Saturday, April 21st  11AM – 6 PM

Scotch Tasting: 

Edradour & Signatory Vintage 

Treat yourself to a traditional single malt at our all-day scotch tasting! Traditional Scotch distillery Edradour and legendary independent bottlers Signatory Vintage will be featured, with new and rare releases presented by scotch experts throughout. Click the RSVP link for more information about both distilleries, plus pourlist as it’s revealed.

Click Here to RSVP

A day of global whisky celebration

World Whisky Day invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life. Events are taking place all over the globe. If you can’t find an event happening near you why not host your own World Whisky Day event? All you need is a bottle of whisky/whiskey to share with your friends.

Head over to www.worldwhiskyday.com where you can register as a user and then register your own event.

Saturday, April 7, 2:30 – 5:30 PM

Local Bourbon: Wright and Brown

Anyone curious about craft Bourbon is sure to enjoy this tasting!

Distilled in American-made copper whisky stills, each Wright and Brown release is truly handcrafted. First, the distillers seek out the most flavorful non-GMO grains, working with local organic farms to get the best ingredients. Every step of the whisky process is then done in-house, from milling the grain to mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and finally bottling. The result is a decadently flavorful small-batch whiskey, made right here in the Bay Area.

Click Here to RSVP

The Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants is doing a bit of spring cleaning and they’re putting select SMWS bottles on sale over the Easter weekend.

Shop in person or by phone from Friday, March 30th to Sunday, April 1st to take advantage of these great deals.  Please note no holds and your membership must be in good standing.

Browse the list of sale bottles and be sure to act fast on Easter weekend to secure your fave:

Cask No. 35.172  ALPACA FLEECE  $22 OFF

Was $217.90 Now $195.90

20 years old; 1st fill barrel; 52.9%; Light & delicate

We imagined a tiled floor in a vestibule with new Barbour jackets and waxed leather boots. We were invited in for toast with clover honey. A drop of water and it turned very delicate, almost fragile; candied angelica and alpaca fleece.

Cask No. 48.83  “…AND THE LIVING’S EASY”  $20 OFF

Was $184.90 Now $164.90

13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 56.1%; Light & delicate

A melon medley salad, poached pears in honey and French apple tart were followed on the palate by a pear Calvados liqueur served over refreshing sorbet ice cream. Water added a mango and lime smoothie and to finish, a Pineapple Fluff cocktail.

Cask No. 7.165  DANCE OF THE BUMBLEBEE    $20 OFF

Was $179.90 Now $159.90

13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.7%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Rosewater, peach, mango, dried papaya and white chocolate with little pirouettes of hazelnuts, bakewell tarts and strawberry jam before revolving into marmalade, orange blossom honey, raw chocolate and sticky figs before spiced red apple chutney, salted caramel, candied fennel seeds and long lasting spice.

Cask No. 48.84  SEIZE THE MOMENT    $15 OFF

Was $154.90 Now $139.90

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.7%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

A bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Gewürztraminer to start. After an espresso and crumpets with strawberry jam, enjoy a Mai Tai in a conservatory.

Cask No. 64.91  PORRIDGE OATS ON A TROPICAL BEACH   $15 OFF

Was $154.90 Now $139.90

10 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.8%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The sun was beating down on the upholstery as we sat down to honey nut cereal and porridge oats with lingonberry jam and banana. Honeydew melon was thrown in with pear drops, blackcurrant tea and malted milk as we admired the tropical scene of pineapple trees.

Cask No. 48.87  FRISKY WHISKY    $15 OFF

Was $154.90 Now $139.90

11 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.4%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

The nose is fruity (mango, pineapple, tutti-frutti) and sweet (honey, chocolate, crème caramel, rice pudding) – all surrounded by a fuchsia hedge. The palate is lively, playful and frisky – citrus, dark chocolate, caramel wafer, ginger cake, nutmeg and chili; mouth-watering and tongue-numbing.

Cask No. 7.163  THE INDIAN SPICE TRAIN   $19 OFF

Was $171.90 Now $152.90

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.7%; Spicy & sweet

Hot and spicy Bloody Marys, pickled ginger, lime and blood orange. Then blueberry muffin, nuts and pancake with lemon, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Cask No. 55.44  HONEY ON A STRADIVARIUS    $21 OFF

Was $198.90 Now $177.90

16 years old; 1st fill French oak hogshead; 57.1%; Spicy & sweet

The nose – imagine Baklava in cigar boxes, treacle tarts in spice cupboards, honey on a Stradivarius, weavers glugging Calvados. The palate – syrup, toffee and chocolate sweetness combined with coy, wood-derived spices (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, clove). This was previously in ex-bourbon wood.

Cask No. 64.81  FLAMBE CREPE SUZETTE    $20 OFF

Was $179.90 Now $159.90

13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 62.5%; Spicy & sweet

A fragrant, heady, sultry summer’s day, and we enjoyed the moment with lavender honey ice cream and a caramel cinnamon latte. Diluted, we imagined a delicate ornament made out of spun sugar, and we finished with a spiced blood orange Champagne punch.

Cask No. 44.78  PEEK-A-BOO    $21 OFF

Was $194.90 Now $173.90

14 years old; virgin oak hogshead; 57.6%; Spicy & dry

Fruit notes of apple, pear and sultana loaf with peanuts and custard powder concealing an explosive palate of liquorice, raisons and burnt custard tart with coffee cake, maple syrup, parsnips and soot sweetly finishing with old leather and tobacco. Previously matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

Sale runs from Fri. March 30th – Sun. April 1st

The Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants

919 Douglas Street, Victoria  250-370-9463

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Spring 2018 Tasting Schedule

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

Our Spring 2018 Tasting Schedule opens for registration today, and it is an exciting one. Our team has put together a fine range of whisky and other spirits tastings to see us through to the end of June. That is not to mention some great wine and beer tastings too! In addition to the usual fare, we have a couple of marque events, including the Ardbeg 1815 Grand Tasting, which will see us open the 200th Anniversary Ardbeg 1815 bottling ($8000), only 3 of which have come to Alberta. The event will be hosted by Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. The event includes the 1815, a range of other Ardbegs and dinner.

We will also be holding the first incarnation of Ancient Malts at KWM in more than a year. This edition of Ancient Malts will feature 7 very old and rare single malts, including a pair of 1968s, a pair of Broras, the Convalmore 32 Year and more. The Ancient Malts tastings will be taking place over the course of two nights in June (your choice of June 15 or 21), one of which is the day after our Spring Single Malt Festival, June 14. We have planned this intentionally as both events tend to draw out of town visitors, and we want to make your trek worthwhile. Speaking for the Spring Single Malt Festival, you won’t want to drag your feet too long getting tickets for it, as it always sells out early.

Other notable events include the Compass Box Hedonism Muse Launch on Monday May 14, which will see the first tasting of Compass Box Hedonism Muse in Alberta. There will also be a very special Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Vertical Tasting with founder Bob Baxter on Thursday May 24. And don’t forget to save the date for Ardbeg Day 2018 on Saturday June 2nd. More details on this very fun and groovy event will be announced soon.

The full listing of whisky and spirits tastings in the 2018 Spring Schedule are detailed below. You can  view the full Kensington Wine Market Spring Tasting Schedule and register for the tastings online.

To round out this Malt Messenger Bulletin, I thought I would highlight a couple of KWM Casks which are getting close to selling out. If you are a fan of our Old Malt Cask Bowmore 1996 KWM Cask, Duncan Taylor Octaves Bunnahabhain 2008 KWM Cask, Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask or the Arran 1996 KWM Cask 964, and you want another bottle, time is running out… details on all of these whiskies can be found below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin, and that it 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. Spring 2018 Tasting Schedule
2. Only 13 Bottles Left: Old Malt Cask Bowmore KWM Cask
3. Only 15 Bottles Left: Duncan Taylor Octaves Bunnahabhain KWM Cask
4. Only 20 Bottles Left: Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask
5. Only 23 Bottles Left: Arran 1996 KWM Cask 964

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

KWM’s Spring 2018 Tasting Schedule 

One of our most exciting schedules ever

There is a lot to be excited about in our Spring Tasting Schedule. Spaces are limited, so if there is something you are interested in, don’t wait too long to register… As always you can register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com

1. Classic Malts – Wednesday April 18 – Our introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside and Islay… all almost meaningless terms in the modern day! Don’t believe us? We’ll show and taste! – $35
2. NAS Whisky Wars – Wednesday April 25 – Nothing in recent years has stirred up as much controversy in the world of whisky as the re-emergence of NAS (no age statement) Whisky… but is it all bad? We’ll present the facts, and you’ll have to take a side! – $40
3. Going with the Grain: Very Old Edition – Tuesday May 8 – When they are good, they can be stunning. Scotch Whisky’s least understood and appreciated incarnation is also one of its best value propositions. Especially when it comes to very old ones! – $75
4. Compass Box Muse Launch – Monday May 14 – Andrew and Compass Box’s Canadian Brand Ambassador James Bornn will mark the launch of “Compass Box Hedonism The Muse” with a special Master Class highlighting Compass Box blended grains! – $30
5. KWM’s 26th Birthday Mini-Whisky Festival – Thursday May 17 – Consider this the “Sneak a Peek” for the whisky deals during our birthday sale weekend. Includes a Glencairn glass and the opportunity to sample from a range of more than 80 different whiskies! – $50
6. Two Brewers Single Malt Release Vertical with Bob Baxter – Thursday May 24 – We will sample our way through the Two Brewers Releases 04-09, and another treat, with co-founder/owner Bob Baxter. He’ll highlight the broad range of single malt whisky styles coming from this award winning Yukon distillery! – $25
7. Ardbeg 1815 Grand Tasting with Brendan McCarron – Tuesday June 29 – Special guest Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg will take you on a very special tasting including the extremely rare 200th Anniversary bottling, Ardbeg 1815 ($8000.00). You’ll also indulge in dinner and a range of other Ardbeg whiskies. – $200
8. !!!!SAVE THE DATE!!! Ardbeg Day – Saturday June 2 – Ardbeg Day 2018 will be a celebration of Peat & Love all over the world. More details to follow. So SAVE THE DATE for a Groovy Day of fun, whisky and flower power! – Location & $TBA
9. Spring Single Malt Festival – Thursday June 14 – Our annual spring festival of all things malt whisky will feature at least 100 single malts from Scotland and around the world. It sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate. 25th Anniversary tasting glass included. – $65
10. Ancient Malts – !!!Choice of Two Nights!!!: Friday June 15 or Thursday June 21 – It’s been over a year since we’ve put on an Ancient Malts tasting, and frankly, we’re overdue! We have some very special bottles selected for this one, including a pair of Broras, two 1968 vintage single malts and three other treats. Includes a special cut crystal Glencairn glass! – $250
11. The Spirit of Canada – Wednesday June 27 – Canadian whisky has caught the world’s attention in the last few years, just as a surge of craft Canadian whiskies are about to hit the market. We’ll feature some of the best new releases! – $35

Register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com

Only 13 Bottles Left – Old Malt Cask 1996 Bowmore KWM Cask 

A Whisky That Took us Over 10 Years to Find…

This was one of the most exciting whisky launches we’ve had in recent years. Firstly, because I had been wanting to bottle a single cask of Bowmore for more than a decade. Secondly, because by pure serendipitous coincidence, Jim McEwan, who had been distillery manager at Bowmore when this whisky was distiller, just happened to be in Calgary the day the first bottles arrived in store. He was kind enough to pop in and sign the first 90 bottles, which sold out in mere hours.

Our first KWM Single Cask Bowmore is from Old Malt Cask and bottled after 21 years at 50%. Normally we prefer all of our casks to be bottled at cask strength, which would have been around 53% for this whisky. But to bottle it at cask strength, in the “First Editions” packaging, would have added nearly $75 to the price. So we were willing to compromise. Bottled at 21 years old from a Refill Hogshead, distilled March 1996 and Bottled June 2017.

Old Malt Cask Bowmore 1996 KWM Cask – 50% – Refill Hogshead – 21 Year – My Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy, floral and sweet; a touch of Parma Violets (sweet lavender candies) clotted cream, Crème Brule and salted caramel ice-cream; light-savoury-smoke, lemon and pear drops, vanilla bean Jelly Bellies and wine gums. Palate: creamy, buttery, oily and fruity; silky layers of honey and vanilla are rolled out with lots of soft fruits: guava, Midori melon, green banana and lots of citrus; more wine gums; the smoke is delicate, floral and decadent, with more lavender and peppermint; the clotted cream caries through on a dry Brittish scone; more ice-cream too: a double scoop of salted caramel and Earl Grey tea. Finish: long, silky and creamy with layers of fruit, floral tones, elegant smoke and gentle toasted oak. Comment: this was worth the wait; a beautiful malt; my kind of Bowmore! Comment: this whisky was worth the wait, when we cracked the sample from Hunter Laing, we knew we had a winner. – $200

Only 15 Bottles Left – Duncan Taylor Octaves Bunnahabhain 2008 KWM Cask 

Young, but with a Profile Mature Well Beyond It’s Years…

It seems like it only just got here, but sadly it is nearly gone. Our most limited KWM exclusive single cask in a while, just 66 bottles were produced and just 15 remain. Matured 9 years in oak casks and finished for 4 months in a bespoke Duncan Taylor Sherry Octave. Bottled at 52.6%.

 Duncan Taylor Octaves Bunnahabhain 2008 KWM Cask – 52.6% – 9 Year – Finished 4 Months in a Sherry Octave – My Tasting Note: “Nose: jujubes and a leather barber’s strap; old-fashioned shaving soap in a polished wooden bowl; a touch of chocolate, raisins and figs dipped in honey. Palate: big, heavy and malty with bold sherry notes over a base of honey-vanilla; a thick chocolate base with orange, raisins figs and decadent spices; more polished wood and old-fashioned shaving soap; still leathery, musty and oaky, soft nutty tones and more jujubes; spices transition into candied fennel and a touch of clove. Finish: long, drying and bold; the palate is coating and leathery with more chocolate, citrus, dried dark fruits and spices. Comment: if this was an SMWS malt, I would call it “Eating chocolate & jujubes in a barber’s chair.” – $100

Only 20 Bottles Left – Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask 

Our First Single Cask of 100% Rye…

This is our first single cask of Millstone whisky, and it will not be our last! It is also our first exclusive single cask of 100% rye whisky, and our first ever exclusive cask of whisky from the Netherlands. This 100% whisky is distilled in pot stills from a mash of 50% malted and 50% unmalted rye grain milled in Dutch windmills. The only way it could be more Dutch is if the distillers were wearing clogs. It was matured in a single virgin American oak cask, bottled at 53.2%. Only 144 bottles were produced, and just 20 remain!

Millstone 100 Rye KWM Cask – 53.2% – Matured in Virgin American Oak – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet, creamy and honeyed with fresh Jujubes and dill pickle juice; some orange sherbet and vanilla icing sugars; toasted oak and firm spices; doughy and fresh with a hint of liquorice. Palate: big, round and earthy; perfumed and oily; more liquorice and assorted fresh Jujubes; tangy citrus meets spicy-oily rye tones; juicy and toasty with Demerara sugars.

Finish: big, rich, bold and lasting; fruits, liquorice and spices linger through a long creamy finish. Comment: the virgin oak has leant this whisky and maturity and richness beyond its years, also a silky backbone which tames the bold 100 rye spirit.” – $88

Only 23 Bottles Left – Arran 1996 KWM Cask 964 

My Favourite of the Two 20 Year Old KWM Arran Casks…

Although this is a Sherry Hogshead matured whisky, we believe it to be an American oak hoggie based on its colour and profile. One of two single cask, cask strength, 20 year old Arrans, bottled exclusively for KWM in 2017. It is my favourite of the two and a classic elegant old single malt. The whiskies are the oldest Arrans yet to come to Canada…, until our 21 year olds arrive this Spring. Bottled at a cask strength of 52.5% after maturing in a sherry hogshead filled on 12/08/1996 and bottled 05/04/2017.

Arran 1996 KWM Cask 964 – 52.5% – Sherry Hogshead – 20 Year – Andrew’s Tasting Note

Nose: bright, floral and citrussy; lemon slices, peeled orange and tangerines; cinnamon spiced honey butter and soft leather leads to apricots and dried dark fruits; all along there is a creamy base with bright floral top notes. Palate: very honeyed: liquid, honey butter and honey sticks; more orange and tangerines, big juicy citrus tones and a base of creamy, floral vanilla bean (American oak?); chewy with sweet waxy Starburst fruit candies and a touch of darker dried fruits; more dried apricot and soft silky leather; some gentle earthy tones and soft leather hinting at sherry seasoning and dunnage warehouse maturation. Finish: long, sweet, coating and citrussy with more bright floral tones and all kinds of honey. Comment: despite its age which has given it a silky backbone, this malt is still bright, fresh and layered; it is to borrow a phrase, eminently quaffable; perhaps dangerously so!” – $150

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

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

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

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Friday, April 6, 5 – 7 PM

Scotch Tasting: Benromach

Join us for an evening of traditional Speyside single malt! Founded in 1898, Benromach is the smallest distillery in Speyside – only three distillers passionately handcraft every release.The result is a dram reminiscent of ancient Speyside – beautifully balanced, with a light touch of smoke.

This in-store tasting features new and rare scotches by Benromach distillery, presented by whisky experts.

Click Here to RSVP

Thursday, March 29th 4-6 PM:

Glen Grant 

Join us this week for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch! Established in 1840, the centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world. Guest will be treated to rare favorites and new releases from the centuries old distillery, with whisky experts present for all your scotch questions.

Click Here to RSVP 

Tickets on sale today Monday March 26 at 10:00am

This is your reminder: tickets for Spirit of Toronto 2018 go on sale this morning, Monday March 26, at 10:00am!

These may be purchased as follows:

• In person at Roy Thomson Hall’s box office at 60 Simcoe Street
• By calling Roy Thomson Hall’s box office at (416) 872-4255
• Online through Roy Thomson Hall’s website

Buying tickets online for several people? Please keep reading!

Masterclasses: the more, the merrier?

May we make a suggestion based on feedback from our regular guests?

If this is your first time coming to the show, one masterclass will be plenty, leaving you with ample time to explore the tasting halls, take in some live jazz and see why everyone is queuing for the beef and Yorkshire pudding.

For those determined to attend masterclasses at both 7pm and 8:30pm, please allow enough time to check-in, collect your glass and event programme, leave your jacket at the coat check, and queue for the class itself. But please keep in mind that attending two classes leaves little time to enjoy the event itself!

Buying Multiple Tickets Online

If you are buying multiple tickets and wish to attend different masterclasses than your fellow ticketholders, please note that you will be required to build these different selections as separate packages before proceeding to the checkout to pay for the full order.

Furthermore please note that masterclasses cannot be purchased without including a ticket to Spirit of Toronto as part of your package.

For example…

Buying tickets to the show for yourself and a friend, but planning on attending different masterclasses? Purchase your tickets as follows —

Select the following as Package #1 and and click ‘Continue’:

Sat 5/5/18 6:30PM Spirit of Toronto 2018
Sat 5/5/18 5:30PM Nothern Border Collection 2018
Sat 5/5/18 7:00PM Discovering Dutch Whisky

You will then be prompted for the number of tickets being purchased for Package #1, after which you may either “Go to Cart” to pay for your purchase, or “Build Another Package” to select a different grouping of masterclasses as Package #2:

Sat 5/5/18 6:30PM Spirit of Toronto 2018
Sat 5/5/18 5:00PM No Italy, No Cocktail
Sat 5/5/18 8:30PM Deconstructing Forty Creek

When finished building all your packages you may now select ‘Go to Cart’ to review your order and proceed to the checkout page.

There’s always standby…

Didn’t get the classes you wanted? Not much of a planner? There may still be hope: any empty seats courtesy of no-shows will be assigned to those waiting on standby. Note that this only applies to the classes at 7pm and 8:30pm; please review the FAQ section of our website for more details.

LIST OF RARE & COLLECTABLE WHISKIES RELEASED
FOR THE DISTILLERS’ CHARITY AUCTION ON 10^th APRIL 2018

22^nd March 2018 – The full list of lots for the second Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Charity Auction is now available to view at www.distillers.auction.  It features more than 70 rare and highly collectable whiskies and experiences that will go under the hammer at Mercers’ Hall, in the heart of the City of London, on Tuesday 10^th April.

The evening, hosted by Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers Bryan Burrough, will begin with a reception attended by the Lord Mayor of London, followed by international auctioneer David Elswood of Christie’s conducting the auction.  Tickets to attend (dress code – black tie) are available for £100 at www.distillers.auction. There is also the opportunity on the auction website to register for absentee and telephone bidding.

Estimates for the lots, all of impeccable provenance having been donated directly by the producers or liverymen of the Distillers, range from £250 to £25,000.  They include some of the most sought-after whiskies in the world, one-of-a-kind expressions, special bottlings never released commercially and private invitations to tastings with the makers.

Bidding is expected to be strong for the Whyte & Mackay contribution of a one-off, specially produced bottle of The Dalmore 1976 Highland Single Malt Whisky 41 Years Old, matured in a Graham’s Port Colheita 1963 Pipe, with details and tasting notes on a scroll handwritten by master blender and liveryman Richard Paterson.

William Grant & Sons has provided exceptional whiskies with wonderful stories. Glenfiddich 50 Years Old, vintage distillery bottling from 1991, is number 440 of a limited edition of 500 bottles. This whisky was made from a batch of nine casks laid down in the 1930s, one for each of William Grant’s nine children who had helped to build Glenfiddich Distillery in the 1880s.  Its bottle of The Balvenie 50 Year Old Cask 191 (bottle number 14 of 83), distilled in 1952 and bottled is 2002, is one of the oldest Balvenies ever released and the label reads: “The last cask of The Balvenie Single Malt Whisky from the nineteen fifties is unique and unrepeatable.”

Gordon & MacPhail has gathered six of its historic bottlings of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, one distilled in each decade from the 1930s to 1980s, to create The Archive Collection exclusively for The Distillers’ Charity Auction: Strathisla 1937, Linkwood 1946, Talisker 1955, Glen Grant 1965 (never released for sale), Ardbeg 1974 and St. Magdalene 1982. This is accompanied by an invitation to the home of this family-owned company.

Compass Box Whisky has also delved into its archive to compile The Hedonism Collection, from the original in 2000 (the world’s first Blended Grain Scotch Whisky) to the latest expression released this year: Hedonism (First Edition), Hedonism Maximus, Hedonism 10^th Anniversary, Hedonism Quindecimus and Hedonism The Muse. Founder John Glaser will host a special dinner in the Compass Box Blending Room for the winning bidder and five guests.

The Kirin Brewery Company Fuji-Gotemba Distillery has brought together a set of three 21 Year Old bottlings, never before sold together (two no longer available commercially and a Single Malt that has never been released for sale), from its historical whisky library stocks: Evermore 2001 Blended Whisky, Evermore 2002 Blended Whisky and Fuji-Gotemba Single Malt Whisky distilled in 1981.

Chivas Bros has created The Royal Salute Highland Fling, a two-day trip to Speyside hosted by Peter Prentice, Keepers of the Quaich chairman and global VIP relations director for Chivas Bros. Staying at Linn House, six guests will visit Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Strathisla Distilleries with tastings in the Royal Salute Vault and Chivas Regal Cellar. The trip culminates in a Royal Salute Scottish Dinner and tasting of extraordinary whiskies.

Other highlights include: a magnum of Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Whisky Aged 50 Years specially selected for The Worshipful Company of Distillers by John L S Grant and George S Grant and donated by Glenfarclas Distillery; Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1964 Fino Cask 46 Years Old (one of 72 bottles) given by Beam Suntory UK; a unique bottle of Littlemill The Worshipful Company of Distillers 2018 Edition 40 Years Old selected by master blender Michael Henry; The Macallan Sherry Oak 40 Years Old rare single malt matured in three handpicked Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from Jerez; and number 232 of 500 crystal decanters of cask strength The North British Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50 Years Old given to employees, former employees and friends of The North British Distillery Company Limited to celebrate its 125th Anniversary in 2010.

Alongside these legendary names are new distilleries already making their mark. Liverymen Daniel Szor, founder and CEO of The Cotswolds Distillery, is offering a day of whisky making and a hand-drawn cask strength bottle of Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, and Stephen A Gould, proprietor and distiller at the Golden Moon Distillery, has donated a bottle from the first cask of its initial release of Colorado Single Malt Whiskey.

Bryan Burrough, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said: “As a Livery Company, charity is at the heart of what we do, and as Distillers we are proud to be leading our fundraising with the Distillers’ Charity Auction. An incredible collection of whiskies has been donated, which we are sure will generate a great deal of interest and excitement from collectors around the world.”

In the spirit of the event, the first two Worshipful Company of Distillers single cask bottlings of The Master’s Cask, signed by the Master of their year of bottling (an unpeated Caol Ila 18 Years Old for Douglas Morton in 2016 and Knockando 18 Years Old for Richard Watling in 2017), are presented for auction in a specially commissioned cabinet.

All proceeds will be donated to the Distillers’ Charity, which supports industry training and education, the Alcohol Education Trust dedicated to improving alcohol education for young people in Scotland, and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal towards the OnSide Youth Zones initiative creating opportunities for young people in London to thrive.   More information on these charities can be found at www.distilers.auction.

Follow The Distillers’ Charity Auction on Instagram and Facebook @distillersauction. 

The Worshipful Company of Distillers & The Distillers’ Auction 

The Worshipful Company of Distillers, founded in 1638, is a Livery Company of the City of London.

This year’s Master, Bryan Burrough, has spent his working life in the City of London. He joined the livery in 1988 and, with his family history steeped in the gin industry, has acted as Chancellor (Finance Director) and Chair of the Charity Committee. He is proud that 80 per cent of liverymen are involved with the drinks trade, and as one of the other 20 per cent, aims to continue to cement the Company’s relationship with the City of London.

The Distillers’ Charity provides support and funds to City of London and industry charities through scholarships at Heriot-Watt International Centre for Brewing & Distilling, the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), The Benevolent, Alcohol Education Trust and Action on Addiction.

The first Distillers’ Charity Auction in 2013 raised over £250,000 for charitable causes from the sale of 53 lots of old, rare and unique bottles and collections of Scotch Whiskies.  A generous legacy grant was made by the Diageo Foundation to provide funding to help to make the Distillers’ Charity Auction a sustainable, long-term fundraising programme.  Further donations towards supporting the Auction have also been received from The Morrison Foundation and the William Grant Foundation.

www.distillers.org.uk

Malt Messenger Bulletin – 4 Great Deals & Tonight’s Speyside Festival

It has been a busy couple of the weeks since the last Malt Messenger. I won’t have time to put together the next full Malt Messenger until after Easter, but in the meantime I have some timely news to share, so I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well!

Firstly, there will be another Malt Messenger Bulletin on Monday March 26th, Announcing our Spring Tasting Schedule. There is a lot to look forward to in the Spring Tasting Schedule, including a pair of whisky festivals and a special Ardbeg 1815 tasting with Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. We will also have a pair of Ancient Malts tastings where we will be cracking some 1968s and a pair of Broras, and there is more… stay tuned!

Secondly, and more pressingly, we have a few available tickets left for tonight’s The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at KWM. The cost is $50, includes a glass, and the opportunity to sample up to 80 different whiskies! Register online or call 403-283-8000 to register. (WHOA! WI did not receive this int time to publish on the day of the event but keep your eye out for their next festival – they are well worth the visit! ~ WI)

Finally, the main purpose of today’s email, is to promote a couple of time sensitive deals we have. We were offered a price break on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year to clear out the stock of these two great whiskies. It seems the importer brought in too much, and both products have been discontinued, so they are eager to get rid of them. The anCnoc has dropped in price by $10, from $100+gst to $90+gst. The anCnoc 22 Year has dropped nearly $40, from $192+gst to $155+gst. They are both amazing deals, especially the 22! More details and tasting notes below.

We are also passing on savings on the Auchentoshan 18 Year and Laphroaig Lore. Beam Suntory has put both on sale, and we are passing the savings on, but there is a catch. We can only honour the sale price for bottles of the Auchentoshan 18 (was $118+gst now $108+gst) and Laphroaig Lore (was $190+gst now $175+gst) ordered between today and next Wednesday, March 28… more details below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

1. Spirit of Speyside Festival Tomorrow
2. Save on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year
3. Save $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year (Until March 28)
4. Save $15 on Laphroaig Lore (Until March 28)

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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KWM’s 2nd The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 

$50 for 80+ Speyside Whiskies & a Glass – TONIGHT!

We featured Islay and Islayternative malts last month, this time around it is the Speyside’s turn in our 2nd Annual The Spirit of Speyside Festival. Only the whiskies of distilleries in the Speyside region will be featured in this festival style tasting. Think you know the Speyside? With over 80 whiskies to choose from we’ll guarantee you something new!

Tonight… Thursday March 22, 7PM, just $50, including a glass!

Register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com

SAVE on anCnoc 2000 & 22 Year 

Blow out specials on two fine Highland Single Malts!

You gotta love it when people bring the deals

to you… Just before Christmas it was the Mackinlay’s Shackleton(only 10 left), and now it is a pair of anCnocs, from the Knockdhu Distillery. We were given a $10 break on the anCnoc 2000 and close to $40 on the anCnoc 22 Year to help clear out the Alberta inventory. Both are great whiskies, but discontinued, and it seems the importer, under previous ownership, bought too much. The whiskies are both lovely.  My tasting notes are below. Both are bottled at 46%, and matured in a mix of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon. Here are the details:

anCnoc 2000 – 46% – Matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry & Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet and fruity with a mix of strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; the whisky is delicate and floral, there are jujubes, some chewy malt and citrus notes. Palate: creamy with licorice, soft leather, spices and earthy notes; some honey with nutty sherried tones and more strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; a touch of malt, candied citrus, more jujubes and dark spices: fennel, clove and anise. Finish: long, coating, leathery and spicy with more licorice and candied fruits. Comments: excellent value middle aged vintage whisky.” – Regular $100 – SAVE $10 – Special Price $90+gst

• Producer Description: “anCnoc Vintage 2000 has matured in Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels and has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered nor coloured.  As a result this dram may develop a light haze with the addition of water or if kept at a cold temperature. This haze is a natural characteristic of whisky that is non-chill filtered.”

anCnoc 22 Year – 46% – Matured Ex-Bourbon & Ex-Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Notes: “Nose: soft damp tobacco in an old leather patch, chocolate shavings on a piping cappuccino; some candied fruits, lemon drops and wine gums; some delicate malty-floral top notes emerge with some soft toasty oak. Palate: rich, fruity and very soft, wow this is really something; lots of chocolate with more soft leather and tobacco; more candied fruit and wine gums with some emerging mango, papaya and honey dew melon. Finish: an absolutely beautiful balance of both sherry and bourbon notes, the finish is long rich and spicy; finishes fruity and floral. Comment: I’m really caught off guard by this, wow it’s good!” – Regular $192 – SAVE $37 – Special Price $155+gst

• Producer Description: “Matured predominantly in American oak, ex-bourbon casks as well as Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts, anCnoc 22 Years Old displays complexity and a wealth of character but its long lasting rich, smoky finish sets this dram apart from the younger offerings.”
• Silver Medal Whisky Magazine – 87 Martin Nouet & 86 Rob Allanson

SAVE $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year

Regularly $118, Available for $108 through March 28!

Fresh and clean with lots of citrus notes, the Auchentoshan 18 Year is one of the best priced distillery bottled 18 year olds on the market. The importer has put it on sale, so we are passing on the savings through Wednesday March 28. Save $10 on the already low price!

Auchentoshan 18 Year – 43% – Producer Description: “Triple distilled and matured in American bourbon oak for over eighteen years. The result: a refreshing Lowland single malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.” – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Aroma: Fresh tobacco leaf – then sweet with a hint of caramelized sugars, green tea and toasted almonds. Taste: A floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at first – this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness. The palate is left alive and refreshed. Finish: A long, lingering and well-balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.” – Regular $118+gst – SAVE $10, $108+gst Until March 28!

SAVE $15 on Laphroaig Lore 

Regularly $190, Available for $175 Through March 28!

Laphroaig Lore was created by Distillery Manager John Campbell as a testament to 200 years of whisky making at the Islay Distillery. The whisky is composed of components 7 to 27 years of age from a wide variety of cask types including: virgin oak, Ex-Bourbon, 2nd fill Oloroso hogsheads, and refill ex-Laphroaig Quarter Casks.

From the Distillery: “‘Lore’ is a complex marriage of both classical Lahroaig styles and many ages of Laphroaig. The marriage draws from the peaty power of Laphroaig in the same vein as Quarter Cask but with the smoothness of double matured stock finished in European oak hogsheads. To add even further depth and complexity we used our mosy heavily peated whisky matured in ex-Laphroaig barrels along with some fully sherry matured casks. To ensure none of this amazing flavour was lost we bottled Lore at a full 48% ABV and simply barrier filled before bottling. The result is stunningly complex.”

Laphroaig Lore – 48% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and smoky with seaside minerals with a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with oily unroasted chestnuts and a hint of fudge with a malty sweetness. A drop of water adds a creamy clotted cream note with fruit appearing in the form of unripe citrus in a flan glaze. Palate: Richly peaty with a spicy chilli bite. Finish: Short dry finish and a long sweet aftertaste. – Regular $190+gst – SAVE $15 – $175+gst Until March 28

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers

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

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

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

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