Events

Simon Brooking & Miner’s Delight Inn Team Up For A Tasting May 11th, 2013 – Scotch Whisky News

Simon Brooking at Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast

Laphroaig Master Ambassador Simon Brooking will conduct a tasting of five Laphroaig single malt Scotch whiskies for the Second Saturday tasting at Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City,Wyoming, onMay 11, 2013.

OnMay 31, 2008, Barbara and Bob Townsend hosted the inn’s first single malt Scotch tasting. In July that year they began monthly Second Saturday tastings and haven’t skipped a month. The selection of single malts on their Two-bit Cowboy Saloon’s backbar has grown from 20 in 2008 to 86 this year. In their continuous rotation of bringing in new malts the couple has retired more than 100 whiskies.

The innkeepers met Simon when they attended their first Scotch Malt Whisky Society Extravaganza inDenverin April 2009. They’ve seen Simon at every subsequent Denver Extravaganza and twice in grand, mid-winter trips to the Victoria Whisky Festival. This year Simon will join them in their saloon to pour Laphroaig whiskies for Wyomingites and guests from bordering states.

The tasting’s featured Laphroaig whiskies include 10 year old, 18 year old, Cáirdeas Origin, Quarter Cask, and Triple Wood. Smoked Scottish salmon and two cheeses from the Isle of Mull will accompany the whisky.

Atlantic   City, Wyoming—with its dirt streets, three saloons, two restaurants, a gun shop, and the inn—is a remnant of the 1860s South Passgold mining era. The inn was refashioned from the Carpenter Hotel, which operated from 1904 till 1961 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/NationalRegister/Site.aspx?ID=513).

For more information visit the inn’s site: http://www.minersdelightinn.com.

Dram Busters Whisky Festival – Scotch Whisky News

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

ONLY £21

Ticket price includes a dramming glass, unlimited water,
programme and a full range of whiskies to sample plus
a few rums and gins for good measure.

There will, as before, be a shop on site so that you can take your favourite dram away with you and we will also be running the ‘Golden Dram’ competition once more… which whisky will be your favourite?!
Last year’s winners were Tomatin Distillery with their 1992 Single Cask bottling

Amrut & Balvenie Tasting at Arkwrights – Whisky News

Amrut Distillery Whisky Tasting – Thursday 23rd May 2013
Balvenie Ladies Only Whisky Tasting – Thursday 6th June 2013

We’ve got news for you of a couple of whisky tastings coming up in the next month or so and both are rather special. The tasting on 23rd May is a first for us as Ashok Chokalingam will be presenting a line up of single malt whiskies from Amrut Distillery in India.  Always a surprise (in a good way!) to those who have never tasted them these quality Indian whiskies have regularly been winning awards for some years now (including an award of 97 points from Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible) and the range includes both peated and unpeated single malts.  Ashok himself is also an award winner as he was the Whisky Ambassador of the Year 2012 so this promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining evening.

The tasting we have lined up on 6th June is a ladies only tasting of Balvenie whisky (gives the girls a chance to try the whiskies instead of being the nominated driver!).  For this tasting we are very lucky to have Miss Whisky herself (aka Alwynne Gwilt – http://misswhisky.com/) coming along to present  some of the smooth and honeyed lovelies that hail from the Balvenie distillery.  Starting off with a whisky cocktail we will move on to a line up that will include the new 12 year old single barrel and there will almost certainly be a few nibbles matched to some of the whiskies – my idea of a perfect evening!

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

Name Amrut Distilleries Whisky Tasting
Date Thursday 23rd May 2013
Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details We will be tasting through the range of Amrut whiskies – including the Amrut Fusion (made from both Scottish and Indian barley), the Amrut Peated and (if it arrives in time!) the new Amrut Kadhambam.

Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details. 

Ladies only Balvenie Whisky Tasting
Thursday 6th June 2013
7pm for 7.30pm
Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Balvenie is still a family owned distillery, having been established in 1892 by William Grant. It retains it’s own maltings and cooperage, and production of its smooth, rich whiskies is overseen by David Stewart, who has over 50 years of experience. Excellent use of different cask types produce some delicious variations in the range and the whiskies that have been selected for the night will give you the chance to find your own particular favourite(s).

Tickets are £13.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

JAKE BUGG TO JOIN THE BILL FOR BUSHMILLS LIVE 2013 – Irish Whiskey News

JAKE BUGG TO JOIN THE BILL FOR BUSHMILLS LIVE 2013 

SONS AND LOVERS, FOY VANCE, IAIN ARCHER, WILLY MASON AND BEAR’S DEN also set to join JAKE BUGG and previously confirmed headliners OF MONSTERS AND MEN at the only music festival in an Irish whiskey distillery

Bushmills Village: May 2013: Breakthrough act of the year, British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg has today been added to the bill for Bushmills Live 2013, alongside headliners Of Monsters and Men. Troubadour Jake Bugg will perform for an audience of just 500 at Bushmills Live in June, ahead of taking to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this summer.

Jake will be in good company at the festival, playing alongside Sons and Lovers, who have just finished touring the UK with Ellie Goulding and US artists, One Republic; Willy Mason and Bear’s Den, who have both toured heavily with Mumford & Sons earlier this year; and friends of the festival and successful Northern Irish singer songwriters, Iain Archer and Foy Vance.

Iain and Foy are set to make a triumphant return to Bushmills Live following electric performances in 2012. Since playing at the festival last year Foy has toured Europe and the US with Ed Sheeran and Iain has worked with headliner Jake Bugg to co-write and produce tracks for his number one debut album, earning them an Ivor Novello Award nomination*.

With just days to go until the draw for tickets closes, Iain reveals he is looking forward to playing at the festival in the Old Bushmills Distillery: “Bushmills Live is a unique experience: the line-up could rival some of the biggest festivals but with a much smaller crowd in a really cool setting. It’s really like a festival of friends hanging out and making some great music together. I’m really looking forward to seeing Jake playing live – although we’ve written and produced together, we’ve never actually been on the same live bill so this will be a first.”

“With last year’s festival being such a smash, it was always going to be a challenge to improve on the line up – that said, I think we’ve done it. One of the goals with the festival is to offer an event that is special for fans and performers alike. With the festival circuit in the UK growing annually, it’s a real challenge to create a day that stands out. We hope that Bushmills Live will be a festival that everyone looks forward to,” commented Graham Brown, festival curator. He continued: “I’m really pleased to be part of such an event that hosts internationally-renowned acts alongside critically-acclaimed emerging artists in such a unique setting. If you haven’t entered the draw for tickets yet enter now – don’t miss out!”

Tickets cannot be bought for the 500 person event which takes place on 19th and 20th June 2013 in the grounds of the historic Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s stunning North Coast. Instead these can be won by entering a draw on the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608* entry closes at 23:59 on 5th May 2013. 

NOTES

Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Hashtag: #BushmillsLive

*Jake Bugg and Iain Archer are nominated for ‘best song musically and lyrically’ for ‘Two Fingers,’ a song they co-wrote: http://www.theivors.com/awards.htm

ABOUT THE COMPETITION:

*To win tickets to Bushmills Live or to find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. Entry closes at 23:59GMT 5th May 2013. Winners will be notified by 9th May. Terms and conditions apply.

The Facebook competition is open to people of legal purchasing age, in:

  • Great Britain
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Germany
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Latvia

From each, one pair of finalists will win tickets to ‘Bushmills Live’. 

Bushmills Live video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjyzNFGuRmo

To launch the festival, Bushmills commissioned some good friends who are artisans to make a 3D art installation that depicts the Bushmills Live poster using materials inspired by the handcrafted whiskey and music at the heart of the festival. The master craftsmen who cemented their friendship when creating the stage set for a hugely popular American television epic that was filmed in Belfast – used 254 casks, 250 bottle tops, 30 bottles of whiskey, five metres of AMP wiring and four guitars to handcraft the 10ft by 16ft installation artwork.

ABOUT BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and quality, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is produced, aged and bottled at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim on the far north coast of Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery uses 100% malt barley to make triple distilled malt whiskey, which is what creates the rich, mellow and distinct flavour that is the house style. The Bushmills portfolio includes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey; Black Bush, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and now Bushmills Irish Honey. 

ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

About Of Monsters and Men

http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/

Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group from Iceland whose debut album “My Head Is An Animal” is a collection of infectious folkie pop songs. With the group’s single “Little Talks”, the band (consisting of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson) has become a breakout act all around the world.

After a breakout year, “My Head Is An Animal,” the band’s debut album, was officially certified platinum worldwide. Surpassing 1 million sales, the record remains a clarion call for the band’s invigorating style. The band capped off the year with “Little Talks” selling over 3.5 million singles worldwide, the album reaching Platinum status in Canada and Ireland, as well as Gold in multiple countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

In 2013, Of Monsters and Men will embark on a world tour including stops in Japan, Australia, South America, UK, Europe, and heading back to North America this summer. 

About Jake Bugg

www.jakebugg.com

By now, it’s likely you will have heard of Jake Bugg following on from his support slots at two of the year’s hottest gigs: namely The Stone Roses’ miniscule secret London show at Village Underground, and a week later, Noel Gallagher’s smallest ever solo performance at Camden’s Dingwalls. Come October, the latter legend will also be taking him on the rest of his 2012 tourdates, in Europe, America and beyond.

All across the land he has been working hard, playing songs and garnering new converts wherever he goes. His headline November shows in Manchester and London have both been upgraded due to demand; the release of his debut album has been brought forward – unheard of in this day and age because people want to get their hands on it.

Age “about 14”, he started picking up his uncle’s acoustic guitar and, having learnt other people’s songs, started experimenting with his own. It didn’t take long for him to start coming up with worthwhile stuff. In fact, one of the best songs on his debut album, ‘Someplace’ dates back to this time. A beautiful melancholic ballad, it exhibits the undeniable, natural gift for melody that characterises all of Jake’s songs.

Jake only got signed about a year or so ago, but such is his prolific nature that he did not waste any time in getting down to business. 

About Willy Mason

http://www.willymason.net/

Willy Mason is a singer-songwriter from the Northeast US. His new single ‘I Got Gold’ is a standout track from new album ‘Carry On’, an album five years in the making. It comes in the wake of the critically acclaimed and gold certified debut ‘Where The Humans Eat’ which included the now classic track ‘Oxygen,’ and the progressive sound of his 2007 sophomore release ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough.’

He has recently toured in the UK and Australia and often appearing on stage with headliners and good friends Mumford & Sons.

Mason’s new single ‘I Got Gold’, produced by Dan Carey (MIA, Hot Chip and Kylie Minogue), has been receiving Radio 1, 6Music and XFM plays, and fuses Mason’s unique vocal delivery with a rhythm that lyrically draws on sentiments of hope, disillusionment, love and lost connections. 

About Sons and Lovers

http://www.sons-and-lovers.com/ 

About Bear’s Den

http://www.musicglue.com/bearsdenmusic/

Bear’s Den are London trio Andrew Davie, Joey Haynes, and Kevin Jones. The music they make is wholesome, warm, and engaging, and takes its influence from the likes of Being There era Wilco, Ryan Adams, and a wealth of both folk and alt-country reference points.

The ethos of DIY is at the heart of everything Bear’s Den have done since their inception. Charging around the UK in a van playing to any venue that would have them, picking up support tours with the likes of Of Monsters And Men, Smoke Fairies, and Matt Corby, and concluding 2012 with a support slot for Mumford & Sons at London’s O2 Arena, Bear’s Den took time out and relocated to a cottage in Wales to record their debut EP, sold only at shows last year, and went on to record this Agape EPin Norfolk with Kristoffer Harris.

‘Agape’ sets out its stall from the opening chords, and is a spellbinding example of Bear’s Den’s sound. Andrew Davie’s lyrics and voice are beautifully fragile, resonating with the clarity of a songwriter almost twice his age. Framed around the ambiguous Greek word for love, Agape is a warm, all-embracing tune that sets a tone throughout the whole 5-track record.  

About Iain Archer

http://www.iainarcher.co.uk/modules/news/

Iain Archer is an award-winning songwriter and producer, originally from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is a versatile performer who has had success in his own right and with others. He has written five successful albums under his own name, has toured extensively and has had his songs used widely on US TV shows and adverts.

He has scored a number one album and two top ten albums writing with the likes of Example, Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor and Nina Nesbitt. Additionally 2012 saw Iain working extensively with 19 year old Brit-Nominated Jake Bugg, signed to Mercury Records. Jake Bugg’s exciting eponymous debut album hit no.1 in the album charts in October, and has remained within the top 10 ever since, already passing platinum sales. He co-wrote and produced the first three Radio 1 playlisted singes, ‘Trouble Town’, ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘Taste It’ along with co-writing Jake’s last two radio hits ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Seen It All’.

A prestigious Ivor Novello Award winner for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough multi-platinum selling album ‘Final Straw’, Iain co-wrote the huge hit ‘Run’ which went  top 5 for the band and later to number one for Leona Lewis, breaking the record for the fastest selling UK download.

He is a founding member of the band ‘Tired Pony’ that also featured the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Peter Buck from REM, Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian and Tom Smith from Editors. 

About Foy Vance

http://www.foyvance.com/

Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He released his debut album ‘Hope’ in July 2007 to great critical acclaim. The Independent newspaper described him as ‘The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder’. Three tracks from the album were used on hit US drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

His single ‘Be the Song’, featured in the American medical series, House. In 2010 Foy, along with David Holmes composed the music for a short film by director Terry George, and as a result has been offered a part in the director’s next feature film as a busker. The short film, ‘The Shore’, won a 2012 ACADEMY AWARD®*. Foy will release a new album entitled ‘Joy of Nothing’ later this year and will tour with Bonnie Raitt in the UK and Europe this summer.

*ACADEMY AWARDS® is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Canadian Whisky Book Review and Twitter Tasting – Canadian Whisky News

Canadian Whisky Book Review and Twitter Tasting

Be a part of the world’s first ever whisky book review/twitter tasting. Social media are changing the way we read and the way we taste whisky. We’ve decided to integrate the two! Each Sunday for the next four weeks we will review several chapters from the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert and discuss them on Twitter. And we will do this while we taste a representative whisky from that chapter.

If you wish to comment on the book, interact with author, Davin de Kergommeaux, or discuss a Canadian whisky you are tasting, please join us each Sunday at 3:00 pm Eastern time, on Twitter at #DavinTT.

The twitter reviews and tastings begin this Sunday, May 5th at 3:00pm EST when we will be talking about chapters 10 – 13. Davin will join us to answer questions, and contribute to discussion among the participants, etc.

After chatting for about 30 minutes about 15 participants from around the world will open a mystery bottle that we have sent to them. You didn’t get a bottle? Feel free to join in anyway. The more the merrier. After tasting the sample and talking about it we’ll reveal which distillery it came from and which whisky we tasted. Sound like fun?

This Sunday we’ll begin with chapters 10 – 13. Then, Sunday May 12th we will discuss chapters 14 – 17; Sunday May 19th, chapters 18 – 21; and Sunday May 26th, chapters 22 – 25.

We invite the whisky bloggers among us to blog about the book, the experience, the whiskies and/or Davin. Let the fun begin!

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me, @WhiskyLassie on twitter.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is available at Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, and many other fine bookstores, or on-line at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society May 6th “Blasts From the Past” Tasting! – Scotch Whisky News

Join our Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Blasts From the Past” Tasting!!

We’re changing things up for our May Outturn tasting. Instead of new releases, we’ll be revisiting old friends! Are you a newer member who hasn’t had a chance to try some older releases? Perhaps you haven’t been able to make it to any SMWS tastings and would like to hear more about the Society? Do you have friends you’ve been talking to about the Society and you would like to introduce them to it? Then this month is for you! Click on the Register Now link below or stop by our shop to register today! Space is limited so please register early! In order for us to ensure we have enough space, whisky & nibbles of food, PLEASE REGISTER AT THE LATEST BY THE FRIDAY MORNING PRIOR TO THE TASTING!

Get more information

Register Now!

If you have any questions about the event, SMWS generally or how to register, please get in touch. We look forward to seeing you at the tasting!

Slainté,

Crystal Coverdale
General Manager
Edgemont Fine Wines, Sprits & Ales

3020 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver BC
604-984-9463
Open Daily 9am-11pm

When Monday May 6, 2013 from 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM PDT Note: Registration is required in advance, by the Friday morning prior to the tasting please! Please arrive 5-10mins early to check-in, tasting starts promptly at 6:45pm

Where Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales 3020 Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver, BC V7R 2N4. We time the event as best as we can to be transit friendly. Please ensure you have a safe way to get home.

Event Fee SMWS Members = $40 +GST Non-Members = $50 +GST

Memberships are now available in store! For more info on SMWS visit www.smws.ca 

Nickolls and Perks Boutique Masterclass #2 – Scotch Whisky News

Boutique Whisky Masterclass #2

Masterclass Whisky tastings are held in our Cellars each month. Here are is the second hotly awaited dates for your diary..!

Friday, 7th June – Colin Dunn of Diageo
Tickets £35.00

The irrepressible Mr Dunn returns to present a rather special Talisker Distillery tasting in Stourbridge with Isle of Skye beauties – NEW releases:

Port Ruighe, Talisker Storm, magical 18 and mythical 35 year old…

Start time: 7:30 pm

For further details, email david@nickollsandperks.co.uk or phone 01384 394518  Follow & RT @midlandswhisky for your chance to win 2 tickets worth £70 to the September 28th #Whiskyfest with over 300 drams on taste… be a winner today! Please reserve your tickets in advance as capacity is limited! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sláinte! or Slàinte!

Nickolls & Perks Ltd 37 Lower High Street Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1TA www.nickollsandperks.co.uk

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Islay Whisky Tasting & the New Kavalan Whiskies are Here! – Whisky News

I’m only days away from finishing the next full Malt Messenger, however there are some tidbits I’d like to share with you now. As some of you are already aware, I’m off to Japan and Taiwan to guide a whisky tour in May. What most of you will not know is that I’m also paying a visit to south-western China to learn a little about that nation’s own thriving distilled spirits culture. It’s going to be quite an adventure, and you’ll be able to follow my journey on twitter, on the KWM blog: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/blog/ and at my Ferguson Whisky Tours site: http://fergusonwhiskytours.com/?page_id=10

We have some incredible events coming up before I leave on May 12th, including tomorrow night’s “Whisky Tour of Islay” tasting featuring 7 Islay whiskies, two of them Port Ellens. Thursday I’ll be hosting our annual “Cinco de Mayo” tequila tasting which will include at least 3 new tequilas (one of them organic). Next week we have “Rare Malts” on Tuesday with yet another Port Ellen (the stunning Wilson & Morgan bottling) as well as some other interesting new whiskies never before featured at a KWM tasting. Finally, just before I leave, we are bringing back our ever popular “Whisky, Women and Chocolate” tasting on Friday May 10th. I’ve detailed some info on each of these upcoming tastings below.

The next Malt Messenger will include a slew of new whiskies. Some of these, like the latest releases of Kavalan from King Car distillery in Taiwan, are already here. We’ve received a small amount of 7 different Kavalans, four of which are exclusive to our store. In addition to some new whiskies already here (in the next Malt Messenger), there are also a number of highly anticipated whiskies on the near horizon including the Ardbeg Ardbog Day and Glenmorangie Elanta. We are already taking preorders for both of these and will have others to tell you about in the very near future.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger bulletin.

Slainté! Gānbēi! (China/Taiwan) Kampai (Japan)

Andrew Ferguson

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

WHISKY TOUR OF ISLAY – Tuesday April 30th (AKA Today) – $50 – Only 4 Spots Left

The Isle of Islay is a very special place, with a little over 3,000 residents and 8 operating distilleries! It is home to some of the world’s most iconic whiskies, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Laphroaig and Port Ellen. Join us for a virtual tour of the island and a tasting of some of its finest whisky. Tomorrow night’s tasting will be blind, but I don’t mind sharing the epic list of whiskies with you. It includes two Port Ellens!

1.A.D. Rattray Port Ellen 24 Year
2.Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition 2012
3.Duthies Bruichladdich 20 Year
4.Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition 2012
5.Laphroaig Cairdeas Feis Isle 2012
6.Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 26 Year Rum Finish
7.Scotch Malt Whisky Society 3.188: The Camping Trip

RARE MALTS – Tuesday May 7th – $80

Only the rarest whiskies need apply: those more than 20 years of age, from closed distilleries, or the exceedingly rare. This is always a special tasting, and will include the following new whiskies: Speyburn 25 Year, Tomatin 25 Year, Wilson & Morgan Port Ellen 30 Year, Glenrothes 1978 and the Signatory Royal Lochnagar 1991. We’ll also put the MacKinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt (Shackleton Replica) head to head with the MacKinlay’s the Journey (the Shackleton follow-up). To make it all a little more fun, the tasting will be conducted blind!

WHISKY, WOMEN & CHOCOLATE – Friday May 10th – $50

Gather the gals and head on down to the Wine Market for a pairing of everyone’s two favorite food groups, whisky and chocolate! We’ve brought this tasting back by popular demand, and have found some exciting new chocolates to tempt you with.

OUR NEW WHISKIES FROM KAVALAN ARE HERE!

Kavalan whisky is a single malt whisky produced by the King Car distillery in Taiwan. Though young this maverick distillery has made quite a name for itself very quickly. There is a great write-up on Kavalan by Charlie Maclean available here: http://www.maltmaniacs.net/E-pistles/Malt-Maniacs-2010-07-Fresh-from-Kavalan-distillery-by-Charles-MacLean.pdf . I’ll be making my first visit to the distillery in May.

Exclusive to KWM:

1.Kavalan Podium – 46% – From the Distillery: “Created by our Master Blender from an array of specially selected and carefully treated brand-new American oak casks in combination with Kavalan’s re-fill casks. The expression is surprisingly delicate and extremely complex in character.” Hunter and I were both really impressed by this one! – Only Getting 12btls – $149.99

2. Kavalan King Car Conductor – 46% – “King Car is the name of the Taiwanese company that owns the Kavalan brand and this lavishly packaged single malt is its standard bearer. It’s not hard to see why. More subtle and complex than some earlier bottlings of Kavalan, this has an exotic fruit, cream toffee, and soft banana nose, and has bitter orange, dark chocolate, and pepper on the palate. It’s rapier-sharp, clean, and drying rather than sweet.” – Only Getting 12btls – 90pts Malt Advocate – $174.99

3. Kavalan Solist Vinho – 59.2% – Matured in American Oak Wine Casks – “With humidity roughly the same as Speyside – high – but the temperature more than 20° Fahrenheit higher, maturation is on fast forward. This is just 4 years old, but it’s a monster mix of kumquat liqueur, tropical fruit, blackcurrant, and strawberry and cream candy. Later on some eastern spices, especially turmeric, bring it all back home. Remarkable.” – Dominic Roskrow, Malt Advocate, 92pts. Some other casks have scored higher. $189.99

4. Kavalan Solist Fino – 57% – From the Distillery: “Spanish for ‘Fine’, fino is the driest and most pale of all varieties of traditional sherry wine. Kavalan’s Fino, however, provides mild sweetness that excites the palate. Solist Fino was matured in top Fino Sherry butts that were used for the wine making.” 90.5-97pts Whisky Bible (depending on the cask). This is the one that people all over the world are going nuts for. 90-91pts Whisky Advocate- Only getting 24. – $324.99

Non-Exclusive:

1.Kavalan Solist Sherry – 57.8% – Different cask from the previous release. – $193.99

2.Kavalan No.1 – The first whisky they ever bottled. “Taiwan’s tropical climate pushes the maturation cycle along at a ferocious rate, but the key here is its complexity. Maybe its auto-suggestion, but I could swear there’s ginseng in here, as well as honeycomb and black cherry pie filling. Fresh and clean, the spirit is rich and accompanied with great wood. Mature whisky in three years? It’s an accountant’s dream!” – Dave Broom Whisky Advocate 90pts – $114.99

3.Kavalan Concertmaster Port Finish – 40% – A port finished whisky from Taiwan’s Kavalan, marrying their fruity young whisky with extra maturation in wine casks to create a balance of rich and fresh flavours. Kavalan Concertmaster single malt whisky is first matured in specially selected American oak casks and then finished in port barriques. The marrying in the barriques mellows the flavours and adds indefinable smoothness to the whisky. 87pts Jim Murray – $94.99

TAKING PRE-ORDERS: Ardbeg Ardbog Day & Glenmorangie Elanta

These two hotly anticipated whiskies will be available in May/June. They will go fast, so we are taking pre-orders on both. No firm details on the Ardbeg Ardbog yet, other than an image of the corner of the box and a price:

1. Ardbeg Ardbog Day – Details to follow. – $119.99

2.Glenmorangie Elanta – 46% – 19 Year – 4th Release in the Private Edition series – “The result is a nose of American cream soda, milk chocolate, fudge, pineapple, and honey; spicy and creamy. Silky smooth in the mouth, with brittle toffee and orange notes; gently herbal, with a suggestion of cloves and newly-sawn wood. Long in the finish, with citrus fruit, oak, aniseed, and an enduring spicy creaminess.” – 90pts Whisky Advocate – $103.99

CAOL ILA DISTILLER’S EDITION 2012 – $96.99

We brought some of this in last week and were really impressed. Feel free to pop by for a taste, or sign up for our Whisky Tour of Islay tasting tomorrow night!

Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition 2012 – 12 Year – 43% – Finished in Moscatel Casks – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet, oily and pungent; fruit flan and honey with an overlay of peated malt, steamed mussels and some tropical fruit? Melons; Palate: sweet, oily, chewy and peaty with some crisp salty beach fire smoke; candied trout, smoked mussels and chunky-earthy-malt; sweet, creamy and still fruity, the whisky has freshness even with the salt and peat; there is even burnt bacon…; Finish: long, coating, sweet and salty with more peated malt, fishy oils and salty smoke. – $96.99

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If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

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

Nickolls and Perks Boutique Masterclass #1 – Irish Whisky News

Boutique Whisky Masterclass #1

Masterclass Whisky tastings are held in our Cellars each month. Here are is the first hotly awaited dates for your diary..!

Friday, 17th May – Jameson Irish Shindig
Tickets £20.00

Featuring a selection of amazing whiskeys from Pernod Ricard’s Chief Ambassador:

1. Jameson Green Spot
2. Jameson Select Reserve
3. Power’s John Lane
4. Jameson 18
5. Redbreast 12 YO

Click on the links below  to Buy Tickets Now!
Jameson Irish Whiskey Tasting
Friday 17th May

Start time 7:30PM. For further details, email david@nickollsandperks.co.uk or phone 01384 394518  Follow & RT @midlandswhisky for your chance to win 2 tickets worth £70 to the September 28th #Whiskyfest with over 300 drams on taste… be a winner today! Please reserve your tickets in advance as capacity is limited! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sláinte! or Slàinte!

Nickolls & Perks Ltd
37 Lower High Street
Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1TA
www.nickollsandperks.co.uk

Miner’s Delight Inn “First Friday Scotch Sipping at Six” – Scotch Whisky News

First Friday Scotch Sipping at Six

    Miner’s Delight Inn, 1st Friday, every month, 6 – 9 p.m.

Here’s what you get for $40:

      ♦ 5 half-ounce pours of single malt Scotch whisky:

        ♦♦ 3 Friday features (10% off bottles of your favorite Friday Feature)

        ♦♦ 2 Connoisseur’s Choices from our single malt menu

       ♦ Hors d’oeuvres to freshen your palate between pours

May 3, 2013, First Friday Features:

10% off bottles of your favorite Friday Feature   

Glencadam 19 year old (bottled by Gordon & MacPhail)

Glenfarclas 105

Ardbeg Supernova 2010 

http://www.minersdelightinn.com


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