Malt Messenger Bulletin – Fall Tasting Schedule 2015 & Other Exciting News!

If you’re anything like me, September is your favourite month of the year. I’m sure a few of you think I’m nuts! What’s so great about September? Summer is drawing to a close, and Fall and Winter aren’t that far away, but (here it is) September is when the whisky world starts gearing up! September is when our fall slate of tastings come out and they’re all live now!

We always have a great of range of tastings at KWM: Scotch, Whisk(e)y, Wine and Beer. But the fall scheduleis special because it is when the brand ambassadors come to town. Our Whisky Week(s) celebrations include Master Classes with brand ambassadors from: Gordon & MacPhail/Benromach, Springbank, Kilchoman, Old Pulteney, BenRiach, Glendronach and more. Those 2 exciting weeks are capped off by our Fall Single Malt Festival which sells out within a week of tickets going on sale. As I write 1/3 of the tickets have already sold.

As exciting as November will be, you don’t have to wait until then for an exciting whisky tasting. In less than 2 weeks we have our 200 Years of Laphroaig Tasting which will feature 3 different vintages of Laphroaig 25 Year as well as a yet to be released special treat! We’re marking the 200th Anniversary of one of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries in style! We’ve also got a pair of Classic Malts classes with Hunter and a Bourbon Casks Tasting which will feature two new single casks of American whiskey exclusive to KWM. There is a huge range or options, and some very tempting wine and beer tastings too!

September is also an exciting time because new whiskies start flooding into the market. Last month our exclusive KWM single cask Jura 1995 Boutique Barrels Sauternes Cask $160 showed up. It’s been a huge hit, 1/4 of the bottles have sold in just a month! This month it is our 4th exclusive single cask from Islay’s cult boutique distillery that has trickled in. Our Kilchoman 2010 Bourbon Cask 440 $140 is another gem, and it won’t disappoint! Our next three casks slated to arrive are BenRiach, Glendronach and most excitingly, the first official exclusive single cask bottling of Old Pulteney in Canada!

And, it’s not just exclusive whiskies that are rolling in. The Benromach 15 Year $135 has also popped up, the oldest whiskies distilled and bottled by Benromach’s owner Gordon & MacPhail. There is also the newest release of the perennial favourite Glendronach Cask Strength, Batch 4 $115. Like the previous incarnations, it will not last long! And then there are the newest releases from Glengyle Distillery, Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Sherry $75 & Bourbon Cask Strength $85. The whiskies are 11 years old, the oldest Kilkerran releases to date and there is a lot of buzz around the cask strength Bourbon release especially!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Edition
1. Whisky Advent 2015 – Price goes up September 15
2. Fall 2015 Tasting Schedule
3. Our New Exclusive Kilchoman 2010 KWM Cask 440
4. Introducing Benromach 15 Year
5. Introducing Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 4
6. Introducing Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Whiskies

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 .
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

2015 KENSINGTON WINE MARKET WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR
25 Days of Dram Fine Whisky…

Save $25 on the Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar by Ordering Before September 15th!

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better. It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencarin whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast, and the price goes up September 15!

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested at the beginning of August. The calendars will be available at the “early bird price” of $375 until September 15. After September 15 the Calendar’s price will go up to $400. The calendars should be ready for pick-up before the end of October.

Pre-Order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar $375+GST
______________________________

Fall Tasting Schedule Now Open for Registration!
Three months worth of amazing whisky tastings and experiences…

Our fall tasting schedule is the best of the best we have to offer all year. There is something for everyone in here, and lots of new and exciting events! I know you’ll find much t salivate over and enjoy!

1. 200 Years of Laphroaig – Tuesday September 15 – 7pm – We’re putting together a special tasting to mark the 200th Anniversary of one of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries. We will sample the core range plus three different vintages of Laphroaig 25 year, including 2013, 2014 and a long lost one! – $65
2. Classic Single Malts – Tuesday September 29 – 7pm – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. – $35
3. Bourbon Cask Tasting – Tuesday October 13 – 7pm – We have some exciting new American whiskies on the way including exclusive casks from Barton, our own 1792 Ridgemont Reserve cask, and a first in Canada, our own exclusive cask of Bernheim Kentucky Wheat Whiskey from Heaven Hill. – $35
4. Classic Single Malts – Friday October 16 – 7pm – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. – $35
5. Rare Malts – Tuesday October 20 – 7pm – Only the rarest whiskies, those 20+ years of age, those from closed distilleries and/or the exceptionally rare qualify for this tasting. –$80
6.  Gordon & MacPhail w/ Richard Urquhart – Sunday November 1 – 4pm – We have an excellent range for this tasting of Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies which will build to a finale including very rare offerings from Rosebank and Port Ellen. – $100
7. Springbank w/ Ranald Watson – Monday November 2 – 7pm – One of our favourite ambassadors Ranald Watson will be in to do a grand tasting of Springbank including a new exclusive Society bottling and the 21 and 25 year olds! – $50
8. Kilchoman w/ Anthony Wills – Tuesday November 3 7pm – Kilchoman is one of our favourite Islay whiskies and our 4th exclusive single cask in here. We’ll sample it against our last bottling as well as at least 4 other big smoky Islay whiskies. – $30
9. Old Pulteney, Once in a Lifetime w/ Gordon Stevenson – Thursday November 5, 7pm – KWM is thrilled to be the first store in Canada to obtain our own exclusive cask from this legendary Northern Highland distillery. We be sampling it as well as the whole Old Pulteney Range up to and including the 40 Year priced at $3000. – $150
10. BenRiach/Glendronach Cask Launch w/ Alistair Stevenson – Wednesday November 11 – 7pm – To celebrate the launch of our 5th and 6th casks we are throwing a party with Alisdair Stevenson featuring whiskies from BenRiach and Glendronach as well as their sister distillery Glenglassaugh. – $30
11. Fall Single Malt Festival – Thursday November 11 – 7pm – Our famous biannual whisky festival featuring over 100 single malt whiskies. Space is limited to the first 100 to sign up, and tickets go fast. Pre-Christmas sale prices will be in effect. – $60
12. Master Malt – Tuesday November 24 – 7pm – We pull out all the stops at this tasting featuring whiskies that are very old, very rare and very pricey. This is a tasting that will never be repeated again. – $125
Register for our tastings in store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online!

Our New Exclusive Kilchoman 2010 KWM Cask 440!
Prepare to get your peat on…

In the 10 years since the distillery opened Kilchoman has made quite a name for itself. The distillery’s nearly flawless spirit and rigorous oak policy have ensured that their young whiskies can compete with the best in the world. Our previous three casks of whisky from this maverick Islay Distillery were all big hits and our 4th has just arrived. Distilled in 2010 and matured in an American Ex-Bourbon Barrel at 5 years of age it is another cracker! Only 221 hand numbered bottles are available at a cask strength of 60.4%.

Kilchoman 2010 KWM Bourbon Cask 440 – 60.4% – 5 Year – ExBourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh with big notes of marzipan, orange pith, toasty oak and sea salt caramel; underneath briny coastal notes begin mingling with tar and earthy smoke begin to develop; the are soft fruits too, Asian pear, honey dew melon and mango salsa; Palate: juicy, smoky and fruity there is immediately a lot going on: chewy malt, barley sugars; sea salt caramel, candied salmon and building earthy peat and dark spices; more Asian pear, mango salsa and a touch of melon, bright orange notes all atop a creamy base; the smoke is clean and firm but soft; sticky soft Panda brand licorice comes to the fore; Finish: refreshing, almost minty, with fading fruits, sugars, malt and smoke maritime flourishes; Comment: if you love peat, you are going to adore this one! – $140

Introducing Benromach 15 Year
The oldest Benromach ever distilled and bottled by the distillery’s current owners…

Only 240 bottles of this landmark whisky are coming to Canada, and many have already sold. This is the first 15 year old expression bottled by Benromach Distillery that was distilled by the new/current owners, Gordon & MacPhail. The whisky was matured in a mix of Bourbon and Sherry casks and bottled at 43%.

Benromach 15 Year – 43% – Distillery’s Tasting Note: “Nose: There’s a lot going on… beautifully balanced sherry aromas with vanilla pod, zesty orange and spicy ginger complemented by delicate chamomile and menthol notes. With Water: The whisky shifts into another gear with subtle hints of cocoa, nutmeg and cinnamon giving way to sweet honey notes and hints of bonfire embers. Palate: There’s luscious, rich fruit cake with stewed plum, red apple skin and the sharp edge of kiwi fruit. With Water: It’s a very satisfying palate with traces of charred oak complementing sweet tangerine, plum and nectarines… completed by a gorgeous touch of milk chocolate. – $135

Introducing Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 4
More heavily sherried goodness…

The 4th batch of this insanely popular whisky has been bottled at 54.7% from Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. It is a limited release bottled at cask strength without colouring or chill-filtering. Like the previous batches it won’t last long!

Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 4 – 54.7% – PX & Oloroso Sherry Casks – Distiller’s Tasting Note: Nose: Delicious molten toffee and wild honey poured over ripe figs and dates. Subtle hints of tangerine, coffee grounds and a dusting of cinnamon add a perfect balance to the nose; Palate: Vibrant oak spices and warming stem ginger complement the rich sherry and dark fruit characteristics. Waves of sour plums and subtle gingerbread combine with stewed barley and roasted coffee beans, softened by a gentle hint of walnut; Conclusions: A perfect harmony of the finest sherry casks and traditional Highland characteristics.” – $115

Introducing Kilkerran Work in Progress Batch 7 Whiskies
The Final Work in Progress Release…

The Kilkerran single malt from Glengyle distillery is nearly 12 years of age, and we are on the final releases of the Work in Progress Series, batch 7. There are Bourbon and Sherry cask matured releases, both 11 years of age. The Bourbon cask is also cask stength, a first! Very small quantities, these will not last long!

1. Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Bourbon Cask Strength – 54.1% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Immediate hit of lush green apples mixed with marzipan and hot baked vanilla buns. A gentle smoke hugs the fruit notes throughout. Let it breathe in the glass for a quarter of an hour and you are greeted by immense Madagascan vanilla pod seeds in warm full fat milk; Palate: Puff of smoke mixed with tangy apple, yet elegant and mature – fantastically well rounded dram. Finish: Long, smooth and luxurious.” – $84.99
2. Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Sherry – 46% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Toasted pink marshmallows spinning around fresh rhubarb and green apples. Toffee and treacle adds to the sweetness but an earthy note keeps this whisky well balanced and not overpoweringly sweet; Palate: Heather honey and digestive biscuits. Creamy milk chocolate, black cherries mix with oak and wood spice. A truly complex and interesting dram; Finish: Dry nutty finish with some gentle peat lingering along with some further oak notes… delicious. – $74.99

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

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

10% OFF Rye Whiskey
Use Promo Code: LABORDAY

Goodbye Summer. Hello Discount!

We thought we’d try to make the end of Summer a little bit more bearable by offering a 10% Discount on our entire selection of Rye Whiskey. Simply add LABORDAY (all Caps) into the promo code section at check out. Please note that the discount code is only valid through Monday and this offer is ‘while supplies last’. Click the word Rye for a head-start. Tell a friend! And have a fantastic Labor Day Weekend!

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

SEPTEMBER TASTINGS 

New List Open Tasting – 19 Greville St – Sat 5 Sept  More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – 19 Greville St – Mon 7 Sept  More >

Steak & Chips Tasting – The Vaults – Fri 11 Sept  More >

Old & Rare Tasting – 19 Greville St – Tue 15 Sept  More >

Dunfermline Preview Tasting – Garvock House Hotel – Fri 18 Sept  More >

York Preview Tasting – Brigantes Bar & Brasserie – Fri 18 Sept  More >

Meet the Brewer Tasting – The Vaults – Wed 23 Sept  More >

Liverpool Preview Tasting – Malmaison – Fri 25 Sept  More >

Newcastle Preview Tasting – The Caledonian Hotel – Fri 25 Sept  More >

New Members’ Tasting – 19 Greville St – Tue 29 Sept  More >

FREE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE VAULTS

Monday Night Drop-In: Closed & Old School Whisky Night >  Mon 7 Sept

Monday Night Drop-In: Last Drops Night >  Mon 21 Sept

Browse All Tastings >

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

GET BIDDING!

Our latest auction is in full swing, and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to take a look at the hundreds of items on offer. There are still a few days to go before the auction closes, so don’t miss out!

CLICK TO SEE OUR CURRENT AUCTION

You can bid in two ways: either increase the highest bid by a fixed amount, or place your maximum bid straightaway – ideal if you can’t be online on the last day of our auction.

Get bidding, and good luck! The Whisky Auction team.

http://www.whisky.dufftown.co.uk/

New Season Malts – September

The first releases of the new season are about to start arriving this week. We start with the New Longrow Red 12 matured in Pinot Noir wine cask 52.9% Vol 9000 bottles and the new Springbank 12 year old 53.8% Vol 9000 bottles.

A NOTE FROM US ON REVIEWS AND COLLECTOR ITEMS

Before I go into more detail about the new products, I want to touch on the reviews and points given for some products that can cause a little mayhem from time to time.

As you know a number of web sites offer reviews on single malt’s, some that we bottle along with many more from other bottlers or companies big and small. After the Littlemill 24 review, things got a little crazy as people rushed to find a bottle or 3 of the now rare bottling we had stock of since June.

I understand that some of you might not be aware of the latest releases until the on-line review has been released and as a result you miss the chance of savoring the latest malt to get the highest score. While this can be disappointing one has to remember that we have a finite number of bottles available at any one time due to the fact we mainly bottle from single casks or in the case of the Small batch black label 2 casks can be married together to create some rather legendary drams.

We will try to give you our advice in the newsletter as to what is good but that like any on-line review is subject to personal opinion or as i am often doing adding customer comments to the web shop especially if that vintage has been tried and enjoyed in the tasting room.

So my advice is read the newsletters check the web shop where you will find the tasting notes alone with any comments about the product before the actual tasting note itself, the comments are feedback not our personal opinions.

Now back to the whiskies…

Due to high demand and the Bank holiday weekend we will ship all web orders on Tuesday to avoid them being lost in a backlog at the delivery company.

Longrow Red 12 years in a Pinot Noir caskABV 52.9% Vol 9000 bottles in the world

We are aware that this new Longrow is going to sell very fast just as it did last year. We sadly have a limit of 1 bottle per customer due to the high demand and limited availability. If we get anymore we will naturally release it as and when it comes in just as we have done with several vintages in the past.

Allocations are not in my control, what I get is all done back in Scotland by head office who need to keep not only our web shop and retail stores stocked they also need to supply to customers around the world so in the case of Longrow Red 9000 bottles will not last that long.

Springbank 12 cask strength 53.8% Vol 9000 Bottles in the world

This is truly limited availability for August / September 2015, so limited it might not make it onto the web shop! However don’t worry too much if you miss this one as another batch is due in January 2016 that should give us a few more cases!

If you missed the archive bottles that hit the web shop across August (We only had 1 bottle of some of the products so it was blink you will miss it) We have a few more to add as soon as we have compiled the full list.

WHAT’S NEXT?

At the moment we are finalising the next small batch release, around 12-13 new products should be on the next newsletter with age ranges from 14 years to 38 years, one of them is a trademark blended malt of 26 years that I know will be gone very quickly, more on that and why we are advising that it’s a trademark product in the next newsletter.

We also have a rather special Speyside vintage 26 years old in a sherry cask again, it’s rather stunning but I must confess I have a special place in my whisky collection for any malts from the distillery.

Two Islay malts are also in the next batch not Ardbeg so no panic just exceptional tastes for Islay lovers.

TUBE STRIKE AND TASTINGS

As some of you who live in London know we have had several months of Tube Strikes taking place with the knock on effect for customers wishing to attend the Tasting Room events we run daily.

 It can take several weeks to book a Tuesday-Thursday or Friday evening if not months starting in September I should guess given the rate of enquiries we are getting each day.

Because so many have cancelled due to the now moronic strikes we will be busier than usual for some of the Tuesdays and Thursdays as people try to re-book, with this in mind we are looking at holding a few on Wednesday evenings assuming the strikes are close to over (If TFL/ Unions and the Mayor can sit down and talk that is rather than act like brats)

As and when the situation clears up we will let you know via the newsletter or on the web site.

SHIPPING

Just a short reminder that our London store does not ship to the EU or the rest of the world just yet due to so many changes in the law and to be honest price hikes that make it dreadfully expensive to do so, we know London is expensive but some of the prices we get quoted are truly shocking, no matter how much we would try to explain this during the ordering process we would have so many complaints and cancelled orders it’s currently not economical to offer this service.

Well that’s it for this short newsletter I will be sending another out shortly with the full details of new products.

All the best

Stephen at Cadenhead’s London

Treat the old man…or yourself this Father’s Day

This Father’s Day we’re giving away a free bottle of whisky to match each cask purchased between Monday the 31st and Sunday the 6th of September. In other words, buy a French Oak barrel and get a bottle of French Oak free. Hurry and remember, the only thing better than sharing a bottle of whisky with your father is sharing a barrel!

CLICK HERE FOR WHISKY BARRELS

Tasmania Distillery
Lamb Pl
Cambridge, TAS 7170
Australia

Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur’s evening featuring rare & exceptional single malt, Scotch and unique whiskies from around the world. The evening includes unlimited tastings, epicurean food, a selection of premium imported cigars for our guests’ later enjoyment, souvenir snifter glass and much more. The Whisky Extravaganza brings the discerning enthusiast the opportunity to sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment with genuine camaraderie and knowledgeable representatives from each participating distillery.

Whisky Intelligence readers will receive a 10% discount on tickets to the Extravaganza. Please use the promotional code “EXTD2015″. You can purchase tickets directly from the link HERE, by visiting their  website  or by calling them at 800.990.1991.

All events from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Registration begins at 6:30pm.

Fall 2015 Whisky Extravaganza Schedule 

CHICAGO – THURSDAY 10/8/2015

THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB OF CHICAGO

65 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD

CHICAGO, IL 60604

*JACKETS REQUIRED. NO DENIM OR ATHLETIC ATTIRE

WASHINGTON, DC – THURSDAY 10/29/2015

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

1331 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20004

BOSTON – THURSDAY 11/5/2015

THE TAJ BOSTON

15 ARLINGTON STREET

BOSTON, MA 02116

SEATTLE – FRIDAY 11/13/2015

THE RAINIER CLUB

820 FOURTH AVENUE

SEATTLE, WA 98104

*NO DENIM OR ATHLETIC ATTIRE

LOS ANGELES – THURSDAY 11/19/2015

MILLENNIUM BILTMORE HOTEL

506 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE

LOS ANGELES, CA 90071

 FT. LAUDERDALE – THURSDAY 12/3/2015

THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

1 SEMINOLE WAY

HOLLYWOOD, FL 33314

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiskyExtravaganza

Instagram – @thewhiskyextravaganza

OUR LATEST AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!

Our latest auction is now live, and will end on Tuesday 8 September.

We have worked hard to put together an outstanding selection of whiskies from the much-sought-after Macallan 1938 to everyday drinking whiskies.

Our bourbon selection is impressive, including old releases from George T Stagg, Thomas H Handy and William Larue Weller.

Our line-up of miniatures is as strong as ever, with some rare examples that belonged to the one of the biggest collectors in the world, and some dating from the 1930s. Look out for the following bottles, and good luck with your bids!

• Brora 1970 32 Years Old Douglas Laing
• Glenlivet 1938 Gordon & MacPhail, bottled 1980s
• Highland Park 1968 Orcadian Vintage
• Johnnie Walker Red Label, bottled 1930s
• Karuizawa 1995 Noh Wine Cask #5039 for Dr Jekyll’s Pub
• Macallan 1938 handwritten label, bottled for Germany
• Macallan Private Eye
• Yamazaki 25 Years Old Sherry Cask

You can bid in two ways: either increase the highest bid by a fixed amount, or place your maximum bid straightaway – ideal if you can’t be online on the last day of our auction. Be the first to bid! Remember that you can also create a personalised Watch List to keep track of your favourite items.

View our current auction

Get bidding, and good luck!

The Whisky Auction team.

For Peat’s sake don’t get dram-atic. You shall go to the ball!

Midlands Whisky Festival 2015, Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th September 2015

www.whiskyfest.co.uk

Are you a whisky lover who would give your eye teeth to taste the finest single malts ever produced but can’t quite make the four figure price tag for a bottle of the best?

Now you can try the dream drams that you may think are the exclusive indulgence of oligarchs and oil barons. The Midlands Whisky Festival, Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th September 2015 at Stourbridge Town Hall, provides an opportunity for ticket holders to taste the finest rare whiskies, some of them from distilleries long closed down but whose historic stock has been acquired by other distilleries and collectors.

And if you’re muddled by your malts or puzzled by peat, then the festival’s Masterclasses by experts from the likes of Laphroaig, celebrating its 200^th anniversary this year, and Nikka, the award-winning Japanese distiller (International Spirits Challenge 2015 Distiller of the Year) will teach you all you need to know about the world of whisky. There will be around 40 exhibitors over the two day event including artisan chocolatier Matthieu De Gottal (@gottalchocolat) whose speciality is, of course, whisky chocolates, and a chance to take a break from whisky-tasting with food provided on site by local bistro, French Connection.

The Midlands Whisky Festival, established in 2011 is the brainchild of Nickolls and Perks, an independent wine and spirits merchants in Stourbridge which dates back to the 18^th century. Still occupying the same timber-framed corner building on Lower High Street, which was leased to William Nickless in 1797 for an annual lease of five shillings*, Nickolls and Perks, owned by the Gardener family since 1945, boasts an extensive inventory of some 2000 whiskies and spirits as well as wines and champagnes from all over the world.

Now in its fourth trading century as wine merchants, Nickolls and Perks is one of the finest specialist shops in the UK with customers from all corners of the globe sourcing the rare and special releases that it procures through its unique and historic associations with producers. Whiskies range in price per bottle from a modest £17 to an eye-watering £43,000, the price of a Macallan Lalique 50 Year Old 1st Release 46 %, which has just been sourced on behalf of a collector client.

The atmospheric ‘corner shop’ with its historic cellars is the perfect setting for regular wine and spirit tastings and it was the phenomenal demand for whisky tastings which gave rise to the Midlands Whisky Festival, now a twice yearly event in March and September to showcase the new Spring and Autumn releases. Tickets for the festival, priced £30 to £150* can be bought in advance at www.whiskyfest.co.uk

Colin Dunn, from Diageo, a regular attendee and exhibitor at the festival said:

“The Midlands Whisky Festival owes its fast-growing success to the expertise and passion of the team at Nickolls and Perks who want to create the best possible experience for whisky lovers. Through their associations with major whisky producers and their in-depth knowledge of the subject, they put together an event which inspires and educates, and steeps the visitor in the magic and history of the world of whisky. It is one of my favourite Whisky Shows of the year and if I wasn’t exhibiting, I would be attending!”

Tim Robbins, Marketing and Events Manager at Nickolls and Perks said:

“We’ve seen a marked increase in interest in specialist and premium whiskies and spirits; this has led to the Midlands Whisky Festival growing from one day per year to two days twice yearly, making it the largest event of its type in England outside London.

The Festival offers a great opportunity to everyone to explore the diversity of whiskies and spirits on taste from Ireland, the US, Japan, India as well as, of course, Scotland.

You don’t have to be a die-hard enthusiast – there’s a lot to see and taste, for newbies and experts alike, backed up by industry professionals from the distilleries offering lots of friendly advice and information.

I think people will be amazed with the whiskies they will be tasting at the event. We can promise a fun, passionate and informative experience – people will go away with a new perception of whisky and much more confidence about their whisky knowledge.”

Notes

*Midlands Whisky Festival, Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th September 2015

Stourbridge Town Hall, Crown Centre, DY8 1YE

http://www.whiskyfest.co.uk/   FB: midlandswhiskyfestival, Twitter: @midlandswhisky

Tickets £30 to £150 can be booked in advance online. Further info tel: 01384 394518

Friday 18 September: £30.00
Entrance at 6:00pm
Last pour 9:00 pm
Show closes at 9:30 pm
all standard drams on taste free inside venue souvenir tasting glass & show programme

Saturday Standard £40.00
Entrance at 12:00pm
Last pour 5:00 pm
Show closes at 5:30 pm
all standard drams on taste free inside venue, souvenir tasting glass & show programme

Saturday Devotee £150.00
all standard features
all premium features

PLUS selection of 8 dream drams to take home & £10 food voucher

Dream Drams

There will be more than 25 Dream Drams on offer at the Festival .Please see separate document which highlights some of the Dream Drams confirmed to date.

*Nickolls and Perks

37 Lower High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1TA, Tel: 01384 394518

http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/ FB: Nicholls and Perks ; Twitter: @Nickolls_Perks

William Gardner bought the business in 1945. His grandson, also William, is the Managing Director with brother, David, Sales Director and brother Jim, Despatch Manager. William’s daughter Rhiannon is Operations Manager, son Callum is Private Client and Trade Sales Fine Wine Specialist and Dave’s son Jerome, is Retail Manager and Whisky and Spirits Specialist.