New Products

Anthony Wills of Kilchoman Distillery at The Whisky Shop San Francisco – Scotch Whisky News

kilchoman

Please come and join us for a very special  bottle signing…..

Anthony Wills, Owner and Director of Kilchoman Distillery  on Islay, will be at:

The Whisky Shop
360 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA  94108

Saturday, November 6th

Kilchoman, is the first distillery to be opened  on Islay in 124 years.

It’s Summer 2010 Release has just hit the United States soil.

One barrel out of this release was selected by  The Whisky Shop, San Francisco and bottled  at natural strength exclusively for our customers

Bring your cameras, for a picture with Anthony Wills

For more information please call:  415-989-1030

the-ws-sf

Kensignton Calgary Malt Messenger #42 – Scotch Whisky News

kensington

Malt Messenger No. 42

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

Fall is here and the annual flood of single malts is flowing over the fertile plains of the Alberta whisky market. There are without exaggeration probably 100 new whiskies coming in to the Alberta market as a whole over the next few months. There are so many in fact that our humble shop couldn’t possibly stock them all even if we wanted to. But we do have some exceptional new whiskies coming in this fall including a sublime cask of Glendronach bottled for our store from a single Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon. We also are very privileged to be launching the first private bottling of Kilchoman in Canada, and one of the first in the world. I am told there is only one other cask coming to North America, making this a special privilege indeed!

Our exclusive new casks aside there are lots of other new whiskies coming into Kensington Wine Market. Our third round of Duthies bottlings are here, including a Gold Medal (Whisky Mag) winning Hazelburn as well as botttlings of Ledaig, Bowmore, Longmorn and Auchroisk. The Duthies range, bottled by Scotland’s oldest independent bottler (1842) WM Cadenhead, are non chillfiletered and have no added colouring. There are also 7 very rare vintages of Glendronach coming ’71,’72, ’78, ’89, ’90, ’91 and ‘93, with but one case of each available for Canada; these are exclusive to KWM. And as if that were not enough, there is more coming, including four limited edition Glendronach cask finishes. Then there is Glenfarclas’ new regular bottling of 40 year old which will be here soon in very limited quantities. Only 12 bottles will be available for the time being, initially only from the Kensington Wine Market. There are also a couple of new vintage Auchentoshans: 1977 and 1998, the newest release of Kilchoman (Summer 2010) will be here shortly, the Ardbeg Supernova has come and gone (unfortunately in embarrassingly small quantities) and there’s a little more Corryvreckan to be had too.

I was recently in Toronto attending the 10th Anniversary gathering of the Companions of the Quaich whisky club, for which I am the Calgary chapter president. It was a wonderful weekend. I was the honoured guest presenting whiskies at the Friday night dinner and Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich fame was there on the Saturday. I chatted with many an Ontario whisky aficionado and took the opportunity to scout out the flagship store of the LCBO (Ontario government run liquor store chain). The flagship store is a converted train station appointed with imported marble and fine oak. Ontario is the single largest bulk purchaser of liquor in the world, and yet its selections are boring and uninspired. This was especially true of their whisky selection which would easily be bested by no fewer than 30 independent Alberta liquor stores. The grass is greener on this side of the fence my friends, and let’s hope for our sake that things don’t change. As long as the LCBO remains an inflexible Leviathan with outrageous pricing and limited selection Alberta consumers will continue to receive the lion’s share of all the rare and unique whiskies that come into Canada.

Lots to report in this Malt Messenger, I hope you enjoy it!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

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

IN THIS ISSUE

1.       GLENDRONACH CASK RELEASE PARTY W/ ALISTAIR WALKER

2.       GLENFARCLAS 40 YEAR OLDS TASTING W/ GEORGE GRANT

3.       COMPASS BOX DINNER W/ JOHN GLASSER AT JANICE BEATON

4.       !!!BIG NEWS!!! KWM HAS BOTTLED ITS OWN CASK OF KILCHOMAN AND IT’S HERE!

5.       !!!BIG NEWS!!! OUR GLENDRONACH 1995 KWM PX SHERRY CASK IS HERE

6.       GLENDRONACH VINTAGES

7.       GLENDRONACH LIMITED RELEASE BOTTLINGS

8.       FIVE NEW EXPRESSIONS FROM DUTHIES

9.       SWEEDISH WHISKY

10.   NEW WHISKIES

11.   RETURNED WHISKIES

12.   COMING SOON

GLENDRONACH CASK RELEASE PARTY W/ALISTAIR WALKER – Tuesday October 26th – $45

Our latest cask purchase—a very rich and chocolaty Glendronach 1995 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon—will be formally unveiled at a special tasting featuring Alistair Walker of Glendronach/BenRiach distilleries this coming Tuesday October 26th. And can you believe it the whisky is here on time. Last fall our BenRiach cask made an unscheduled detour across the equator in much the same way that the Madeira wine cask in which it was matured. It arrived about  3 months late, but was, nevertheless, a huge success. This year Alistair Walker will not only be able to sample the whisky with our guests, but will also be available to sign any bottles purchased that night. This is very exciting…

Alistair will guide us through a formal tasting of 4 whiskies from Glendronach: 12 Year, 15 Year, 18 Year and 1995 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon while introducing his distillery. After the formal tasting guests will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of whiskies from both Glendronach and BenRiach distilleries (see the list below). After the formal tasting Alistair will also be available to answer your questions and sign bottles.

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Everyone in attendance will receive a special Glencairn glass produced just for this occasion and featuring the logos of both Glendronach and Kensington Wine Market. And as a special incentive for this evening we will give you a store credit of $45 (the value of the tasting) when you purchase $200 or more of any of the Glendronach or BenRiach whiskies exclusive to Kensington Wine Market for future use.

The whiskies we will sample:

1.       Glendronach 1995 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon

2.       Glendronach 12 Year

3.       Glendronach 15 Year

4.       Glendronach 18 Year

5.       Glendronach 14 Year Sauternes Finish (see below)

6.       Glendronach 14 Year Virgin Oak Finish (see below)

7.       Glendronach 15 Year Moscatel Finish (see below)

8.       Glendronach 20 Year Tawny Port Finish (see below)

9.       BenRiach 15 Year Dark Rum Finish

10.   BenRiach 15 Year Madeira Finish

11.   BenRiach 15 Year Tawny Port Finish

12.   BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus 12 Year

13.   BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus 12 Year

14.   BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12 Year

* We will also sample at least two of the new vintages of Glendronach (see below).

GLENFARCLAS 40 YEAR OLDS TASTING WITH GEORGE GRANT – Thursday October 28th – $165

No distillery in the world has such a depth and range of older whiskies as does Glenfarclas. Their Family Cask range which consists of 43 vintages from 1952 on is the envy of every distillery in Scotland. That might help to explain why they are the only distillery in Scotland which can release a official 40 year old bottling for less than $600. Glenfarclas’ larger than life brand ambassador George Grant will be our special guest at the Petroleum Club as he leads us through a tasting of the new core bottling of Glenfarclas 40 Year Old alongside the collectible Treasure Island 40 Year old (was $4500 now $3000) bottling released a few years back. We will also be sampling the 1960 Family Cask bottling and at least three other whiskies. The full line up is as follows:

1.       Glenfarclas  105 Cask Strength

2.       Glenfarclas 15 Year

3.       Glenfarclas 30 Year

4.       Glenfarclas 40 Year

5.       Glenfarclas 40 Year Treasure Island Bottling

6.       Glenfarclas Family Cask 1960

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There are only 600 bottles of the Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Treasure Island bottling, which were originally released for around $4500.00/bottle. The price has recently been reduced to $3000.00. Only 12 of the new regular release 40 Year Glenfarclas are coming into Alberta before Christmas, and all of them are coming to the Kensington Wine Market. This is your first and possibly only chance to sample this whisky this fall!

COMPASS BOX DINNER W/ JOHN GLASSER AT JANICE BEATON – Tuesday November 2nd – $65

John Glaser is a Maverick in the Blended Scotch whisky industry. Over the last 10 years he had earned a much deserved reputation for being one of the world’s best and most innovative blenders. Most of his whiskies fall into the blended malt category, meaning that they are blends of single malts, and do not contain grain whisky; Peat Monster being his most famous. John also makes a blend Asyla and even a blended grain whisky Hedonism. He will be presenting seven of his whiskies, each of which will be carefully paired with a food offering prepared by the staff of Farm Restaurant/Janice Beaton. Two of the whiskies are new and exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market: Peat Monster Reserve 1.5L ($154.99) and Hedonism Maximus ($259.99). $65 for a tasting of 7 whiskies paired with some first rate cuisineis a steal!

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The Complete list of whiskies to be sampled:

Compass Box Asyla
Compass Box Oak Cross
Compass Box Spice Tree
Compass Box Peat Monster
Compass Box Peat Monster Reserve (Exclusive to KWM—Coming Soon)
Compass Box Hedonism Maximus (Exclusive to KWM – Coming Soon)
Compass Box Flaming Heart

!!!BIG NEWS!!! KWM HAS BOTTLED IT’S OWN CASK OF KILCHOMAN AND IT’S HERE! – $114.99

Ours is the first private bottling of Kilchoman in Canada, and one of only a handful in the world. Only one other North American retailer is getting a cask, making it a real honour and privilege! Our Kilchoman has been bottled at an impressive cask strength of 61.9%. There are but 270 bottles, and I don’t expect they will last long, as this is one of the most collectible and highly sought after young whiskies in the world. We are expecting collectors from far and wide will be seeking out these bottles. 

Kilchoman is Scotland’s youngest active distillery. Established in 2005 in the north-west corner of the Island of Islay, it is the first new distillery to be built on the island in over 120 years. Kilchoman released its first single malt in the summer of 2009. The first bottle of this 3 year old was sold at auction for £5,400.00 with the proceeds donated to charity. The other 9000 bottles of the first ever whisky (Kilchoman Inaugural Release) offering from this distillery sold out quickly and now sell for at least double the original price at auction. Only 60 bottles made it to Canada, and they sold out almost immediately. The second and third releases (Autumn 2010 and Spring 2010) also sold out quickly. The fourth release—Summer 2010 is available now—see below (New Products).

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I haven’t had an opportunity to produce a formal tasting note—one will shortly follow in a future Malt Messenger or Bulletin—but having selected the cask and sampled it after arrival I can assure you it is spectacular. The key factor in the selection of this cask was the balance of soft fresh vanilla notes with the robust smoky peat and salt of the spirit. Our cask may be young, but it is an exceptionally deep and rich whisky. The first sip shows some heat, how could it not at 61.9%, but succeeding ones become much softer and rounder. This whisky is not for the faint of heart, but will amply reward its drinker!

!!!BIG NEWS!!! OUR GLENDRONACH 1995 KWM PX SHERRY CASK IS HERE – $114.99

Shortly after BenRiach Distillery Company took over Glendronach in 2008 the distillery launched a new core range of 12, 15 and 18 year old whiskies. All of them are bottled without coulouring or chillfiltering at a strength of 46%. They are all excellent, but I was most impressed by the 15 year old with its very smooth deep and rich character. This winter I approached Alistair Walker about bottling a cask of Glendronach for the store. When he asked me what I was looking for I told him I wanted something like the 15 year old, a first fill sherry cask matured whisky, but I wanted our cask to be bottled at cask strength to concentrate the flavours. Early in the spring a small group of about 15 of Kensington Wine Market’s customers gathered to help me select a cask. We reviewed 6 different cask samples of Glendronach and settled on cask 1410, a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon matured whisky.

Pedro Ximenez is a very sweet style of sherry that can give icewine or maple syrup a run for its money. Many distilleries will finish their whiskies in Pedro Ximenez casks to add rich, sweet and chewy notes, but it is more unusual to see a whisky matured in such a cask. Our cask, #1410, is also unusual being that it was a sherry puncheon rather than a more common sherry butt. The cask produced 682 individually numbered bottles at a cask strength of 52.2%.

I haven’t had time to do my own tasting note, but will write one for inclusion in the next malt messenger. In the meantime here is the distillery’s tasting note for our whisky: “Nose: pronounced toasted almond notes with a beautifully interwoven sherry base; sweet stewed fruits provide an added twist to the profile; Appearance: full gold with a distinctive tawny element; Palate: a bold concoction of chocolate, nut and alcoholic fruit cake; superb sherry notes bring added elegance and class into the frame.”

Our cask will be available for purchase during and after our Glendronach cask release party coming up this Tuesday October 26th at 7PM. The tasting is only $45, and anyone who purchases $200 or more of our Glendronach or BenRiach exclusive whiskies will get a $45 store credit for future use.  See above for more details.

EXCLUSIVE – 7 NEW GLENDRONACH VINTAGES

Glendronach distillery has a vast selection of casks dating all the way back to 1968. Every year the distillery bottles a selection of handpicked casks from different vintages. These vintage single casks are bottled at their natural cask strength in individually numbered bottles. Batch 2 released in July of 2010 consist of seven different vintages for which there are only six bottles of each in Canada, and all of them are exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market. Most of the bottles are already spoken for, and I don’t expect most of the vintages to even make the floor.  Tasting notes are not available at the moment, but may be by the next Malt Messenger. There are some reviews online, but not from sources I am familiar with.

1.       Glendronach 1971 – 48.4% – 39 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $436.99

2.       Glendronach 1972 – 51.5% – 38 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $399.99

3.       Glendronach 1978 – 51.2% – 31 Year – 20 Year – Oloroso Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $262.99

4.       Glendronach 1989 – 53.2% – 20 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $155.49

5.       Glendronach 1990 – 57.9% – 20 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $155.49

6.       Glendronach 1991 – 51.7% – 18 Year – Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $139.99

7.       Glendronach 1993 – 60.4% – 17 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! Tasting note to come. – $139.49

EXCLUSIVE – 4 NEW GLENDRONACH CASK FINISHES

Glendronach is famous for its rich sherried whiskies. Shortly after the distillery was taken over by BenRiach Distillery Company in 2008 a plan was hatched to offer some unique twists on their classic style. The first of these cask finished bottlings were released in July of 2010, and they are exclusively available from the Kensington Wine Market in Canada.

1.       Glendronach 14 Year Sauternes Finish – 46% – Distillery Tasting Note: Nose: Sweet, smoke and spiced fruits in 3 very defined waves. Juicy and fresh. A blanket of creamed soda and wild strawberries backed up lush late harvest desert wine. Hints of sherbet and ripe cherries. Very fruity. Palate: Apples and rhubarb drenched in homemade custard. Sweet desert wine influences emerge with ripe sultanas and a lovely creamy heart. Conclusions: Sweet fresh and fragrant with balanced acidity. Lots of finesse and elegance, whilst still maintaining the lively youthful elements. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $82.49

2.       Glendronach 14 Year Virgin Oak Finish – 46% – Nose: Toasted oak elements which are so intense that smoky attributes emerge. Sweet and lush tropical fruits rise with prominence. Banana and cacao, with roasted coconut. Palate: Spiced ginger and cinnamon cake with a beautiful smoky twist. Creamed mokiness coconut and fresh buttered toast with a handful of hazelnuts on the side. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $82.49

3.       Glendronach 15 Year Moscatel Finish – 46% – Nose: Golden syrup and nutmeg. Poached peaches and apricot flavours with fresh figs and dates. Subtle marzipan on the tail intensifies the aromatics. Palate: Sweet summer fruits of melon and pineapple intertwined with sweet ripe raisins and alcohol infused figs. Subtle marzipan adds a smooth round nutty edge. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $84.49

4.       Glendronach 20 Year Tawny Port Finish – 46% – Nose: Lashings of fine fortified wine elements and a generous portion of Mediterranean fruits including figs and dates. Palate: Stewed fruits of prunes, pears and apples. The stewed fruit is balanced with an injection of liquorice and subtle aniseed flavours. Massive power and definition. Exclusive to KWM. Only 12 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $124.99

EXCLUSIVE  – 5 NEW EXPRESSIONS FROM DUTHIES BY CADENHEAD

Duthies is a range of independently bottled whiskies from WM Cadenhead. Established in 1842 Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler. Being such an old and established business Cadenhead doesn’t need to buy up casks from among the scraps of the blended whisky market, but rather can rely on the deep inventory of casks maturing in their warehouses. The Duthies line of whiskies are all bottled at 46% meaning that they are non-chilfiltered, retaining the natural oils which add to the flavour and mouth-feel. The whiskies are also bottled without colouring in their natural colour. The Duthies range is exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market in Canada, and we have a new batch of five whiskies which have just arrived:

1.       Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year – 46% Founded in 1974 Auchroisk is one of Scotland’s more obscure distilleries. Its owner’s Diageo dedicate all of its production to Blended whisky. Nose: Big fudge and toffee with caramelised sugar, cream soda and toffee popcorn. A little bit of smokiness lends some authority to the whisky. Palate: All of the aromas from the nose are transferred to the palate and are joined by hints of raspberry, rhubarb and vanilla. Finish: Long, smooth and sweet, like a home-baked custard pie.  Exclusive to KWM. – $96.99

2.       Duthies Bowmore 17 Year – 46% – Could this please fans of the long lost distillery bottling of Bowmore 17? Perhaps! But it is a cracken whisky on its own. Nose: Not exactly a typical Bowmore. Earthy with notes of caramel, toffee sauce, gentle sherbet and hundreds and thousands ice cream topping. Palate: Rich and very sweet. Coffee beans and vanilla sweetness but with smoke very evident throughout. Finish: More smokey sweetness gives this dram a very reassuring finish. Exclusive to KWM. – $90.99

3.       Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year – 46% – 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! Nose: The sherry cask influence is immediately apparent. Rich and fruity; figs, stewed fruits and a sweet caramel note. Palate: Weightier than you would expect from a triple distilled whisky. Vanilla ice cream and stewed fruits contribute to a very rich mouth feel. The Campbeltown character is very evident here. Finish: Rich, fruity and lasts forever! – $84.99

4.       Duthies Ledaig 13 Year – 46% – 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). Nose: Woah! A smokey sensation. Coal and tar, like the west coast fishing boats of old. Also gently reminiscent of old copper coins. Palate: Less aggressive than the nose. Sweet and grassy with a very pure and clean mokiness. Finish: Hints of citrus fruits before the smoke comes back to complete a really intense sensory experience.Exclusive to KWM. – $79.99

5.       Duthies Longmorn 19 Year – 46% – 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! This whisky is an excellent expression from BenRiach’s sister distillery. Non-chillfiltered and no added colouring. Nose: Beautifully fruity. Raspberry pavlova, marshmallows, fruit jam, raspberry cordial and just the right amount of smokiness. Palate: Burnt caramel, vanilla and smoke complement the fruity flavours. Finish: A pleasant smokey tingle complete with ripe red fruits. Exclusive to KWM. – $96.99

SWEEDISH WHISKY

Sweden’s first distillery began production in Gastrikland in 1999, making it a little over 11 years old. It is the first distillery to be built in Sweden and the northernmost malt distillery in the world. Their early days were small scale indeed, with a capacity of only 100 L of spirit per run. After perfecting their techniques on a very small scale they increased their capacity modestly with the addition of new equipment in 2002. Since then the distillery has operated nearly 365 days a year, on occasion distilling two batches a day. Although overall production has increased the whisky is still made in small batches, with an emphasis on quality meaning that production is intentionally restricted.

Mackmyra uses Swedish ingredients to make their whisky. The distillery matures their whisky mainly in 100 litre casks, but also uses some Swedish oak casks made from trees planted on the island of Visingso more than 160 years ago. These casks rapidly and powerfully mature the spirit giving the whisky a full robust character at a young age. Barrels are warehoused 50m below ground in an old mine.  The distillery’s owners are so pleased with the success of Mackmyra that they are in the process of planning a second distillery which will give visitors the opportunity to make their own whisky.

The Kensington Wine Market carries two bottlings of Mackmyra:

1.       Mackmyra First Edition – 46.1% – Nose: fresh, light, floral and fruit with grassy malt and clean smoke; Palate: light, apple notes, soft, floral, clean malt and soft smoke; Finish: light and clean with soft oak and smoke. – $66.49

2.       Mackmyra Special ’03 – 48.2% – Nose: creamy vanilla, berry fruits, and grassy herbal notes; Palate: clean and buttery with some bitter herbs and melon; Finish: bitter and woody with some sweet dry notes.  – $91.49

NEW PRODUCTS

1.       Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask – 61.9% – 3 Year – Soft vanilla, rich thick peat and salty smoke. Our exclusive cask!  For more info see above. – $114.99

2.       Glendronach 1995 KWM PX Sherry Cask – 52.2% – 5 Year – Rich, spicy and chocolaty with a long smooth finish. Our exclusive cask! For more info see above.  – $114.99

3.       Glendronach 1971 – 48.4% – 39 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $436.99

4.       Glendronach 1972 – 51.5% – 38 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $399.99

5.       Glendronach 1978 – 51.2% – 31 Year – 20 Year – Oloroso Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $262.99

6.       Glendronach 1989 – 53.2% – 20 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $155.49

7.       Glendronach 1990 – 57.9% – 20 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $155.49

8.       Glendronach 1991 – 51.7% – 18 Year – Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $139.99

9.       Glendronach 1993 – 60.4% – 17 Year – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Exclusive to KWM. Only 6 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $139.49

10.   Glendronach 14 Year Sauternes Finish – 46% – Rhubarb, raisins and desert wine. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $82.49

11.   Glendronach 14 Year Virgin Oak Finish – 46% – Ginger and cinnamon with smoke. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $82.49

12.   Glendronach 15 Year Moscatel Finish – 46% – Melon, pineapple and melon. Exclusive to KWM. Only 18 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $84.49

13.   Glendronach 20 Year Tawny Port Finish – 46% – Stewed fruits and liquorice. Exclusive to KWM. Only 12 bottles in Canada! For more info see above. – $124.99

14.   Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year – 46% All of the aromas from the nose are transferred to the palate and are joined by hints of raspberry, rhubarb and vanilla. Exclusive to KWM. – $96.99

15.   Duthies Bowmore 17 Year – 46% – Rich and very sweet. Coffee beans and vanilla sweetness but with smoke very evident throughout. Exclusive to KWM. – $90.99

16.   Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year – 46% – Weightier than you would expect from a triple distilled whisky. Vanilla ice cream and stewed fruits contribute to a very rich mouth feel. Exclusive to KWM. – $84.99

17.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year – 46% – Less aggressive than the nose. Sweet and grassy with a very pure and clean mokiness. Exclusive to KWM. – $79.99

18.   Duthies Longmorn 19 Year – 46% – Burnt caramel, vanilla and smoke complement the fruity flavours. Exclusive to KWM. – $96.99

19.   Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release – 46% – 3 Year – Matured 3 years in fresh bourbon barrels. Sweet, smoke and spiced fruits. – $89.99

20.   Ballechin 3rd Release Port Matured – 46% – Big fruit with a big dollup of smoky peat. – $84.99

21.   The Singleton of Glendullan – Matured in both American and European oak, this whisky shows both sweet honey and vanilla as well as some dark fruits and a dry edge. – $43.49

22.   Auchentoshan 1998 – This is a cask strength sherry matured Auchentoshan. Bottled at a cask strength of 54.6%. – $64.49

23.   Auchentshan 1977 – Matured in Oloroso sherry casks this bottling is very limited, fewer than a couple of dozen bottles are available in Alberta, bottled at 49%. – $509.99

RETURNED PRODUCTS

1.       OMC Probably Speyside’s Finest Distillery 41 Year – 50% – This exceptional bottling of whisky is a steal at any price, but even more so when you discover it has been distilled by Glenfarclas distillery. At less than $300.00 a bottle it begs the question, how can Douglas Laing afford to give it away at this price? – $275.99

2.       Robbie Burns Single Malt – Only one distillery can produce whisky with the name of Scotland’s favourite son. The whisky comes from the Isle of Arran distillery and some of the proceeds go to supporting the World Burns Federation – $51.99

COMING SOON

1.       Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

2.       Old Pulteney 17 Year

3.       Old Pulteney 21 Year

4.       Glenglassaugh 30 Year

5.       Glenglassaugh 40 Year

6.       Compass Box Peat Monster Reserve

7.       Compass Box Headonism Maximus

  ——————–

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

Scotch Malt Whisky Society November Previews – Scotch Whisky News

whiskytwitcher1

November Previews: 121.39 & 44.47 for £77.90 (save £9)
We’ve got one or two Society surprises planned this month (watch this space) so we’re giving members a fruity first look at our November Outturn now…Buy Preview Pair 121.39 & 44.47 for £77.90 and save £9 (offer ends Thu 4 Nov)

121.39 Easy-drinking dream
Highland Island
£45.70 inc. Free P&P
The nose had rich treacle toffee, banana Toffoes, spun sugar, Maltesers and banoffee pie; also interesting hints of cough mixture, gingerbread, coffee, leather and oaky vanillas, “you can smell the warehouse” 

44.47 Strawberries dangling over straw
Speyside Spey
£41.20 inc. Free P&P
The nose promised sweetness; toffee, fudge, butterscotch, chocolate, Demerara and banana fritters in syrup. It also had buttered toast and an earthy fruitiness, like summer strawberries dangling over straw

29.88 What a magnificent and handsome nose
Our International Friends in Australia were so taken with cask 29.88 we thought we’d have a nosey at all the fuss.  The cask was never meant for the UK but we’ve got our hands on a few bottles.  Do let us know what you think about the cask by leaving your member comments.

29.88 What a magnificent and handsome nose
Islay
£41.20 inc. Free P&P
Smoky barbecued pork, hot shellfish, beach-dried seaweed, expensive balsamic vinegar and rock pools on a hot summer’s day. To taste we found salty char, caramelised sweet-cured bacon and lots more smoke

October Outturn Treats:
Trio Offer: 125.40, 35.42 & 123.5
only £136 (save £18.40)

Pair Offer: 95.12 & 3.159
only £107 (save £9)
    
SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events

Chocolate Ecstasy – Queen Street, Fri 22 Oct
Sherried Whisky with Willie Phillips – The Vaults, Tue 26 Oct
Melrose Preview Tasting – Fri 29 Oct, Townhouse Hotel
Chester-le-Street Halloween Tasting – Fri 29 Oct, The Cricket Club
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 30 Oct
New Members Tasting – London, Wed 3 Nov
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 6 Nov
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 7 Nov

Take the opportunity to join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at  http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships

The Whisky Bible & Malt Whisky Year Book at Loch Fyne Whiskies – Scotch Whisky News

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Loch Fyne Whiskies News has stocked two new items, ‘Whisky Bible & Whisky Yearbook 2011’

These two great books are now updated for 2011

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies www.lfw.co.uk

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Master of Malt New Bottlings of Mortlach & Port Ellen – Scotch Whisky News

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Mortlach 12 Bottling Note
A 12 year old Mortlach with a lovely deep hue from sherry butt number 3554. This was distilled in July 1994 and bottled in May 2007 for the Old Malt Cask range. A release of 654 bottles.
£34.95

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Port Ellen 25 Bottling Note
A 20cl Advance Sample from Douglas Laing. This was distilled at the Port Ellen distillery in November 1982 and aged for 25 years in sherry butt number 4673. It was bottled in September 2008.
£38.95

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www.masterofmalt.com

New Bottlings From WM Cadenhead Limited – Scotch Whisky News

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A message from WM Cadenhead Limited;

“Cadenheads have just bottled- 2 different casks of 21yo Macallan, 16yo Laphroaig and Ardbeg and casks of Benriach 23yo, Clynelish 17yo Banff 34yo Pulteney 20yo, Longrow 12yo.”

http://www.wmcadenhead.com/

Scotch Malt Whisky Society October Treats – Scotch Whisky News

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October Treats: Go on, spoil yourself
This isn’t a trick, these fine brews are still available to buy in our online shop. Treat youself this October…

33.90 Cocktails in a chimney
Islay
£57.30 inc. Free P&P
Coconut, elderflower and lime aromas suggested exotic cocktails, but the Malt-meister was in a malt kiln; certainly there was peat smoke, chimneys, coal-dust, charcoal, tar and liquorice

33.91 Barbecue on the beach at sundown
Islay
£57.30 inc. Free P&P
We imagined a barbecue at sundown with hickory smoked bacon and pork ribs garnished with hot chilli peppers and lime juice; oyster sauce and French onion soup; the kick of earthy tequila 

35.41 Sweet and savoury in a double oven
Speyside Lossie
£139 inc. Free P&P
The nose was of warm baking; lemon juice and baking soda before toasted vanilla pods and honey were added to the mix. Syrup sponge pudding melded with orange blossom and maple syrup

Oct TREAT TRIO:
Trio Offer: 125.40, 35.42 & 123.5
for only £136 (save £18.40)

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
Chocolate Indulgence Dinner – Mon 18 Oct
Chocolate Ecstasy – Queen Street, Fri 22 Oct
Sherried Whisky with Willie Phillips – The Vaults, Tue 26 Oct
Oxford Preview Tasting – Thu 28 October, Malmaison Oxford
Sheffield Preview Tasting – Fri 29 Oct, Leopold Hotel
Melrose Preview Tasting – Fri 29 Oct, Townhouse Hotel
Chester-le-Street Halloween Tasting – Fri 29 Oct, The Cricket Club
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 30 Oct
Penderyn Distillery Experience – London, Sun 31 Oct

Visit the Society today at www.smws.co.uk for an opportunity to join!

 

£100,000 Dalmore 64 Trinitas – Scotch Whisky News

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Say Hello, How are you to the £100,000 Dalmore 64, Trinitas, the world’s most expensive whisky. Introducing the Dalmore 64, Trinitas, which has been valued at £100,000. Further details can be seen here http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/dalmore/46291/

Some tasting notes from Richard Paterson himself ; The initial bouquet is highly complex. Powerful notes of sweet raisins, rich Colombian coffee, crushed walnuts and bitter orange casts are what hit you first followed by grapefruit, sandalwood, white musk and Indonesian patchouli.

This is one whisky that really needs more than a second for each year to appreciate the hidden depths – there’s sweet sultanas, figs, a caramelised topping of Seville oranges, apples, mangos and dates, followed by a wave of lingering sensations of vino dulce muscatel, marzipan, treacle toffee, soft liquorice and roasted coffee. A soft caress of truffles, walnuts and muscovado sugar on your palate brings this unforgettable fanfare to a flawless finish.

As you can see, I’ve put a lot into it! But that’s what you would expect from a £100,000 whisky.

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At some point Whisky Intelligence will reveal even more detail….

Jura Two Centuries 20 Year Old at The Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News

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Jura 20 Year Old – Two Centuries

Commemorative bottling to mark the  200th Anniversary of Jura distillery.

Limited release of 200 numbered bottles from a single hogshead complete with Douglas Laing  anniversary series packaging. 51.2%.

Distillery: Isle of Jura

A Mediterranean resort on a sunny day, a tad draughty on some other days. Sheltered by Islay, by the mighty Paps of Jura, washed by the warm Gulf Stream, fronted by palm trees. More Red Deer than people, tranquil and refreshingly quiet. A quiet and gentle whisky.

Product Details

Age: 20 Year Old
Vintage: 1990
Volume: 70cl
ABV: 51.2%
Bottler: Douglas Laing

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Visit the Whisky Barrel at www.thewhiskybarrel.com

Seat Belts Please! Kilchoman 2010 Summer Release Now Available in The United States – Scotch Whisky News

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Finally, Kilchoman is available in the United States for the first time!!  This is a Summer 2010 Release that has been matured in 100% Bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Kentucky.  It has been bottled at 46%, unchillfiltered and natural color.  The fist 2 releases from Kilchoman were given 92 and 90 points by John Hansell at Malt Advocate.  The Summer 2010 Release is limited to 378 / 6 packs in the U.S..

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For more information on where to purchase or on upcoming tastings, featuring Kilchoman, please go to www.impexbev.com or contact ImpEx Beverages at office@impexbev.com or by phone:  650-872-1113

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