Great BBQ food & whisky @ Maltstock 2023

Boy are we feeling relaxed today! It’s less than three months until this years’ Maltstock! And we’re back at our regular venue. No restrictions. Just a weekend of massive relaxed fun!

Our line-up is almost complete now. And we’ll be bringing you up to date on our Facebook page and coming newsletters.

We have some very good news for those of you who have forgotten to buy their ticket, we still have a few tickets available! So you can still join the relaxed fun. The fastest way to get relaxed is to simply click on this link:  https://www.maltstock.com/shop

Relaxed Maltstock crew at the Whisky in Leiden festival last weekend.

BBQGuru returns!

A lot of you will definitely remember the BBQGuru. They have spoiled us a couple of years by hosting the Saturday BBQ. Remember the roast hog? The past years they have been very busy with hosting excellent BBQ events worldwide and (successfully) competing in competitions. But now it’s time for them to get relaxed again.

So it’s with great pleasure we can announce that Harry Havinga and his relaxed team will return to Maltstock! We won’t put them to work too much. They will provide the Saturday midnight snack. We are really looking forward to this.

So with The Hielander Scottish breakfast, a Friday midnight snack by Sugar Hill and our fantastic regular BBQ team, we perhaps should consider renaming the weekend to foodstock 😉 (and we’ll have more food news in our next newsletter….)

P.S. Of course we also cater for those among you who like their plants better than meat or other dietary requirements! Just make sure to let us know!

Ian Forteath makes his debut!

Perhaps his name won’t ring a bell with everyone. But those who have met Ian know what an amazing relaxed, funny and knowledgeable man he is. We are very happy he will be coming to Maltstock this year. Ian is the Master Blender at angus Dundee distillers, who have Glencadam and Tomintoul in their portfolio. We had the assistant manager of Glencadam 15 years ago at our very first edition. So it’s great to see Angus Dundee return to Maltstock!

Ian will be hosting a masterclass on the Friday and several “Drinks with…” sessions on the Saturday. Definitely something to look forward to!

The Maltstock team will be relaxing in Campbeltown next week. More news when we return!

Have a wonderfully relaxed day!

Bob, Klaas, Stan & Teun

Shop

Want get relaxed NOW and enjoy Maltstock in September?

Simply get your ticket here: https://www.maltstock.com/shop

Dates announced for 2024 

If you like to plan ahead, you’ll be pleased to know we’ve published the 2024 dates for the in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky & Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky at Arniston House. Plus, we’ve added (another) extra date in November this year due to popular demand.

Diploma in Single Malt Whisky

16 & 17 November 2023

23 & 24 May 2024

23 & 24 September 2024

26 & 27 September 2024

Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky

25 September 2024

Space is limited to 16 per course. Pay upfront or spread the cost over 3, 6 or 9 months with a payment plan. Prefer to study at home? The online course is waiting for you. With anytime access to the seven modules, you can learn to your own schedule, approaching the interactive material on-demand, at your leisure.

Save 20% when you enter the code EWA2306 at checkout – but hurry, you only have until midnight on Friday 30 June.

Browse Dates

“I Can’t Wait to Spark Joy in Our Visitors”

Ellie Nichols, Senior Visitor Assistant at

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Susan Morrison, Chief Executive and Ellie Nichols, Senior Visitor Assistant discuss the new tour at

The Scotch Whisky Experience.

Anticipation builds as work nears completion on the enhanced tour at The Scotch Whisky Experience, located at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Following a major investment of £3 million the new tour is expected to launch in July.

The Scotch Whisky Experience has been sharing the delights of Scotch whisky to a global audience of 8.5 million visitors for more than 35 years and is one of Edinburgh’s five-star attractions.

Susan Morrison, Chief Executive of The Scotch Whisky Experience, said “it has been so exciting to see the development of our new immersive visitor experience and we cannot wait to share it.  This unusual technology and our brilliant team of guides will lead visitors through the distilling process using a unique method of storytelling.”

More than just a liquid, Scotch whisky is an expression of Scotland and its rich traditions and natural heritage. The new tour promises to take visitors on a captivating journey across the country to discover what makes whisky the spirit of Scotland.

As well as learning about the distilling process, the immersive experience will also give visitors an appreciation of the importance wood has on the character and flavour of Scotch before the angels have their share.

Excitement is palpable amongst staff who will shortly begin their training with the new technology. Ellie Nichols, Senior Visitor Assistant at The Scotch Whisky Experience, said; ”working at The Scotch Whisky Experience sparks joy and I love teaching people about whisky.  I can’t wait to spark the same joy in our visitors. This new, completely immersive, experience is going to capture their attention from the minute they step through the doors. This is such a unique place, and I can’t wait to be part of the future of The Scotch Whisky Experience.”

The July launch of this enhanced tour at The Scotch Whisky Experience will ensure even more visitors are welcomed into the extraordinary world of Scotland’s whisky heritage.

The Scotch Whisky Experience is a five-star visitor attraction, where visitors learn about all aspects of Scotch whisky, situated on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As well as tours and tastings, guests can purchase whisky and souvenirs in the shop or enjoy a meal at the Amber Restaurant & Whisky Bar.

The Scotch Whisky Experience is also home to one of the largest whisky collections in the world, The Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection.

The Experience is available in 20 languages with family-friendly and tailored tours and is fully wheelchair accessible.

Open daily with tours available from 10:00 – 17:00

(extended hours at weekends and high season)

Tours range from £21.00 per person and are available to book online at: www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE^® 2023 Results Announced

June 12, 2023 (Hawthorne, NY) – Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), since 2010 the world’s most prestigious global spirits competition, today releases the results of the 2023 Challenge. USC 2023 proved to be the fourteenth consecutive year of record submissions. Entries arrived from more than 50 spirit-producing nations.

The judging, held through May and early June, determined 68 Chairman’s Trophy winners, 300 Finalists, and 514 Great Values. As always, USC was conducted at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center, located in Hawthorne, NY.

Says UBC Co-Founder and Judging Director F. Paul Pacult, “Aside from being the largest USC ever, this year’s Challenge was likewise the most global, with an impressive array of quality distillates from places as far away from New York as China, Australia, India, Kazakhstan, and Chile. Virtually all categories saw healthy gains and all whiskey categories.

“Since producers tend to enter their top-shelf marques into USC, it’s clear that they look to us for the most accurate and unbiased data in the industry.”

After undergoing careful analysis through multiple panels, all products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges including buyers, journalists, educators, authors, and bar owners. Spirits scoring 85+ points receive a detailed tasting note. All spirits scoring 80+ points receive an individual results page, which provides all downloadable marketing material.

View complete results at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2023results

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2023 CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

READY-TO-DRINK COCKTAIL

Whiskey: Witherspoon Whiskey Old Fashioned

WHISKY – CANADA

Crown Royal Extra Rare 29 Years Old

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2023

Single Malt: Teeling Blackpitts Peated

Single Pot Still: Red Spot 15 Years Old

WHISKY –JAPAN

Hayashi 24 Years Old Ryukyu

 WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended: Dewar’s 18 Years Old

Blended Malt: Johnnie Walker Green Label

Independent Merchant: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 78.58 Baking easter treats 9 Years Old

Single Malt-Highland: Aberfeldy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish 15 Years Old

Single Malt-Island: Highland Park 21 Years Old

Single Malt-Islay: Bowmore 18 Years Old

Single Malt-Speyside: Mortlach 16 Years Old

WHISKEY – USA

Bottled-In-Bond: Henry McKenna 10 Years Old Single Barrel

Blended: Old Elk Wheat N’ Rye

Bourbon: W.L. Weller Full Proof

Flavored: Ole Smoky Apple Pie Tennessee Moonshine

Rye: Tumblin’ Dice Rye Small Batch, Barrel Proof 7 Years Old

Single Barrel: Bower Hill Bourbon

Single Malt: Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask

Tennessee: George Dickel Reserve Cask Strength 17 Years Old

Wheat: Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Mizunara Cask

Other: Barrell Private Release Whiskey Finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrel

WHISK(E)Y – WORLD

M&H APEX Dead Sea Single Malt

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE…No shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of spirits for producers, importers, and marketers through its innovative annual competition: Ultimate Spirits Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot.

WIN A RARE SINGLE CASK
GLENFIDDICH 25 YEAR OLD

To celebrate the latest addition to the Glenfiddich Grand Series – the 29-year-old awamori cask finished Grand Yozakura – we’re offering a chance to take home an exceptionally rare expression from this venerable Speyside distillery. The prize is a 25-year-old Glenfiddich bottled exclusively for the lucky winner of the draw. All you have to do to enter is buy any Grand Series whisky and you’ll be in with a chance to win.

Every Glenfiddich Grand Series bottle ordered in the month of June is an entry into the draw. Entries will close at 11.59pm on 30 June 2023. Good luck!

SHOP GLENFIDDICH GRAND SERIES

LAPHROAIG

10 YEAR OLD
SHERRY OAK FINISH

70CL | 48% ~ £51.95 ~ WAS £61.95 ~ SAVE £10

SHOP NOW

Classic powerful and peaty 10-year-old Laphroaig single malt aged for most of its life in ex-bourbon casks before a finishing period spent in ex-oloroso sherry casks to create the perfect marriage of sherry and smoke.

Kensington Wine Market’s E-Whisky Newsletter

As North America’s first Ardbeg Embassy, we are thrilled to have the privilege of launching the 2023 Ardbeg Day release Heavy Vapours. The KWM whisky team helped kick off this year’s celebrations in-store on June 3 with some Master Classes and the main event at Hayden Block. And we are now excited to announce that the Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is available for sale in-store and online now while supplies last. More on that below… but please read on before jumping ahead.

Before we get to the Ardbeg Heavy Vapours, and the handful of other tidbits in today’s Malt Messenger Bulletin, please be aware of the following. To be the first to hear about future Ardbeg Embassy releases available from Kensington Wine Market, you will need to be a registered Ardbeg Committee member. Future release emails may come direct from Ardbeg and will direct you to an Ardbeg Alberta website for your respective embassy.

If you aren’t already an Ardbeg Committee Member, you can join in just a couple of minutes online

As we are already talking Ardbeg, we’ve highlighted the rest of the Ardbeg core range too, as well as one other limited (online only) release we have a few bottles of…

As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Online ordering and in-store purchasing are always our preferences. You can email your requests in… but they won’t be dealt with as quickly as the web orders!

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market – Ardbeg Embassy

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Is Here!

The 2023 Ardbeg Day special release, Heavy Vapours, is bottled at 46%, from a parcel of spirit made without Ardbeg’s spirit purifier.

Producer Description

“A missing purifier. A dram forsaken. Who will restore the balance? Something weird has been going down at the Distillery. The legendary purifier on the still – responsible for Ardbeg’s exalted balance – is nowhere to be seen. And this whisky – Ardbeg Heavy Vapours – is the consequence. The familiar harmony between peat and floral fruitiness has been disrupted. What have risen are the untamed darker flavours and notes, gathering and filling the senses. It is an ominous dram of dramatic, aromatic pungency. Heavy Vapours will rise. Non chill-filtered at 46% ABV.”

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: smoke rises with a cloying sweetness. Intense, pungent and aromatic, a distinctive farmyard scent drifts, along with a crunchy aroma, like creosote or tarry rope. A splash of water disturbs the vapours and dark chocolate cream billows, laced with a ribbon of smoked artichoke. Palate: Ardbeg’s untamed darker flavours and notes have risen. A burst of bittersweetness surges, disturbing ashy coal dust and casting a haze of cardamom, peppermint and coffee grits. Clouds of dark chocolate and mentholic eucalyptus roll in, obscuring the fruit and floral notes usually found at the heart of Ardbeg. Wisps of aniseed twists, cinnamon balls and antiseptic lozenges float on the palate. Finish: The aftertaste lingers long and bold, with an almost anaesthetising sensation.” – $175+gst (no discounts) – Limit 1 Per Customer!

Other Ardbegs Available

Details on all these glorious malts can be found on our website by clicking the links.

The Ardbeg 8 Years old For Discussion is limited to 1 per customer and is available online only on a first come first serve basis.

The core range of Ardbeg Single Malts is on sale, at 15-25% off, but today only…

1. Ardbeg 8 Years Old For Discussion – $108+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer / Online purchases only!
2. Ardbeg 10 Year – Retail: $94 – Save 15% – Today Only: $79.89+gst
3. Ardbeg Corryvreckan – Retail: $148 – Save 15% – Today Only: $125.79+gst
4. Ardbeg Uigeadail – Retail: $133 – Save 15% – Today Only: $113.04+gst

Ardbeg Wee Beastie – Retail: $81 – Save 25% – Today Only: $60.74+gst

A Few Selected Deals

Something Like A Father’s Day Sale…

Want to impress Dad, but looking for a deal? Here are just some of the whiskies we currently have on sale, in no particular order, you can browse the full list online.

Spring Single Malt Festival Spectacular

• Date: Thursday, June 15
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $75
• FESTIVAL

It is hard to believe, but the last Spring Single Malt Festival was way back in June of 2019… So this is our 9th annual (ish) spring festival of all things malt whisky, though it would have been the 12th, if… you know… so we’ve added the word Spectacular for no specific reason because… why not! It will feature at least 100 single malts from Scotland & around the world, and as always it includes a KWM logo tasting glass. This event sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate… when it is sold out, it is sold out!

Thursday, June 15, 7 PM

SMWS July 2023 Virtual Outturn Tasting

• Date: Wednesday, July 5
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $55VIRTUAL TASTING

Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, another country, or work… for the July 2023 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 SMWS bottlings.

Wednesday, July 5 @ 7 PM

SMWS July 2023 In-Person Outturn Tasting 6PM

• Date: Thursday, July 6
• Time:6 PM
• Cost: $60
• IN-STORE TASTING

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s July 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 20 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.

Thursday, July 6 @ 6 PM.

Sipping Signatory in the Summer – 140 Years

• Date: Tuesday, July 11
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $70
• VIRTUAL TASTING

We’re suckers for Signatory, especially the older Cask Strength Collection bottlings, so we’ve put together a selection of recently arrived Signatory Vintage malts with a combined 140 years of maturation. On the younger side, we are diving head first into first-fill sherry with the Edradour 10 Year, Linkwood 2012, and Benrines 2010. On the Cask Strength side, we have Benrinnes 1996, Dailuaine 1997, Glenrothes 1996, and an Unnamed Islay 1990 bottling (*cough Laphroaig*).

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 @ 7 PM

Compass Box New & Old with Scott Ellis

• Date: Tuesday, July 18
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $60
• VIRTUAL TASTING

With the arrival of three new limited edition Compass Box whiskies, the time is right for a Compass Box range tasting. So we have recruited Compass Box’s Scott Ellis, and we’ve pulled together a range of 8 whiskies. We’ll sample 3 different bottlings of Flaming Heart, both releases of The Circle, Ultramarine, Vellichor and one other.

Tuesday, July 18, 7PM

Daftmill Vertical Tasting

• Date: Tuesday, July 25
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $50
• VIRTUAL TASTING

It has taken us a while, almost 3 years to be precise, but we have finally cobbled together enough bottlings of Daftmill for a range tasting… true, it is only 6, but how many of you can say you’ve done a vertical of Daftmill whiskies? The tasting will consist of 2007, 2009, and a pair of 2008s, as well as our 2008 KWM Cask, and the newly arrived 15-Year Cask Strength. Andrew is visiting the distillery in the weeks before the tasting, and will no doubt have some photos to share.

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 @ 7 PM

Nothing but North Star Whiskies

• Date: Tuesday, August 1
• Time:7 PM
• Cost: $90
• VIRTUAL TASTING

You had us at 31-year-old GlenDronach… We recently received some cool new releases from Iain Croucher at North Star Spirits, and we can’t resist the temptation to try them. On the young side of things, there is the new Tarot Blend, a Campbeltown Blended Malt, and only the second-ever bottling from Dalmunach. We love a good Blair Athol, and how often do you see an indie bottle of Dalwhinnie? But the icing on the cake of this tasting will be the GlenDronach 31 Year. You almost never see indie GlenDronach, and this one has some great reviews!

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 @ 7 PM

FREE DELIVERY

We are proud to offer Free City Wide Delivery on all orders over $100 Monday-Friday!

Orders under $100 are subject to a flat rate $10 delivery fee.

We are expecting high demand for delivery after the sale so please be patient!

403-283-8000

Store Hours

Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM

Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM

Sat 10AM – 8 PM

Sun 11PM to 6PM

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.

The Kensington Wine Market | 1257 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 3P8 Canada

Today is National Bourbon Day, a day to celebrate the uniquely American spirit that is beloved by many. At The Party Source, we offer a wide selection of bourbons from top brands, as well as some lesser-known gems that are sure to become your new favorites. Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of whiskey, we have something for everyone. Come raise a glass with us and toast to National Bourbon Day!

Shop & Sip

The Party Source | 95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073

DISCOVER DEANSTON

Housed in a former cotton mill in the central Highlands, Deanston distillery dates all the way back to the eighteenth century. Known for its light, nutty and malty style of spirit, the distillery’s core range is predominantly matured in ex-bourbon casks, dialling up Deanston’s trademark tropical fruit and honey character. While Deanston’s limited edition and distillery exclusive releases explore the influence of experimental casks such as Marsala wine, Calvados, and Tequila.

Whether you’re already a fan of Deanston single malt, it’s on your list to try or you’re looking for an impressive Father’s Day gift, it’s an ideal time to grab yourself a bottle as we’re offering two prize bundles filled with a whole host of distillery merchandise and our Whisky of the Year 2022, Deanston 18 Year Old. Simply order one of our selected bottles from the Deanston range – a few highlights below – before 30 June to enter.

 SHOP DEANSTON