As we do every year, we are celebrating St. Patrick’s with an in-store tasting. Harmony has an awesome lineup planned, and if you haven’t made any plans as yet, at the time of writing there are still 4 spots open…

We thought we’d also do a little Irish whiskey mini-sale this weekend, as many of our suppliers have offered special pricing in the last couple of weeks. All in-stock Irish whiskey is 15-30% off, now through the end of day Sunday.

You can browse all Irish whiskey on our site, but there are a few we’d like to highlight, so Curt and Harmony have selected a few they would like to showcase!

To mark St. Patrick’s Day… I asked OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 for an image for the newsletter of “a sad looking leprechaun on a dreary moor looks on as one by one the leaves of the four leaf clover clasped in his fingers blow away in the wind in the style of Salvador Dalí.”

Anyway, you’re welcome…

There is a full Malt Messenger coming next week, with news on our latest KWM casks, as well as new whiskies and tastings.

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, but you can email too.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

Irish Whiskey Highlights In Our Humble Opinions

by Curt & Harmony

If you’ve been living under a rock, you may have missed the headline: Irish whiskey (and whisky) is back, and back with a vengeance. The delightful distillate coming out of Ireland right now is sort of like the big guy shoving his way through the crowd to reach the front of the stage. The category has now grown large enough that there are simply no excuses for thinking Irish whiskey begins and ends with the bottom shelf versions of Bushmills and Jameson. Quite frankly, if you’re overlooking Irish whiskey (and whisky), you’re missing out.

We had plenty of brilliant drams we wanted to highlight – in fact, we had to pare down our list for this Malt Messenger – but here are a few of the real gems available at the moment.

Waterford Single Farm Ballymorgan 1.2 – 50% abv – From the perpetual motion machine that is the mind of Mark Reynier (formerly of Bruichladdich fame and infamy), comes quite possibly Ireland’s most fascinating malt distillery. We’ll even award extra points for spelling it ‘whisky’ and not ‘whiskey’. If you’re a fan of Bruichladdich’s naked style of young malts, you’ll almost certainly tumble head-over-heels for Waterford’s offerings as well. While different (as you’d expect), they’re also surprisingly similar. Waterford is the epitome of what young single malt whisky should be, irrespective of provenance. – $101.99+gst

W.D. O’Connell Single Grain 10 Year Batch 03 – 48% abv – If Pot Still whiskey is the beating heart of Irish whiskey, then certainly Irish grains are the arteries that have helped move Irish whiskey to the four corners of the earth (no, we’re not flat-earthers). Always clean, light, and vibrant, single grains are some of the absolute best buys out there…especially when taking into account the level in your piggy bank. This 10-year-old single grain was distilled at Cooley and matured in ex-Bourbon casks, before a final polishing is ex-Rye casks. – $96.99+gst

Hinch 10 Year Oloroso – 43% abv – A marriage of some of Hinch’s most prized casks of single grain and single malt, triple distilled, wrapped in a beautiful cloak of Oloroso Sherry, and left to gather a full decade of cask influence and oxidation. Just a tip (though you probably already know this): Irish Whiskey and Oloroso casks go together like peanut butter and chocolate. – $82.99+gst

Bushmills 21 Year – 40% abv – A syrupy mash-up of tropical fruits, soft baking spices, and (probably, almost certainly) the distilled tears of angels. Our detailed tasting notes: “tastes like one bottle is not enough.”

Oh, and free with purchase: a story from Curt about why he loves Bushmills more than he loves his own…well…let’s not finish that thought, lest there be familial consequences that fall out. – $209.99+gst

That Boutique-y Whisky Company 15 Year Single Malt #2 Batch 6 – 50.2% abv – We’re not saying this 15-year-old little gem also carries the Bushmills DNA, but we’re not not saying that either. Shhhh. It’s not like TBWC needed more secrets. If you were fortunate enough to try the previous Boutique-y Irish offerings (a 13- and 14-year-old), you’ll have an idea of what you’re in for here: an alcoholized fruit cocktail syrup. – $184.99+gst

…and last, but far from least…

Teeling 15 Year KWM Armagnac Cask 16570 – 58.4% abv – This one is a perennial favorite of all the KWM staff. Right now, it says “Curt’s pick” on the stack, but we can neither confirm nor deny the rumour that Harmony’s name was there first. Expect an overflowing fruit bowl, sparingly drizzled with Armagnac, and dusted with a bit of confectioner’s sugar. One of the best Irish whiskeys we’ve seen in forever. No hyperbole. – $149.99+gst

Browse All Irish Whiskies

Upcoming Tastings

·     Date: Tuesday, March 28

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $50

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

·     Samples ready for pick-up!

Evan loves his Bourbon, and everyone enjoys blind tastings, so we are once again fusing these concepts together. This time around we will be including 8 different samples of American Bourbon and Rye to taste through and talk about. We can’t tell you what’s in the lineup (because it’s a blind tasting!), but even if we wanted to offer a few teasers, we can’t. Evan still has to pull his lineup together. In any case, you can be assured it will be a good one!

Tuesday, March 28 @ 7PM

Glengoyne & Tamdhu with Gordon Dundas

·     Date: Saturday, April 1st

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

·     Samples ready for pick-up!

To launch the new Glengoyne 15 and Tamdhu 18, our friend Gordon Dundas has agreed to join us live from Scotland for a virtual tasting of 8 whiskies from the Glengoyne and Tamdhu Distilleries. You will sample your way through Glengoyne Cask Strength, Legacy 3, 15- and 18-Year, as well as Tamdhu Batch Strength, 12-, 15- and 18-Year.

Saturday, April 1, 5 PM

SMWS Canada April 2023 In-Person Outturn Tasting

·     Date: Thursday, April 6

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $60

·     IN-STORE TASTING

·     5 Spots Left!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s March 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 18 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, April 6 @ 8 PM.

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Virtual Tasting with Bry Simpson

·     Date: Tuesday, April 18

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $75

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

Our friend Bry Simpson, Glenmorangie’s Canadian Brand Ambassador, will be our special guest as we taste our way through 8 Glenmorangie expressions. We’ll tackle the extra matured range, 18 year, Signet, and A Tale of Forest. But the real draw for this tasting will be the Grand Vintage Malts. We’ll be sampling not one, but two of them: the 1996 and 1997.

Tuesday April 18, 7PM

Milk & Honey Distillery Virtual Tasting with Oded Weiss

·     Date: Tuesday, May 2

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     VIRTUAL TASTING

Israel’s Milk & Honey has been turning heads ever since its first whisky was launched in 2017. The Tel Aviv Distillery worked with the late Dr. Jim Swan, a Scotch whisky industry legend, to help shape the profile of its spirit. But while it produces a traditional Scottish-style single malt, M&H is also using innovation to put an Israeli twist on its whisky. We will be joined virtually by Milk & Honey’s Ovid Weiss, for a vertical tasting of 8 M&H whiskies, including both peated and unpeated single malts. You’ll sample whiskies matured in sherry, STR, ex-Pommegranate wine and Ale casks, as well as a whisky matured at the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea!

Tuesday, May 2, 7PM.

 

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.

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!

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Regular Store Hours

Mon-Wed 10 AM – 8 PM

Thurs & Fri 10 AM – 9 PM

Sat 10 AM – 8 PM

Sun 11 AM to 6 PM

WhiskyCast Community App for Cask-Strength Conversation Available Now for Free

We love a great cask-strength conversation…that’s what we do each week on the WhiskyCast Podcast…but occasionally that feels so…one-sided…

We want you to participate in the discussion.

Come share your whisky journey with whisky enthusiasts from over 17 countries to explore the world of whisky in the WhiskyCast Community app….FREE, and available now to download to your mobile device.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Or, if carrying whisky in your pocket isn’t your thing…you can connect to the conversation on the web.

WhiskyCast Community

You can even do both.

We will meet you wherever you are on your whisky journey, and be eager to know what’s in your glass because we believe whisky is best shared.

For 18 years, you’ve inspired us…we’ve had a chance to meet a few listeners and enjoy a dram or two with you on the way…as WhiskyCast approaches its 1000th episode, we want to celebrate the passion and spirit which connects us…and it would not be the same without you.

With Gratitude,

Slaintè!

Mark Gillespie & Christina Philburn

PS The FAQ’s

1.  Is it really free? Gathering data? Annoying E-mails?

·         Yes, both the mobile app(s) and the web app is free to use and download. If you register, we ask that you participate at least once a month with a post, comment, or scroll…you can even just read educational content or listen to the podcast if social whisky isn’t your thing.

·         GDPR compliant; we outline every piece of information we ask you to share, and explain how it is used and why we ask you for it. However, if you do not complete the required information in good faith, we delete the account….not because we’re mean, but because we don’t want bots.

·         You have likely been on this list for years….how many emails do we send you?

2. What about whisky media other than WhiskyCast?

·         Yes, please, join us. If you want to share whisky content you’ve created, post a link, and start a conversation. As long as you are not linking to sponsored material or only using the app to self-promote, it’s all good.

3.  What about whisky ambassadors and industry pros?

·         Do you/they like whisky? If yes, welcome…if not, we recommend a buff and polish of the CV and skip joining our community. Life is too short to drink bad whisky, or not enjoy your job.

·         We do insist that the community not be used for self or brand promotion. Connect with whisky enthusiasts by sharing your whisky knowledge and chops, and build interest by engagement.

·         As to actual whisky-makers and blenders…come, let us adore you….

4.  It’s full of adverts and sponsored posts, then? Algorithms?

·         Nope.

·         The activity feed consists of posts made to the three main groups, plus all of the groups you’ve joined. They appear in chronological order. No mystical math to censor the whisky discussion…

5.  Okay, then what gives?

·         Exactly what we said above. We want to connect to and with the WhiskyCast Community and those who share a passion for the spirit. As part of that connection, we hope to gain a better understanding of whisky from the people who enjoy whisky. This summer, we’re going to do an in-depth survey on whisky, and we’ll ask you to participate…it should take about 30 minutes, and the results of the general whisky questions will be available in the app.

·         If you still aren’t sure, email us at comments@whiskycast.com and we’ll do our best to answer your question.

NEW EXCLUSIVES:
METHOD AND MADNESS
HICKORY & MAPLE WOOD FINISH

A duo of limited-edition cask-strength Irish whiskies have arrived from Method and Madness, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. These are the first single pot still whiskies distilled at the experimental Midleton Micro Distillery in Cork, known for its creative cask-aging. Both of these whiskies were initially aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before being finished in specially-selected casks – one in maple wood casks, the other in hickory wood.

Limited to around 600 bottles each, these have been chosen by our team of whisky experts for their one-of-a-kind flavour. The Maple Wood Finish is a sweet and creamy dram with notes of sticky toffee pudding, ripe banana and delicate spices. Whilst the Hickory Wood Finish offers an unusual sweet, savoury and smoky character with notes of smoked almonds, caramel and woody spices. Interested in trying both? Save £5 on our Hickory & Maple Wood duo bundle.

SHOP NOW

NEW LIMITED RELEASE

GLEN ELGIN

14 Years Old

FLOC DE GASCOGNE FINISH

Why Floc de Gascogne Finish?

To our knowledge, this type of cask has never been used in the Scotch Whisky industry for maturation purposes (primary or secondary). So, this is a genuine ‘first’.

Floc de Gascogne (meaning “Flowers of Gascony”) is made in the Côte de Gascogne and Armagnac regions of South West France. A fortified wine, made with two parts partially fermented grape juice (Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannatin in this case) and one part Armagnac, it is thought to have originated in the region in the 16thcentury and was awarded protected Appellation d’OrigineContrôlée status in 1990. It is produced in the same way as Pineau des Charentes, the key distinction being the use of Armagnac instead of Cognac.

As an aperitif or an after-dinner drink, it offers delicious notes of toasted almonds, plum blossom, cherries, toffee fudge, tobacco and a touch of cracked pink pepper, characteristics that helped season the oak barrels during the ageing process. We were confident that resting in this barrel would give the Glen Elgin 2008 (14 Years Old) cask number 3010 added layers of complexity. This example shows how great the ex-Floc de Gascogne casks can be for secondary whisky maturation.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Bright gold with a rosé hint.

Nose: Rosehip, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, peppery oak.

Palate: More salty, nutty qualities with Morello cherries, nutmeg, pink peppercorns and hints of cigar smoke.

Finish: Sweet red fruits, toffee, ripe plums and a whiff of smouldering charcoal.

£75

SHOP NOW

Symington’s Choice

Macallan – Bowmore – Laphroaig

Bottled February 2023 the first in a series of bottlings specially selected by Signatory owner Andrew Symington. Batch one includes single casks from: Macallan, Bowmore and Laphroaig – designed to become real collectors items.

Shop – Symington’s Choice First Release Whiskies

Tormore 29 Years Old 1993 Connoisseurs Choice

This single malt was distilled at Tormore distillery in 1993 and aged in a first fill sherry butt for 29 years. It was bottled at 54.5% ABV, at natural colour and without chill-filtration by Gordon & MacPhail for their Connoisseurs’ Choice Collection.

Tormore 29 Years Old 1993 Connoisseurs Choice

NOSE Stewed red berries complement vanilla pod and subtle cocoa powder. Medjool dated give way to dark treacle and toted of soft aniseed.

PALATE Baked apple intertwines with cinnamon and ginger spice. Dark chocolate leads to subtle citrus fruit and charred oak.

FINISH Full with lingering summer berries and soft herbal notes.

Only 554 bottles produced.

 £265.00

Shop now

DISCOVER

IRISH WHISKEY

From ancient tradition to the cutting edge of modern distilling, Ireland’s contributions to whiskey cannot be overestimated. With new distilleries springing up across the island and a greater range of styles available than ever before, this might be the most exciting whiskey scene in the world today.

For the first time in generations, Irish whiskey is experiencing a renaissance. At the end of the 20th century there were just a handful of distilleries keeping the tradition alive. Now we have more than 30 across the island of Ireland. Get to know some of the Irish whiskey producers leading the way and explore our favourite bottles to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with. Slàinte mhath.

  SHOP TOP PICKS 

  SHOP IRISH WHISKEY 

We’ve just added some delightful new single casks from multi-award winning Indie bottler, Lady of the Glen. Lots of exciting and experimental casks used and as with all Lady of the Glen drams, each one has been bottled in its most natural form.

Check out these new arrivals along with some current customer favourites listed below.

As ever, if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.

Slàinte

SHOP LADY OF THE GLEN

Pioneering “House of Vintages” BHAKTA Spirits Enters Craft Whiskey

Spirits Tycoon Raj Peter Bhakta Returns To Category That Made Him A Legend

POULTNEY, VT — BHAKTA Spirits, the world’s preeminent House of Vintages, today announces the launch of its inaugural whiskey vintage — marking a milestone in the portfolio’s boundary-breaking evolution into vintage spirits, a burgeoning category widely seen by experts, collectors, and consumers as the next frontier of craft spirits.

This landmark single-year whiskey curated from the global cellars of Whistlepig Whiskey Founder Raj Peter Bhakta signals the beginning of BHAKTA Spirits’ ‘Drink Vintage’ campaign; his first-ever bourbon, this singular vintage release symbolizes the tycoon’s return to his infamous métier — whiskey — which vaulted him to prominence as an iconic progenitor of the American craft spirits movement.

BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon (SRP $149) is a 99% corn bourbon hailing from the 2013 vintage. Given a secondary cask finish in French Oak barrels which previously held ancient Armagnac vintages dating back to and including the ultra-rare BHAKTA Vintage Armagnac 1868, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon is distinguished by a finish like no other bourbon on the market today. BHAKTA’s entry into vintage whiskey — and its founder’s return to the category after his successful exit from WhistlePig in 2019 — marks a new chapter in the story of one of whiskey’s most iconoclastic innovators.

“Isn’t it time we provided consumers with more information than afforded by mere ‘Age Statements’? Spirits lovers deserve to know — and I mean, really know — what they’re drinking,” says Founder Raj Peter Bhakta. “Single Vintage Spirits are the absolute pinnacle of drinks: today, tomorrow, and yesterday. There is no more precise indicator of quality and provenance than vintage, and only BHAKTA owns the oldest, largest, and rarest collection of vintage spirits on Earth. Enthusiasts no longer need to settle for superficial ‘Age Statements.’ With BHAKTA, they can finally Drink Vintage and discover The Spirit of Time.”

Considered a “legendary figure in the liquor world” and the pioneer who “spearheaded the rye revival of the last decade and inspired countless imitators,” Bhakta’s inaugural bourbon will be followed by further vintage releases across all major categories — whiskey, rum, tequila and more — which will dramatically expand the BHAKTA portfolio and complement its crown jewel, BHAKTA Armagnac (SRP $199–$22,000), whose range of rare vintages and blends encompasses nearly every year back to 1868. 

After exiting WhistlePig, Bhakta unearthed a historic cache of Armagnac vintages in a storybook French château while on a global sabbatical in search of craft spirit’s next big breakthrough. Acquiring the ancient cellar and property, Bhakta continued adding to the company’s stocks by aggressively seeking out the world’s finest vintage spirits of all ages, expressions, and categories. These miraculous finds have positioned BHAKTA as the world’s preeminent House of Vintages.

“The Status Spirits category is red-hot, and explosive demand for high-end bourbon is driving a significant share of growth,” says CEO Sean O’Rourke. “We’re seeing bourbon connoisseurs naturally evolve into the brandy category because it offers all the attributes they love — and with even more complexity, rarity, and age. The whiskey lover’s journey of discovery begins with BHAKTA 27-07, progresses into BHAKTA 50, and culminates with BHAKTA Single Vintage Armagnac. BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon builds a powerful bridge between where whiskey enthusiasts are now, and where their tastes are inevitably evolving.”

This initial limited release of BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon — consisting of only 2,000 cases — is now available in twelve states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Vermont, and Tennessee, to be followed by launch in Michigan in April. BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon is also now available for purchase through partners linked at bhaktaspirits.com and ships to 41 states.

About BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon
Bold American Bourbon Meets Ancient Armagnac Brandy—France’s Crown Jewel. An exceptional coupling of our French and American Cellars, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon unites two spirits in celebration of a shared legacy. After harvest and distillation in the American heartland, this complex 99% corn bourbon underwent a secondary cask finish in French Oak barrels selected from Château BHAKTA’s finest stock—chosen for their pedigree, these casks have each held BHAKTA 50’s ancient blend of Armagnac Vintages dating back to 1868. Released at cask strength and just shy of 10 Years age, BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon symbolizes America’s iconic bond with its oldest ally.

• The first-ever bourbon whiskey from Raj Peter Bhakta
• 9 year 5 month old cask strength bourbon whiskey
• Finished in Armagnac casks
• Limited release of 2,000 cases

Tasting Notes

• Aspect: Deep, rich amber
• Nose: Vanilla, biscuits, butterscotch and toasted oak
• Palate: Very spicy with notes of nutmeg and hazelnut
• Finish: Stewed pears and apples with an intense lingering finish

About BHAKTA Spirits

BHAKTA Spirits is the world’s preeminent House of Vintages. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta — also the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey — BHAKTA offers a luxury craft spirits portfolio of limited release Single Vintage whiskeys, brandies, rums, and more, anchored by its ancient and awe-inspiring Armagnac holdings dating back to 1868. An innovator in the experiential hospitality space on a quest to help guests “Find Their Spirit,” BHAKTA’s destinations include historic properties in France, Vermont, and Florida. BHAKTA Spirits is headquartered on its BHAKTA-Griswold Campus in Poultney, VT, the former site of Green Mountain College.

About OVERTON & ASSOCIATES

OVERTON & ASSOCIATES is a strategic communications and mythbuilding agency based in Manhattan. Advocating on behalf of established brands and ambitious startups across beverage, media, publishing, and politics — and animated by a mission to “Move the Window” of perception in an increasingly surreal media landscape — OVERTON champions concepts whose time has come.

Register Your Interest:
The Glenrothes 42 Year Old

In May of 1980, The Glenrothes filled four refill casks with their vibrant new make spirit. This special liquid would then slumber for over four decades, finishing up in a single sherry-seasoned cask to become this exceptional release, limited to just 1134 bottles. Register your interest in this special dram below to be notified when we open the ballot upon its release later this week.

Register Your Interest Now →

The Glenrothes 42 Year Old

The nose is vibrant with notes of sun-ripened apricots, sugared almonds and coriander seed, moving to a richly sweet and oaky palate of honeycomb, creamy vanilla and fragrant orange oil.

£6,750.00
Register Your Interest