The month of July is winding down and we are approaching the Dog Days of Summer. The whisky news continues to flow and excitement is building as new whiskies including some long awaited new Kensington Wine Market Exclusive casks start hitting the shelves.

Speaking of the new KWM exclusive casks, we have nearly sold out of our Kensington Wine Market Glenrothes 1997 Cask, $200, which only first arrived in store two and a half weeks ago. Of the 84 total bottles, nearly 60 have sold… There is also our new Cadenhead exclusive cask, which we alluded to in the Bulletin last week.

We launched the Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 25 Year KWM at a series of tastings last week hosted by Cameron McGeachy from Cadenhead. At $205 it is a very reasonably priced 25 year old single cask, cask strength whisky. It is our latest 25th Anniversary bottling to hit the shop, but not the last…

This coming week we are launching our most limited 25th Anniversary whisky, the Whisky-Fassle ‘extra old’ Blended Malt KWM, $220. Only 42 bottles have been sold to KWM of this very curious, a purportedly very old, Blended Malt. We suspect the whisky to be Edrington Stock, with a cigar ash backbone and lots of sherry. We have a bottle open for sampling in the shop.

Next week we will be introducing the whiskies of Samaroli to the Kensington Wine Market, at a tasting to be co-hosted by Evan Eckersley and Jonathan Bray. We will be sampling a range of new Samaroli whiskies and a couple of others aged up to 26 years of age at Samaroli Malt Whisky & Friends. Just $40.

We have access to some increasingly rare closed distillery whiskies, including Brora, Caperdonich, Rosebank and Port Ellen. The Caperdonich, from Maltbarn, is the first we have seen from this distillery in a couple of years. The other three are from Gordon Macphail’s Rare Old range. They are an unexpected but welcome surprise… and they won’t last long. Just 6 bottles each of the Brora, Port Ellen and Rosebank are coming, and between 3 and 5 bottles of each are already sold!

There is a new range of organic single malt whiskies from Sweden in Alberta. The Spirit of Hven whiskies are lightly peated, highly respected and curiously packaged. The whisky is made on the island of Hven, between Sweden and Denmark. We have samples of a few of them open at the shop including their gin!

The Paul John Whiskies are back in stock at the shop: Brilliance, Edited and Bold. More details on them below, as well as two cask strength bottlings from the distillery which are set to arrive in the next couple of weeks. Only a handful of bottles of Paul John Peated Select Cask, $95, and Classic Select Cask, $90, are coming to Alberta. We will also shortly be announcing a Paul John Master Class with the distillery’s Brand Ambassador Madhu Paul.

The second edition of Shelter Point Single Malt is now in store, and we are shortly expecting some new releases from Duncan Taylor. We have also received a small shipment of EH Taylor and a new release of Stagg Jr.

Last but not least: if you are a fan of either Old Pulteney 17 Year, or Old Pulteney 21 Year, you may want to grab a bottle or two over the next couple of months. The owners of the distiller – Inver House – are retooling its lineup and we have heard these two expressions are soon to be dropped. When the stock currently in Alberta is gone, these malts will be gone forever!

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Samaroli & Friends Tasting Next Week
2. New Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM Cask 25 Year
3. New Whisky-Fassle ‘extra old’ Blended Malt Whisky
4. Very Rare Closed Distillery Bottlings
5. Introducing Spirit of Hven Whiskies
6. Introducing Paul John Cask Strength
7. Introducing Shelter Point 2nd Release Single Malt
8. New Duncan Taylor Whiskies
9. EH Taylor & Stagg Jr. Bourbons
10. Old Pulteney 17 & 21 Year Olds Discontinued

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

Samaroli Malt Whisky & Friends Tasting Next Week 

With Jonathan Bray & Our Own Evan Eckersley – Just $40 

Samaroli is a well respected name in the world of independent bottlers. Established in 1968 in its home market of Italy, and now available in over 20 countries around the world. We will sample a range of whiskies from Samaroli, and a couple of other bottlings aged up to 26 years of age. Take a break from the sun next week, with some fine Scotch whisky, bottled by an Italian firm.

Samaroli Malt Whisky & Friends – Thursday July 27 – 7 whiskies will be sampled in this tag team tasting of malt whiskies up to 26 years of age… Evan and Jonathan will be your spirit guides on this quest! – $40

Call 403-283-8000 or register online!

 

New Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM 25 Year 

Our first and only 25 year old anniversary bottling, distilled in 1992 the year KWM was founded!  

One of the most exciting 25th Anniversary releases we’ve received… the whisky is both 25 years old, and distilled in 1992, the year we opened. Matured in refill American oak, bottled at a cask strength 51.1%, just 246 bottles! This is the first cask we’ve bottled with Cadenhead and it won’t be the last, we have a tasty young Dailuaine on the way. It is hard to emphasize how good a deal this whisky is, for a 25 year old single cask, cask strength bottling. We tried to find a 1992 25 year old with several other firms, all of them 50-150% more expensive… The whisky is light, delicate and tropical but very layered. A fine summer sipper!

ore details to come, only time to hammer out a quick tasting note!

Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM 25 Year – 55.1% – American Oak – Approx 220 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, decadent and floral; clotted cream, crystallized honey and creme brule; very delicate and tropical: melon, mango and juicy orange; a silky creamy base. Palate: soft, silky, floral, elegant and still very delicate; thin tendrils of honey, clotted cream and vanilla lead into the soft subtle tropical fruits and orange; both cantaloupe and honeydew melons, firm but balanced toasted oak and Demerara sugars; light but coating with lots of layers. Finish: long and very delicate it is both drying and coating with more soft oak tones, tropical fruits and decadent vanilla-cream. Comment: we patiently waited for this whisky to reach 25 years of age, and we’ve glad we did; it is a fine summer whisky, great value for a 25 year old single cask, and it won’t disappoint! – $205

 

NEW Whisky-Fassle ‘extra old’ Blended Malt 

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

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

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

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

Very Rare Closed Distillery Bottlings 

Brora, Port Ellen and Rosebank from Gordon Macphail & a Maltbarn Caperdonich

These ones arrived out of the blue… I was not expecting them, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth! We are getting no more than 6 bottles each of Gordon Macphail Rare Old Brora 1982, Port Ellen 1980 and Rosebank 1990. The pricing on the Brora is frankly a lot lower than expected as is the Port Ellen. Most independent bottlers have been aggressively jacking up their Port Ellen pricing, Douglas Laing and Hunter Laing in particular. This is to say nothing of Diageo who’s Port Ellens now sell for as much as decent used car. The Rosebank jumped substantially in price, but Rosebank has all but dried up these days. The only Rosebank we’ve even seen in recent years has been from Gordon Macphail, and the quantities are limited. Canada’s allocation is no more than a couple dozen bottles a year! Here are the details, and prices. Let me know ASAP if there is anything of interest. I expect these will go quickly!

Brora

Brora Courtesy Gordon MacPhail:

“In the annals of Scotch whisky history, many noted distilleries have stood out above and beyond the pack for their distinct flavour, or personality. Brora, first founded as the Clynelish distillery back in 1819, then taking the name Brora in the late 1960s, is one such distillery. However, the reason for its undisputed reverence is largely down to its untimely closure back in the early 1980s and the subsequent decades have seen this lost highlander truly become a sorely-missed classic.  The site of Brora lies next to its ultimate predecessor, a newly opened ‘Clynelish’ in the late 1960s, but the two whiskies are very different from a flavour perspective. Brora has matured into a phenomenal malt whisky, with a unique maltiness and rich, highly distinctive oak-driven backbone. Whilst this classic may never live and breathe again, the remaining stocks are unquestionably some of the finest whiskies one will ever encounter.”

Rare Old Brora 1982 – 46% – Refill Sherry puncheon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose without Water Fragrant green apple aromas enhanced with lemon and lime and subtle menthol notes. A sweetness develops with hints of milk chocolate. Palate without Water White pepper, ripe banana, blueberry, and cardamom spice flavours are complemented by an underlying peat smoke edge. Nose with Water Subtle vanilla with fresh green apple, pear, and orange notes complemented by hints of Parma Violets. Palate with Water Peppery with hints of banana, dark chocolate, and orange zest. An undertone of dried tobacco is present. Body Light to medium. Finish Medium in length, smooth and creamy with traces of smoke.” – $1200 – Only 1/6 Left!

Port Ellen

Port Ellen Courtesy Gordon Macphail: “Time is, in many ways, a great leveller and allows one to reflect on the past with a sense of perspective. When considering Port Ellen, Islay’s undisputed lost classic, had those in authority been able to search into the future before finally taking the decision to close the distillery back in 1983 due to economic issues, then maybe the distillery would still be producing its characterful single malt for a new generation of whisky drinkers. Despite its closure, a small number of casks are still maturing away and today, Port Ellen has a extra special reverence reserved for it. It exudes a refined elegance unlike any other Islay malt: aromas of chamois leather, lemon zest and cracked black pepper mix with a heady phenolic smoke, to produce a whisky, which many connoisseurs consider to be one of the finest ever bottled. Truly a lost classic, never to be repeated.”

Rare Old Port Ellen – 46% – Refill American Oak – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose without Water Vanilla ice cream, ripe pear, and cinnamon aromas mingle with dried tobacco and charred oak. Palate without Water Ground white pepper leads to sweet red berries, dried mango, and kiwi flavours. A rich smoky edge is present giving way to a subtle aniseed edge. Nose with Water Floral elements with hints of lavender and violet. Green apple, tangerine, and red grape are complemented by green tea aromas. Palate with Water Sweet initially with candied fruits giving way to a touch of liquorice and salt. Peat smoke lingers. Body Medium. Finish Medium in length, drying with plenty of peat smoke influences.” – $1900 – 3/6 left!

Rosebank Type caption tewww.discoverrosebank.comxt here.Rosebank Courtesy Gordon Macphail: “Situated on the banks of the Forth and Clyde canal close to the River Carron, the distillery has the advantage of being near a main road and a coalfield thus enabling it to have cheaply transported fuel. The main reason this site was chosen for a distillery as early as 1817 was because of the ‘inexhaustible supply of water’ from the Glenbirnie rivulet, a tributary of the River Carron.Like other Lowland distilleries, Rosebank operated a triple distillation process. It was rebuilt in a modern form in the 1800s and comprises two ranges of buildings divided by the canal. The distillery closed in 1993.”

Rare Old Rosebank 1990 – 46% – Refill Sherry and American hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose without Water Hints of lavender, rose petals, and beeswax polish combine with lingering hints of lemon, green apple, and ripe pear. Palate without Water Cracked black pepper with hints of red apple, orange peel, and almonds are complemented by a creamy milk chocolate edge. Nose with Water Lime, plum, and mandarin aromas initially. Delicate hints of pine needles and eucalyptus develop. Palate with Water Fruity flavours emerge – banana, gooseberry, and kiwi. These are complemented by an underlying honeycomb sweetness. Body Light to medium. Finish Medium with a fruity and spicy edge.” – $940 – 3/6 left!

Caperdonich Distillery

Not a Gordon Macphail bottling, but from a closed distillery none the less, we also have a Maltbarn 1994 Caperdonich single cask. Capperdonich used to be one of the more common independent bottlings, though the stock has all but dried up in the last few years. The distillery was opened in 1897 at the start of the first Scotch Whisky Boom. It was an adjunct to Glen Grant distillery located just across the road in Rothes. The distillery only operated for three years until 1902 when it was forced to close by the Pattison Whisky Crash. During its few years of operation, it was known as Glen Grant Number 2. When it reopened in 1965 at the start of the next major whisky boom, it was renamed Caperdonich, as by that time two distilleries could not bear the same name. The distillery was closed again in 2002, dismantled, and the buildings are now occupied by Forsyths who produce stills and other copper-work for the industry. This Maltbarn bottling is the first Caperdonich we have seen in a number of years.

Maltbarn Caperdonich 1994 – 49.8% – 22 Year – Bourbon Barrel No. 69 – Tasting Note & More Details Coming Soon – $350

Introducing: The Spirit of Hven Whiskies 

New Organic Single Malts from Sweden!

New Swedish single malt whiskies bottled in curious wax sealed 500ml flask shaped bottles. The whiskies are all made from organic malt and bottled without colouring or chill-filtering.From the Importer: “Recently named the 2017 European Distillery of the Year at the Wizards of Whisky awards,  the Spirit of Hven (pronounced “V – N”) is located on the island of Hven between Denmark and Sweden. The distillery produces a range of all-organic craft spirits that are now, for the first time, available in Alberta. The “Seven Stars” series are special releases, and the last of the of the second (Merak), third (Phecda), and fifth (Alioth) editions are now available in limited quantities.”

• Spirit of Hven Tycho’s Star – 41.8% – Producer Description: “The core of the single malt range from Hven is this medium-peated whisky. It is bright and nutty with hints of grain and chocolate. Tycho’s Star is bottled at site on Hven at 41,8 vol%, without carbon- or chill filtering, no colouring or additives. It is Organic certified, completely natural, as it should be. Every bottle is individually numbered and controlled before being dipped in wax by hand.” – $165
• Spirit of Hven Seven Stars Merak – 45.0% – Producer Description: “This Whisky is the second release in the “Seven Stars” series from Spirit of Hven. It is a medium smoky Single Malt Whisky, created from barley to bottle at the small family owned distillery situated on the island of Hven. As the predecessor Dubhe , this whisky called Merak is soft and round with a youthful freshness. It has distinct but smooth smokiness, which in combination with liquorice and leather notes gives a rich mouth feel. Maturation involves American, French, and Spanish oak, the American contri butes toffee and vanilla, the French provides liquorice and peppery notes, Spanish oak keep the others in balance giving herbs and dried fruit .” – $165
• Spirit of Hven Seven Stars Phceda – 45.0% – Producer Description: “As its predecessors Dubhe and Merak, this whisky Phecda is fine-tuned and gentle with a youthful freshness even if it shows a bit more maturity than the earlier two. During maturation the phenols, primarily the ones characterized with scent of leather and liquorice notes, have accentuated, giving a more full bodied mouthfeel. Maturation was conducted on Quercus Muehlenbergii from Missouri and Quercus Petraea from Allier. The American oak gives toffee and vanilla, and the French oak, liqourice and pepperiness.” – $165
• Spirit of Hven Seven Stars Alioth – 45.0% – Producer Description: “This whisky is the fifth in the Spirit of Hven “Seven Stars” series. It is a moderately peated single malt whisky, made from grain to bottle in the small family owned distillery situated on the island of Hven in the strait between Denmark and Sweden. It has got its name from the star Alioth  in the asterism Ursa Major (the Plough). The name derives from the Arabic, alyat, meaning “the tail of a sheep” referring to the position in the asterism. Alioth is the brightest star in the constellation and no.31 amongst stars visible from earth.” – $165

Introducing Paul John Cask Strength 

One Classic, One Peated, Both Very Limited!

Paul John Distillery in Goa, India, has been making a name for itself over the last few years. So far there has only been a trickle of the whisky into Alberta, including the Bold, Edited and Brilliance expressions. I had a chance to sample the range at the Victoria Whisky Festival, and they did not disappoint. Two cask strength bottlings are about to land in Alberta, in very small quantities. They won’t last long.

• Paul John Classic Select Cask – 55.2% – Matured in American Oak – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruity, malty aromas are intertwined with honey. A hint of bourbon teases your senses. Palate: With the very first sip, flavours of malted barley greet you. A heady mix of bourbon and manuka honey-liquorice makes for an attractive spine. And while you relish this experience, the unexpected flavour of toasted honeycomb takes you by surprise. Finish: This Single Malt has an absolutely elegant finish, with juicy Demerara tones ensuring a soft, friendly finish.” – $90
• Paul John Peated Select Cask – 55.5% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: The smoky, sweet and earthy fragrances have mellow resonances of spice. Palate: As the crisp Muscovado and Demerara sugars create layered nuances, the smokiness of the Single Malt sets in, creating a perfect balance. A hint of spice radiates from the hickory and Dominican-style cocoa. Finish: The delicate finish of this Single Malt has notes of Dominican cocoa laced with the tart edge of marmalade.” – $95

We also have the following 3 other Paul John Single Malts in stock:

• Paul John Edited – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Lightly Peated – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Honey and cocoa are laced with a hint of smokiness and a shot of espresso. A deeper whiff reveals fruity fragrances. Palate: The grassy flavours of barley show up first, but gently make way for subtle peat notes. They slowly dissolve and pave the way for a rush of mint and mocha. Finish: The finish is long and drawn out. You can sense a hint of spice and chocolate mint as it ends on gentle peat notes. – $69
• Paul John Brilliance – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: The Demerara sugars give off a whiff of sweet fragrances, with a hint of cinnamon, dash of honey and faint spices. Palate: Sweet and spice and all things nice, make this Single Malt. The honey-like smoothness is offset by the crunchy-bar-like crispness. Somewhere, there is also a tinge of cocoa. Finish: Brilliance has a smooth and beautifully relaxed finish, with a hint of mild spices and deep intense vanilla.” – $63
• Paul John Bold – 46% Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Peated – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: After the slightest whiff of smoke, a dizzying array of Manuka honey, prickly spice and bourboneque red liquorice takes over. Palate: This melt-in-the-mouth malt has the most profound flavours crashing in like waves. At first, the delivery feels sublimely silky and studded with oak-like honey. And just when you think you’ve savoured it all, you are surprised by a hefty second wave of spice. This is followed by a cloudy, smoky feel that coats the roof of the mouth and leaves a tidal wave of dry molasses, peaty soot and a degree of copper in its wake. Finish: Bold has a light finish with a tinge of copper slowly making its presence known. You can also sense a gorgeous smoked mocha shaped by delicate and intricate spices.” – $75

Introducing: Shelter Point Single Malt 2nd Release 

The Second Single Malt from Vancouver Island’s Farm to Bottle Distillery

The second release of Shelter Point Single Malt has been bottled at 46% after maturing in Jack Daniels barrels. The whisky is made from two row barley, grown on the distillery’s farm, doubled distilled in copper pot stills, matured and bottled on site. Rumour has it the whisky was matured exclusively in ex-Jack Daniels casks.Shelter Point 2nd Release Single Malt – 46% – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh, toasty and honeyed; a touch of sour orange opens into oatmeal-raisin cookies right out of the over and corn syrup; a touch vegetal and quite malty with aloe-like oils. Palate: still fresh, malty and honeyed; the corn syrup is still there with some simple syrup and melons; the orange note is drying with some Demerara sugar and Russian coffee dregs; still vegetal and floral with loads of toasty oak; the oatmeal-raisin cookies are still there, right out of the oven… not enough raisins though! Finish: clean, crisp and toasty; more malty tones, sugars and honey with a floral finale. Comment: more mature by a hair than the first release; further proof that they are on the right track!” – $83

NEW Duncan Taylor Whiskies 

4 Interesting Single Malts

Duncan Taylor’s whisky prices have been rising like a helium balloon the last 4-5 years. We’ve found a few we believe we can work with though. Not a lot of details at this time (I’ve asked for them). But the pricing on the two dimensions bottlings is very good. The Miltonduff is of great interest to me. In my humble opinion it is one of the most underappreciated malts of Scotland. I haven’t come across many that I don’t love!

• Duncan Taylor Dimensions Glen Grant 23 Year – 52.8% – Trying to track down more info! – $205
• Duncan Taylor Dimensions Glen Spey 23 Year – 53.6% – 1991 – Outturn 260 bottles – $200
• Duncan Taylor Glen Moray 26 Year Single Cask – 45.7% – 1988 – Outturn 190 bottles – Matured in Sherry Oak – $450
• Duncan Taylor Miltonduff 31 Year Single Cask – 51.2% – Trying to track down more info! – $530

JUST BACK Two EH Taylors and a new Stagg Jr.  

Three very sought after, and limited Bourbons at least in Canada!

We are getting a small quantity of EH Taylor Single Barrel and Small Batch Bourbons. They are limited in quantity, and they won’t last long… But nothing new there!

• EH Taylor Single Barrel – 50% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “The aroma carries lightly toasted oak, with dried figs and butterscotch. One sip brings flavors of sweetness balanced with tobacco and dark spices. The finish is just long enough to prepare the palette for another sip. The bottle itself is a likeness to Colonel Taylor’s original design used over a century ago.” – $100
• EH Taylor Small Batch – 50% – Distiller’ s Tasting Note: “Tastes of caramel corn sweetness, mingled with butterscotch and licorice. The aftertaste is a soft mouth-feel that turns into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.” – $100
• Stagg Jr. 66.25% – 66.25% – The younger brother of George T. Stagg from Buffalo Trace distillery / Sazerac Company. It is around 8 to 9 years old and is high alcohol like its older sibling. Stagg Jr. Bourbon is a small batch barrel proof Bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery. – Producer Tasting Note: “Rich, sweet, chocolate and brown sugar flavors mingle in perfect balance with the bold rye spiciness. The boundless finish lingers with hints of cherries, cloves and smokiness.” – $85

Old Pulteney 17 & 21 Year Olds  Set to be discontinued, get em while you can!

Two of our customers’ favourite whiskies are set to be discontinued. The Old Pulteney 17 and 21 year olds will be gone forever in short order; there a limited stocks left in Alberta. Rumour has it the 17 Year is set to become an 18 year old and the 21 Year a 22 year old, likely with a price bump. Demand for these whiskies globally has been very high over the last few years, and the owners have decided to switch things up a little. If either of these are your go to malts, you may want to stock up!

• Old Pulteney 17 Year – 46% – American & European Oak – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet with traces of apples and pears: slightly woody with a hint of butterscotch. Taste: Sweet with soft fruits: kiwi, guava, peach.” – $135
• Old Pulteney 21 Year – 46% – American & European Oak (with a higher proportion of sherry than the 17) – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Full bodied with traces of fruits (apples and pears); slightly fragrant with spicy overtones. Palate: Creamy, toffee, vanilla, baked red apple with a hint of smokiness and a dry finish.” – $190

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

403-283-8000Calgary, Alberta, Canada

ONLINE PREVIEW CATALOGUE

Did you know that the first lots are already available to view in our online preview catalogue? As soon we receive items at Whisky.Auction, our team of experts carefully checks and photographs them. Every day we add items to the preview, right up until the moment the auction goes live on Sunday 23 July, so check in regularly to build up your watch list.

FIND OUT MORE

DON’T MISS OUT!

Remember, your last chance to deliver bottles for the following Whisky.Auction is Thursday 17 August. The auction starts on Sunday 27 August.

FIND OUT MORE

AUCTION ENDS SOON! FROM 8PM ON SUNDAY 23^RD

View over 1,500 lots online at www.just-whisky.co.uk

Don’t leave bids too late!

 

JULY AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 30^th July)

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

 

30 SEPTEMBER – 1 OCTOBER 2017, 11.30AM 6.30PM
OLD BILLINGSGATE, LONDON

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

MASTERCLASSES TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets to the first two classes at The Whisky Show 2017 are now on sale. We will be announcing the rest of the masterclass programme over the coming weeks – keep an eye on your emails as we don’t expect tickets to last for long.

SEE ALL MASTERCLASSES

KARUIZAWA “GOLDEN GEISHAS” GO UNDER THE HAMMER…

Your chance to bid on the world’s rarest whisky!

Originally released exclusively by The Whisky Exchange, the most recent release of Karuizawa will go under the hammer at online whisky auction “Whisky Hammer” on Friday 21^st July www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

“This pair of exclusive single-cask bottlings showcases the Karuizawa character perfectly. Long maturation in sherry casks has produced rich, deeply flavoured whisky that is almost black in colour.” (The Whisky Exchange)

The auction for these stunning whiskies is sure to be popular, additional details are as follows:

Karuizawa 33 Year Old – Sherry Cask #3579

ABV: 63.4%

Number of bottles released: 129

Karuizawa 31 Year Old – Sherry Cask #3667

ABV: 59.4%

Number of bottles released: 225

Bidding starts at 7pm (BST) on Friday 21^st July – register to bid now at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk!

 

We are now in the final Weeks before our Michter’s Celebration of the Cask Lottery is drawn.   Tickets are not limited so if youre feeling lucky, grab yourself another and double your chances! We still have Tickets available for this once in a lifetime opportunity to win this truly sensational bottle. 4 runners up will also win a bottle of the exquisite Michter’s Core Range. Tickets are only £25. Not an opportunity to miss.

Enter Raffle Now

Friday, July 21st: 5-7PM

The Macallan

Established in Speyside in 1824, Macallan has produced some of the most highly-sought after whiskies in the world. We’ll be pouring a variety of new and rare releases, with distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts present for all your whisky questions. Pour list will be revealed as the event approaches – be sure to follow The Whisky Shop on facebook to stay up to date!

Click Here to RSVP

Just Whisky Auctions are proud to bring you our July 2017 auction. With 1,500 Lots to bid on, including new releases from Arran, Bruichladdich, Highland Park and Karuizawa it’s got our heads in a fizz! With such a selection why don’t we go with a couple of highlights below ….

Don’t forget to set an alarm for the auction end – from 8pm on Sunday 23rd.

KARUIZAWA 31 YEARS OLD – GOLDEN GEISHA SHERRY CASK NO.3667

Lot ID: 441490

A Limited Edition, aged 31 years in a sherry cask (No.3667) before being bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. The Golden Geisha 31-year-old is one of two bottlings originally available by ballot, the other being is a superb 33-year-old with equally impressive credentials.

 

Malt Messenger Bulletin 2 New KWM Casks

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

I’m writing you from Beautiful British Columbia where I have just finished a two day whirlwind whisky trip. Two days, three tastings, 28 whiskies, three flights and a lot of great people. I am writing you as I return home to Calgary for another amazing tasting in store tonight. Some whisky news just can’t wait for the next full Malt Messenger, so I found the time to bang out a quick Bulletin.

Our Summer 2017 tasting schedule is out, and open for registration, in store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online. Details on all of the whisky and spirits tastings are below.

The KWM exclusive Cadenhead cask ~ we are launching the Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 25 Year KWM Cask tonight. The bottle will be available in store next week for $200, which is very reasonable for a 25 year old cask strength whisky.  It is our latest 25th Anniversary bottling to hit the shop. The gents at Cadenhead bottled it just a couple of days after it hit 25 years of age.

We have another new KWM exclusive cask too… The Kensington Wine Market Glenrothes 1997 Cask. Bottled from an Oloroso Sherry Butt, only 84 bottles have come to Canada, the rest bottled for a shop in Taiwan. More than half of the bottles have sold in just 10 days, we expect it to be sold out before the end of the summer if not sooner. Pop into the shop this weekend if you would like to have a taste!

Finally we have some new and very intriguing Cadenhead Small Batch bottlings in store. Some of them have already arrived with th balance expected to trickle in over the next few weeks. The 10 highlighted below are old and rare, and very limited. They won’t last long.

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well!

Slàinte!

In This Edition

1. New Summer Tasting ScheduleNew Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM Cask 25 Year
2. New Kensington Wine Market Glenrothes 1997 19 Year
3. 9 Exciting New Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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NEW Compass Box KWM 25th Anniversary Blend

This is one of our most exciting exclusive whiskies ever… It is a Compass Box Blend that we’ve created in collaboration with John Glaser of Compass Box. The whisky was inspired by some of John’s greatest hits, and it is stunning.

$160

More Information

NEW Wyoming Whiskey KWM Single Barrel Bourbon

Our first ever single barrel Bourbon from the Wyoming Whiskey distillery. Bottled at a barrel strength of 56.36%. Only 192 bottles, they won’t last long!.

$100

More Information

Only 30 Bottles Left! 

Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM Cask Strength

The first of our 25th Anniversary whiskies is a stunner and we can’t keep it in stock! Soft sherry influences and silky smooth at 52%!

 $285

More Information

New Summer Tasting Schedule 

Starting tonight with a very special tasting of old and rare Cadenhead whiskies!

Our summer tasting schedule is online and open for registration. Call 403-283-8000 to register, or do so online!

1. Hot Weather, Hotter Bourbon – Thursday, July 20th – Baby it’s hot outside, so let’s cool things off with some of the hottest new Bourbons! – $30
2. Samaroli Malt Whisky & Friends – On Thursday, July 27th we will pour 7 whiskies to sample in this tag team tasting of malt whisky up to 26 years of age… Evan and Jonathan will be your spirit guides on this quest! – $40
3. Independents’ Day – Tuesday, August 8 – With the prices of older Distillery-bottled single malts skyrocketing, some of the best value is coming from Independent Bottlers! – $50
4. Garden Party Cocktails – Tuesday, August 15 – Looking for some refreshing summer cocktails for your garden party? Look no further! – $20
5. Whiskies of Summer Festival – Thursday, August 17 – We have a boat-load of new whiskies landing this summer, so we’re putting on a Festival to crack some open! Includes a complimentary Glencairn glass! Proceeds from the event will go to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. – $50
6. All About Arran: Cask(s!) Launch Mini Festival – We have TWO new Arran casks coming, and on Thursday, August 24th we are throwing our doors open to introduce them to Calgary. This mini-fest is “All About Arran!” – $25
7. Whiskies of the World Unite – Scotland look out, the distilleries of the World are starting to make World Class Whisky… On Tuesday, August 29th we will showcase a wide range of whiskies from around the Globe. – $35

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

 

New Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM 25 Year 

Our first and only 25 year old anniversary bottling, distilled in 1992 the year KWM was founded!  

More details to come, only time to hammer out a quick tasting note!

Cadenhead Glen Moray 1992 KWM 25 Year – 55.1% – American Oak – Approx 220 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, decadent and floral; clotted cream, crystallized honey and creme brule; very delicate and tropical: melon, mango and juicy orange; a silky creamy base. Palate: soft, silky, floral, elegant and still very delicate; thin tendrils of honey, clotted cream and vanilla lead into the soft subtle tropical fruits and orange; both cantaloupe and honeydew melons, firm but balanced toasted oak and Demerara sugars; light but coating with lots of layers. Finish: long and very delicate it is both drying and coating with more soft oak tones, tropical fruits and decadent vanilla-cream. Comment: we patiently waited for this whisky to reach 25 years of age, and we’ve glad we did; it is a fine summer whisky, great value for a 25 year old single cask, and it won’t disappoint! – $205

 

New Kensington Wine Market Glenrothes 1997 Cask 

The labels aren’t pretty, but the whisky is awesome, and will be sold out in weeks! 

As many people know, I have not always been a fan of Glenrothes. While I have had good botltlings of the malt, most have been unimpressive, and I generally find it uninspiring! Sherry cask matured Glenrothes is especially dicey, but this Sherry Butt (7153) matured cask, bottled for KWM is an exception. It is insanely fruity, massively tropical, layered and complex. Only 84 bottles have been filled for KWM at 58%… and they won’t last! The label isn’t amazing, but who cares, the whisky is fantastic. Without bluster or exageration I can say that it will be sold out in no time flat. Of the 84 bottles that arrived last Wednesday, more than half have already sold.

 Kensington Wine Market Glenrothes 1997 – 58% – Sherry Butt 7153 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent, fruity and very sherried; like PX matured Glendronach… loads of dark fruits; maple syrup, a hint of smoked bacon and dark chocolate; big spices, leather and tobacco. Palate: round, fruity, decadent and rich; the syrupy Maple syrup notes hit first, then the big dark fruits, chocolate and nutty tones; mid palate it settles down into notes of cedar, fatty smoked bacon and spices, before the big leather, tobacco and spice notes set it; lots of layers here, the sample blew us away, but the bottled version is even better. Finish: long and still decadent, fruity syrupy sherry tones and more leather, tobacco, chocolate and spices; this is no shrinking violet! Comment: the is a sherry bomb, the closest thing we have seen PX Glendronach in the skin of a Glenrothes ever… lots of layers and complexity!” – $200

 

10 New Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies 

Old, Rare and available in very small quantities…

We have some limited and I suspect very sought after Cadenheads Small Batch Bottlings coming soon to KWM. All are limited, and if the past three years of Cadenhead Small Batch bottlings are any measure, these won’t disappoint. The whiskies are either single casks or extremely Small Batch, just 2-3 casks! A few of them are limited to 1 per customer. The Bunnahabhain got a good review from Serge, 89pts. The rest have not yet been reviewed. They are without doubt the best value older single malt whiskies (and one grain) that we can put our hands on:

1. Cadenhead Small Batch Blair Athol 1988 – 53.6% – 28 Year – 2 Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Floral, with cut grass, dried apricots and sweet toffee. Palate: Chocolate eclairs, soft all spice, more toffee and whipped cream. Finish: Blueberries, hints of menthol with cherry cake and dark chocolate.” – $340
2. Cadenhead Small Batch Bunnahabhain 1976 – 49.4% – 39 Year – 3 Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Spiritous, rich and polished wood. Coffee liqueurs with cream, apples and rich cooked fruit. Palate: Initially ginger and cinnamon spiciness which then smooths out to boiled sweets and pecan pie with rich wood undertones. Finish: Slightly drying but very warm and spicy. Distillery Fact: The second smallest whisky producer on Islay with 2.7million sites of pure alcohol coming off its stills every year, Bunnahabhain  distillery actually closed between 1982 and 1984.” – $630 89pts Serge
3. Cadenhead Small Batch Caol Ila 1983 – 50.2% – 33 Year – Bourbon Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Acrylic paint, very oily with bags of citrus and coastal grasses. Palate: leg of lamb with rosemary, lots of mineral notes with hints of rabbit and crispy sage. Finish: The harbour, soft distant smoke, dry ash, hints of seaweed and white wine vinegar.” – $515 – SOLD OUT!
4. Cadenhead Small Batch Fettercairn 1988 – 55.4% – 28 Year – 3 Bourbon Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Autumnal forests, banana loaf, and soft ashy notes. Palate: Marzipan, icing sugar, crystallised oranges and soft oakiness. Finish: Red fruits, melted tablet, dunnage warehouses with a salty edge.” – $340
5. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Keith 1973 – 43.2% – 43 Year – Bourbon Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Peaches, Red Grapes, limes, syrupy with clotted cream. Palate: Hazelnuts with tropical fruits and hints of oakiness and faint flinty notes. Finish: Chocolate covered hazelnuts with lingering fruit cocktail.” – $759.99
6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glentauchers 1990 – 52.6% – 26 Year  – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Grapefruit and lime, syrupy notes with vanilla and coconut. Palate: Blackcurrants, cherries, brown sugar, green apple skins and very chewy. Finish: Chocolate milkshake, cocoa butter and dry spice.” – $325
7. Cadenhead Small Batch Highland Park 1996 – 50.6% – 20 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: New leather, touch of sea salt, with a little vanilla and cooked apple. Palate: Little lemon, citrus note, vanilla, loads of cream, apples crumble, sugar icing and an pear tart. Finish: Oily with citrus notes, milky, salt reemerges, very coastal finish.” – $230 – 1 Per Customer
8. Cadenhead Invergordon 1972 – 48.3% – 43 Year – 2 Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla, caramel custard, milk butter and marzipan. Palate: Cream, butter, salted popcorn and oatcakes. Finish: Cheesecake, lemon zest, oranges and pears with milk bottle chews. Distillery Fact: The distillery started operations in 1961, four years later Ben Wyvis single malt distillery started up, closing in 1977. The stills from Ben Wyvis are now at Glenglye Distillery in Campbeltown, itself set up by Frank McHardy who started his career at Invergordon.” – $385
9. Cadenhead Small Batch Mortlach 1987 – 48.2% – 30 Year – Bourbon Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Creamy, minty, fruit coulis, hints of praline and toffee sauce. Palate: Leather, straw, maple syrup and condensed milk. Finish: Sweet, crispy cakes, syrup, vanilla and raspberries and white chocolate.” – $425
10. Cadenhead Small Batch Tomatin 1976 – 43.8% – 39 Year – Bourbon Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: light a very delicate with honey and lightly salted butter. Palate: slight citrus and zestiness, pink grapefruit. Finish: more citrus flavours, a refreshing fruit punch finish. Distillery Fact: Tomatin Distillery used to own and run an eel farm on a commercial basis until 1984, this also allowed them to make use of the waste hot water. – $630

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

403-283-8000