Events

They say everyone’s a critic… Whyte & MacKay at Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Scotch Whisky News

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SURPRISINGLY SMOOTH AT FRINGE

WATCH NOW

They say everyone’s a critic, but at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, attendees were asked to prove it in our Roaring Review Booth – part of our Surprisingly Smooth Fringe Bar in Bristo Square.

As Underbelly’s 2018 Lead Sponsors of Comedy, we welcomed festival fans to critique their favourite shows for a Whyte & Mackay ball, our delicious new serve. We launched with the help of well-known Scottish comedians, Chris Forbes and Richie Brown, following up each week with a clip of the best reviews – the good, the bad and the dram funny.

And it wasn’t just the fans – Performers; Helen Lederer, Carl Donnelly and Christian Finnegan were among the #funnyasfolk who dropped in.

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WATCH NOW

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St Vincent Plaza, 319 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5LP
www.whyteandmackay.com

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL TASTING – Scotch Whisky News

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35TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL TASTING

Join fellow members across the globe as we embark on our first ever virtual tasting, with all of us sharing the same hand-picked drams from our limited-edition Discovery Pack. Broadcast live and direct from The Vaults, make sure you get involved this September – click over to our website for more details.

 READ MORE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

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THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY HOSTS 35th ANNIVERSARY PARTY IN EDINBURGH’S QUEEN STREET GARDENS – Scotch Whisky News

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THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY HOSTS 35th ANNIVERSARY PARTY IN EDINBURGH’S QUEEN STREET GARDENS

Tickets are available to members and non-members of the whisky club 

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On Saturday 8th September, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is throwing open the gates to the normally private Queen Street Gardens to host a party celebrating its 35th anniversary. The festivities start at 12pm and include food, drink and music with prices from £20 for members and £25 for non-members: http://bit.ly/2LnlF0Z

Each guest will receive a Society tasting glass on entry, which can be used to sample a wide selection of SMWS single cask whiskies, as well as whiskies from the many other distilleries that will be on hand to showcase their own malts throughout the day.

Guests will also receive a token for a dram from the SMWS Historic Stock Bar, featuring some very special Old & Rare bottlings.

If guests would like to add a little whisky education into the mix, the SMWS will be holding masterclasses all afternoon across the road in the Members’ Rooms at 28 Queen Street.

There will also be a Chapel Down bar serving English sparkling wine, the Edinburgh Beer Factory will be bringing along their Beer Van and live music will take place throughout the afternoon, along with a barbecue.

Jan Damen, UK Operations Director said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this party in the beautiful Queen Street Gardens to celebrate our 35th Anniversary. The Society has risen from strength to strength over the years as our fantastic group of members continues to grow.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and welcoming some new guests to sample our wonderful range of single cask whiskies. For non-members, there will be the chance to purchase membership to the Society at the event.”

For more information on membership:

UK

http://bit.ly/2Lr81JY
Twitter: @SMWSUK 

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Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

  • The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an international whisky club that bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
  • The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
  • The Society only ever bottles single casks – each cask is unique, making every Society bottling a limited edition
  • The Society has bottled whisky from more than 135 distilleries in its history
  • The Society releases a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
  • The Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar and Shop in Edinburgh has over 200 whiskies on offer and is open to everybody
  • The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see http://bit.ly/2Lr81JY
  • For more information about the Society, visit http://bit.ly/2Lr81JY

Summer Sale: Early Bird WhiskyFest Tickets. Don’t Miss Out! – Whisky News

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Last Chance! Amrut & Ashok – taste the latest whiskies from India at The Whisky Exchange September 11th, 2018 – Indian Whisky News

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Amrut and Ashok

Nectar of the Gods

Tuesday 11 September 2018
7.30pm-9pm

Tickets on sale now!

BOOK NOW >

In the run up to the much anticipated 10th anniversary Whisky Show, join us as we discover Amrut – ‘Nectar of the Gods’ in Sanskrit – and be the first in the UK to taste a brand new release: Amrut Madeira Cask Finish. Amrut brand ambassador Ashok Chokalingam will guide us through six whiskies, including the multi-award-winning Fusion, the new batch of the super-rare Naarangi and the brand new Madeira Cask Finish, flown to the UK specially for the tasting. Discover how Amrut’s whiskies are different to those from the rest of the world, and taste why this award-winning distillery continues to break Indian whisky stereotypes.

We’ll be trying:

Amrut Single Malt
Amrut Fusion
Amrut Peated Cask Strength
Amrut Portonova
Amrut Naarangi (new batch)
Amrut Madeira Cask Finish (new release)

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Ashok is a well-known character in the whisky world. He was the Icons Of Whisky Rest Of The World Ambassador Of The Year in 2012 and 2016, and has a reputation for fantastic tastings. He spends most of his time in India these days, so don’t miss out on the chance meet him in person.

Tuesday 11 September

7.30-9pm

Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

BOOK NOW >

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Brown’s Covent Garden

82-84 St. Martins Lane
Covent Garden
WC2N 4AG London

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Upcoming Tastings Calendar at The Whisky Shop #SFO – Whisky News

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Upcoming Tastings Calendar

Friday, August 31st: 

Penderyn Welsh Whiskey with Distillery Guests
More Details & RSVP

Saturday, September 15th: 

Tipperary Irish Whiskey with Co-founder 

Jennifer Nickerson

More Details & RSVP

Friday, September 28th:

Jura presented by Kimberly Drake

More Details & RSVP

Friday, September 7th: 

Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh

More Details & RSVP

Friday, September 14th: 

 Glen Grant with Robin Coupar

More Details & RSVP

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This Friday: Taste Penderyn Welsh Whiskey with Distillery Guests at The Whisky Shop #SFO – Welsh Whisky News

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Friday August 31st, 3-6PM

Welsh Whiskey: Penderyn 

with Ambassadors Jon Tregnna & Robert Weller

Wales’ first distillery in over a century, Penderyn has received worldwide acclaim for its stunning single malt whiskies. Penderyn’s distillery guests have flown all the way from Wales to present their whiskies  at this tasting, providing in depth knowledge and insight about Penderyn’s innovative distilling practices.

See Full Pourlist & RSVP 

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Whisky Lounge News and Happenings – August 2018 – Whisky News

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Greetings Fellow Whisky-Lovers!

Survived summer? Feeling the change in the air as we approach September? Fear not, we have an opportunity to warm the cooling cockles with a cheeky dram or two at a venue near you. As always, there is plenty going on at TWL HQ, both in the present and in the future, and we thought now was as good a time as any to tell you about a few of those things…

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Our first tasting series back after the summer ‘break’ features our good friends from Mackmyra with their tremendous whiskies. However, you won’t be tasting much of their standard range as we will be focussing almost exclusively on their single cask whiskies, which is a great thing indeed. Not only that, but you will have the chance to purchase mature single casks as well as a Whisky Lounge exclusive Mackmyra bottling, on the night!

Dates & Venues

Thursday 13th September
London – Marlborough Arms

Friday 14th September
Manchester – Britons Protection
Newcastle – Blackfriars
York – Brigantes

Tuesday 25th September
Leeds – The Northern Monk
Sheffield – The Sheffield Tap

Wednesday 26th September 
Liverpool – Fly in the Loaf

The guys from Mackmyra’s UK and Swedish offices will be on hand on each night to ensure you get the maximum information and authenticity and these tastings are sure to be a lot of fun too! We challenge you to have more fun anywhere – with your clothes on – for £20!

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 Our first festival of the autumn (I know, sorry to mention autumn!) is in one of our favourite venues in one of our favourite cities! If you haven’t been before, please click on the banner to read all about it! For those that have, masterclasses have now been announced and are up and ready for sale!

Liverpool Festival Tickets and Masterclasses

And talking of festivals….

Don’t forget

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First 2019 Whisky Festivals Announced!

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Our first Whisky Festivals of 2019 have been announced and the first tranch of special offers are under-way. Get in quick to avoid disappointment!

And Finally…

The Gateshead Whisky News
with Gateshead TWL Correspondent, Lee Connors

Gateshead FC’s unbeaten run has now gone a whole three games! AND, it’s time for your weekly whisky news update from the only person you know who would care about that! You lucky lot, take it away Connas…

  • Teeling Bring It Home…

Teeling Single Pot Still will be the first Dublin-distilled whisky available since the 1970’s! With a mash bill of 50:50 Malted and Unmalted barley, the 2015 vintage has been matured in ex-Muscat oak, and you will be able to bid for a bottle at auction from 30th August until 10th September…

  • More Irish Giants…

Distribution company When We Were Giants have been appointed to Knappogue Castle Single Malt Irish Whiskey in the UK and Ireland, hope this means we’ll see more of them!

  • Ailsa Bay 1.2. Re-Sweetened!

Gordon and MacPhail’s Lowland distillery Ailsa Bay have announced their second release. Ailsa Bay 1.2 Sweet Smoke has been designed to be the perfect balance between smoke and sweet flavours, and will be available next month for around £55. I’d like a crack at this one!

  • Dist’ell of a line up…

Distell have announced six limited releases from across their portfolio of Scottish distilleries…

-Tobermory 2005 12yo Fino Cask Finish, RRP £110
-Ledaig 1998 19yo Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, RRP £130
-Ledaig 1998 19yo PX Cask Finish, RRP £150
-Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, RRP £60
-Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured, RRP £75
-Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish, RRP £275

I’ve had two of these and they were great! Wonder what the rest are like…

  • The Name’s Bond… No, Daniel…

Jack Daniel’s have a new high strength travel exclusive. Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond hits shelves this summer in select duty-free outlets in a 1-litre bottle size and will be offered at a suggested retail price around £35-40.

  • The Prince And The Partner…

With the intention of training young people in the local area, Royal Lochnagar have partnered up with The Prince’s Foundation to launch its “Get Into Hospitality” outreach programme at Dumfries House. Fair play one and all…

  • Lagavulin Dig For History, Not Just Peat…

The Lagavulin 200th Legacy Fund has enabled Scottish charity Islay Heritage to undertake an excavation at Dunyvaig Castle next to the distillery. This sounds cool…

(NB, sources confirm that this has nothing to do with a certain whisky evangelist burying a case of lager for safekeeping somewhere on Islay many years ago, which is still unaccounted for.)

  • Worrying News Out Of Invergordon…

Pay cuts and job losses could be on the cards for a significant proportion of the employees at Invergordon Distillery as the premises are “modernised”…

  • Macallan Fracas…

It would seem that some over-enthusiastic customers caused a bit of a to-do at the distillery launch of Macallan’s Genesis… Stay Safe, people…

  • Pulteney Revealed! 

After last week’s teasersOld Pulteney have confirmed their new range! Interesting…

  • Auction Stuff…

Massive prices are expected for these rare Glenlivet and Macallan bottlings… Eddie’s on holiday, otherwise I’m sure he’d be right in the running!

  • And Finally…

They could never afford Gateshead FC…

Well that’s all for now, enjoy the rest of the summer and we look forward to seeing you over a dram soon.

Slainte!
Eddie
Amanda, Guy, Rupert, Vicky, Connas, Chris
The Whisky Lounge Team

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We turn 10 years old in 2018
Come and help us celebrate in style at one of our nationwide festivals or tasting events.

Milroys September / October Tastings – Whisky & Whiskey News

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MILROYS TASTING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 

Milroy’s public tasting events are held every Monday evening at 6.30pm until approximately 8pm.
Women’s Whisky Night is held the first Tuesday evening of every month.

Book a ticket to come and learn something new about a favourite distillery, try a few drams from somewhere unfamiliar, or just because the nights are always a fine time!

Head over to our website to keep an eye out for current future events.

Current Tasting Events

IN PURSUIT OF THE GRAIN

Milroys 1

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WOMEN’S WHISKY NIGHT

Milroys 2

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PERNOD RICARD IRISH RANGE

 Milroys 3

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PAUL JOHN

 Milroys 4

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NIKKA

Milroys 5

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MICHTER’S

 Milroys 6

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 GLENFIDDICH

Milroys 7

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BRUICHLADDICH

Milroys 8

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GLENDALOUGH

Milroys 9

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Tastings and Tickets

Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, EnglandW1D 4NX

United Kingdom

Kensington Malt Messenger No. 89 by Andrew Ferguson – Whisky News

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Malt Messenger No. 89

It has been a little over a month since the last Malt Messenger, and if like me you are living in the West, it has been a little like living in a Malt Kiln, but not in a good way. I generally prefer my smoke and peat during the winter months, and those aren’t that far away, so we’ll continue to make the best of it!

Our summer tasting schedule is winding down, not with a whimper, but a bang. You might recall an archive release of Yoichi and Miyagikyo Japanese single malts we received a couple of months back… we held on to a bottle of each of them, and we are featuring them in a special Lost in Translation tasting tomorrow night. It is the sort of Japanese tasting we won’t likely be able to do again anytime soon, and certainly not at the price we are charging. Details below.

Lots of new whiskies to tell you about, including a range of 11 new Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies, from Batch 20. There are some curiosities in there, including a peated Tobermory, Ledaig, a 1991 Cadenhead Creations Blended Malt, and some excellent value older whiskies. But before we can make room for the new Cadenheads, we need to clear out some of the old ones… We have identified 12 Cadenhead whiskies to blow out at between 15 and 25%. The sale list, as well as the list of new Cadenhead Batch 20 whiskies can be found below.

We have received a small amount of older Glenfarclas, 30 Year, 40 Year and the 1979 Family Cask. The 30 Year sold on arrival, we are hoping to get a few more bottles in the fall. The 40 Year is nearly all gone, and we won’t be seeing it again until next summer. We have a few bottles of the 1979 Family Cask in. We took the opportunity to stock up ahead of time, as it is an important vintage for anyone turning 40 next year!

Also on the aged/mature front, are a trio of Bruichladdichs. The Bruichladdich Rare Cask Series is composed of 1984, 1985 and 1986 vintage whiskies. I will be receiving just 6 bottles of each, and a number have already sold. We only have 2 of the 1986 left, which we are holding back for someone who wants a full set. The 1984 got a fantastic review from Whisky Fun, 90pts. Details below.

Two popular Japanese whiskies have been discontinued. Like the White before them, the Nikka Pure Malts Red and Black, $75 each, are no longer being produced. We have stocked up on them, but they won’t last long…

Our best selling peated whisky, The Ileach Cask Strength is back! This feisty, young, sherried, mystery malt, from the hamlet of Lagavulin on Islay, is a steal at just $80. If you are a fan of peated malts, do yourself a favour and pop into the shop for a taste. We dare you not to take a bottle home!

We have some very cool new Cooper’s Choice bottlings trickling into the shop. From a possibly Macallan (or Glenfarclas depending on who you speak to) to a 35 year old Blended Grain, there are more than a few curiosities.

All this and more in this edition of the Malt Messenger.

I hope that Malt Messenger No. 89 finds you well. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

  1. Lost in Translation Whiskies of Future Past: Yoichi & Miyagikyo
  2. Blow Out Pricing on WM Cadenhead
  3. NEW Cadenhead Small Batch: Release 20
  4. Old Glenfarclas Going Fast
  5. Introducing Bruichladdich Rare Vintage Series
  6. Nikka Pure Malts Discontinued
  7. The Ileach Cask Strength is Back
  8. New Cooper’s Choice Bottlings
  9. Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood Available
  10. Glenfiddich 21 Year Winter Storm is Back!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

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Blow Out Pricing on WM Cadenhead 

SAVE 15-25% on 12 Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies

We have 11 new Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies (next section), but before we can bring them all in, we need to clear out some of the old ones first. We have identified 12 Cadenhead Small Batch releases to blow out. They are on sale for 15-25% off.

Here is the list, descriptions and tastings notes are on the KWM Web site:

  1. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathclyde 1989 – $230 – SAVE 25% – 3 Left
  2. Cadenhead Small Batch Tullibardine 1993 – $215 – SAVE 25% – 3 Left
  3. Cadenhead Small Batch Linkwood 1992 – $225 – SAVE 25% – 2 Left
  4. Cadenhead Small Batch Port Dundas 1988 – $230 – SAVE 20%
  5. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathisla 1997 – $170 – SAVE 20% – 4 Left
  6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Grant 1992 – $225 – SAVE 20% – 1 Left
  7. Cadenhead Small Batch Glendullan 1996 – $175 – SAVE 20%
  8. 8Cadenhead Small Batch Speyside 1991 – $225 – SAVE 20%
  9. Cadenhead Small Batch North British 1985 – $260 – SAVE 20%
  10. Cadenhead Small Batch Caledonian 1987 – $365 – SAVE 15%
  11. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenrothes 2002 – $130 – SAVE 15% – 5 Left
  12. Cadenhead Small Batch Burnside 1987 – $320 – SAVE 15% – 4 Left

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11 New Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies: Release 20 

8 Single Malts, a Single Grain and a Cadenhead Creation!

There are some interesting whiskies in this release. The Ledaig isn’t likely to last long. Nor is the Cadenhead Creations Blend as we have just 6 bottles of each. They are limited to 1 per person. The colour on the Glenrothes is superb, and it is far from over-sherried. I am very much looking forward to trying the Benrinnes and Glen Spey… Springbank Society Members Save 10% on Cadenhead whiskies at KWM.

Here are the notes from Cadenhead on Release 20:

“So what should you look for this season? Simple, it’s all about taste, be it 11 years old or 20+ years each whisky is outstanding. After dinner whisky is most definitely the Glen Spey 22 57.9% and for those who want a more all-rounder might like to try the new vintage from Dailuaine 13 years old 46%. The Glenrothes 20 is possibly one of the most elegant sherry cask so far this year, If you missed our other outstanding sherry casks it might be worth checking the web shop for a few more options such the Glen Grant 22 or the stunning Speyside 21 and the sublime Mortlach 29! This Glenrothes compliments the range perfectly.”

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  1. Cadenhead Creations Vatted Malt 1991 – 43.8% – 26 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: heather, brown sugar, banana loaf, mint, cocktail cherries, tropical fruiits. Palate: peach, raisins, pan fried pineapple, tinned pears, dark chocolate. Finish: custard cream, plums, parma ham. – $225 – Only 6 bottles, 1 per person!
  2. Cadenhead Small Batch Aultmore 1997 – 51.8% – 20 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: ginger, peaches and cream, freshly cut grass, tarragon, bung cloth. Palate: lemon zest, coriander, black pepper. ball spice, golden syrup, honey then some citrus notes.” – $184
  3. Cadenhead Small Batch Benrinnes 1997 – 54% – 20 Year – 3 Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Kiwi fruits, icing sugar and Brazil nuts. Palate: Slight earthy and dunnage notes, dark chocolate and green apples. Finish: Cajun spice, paprika and a fruitiness with pears and more apples.”- $205
  4. Cadenhead Small Batch Dailuaine 2004 – 46% – 13 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Grassy, light floral, caramelised sugar, sticky toffee and slightly woody. Palate: fruit syrup,  chocolate, creamy, thick, clotted cream, crushed black pepper. Finish: Initial meatiness then caramel, biscuity, almonds,  blueberries and apple peel.” – $110
  5. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenrothes 1997 – 52.6% – 20 Year – 3 Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Peanut butter, figs and treacle. Palate: Chewy.  Orange zest and juicy sultanas.  Hint of ginger in background. Finish: Nutmeg, paprika with orange peel and brown sugar.” – $180
  6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Spey 1995 – 57.9% – 22 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: grassy notes and porridge move to  vanilla pods. Palate: Quite peppery.  Grassy notes continue before grapefruit comes through.  Finish: Long and zesty with lemongrass.” – $210
  7. Cadenhead Small Batch Ledaig 1997 – 52.8% – 2- Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: smoked kippers, role map herring, coastal flavours, crushed sea salt. Palate: peanut butter, apple smoked, tea leaves,  cooked fruits, tannins. Finish: sooty, pebbly, smoked herring, smoked cheese, toasted barley.” – $210 – Only 6 bottles, 1 per person!
  8. Cadenhead Small Batch Linkwood 1997 – 53.7% – 20 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Lemon curd followed by strawberry jam and apple pie. Palate: Black peppercorn, cinnamon sticks and butterscotch. Finish: More cinnamon with coriander and toasted white bread.” – $188
  9. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathclyde 1989 – 55.8% – 28 Year – 2 Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: vanilla pods, earthy, mustiness, dunnage, cream cheese, butter scotch. Palate: hard boil sweets, biscuity, honey oats, nutty,  caramac. Finish: shortbread,  vanilla ice cream, fruit pastil.” – $234
  10. Cadenhead Small Batch Teaninich 2006 – 55.2% – 11 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Very sweet, buttered popcorn followed by a hint of citrus and fresh green apples. Palate: Toffee ice cream, barley sugars and cereals. Finish: Burnt sugar, coffee beans and icing sugar.” – $120
  11. Cadenhead Small Batch Tullibardine 1993 – 43.6% – 24 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: coconut oil, pear drops, butter scotch, milk chocolatey mice, cubed pineapple. Palate: syrupy, dried  bananas, apricots,  oranges, ginger. Finish: shortbread, caramel, milk chocolate, rice pudding, white grapes.” – $225

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Old Glenfarclas 

30 Year, 40 Year and the 1979 Family Cask

We have received a small quantity of older Glenfarclas, 30 Year, 40 Year and the most recent Family Cask release of the 1979 vintage. If past years are any indication, the 1979 will be considerably more expensive next year, if it is available at all. If you know anyone turning 40 in 2019, you might want to snag one now, while you can. We have just 3 bottles each of the 30 and 40 year olds. We won’t see the 40 year old again until next summer. Both the 30 and 40 year old Glenfarclas are limited to 1 per customer. We are receiving just 6 of the 1979 Glenfarclas Family Cask.

  1. Glenfarclas 30 Year– 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Full complex aromas with fruit and full sherried malty tones. Palate: With Sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, nuts, marzipan (and even icing), this is a wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake, in a glass! Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t. The finish is exquisite with a real taste of burnt chocolate at the back of your mouth.” – $625
  2.  Glenfarclas 40 Year – 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Antique leather, walnuts and chocolate covered raisins. Palate: A sweet initial taste, orange segments, chocolate. Then a lovely flavour of burnt brown sugar. Finished: The dry finish oozes big tannins and more rich dark cocoa beans. Let the whisky breathe a little or add a drop or two of water to fully open up the dram.” – $1200
  3. Glenfarclas 1979 Family Cask – 47.9% – 38 Year – Cask 8797 – 4th Fill Hogshead – 220 Bottles – $1004 – Just 6 bottles available!

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Introducing the Bruichladdich Rare Vintages 

Some of the Last Bruichladdich Casks from 1984, 1985 and 1986

These whiskies are reputed to from some of the Distillery’s last casks of whisky from 1984, 1985 and 1986. The whiskies were identified by Jim McEwan during his time at Bruichladdich and set aside for further maturation. Only a couple of cases of each are coming to Canada, and Kensington Wine Market is receiving just 6 cases of each. They are sold out at the distillery.

Head distiller Adam Hannett has released a series of three very old Bruichladdich whiskies that he describes as ‘The last of their kind”.  The final three parcels of casks from distillations in 1984, 1985 and 1986 have now been bottled here at the distillery and are making their way to exclusive retailers of premium spirits around the globe. The 1986 is the same vintage as the legendary “Blacker Still”, and is said to be from the same parcel of casks!

From Bruichladdich:

Adam Hannett says: “These rare, old single malts are a direct link to our past, to the men who made truly special spirit here while facing very different circumstances to those which we enjoy today. Testament to their skill and hard work it was laid down to mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, unaware of what the future might bring. Three generations of distillers have watched over it, each of us helping to shape the final concept. It has been my privilege to decide that the treasures we have nurtured are now ready to be brought to the world. These whiskies when tasted leave me speechless. They are in their prime, the last of their kind and can never be repeated, never recreated. Nothing quite like them will ever be seen again.”

The 1984 is drawn from just 12 casks of classic Bourbon-aged Bruichladdich, a style Adam considers to be: “the ultimate expression of our spirit. The fruit, the faint salt tang, the signature elegance is all there with layer upon layer of vanilla/butterscotch complexity.”

The 1985 comes from the final 22 casks of legacy stock originally filled into gentle third fill bourbon casks that lay untouched until 2012 when it was re-casked into fresh Bourbon before a final coup de grace in French oak from one of the greatest French chateaux.

Ultra-rare, the 1986 is derived from just seven casks of delicate, floral Bruichladdich that have been subject to intense, full-term sherry maturation. First filled into oloroso butts in 1986, this spirit lay untouched in our loch-side warehouses until 2012 when our then master distiller Jim McEwan decided to introduce it to a privileged parcel of Pedro Ximinez butts from winemaker Jan Pettersen at Bodega Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain.

“They are some of the most symbolic whiskies I have worked with and they are profoundly important to me.” says Adam. “They are as old as I am. They reflect my life and experience, those moments that mean so much to us all. The moments that define us; when we marry, when we become parents and when we achieve our dreams and are recognised for our achievements. These are the moments that deserve to be celebrated with something extraordinary. In a poignant footnote to the bottlings leaving Islay, the distiller acknowledged that: “There is a tinge of sadness associated with seeing these great casks and the iconic whiskies they contain leaving our warehouses, even though memories of them will echo round these walls forever.”

  1. Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1984 – 43.7% – 32 Year – Finished in 12 First-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: Gorgeous.. Classic old school Bruichladdich.. Coconut, warm muscovado sugar, vanilla custard, grapefruit, mango, baked ginger biscuits, marzipan. After a while notes of date syrup and sultana. Taste: Soft and gentle texture, a delicate dram. Crème brulee, buttercup and orange zest. Gently warming the palate, it opens to reveal a touch of leather, toasted oak and praline. Sweet citrus and mango come through later. Finish: So gentle but a lovely finish of warm scones and dried fruit, candied orange, lemon peel and apricot jam. Character: There is a quiet feel to this dram, delicate yet assured of its identity.” – $1250 – 90pts WhiskyFun.org: “This 1984 is an ode to refill wood, good distillate and time all working together to create a fresh, vivid, evocative and delicious old whisky. I love just how riddled with distillery identity this one is.”
  2.  Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1985 – 48.7% – 32 Year – Matured in 3rd Fill Ex-Bourbon / Finished in First Fill Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: An amazing array of notes. Blood orange, nectarines, banana bread, desiccated coconut, vanilla custard, then more floral and nutty tones, geranium, marzipan, walnut, heather honey. Taste: Tremendous presence on the palate, the texture is wondrously soft and syrupy. The short ACE in the wine casks has given a warm, nutmeg hint and a layer of fruity notes, raspberry, blackcurrant jam and ripe plum, all perfectly balanced by years in American oak – cinder toffee, lemon meringue and coconut – bounty bar sweet. It opens continually to reveal layer upon layer of complexity. Finish: Long and gentle, the oak influence is strong with waves of soft vanilla wafer, toffee and sandalwood. Then lemon barley sugars, a hint of salted caramel and apricot syrup. Character: Attempting to describe the feeling and style of this whisky will fall woefully short of doing it justice. This is a vintage that will not be forgotten and it is my pleasure to be able to release it to the world.” $1250 – 86pts WhiskyFun.org: “Another fine old Bruichladdich.”
  3. Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1986 – 44.6% – 30 Year – Matured in Oloroso Sherry / Finished in PX Sherry – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: Dried fruit – raisins, fig syrup, prunes and Christmas cake. Muscovado sugar, a hint of hot sand and candied peel, dried tea leaves, pipe tobacco and leather rolled in PX. Taste: The aroma is truly astounding. On the palate the experience raises the bar still further with sweet PX notes, raisins, dried figs, dates, grape sugar. Leather, cigar boxes and Christmas cake. Everything a Sherry matured whisky should be and more. The complexity and balance is retained as the marine freshness and fruity notes of apricot and apple come through from the Bruichladdich DNA. Finish: Never-ending. Sweet fruit, PX, salted caramel, cinder toffee and a hint of smoke. Character: BANG! The mic is dropped…” – $1250 – 85pts WhiskyFun.org:

“A fine old sherried Bruichladdich.”

Milroys 5

Nikka Pure Malts Discontinued 

Two Staple Japanese Whiskies Set to Disappear

After more than a decade of being one of the best value propositions on the shelf in Canada and around the world, word has come down from on high that the Nikka Pure Malt Red and Black have been discontinued. We have scooped up a little stock before they disappear, but we don’t expect them to last long!

  1. Nikka Pure Malt Red – 43% – Primarily Composed of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts. – Producer Description: “Fruity and soft, this whisky is a blend of casks selected primarily from the Miyagikyo distillery, combined with just enough Yoichi malts to add a touch of spice and very light peat on the finish.” Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: ample, marked by orange and preserved fruity notes. Once exposed to air, it develops herbal notes. Palate: fine and unctuous, it moves from fruitiness to slightly smoky malt barley and honey. Finish: long, it develops malty and floral notes. On the whole, it is remarkably balanced and very fresh.” – $75
  2.  Nikka Pure Malt Black – 43% – Primarily Composed of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts. – Producer Description: “With its subtle balance of fruit and refined peat notes, the Nikka Pure Malt Black offers a rare complexity. Its aromatic depth is the result of a selection of very different malt whiskies, combining the fruity elegance of Miyagikyo, and the smokier notes and strong character typical of Yoichi. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: full yet refined, with plenty of spices (pepper), ripe fruit (mirabelle, peach) and citrus zest evolving on smoke and black chocolate notes. Palate: lively, very spicy. Sweet fruit jam (plum). Liquorice notes slowly give way to the refined bitterness of the peat. Finish: long. Revealing notes of honey, heather and sweet spices. A pleasant vegetal freshness (chlorophyll) leads to subtle ash flavours.” – $75

KWM7

The Ileach Cask Strength is Back! 

Our Best Selling and Best Value Exclusive Peated Single Malt Whisky

It is back and exclusive to KWM in Calgary again! Bottled at 58%, and it is enormously darker! This is new and exciting! The Ileach Cask Strength is a mystery malt from Islay. In other words, the distillery of origin is a mystery but, look closely at the label, and you’ll see a couple of clues: the distillery has its own bay, presumably passable on only the one side; it’s water-front has a distinct appearance; and could that be the ruins of the Dunyvaig Castle on the far right?

 The Ileach Cask Strength – 58% – (Lagavulin) – My Tasting Note: Nose: pungent, this is classic Islay, maritime, smoky, salty and medicinal; lots of brine and chewy malt, some dark fruits, chocolate, leather and earthy tones; underneath a base of vanilla and toasty oak. Palate: still maritime, smoky, tarry and medicinal, the whisky is earthy, leathery and malty; it is also big and rich, there is leather, tobacco and chocolate with loads of spices too. Finish: tarry, leathery, peaty and chocolaty with salt and oils. Comment: classic sherried Islay single malt with a very prominent sherry cask influence. Is it Lagavulin, Caol Ila, peated Bunnahabhain? We’ll never know, but the whisky’s label has clues!” – $80

KWM8

New Cooper’s Choice Bottlings 

Some Real Curiosities Including a Possibly Glenfarclas or Macallan…

A new shipment of Cooper’s Choice has just landed along with the Ileach Cask Strength. As I’ve indicated before, we have been generally very impressed with the offerings from Cooper’s Choice. The whiskies are either bottled at 46% or cask strength. They are generally very good value when compared to other independent bottlers. We have some very interesting offerings this time around, including some Madeira, Marsala and Port Cask finished whiskies. There is also a 12 year old teaspooned Laphroaig (Williamson), an 18 year old Secret Orkney (Highland Park) and the 35 year old “Golden Grain”, a blended Grain Scotch whisky. Most interesting, perhaps, is the Family Silver 1988. Officially this is a mystery blended malt, unofficially it is teaspooned Macallan. The whisky was matured in Oloroso sherry, and I can’t wait to crack one open. I have high hopes for it, but alas it is limited to 1 bottle per customer, as we are only getting 18!

  1. Cooper’s Choice Miltonduff 2009 – 46% – 8 Year – Madeira Finish – $80
  2. Cooper’s Choice Glentauchers 2009 – 46% – 7 Year – Madeira Finish – $87
  3. Cooper’s Choice Family Silver 1988 – 50% – 29 Year – Oloroso Sherry Cask – Teaspooned Macallan – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: rich sherry notes. Malty toffee, stewed fruits and a hint of tobacco. Palate: Christmas cake, Sherry and fruit. Exceptionally smooth. Light, smoky spice. Finish: more spice and rich sherry. Long and lingering.” – $300 – Limit 1 per customer!
  4. Cooper’s Choice Golden Grain 1982 – 50% – 35 Year – Bourbon Cask Matured – Blended Grain Scotch Whisky- $250
  5. Cooper’s Choice North British 1987 – 47.5% – 30 Year – Bourbon Cask Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: coconut and vanilla. Bourbon notes. Fruity. Palate: sweet spices with more vanilla. Stewed fruits and toasted nuts. Finish: medium long. More Bourbon and fruit. – $185
  6. Cooper’s Choice Port Dundas 1999 – 53% – 19 Year – Marsala Cask Finish – $120
  7. Cooper’s Choice Ardmore 2008 – 46% – 8 Year – Port Cask Finish – $82
  8. Cooper’s Choice Secret Islay Williamson 2005 – 12 Year – 56.5% – Teaspooned Laphroaig – $225
  9. Cooper’s Choice Secret Orkney Skara Brae 1999 – 52% – 18 Year –  Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: yellow apples and light heathery smoke. Hint of sea spray. Palate: salty apples and light peppery spices. Touch of liquid honey and sea salt. Finish: long, gentle smoke with a salty edge.” – $140

KWM9

Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood is Back…

In Very Limited Quantities!

This stalwart whisky has all of a sudden become quite hard to come by. We have 9 bottles coming, and expect that is it for the rest of the year.

Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood

  – 47.6% – Finished in Port Pipes – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: A perfume of fruity and ripe raisin notes, backed by a nutty dryness. Taste: Refined with remarkable character, it is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes. Finish: Long, gentle, nutty.” – $350

91pts Whisky Advocate: “This is the ultimate PortWood expression from Balvenie and has been finished in 30 year old port pipes. A more vibrant and textured Travel Retail variant is non-chill filtered and bottled at 47.6%. Soft, red grape notes, vanilla, and milk chocolate on the nutty nose. Very discreet smoke. Rich plum flavors in the mouth, dark berries covered in cream, and spicy honey. The finish is long and elegantly drying.”

KWM10

Glenfiddich 21 Year Winter Storm is Back! 

The Most Interesting Glenfiddich in a Long While

We’ve just received another shipment of the Glenfiddich Winter Storm, quite unexpectedly, I might add. This 21 year old icewine finished Glenfiddich is one of my favourite recent releases from the distillery. This limited edition 21 year old Glenfiddich was finished for 6 months in Ex-Peller Estate Icewine casks. Limited to 2 bottle per person.

Glenfiddich Winter Storm – 43% – Finished for six months in Peller Estate Icewine casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: big, honeyed and grapey; lots of sugars, creamed heather honey, icewine and a touch of soft leather; Scottish tablet and molten brown sugar; exotic fruits: honeydew melon, pineapple and guava; waxy oranges and beeswax candles. Palate: sweet, rich and fruity; much more spicy and earthy than the nose let on; though the earthy tones and soft and delicate, as are the spices; more exotic fruits: melon, pineapple and guava are joined by some mango and kiwi; still thick with creamed honey, beeswax candles and grapey-icewine tones; the palate is big, but round, smooth and very layered. Finish: medium-long, waxy and coating with lots of fruit, honey and cream; very layered even the delicate spices and earthy tones make a reappearance. Comment: this whisky is no gimmick; it is pretty, fruity, honeyed and layered!” – $300 – Limit 2 per customer!

______________________________

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

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

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Kensington Wine Market


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