Burns Supper at the City Club of San Francisco

Haggis, poetry readings, singing and most of all, lots of scotch whisky. Join us for a great Burns Party with Robin Coupar of Skyy Spirits. Join us on January 21st from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the City Club of San Francisco for a Burns Supper celebration in honor of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. This formal dinner will start with the Selkirk Grace as it follows the traditional format of the supper. And if whisky and poetry aren’t enough to excite you, there will of course be plenty of haggis!

http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/index.php?cPath=20

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

This is a friendly reminder regarding the drop in Kilchoman and Duthies tasting on Saturday afternoon, and the Three Hour Whisky Mini-Sale! From 2-5 PM Mountain Time we will be sampling whiskies from Kilchoman Distillery (including our exceptional single cask and the summer 2010 release), the Duthies line of independently bottled whiskies (which are exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market) our Springbank 1996 and Glen Gran 1966 casks. For three hours all these whiskies will be on sale (both in store and online) and available for sampling (in store only).

There are only 8 full shopping days left until Christmas. This is the perfect opportunity to pick a special gift for the whisky lover on your list or to stock the bar for the holidays!

Don’t miss it!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

KILCHOMAN/DUTHIES DROP IN TASTING – SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH 2-5PM – FREE

KWM was very fortunate to receive its own cask of Kilchoman this year. Kilchoman is the first new distillery on Islay in over 100 years, and its whisky, though young, is getting rave reviews and has swiftly developed a cult following. The distillery has only released 4 official bottlings, all of which have sold out. This makes our cask, which is the only one of its kind in Canada, and one of only two in North America a rarity indeed.  With our full bill of tastings at the store this fall it has been difficult to find a time to formally introduce it to our customers. So Andy Dunn (Kilchoman’s agent), and I have decided to hold a free drop in tasting of our Kilchoman and the Duthies range (which he also represents and are exclusive to Kensington Wine Market) between 2 and 5 PM on Saturday December 18th. Some of the whiskies you will be able to sample:

1.       Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask

2.       Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release

3.       Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year

4.       Duthies Bowmore 17 Year

5.       Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year

6.       Duthies Clynelish 14 Year

7.       Duthies Cragganmore 15 Year

8.       Duthies Glen Scotia 17 Year

9.       Duthies Hazelburn 8 Year

10.   Duthies Laphroaig 11 Year

11.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year

12.   Duthies Longmorn 19 YEar

This free drop in tasting will give you the opportunity to sample our Kilchoman cask, the current release Summer 2010 and the Duthies range which consists of 10 different single malts representing most of Scotland’s whisky regions and styles. Between these hours we will also be offering special pricing on all these whiskies, 10% off and 20% off our Springbank cask! No registration required. See you then and there!

THREE HOUR WHISKY MINI SALE – Saturday December 18th 2010 – 2-5PM

·         No phone orders accepted.

·         Bottles can be purchased in-store, on the web (www.kensingtonwinemarket.com) and by e-mail (scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com).

·         Sale is from 2PM to 5PM on Saturday December 18th only!

·         Sale applies only to the below listed items:

1.     G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 Our 1966 private bottling of Glen Grant was matured 41 years and 10 months in a Refill Sherry Hogshead and has been bottled at a cask strength of 49.4% Less than 30 of 134 numbered bottles remain… Regular $449.99 SAVE 20%

2.     Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask We’ve bottled two casks of Springbank , the first, a Manzanilla cask was a huge hit! The second was distilled the same day but filled into an Oloroso cask almost a year later. Selected with the help of our customers at a special blind tasting it is rich and spicy with caramelized fruit and salty smoke.  Regular $109.99 SAVE 20 %

3.     Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask KWM is the first store in Canada and one of only 2 in North America to be given the privilege of bottling our own cask of Kilchoman, Islay’s newest and most exciting single malt. Only 264 numbered bottles! Regular $114.99 SAVE 10%

4.     Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release The Summer 2010 release has been matured in a mix of first fill and refill Bourbon barrels. It has been bottled at 46% after maturing for 3 years! Big salt, smoke peat and crisp vanilla/Bourbon notes! All three previous releases have sold out!  Regular $89.99 SAVE 10%

5.     Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year Founded in 1974 Auchroisk is one of Scotland’s more obscure distilleries. Its owner’s Diageo dedicate all of its production to Blended whisky. Very fruity with soft vanilla notes. EXCLUSIVE to KWM! Regular $96.99 SAVE 10%

6.     Duthies Bowmore 17 Year Could this please fans of the long lost distillery bottling of Bowmore 17? Perhaps! But it is a cracken whisky on its own. Sweet with notes of coffee, smoke and vanilla. EXCLUSIVE to KWM.  Regular $90.99 SAVE 10%

7.     Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year Nose: Smoked mussels; malty; dry burning kindling; smoked ham; kelp. Palate: Extremely dry with an excellent balance of malt, peat and smoke and some zesty notes. A dry lingering finish. 46%  Regular $87.49 SAVE 10%

8.     Duthies Cragganmore 15 Year Nose: Highland toffee; fruity; milk chocolate. Hints of cinnamon and fudge. Palate: Powerful; dried fruits/oranges; fudge and caramel. A perfect body with sweet lingering notes. 46% Regular $94.99 SAVE 10%

9.     Duthies Glen Scotia 17 Year Nose: Vanilla yogurt, creme caramel, and pears with hints of white rum. Palate: Fruity (peaches and pears), malty, marzipan and very smooth. Caramelised walnuts & dried fruits. 46% Regular $101.99 SAVE 10%

10.   Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year Hazelburn is one of only two triple distilled whiskies made in Scotland. Very small quantities are distilled by the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. A recent Gold Medal winner and EXCLUSIVE to KWM! Regular $84.99 SAVE 10%

11.   Duthies Laphroaig 11 Year A non-chillfiltered bottling of the most identifiable whisky in Scotland. Nose: Peat, smoke, iodine. Oily and warming. Palate: Oily rich, peat smoke, dry burning embers. A lingering dry smokey finish. Regular $98.99 SAVE 10%

12.   Duthies Longmorn 19 Year Longmorn has long been considered a first rate malt whisky, but it is the single largest component of the Chivas 18 year old blend, and it is almost never bottled as a single malt! Exclusive to KWM! Regular $96.99 SAVE 10%

13.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year Tobermory, established 1798 on the island of Mull, is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Its heavily peated whisky is called Ledaig (pronounce Le-Cheg). Sweet and grassy with medicinal smoky notes. Regular $79.99 SAVE 10%

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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!

 You can follow me online on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy..

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com 

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL 2011 – TICKETS ON SALE IN JANUARY

Whisky connoisseurs and fans of Scotland’s national drink will be noting Friday, 14th January, 2011 as a key date in next year’s diary.  Tickets for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 go on sale online at www.spiritofspeyside.com, and there’s likely to be a rush for some of the Festival’s most exclusive and prestigious events.

Next year’s Festival runs from Thursday, 28th April – Monday, 2nd May, and distilleries, shops, bars, pubs and villages throughout Speyside will be welcoming visitors from around the world with quality malt whiskies, special tastings, outdoor activities, music and many other entertaining events.

There are only 16 places available at the respected Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, aimed at whisky connoisseurs, whisky enthusiasts and industry professionals who want to learn more about the process of whisky making.  The Whisky School features three days of undiluted and informative malt whisky education of the highest standard and includes seven expert-led technical lectures and seven top level technical site visits conducted by distillery managers.

However, many more whisky fans can enjoy a rare peek behind the scenes at other well-known distilleries around Speyside which are usually closed to the public but which offer unique events and experiences during the Festival, including Benrinnes, Glenrothes and Mortlach.

Another highlight of the Festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards, where the final Award winners are judged by Festival visitors.  And to launch the 2011 Festival, the magnificent Opening Dinner will be held at Cardhu Distillery on Thursday, 28th April. 

Festival goers can also learn about Speyside whisky’s heritage, about using whisky as a culinary ingredient or how to choose the best drams for a dinner party, and even how to pair it with chocolate, sausages and cheese.

To find out more and book tickets (on sale from 14th January, 2011) go to www.spiritofspeyside.com, and keep up to date with the Festival on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

Notes:

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 runs from Thursday, 28th April-Monday, 2nd May.  www.spiritofspeyside.com
– Easy access by rail or air, including a number of low-cost airline options to Aberdeen and Inverness airport
– The Festival runs a subsidised dial-a-bus service and taxi voucher scheme
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including a Whisky Cocktail Competition, Photographic Competition and the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners
– EventScotland is the national events agency.  EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org

Warm holiday wishes from your friends at WoW!

Christmas is just around the corner and we are honored to share this special time of year with you, our whisky friends. What better time than the winter holiday season to share your favorite dram with family and friends. Cold nights, crackling fires and festive gatherings create the perfect backdrop for enjoying these warming spirits.

Expo Update

We’re spending the last few days of the year preparing for WoW Expo 2011. The list of distilleries participating in next year’s event continues to grow and we’ll be bringing you regular updates on what you can expect to taste in the coming weeks. See what’s New as well as what’s best from the past! We’re excited to bring you several Master Classes that will include
* Diageo’s very own Stephen Beal who will be presenting a tasting and educational overview of the Classic Malts portfolio.
* Isle of Jura Master Distiller, Willie Tait, will be among our distinguished presenters and we’re looking forward to learning from one of the world’s great whisky masters.
* The intriguing Simon Brooking will guide us through the ultimate Laphroaig experience.
* Stuart Nicholson will take us to “Glenglassaugh – a distillery reborn.”
* The engaging Ed Kohl who will treat participants to an overview of independent bottlings from your favorite distilleries.
* There will be a Craft Panel Discussion with our expert guests and, to round out the evening’s class offerings, we are happy to include a
* Cigar Masterclass for those who find the pairing of whisky and tobacco irresistible. Since this year’s Expo will be hosted on the San Francisco Belle, cigar aficionados will be able to enjoy their favorite tobacco roll out on the upper-deck without having to leave the boat.

Christmas Sale on Tickets – Don’t be a Scrooge

Tickets for WoW are on sale now and you can get your tickets at a discount if you buy them by Saturday, December 25th. Make your ticket purchase a gift by dressing it up in a gift box. If you’re still looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite whisky lover, a pair of WoW tickets will warm the heart of even the biggest Grinch!

                                              Price   Sale Price
General Admission:            $110   $100
VIP Ticket:                      $135   $125  (Almost Sold Out)
Dram Club Expo Ticket:      $120   $110
Dram Club Membership:      $60    $45

Gift Box:   $1.50
Order By Dec 19 to receive before Dec 25.

http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/index.php

Pipes & Drams!  a “must” for all lovers of bagpipes and whisky!

SCOTLAND; August 2011. Over 250 pipe bands! 3 nights accommodation, 3 fully cooked breakfasts, one evening meal (local pub with excellent food) ticket for the World Pipeband Championships. Meet the bands, share drinks with the bands, we know many of them ourselves, most of all, it will be fun and exciting!

For Angels whisky club members we will also be visiting Auchentoshan and Glengoyne, please apply for costs, the online cost shown via the link does not include distillery visits.

We can add on days/nights for you too! For whisky lovers we aim to add a few dates on to this and visit more distilleries! Being based in Perthshire, we have 5 distilleries here to visit plus one very special onne not yet open!

Limited number of rooms and places available – our advice; Book Now!

www.mcleanscotland.com

www.angelswhiskyclub.com

Whisky An’ A’ That VIII

Ayr’s famous Whisky Festival

Saturday 4th June 2011

1pm-6pm

Ayr Town Hall

Tickets now on sale

PLEASE NOTE, THAT WHEN ORDERING YOUR TICKET(S) CLICK ON WHISKY FESTIVAL TICKET IN THE COUNTRY DROP DOWN MENU.  YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR POSTAGE

TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER: 01292 284279

info@robbiesdrams.com

Order yours today, as tickets are limited.

www.robbiesdrams.com

Miner’s Delight Inn Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six December 11th, 2010 – Scotch Whisky News

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast, Atlantic City, WY
Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six – “New Beginnings”

The tasting will include three young, limited release whiskies from privately held distilleries: One’s a new distillery (Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release *), one’s a newly reopened distillery that sat silent for more than a century (Kilkerran 2009 Work in Progress), and  one’s a reopened distillery that had been mothballed for the better part of a decade (Bruichladdich 2001 “The Resurrection Dram”)

Please contact Bob at 307-332-0248
www.minersdelightinn.com

Douglas Laing Independent Bottlers

Thurs 9th December

Jan Beckers returns once more to refresh our palates.

£25/person

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Jura & Dalmore Distilleries  –Mr Willie Tait

Friday 10th December

The main man himself is coming down to teach us Jura speak…mostly he’ll be serving up some great island malts :

Superstition, Prophecy & Jura 21 yr + a Dalmore special.

£15/person

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 Tickets 01384 394518

Venue : The Cellars

Start : 7:30pm

David at Nickolls and Perks

Tickets 01384 394518

Venue : The Cellars

Start : 7:30pm

david@nickollsandperks.co.uk

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

As promised our Winter Tasting Schedule is now online: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php !

We have an excellent line-up of winter whisky, rum and beer tastings to tempt your palate ranging from our 6th Annual Robbie Burns Supper on the 26th of January to our first Ancient Malts Tasting in more than a year! There is something there for everyone and it’s online and open for registration now! You can register for our tastings by visiting our web site https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php , by paying us a visit in person or by giving us a call at 403-283-8000. If you haven’t been to one of our fun and educational tasting events I sincerely encourage you to give us a try.

First up in 2011 is our 6th Annual Robert Burns Supper. There is something hear for everyone from the diehard Burns Aficionado to the casual whisky drinker looking for a fun night out. Our event combines the traditional core elements of a Burns Supper with a tasting 6 premium single malt whiskies from a guest distillery. This year we will be featuring the Isle of Arran distillery, from whom we are looking at buying our own cask!

And don’t forget our Gordon & MacPhail Benromach Tasting with Michael Urquhart next Thursday December 9th! You’ll be professionally lead through a sampling of 8 whiskies (4 each from Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail) by none other than the co-director of both companies, Michael Urquhart. The proceeds of this tasting will be going to the Children’s Hospital Aid Society, so come join us for an exceptional tasting and give a little something back to the community at the same time!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

GORDON & MACPHAIL/BENROMACH TASTING WITH MICHAEL URQUHART – Thursday December 9th 7-9PM – $50

Michael Urquhart is in town for the week, and with some new G&M exclusives and Christmas on the way it seemed like a great opportunity for a tasting. Further, it’s a great opportunity for us give back to the community, in this case the proceeds from the night’s event will be going to the Children’s Hospital Aid Society. For just $50 (at least $30 of which will go to CHAS) you will enjoy a tasting of 8 single malt whiskies led by Gordon & MacPhail’s co-Director. We will be tasting the following whiskies:

1.       G&M KMW Glen Grant 1966 – Exclusive – $449.99

2.       G&M Cask Strength Imperial 1997 – Exclusive – $114.99

3.       G&M Connoisseurs Choice Glen Keith 1993 – Exclusive – $87.99

4.       G&M Connoisseurs Choice Convalmore 1984 – Exclusive – $182.99

5.       Benromach 10 Year – $68.99

6.       Benromach Origins #2 Port Pipes – $83.49

7.       Benromach Origins #3 Optic Barley/Oloroso – 83.49

8.       Benromach 21 Year – $129.99

Gordon & MacPhail is Scotland’s second oldest independent bottle—est. 1895—and unlike most independent bottlers they purchase their whiskies as new make spirit, filling it into their own barrels.  In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail bought Benromach Distillery. It took them 5 years to get it in ship shape, but it has been back in action since 1998 and is the smallest distillery in the Speyside. Michael will be available to sign any bottles purchased that evening, and there will be some excellent deals on both G&M and Benromach whiskies.

The Children’s Hospital Aid Society or CHAS is volunteer group of 70 Calgary women who raise money for the Children’s Hospital and other Calgary agencies which advocate on behalf of children. The organization has been in existence since 1908 and in the last 20 years has raised over 4 million.

This will be an excellent event, with proceeds going to a worthy cause.  Hope to see you there.

For more information or to register call 403-283-8000 or visit our website www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.

WINTER 2011 TASTING SCHEDULE

All tastings start promptly at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise noted
Seating is strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment
It is recommended that you use public transportation, walk or arrange a ride to and from the class. Please pre-book your taxi!
Tastings are complete with light snacks

Cancellation Policy: Seating registrations are transferrable so you are welcome to send someone else in your place if you cannot attend a tasting. If you contact us more than 48 hours prior to the tasting date to cancel one or more seats, you will receive a store credit for the value of the cancelled seat(s). Store credits can be used for any future purchases, including tastings or products. Cancellation requests received within 48 hours of the tasting date are not refundable.

1.      Scots Wha Hae? Caledonians Unite! It’s time to celebrate all things Scottish. Isle of Arran is the featured distillery for our 6th annual Robbie Burns Supper, and Andrew Hogan is our special guest. We’ll have bagpipes, poetry, haggis with neeps and tatties and six amazing single malts all from Arran, including—we hope—a new single cask bottling exclusive to KWM!. No previous whisky experience required. Location: Fort Calgary, 7:00pm. Wednesday January 26th. $99

2.      Classic Malts Back to basics, “Classic Malts” is our introduction to the world of Scottish single malt whisky: its regions, history and taste profiles. No this won’t be a “Diageo Classic Malts” tasting, though we may include a few of those for good measure. This is a great opportunity to learn why Scotch is the hottest spirit in the world! Tuesday February 8th. $35

3.      Rare Malts Only the oldest and rarest whiskies need apply! Taste whiskies that have been matured more than 20 years in oak, and are from closed distilleries or are exceptionally rare! Thursday February 24th. $75

4.      Whisky, Women & Chocolate Round up the gals and join our Scotchguy, Andrew Ferguson, for a pairing of fine whisky and premium chocolate from Calgary’s only true “chocolatier”, Chokolat, located in Inglewood. No whisky experience needed, we’ll convert even the most sceptical into a lover of fine whisky! Friday March 4th. $50

5.      Ancient Malts Our blockbuster tasting for 2011 is going to feature the Gold Bowmore 1964, a 44 year old Bowmore bottling valued at $4389.99 which scored 96pts. We’ll also sample 5 other whiskies 30 to 50 years of age! We’ll only do one tasting like this all year, don’t miss it! Tuesday March 15th. $225

6.      Diageo Special Releases Dinner Caol Ila 10 Year Unpeated, Mannochmore 18 Year, Pittyvaich 20 Year, Benrinnes 23 Year, Port Ellen 30 Year and Talisker 30 are the rare whiskies you will sample at Buchanan’s Chop House while enjoying a 3 course meal! If you haven’t been to one of our whisky dinners yet, you don’t know what you are missing! Thursday Mach 31st. $140

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You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy..

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!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com