Hello, friends.
As much as we like to pretend we’re infallible, sometimes reality gets in the way of our grand delusions. As you may have noticed, there was a wee hiccup in our last mailout; an unfortunate case of copy/paste gone wrong. Here in our little shop, we believe in doing things big. Apparently, that also includes our mistakes. Please believe…we’re all shades of red right now.
If you’re unaware of what we’re talking about…nothing to see here, folks, move along. If you caught our gaff and reached out to make sure we were able to address it right away…thank you. We appreciate a couple of thousand extra sets of eyes proofing our ramblings (and apparently need it). Thanks to all of you, we were able to square things away pretty quickly (albeit sheepishly).
Rest assured, we try to collect only the bare bones of personal information from our clientele, which is always handled with the utmost confidentiality and security. The slip-up was a manual one on our part and had nothing to do with any sort of procedure or system issue. It won’t happen again. Cross our hearts.
So, without further ado…what follows is a slightly tidied-up version of our previous mailout, replete with sincere apologies, humbled hearts, and a promise to do better. On behalf of Team KWM, an additional apology for multiple emails clogging your inboxes and…a bit too much information. 😉
Thanks for your understanding.
Curt Robinson
Greetings from the other side of the Atlantic!
I was in the UK and Ireland in the weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic was declared, returning home just 5 days before Canada began imposing mandatory travel quarantines. I remember it feeling a little surreal, with no one really quite sure what to do. About halfway through my trip, hand sanitizer started popping up everywhere. They were more innocent times.
Things seem relatively normal in England and Scotland; the airports are humming and tourists are back. I’ve been lucky to spend a lot of time in Scotland during my nearly 18 years in the whisky business, and it feels a little like a second home to me. The business has changed though, and little of the actual business is done at distilleries anymore, hence the last few days I’ve spent in London. Regardless it was great to be back, connecting in person with old and new friends for the first time in almost exactly 2 years and 3 months!
Now I’m off to reconnect with some friends in France and Spain…
Speaking of things returning to relative normalcy after more than 2 years, our team really enjoyed welcoming customers back in-store for in-person events over the last 4 weeks. In that time we held three 30th Anniversary Festivals, a spontaneous drop-in tasting, a Scotch Malt Whisky Society outturn tasting, and two Ardbeg Day masterclasses. We have a load of other in-store tastings scheduled throughout the month of June, many of which still have some spaces open.
Staying on the Ardbeg theme, I am sure more than a few of you are curious about the new Ardcore release, and how you might be able to put your hands on one. As with all things Ardbeg, supply and demand are not exactly in sync these days. Accordingly, we are making it available for purchase by ballot. The Ardcore is not the only whisky available by ballot in this Malt Messenger, nor is it the only Ardbeg… We will also be drawing names for a chance to purchase Ardbeg Fermutation, Gordon & MacPhail Speymalt Macallan 2000 Cask 1763, as well as a couple of very limited edition Arran Rare Batch whiskies.
The most exciting news in this Malt Messenger, though, is undoubtedly the arrival of not 1, or 2, but 3 new KWM exclusive casks. In the last two weeks our 2nd exclusive cask of Tomatin (15 Year), our 4th Benromach (18 Year) and another 30th Anniversary Cognac, the Vallein Tercinier 30 Year have all arrived. More details are below.
We also have new and returned releases from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Arran, and Glenfarclas. Lots to sink your teeth into in this edition of the Malt Messenger, so take your time and read through it carefully before giving in to temptation.
For those of you in the habit of emailing me requests, given that I am away, please submit your order online. To avoid confusion and double billing, I will not be forwarding customer requests to the store. And please don’t ask me to include you in the ballot(s)… the process is fast and easy. Also, asking me to include you in one of the ballots tells me that you haven’t read the newsletter!
As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct.
Sincerely,
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
In This Edition
1. Introducing Our New Tomatin 2006 KWM Cask 33306
2. Introducing Our New Benromach KWM Cask
3. Introducing Our 30th Anniversary
4. About the Ballots – Read This First…
5. Available by Ballot – G&M Speymalt Macallan
6. Available by Ballot – Ardbeg Ardcore & Fermutation
7. Available by Ballot – Springbank 10 & 15 Year
8. Available by Ballot – Arran Rare Batch Releases
9. Coming Soon: The Kinship Collection 2021
10. Elixir Distiller Whiskies Back In-Stock
11. New & Returned Vallein Tercinier Cognacs
12. Glenfarclas Summer 2021 Family Casks Arriving Soon
13. Evan’s Scotch Malt Whisky Society Corner
14. Lagavulin 16 Year Is Back… But Not for Long!
15. Upcoming Tastings
INTORUCING: OUR NEW
TOMATIN 2006 KWM CASK 33306
Our second KWM exclusive single cask of Tomatin was distilled in 2006, matured in a French Oak Hogshead (Cask 33306) and bottled after 15 years, 10 months and 10 days at 57.3%. Only 288 bottles, exclusively available from your friends right here at KWM!
One other note, the price… due to inflation, logistics and whiskyflation (I’m taking credit for that word), you won’t likely be seeing too many 15-year-old KWM casks at this price moving forward. Things are getting crazy!
Tomatin 2006 KWM Cask 33306 – 57.3% – 15 Year- French Oak Hogshead – My Tasting Note: “Nose: cigar tobacco, plush leather sofas and old Armagnac in a big brandy snifter; candied nuts, dark chocolate and decadent spices; strawberries dipped in chocolate, Turkish Delight, and Jujubes; Australian licorice, candy apple, and poached pear. Palate: big, rich and lovely… wow… where to start; it hits with a lush buttery mouthfeel, warm but not sharp or rough; very decadent and toasty with treacle sauce, Demerara sugars, and more candied nuts; decadent spices: cinnamon hearts, candied ginger and fennel seed; strawberries dusted in granular sugar, mixed berry compote and baked white fruits; most Aussy licorice, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather and Armagnac are here too. Finish: decadent, warming and fruity with loads of spice; silky and buttery with gently toasted oak; medium-long, balanced and complex. Comment: you would think this was sherried if you didn’t know any better…; that it is French oak makes lots of sense, it is so decadent and spicy; but was it wine seasoned? Shaved, toasted and re-charred? fact is we don’t know… but what we do is that it is lovely!” – $155
INTRODUCING: OUR NEW
BENROMACH 2003 KWM CASK 49
Our 4th KWM exclusive single cask of Benromach has just arrived, and it is a stellar 18-year-old single malt! Distilled January 27, 2003, and bottled April 10, 2021, at 57.2%. Only 168 total bottles from a First FIll ex-Bourbon Barrel!
Benromach 2003 KWM Bourbon Cask #49 – 57.2% – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: toasted almonds, peanut brittle and buttercream icing; burnt orange peel, baker’s chocolate and dried apricots; Midori melon and canteloupe liqueur; building ashy smoke and muddy peat. Palate: round, fruity, buttery, and decadent; clean wood smoke surges over the palate leaving a lashing of ash, green grasses, and muddy peat; very creamy with a lush mouthcoating body and more buttercream; fleshy orchard and citrus fruits: more melons, orange peel and apricot; it verges on the tropical if you are patient enough to let it open up; toasted oak spices and marzipan to round things out. Finish: long, warming, and smoky, with a lush pillowy body; it remains, creamy, fruity and decadent. Comment: this may not be Islay malt, but it is in that class, and far more heavily peated than the standard Benromach range; the peat is held in check by creamy decadent oak tones and the lush fruity Benromach spirit; she’s a beauty… but beware if your not a fan of peat!” – $200+gst
ABOUT THE BALLOTS IN THIS MALT MESSENGER PLEASE READ BEFORE ENTERING ANY!!!
We have 7 whiskies available for purchase by ballot in this Malt Messenger. Before letting whisky FOMO get the best of you, please read this section so we are all on the same page, and I won’t have to get cross with you.
Firstly, please note the ballots for all 7 whiskies are on the same form linked below. I ask you to kindly observe the following rules, or risk my wrath:
· You must enter your information in the ballot link. No phone, email or web orders for these bottles will be taken.
· There are not many bottles of most of these whiskies, so set your expectations accordingly!
· If your name is drawn for a bottle(s) you will be contacted within 1 week of the ballot closing. Please don’t call or email asking if you were selected for something, please be patient.
· If your name is not drawn for any bottles, you will be informed approximately 1 week after the ballot closes.
· Please do not enter any ballots for whiskies you have already managed to acquire elsewhere. Such behaviour is both greedy and selfish.
· Please do not enter ballots for any bottles you don’t actually intend to purchase; we are not able to factor in customer preferences.
· Please submit only one entry, multiple entries will be discarded; we will go with the first one submitted, even if you have changed your mind.
· Please don’t submit ballot entries on behalf of other people; if we find out you did so to increase your odds you may be added to our customer blacklist.
· Lastly, please don’t email or call me or anyone else at the store asking to include you in the ballot, that tells me you didn’t read the email, and I may not even reply should you send such a request… You need to do so yourself, and it only takes a couple of minutes!
Details on all of the whiskies in the ballot can be found in the following sections, and there is a link to the ballot on each of the included products. But if you want to jump straight to the ballot, please click the link below!
Enter the Ballots
AVAILABLE BY BALLOT G&M SPEYMALT MACALLAN 2000 CASK
We were lucky to receive an allocation of this a few weeks back and featured it at a free impromptu drop-in tasting at the shop. We doled out half of our allocation of the Speymalt 2000 Cask 1763 that night by ballot to people who made the effort to come down to the shop. As promised, we are making the remainder of our allocation available by ballot through the Malt Messenger.
Speymalt Macallan 2000 Cask 1763 – 55.5% – Sherry –Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruitcake aromas with brown sugar and orange zest. Taste: The palate has raspberry and dried cherry with hints of earth and cocoa powder. Finish: A long and full finish of marzipan and spice. ” – $365+gst – Available Only by Ballot
AVAILABLE BY BALLOT
ARDBEG ARDCORE & FERMUTATIONS
Before you get too excited here, let’s set some expectations: we have only received a couple of dozen bottles of Ardbeg Fermutation. 5,000+ people will get this newsletter, and well…more than half will actually open it. And while not all will actually enter the ballot, we are expecting many times the number of entries as actual bottles, so do the math. Ardbeg Ardcore is marginally better, but not much!
Please do not enter the respective ballot if you have already acquired a bottle elsewhere. Don’t be a dick, we ask you to kindly let someone else enjoy one. The Fermutation ballot is only open to members of the Ardbeg Committee, but if you aren’t a Committee Member it only takes a second to join. Note: we have no way of verifying, we are working on the honour system, so don’t worry about supplying us with your number.
Fermutation Producer Description
“In November 2007, when a broken boiler threatened six washbacks filled with precious liquid, Dr Bill (Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation) sensed an opportunity. He quickly instructed the Distillery folk to throw open the washback lids and expose the liquid to the air. Tiny beings descended from the sky and landed in the spirit… The ‘Fermutation’ process had begun. An epic 3 week-long fermentation – the longest in Ardbeg’s history – eventually gave rise to this wild, zingy and vibrant spirit. In a dram that tastes like pure science fiction, peat and smoke meld beautifully with fresh, floral flavours, while sharp, more malty notes give Fermutation a uniquely Ardbeggian profile.”
Ardbeg Fermutation – 49.4% – 13 Year – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fresh, floral, herbal & tart. Hints of mixed herbs and cedar wood. Very zesty, vibrant, hints of smoked orange & grapefruit, lots of menthol & peppermint. With water, powerful bursts of diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and aniseed. As this dies down, a memory of freshly cut hay, a touch of silage and the tiniest hint of something savoury, like yeast extract or bread dough. Taste: A lively, vibrant, sharp, ‘zingy’ texture, leading into very firm, distinctive flavours – malty/biscuit tones, powerful aniseed, cardamon, antiseptic lozenge, sweet mint toffee and cigar ash. Finish: Finally, a lingering, salty, firm aftertaste of mint, tar, oak tannin & leather.” – $310+gst – Available Only by Ballot
Ardbeg Ardcore – 46% – Created with heavily roasted black malt. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fresh, floral, herbal & tart. Hints of mixed herbs and cedar wood. Very zesty, vibrant, hints of smoked orange & grapefruit, lots of menthol & peppermint. With water, powerful bursts of diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and aniseed. As this dies down, a memory of freshly cut hay, a touch of silage and the tiniest hint of something savoury, like yeast extract or bread dough. Taste: A lively, vibrant, sharp, ‘zingy’ texture, leading into very firm, distinctive flavours – malty/biscuit tones, powerful aniseed, cardamon, antiseptic lozenge, sweet mint toffee and cigar ash. Finish: Finally, a lingering, salty, firm aftertaste of mint, tar, oak tannin & leather.” – $165+gst – Available Only by Ballot
AVAILABLE BY BALLOT
SPRINGBANK 10 & 15 YEAR
|
| It may seem odd that once again we have to draw names to purchase Springbank core range whiskies, but full disclosure, we are receiving just a dozen of one, and half that of the other. We also have a small amount of the Hazelburn 10 Year, but we won’t be drawing names for that. It is limited to 1 per person though! Sold Out!
· Hazelburn 10 Year – 46% – 100% Bourbon Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: An initial temptation of manuka honeycomb, vanilla and fudge melt away to reveal stewed pears, baked apples, crumble topping and nougat. Palate: The triple distillation ensures this is a smooth and elegant dram, with the bourbon maturation providing rich vanilla and milk chocolate flavours alongside refreshing honey and zest notes. Finish: A refined milk chocolate and creamy finish which gently fades away, allowing enough time to refill your glass and repeat.” – $92+gst – 1 Per Customer! SOLD OUT!
Below bottles are available ONLY by ballot:
1. Springbank 10 Year – 46% – 60% Bourbon, 40% Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: A gentle Kintyre coastal breeze, redolent with damp peat, identifies this as one of Campbeltown’s finest. Fresh orchard fruit, orange zest, heather and honey combine with malt and vanilla notes to offer a warm welcome to Springbank’s flagship malt. Palate: Equal measures of complexity and robustness with an oily mouthfeel and plenty of spice, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. The orchard fruit and malt notes from the nose continue, providing balance and character. Finish: Sweet salted caramel, toffee and drying peat prolong to round off this signature malt.” – $105+gst – Available by Ballot!
2. Springbank 15 Year – 46% – 100% Sherry Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Springbank’s gentle giant. This dram is big and bold with notes of cured meat, barbecued beef jerky, clove, mint, iodine, oxo cube and tinned prunes all evident from the Oloroso cask maturation, while lobster creels hint at Springbank’s characteristic maritime influence. Palate: The peaty character is now evident with sooty kiln smoke and tobacco leaves prominent in this viscous tipple alongside prunes, walnuts, figs, Demerara sugar, cocoa powder and smoked meats. Finish: The finish grows and develops with notes of soot, leather and walnuts prominent before easing off like the ebbing tide over one of Kintyre’s pebble beaches.” – $140+gst – Available by Ballot! |
AVAILABLE BY BALLOT
ARRAN RARE BATCH RELEASES
After releasing God-only-knows how many bespoke KWM casks of Arran over the years, I think we finally have to admit that we’ve created a bit of a monster: our clientele is absolutely rabid for Arran, and rightfully so. We just mentioned new releases from Ardbeg and Springbank (see above), but if there’s one other brand whose name immediately lights up whisky chasers, it’s undoubtedly Arran. We at KWM hold our hands out for any special releases the distillery can offer but unfortunately can only scratch the surface of the demand in our local market. Some would argue that’s a great problem to have, but when it comes to making sure we spread the love, ballots have become the only fair way to do it. In fact…even the distillery only had a handful of bottles to offer in their shop and refused web/phone orders. So, without further ado, two special releases from Arran’s new ‘Rare Batch’ range to set the FOMO ragin’.
1. Arran Rare Batch French Oak Argonne 15 Year – 53.5% – The French Oak casks used to mature this malt came from the Argonne Forest in the northeast of France. Only 3060 bottles. Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: A warm spring day in the garden. Gentle cedar oak and a touch of sandalwood and incense with a sweet contrast of freshly squeezed white grapes, sweet pink lady apple and orange blossom. Palate: A sparkling, oily texture enhanced and complemented by the higher alcohol volume. It’s picnic time with trays of honeyed fruits, sweet vanilla and orange cake with a touch of nutmeg, warm brioche buns and mango puree. Finish: Warm spices, oak tannins and mandarin liqueur. $230+gst – Available by Ballot!
2. Arran Rare Batch French Oak Bordeaux 15 Year – 52.8% – Fully matured in ex-Bordeaux casks from the Médoc region. Only 2580 bottles. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: At first whiff there are ripe dark berries with freshly rolled cigars. The gentle tobacco aroma is embraced by the sweetness of vinous sultanas and cassis. Palate: Afternoon tea with chocolate raspberry truffles, candied ginger, scones with clotted cream and orange marmalade and almond & cinnamon croissants. Silky and luscious tannins are a reminder of the elegant wine once contained in these casks. Finish: Mouth-watering at first then getting a touch drier with plum jam and mild spices. $230+gst – Available by Ballot!
ARRAN WHISKIES BACK IN STOCK!
Arran, like a lot of other distilleries, is getting more and more scarce. Of course, it doesn’t help that the whisky is still excellent, and very good value!
1. Arran Quarter Cask The Bothy – 56.2% – First Fill Bourbon Finished in Quarter Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apple tart, pineapple brioche. Palate: The citrus hallmarks of Arran welcome you, and the sweet spice of cinnamon and vanilla promises a memorable dram. Finish: Sweetness, Honey, Pineapple, Vanilla, Coconut.” – $80
2. Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega – 55% – Sherry Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Toffee, sweet spice and fruit. Palate: Ripe fig and cherries. Finish: Dark chocolate, Mandarins, Ripe figs.” – $88
3. Arran 18 Year – 46% – Predominantly 1st & 2nd Fill Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Orchard fruits with syrup and toasted oak. Palate: Caramelised orange, dark chocolate, baked peaches. Finish: Sweetness, Spice, Citrus, Baked peaches.” – $148+gst – Limit 1 Per Customer!
4. Arran 21 Year – 46% – Matured in ex-Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet spices and hazelnut. Palate: Ginger and dark chocolate. Finish: Sweetness, Spice, Bitter orange, Citrus, Dark chocolate, Satisfying.” – $215 – Limit 1 Per Customer!
ELIXIR DISTILLERS WHISKIES BACK IN STOCK!
An Islay malt by another name does smell just as peaty… We can’t be sure of the origin of some of the whiskies below, but can rather confidently guess.
1. Islay Violets 33 Year – 46.2% – Matured in American Oak, Finished in Cognac Casks – Tasting Note by Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange: “Nose: Waxy with the expected violet notes, both floral petals and green leaves. Sweet barley sugar and parma violet notes develop, with chamois leather, candied lemon and lavender syrup to follow. Zestiness builds, with singed orange peel joining the lemon, along with burning rosemary twigs. Palate: The classic floral notes lead on the palate, with lavender and sweet violet joined by Love Heart candy, sultanas and a hint of mint. Waxy petal notes develop, along with vanilla toffee, soft spice and a touch of damp earth hiding at the back. Finish: A final burst of violet fades to leave candied lemon, green grass and toffee. Comment: A famously divisive style of Bowmore, and an example that might turn more people to the distillery’s floral side. If you’re on the fence, this is the dram to turn you, with excellent floral and citrus balance, and a gentle undertone of smokiness. It tastes exactly how you’d expect from reading the label…” – $610+gst
2. Port Askaig 25 Year – 45.8% – Whisky Fun Tasting Note: “It’s not exactly this label, which used to mention ‘Port Askaig Harbour’, the new one for America rather has ‘Port Askaig Islay’. Let’s try the latter… Colour: white wine. Nose: it’s not huge, and rather on charcoal and graphite, with some delicate coastal notes, beach herbs, wool, old jacket, sea breeze, a nice wee oyster, and whiffs of freshly shredded celeriac and cabbage. Delicate, elegant, subtle, it’s like looking in a mirror (a little tired, S.?) Mouth (neat): naturally. Sauvignon, lemon juice, charcoal ash, oysters, tincture of iodine, then more shredded celeriac as well as a little angelica, and perhaps one drop of yellow chartreuse (per glass). Finish: medium, with this trademark feeling of peated lemons, green apples, then tobacco ashes. Comments: just extremely good, with this faint lightness that’s so engaging in this famous – and supposedly lighter – make. – 90 points, Serge.” – $420+gst
3. Port Askaig 28 Year – 45.8% – Refill American Oak Hogsheads – Likely Laphroaig – My Tasting Note: “Nose: dried apricots, candied lemon and melons; crème brule, creamed honey and Earl Grey tea ice cream; candied salmon and seared scallops with a balsamic reduction; surprisingly malty with clean smoke. Palate: thick, coating and creamy; loads of vanilla, more creamed honey and velvety oak; tarry with soft earthy peat and clean peat smoke; rather spicy, fennel and clove; still fruit, more apricots, lemon and melon but also a touch of tropical fruits; still seafood-y. Finish: long, coating, creamy and very fruity; tarry with more soft peat smoke and briny seafood-y tones. Comment: lovely old stuff; I absolutely love the way that brash young peated whiskies mellow over time in the cask, developing in soft, round, fruity and elegant whiskies.” – $500+gst
4. Port Askaig 45 Year – 40.8% – 5 Sherry Butts – My Tasting Note: “Nose: old school antique-y sherry notes, barrel-aged maple syrup, treacle sauce and bags of tropical fruits; waxy with over-ripe bananas, mangoes and papaya and agave nectar; candy apple with soft old leather and tobacco; assorted Jelly Bellies and Starburst fruit candies. Palate: still old-school; very rich, sherried and fruity but balanced and elegant; more maple syrup, cola cubes and treacle sauce; the Starburst fruit candies and assorted Jelly Bellies are still there as are the waxy over-ripe tropical fruits: mango and papaya, grilled pineapple, and flambeed banana; dark milk chocolate, delicate spices and light roast coffee beans; cold tea dregs with Demerara sugars it becomes increasingly spicy, but still balanced. Finish: long and fruity, the whisky stays decadent and gently spiced as it slowly fades; coating with more cold tea dregs; a touch of minty mojitos too. Comment: this is a beautiful old malt, very much in the antique-y style; old school and very fruity sherry without suffering any of the ravages of time; is there a faint trace of smoke, I’d need an even more generous serving to be sure!” – $3000+gst
COMING SOON: THE KINSHI
P COLLECTION 2021
Only 3 sets of the Kinship Collection 2021 are coming to KWM, and you know we’re going to crack a set for a tasting… if for no other reason than because I want to try all the whiskies! But also because cool whiskies like this should be shared, and the last tasting was very popular. Details on that to follow!
In the meantime, we have two sets of the Kinship Collection 2021 available for sale, 175 years worth of liquid history, $9200+gst. The whiskies are not available as singles.
Kinship 2021 Bunnahabhain 31 Year – 46.9% – Producer Tasting Note: “A sweet mellow nose of custard drizzled over spiced fruit cake. Oily and mouthwarming, the sweet spicy notes come through in force along with the faintest hint of cocoa. Long and lingering on the finish; a warm embrace of Islay charm.”
Kinship 2021 Caol Ila 40 Year – 51.8% – Producer Tasting Note: “Wonderfully sweet floral notes on the nose, wrapped up in the warm sea breeze that Islay has in abundance. Mellow and silky smooth in the mouth with apples, honeydew melon and Seville orange, slowly giving way to a long satisfying finish with just a hint of seaweed. A showcase of the quality of this distillery’s spirit, which impresses at any age.”
Kinship Bruichladdich 29 Year – 45.4% – Producer Tasting Note: “A delightful whisky combining soft fruits, honey and a hint of iodine with sea salt. Wonderfully balanced in the mouth with all flavours acting as one, seguing from sweet to fruity then leaving a slightly dry sea salt finish. A lovely example of this giant of the Rhinns!”
Kinship 2021 Bowmore 33 Year – 51.2% – Producer Tasting Note: “The delicate peatiness of this whisky melts into sweet floral notes on the nose making this remarkably well-rounded. Sophisticated on the palate with sweet vanilla fruitiness, white pepper, and finally a peaty element. A truly special whisky – worth of its Bowmore name!”
Kinship 2021 Ardbeg 19 Year – 47.8% – Producer Tasting Note: “This well-aged Ardbeg is rich and intense on the nose, initially sweet before the peaty sea salt character takes over. Sublime notes of vanilla fudge and almonds on the palate blending with the saltiness of the Islay peatbog. The length of the finish gives plenty of time to contemplate this south-coast charmer.”
Kinship 2021 Laphroaig 23 Year – 50.3% – Producer Tasting Note: “A whisky full of character, strong-bodied with vanilla sponge cake, toffee, aniseed and Islay sea breeze on the nose. On the palate, this Laphroaig is surprisingly subtle with vanilla sweetness complementing a beautifully nutty element, along with typical Islay peat smoke, iodine and leather which linger into the finish. A perfect fireside companion.”
GLENFARCLAS SUMMER 2021 FAMILY CASKS ARRIVING SOON!
The Summer 2021 Batch of Glenfarclas Family Casks is arriving shortly, and we bought a good chunk of them. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, even though the distillery’s reserves of mature stock appear robust and are still the envy of the industry, the reserves in the red-doored warehouses at Glenfarclas Distillery are not bottomless. So prices can be expected to rise as inventories shrink.
Secondly, we are seeing fewer and fewer whiskies aged over 18 or 20 years of age, even from independent bottlers, and the prices are only going in one direction. Even in this environment, Glenfarclas continues to offer an incredible value proposition. The reviews look pretty good, and it can be expected that we’ll be putting on a tasting or two with some of these whiskies!
If you’ve already placed an order for one or more of these from our last offer, no need to do so again!
1. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1989 S21 – 51.9% – Matured in Sherry Butt #13007 for approximately 32 years. 90.3pts Whiskybase. – $1190+gst
2. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1990 S21 – 58.9% – Matured in Sherry Butt #9256 for approximately 31 years. 91.6pts Whiskybase. – $1155+gst
3. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1991 S21 – 55.3% – Matured in Sherry Butt #5676 for approximately 30 years. 91.3pts Whiskybase. – $1121+gst
4. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1992 S21 – 56.5% – Matured in Sherry Butt #872 for approximately 29 years. 89.5pts Whiskybase. – $721+gst
5. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1993 S21 – 57.6% – Matured in 4th Fill Butt #4669 for approximately 24 years. 81.4pts Whiskybase. – $652+gst
6. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1994 S21 – 54.3% – Matured in Refill Sherry Butt #1583 for approximately 27 years. 89.4pts Whiskybase. – $623+gst
7. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1996 S21 – 52.3% – Matured in Sherry Butt #1070 for approximately 25 years. 89.7pts Whiskybase. – $568+gst
8. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1997 S21 – 58.9% – Matured in 4th Fill Sherry Butt #5964 for approximately 24 years. 87.4pts Whiskybase. – $541+gst
9. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1998 S21 – 58.2% – Matured in Sherry Butt #2937 for approximately 23 years. 87.4pts Whiskybase. – $520+gst
10. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1999 S21 – 58.2% – Matured in Refill Sherry Butt #1202 for approximately 22 years. 87.0pts Whiskybase. – $500+gst
11. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2000 S21 – 57.9% – Matured in Refill Butt #3387 for approximately 21 years. 89.0pts Whiskybase. – $475+gst
12. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2001 S21 – 58.8% – Matured in Sherry Butt #3932 for approximately 20 years. 89.1pts Whiskybase. – $454+gst
13. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2002 S21 – 55.4% – Matured in Refill Port Pipe #3335 for approximately 19 years. 86.4pts Whiskybase. – $444+gst
14. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2003 S21 – 58.1% – Matured in 4th Fill Butt #1964 for approximately 18 years. 85.7pts Whiskybase. – $434+gst
15. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2004 S21 – 59.2% – matured in Sherry Butt #2382 for approximately 17 years. 89.1pts Whiskybase. – $423+gst
16. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2005 S21 – 59.7% – Matured in Sherry Butt #2461 for approximately 16 years. 88.9pts Whiskybase. – $413+gst
17. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2006 S21 – 60.0% – matured in Sherry Butt #3424 for approximately 15 years. 86.3pts Whiskybase. – $403+gst
– 42% – Distilled in the heart of the Great Depression, in the years leading up to World War 2. It goes without saying that this 80-year-old is a piece of liquid history. 93pts from WhiskyFun. – $1400+gst
EVAN’S SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY CORNER
One of the unexpected side effects of the past two pandemic years has been how this period has severely impacted the amount of space on our whisky wall dedicated to our favourite green bottles. Up until early 2020, the shelves in the above picture were filled to bursting with SMWS bottles from Outturns gone by. Right now it seems like we are lucky if more than three of the seven bottles don’t sell out the month they are released. Who should we blame for this? I am looking at you, SMWS Members!
I am (kind of?) kidding. We can also point a finger at everybody’s current favourite economic term: Supply Chain Issues, which have caused fewer bottles than usual to arrive in a timely manner. Plus, I am downright amazing at selling the bottles that we do get. My intense personality and breathtaking charisma are second and third-best traits, right behind my extreme humbleness. Just ask my wife.
The bottom line? We currently have less bottles on the shelf than we used to from the SMWS because the bottles we get are selling very well and not sticking around very long. That being said, there are still a few single casks from recent Outturns available and very much worth checking out. Read below for a few of my picks:
From June:
Gn3.16 – HIBISCUS TEA BY THE RED SEA
Citrus, citrus, and more citrus. That is the name of the game for this wonderfully aromatic gin from Borders Distillery. You could create a highball with this with tonic, but I would recommend being very sparing with the mix as this drinks amazingly neat. 9 parts gin to 1 part tonic sounds about right by my estimation, but your mileage may vary.
73.125 – A MULTIPLEX OF LUSH
This Aultmore was the first in the lineup for the June Outturn, and it showed incredibly well even though it was placed in what is often called “the death spot” for any order. The first whisky you taste in the tasting is usually the first one you forget as you move into bigger and bolder flavours, but that was not the case with this one. The well-balanced fruit and floral notes along the softly sweet and creamy palate made sure this one got a handful of mentions as one of the favourites for June.
5.91 – LIP-SMACKING AND SEDUCTIVELY LUSCIOUS
I have never been the world’s biggest Auchentoshan fan, but this and a few other recent casks from the SMWS (such as 5.79 – PARIS IN THE SPRING) have really impressed me. Twizzlers, cherries, candied ginger, cotton candy and toasted almonds are the name of the game for me on this one, plus a quirky bit of black pepper spice thrown in just for fun.
From May:
115.24 – LUSCIOUS CRUMBLE
I am surprised that this AnCnoc – I mean Knockdhu – has lasted past the May Outturn – I thought for certain it would have already sold out thanks to its popularity in the tasting as well as its price. To give you an idea of how good this is: It shows like a slightly more youthful version of the fantastic AnCnoc 16-Year-Old 125th Anniversary bottling from a year or two back but with a tad less citrus and more red fruits.
59.67 – KOOKY, WACKY, FLAKY, FUNKY
I have to say, I have developed a soft spot for Teaninich over the past few years, and it is pretty much all thanks to SMWS bottlings. Something about the combination of fruit, grassiness and the slightly herbaceous/green/light wood note that I typically find on the finish with this distillery makes me excited every time I see a 59 come up in an Outturn. This one was no exception, and also adds a touch more waxiness into the mix.
26.167 – A BARREL OF BEESWAX
Clynelish. I really shouldn’t have to say more than that, right? This has everything you would expect from this distillery: the wax, the fruit, the waxy fruits, etc. It also shows surprising poise and maturity for something 8 years young. It is the bottle that you compare your overly rambunctious children to and wonder where you went wrong in raising them.
From April:
88.24 – WHEN FRUIT AND CREAM COLLIDE
Would you like some Mackintosh’s Toffee with a dash of salt? Or perhaps a chocolate ‘smore straight from the fire? This is one sweet and decadent Speyburn. It boasts plenty of sweet fruit plus pink elephant popcorn and even macadamia nuts and macaroons. Quite the combination!
135.33 – LIGHT-HEARTED MEMORIES
The combination of creamy fruit, malt, wax and sunscreen make this Inchmurrin-style Loch Lomond plenty of fun. Loch Lomond Distillery deserves any and all accolades it gets, and so does the SMWS for this single cask.
Never before featured in an Outturn:
65.7 – TIMELESS AND MAGNIFICENT
This is the oldest Imperial I have personally tasted. It is fantastic and hammers home the fact that we really didn’t know what we had in this distillery until it was gone and demolished. I’d say pour some of this out Imperial but considering the price I personally would not want to share it with the ground…
In time, I am sure we will get back to having an abundantly stocked wall of SMWS bottles, but for now, there are at least a few excellent bottles to ration out and keep us all sated!
Cheers,
Evan
LAGAVULIN 16 YEAR IS BACK
BUT NOT FOR LONG!
It’s been well over a year since we were last able to bring Lagavulin 16 Year Old into the shop. Not for lack of trying, but logistics being what they are…well…let’s just say we literally sat at our desks counting down the minutes until it was released to the market and scooped up what we could! For a couple of us old-school members of the KWM whisky team, Lag 16 was one of the true icons that first made us realize just how special this spirit could be.
Lagavulin 16 Year – 46% abv – Tasting Note by Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun: “Some good friends would claim that the 16 is going down but to be honest, I’ve always heard that and last time I tried it (it was a +/-2019) I enjoyed it rather a lot. The very early ‘Classic Malts’ were rather superior indeed in my book (late 1980s, early 1990s) but since those glorious days, things have remained relatively consistent. We’ll do this quickly. Colour: gold. Nose: impeccably tarry and rubbery, with this feeling of unpacking a new scuba diving suit (I’ve seen some would say a new SM outfit but I’m lacking experience). Then oranges and walnuts from the sherry, seawater, dried kelp, black olive brine, lapsang souchong and lit cigar. I find this impeccable and very, guess what, ‘Lagavulin 16’. Mouth: absolutely excellent. Bright and rich, tarry, with excellent sherriness, liquorice, salt, olives, marmalade… It’s even got something refreshing. Finish: smoke and olives, touches of curry and cardamom. Perfect. Comments: Lagavulin 16 is my go-to malt whenever I’m at a restaurant or a bar that’s not a ‘whisky bar’. I think I’ll maintain that tradition. An exquisite batch, perhaps a little less ‘sweet’ than earlier recent offerings. BFYB. SGP:467 – 90 points.” Good enough for us. – $138+gst
UPCOMING TASTINGS
· Date: Thursday, June 16
· Time: 7PM
· Cost: $40
· In Person Tasting!
Bourbon is the hottest whiskey around, and summer is the perfect time to drink it! Join Harmony and Evan in a tasting featuring some of the big players in the Bourbon Market. Who knows – maybe they will throw a lesser-known gem or two into the mix as well! 7 PM, Thursday, June 16.
· Date: Tuesday, June 21
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $75
· Pick-Up Date: Firday June 3!
Overlooked, underappreciated, and in some cases, flat-out unknown distilleries will be the focus of this tasting featuring some of the most neglected distilleries in the Scotch Whisky world. We had to drag some of these poor unloved drams out from the orphanages, the cupboards under the stairs, and other assorted nooks and crannies, in order to bring you a line-up that is bound to appeal to the most discerning of whisky geeks. This has a truly stellar range, if you can look past the brands and distilleries, to see some diamonds in the rough. 7 PM, Tuesday, June 20
· Date: Tuesday,
· Time: PM
· Cost: $60
· In Person Tasting!
The days of a distillery making only one style of whisky seem to be going the way of the Dodo. With the fight for our dollars, many distilleries in Scotland (and elsewhere) have decided to diversify. Making only unpeated or only peated whisky is so last century – why not make both? In this tasting, we will explore four different distilleries that do just that. If our math is correct, that should mean that we will be tasting eight different whiskies! 7 PM, Thursday, June 23
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. Note we likely cannot offer delivery before Christmas at this point!
CURBSIDE PICKUP
Physical distancing is made easy with curbside pickup. Order online or by phone, wait for confirmation your order is ready then call us when you are parked in the back or out front. Be sure to let us know what your vehicle looks like!
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