – Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt: “Nose: Banana, toasted almonds and shortbread. Palate: Chocolate ice cream and digestive biscuits, red berry, cinnamon and ginger. Finish: Lasting spicy oak and some tangy citrus.” – $210

NEW WHISKIES FROM ADELPHI

Our newest offering from Adelphi is here, much of it in very small quantities. Some are limited to 1 per customer!

1. Adelphi Ardmore 2002 – 55.8% – 18 Year – Refill Bourbon Hogshead Cask # 285 – Producer Tasting Note: “Drawn from a refill bourbon hogshead, displaying a good bead and yellow gold in colour. The pungent, spicy nose is bursting with prunes, forest floor, peanut brittle, kippers, speck and soot. The palate expands on this with leather, pine needles, green peppercorns, brine, Old Spice and the smouldering remnants of last night’s barbecue. A lengthy, green finish brings this one home in style. – $255 – Only 2 Left ! – 1 per customer!

2. Adelphi BenRiach 1999 – 59.9% – 21 Year – Refill Bourbon Cask # 799 – Producer Tasting Note: “Fully matured in a refill bourbon barrel, this is Chardonnay in colour and has a moderate bead. On the nose, we discover rosewater, potpourri, apple strudel, pistachio and strawberry Hubba Bubba. On the palate this is echoed further with Turkish delight, crisp apples, Frangelico, desiccated coconut and Raffaello confectionery. The medium finish is unexpectedly mineral and herbaceous.” – $400 – Only 3 Left ! – 1 per customer!

3. Adelphi Breath of Isles 2007 – 58.6% – 13 Year – Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Drawn from a refill Oloroso sherry butt with a medium bead and the colour of hay. On the nose we find Peach Melba, lychee, gorse flower, croissants, sweetcorn lathered with butter and driftwood. The palate is a beguiling combination of pink peppercorn, Hobnob biscuits, sweet and salty popcorn, and the whiff of peatbogs, resolutely backed up by a lurking peat. The finish is medium and savoury.” – $192

4. Adelphi Bunnahabhain 2009 – 59.3% – 10 Year – First Fill Sherry Hogshead Cask# 900023 – Producer Tasting Note: “The colour is old oak and has a moderate bead. On the nose we found Bovril and Scotch pie. There is also chocolate eclairs, tiramisu and oiled deckchairs. The palate brings peanut brittle, mollases, Salmiakki (Swedish Liquorice), camp coffee and dark fruits. The finish is sweet and salty. A big Bunna!” – $248

5. Adelphi Caol Ila 2008 – 54.9% – 12 Year – Refill Bourbon Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Disgorged from a refill bourbon hogshead, this is the colour of white wine and displays a very good bead. This classic Islay nose combines white pepper, smoked pancetta, barnacles, Christmas trees, and Savlon to great effect. On the palate we head dockside with lobster creels, petrol, tar, seaweed, ash, anchovies, mackerel pate on oatcakes. The bright, briney finish is all lemon and seafood. Something fishy is going on here.” – $192 – 1 per customer!

6. Adelphi Dailuaine 2007 – 52.2% – 12 Year – Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask# 304336 – Producer Tasting Note: “Matured exclusively in a refill Oloroso sherry butt, rose gold in colour and showing very good beading. On the nose we first discover Seville orange peel and sunflower seed before diving into tobacco leaf, peppercorn, mesquite woodchip, brown sauce and Bloody Mary. On the palate we take an unexpected turn toward tiramisu, pecan nuts, maple syrup and minty pan drops. A medium, satisfying finish and a complex tour de force of a whisky.” – $192 – Only 3 Left! – 1 per customer!

7. Adelphi Deanston 2013 – 58.1% – 7 Year – 1^st Fill Bourbon Barrel Cask# 7402 – Producer Tasting Note: “Fully matured in a first fill bourbon barrel, displaying a moderate bead and the colour of barley. The nose is bright with lime leaf, Creamola foam, Jelly Tots, lavender, flapjacks and crème caramel. The palate is laden with more citrus in the form of lime marmalade and waxy bitter orange before moving into cocoa powder, strawberry milkshake, white pepper and cardamom. A medium finish for this enticing Highlander.” – $150 – Only 3 Left! – 1 per customer!

8. Adelphi Laudale Batch 4 – 46% – 12 Year (Glen Elgin) – 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “The Laudale series from Adelphi showcases some excellent sherry cask matured whiskies. Batch 4 is from Glen Elgin distillery, the whisky is all matured in first fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads for 12 years and bottled at 46%. Chocolate gingerbread laced with morello cherries and bitter Seville orange peel; juicy Christmas cake with a dusting of cocoa.” – $140

9. Adelphi Mortlach 1986 – 54.2% – 34 Year – Refill Bourbon Hogshead Cask# 34 – Producer Tasting Note: “Released from a long slumber in a single refill bourbon hogshead, burnished copper in colour and showing an exceptional bead. Packed with aromas of baked bananas, marzipan, mead, fruit salad sweeties, peach, apricot and linseed oil. The palate opens rich with honeycomb, walnut praline, hokey pokey ice cream and sea salt before revealing a savoury, herbaceous, and extremely lengthy finish. A fine dram indeed.” – $950 – 1 per customer!

COMING SOON:

NEW WHISKIES FROM MORRISON MACKAY

Some dark new lovelies from Morrison MacKay!

1. Carn Mor Strictly Limited Glenburgie 2013 – 47.5% – 7 Year – Sauternes Cask Finish – Producer Tasting Note: “Honeycomb, apricot jam and a lusciously waxy mouthfeel.” – $100

2. Carn Mor Strictly Limited Glenburgie 2012 – 47.5% – 8 Year – PX Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Barley malt and stone fruits with an ever so gentle hint of smoke.” – $108

3. Carn Mor Strictly Limited Mortlach 2007 – 47.5% – Oloroso Sherry Cask – Producer Tasting Note: “Rich and spicy with notes of ginger, orange peel and a dry, nutty finish.” – $142

4. Carn Mor Strictly Limited Royal Brackla 2008 – 47.5% – Oloroso Sherry Cask – Producer Tasting Note: “Fragrant and floral, with fresh orchard fruits and sweet vanilla custard to finish.” – $120

INTRODUCING:

THE GLENGOYNE LEGACY SERIES: CHAPTER 2

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter 2 comes with updated packaging versus what we saw with Legacy Chapter one. Gone is the cardboard tube, which has been replaced with a box. and the new Glengoyne logo. Bottled at 48% like Chapter 1 – the new batch of Glengoyne Legacy contains whisky that was aged in first fill ex-Bourbon and refill sherry casks. Chapter 2 was originally released in September of 2020.

Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapter 2 – 48% – Bourbon & Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Full of vanilla and banana, maple syrup, peaches, coconut, fruit soaked trifle sponge, hint of lime and mint. Palate: Creamy and well balanced, apple crumble, honey drizzled toast, green grape and gentle spice. Finish: Richness builds in the warming finish, syrupy with hints of sweet oak and dates.” – $110

EVAN’S SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETYCORNER

Bottles from the February Outturn are now available and March bottles will hit the shelves this Friday!

Also – we are hosting an Outturn that we created ourselves in mid-March. This will feature seven bottles that were originally released during the 2020 Outturns that happened before we were allowed to fill bottles. What did we choose for that lineup? Grab a ticket and the samples to find out!

For now, you can read on for my take on the bottles in the February 2021 Outturn below. Quirky (and possibly kinky) bottle names ruled the month in homage to Valentine’s Day. Maybe you will find a new love for yourself or somebody else within this list!

44.129 – Based on the colour of the whisky, this 15 year old Craigellachie looks to be quite a bit different from last month’s sherried-high-alcohol insanity that was the quickly sold out 44.117. How will MUSCLE SPROUTS compare? On the nose, it is musty with plenty of tea-like notes as well as shredded wheat cereal, ginger, lemons, lime peel, and a touch of Juicy Fruit chewing gum. On the palate, it has a zingy beginning before broadening into richer – like a sparkling wine changing into a Riesling in the mouth. It has notes of both, along with more lemon and ginger, thyme, and other savoury notes that I can’t quite put my finger on. It manages to be rich yet delicate at the same time – like a really good Pho broth.

 

35.263 – The nose of this 12 year old Glen Moray carries much of that winey-oily-fruitiness that the distillery does so well. It also shows plenty of fresh, dusty grain notes as well as buttered whole-grain toast, chalky hard candies, golden delicious apples and ripe grapefruit skin. On the palate, it is bursting with juice and fruit with sunflower seeds, cracked pepper plus a drizzle of olive oil over it all.

12.42 – This is the first Benriach we have seen in a while from the SMWS Canada. GETTING FRUITY IN THE MALT BARN is 10 years old, which means it was distilled during Alistair Walkers’ time in control of the distillery and makes me excited to taste it! The nose shows coconut shavings, jujubes, milk chocolate, an Arnold Palmer (mocktail made from a 50/50 mix of iced tea and lemonade), and toasted almond shavings. The palate is round and creamy with pear pie notes (crust and all), lemon tarts, vanilla and oak tones, and a bit of angel food cake and white icing.

122.31 – 5 years old? Uh oh. But wait! This is a peated Loch Lomond? Now I am excited! Let’s give TARRY TARRY NIGHT a go. On the nose: yes, it is young. It has the peat plus starchy barley and wood pulp/cardboard that Loch Lomond seems to exhibit and that a love so much. It also shows an interesting combination of green tea with lime zest and a menthol cigarette held by some tall skinny model in a magazine advertisement from a 1990s Rolling Stone magazine note to it. Open up that magazine in your memory: it even has that slightly metallic printer ink on glossy magazine paper note to it. On the palate, it is juicier than you would imagine with passion fruit, freshly squeezed lime juice, pineapple slices, coconut water and minty mojitos. Plus, you are now for some reason eating that menthol cigarette advert from the vintage Rolling Stone mag. I love Loch Lomond and the wackiness they create – including this dram.

53.327 – We are back to a more typical peaty dram from Islay for the final sample of the Outturn. This Caol Ila is 10 years old. On the nose, KEEPING THE FIRE STOKED exhibits salty sea air, ozone, clamshells, dried seaweed snacks, and lemonade. On the palate, I get oatmeal with apple slices, a BLT sandwich, grilled scallops, and Fishermen’s Friend lozenges. For all of that, this is a very grain-driven Caol Ila. It has minerality, but it remains smooth and fresh on the nose and the palate.

Cheers,

Evan

evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com

Twitter and Instagram: @sagelikefool

All of this information, plus the information on previous releases that are still available can be found on our website here. If any SMWS bottles show as being out of stock on our website please contact us – we might still be able to get more.

THE BENROMACHS ARE BACK

The Benromach range has returned, and in new livery… One of the smallest distilleries in the Speyside, the whisky is lightly peated, a nod to the traditional Speyside whisky of nearly a century ago. The distillery was closed and in poor repair when bought by Gordon Macphail in 1993, it reopened in 1998 and now how has whiskies maturing in its warehouses that are more than 20 years of age.

Benromach 10 Year – 43% – Matured in ex-Bourbon & Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Sweet green apple and pear complement creamy dark honey. Soft vanilla develops alongside gentle smoke. Smooth flavours of malted cereal and stewed fruit combine with warm toffee and a hint of black cherry. Full bodied finish with malted cereal persevering and lingering soft smoke.” – 92 Points, Whisky Advocate “This expression was distilled from malt peated to 12 to 14 ppm, and aged in 80% bourbon and 20% sherry casks before a final year in more sherry casks. Sweet smoke on the early nose, with malt, vanilla, quite dry sherry, apple, and toffee. Smoky barley, vanilla, subtle sherry, and light honey on the palate. Peaches, ginger, and woodsmoke on the medium-length finish. Very accomplished. – $72

Benromach 15 Year – 43% – Matured 9 years in Bourbon and Sherry before Finishing 6 more years in First Fill ex-Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Aromas of sweet toffee initially, leading to undertones of cracked black pepper and peat smoke. Rich forest fruits develop and complement dark chocolate and dried banana. Creamy and sweet with ripe apples and an undertone of charred oak. Dark chocolate develops and leads to toasted oats and orange peel with a subtle hint of smoke. 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast “This amber-hued whisky offers caramel, oak and a hint of black cherry on the nose and mouth. The drying palate leads with black cherry and creamy honey, finishing taut, with leather, cigar wrapper, dark chocolate and clove heat.” – 90 Points, Whisky Advocate: “This spent 9 years in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, then 6 years in first-fill European oak oloroso casks. Sherry is to the fore on the nose, with apple pie, honey, vanilla, black pepper, and ultimately pipe tobacco. A viscous and rich palate, with more apple pie and vanilla, while the sherry is drier, with new leather and woodsmoke. Salted caramel and spicy oak on the finish.” – $130.

Benromach 2009 Cask Strength Batch 004 – 57.2% – Matured in ex-Bourbon & ex-Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Rich dark forest fruits with clove and cinnamon spice, followed by sweet raspberries and dark chocolate aromas. Palate: Sherry soaked fruit and subtle smoke lead to a hint of zesty orange peel. Red apple flavours develop alongside subtle cracked black pepper. Finish: Full bodied and long finish with sweet smoke and red berries.” – $105

Benromach Contrasts: Organic – 46% – Virgin American Oak – Producer Description: “The world’s first certified organic single malt whisky since 2006. UK Soil Association accredited from start to finish, Benromach Organic is matured in Virgin American Oak and gives sweet, malty notes with creamy pepper, banana, coffee and cocoa flavours.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet vanilla and ripe fruits accompany citrus zest. Toasted malt leads to green apples. Palate: Creamy with soft pepper and butterscotch. Freshly ground coffee develops alongside dried banana and a subtle herbal edge. Finish: Medium bodied and long with aniseed and cocoa powder.” – $90

Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke – 46% – 1^st Fill ex-Bourbon – Producer Description – “Small batch made with heavily peated barley. Benromach Peat Smoke is matured in first-fill bourbon barrels. It offers fragrant vanilla notes, which lead to lemon sherbet and apricot, finishing with smoky bonfire embers.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Very rich smoke with fragrant vanilla and light citrus zest. Hints of apples develop accompanied by white chocolate. Palate: Smooth with toasted oak, honey and sweet ripe fruit. Butterscotch and marshmallow flavours lead to a lemon sherbet all alongside sweet smoke. Finish: Mouth-coating sweetness and bonfire embers.” – $88

THE GLENALLACHIE 15 YEAR IS BACK!

One of our favourite sherry bombs is back in-stock after being sold out for 3 months… The whisky was added to the GlenAllachie core range in 2019, and is finished in PX and Oloroso Sherry Casks.

GlenAllachie 15 Year – 46% – Finished in Oloroso & PX Sherry Hogsheads & Puncheons – My Tasting Note (from an earlier batch): “Nose: Christmas cake, treacle sauce, dark chocolate and molasses; maple syrup and loads of dark fruits: raisins, dates and figs; promise of some dark spices. Palate: rich, round, dumpy and fruity with loads of big sherry tones; layers of dark fruits and Christmas cake; raisins, dates and figs again; cola cubes, maple syrup and treacle toffee; later soft leather, damp tobacco and earthy/nutty tones; the crisp spices arrive late again. Finish: dark rich, coating and fruity, with a drying spicy finish. Comment: this is an unbridled and flawless sherry bomb… probably not quite as elegant as Billy wants it to be, but he’s only had the distillery for two years; a very promising sign of what is to come; look out GlenDronach Revival, you have competition!” – $125

THE ANCNOC 125TH ANNIVERSARYWHISKIES ARE BACK!

These whiskies were released in 2019, to mark the 125^th Anniversary of the Knockdhu Distillery. They are both excellent, but the 16 Year is a star… It is limited to 1 per customer! We have a bit more of the Peat 125^th Annv., so there are no limits there.

1. anCnoc 16 Year 125^th Anniversary – 56.3% – Matured in ex-Bourbon – Producer Description: “Released for the first time at cask strength with sweet vanilla notes, delicate spice and a hint of coconut and butterscotch toffee, the 16 Years Old is a unique taste of our history in a light, modern and elegant expression.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet vanilla, notes of coconut & butterscotch toffee. Taste: Citrus, faintly spice, vanilla & green apple fruitiness.” – $160 – Limit 1 Per Customer

2. anCnoc Peat 125^th Anniversary – 46% – Matured in ex-Bourbon & Finished in European Oak – Producer Description: “Peat is an intriguing, mellow journey from the heart of Knockdhu’s rich peatlands. Matured in ex-bourbon American oak then further matured in Spanish oak casks, the sunset gold whisky is filled with notes of almonds and dried fruit. A stunning smoky, sweet dram.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Wood smoke, with almonds and dried fruit. Taste: Smoky with a hint of burnt toffee.” – $125+gst

THE PEAT MONSTER ARCANA IS BACK!

We received a shipment of this 20^th Anniversary bottling from Compass Box in December, but it didn’t last long. We are grateful to have received a bit more, though 700ml bottles this time, rather than the 750s we had previously. Accordingly, the price has dropped a few bucks!

Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – 46% – Composed of Talisker, Ardbeg and Miltonduff – Producer Description: “What is the Arcana of whiskymaking? We use the term to refer to the secrets and mysteries of cask maturation, as new questions regarding oak and the ageing process continually arise. ‘Arcana’ can imply information withheld but we don’t believe in keeping secrets about the whiskies we make. Peat Monster Arcana investigates how smoky whisky interacts with French oak.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Chocolate, cinnamon and boat tar appear on the nose while the palate is fruity and compellingly waxy. A dry smoky presence steadily builds.” – $122 – More Details Online!

THE HOLYROOD SPIRITS MERCHANTSWHISKIES ARE BACK!

The Holyrood Spirits Merchants Blended Malt Whiskies from our friends at the Holyrood Distillery have returned. The Distillery is the brainchild of Calgarians Rob & Kelly Carpenter, who are perhaps better known as the owners of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Canadian Branch. While their whisky matures, the distillery is producing Gins, Gin Liqueurs and bottling sourced Whisky.The following whiskies have all returned, bottled without colouring or chillfiltering at 46% and 700ml:

1. Holyrood Spirits Merchant Fruity Blended Malt Scotch – A Campbeltown Blended Malt created to highlight a “fruity” profile. – $60

2. Holyrood Spirits Merchant Smoky Blended Malt Scotch – A peated Blended Malt Scotch whisky, created to emphasize it’s “smoky” profile. – $60

3. Holyrood Spirits Merchant Spicy Blended Malt Scotch – A Blended Malt Scotch whisky created from single malts matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. – $60

4. Holyrood Spirits Merchant Sweet Single Grain Scotch – A mystery Single Grain Scotch Whisky which was finished in Alligator Heavy Char Barrels. Bottled at 46%. – $60

OUR SMOS CAOL ILA 8 YEAR KWM CASK IS NEARLY GONE…

It’s young, heavily peated, sherried and bottled at 61.2%, it packs a wee punch. It has also been a huge hit with our customers. At the time of writing, we have less than 20 bottles left!

SMOS Caol Ila 8 Year KWM Cask – 61.2% – Refill Sherry Butt – My Tasting Note: “Nose: smoked haddock chowder, rustic bread and farmhouse butter; I’m in the Old Kiln (I know, I know, this isn’t Ardbeg but I’m transported); coal dust, chewy malt; crisp smoke, firm leather and a dash of lemon and lime. Palate: here we go, warm, earthy and smoky with a base of honey, vanilla and crisp spices: more lemon and lime; the sherry elements grow in prominence over time adding Demerara, some dark fruits and loads of spice: clove, fennel seed and Dutch licorice; more smoked haddock and chewy malt (my hearty bread), dark earthy peat and sea weed; thick, oily and warm but without a sharp or rough edge. Finish: long, thick and coating, the soft peaty oils and spices cling to your palate while crisp smoke, smoked haddock and chewy malt slowly fade away. Comment: big and bold but balanced for a young malt tipping the scales at well over 60%; lots of layers given its youth, the sherry notes build over time balancing the brash young peat and smoke; the nose transported me to Islay, to one of my favourite places to sit, dine and dram, the Old Kiln Cafe; the palate is layered and satisfying, but also leaves me wanting more; more whisky adventures, more smoked haddock chowder, and a return to my spiritual home!” – $85

A FEW MORE DEALS

When you get a great product at a great price, everyone wins!

1. Balblair 12 Year – 46% – $90 Currently 20% off for $71.99

2. Boutique-y Heaven Hill Corn 9 Year – $90 Currently 35% off for $58.49

3. Boutique-y Heaven Hill Whiskey 9 Year – $92 Currently 35% off for $59.79

4. Compass Box Malt Whisky Collection – 3x50mls of Spice Tree, The Spaniard & Peat Monster – $58 Currently 40% off for $34.79

5. Game of Thrones Clynelish House Tyrel – 51.2% – ex-Bourbon – $110 Currently 25% off for $82.49

6. Game of Thrones Talisker House Greyjoy – 45.8% – ex-Bourbon – $112 Currently 25% off for $86.99

7. Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition – 46% – $74 Currently 30% off for $51.79

8. Laphroaig Quarter Cask – 48% – $88 Currently 25% off for $65.99

9. Maltbarn Bruichladdich 2010 – 55% – 8 Year – Bourbon Cask $182 Currently 30% off for $127.39

10.  Tipperary 2002 KWM Rum Cask Irish Whisky – 55.7% – 17 Year – Rum Cask Finish – $165 Currently 25% off for $123.74

STAY HOME… WE’LL DELIVER!

We Are Offering Some Great Deals & Free City-Wide Delivery for Orders Over $100

FREE DELIVERY – We are offering free delivery for orders over $100 placed online or over the phone, and will do our best to deliver within 72 hours.

CURBSIDE PICKUP – Place an order, we’ll let you know when it is ready. Call us when you are out front or parked in the back lot and we’ll bring it out. Simple as that!

GIFTING – Want to send someone a care package? All gifting options are still available. Quarantined parents and closed schools qualify as a “wine emergency”. Gift cards are also available and can be used over the phone.

If you are able, please submit your order online. We will answer any questions you might have before finalizing and processing your order. You are not automatically billed when you submit your order.

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

We will do our best to answer and process as many phone orders as we can. Call us at 403-283-8000.

COVID-19 Precautions at KWM

To protect our staff and customers we have implemented some policies!

Please do not enter the store if:·     You have returned from Outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks, or you live with someone who has!·     You are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

If the above applies to you, please order online or by phone and we can deliver!

Precautions we are taking in-store:·     All of our staff are wearing masks, and we’d appreciate if you would do so too!·     We are only allowing 6 customers in the store at any given time.·     We have hand sanitizer throughout the store for the use of customers and staff.·     We kindly ask that you do not to pick up products unless you intend to purchase them.·     We are frequently disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and high contact areas within the store.·     We are also not accepting cash payment at this time.·     Staff are frequently washing and disinfecting their hands.·     We have cancelled all in-store tastings.·     We are monitoring our staff for symptoms.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this challenging time!

403-283-8000 888-283-9004

Store Hours Sunday: 11am – 6pmMon – Wed: 10am – 8pmThu – Fri: 10am – 9pmSat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

 

 

anCnoc’s Gordon Bruce tells tales of craft in new podcast

A new monthly podcast series from anCnoc whisky is set to lift the lid on the passion, process and personalities that go into making some of the world’s most expertly crafted products.

Knock Tales Whisky Podcast with Gordon Bruce will hear the Knockdhu Distillery Manager enjoy a dram and a bit of ‘craic’ with fellow makers and craft obsessives from around the world, getting to the bottom of Gordon’s favourite topic: making things well.

Listeners will hear Gordon fire up the mic from his distillery desk in Knock, Aberdeenshire on the first #WhiskyWednesday of every month, chatting to a different guest in each episode.

They’ll be exploring what drives people to make things the traditional way, with no compromise or shortcuts – including tales from Gordon’s own life dedicated to making anCnoc whisky.

The first episode will be available from Wednesday 3^rd March on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others, and will feature Gordon discussing all things single malt with Texan and fellow distiller Jared Himstedt from Balcones Distillery in Waco. 

Founded just 12 years ago and leading the new wave of American single malts, Jared shares the story of what drew him to whisky, building Balcones Distillery from scratch, his love of recycled kit and what inspires him to make the very best whisky every day in the heart of Texas.

Their conversation is revealing. Whilst Knockdhu and Balcones Distilleries couldn’t be more different, when it comes to what matters as whisky makers, Gordon and Jared are of one mind: it’s all about community, collaboration, creativity and the huge kick they get out of producing a product that goes out into the world for people to enjoy.

Gordon says: ‘I find it fascinating to talk to people who, like me, are obsessed with the detail of how things are made and what makes a great product that stands the test of time. This podcast is all about my curiosity in how that’s done, and the little things that make a difference, and not just when it comes to whisky.  I’ll be telling my own tales from Knockdhu, and chatting to people who put their heart and soul into making crafted products, whatever they may be, and the people who appreciate and celebrate them around the world. 

‘Jared was a brilliant first guest, a man who shares so many of my beliefs when it comes to the importance of tradition, technique and the people at the heart of your production community. Anyone with an interest in whisky, creativity and what it takes to start distilling whisky from scratch is going to love hearing his story.’

The themes of craft and creativity continue into the artwork anCnoc has commissioned to accompany the new podcast: drawings of Gordon (accompanied by one of his beloved distillery dogs) plus each of his guests, captured by New York-based Scottish illustrator Peter Arkle.

Likewise, the podcast soundtrack features a special track that’s close to Gordon’s heart: ‘Wet Field Day’ by award-winning Scottish indie folk band Elephant Sessions, in which his son Mark Bruce plays guitar.

Listen to the trailer for Knock Tales Whisky Podcast with Gordon Bruce on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 

ancnoc.com/knock-tales/podcast 

ABOUT ANCNOC

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, which sits in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was established in 1894 by the pioneering John Morrison, after he spotted an abundance of the natural resources needed to make fine malt whisky in the area: pure spring water and plentiful supplies of peat and barley.

Today, Knockdhu is known as one of the smallest and most enchanting distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, producing a refreshingly modern single malt whisky with the most traditional skills and processes. The Black Hill continues to supply pure water for the whisky making process. The distillery’s two copper pot stills replicate the original 1894 design, their bulbous bases giving anCnoc its light, fresh, fruity flavour. Old fashioned worm tubs are used to condense the vaporised alcohol. And Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce, and his team, make up one of the smallest workforces in any distillery (including many dogs!)

ABOUT GORDON BRUCE

Born and raised in Wick, Gordon started working for Inver House Distillers in 1988 as a Mashman in his hometown’s Pulteney Distillery.  Whilst there, he progressed to Stillman, Under Brewer and then Brewer before moving to Balblair distillery in 1994. In 2006 he became Manager of Knockdhu Distillery.

Drawn to the business by Inver House’s distinctive quality and diversity of whiskies, his career highlight is seeing drinkers enjoy anCnoc whiskies whilst knowing that he had a hand in their production. His day-to-day role involves a varied mix: whisky making, welcoming visitors from around the world, engineering and working alongside the enthusiastic and dedicated team that is based at the small, traditional, hands-on distillery.

A particular fan of anCnoc’s bourbon matured 16 Years Old and its 125^th anniversary cask strength 16 Years Old, the brand’s popular peated variants are also a firm favourite, especially when drinkers “who don’t like peated whisky” are converted to a subtly smoked anCnoc expression.

His qualifications include a General Certificate and Diploma in Distilling and he is currently part way through a Master Distiller programme.  A proud Keeper of the Quaich, he loves spending time with his wife, three brilliant kids, his new grandchild and his dogs.

ABOUT BALCONES DISTILLERY

Driven by a passion to create remarkable and authentic experiences, Balcones Distilling marries centuries of distilling tradition with the bold flavors of Texas. Balcones is synonymous with quality and innovation in the whisky industry, known for emphasizing high-quality ingredients and drawing influences from all over Texas to provide a dynamic and striking experience for all who engage with the whisky. Balcones distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco. At the heart of the distillery are four copper pot stills built by Forsyths, considered some of the best artisans in Scotland. To date, the distillery has earned over 350 national and international awards and accolades for their whiskies and spirits. Balcones will be available in 50 states by the end of 2021 and is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the country. https://balconesdistilling.com

ABOUT JARED HIMSTEDT, HEAD DISTILLER, BALCONES DISTILLERY

Jared whetted his appetite for distilling first as a home brewer and a manager of Dancing Bear pub, a craft beer bar in Waco, Texas. He is the creative force, product developer, and head blender at the distillery, overseeing everything from label design to barrel selection since Balcones’s inception in 2008. Being involved in an industry steeped in both rich tradition and explorative innovation is part of what keeps Jared committed to the creation of fine whiskies—that, and “getting to work alongside some wonderful, thoughtful, diligent, and creative people.” When he can get away from the distillery, Jared can be found spending time outside with family, friends, good music, and good drinks, particularly the #1 Texas Single Malt, which is still an enduring favourite.